Plugins??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Devlin Malcolm
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Devlin Malcolm

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What are some GREAT plugins for EQ mastering, Compression mastering, Multiband mastering, and limiters?

I am currently using Cakewalk Sonar X2 Producer, and not really enjoying their mastering plugins or satisfied with their results.

Thanks
Devlin
 
Whichever ones are best for the purpose you need.

That said -- If you can't get 90% "there" with whatever stock plugs are in the DAW, it's probably not the plugin selection.

THAT said, we'd probably need to know some sort of budget you're trying to stick with to be of any real help. Some of the "exceptional" plugs can get rather pricey. And on the other hand, some that save an awful lot of pain and sorrow are freeware (SpitFish, G-Clip, etc.).

I wouldn't bother much with looking at maul-the-band (multiband) units. Especially ones that say "Mastering" on them (I couldn't tell you a mastering engineer that uses them with any regularity, as much as the marketing guys would try to convince people otherwise).
 
I agree with Massive

Is it the stock plugins or how you are using them?

If you want to try something else try T-racks CS classic Link It will add a few things to what you have and won't break the bank.

Alan.
 
These aren't mastering plugins in specific, but they are still amazing vst's to take a look at!

Mixing Plugins
Antress Modern Plugins
-Modern Compressor
-Modern Equalizer
-Modern Exciter
-Many more plugins
http://antress.er-webs.com/
FREE / VST / WIN

Blue Cats
Freeware plugin pack,
includes blue cats:
-chorus
-Flanger
-Freq Analyst
and more
Blue Cat's Freeware Plug-ins Pack II - Download Freeware Audio Plugins (VST, RTAS, Audio Unit, DirectX) (Freeware)
FREE / RTAS, VST / WIN, OSX

Habib
- KeFir (impulse loader)
- Extremist (guitar preamp)
http://habib.webhost.pl/
FREE / VST / WIN

Nasty Series
-Nasty LF
-Nasty HF
-Nasty CF
-Nasty VSD
-Nasty Table top
Downloads
FREE / VST / WIN / OSX

slim slow sider
- Compact Distortion (distortion stomp box)
Also has good free sidechain plugins!
VST plugins [slim slow slider presents]
FREE / VST / WIN

W1 Limiter
-W1 Limiter (Waves L2 Ultramaximizer's clone)
yohng.com · W1 Limiter
FREE/ VST, RTAS / WIN, OSX


Audio Damage
-Rough Rider Compressor
Audio Damage :: Rough Rider
Free

Amp Sims
Acme Bar Gig
- DIG (guitar amp)
- BIG (bass amp)
- Shred Suite (guitar amp)
- Preampus series (guitar preamp)
- several other guitar related plugins
Head Case is Here
FREE / VST / WIN

BTE Audio :!:
- Juicy77 (guitar amp, free)
- TS' Secret (tubescreamer emulator, free)
BTE Audio - Algorithms for the Ultimate Analog Experience
FREE, Commercial / VST / WIN

Line6
- Pod Farm, Amp Farm, GearBox (guitar amp)
Line 6
Line 6 - Amp Farm
Commercial / VST, AU, RTAS, TDM

LePou :!:
- Solo C, HyBrit, LE456, Lextac (guitar preamp)
- Lecab (impulse loader)
LePou Plugins
FREE / VST / WIN

Nick Crow :!:
- Wagner Sharp, 7170, 8505 (guitar preamp)
- Simple Guitar Combo (guitar amp)
http://sites.google.com/site/nickcrowlab/
FREE / VST / WIN

TSE
- X30 (guitar preamp)
- TSE 808
TSE AUDIO
FREE / VST / WIN

Impulses
Kazrog
- Recabinet Modern, Recabinet Vintage (cabinet impulses)
Recabinet - Speaker Simulation for VST, AU, and RTAS
Not Free

God's Cab
Signals Audio
Free

Catharsis Impulses
http://catharsis.supremepixels.com/impulses/
Free
 
ALL THAT ^^^ BEING SAID,

I agree with Massive, if you can get a great mix on stock plugins, you will definitely be able to get an amazing mix once you use the other well known plugins.
 
I'm not on any budget at all, just looking for some recommendations.
 
