Gathering essential plugins. Take 2.
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1384 posts since 12 Oct, 2012
Soooo....
A couple of months pass since i started gathering plugins to use in my productions, and i got into the conclusion that most of them, although good plugins, are not suitable for my workflow or my style of making music.
I want to sell some of my current plugs, and start over all this plugin-gathering-journey, but now i wanna be more focused and buy only what i NEED and is suitable for House music production. I want this journey to be as short as possible, as i really don't have the time and patience to check every plugin in the world.
As i currently short on money, i would like plugins which cost as low as possible.
I need 1 good equalizer for mixing that sounds good when amplifying bands, preferably also have an option to apply different equalization to both left and right sides.
I need 1 good buss compressor that can glue well the drum bus, and even the Master bus (Cytomic "The Glue" is currently to expensive for me).
I need 1 good character compressor to apply on individual drums and synths to give some color (A saturation plugin will also suffice, or best is one compressor that do both the compression tasks that i need).
I need 1 multi-band distortion to get crazy with on basses and synths.
And i think that's it for now, i maybe adding some more later.
I know that the best is to pick plugins by how they sound, but as i said, i'm doing this for a couple of months now and i'm quite frustrated of this so i rather get from guys who produce the same type of music, to give me some focused suggestions that i can then demo.
Every comment is highly appreciated,
Thanks,
Erez.
A couple of months pass since i started gathering plugins to use in my productions, and i got into the conclusion that most of them, although good plugins, are not suitable for my workflow or my style of making music.
I want to sell some of my current plugs, and start over all this plugin-gathering-journey, but now i wanna be more focused and buy only what i NEED and is suitable for House music production. I want this journey to be as short as possible, as i really don't have the time and patience to check every plugin in the world.
As i currently short on money, i would like plugins which cost as low as possible.
I need 1 good equalizer for mixing that sounds good when amplifying bands, preferably also have an option to apply different equalization to both left and right sides.
I need 1 good buss compressor that can glue well the drum bus, and even the Master bus (Cytomic "The Glue" is currently to expensive for me).
I need 1 good character compressor to apply on individual drums and synths to give some color (A saturation plugin will also suffice, or best is one compressor that do both the compression tasks that i need).
I need 1 multi-band distortion to get crazy with on basses and synths.
And i think that's it for now, i maybe adding some more later.
I know that the best is to pick plugins by how they sound, but as i said, i'm doing this for a couple of months now and i'm quite frustrated of this so i rather get from guys who produce the same type of music, to give me some focused suggestions that i can then demo.
Every comment is highly appreciated,
Thanks,
Erez.
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- KVRist
- 438 posts since 24 Feb, 2005 from Franklin, TN USA
EQ - DDMF IIEQPro, cheap
Buss Comp - VOS Density MKIII, free
Channel Comp/Saturation - VOS Thrillseeker LA (Pick up VOS Rescue MKII while your at it), free
I can't recommend a multiband distortion as I don't use that effect.
Buss Comp - VOS Density MKIII, free
Channel Comp/Saturation - VOS Thrillseeker LA (Pick up VOS Rescue MKII while your at it), free
I can't recommend a multiband distortion as I don't use that effect.
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- KVRian
- 660 posts since 19 Mar, 2001 from berlin / germany
are you on mac or windows?
what's your daw? if you're using live (might be if you're doing house) you should upgrade to live 9 (soon) as it has a new compressor/eq and the glue included.
otherwise you should try molot (free) as a bus-compressor: http://vladgsound.wordpress.com
or dc8c (20€) for all compressor tasks: http://klanghelm.com
what's your daw? if you're using live (might be if you're doing house) you should upgrade to live 9 (soon) as it has a new compressor/eq and the glue included.
otherwise you should try molot (free) as a bus-compressor: http://vladgsound.wordpress.com
or dc8c (20€) for all compressor tasks: http://klanghelm.com
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www.leclap.de
www.leclap.de
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- KVRAF
- 1753 posts since 30 Jul, 2007
I know it is expensive, but the FabFilter Bundle is essential, IMO and could do all you need plus infinitely more throughout time.
