Kristal Recording Software Review

Kristal Recording Software Review
The Interface

The Easy to use interface of "Kristal" makes short work of quick Ideas.

-The Waver-

This is the spot where you get to piece together all your recordings. You have the option to record from an outside source (Microphone, Effects Pedal, Soundboard with USB output, etc). It generally works very well for detecting any of these, although you sometimes may need to restart the program if you just plugged your hardware in.

You can have up to 16 tracks of audio, which is better than most other free programs, but most paid programs give the option for an unlimited number of tracks.

When piecing recordings together, you can have them "Snap to grid" which is especially useful for when you have to move them (you WILL, because of the Latency when recording) or you can choose not to snap to the grid at all. Copying, Cutting, and Pasting is generally fairly easy to do as well.

-The Transport-
This is the window that tells you the time/place in the song. It also holds the metronome (which works very well), and the option to have a pre-count for the metronome. The stuff here is fairly standard and all works quite decently

-The Mixer-
This is where you get to go around and change the volume levels of each track, add VST effects, work with the equalizer, and change Master Sound Levels.

The Volume control is quite standard and works fairly easy. The one problem is that it can't boost levels that high (but you shouldn't be doing that anyway unless you are looking for your sound quality to turn to rat feces).

The VST Effects that come with the program are neat, but just don't measure up to the real effects that you would use in a real professional setting. It has 4 "Kristal Original" effects:

Kristal Chorus
This is exactly what it sounds like. The Kristal Chorus includes options to change the Delay, LFO Frequency, Width, Stereo Width, Feedback, Mix, and Volume. You can make many useful combination's, and there 5 presets to help those who don't like to experiment.

Kristalizer
This is basically just an Equalizer in the form of a VST plug-in with a few different options. You can change the gain, threshold, and Drive. There are 8 presets, such as different compressors and distorting effects.

Kristal Multi-Delay
An advanced plug-in. There are 10 different Delay spots where you can change the time, feedback, and Volume giving infinite possibilities in what your delay will sound like. 5 presets with the option of 5 Custom Presets.

Kristal Reverb
A reverb VST with options for Room Size, Width, Damping, Freeze, Dry Level, and Wet Level. Comes with 5 Presets.

-Kristal LiveIN-
LiveIN is Kristal's pathetic attempt at a "Digital Rack mount". It really isn't even worth mentioning, as you will never use it.

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