Hello,
Can anyone make some recommendations on software plugins? I’m really looking for mixing bundles including compressors, limiters, gates and EQs. A nice delay and reverb would be cool as well.
I was looking at Fabfilter and Audio Damage stuff but the FF stuff is hella expensive.
Recommendations on quality freeware or donation funded effects would also be appreciated.
I use Live 9.2
Thanks!
Might help to know I make dub techno and hazy BOC type electronica. So I look for plugs that will help me towards that end.
I absolutely love the Fabfilter limiter. It served me well on my last project. The interface is extremely intuitive. They even have tutorial videos available if it’s still unclear. Lots of good presets to use as a base. I’m satisfied. As far as the others, I’m happy with Live’s Glue comp and EQ, so I only bought the Fab Filter Limiter.
Reverbs. I love TAL plugins. There is a new reverb from TAL. I like the #3 as well. Huge, lush, easy to use. Also check out Valhalla reverbs and delays. Great and affordable.
TAL also make s a very cool Dub Delay. Tons of control and great sound. Can’t recommend it enough. Hard to get tired of this one.
If you use max4live, you might want to try the Dub Machines. They are somewhat buggy, but the sound is incredible for old dub delay tape machines like space echoes, etc. Based on TM404’s actual studio machines I believe. I’m a huge fan, so that’s cool to me at least. $40 for a reverb and a delay. Not too bad of a price if you can put up with typical max4live bugginess.
Another good all-around plugin is u-he Satin. It can emulate tape saturation - good on the master channel, as well as Delay and Flange, good for sends. Does cool dubby sounds.
Hope that helps.
Forgot to mention, most of TAL’s plugs are free! I recently bought the TAL sampler to support their work. And also got an incredible sampler I might add!
For eq/comp Fabfilter and DMG Audio stuff is excellent quality but pricy. Many companies also offer great emulations of the classic compressors and eqs like NI or Softtube.
For reverb Lexicon is of course great, also Relab makes a great Lexicon emulation. Exponential Audio is great quality and right up the same alley. 2CAudio also makes great reverbs, but more modern and sound design oriented rather then emulations of old character reverbs.
None of these are free, but they are still cheap compared to any hardware.
That being said, a lot of awesome records have been mixed with just the stock eq/comps in Ableton or Logic so you really shouldn’t lose any sleep over which plugins you use. If your basic sounds and arrangements are solid then you only need to use a light touch of eq/comp and the differences really are hardly audible.