What VST's Do You Use?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 240v
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240v

240v

Super Perfectionist
Hi,

I'm curious about what effects you guys use. I know that there are some fabulous plugin suites, both free and paid, but wanted to know people's opinions on what they like.

Are paid plugins much better than free ones, or does it depend on whether you find the right ones? I've found some nice freebies around the web and they seem to be really nice. Are paid VST's much better in quality than paid ones?
 
In general, yes.....most of the pay ones are going to be better than most fo the free ones.

Yes.....there are some free ones that are as good as the pay ones. Kjaerhus comes to mind (did I speel that currecktly?)
 
Some free ones can rival ones you pay for. But only some. There really is a reason to pay for those plugs.

Kramer Plugs are really nice.

The free Modern Plugin Series is pretty good.

I don't really use that many plugs though. I use mostly stock.
 
When it comes to effects and dynamics stuff, I find the built in effects in the DAWs are normally pretty good.

When it comes to instruments and stuff, I really like Native Instruments' stuff. I've got Maschine and Komplete 8 Ultimate, and it all just blows me away. The programs (Reaktor, Kontakt, Guitar Rig, Studio Drummer, Battery, Absynth, and so many more) and effects (the stuff included in Guitar Rig, the vintage compressor series, Traktor's 12, and again... so many more) are all the highest quality. Hearing their sounds is what initially opened me up to software. The stuff is pricey, but totally worth it. Especially once you consider the savings in something like Komplete or K8U. If someone were to force me to pick only one plug-in/bundle for my virtual instruments and effects I would picking K8U without hesitation.

(But, hopefully that never happens, because I do like experimenting, learning, and using different software. )

I also like IK Multimedia stuff. My first experience with plug-ins was back in 2010 with some T-Racks stuff.
The free downloads of SampleTank and AmpliTube I've been using for a few months as well, and those are solid too. Especially when you consider that they're free! I'm planning on picking up Total Workstation 2 soon.

Lately I've been youtubing some Spectrasonics stuff. Omninsphere and Styles RMX Xpanded have caught my interest.

Different flavors for different tunes in software just like in hardware.
I even use the built in VSTi's of DAWs sometimes.
We're surrounded by awesome, usable sounds!
 
kidkage said:
When it comes to effects and dynamics stuff, I find the built in effects in the DAWs are normally pretty good.

When it comes to instruments and stuff, I really like Native Instruments' stuff. I've got Maschine and Komplete 8 Ultimate, and it all just blows me away. The programs (Reaktor, Kontakt, Guitar Rig, Studio Drummer, Battery, Absynth, and so many more) and effects (the stuff included in Guitar Rig, the vintage compressor series, Traktor's 12, and again... so many more) are all the highest quality. Hearing their sounds is what initially opened me up to software. The stuff is pricey, but totally worth it. Especially once you consider the savings in something like Komplete or K8U. If someone were to force me to pick only one plug-in/bundle for my virtual instruments and effects I would picking K8U without hesitation.

(But, hopefully that never happens, because I do like experimenting, learning, and using different software. )

I also like IK Multimedia stuff. My first experience with plug-ins was back in 2010 with some T-Racks stuff.
The free downloads of SampleTank and AmpliTube I've been using for a few months as well, and those are solid too. Especially when you consider that they're free! I'm planning on picking up Total Workstation 2 soon.

Lately I've been youtubing some Spectrasonics stuff. Omninsphere and Styles RMX Xpanded have caught my interest.

Different flavors for different tunes in software just like in hardware.
I even use the built in VSTi's of DAWs sometimes.
We're surrounded by awesome, usable sounds!
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've heard many good things about Komplete 8 but it's price is not something I can afford... for now. You mentioned that K8U has effects as well? May I ask how this is achieved as I thought K8U was all about VSTi's.

IK seems pretty good, their 'everything' bundle is on a massive sale right now, but again I'm just starting out with music recording so I guess I'll take a bit of time to chose what to invest on


james@refinery said:
It all depends on what you are using them for and what you want to achieve.

Are you looking for Virtual Instruments or effects ?
Click to expand...

I'm mainly looking for effects, I've got a ton of VSTi and sounds (14gb) :D
 
In Reaper I'm using the built-in ones, ReaComp, Reaverb, ReaEQ, Loser EQs, schwa midi humanizer on EZ Drummer, also Boot EQ (for the vintage tube preamp mostly) and Floorfish deesser
 
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240v said:
You mentioned that K8U has effects as well? May I ask how this is achieved as I thought K8U was all about VSTi's.
Click to expand...

Sure!
Guitar Rig, which is included in Komplete, houses all of the effects that you've probably seen are included in the bundle.
Things like the Solid Mix series, Transient Master, Traktor's 12, etc. Not to mention numerous reverbs, delays, compressors, and other effects that are included in Guitar Rig alone.
You apply these by opening up Guitar Rig as a plug-in just as you would with built in VSTs in your DAW and loading whatever effect component(s) you want to use. I'll link you to a picture of Guitar Rig's interface so you can see what I mean. NATIVE INSTRUMENTS : HOME | HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR MUSICIANS, PRODUCERS, DJS, GUITAR AND BASS PLAYERS Under 'Components' categories are broke down in to 'reverb' 'delay' 'dynamics' etc.

And, while I haven't got in to it myself yet, you can also use Reaktor in a similar way!

Yeah :( it's pricey. I drooled over it for months and months. Luckily I was able to get a substantial discount as a Maschine user. It still hurt when my wallet took the hit, but has been absolutely worth it.
Perhaps you can decide whether or not you need the few extras included in K8U and just get Komplete 8. It's still pricey, but MUCH more affordable than Ultimate.

P.S.- that link up there with the picture is the page for a free version of Guitar Rig, Download it and check it out! There are a few effects included in there.
 
Waves One Knob plug-ins. They have great presets too! :)

Errr check out Digitalfishphones, LePou, Voxengo, TSE plugins. I get better metal guitar tones from Freeware than from products like Amplitude, Guitar Rig, Guitar Tool Rack.

Although Revalver is freakin awesome.
 
I love me some Nexus. So many instruments and sounds, I'm in love with it. I'm still playing around with others but that's the only that comes to mind right now because I've been using the longest and I've gotten great results.
 
For me, pretty much anything Native Instruments is good! I love their vintage compressors. Surprisingly, i also like the default VST (Technically RTAS) effects that come with Protools M-Powered!
 
Im still stuck on UAD-1, but now theyve stopped support for them I dunno whether to trade my cards in for $400, but cost myself another $500 to update them...the dont work in Studio One but they still work in Live 8...I suppose theyll stop working in that at some version


otherwise S1's FX are excellent in the mix...Abletons are OK, but I normally remove them before bouncing the stems for the finals mix..I use Nomad liquid plugs, theyre good value and Im thinking the fabfilter suite would be superb
 
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