KVR Audio

kingpinpearce · Post by **kingpinpearce** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 2:13 pm

Hello everyone:

I am a fairly new to audio engineering guy...I started my path last year at 48 years young because I wanted to be able to do mixing/editing for a cappella groups. I had a specific question.

I've gotten a couple of good recommendations regarding FabFilter's Pro EQ and C plugins in that they do things that make it easier for a noob like me to get the most out of it and to do the quality work in EQ and Comp that recordings need. I fully know there is no substitute for experience, and I'm working incrementally on the knowledge to be able to do things, but in order to get things out for my group in the now, I'm trying to figure out what will help me the most on a budget.

Are there other plugins you can recommend that provide similar things to FabFilter that might be a little easier on the budget? Thanks in advance for your help.

Blessings,
Shawn

heavymetalmixer · Post by **heavymetalmixer** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 2:19 pm

The plugins from Tokyo Dawn Labs and Klanghelm, both companies have really good and cheap plugins (and even free versions of some of those plugins with great quality).

The first one is similar to Fabfilter regarding than they focus on doing completely digital plugins. Their NOVA, Kotelnikov and SlickEQ are my go-to plugins for EQ, compression and saturation.

Klanghelm on the other hand it's more about "analog" color (even though he doesn't emulate specific geat units).

mutantdog · Post by **mutantdog** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 2:48 pm

To expand on the above Tokyo Dawn do several EQs (Slick and Nova) and a compressor (Kotelnikov) which are free with premium upgrades that add extra functions and higher sound quality. Klanghelm stuff is more analogue orientated although DC8C is a fairly clean compressor albeit a bit feature-packed for a beginner.

Both devs are really cool people who occasionally roll out free upgrades and their prices are cheap too.

There are plenty of other great EQs and compressors (someone will surely recommend Toneboosters in the next post) so you really are spoilt for choice. FabFilter are pretty much the A-list but their prices reflect their status.

el-bo (formerly ebow) · Fri Oct 05, 2018 3:36 pm

mutantdog wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 2:48 pmDC8C is a fairly clean compressor albeit a bit feature-packed for a beginner.

Actually, one of the great things about DC8C is that it has an 'Easy' beginners mode, which hides all the advanced features. You could go forever without having to dive into the advanced features. However, if you do end up needing the hidden features, they are just a click away with no extra purchase

SoundPorn · Post by **SoundPorn** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 4:02 pm

I would recommend Reapers free plugin bundle. Don't be fooled by the simple interface they're as powerful as any plugins on the market and versatile. The EQ is especially close to Fab Filters n you get unlimited bands.
http://www.vst4free.com/index.php?dev=Cockos

kingpinpearce · Post by **kingpinpearce** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 8:22 pm

SoundPorn wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 4:02 pm I would recommend Reapers free plugin bundle. Don't be fooled by the simple interface they're as powerful as any plugins on the market and versatile. The EQ is especially close to Fab Filters n you get unlimited bands.
http://www.vst4free.com/index.php?dev=Cockos

Reaper's my DAW, and I do currently use that EQ, just trying to look more at my options.

sleepcircle · Post by **sleepcircle** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:45 pm

tokyo dawn labs is stupendous, transparent, shadow-free, for relatively slim prices

EDIT: TDL has a free compressor called Kotelnikov which I would suggest moving to for now—instead of continuing to use ReaComp—regardless of what plugin you decide to go with in the end. ReaComp has wonderful behaviour, but as soon as you oversample it, it starts low-passing all your audio for some reason.

ATS · Post by **ATS** » Fri Oct 05, 2018 11:14 pm

I would just save money in the long run and but the Fab Filter plugins and little else, honestly.

Everglide · Post by **Everglide** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 5:06 am

Ableton Live has EQ8 and The Glue a compressor coded by Andy from Cytomic: a cutdown version of the VST. You'll notice other threads on/by Cytomic. Spend a little time reading those you'll notice a high degree of praise for the developers work and his commitment to quality, albeit rather slowly.

Others have wisely recommended TDR, you can't go wrong with 2 free EQs and two compressors which are all top quality. The developer is also committed to the very highest quality digital can provide.

Here is some light reading

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-c ... st13213658

msl · Post by **msl** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 10:05 am

The recommendations for Tokyo Dawn Labs plugins above are good. I like them a lot and would also recommend them. However, they do not have the same kind of UI and workflow as the Fabfilter products, which is what you seem to be after.

As an alternative to Pro-Q, I would look at ToneBoosters Equalizer 4. It has a lot of the same UI and features as Pro-Q at a much more accessible price point, and gives you dynamic EQ capability if/when you need it, which you don't get with Pro-Q. Try it for free to see if it suits you.

For compression I love the sound and quality of TDR Kotelnikov, TB BusCompressor and Klanghelm MJUC, but they don't offer the visualisation and UI of Pro-C.

gentleclockdivider · Post by **gentleclockdivider** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 11:51 am

Toneboosters all the way
The new guis are top notch and so is the sound ,at a fraction of the cost of fabfilter plugs ( which are imho overpriced )

Sam-U · Post by **Sam-U** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 11:58 am

ATS wrote: Fri Oct 05, 2018 11:14 pm I would just save money in the long run and but the Fab Filter plugins and little else, honestly.

This. They're not expensive considering the things you'll get and benefit from. Quality just has its price. And in terms of feature-set, stability, workflow, ... they're unbeaten to me.

KingofBeers · Post by **KingofBeers** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 3:46 pm

For EQ I find this an amazing alternative to Pro Q2.

https://cravedsp.com/crave-eq

As for a compressor, HoRNet Multicomp Plus MK2 is actually really great, 5 compressors in 1 , also has the visual element - if you need that.

Cheers.
KoBs

mcbpete · Post by **mcbpete** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 4:08 pm

gentleclockdivider wrote: Sat Oct 06, 2018 11:51 am Toneboosters all the way
The new guis are top notch and so is the sound ,at a fraction of the cost of fabfilter plugs ( which are imho overpriced )

Yeah definitely the closest I know to the Fabfilter workflow and aesthetic in the slightly cheaper range

33tetragammon · Post by **33tetragammon** » Sat Oct 06, 2018 6:46 pm

check out DMG Audio’s Equick & Trackcomp as well. easy to operate, great sound. their whole Track range plugins are very good and easy to use.

https://dmgaudio.com/trackcomp

https://dmgaudio.com/products_equick.php

Fabfilter equivalents/near equivalents?