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1384 posts since 12 Oct, 2012
I heard Fabulous (:)) things about these plugs, but too expensive right nowvaisnava wrote:I know it is expensive, but the FabFilter Bundle is essential, IMO and could do all you need plus infinitely more throughout time.
From reviews it sounds like a high quality eq, but isn't more a Mastering eq? I heard there are some delay issues.eidenk wrote:SplineEQ
edit: just tried it, it does have some weird delay on my machine when tweaking too fast, it's very noticable.
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- KVRAF
- 4584 posts since 21 Sep, 2005
Well, if you use FLStudio you already have EQ2 and possibly Maximus depending on the bundle you have. EQ2 is the reason I bought the Juice Pack. It's just a great little EQ that does the job. Looks pretty too.ferez21 wrote:
1 good equalizer
1 good buss compressor
1 good character compressor
1 multi-band distortion
Soooo..
1 good equalizer - DDMF IIEQ Pro, plus as a bonus, grab his free Colour EQ - it's one that sounds very good at high boosts. IIEQ Pro has an analyser built in too and both GUIs are re-sizable. I don't think you can do better at that price point.
1 good buss compressor - Density really is great and free. I use it on so much stuff. I don't think you can get better at any price. That is if it suits your purposes and 'clicks' with you. You may find it too subtle sometimes, depending on how you use it. But you should definitely give it a shot. Also check out Nasty VCS while you are there:
http://varietyofsound.files.wordpress.c ... styvcs.png
They both also include true side-chaining. Just to be clear, Density might also sound too brutal sometimes, depending on how you use it.
1 good character compressor - "Molot": the compressor with character
http://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/molot/
This is a great compressor with lots of control and true side-chain. And free! It's amazingly versatile too.
Alternatively, try The Rocket -
http://www.stillwellaudio.com/plugins/s ... ompressor/
It is very reasonably priced. True side-chain. Sounds exceptional on drums. Possibly because of it's super-fast attack time. Probably easier to get your head around than Molot.
1 multi-band distortion - FXpansion Maul.
http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=193&tab=464
Not too epensive and you are getting real quality. Obviously try these things out to see if they fit, but I'm sure you figured that out by yourself anyway..
Also if you are registered with FXpansion you can get this for free: DCAM FreeComp
http://www.fxpansion.com/index.php?page=185
Sooo... the DDMF EQ and Maul may be all you need to buy. Nasty VCS has an eq built in as well. It sounds simply out of this world and looks the part. Very versatile. Bootsy could charge a couple of hundred for that and it would still be under-priced.
cheers.
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- KVRAF
- 4584 posts since 21 Sep, 2005
It is a linear phase eq, so has latency. But it can be dialled right down to nothing, and it apparently doesn't affect the sound quality too much. Many people seem to use it as a track EQ as well, so it seems.ferez21 wrote:
From reviews it sounds like a high quality eq, but isn't more a Mastering eq? I heard there are some delay issues.
edit: just tried it, it does have some weird delay on my machine when tweaking too fast, it's very noticable.
Read what people say here:
http://www.kvraudio.com/product/splinee ... er/reviews
VERY informative.
I would still go for the DDMF IIEQ Pro though. It's even got an All Pass Filter.
And grab the free Spline EQ, which you can use for mastering because it is Linear Phase. You are limited to 4 bands or something but by that point, and considering the power of this thing, you may very well find that is all you need. Then buy it later. In fact, it's so cheap, if you have the money, just buy the pair of them and then you are all set up. They would compliment each other better than any other two combinations of EQs I could think of.
One is a surgeon's tool, the other is a painter's brush. I'll let you decide which is which.
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1384 posts since 12 Oct, 2012
Thanks again guys
I really liked the DDMF one, but i have a weird problem with it too (i always seem to have weird problems with plugins )
when i put it on a clap for example, i can barely see the analyzer working no matter how strong the signal is (even when the clap clipping at 0dbfs), and then only when i move a dot, i can see a burst of analyzing showing up but then it goes back to almost nothing.
It doesn't happen on a kick though, even if the kick is quieter then the clap.
