Category Archives for "Plugin"
I think everyone that mixes modern music these days uses a limiter on the mix buss. The problem is that many limiters are too sophisticated for the average musician/songwriter, and more harm than good can come to the mix as a result. Artificial intelligence is seeping into plugins lately, and its really useful for making […]
Continue readingA recent trend that’s starting to snowball is the all-in-one plugin that’s to be used for one type of program, but is intended to have all the parameters you need to do that job without resorting to additional plugins. The IsoVox Isoplug certainly falls into this category, as it sets out to be an all-in-one […]
Continue readingMastering is a vastly misunderstood process that’s a lot more than just raising the level and adding some EQ. That said, mixers definitely have a need to do just that when mastering budgets are non-existent. That’s where the new MasterMind mastering plugin from United Plugins and SoundDevice Digital comes in. True mastering revolves around a […]
Continue readingWhen Lexicon came out with its 224 digital reverb in 1978 it took the world by storm. When the company followed it up with model 480 in 1986 it became the go-to reverb in studios all over the world. Even today many engineers feel that it’s the gold standard for how reverbs are supposed to […]
Continue readingExperienced mixers have their mix templates set up in a way where all the plugins that they normally use are ready to go on each mix element channel. That way it’s easy to get into a mix without spending time experimenting with the inexhaustible plugin lists that everyone has these days. If you’re just getting […]
Continue readingMastering plugins and software has gotten so powerful that an inexperienced user is more likely to do more harm than good when attempting to self-master. If you can trust its advice, one application has consistently stood above the others mostly because of its outstanding AI that, if followed, can provide a finished product you can […]
Continue readingThere are so many really great sounding reverb plugins available these days, but surprisingly, few real chamber emulations. Chambers are a thing of aural beauty when you find a great one, as it’s one of the few instances where you can pile on the reverb without it getting in the way. That’s what you’ll find […]
Continue readingThe audio world doesn’t really need another limiter plugin, but if one comes along that’s more versatile than most others, then I say bring it on. That’s the case with the new X-Limit, another in the X-series of SSL plugins, which has uses beyond the master mix buss. Limiter Styles SSL says that X-Limit is […]
Continue readingTransient designers have come a long way since the early days of analog SPL Transient Designer. Modern transient designer plugins now have far greater capabilities and one of the most sophisticated in this area is the new Nanopulse by JMG Sound and United Plugins. One of the things that makes Nanopulse different from other transient designers is […]
Continue readingThere’s nothing like singing harmonies with yourself as you can’t beat how smooth they sound. The problem is that it can take a lot of time and effort to get exactly what you want, even if the singer is really skilled. The same goes for harmony guitars or any other instrument. Be prepared for some […]
Continue readingThere are tons of delay plugins and even the ones that come natively with any DAW are quite good these days. That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement in terms of useful parameter features, and that’s exactly what you’ll find with the PSP stompDelay, a great plugin that’s actually fun to use. When a […]
Continue readingOf all the techniques that engineering novices have to learn, EQing is one of the most confounding. The reason is that its use comes down to training your ear how to recognize a group of frequencies, which used to be left to experience. That could take a long time, especially in the past, but luckily […]
Continue readingGone are the days when a performer or band goes on stage and performs with just instruments and vocals. These days, performances have become more complex in order to provide a better audience experience, with a combination of backing tracks, lighting and video playback all part of the gig. That’s a lot to contend without […]
Continue readingOne of the keys to a great sounding mix in any genre is a big full low end. In some genres like hip-hop or electronic music it’s more important than others, but any mix suffers greatly if it doesn’t have enough of the low bass frequencies. As a result, it’s tempting to boost the crap […]
Continue readingIf you’ve followed this blog then you know that I’m a big fan of the CLA Collection of plugins from Waves. Chris Lord Alge (the C-L-A behind the CLA) has some of the best finally-tuned analog gear that his plugins are modeled on, and that means that they have more sonic character than other similar […]
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