Essential Plug-Ins

[Bryson]

I've got an HD3 rig with just the stock plugs, and am about to mix an album all ITB. I'm not too keen on the Focusrite EQ and wonder what the popular must have EQ is for record mixers.

Reverbs too (I've only the stock Reverb One).

[Fulcrum]

I think we plowed this row recently, but maybe by now it bears repeating...

Me, I'm liking the URS EQs-- the "Fulltec" and the "N" series plugs; and the Waves SSL-4000 channel. Mind you I am native and not using Pr* T**ls, so take that for what it's worth; but if the RTAS versions are anything like as good-sounding as these are, I think you'd like them too.

I'm starting to not like any of the verbs I've got, actually. Even the Lexicon Pantheon-- too much work to get a good noise out of that one.

[Bob Olhsson]

I'd just put a waves/ssl RTAS e-channel on each input, set up some nice delays 'n verbs, turn off your brain the best you can with a daw and go at it. TL space or Waves IR are both pretty decent.

I hate automation. Mixing in pieces back to a stereo track you can punch in on is a breeze.

[bunnerabb]

I put the PSP Vintage Warmer on almost anything that holds still.

[otek]

You should definitely check out the McDSP eq's, too.

[Skwaidu]

I've got an HD3 rig with just the stock plugs, and am about to mix an album all ITB. I'm not too keen on the Focusrite EQ and wonder what the popular must have EQ is for record mixers.

Reverbs too (I've only the stock Reverb One).

I have the stock digi EQ 3 on a lot of tracks...


Waves SSL is good though, so is the URS Fulltec.

(Both Reverb One and D-Verb have their uses IMHO but for the "good" stuff you might wanna try TL Space or Waves IR, yes...)

[Brendo]

I have the stock digi EQ 3 on a lot of tracks...

EQ III beats the Suckrite 9 times out of 10 IMHO. Try and do any extreme EQ on the fuckyoursoundriteup EQ, and you barely hear it... so it's great for when you want to EQ something, but you don't REALLY want to EQ it and you just want a "comfort" plugin, like a blankie.

Don't mind me, I just HATE the focuswrong.

[Bryson]

EQ III beats the Suckrite 9 times out of 10 IMHO. Try and do any extreme EQ on the fuckyoursoundriteup EQ, and you barely hear it... so it's great for when you want to EQ something, but you don't REALLY want to EQ it and you just want a "comfort" plugin, like a blankie.

Don't mind me, I just HATE the focuswrong.
Yes.........as handsome as those red anodized face plates and ergonomically machined knobs are..........it's just not very handsome, nor ergonomic.

[GeeWhoLeeo]

altiverb is the first reverb plugin i'm liking a lot, it creates cool harmonics, very pleasant and lush.
revibe is cool too.

for the eq i like URS plugs, especially the fulltec, but all of them find a good use.

[nwsoundman]

ReVibe Reverb

McDSP EQ's + Dynamics

Sony Oxforde EQ


These are must haves IMHO.

[robot gigante]

Massenburg MDW is the only EQ plugin I don't hate. It's a DSP hog though.

[Fulcrum]

I don't know if an RTAS version of Glaceverb is available, but I find myself going to it more and more these days. It just has a nice sheen that I find sits well in my mixes.

[mika]

Sony Oxford EQ
Sony Oxford Dynamics

Tritone Colortone
Tritone Hydratone

Massey L2007 Limiter

These are the ones I use the most, and would be happy with if I could only use a few.

I wish Sony made a plug that ONLY did the "warm" effect from the Dynamics plug-in, to save on CPU drain... I also have (and use) the Sony Inflator, which is a little similar, but there's something about that warm setting that just sounds right. It's great! :)

[Uu-Aa]

When adding highs I go for UA´s pultec-copy. As a surgical instrument I use sony oxford and with the basic things I just go for waves REN.

I also like to paint almost every channel green with McDsp´s analog channel.

[6x2]

Waves SSL
Waves gold (for Rcomp, Waves DeEsser and C1)
TL Space or IR-1 or ReVibe or Altiverb
Soundtoys delay thingy
Tape head
Digi EQ III
URS Fulltec and A
Lofi
Sansamp

Unfortunately, often needed is:

Otto Toon

With this bunch you're laughing. It ain't cheap, though.

FWIW I've not found any use for Renaissance EQ since Digi III came out. Nor Oxford. The Massenburg eq is great in transparency, but a bit boring really.

And ugly, but that's ok.

6x2

[Produce_dept]

Cranesong Phoenix
McDsp Channel G
McDsp AC1
McDsp Comp Bank and Filterbank
Sony Oxford EQ
Soundtoys Bundle
Melodyne :Wink:
URS Api and Neve

[Charles Dye]

DUY Valve
DUY Tape
Convolution Verb – they're all pretty damn great.
McDSP AC1
Waves SSL
URS EQs

far from complete, there are many more amazing plugz.

[Fulcrum]

I stone forgot about the Waves SSL. If it's not the Fulltec it's that one.

Starting to experiment a bit with Perfect Space.

[Empty Planet]

Eliosound Air eq over here. Sometimes Waves SSL. My personal experience is that a lot of digital eqs break down when it comes to preserving transients, but those two are pretty much neck and neck in that department.

