Despite this post being in a 'Getting Started' forum, I think both experienced and inexperienced plugin users will benefit from this.
Chapters titles are:
0:00 Intro
0:17 What Are Plugins?
1:07 What does AU/VST/AAX mean?
4:45 How Do You Buy Plugins?
12:04 What Should A Plugin Cost?
19:41 What Does Authentication Mean?
23:23 How Do You Install Plugins?
29:45 How Do You Decide What To Buy?
35:40 When Should You Buy Plugins?
38:43 What About Trials And Demos?
42:42 What About What Other People Say?
I did a video talking about everything to do with plugins apart from the sound they make
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- KVRAF
- 2727 posts since 15 Apr, 2004 from Capital City, UK
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- KVRian
- 1365 posts since 2 Mar, 2018
Frankly I can save inexperienced users about 40+ mins (and why you think experienced users don't know the answers I can't imagine):
What Are Plugins?
Basically musical apps (like instruments and effects) used within your DAW.
What does AU/VST/AAX mean?
They are three formats of plugins; AU is Mac, VST is mostly Windows but can also be Mac, and AAX is some Pro Tools silliness.
How Do You Buy Plugins?
Online.
This is not rocket surgery. But if you're smart, you'll try the freebies first, because there are a ton of really good ones. "You get what you pay for" frequently doesn't apply in the plugin world.
What Should A Plugin Cost?
Whatever they want to charge for it. Only you can determine if it's worth it. But it will literally pay off if one does their research first. Again, don't be foolish enough to think it's better because it costs more or it's worse because it doesn't.
What Does Authentication Mean?
It means some plugin companies have this bit where you have to register/activate the plugin online.
How Do You Install Plugins?
If it has an install file, duh. If not, simply put the DLL (and any other related files) in your VST folder and make sure your DAW is pointing to it...typically something like C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins.
How Do You Decide What To Buy?
The same as any other product; you act like a grown up and figure it out yourself. You can't count on online reviews (which almost always say the plugin is great because they get free copies that way). You can browse forums like this one, but those are hardly guarantees either. Again, if you're smart, you try the freebies.
When Should You Buy Plugins?
? uh, whenever you need them? This question makes no sense.
What About Trials And Demos?
What about them? Obviously try them if they're available.
What About What Other People Say?
Again, as with anything else, take it with a grain of salt. Common sense.
What Are Plugins?
Basically musical apps (like instruments and effects) used within your DAW.
What does AU/VST/AAX mean?
They are three formats of plugins; AU is Mac, VST is mostly Windows but can also be Mac, and AAX is some Pro Tools silliness.
How Do You Buy Plugins?
Online.
This is not rocket surgery. But if you're smart, you'll try the freebies first, because there are a ton of really good ones. "You get what you pay for" frequently doesn't apply in the plugin world.What Should A Plugin Cost?
Whatever they want to charge for it. Only you can determine if it's worth it. But it will literally pay off if one does their research first. Again, don't be foolish enough to think it's better because it costs more or it's worse because it doesn't.
What Does Authentication Mean?
It means some plugin companies have this bit where you have to register/activate the plugin online.
How Do You Install Plugins?
If it has an install file, duh. If not, simply put the DLL (and any other related files) in your VST folder and make sure your DAW is pointing to it...typically something like C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins.
How Do You Decide What To Buy?
The same as any other product; you act like a grown up and figure it out yourself. You can't count on online reviews (which almost always say the plugin is great because they get free copies that way). You can browse forums like this one, but those are hardly guarantees either. Again, if you're smart, you try the freebies.
When Should You Buy Plugins?
? uh, whenever you need them? This question makes no sense.
What About Trials And Demos?
What about them? Obviously try them if they're available.
What About What Other People Say?
Again, as with anything else, take it with a grain of salt. Common sense.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2727 posts since 15 Apr, 2004 from Capital City, UK
thanks, but that summary isn't doesn't really capture the point of the video, and some of the more important things to consider if the world of plugins is completely new to you, which you clearly aren't, so you aren't the target audience.
Perhaps your summary includes the scant detail you desire, but I'm not sure it has quite the same tone. And you completely missed the point of the 'when do I buy' question, which exemplifies your ability to absorb and transmit good information.
Have fun making music!
Perhaps your summary includes the scant detail you desire, but I'm not sure it has quite the same tone. And you completely missed the point of the 'when do I buy' question, which exemplifies your ability to absorb and transmit good information.
Have fun making music!
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- KVRian
- 1365 posts since 2 Mar, 2018
Thanks for the thinly-veiled snotty answer. About what I'd expect from a pretentious, long-winded goober dying to draw attention to himself with a "hey everyone look at me, click on my youtube link!" post just to point out such incredibly basic things people could easily look up 100 diff places on the internet and learn the answers far quicker. lol @ "good information"
Done with this thread. Have fun with your blatant self-promotion!
Done with this thread. Have fun with your blatant self-promotion!
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- KVRAF
- 7668 posts since 2 Sep, 2019
A few thoughts:
Yes, this looks like shameless self promotion, but how can it be, if there’s no links? Where are they?
Mixguy2, you were pretty snotty yourself.
Also, VST is not “mostly Windows.” It is cross-platform. Period.
Yes, this looks like shameless self promotion, but how can it be, if there’s no links? Where are they?
Mixguy2, you were pretty snotty yourself.
Also, VST is not “mostly Windows.” It is cross-platform. Period.
THIS MUSIC HAS BEEN MIXED TO BE PLAYED LOUD SO TURN IT UP
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 2727 posts since 15 Apr, 2004 from Capital City, UK
This isn't self-promotion, good spot jamcat. No links, no websites mentioned, it is simply a blast of information for people who would rather not watch 400 hundred self-promos vids in order to figure this stuff out, but also don't just want a list of bullet-points.
We're in one of those 'if you can't say something nice, don't bother saying anything at all' playground-level conversations. I appreciate your awareness jamcat.
We're in one of those 'if you can't say something nice, don't bother saying anything at all' playground-level conversations. I appreciate your awareness jamcat.