The producer version comes with some great plugins that can be used for home mastering purposes. The ssl buss compressor emulation, the new console emulations, ssl pro channel, the LP64 EQ, LP64 Multiband, and the the brickwall limiter are outstanding options. (although I think the brickwall limiter is a seperate purchase something like $20??). If these don't cut it for you then you may want to look into Ozone 5 and T-Racks
 
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Most of the plugins I mentioned in that list above^^ are free.
If you have money to spend on plugins, I recommend looking into UAD plugins. I love UAD plugins and use them in every single mix of mine but keep in mind you need their card in order for them to work. I actually prefer them over Waves any day.
 
The Best EQ's for mastering are Fabfilter Pro Q, Flux Epure II, Massenburg, or Sonaris. All UAD mastering stuff is nice. If you want an analog feel pultechs are nice. I know most people don't talk about the brand a lot but the SPL Passive EQ is a really, really nice plug should really check it out.
 
Massive is that G-Clip that great? Do you use it on your products I just downloaded it.
 
Ugghh DOWN WITH IZOTOPE! To many artifacts on certain tools. Plus why not setup your own chain with your own plugs. I have yet to see Izotope in any pro mastering houses dont think I will either.
 
jaynm26 said:
Massive is that G-Clip that great? Do you use it on your products I just downloaded it.
Click to expand...
It's my favorite "safety" limiter. Very nice for the whole "volume" thing and a nicely adjustable curve.
 
jaynm26 said:
Ugghh DOWN WITH IZOTOPE! To many artifacts on certain tools. Plus why not setup your own chain with your own plugs. I have yet to see Izotope in any pro mastering houses dont think I will either.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I would completely discount Ozone. It does have a decent limiter.

I think it more that it is so capable of destroying a mix/master, that it makes most of us cringe. That being said, I would never buy the product myself.

Years back, I worked at mid range studio, whom the owner would send his mixes to a guy who used Ozone 3 or 4 (don't remember), to master his projects. I sat in on a mastering session (so called by the guy who used Ozone) and asked him "why are you using all of the effects"? He said "because they all are necessary to make a great master, and they sound cool". I believed him then. Sad.....it was total bullsh**t. He had no idea what he was doing.... Neither did I then.

In more recent times, I have tried the demo. The limiter did sound good. For the most part though, the other effects seems more of a vanity thing that could be used on individual tracks, as an effect. Not so much as a 'mastering' tool. It seems more of an advertising campaign by Izotope, to lead people who do not know what mastering is, to buy the product, thinking it has all the answers. It does not. But it does have some tools that can help.

Personally, the Waves API 2500 and L2, are much better software purchases IME, when attempting to 'self' master. I would still rather send my projects to an actual ME. Well worth the money, to pay for a good one.
 
I dont master myself...but the basic UAD precision plugs are great...saying that Im really considering ozone 5 as i cant use uad on my laptop and the reviews and videos on Ozone really rate it
 
kcearl said:
I dont master myself...but the basic UAD precision plugs are great...saying that Im really considering ozone 5 as i cant use uad on my laptop and the reviews and videos on Ozone really rate it
Click to expand...

I hear that Ozone 5 allows you to separate the individual effects as inserts. That might be quite useful.
 
jimmys69 said:
I hear that Ozone 5 allows you to separate the individual effects as inserts. That might be quite useful.
Click to expand...

Thats only on the advanced version...which is prolly too much $$$


I think on earlier versions the was a problem with the EQ, plus its a notorious newb preset destroyer of all things musical

But its a decent set of tools...i think for the price itll compliment Studio One Pro..which already has a decent set of plugs

Be interesting to see what pros think of Insight...i wouldnt even now how to use a set of tools like that
 
jaynm26 said:
Ugghh DOWN WITH IZOTOPE! To many artifacts on certain tools. Plus why not setup your own chain with your own plugs. I have yet to see Izotope in any pro mastering houses dont think I will either.
Click to expand...

lmao, you can still set up your own chain. you can disable the tools you don't want to use from izotope, and use other plugins. n im sure most "pro mastering houses" are using a lot of hardware not plugins. You don't get artifacts if you use it correctly and your computer can handle it ;)
 
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