I really liked the DDMF one, but i have a weird problem with it too (i always seem to have weird problems with plugins )
when i put it on a clap for example, i can barely see the analyzer working no matter how strong the signal is (even when the clap clipping at 0dbfs), and then only when i move a dot, i can see a burst of analyzing showing up but then it goes back to almost nothing.
It doesn't happen on a kick though, even if the kick is quieter then the clap.
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- KVRian
- 996 posts since 14 Jun, 2012 from Toronto, Canada
As low as possible eh?
But I can't answer your question. What do you use to equalize NOW? FL EQ I suppose? I really suggest not using anything other than your DAW's EQ if you are not so intend on spending a bit of money. Otherwise EQuick. Do not get a linear phase EQ unless you are very familiar with the concept.
Drum and master buss -- get DCAM Freecomp.
Saturation and stuff -- get Molot. For multiband, Ohmicide or Maul. Enough colour there. Redopter or other D16 stuff might be cheaper for your needs however.
You can always use a dedicated analyzer. Voxengo SPAN is always popular.
But I can't answer your question. What do you use to equalize NOW? FL EQ I suppose? I really suggest not using anything other than your DAW's EQ if you are not so intend on spending a bit of money. Otherwise EQuick. Do not get a linear phase EQ unless you are very familiar with the concept.
Drum and master buss -- get DCAM Freecomp.
Saturation and stuff -- get Molot. For multiband, Ohmicide or Maul. Enough colour there. Redopter or other D16 stuff might be cheaper for your needs however.
You can always use a dedicated analyzer. Voxengo SPAN is always popular.
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1384 posts since 12 Oct, 2012
I do use PEQ2 but not liking it much when boosting, it doesn't sound so good.
The GUI is rather too small, and i feel like the visual frequency representation is not very precise.
The GUI is rather too small, and i feel like the visual frequency representation is not very precise.
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- KVRian
- 996 posts since 14 Jun, 2012 from Toronto, Canada
I find that there are two schools of thought when it comes to EQs: first, people who think it of as bunch of filters therefore not supposed to make something sound better for no reason (me); second, people who think EQ as a musical device that can make things sound better using its character.ferez21 wrote:I do use PEQ2 but not liking it much when boosting, it doesn't sound so good.
The GUI is rather too small, and i feel like the visual frequency representation is not very precise.
If you are in the first camp, you can just get EQuick and get it over with.
If you are in the second, look to PSP EQs maybe?
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Brother Charles Brother Charles https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=271995
- KVRian
- 1104 posts since 3 Jan, 2012 from Alberta, Canada
+1 for DDMF EQIIPro - it is my absolute "GO TO" tracking EQ.codec_spurt wrote: It is a linear phase eq, so has latency. But it can be dialled right down to nothing, and it apparently doesn't affect the sound quality too much. Many people seem to use it as a track EQ as well, so it seems.
Read what people say here:
http://www.kvraudio.com/product/splinee ... er/reviews
VERY informative.
I would still go for the DDMF IIEQ Pro though. It's even got an All Pass Filter.
+1 for SplineEQ. It's a fantastic EQ. I use it as my exclusive piano/keyboards EQ.
Link: SplineEq Review
For the money, Klanghelm DC8C is absolutely unbeatable. It can do more types of compression tasks than most nearly any other compressor out there; regardless of price! Only 20 Euros, the thing is absolutely stellar.
SKnote's C165a compressor is amazing too. Seriously, for only $29, you'd be getting a comp plug that rivals commercially priced products costing 3 or 4 times as much.
Link: SKnote C165a Review
- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1384 posts since 12 Oct, 2012
Brother Charles, i read your reviews in your blog yesterday, that's how i heard about SplineEQ i concluded that will eventually get it for use as master eq.
I really want the DDMF eq, it's really great, but i keep having the problem with the analyzer
For compression i actually have delamancha's sixtyfive which is great, and i gonna keep (not worth selling), and i think i just might add the DC8C to my arsenal as well.
What do you think about Melda's free MEqualizer regarding boosting?
I really want the DDMF eq, it's really great, but i keep having the problem with the analyzer
For compression i actually have delamancha's sixtyfive which is great, and i gonna keep (not worth selling), and i think i just might add the DC8C to my arsenal as well.
What do you think about Melda's free MEqualizer regarding boosting?