For compression I'm all over the map; there are so many flavors out there. I like the UAD arsenal, but there are lots of tasty compressors out there and I even stock one or two freeware ones. There are so many options open to plugin designers -- it just takes so much damn time to really become familiar with what each plug is capable of, and there are only so many hours in the day.

Interesting times to be living in, for sure.

:)


Cheers.


:Coolio:

[Uu-Aa]

[
McDSP AC1]

I actually picked the McDSP-pack from you´re digizine article, tried it and as I said nowadays I´m painting almost every track green with it. Love it!

[Shan]

...and wonder what the popular must have EQ is for record mixers.

Waves SSL has my vote. Also(dont hurt me too much guys:very happy: ) the Digi EQ III 7 band has been used alot on some of my current mixes.

Reverbs too (I've only the stock Reverb One).

Sony Oxford Reverb, Waves IR and TL Space. I also demoed the Eventide Reverb awhile back and it gets my thumbs up.

And of course the many saturation type plug-ins that many have mentioned above are essential in my opinion.

Shane

[Shan]

...FWIW I've not found any use for Renaissance EQ since Digi III came out. Nor Oxford...

6x2

Glad I'm not alone on this one. I've been using the Digi EQ III 7 band more and more on every mix I do these days. I actually used it on some heavy guitars and rock vocals with success recently. :icon_eek:

Shane

[Skwaidu]

Waves SSL and Digi EQ III 7 band are actually 98% of my EQing... So shoot me. :P

[Brendo]

Waves SSL and Digi EQ III 7 band are actually 98% of my EQing... So shoot me. :P

I'm poor so EQIII is 100% of my EQing :lol:

I assume the different number of bands affects the CPU hit?

[Chris Lambrechts]

Sony EQ & Sony Dynamics ... arguably there's better but I know them so damn well and get things done with those.

Eventide Reverb : imvho the only 'outboard worthy' reverb ITB.

Sony Trans Mod : whenever I run out of SPL TD's

Digi's own delay plugs : ... argh ... gotten so used to them and I can allways add stuff after them on the Aux if I want to create more special fx kinda things, goofy filter sweeps or whatever ...

Revibe : used in almost every 5.1 mix because it's 5.1 capable. Good reverb plugin.

Melodyne 3 has been kinda replacing autotune for now although I sometimes fight 'stability' issues.

I like most of the BF stuff ... slighty rude, mooger, etc ... usually end up using them in a 'let's see how I can mess with this source a bit ...' way

Mc DSP's AC's / Duy valve @ tape ... obviously ....

Smack ... first alternative for Sony dynamics
Impact ... second one

MDW : first alternative to sony EQ
eq3 : second one
The more colored ones after that but usually that means that I'm really not happy with the source .

Actually ... I should maybe say that before I start using most of these plugins at all I tend to go for outboard anyhow ... EQ's, dynamics, verbs, FX ... you know ... the usual stuff you use on a mix.

One thing I absolutely fail to understand for any musical use unless as an FX is the use of convolution reverbs. I've never found my way with those things ... Most of them suck up the source as soon as you even touch them with a send and I absolutely hate that. Unless that's what I want to do of course in which case they do quite a good job at that but that's rather rare.

[Comte de St Germain]

One thing I absolutely fail to understand for any musical use unless as an FX is the use of convolution reverbs. I've never found my way with those things ... Most of them suck up the source as soon as you even touch them with a send and I absolutely hate that. Unless that's what I want to do of course in which case they do quite a good job at that but that's rather rare.

Huh?

Isn't revibe one?

Are you talking just as a room simulator to add some space to close miked tracks?

I find many uses for Altiverb all over the place, usually as an aux verb in the traditional sense but awesome nonetheless. For reflections and some "roominess" on close miced stuff I actually have been using the UAD-1 Reflection engine quite a bit. You have to mess with it a bit but once you find the settings that work it really does some cool stuff in subtle or not so subtle ways.

[Charles Dye]

One thing I absolutely fail to understand for any musical use unless as an FX is the use of convolution reverbs. I've never found my way with those things ... Most of them suck up the source as soon as you even touch them with a send and I absolutely hate that. Unless that's what I want to do of course in which case they do quite a good job at that but that's rather rare.

Hi Chris,

Can you please tell us some more about your convolution reverb experiences (negative or positive). I love em, but I'm sure your reasons are totally valid. I'd just like to understand them better.

I set up a separate thread to just focus on this. So, please reply over here in the Convo Verb (http://womb.mixerman.net/showthread.php?p=13374#post13374) thread.

Thanks!

And great to see you here @ The Womb.

[bleen]

Gonna have to put in a vote for the Sonalksis SV315 comp and SV517 EQ as well as Metric Halo's ChannelStrip.

[Suthernman]

One vote for TL DrumRehab. Totally kills Sound Replacer.

Two votes for the SSL bundle from Waves. Not the real thing but definitely has a "thing."

[Old Man]

Altaverb.........YES!
Waves SSL (although I am pissed at Waves)
MDW EQ
Oxford EQ (mainly for the filtering)
Phoenix (for that analog thang)
Echoboy (this flat ROCKS)

[eightyeightkeys]

If you want something that's really different and lush, try the R66 reverb. Outstanding.

My experience with ITB EQ's is that, more or less, they are very similar. No real stand outs. Not too much character, but, useful. (I haven't tried the URS or SSL stuff though) Lately, I've been relying on the Dynamic EQ for the PoCo FW over and above any UAD and Waves EQ's.