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Hey just out of curiousity would dig to hear opinions about your favourite, swear by plug ins, samplers and soft synths!

So far mine would be
PSP Vintage Warmer (compressor/limiter - somehow makes everything sound so much better!?),
Sonnox Oxford EQ and compressor
Amplitube
Battery 3
Massive, Fm8 and Linplug Albino (Soft synths)

have yet to find the ultimate reverb - any suggestions? :-\
    Can-'o-worms Gonzo, Can-'o-worms...

    Plugins
    * Waves Mercury Bundle does just about everything I need - I could "make do" with just that and nothing else
    * Cakewalk Vintage Channel VC-64 channel strip I'm using for guitars and voice more and more
    * Lexicon Pantheon reverb
    * PSP Audioware PSP 608, PSP 42 and PSP 84 delays
    * NI Guitar Rig for guitars and bass.

    VSTis
    I've got lots, but these are my go-to softsynths:
    * NI Absynth (synth sounds and soundscapes)
    * NI B4 (Hammond! 'Nuff said...)
    * NI Kontakt (for playing my sample libraries)
    * Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard (Electric pianos)
    * Soundburst Ethnosphere (ethnic instruments)
    * Edirol Super Quartet (occasional Bass)
    * Edirol Orchestral (quick 'n easy and relatively light on system resources compared to the sample libraries)
    * Toontrack EZ Drummer

    I have many more, but some do not play nice with Guitar Synth as a controller (Arturia, Korg, etc).

    Sample Libraries
    I'm using less sample libraries these days as they are way heavy on system resources.
    * I've got a ton of piano samples I converted from Giga format - Yamaha Grand, Steinway A, B, C & D, Bosendorfer 275 and the Estonia Grand. The Bose and the Steiny D see the most use.
    * EWQL Symphonic Gold
      Wow, thats quite the collection hey!

      I really am trying to limit how many I have, I used to have a butt-load, but trying to stick to as few as possible, so I can actually learn how to use them properly instead of just going through banks and banks of presets etc. and just get on with the music!!

      Lexicon Pantheon REverb hmm im interested tho. Sounds expensive...
      As I said the only thing im really missing is a good reverb and delay - will read up on those PSP delays as well ?
        That's why I generally stick with families of plugins (Mostly Waves plugs and Native instruments softsynths) - the similarity between the interfaces helps keep the learning curve to an acceptable minimum. It also helps immensely to know the general operating principles of FX - if you learn to set one compressor properly, it doesn't take long to get used to any other brand. I'm fortunate in that I long ago learned to use many of the hardware versions that a lot of the plugins have been modelled upon, so even using the plugs for the first time, I was already comfortable with them. Most guys don't get that advantage anymore.

        A useful thing I've done in recent years is each time I reinstall or upgrade my audio machine, I load only the basics on and then only add other plugs and softsynths if I run into a real need to install them. It's surprising how many fall by the wayside doing it that way and ends up keeping my audio machine uncluttered and running at it's peak.

        Pantheon comes as part of Sonar, so I don't know how much it costs. In fact, many of the modern DAWs come with more plugs and softsynths than most people will ever need.
          Ooo goodie! A recording thread ?

          I have yet to find a good "Vocal pre amp", anybody had any luck with this?

          My list goes as follows :

          Battery 3
          Hypersonic 2
          Reason 4
          Edirol Orchestral
          BBE Sonic Maximizer
          Antares Autotune(makes anyone sound like BONO)
          Waldorf Attack (nice for doing those NINE inch nails wierd drums noises)

          Oh and for reverb there is the Classic Reverb series - Highly recommended!! check it out

          http://ikmultimedia.com/csr/features/
            I have yet to find a good "Vocal pre amp", anybody had any luck with this?
            Are you talking about a hardware mic pre or a channel strip dedicated to vocals?

            The hardware is my current shortfall in the studio and is near the top of my wishlist. I want to speak to Matt about his offerings, but other stuff keeps on bumping ahead of it in the list.

