This part of reloading used to be mindless; toss the fired brass in the tumbler and let it go.
Over the years I have used different major brand media with satisfactory results.  Used to be ground walnut shells with a mixture of rouge.  Someone made a "re-conditioner" that was rouge in a light liquid; always worked great; no longer around.
Sometime ago, I replenished my supply with a common brand of ground corn cobs with a green polishing agent. Used that for long time, but the last batch was so dusty with the polishing agent the cases had to be cleaned after cleaning.     Tried to eliminate the "over dose of polishing agent" but to no avail.  I contacted the well know maker and never received a response.
Next, tried a current, major brand of treated, ground walnut shells.  Same results; lots of dust but poor cleaning.
I use a vibratory cleaner.  Nothing exotic.  Using smokeless powder.  I use a wet tumbler for the nasty, dirty cases.
I have no interest in making my own, as this should be a no-brainer to purchase.
Anyone having a good experience with one brand or another?

Thanks, and Merry Christmas 

Mike.

I bought a 25 lb pail of walnut shell media at Harbor Freight for $28 and it seems to work just fine for me. They have two grit sizes to choose from. I got the coarser of the two.

If you end up with super dusty corncob or walnut shell, cut up dryer fabric softener sheets (Bounce or whatever) into thin strips, and put a couple in the bowl.  They’ll eliminate the static so it doesn’t stick to the brass.  Another helpful hint is to add a couple tablespoons of mineral spirits to the media.  Both will turn dusty pet store media into usable tumbling media.   

If you buy the treated media, and it has too much coating on it, just mix it 50/50 with untreated media.

I tossed some out one time onto an old window screen. When i looked at it in the spring it looked like new. Probably should of looked at it sooner, but looks like washing it off does not hurt it al all

THE BEST:   Turtle Wax Chrome Polish!

Went to a sonic cleaner. So much simpler......

I was at bass pro this week cause kids gave me a gift card and I started to get a wet tumbler but they didn’t have any of the media to put in with it, my dry mixer takes so long to clean and still doesn’t get all the spots off and the insides are always black even when I leave it going all night! Got some old walnut media in but I’ll stop by harbor freight and get some of the course stuff to try!

A couple of words of advice that I have been told over the years. IF you want to toss a dryer sheet into your tumbler, always use a used sheet. I have seen it posted that a new one will make a real mess on your cases. I don't know this for a fact but I figure why take a chance. A used dryer sheet does a good job of sucking up the excess dust. 
For some added shine add a squirt of Megiar's Mirror Glaze fine cut cleaner. About a tea spoon or a bit less will last several cycles. Its also available at Harbor Freight. 
SS pins will do a very good job of cleaning your brass, They will also ruin a barrel in a heartbeat. All it takes is one pin to be shot down a barrel and good chance it will be toast. This info comes from my Gunsmith. 
Ceramic medial can be had from many places. The 3mm balls do a nice job in large and small cases but don't clean out  corners in primer pockets. Angle cut media is better if you want pockets also cleaned. 
If all you shoot is smokeless, an untrasonic is a very good way to go.  A 50/50 mix of hot water and white vinigar does a really good job. I was surprised when I tried it. 
Hope this is of some help to you all.
Sam