Plugin Purchase time

DrGonzo

Hey Pro Audio guys and hobbyists…

Now i know that the majority of people around here would much rather download waves complete 9 for free than pay thousands of rands on plugins (I've been there don't worry)

but since I am now working professionally in the music and audio industry i feel i should invest in some great plugins i can use for years to come… Also the fact that I have just updated to Pro Tools 11 and its a new plugin format AAX in which there simply are no working plugin cracks anyway.

I already have quite a few licensed software such as NI complete slate plugins a couple of soft synths but I'm looking at getting the following to my arsenal.

- A good clean transparent compressor
- A good character comp like LA2A, fairchild etc.
- A really precise digital parametric EQ
- Algorithmic REverb
- Metering that has RMS and as well as EBU-R128 and other broadcast specs (that will hurt the wallet ☹ )

What are some of your favourites you have used?
im leaning towards the Sonnox for comp EQ and reverb although they are mighty expensive

im enrolled in an online course in which i can qualify for up to 50 % discount on most brands so its now or never!

AlanRatcliffe

If you have Komplete, you have everything you need. There is the Solid Mix series, the Vintage Compressor series and the Premium Tube series. All pretty good.

There are also the Lexicon reverb plugs, The 2C Aether is also good, as is Valhalla Room (and Valhalla Shimmer), but I have no idea about AAX availability.

Mixerboy

Fabfilter for clean EQ and Comp

DrGonzo

I was browsing Waves site and came across a mean special

- I got C6 multi band comp, L3 multi and L3 ultra maximiser, H- Delay (my fave plugin!!), new Element Synth, trans-X, MV-2 and the V-EQ 4 all for $199…
thats quite a score IMO, thats well over 50% off

funny, i don't think i would have ever considered waves plugins had i not been so used to using them from a cracked version, i guess there is some slight benefit to the companies in that way.

So when i get cash again, i will look at getting a good Algorithmic reverb and a decent Meter with RMS and EBU..
that plus the divi plugs and i have all my grounds covered ?

doc-phil

There's some good (legitimately) free stuff out there that you might want to check out before laying out a lot of cash for plugins. Yes, things like the ultramaximiser don't come free, but there are dozens of coloured and transparent comps out there that can do just as good as the Waves CLA-76 or other pricey comps (VOS density MKIII, thrillseeker vintage broadcast limiter, Hornet FET etc etc).

Same applies for EQs. I would never pay money for a transparent EQ, the stock EQ on your DAW should do the trick. VOS also has some great transparent and musical EQs for free.

http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/vst-effects/

AlanRatcliffe

Ah, great! I love most of those. Except H-Delay, which I don't know (I have the PSP Audioware delays, which are great Lexi style delays - the 608 is insanely powerful).

Mixerboy

AAX pretty much excludes all the really good free/cheap plugins out there, such as:

http://www.klanghelm.com/DC8C.html
http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/vst-effects/ FREE
http://www.toneboosters.com/products/
http://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-feedback-compressor-2/ FREE
http://sonimus.com/products/soneq/ FREE
http://www.stillwellaudio.com/
http://www.ddmf.eu/products.php

Not to mention all the freebies from the big companies (some might be AAX)

FruitarGeek

Mixerboy wrote: Fabfilter for clean EQ and Comp

I LOVE the EQ. I always use it. Not the biggest fan of the Compressor though. I feel its too clunkly. It looks too fancy, and eats up too much CPU when less is required. But it is still good though.

DrGonzo wrote: I was browsing Waves site and came across a mean special

- I got C6 multi band comp, L3 multi and L3 ultra maximiser, H- Delay (my fave plugin!!), new Element Synth, trans-X, MV-2 and the V-EQ 4 all for $199…
thats quite a score IMO, thats well over 50% off

Love the C6. My absolute favourite!

DrGonzo

doc-phil wrote: There's some good (legitimately) free stuff out there that you might want to check out before laying out a lot of cash for plugins. Yes, things like the ultramaximiser don't come free, but there are dozens of coloured and transparent comps out there that can do just as good as the Waves CLA-76 or other pricey comps (VOS density MKIII, thrillseeker vintage broadcast limiter, Hornet FET etc etc).

Same applies for EQs. I would never pay money for a transparent EQ, the stock EQ on your DAW should do the trick. VOS also has some great transparent and musical EQs for free.

http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/vst-effects/

thanks man…
I need plugins in AAX format, so those don't apply!

theres a couple of good free ones but AAX Portin has been a slow business!…

DrGonzo

Adrian Rogowski wrote:
Mixerboy wrote: Fabfilter for clean EQ and Comp
I LOVE the EQ. I always use it. Not the biggest fan of the Compressor though. I feel its too clunkly. It looks too fancy, and eats up too much CPU when less is required. But it is still good though.

DrGonzo wrote: I was browsing Waves site and came across a mean special

- I got C6 multi band comp, L3 multi and L3 ultra maximiser, H- Delay (my fave plugin!!), new Element Synth, trans-X, MV-2 and the V-EQ 4 all for $199…
thats quite a score IMO, thats well over 50% off
Love the C6. My absolute favourite!

YUP multiband compression for the win!

Ja for [a silly reason, I'm not tot much fan of the fabfilter plugins - they sound cool but its like a really tacky flashy interface which kind of puts me off… silly reason i know.. and ja quite heavy on CPU as well

Mixerboy

I mainly use the Fabfilter EQ and Limiter (pricey enough as it is), the EQ uses 0,1% cpu for me and has one of the best interfaces around.

All the Stillwell stuff has just gone 64 bit and AAX:

http://www.stillwellaudio.com/