            Software... as mentioned the Cakewalk Vintage Channel works well for me (and is VST, so works in Cubase and any other DAW), but I'm dying to upgrade my Waves Mercury (I'm at V5, Waves are at V7) as the new version includes the signature collections - and I'd really like to get my hands on the Chris Lord-Alge collection. Sadly at a RRP of over $10K, this isn't going to happen anytime soon, So I may just buy the separate collection when I can.

            Hmm.. that IK Classic Reverb looks nice... dammit!
              Alan Ratcliffe wrote: That's why I generally stick with families of plugins (Mostly Waves plugs and Native instruments softsynths) - the similarity between the interfaces helps keep the learning curve to an acceptable minimum. It also helps immensely to know the general operating principles of FX - if you learn to set one compressor properly, it doesn't take long to get used to any other brand. I'm fortunate in that I long ago learned to use many of the hardware versions that a lot of the plugins have been modelled upon, so even using the plugs for the first time, I was already comfortable with them. Most guys don't get that advantage anymore.

              A useful thing I've done in recent years is each time I reinstall or upgrade my audio machine, I load only the basics on and then only add other plugs and softsynths if I run into a real need to install them. It's surprising how many fall by the wayside doing it that way and ends up keeping my audio machine uncluttered and running at it's peak.

              Pantheon comes as part of Sonar, so I don't know how much it costs. In fact, many of the modern DAWs come with more plugs and softsynths than most people will ever need.
              Yeah I'm also sticking to Native Instruments stuff, battery and massive are my 2 fav. so far. - Never really got into Guitar RIg tho, I just think IK Amplitube is superior sounding - To my ears of course!

              I see you use Kontakt, will this cover all my sampling needs - strings, horns, woodwinds, piano etc? I use cubase and in HalionOne, there are some great sounds, but some shitty ones, so its just not cutting it for me.
              I essentially just need great strings, brass/horns and piano sounds... Or would it be better to buy individual sample librarys like East West and stuff like that!
                Shows you doesn't it? Battery and Massive are the two I never use from my Komplete bundle. ?

                Kontakt comes with a basic library that covers most needs and most of the sample pack players are custom versions of Kontakt anyway. But if you need to go high end for post or serious orchestral scoring, then the dedicated orchestral sample packs are the way to go (at premium prices of course).

                Some good discussion on the symphonic libraries here:
                http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-discussion/what-synths-do-you-use/
                  Softube Metal Amp Room - guitar
                  Toontracks EZDrummer, Drumkit From Hell
                  iZotope mastering thing
                  Reason 3 - synth & drums
                  Amplitube - Metal and Hendrix - bass and guitar
                  Autotune - (yes we know its hated but its just so everythings in tune! ☹)
                    Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Shows you doesn't it? Battery and Massive are the two I never use from my Komplete bundle. ?

                    Kontakt comes with a basic library that covers most needs and most of the sample pack players are custom versions of Kontakt anyway. But if you need to go high end for post or serious orchestral scoring, then the dedicated orchestral sample packs are the way to go (at premium prices of course).

                    Some good discussion on the symphonic libraries here:
                    http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-discussion/what-synths-do-you-use/
                    hA! yeah, differnet strokes hey - Well im quite into electronic music lately so those 2 are a great combo. Fm8 is also great but looks way too complicated!
                    Battery + massive + Reason + Albino the winning combo for electronic music for me (Psytrance, Dubstep, Drum n Bass etc.)

                    Really really want some Spectrasonics stuff as well (esp. trillian)

                    The problem with high end stuff like East west and spectrasonics is the price - its very heavy - and due to the large sample libraries (30Gb +) you cant really crack it or download it - not that I'm Pro-Pirate at all, but i do have quite some cracked software, and not proud of it. however once I find the ones that work the best for me (and i have income) then I will definately purchase them! HEnce why I started this thread - I am still on the quest!
                      I've been trying to keep it simple, just using Cubase's built-in stuff. But I'm starting to think I might want a multiband compressor. Waves C4 seems to be the go-to standard? Pretty expensive, but worth it I assume?
                        BMU wrote: I've been trying to keep it simple, just using Cubase's built-in stuff. But I'm starting to think I might want a multiband compressor. Waves C4 seems to be the go-to standard? Pretty expensive, but worth it I assume?
                        Cubase has a multiband comnpressor - well im pretty sure mine does - what version are you running - mine is cubase 5.5 full version...
                          DrGonzo wrote:
                          BMU wrote: I've been trying to keep it simple, just using Cubase's built-in stuff. But I'm starting to think I might want a multiband compressor. Waves C4 seems to be the go-to standard? Pretty expensive, but worth it I assume?
                          Cubase has a multiband comnpressor - well im pretty sure mine does - what version are you running - mine is cubase 5.5 full version...
                          I'm running Essential. I'd rather buy standalone plugins I can also use in other DAWs than give Steinberg any more of my money.
                            Edirol Hyper Canvas, Super Quartet and Orchestral
                            NI Guitar Rig 4
                            Addictive drums
                            EZ Drummer ( I am using AD more these days)
                            Waves Diamond bundle
                            Cakewalk Sonitus Bundle
                            SFZ+ (Sampler)
                              BMU wrote: But I'm starting to think I might want a multiband compressor. Waves C4 seems to be the go-to standard? Pretty expensive, but worth it I assume?
                              I use C4 It's worth it to me. Quick and (relatively) easy to set. I've taken to using L3 for bus limiting too.
                                Reaper has a built-in multiband compressor I just realised. That is just too good, gonna have to get over that Cubase -> Reaper re-education curve sometime.
                                  BMU wrote: Reaper has a built-in multiband compressor I just realised. That is just too good, gonna have to get over that Cubase -> Reaper re-education curve sometime.
                                  I would'nt think it worth it to switch DAW and lose all that learning curve for the sake of one plug-in!
                                  Im sure you can get a pretty good multiband compressor for cheap or even a freeware one.
                                  Plus I personally think Multi-band compression should be left for mastering in most cases so its very seldomly used!

                                  I hear Reaper is quite cool, so go for it if you please, but i.m.o the sequencer in cubase just owns and by trying to learn another program I will just be wasting time for making music! Just personal opinion! ?
                                    DrGonzo wrote:
                                    BMU wrote: Reaper has a built-in multiband compressor I just realised. That is just too good, gonna have to get over that Cubase -> Reaper re-education curve sometime.
                                    ...by trying to learn another program I will just be wasting time for making music! Just personal opinion! ?
                                    I know, I know... I think like that too. But I'm also curious about Reaper, my relationship with Cubase is love/hate in about a 40%/60% ratio.

                                    Multiband compressors are quite handy to tighten up the bottom end of downtuned heavy guitars, so I hear. A major issue in my life right now. ?
                                      What I'm currently using:

                                      Addictive Drums
                                      Virtual Grant Piano (Uses Kontact Player - Huge Sample Library)
                                      Stillwell Major Tom (Close dbx160A compressor)
                                      Stillwell 1973 (based on the Neve 1073 EQ - Very nice on vocals and guitars)
                                      Mastering: Izotope Ozone 4
                                      Zebra 2.5 (very powerful softsynth)

                                      My frustration has also been a good reverb plugin. That IK classic reverb looks very droolable..... ☹

                                        TomCat wrote: What I'm currently using:

                                        Addictive Drums
                                        Virtual Grant Piano (Uses Kontact Player - Huge Sample Library)
                                        Stillwell Major Tom (Close dbx160A compressor)
                                        Stillwell 1973 (based on the Neve 1073 EQ - Very nice on vocals and guitars)
                                        Mastering: Izotope Ozone 4
                                        Zebra 2.5 (very powerful softsynth)

                                        My frustration has also been a good reverb plugin. That IK classic reverb looks very droolable..... ☹

                                        Cool! It seems like alot of people are loving Addictive drums, only recently heard of them... how do you rate them against say EZ drummer and BFD?

                                        Also, what DAW you using with those lovely plugs?? (always interested to find out!)