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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: noahbickart on June 29, 2017, 01:00:19 AM

Title: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: noahbickart on June 29, 2017, 01:00:19 AM
I think we should be sharing more about what we use for post production.

I'm using Reaper on a Macbook Pro, and find that I use a few plugins over and over again when mastering my live recordings. Here are some of them:

EQ:
DDMF 6144, which mimics a Neve Portico 5033 clone for $39 (https://ddmf.eu/6144-equalizer-plugin/)
Toneboosters Parametric EQ included in their TrackEssentials bundle v3 for EUR 20.00 (http://www.toneboosters.com/tb-trackessentials-bundle/)
Sonimus SonEq Pro, $59 (http://sonimus.com/products/soneqpro/)

Dynamics:
Ik Multimedia White 2a, a simple La-2a clone (http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/trwhite2a/)
Klanghelm MJUC, which mimics 3 vintage "tube" compressors:(https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/MJUC/MJUC.php),

Spacial Processing:
Klanghelm VUMTdeluxe, this is a really cool metering plugin which is really useful for analyzing how dynamics and EQ affect your headroom, is also perfect for and fixing L/R balance issues and for using M/S processing to adjust the width of the stereo image (https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/VUMTdeluxe/VUMTdeluxe.php)
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on June 29, 2017, 07:42:46 AM
One of my favorites for room recordings is the Kush Audio Clariphonic EQ. It's solely a parallel high shelf boost, but I find a little of it useful on most room stuff.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on June 30, 2017, 09:32:05 AM
 :shrug:
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: goodcooker on July 09, 2017, 12:38:30 PM

I only use a couple of VST plugins in Wavelab 6 but almost every show I process gets a touch of

API 550 EQ - it looks like a 500 module with knobs and is fully sweepable in each range

and

Waves L3 Multimaximizer Stereo - I set the compression to -2 or -3 and the output to -.1 dB. Does a great job of giving a little more oomph and squeezing a little extra volume without being harsh or crunchy. Sounds really natural... much more so than any other compression tool I've used. I use the Basic or Extremely Analog presets.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on July 17, 2017, 02:24:07 PM
One of my favorites for room recordings is the Kush Audio Clariphonic EQ. It's solely a parallel high shelf boost, but I find a little of it useful on most room stuff.

You can demo for 10 days if you have an iLok http://www.thehouseofkush.com/support/downloads (http://www.thehouseofkush.com/support/downloads)
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: ScoobieKW on July 17, 2017, 02:30:01 PM
Izotope RX for it's denoiser
Lurssen Mastering Console for quick and dirty mastering
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: rocksuitcase on July 17, 2017, 03:34:24 PM
bump to learn things. Currently using free Audacity, but know I need better tools. Izotope (R7?) has been mentioned to me by a bunch of folks.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: voltronic on July 17, 2017, 04:47:22 PM
Izotope RX for it's denoiser

+1 on RX.  Spectral Denoiser is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen from a piece of software.  Note that you only get the Dialog Denoiser (no good for music) in the cheaper plugin packs.  The Declick module is also very handy for reducing applause sections.

iZotope Ozone is something I also use pretty frequently for EQ, or the occasions I need dynamics processing.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on August 01, 2017, 02:19:17 PM
Also particularly good for room recordings is a multiband compressor. I'm using the free-with-Reaper ReaXComp currently. No flashy GUI but works great for taming bass.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: johnw on August 08, 2017, 02:44:33 PM
Any suggestions for an MS decoder?

I tried the Schoeps double MS one but I can't get it to work for just MS.
I've also tried the MSED but am looking for something a bit more intuitive like the Schoeps one.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: if_then_else on August 27, 2017, 10:12:30 AM
Any recommendations for a VST plug-in which can do hard limiting (compressors/limiters)?

I used to use the built-in plug-in in Samplitude SE 10.2 in order to reduce the impact of individual claps (applause) and it worked great. However, apparently, that plug-in has been replaced by several different compressors / loudness maximers in Samplitude Music Studio 2016. And, even if you crank up the ratio of these compressors, they're not working like the hard limiter in the previous version used to work.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on August 27, 2017, 10:15:23 AM
Any recommendations for a VST plug-in which can do hard limiting (compressors/limiters)?

I used to use the built-in plug-in in Samplitude SE 10.2 in order to reduce the impact of individual claps (applause) and it worked great. However, apparently, that plug-in has been replaced by several different compressors / loudness maximers in Samplitude Music Studio 2016. And, even if you crank up the ratio of these compressors, they're not working like the hard limiter in the previous version used to work.

I'm using Limiter No6 https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/ (https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/)

Free plugin
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: if_then_else on August 27, 2017, 10:41:27 AM
Any recommendations for a VST plug-in which can do hard limiting (compressors/limiters)?

I used to use the built-in plug-in in Samplitude SE 10.2 in order to reduce the impact of individual claps (applause) and it worked great. However, apparently, that plug-in has been replaced by several different compressors / loudness maximers in Samplitude Music Studio 2016. And, even if you crank up the ratio of these compressors, they're not working like the hard limiter in the previous version used to work.

I'm using Limiter No6 https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/ (https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/limiter6/)

Free plugin

Thank you. I'll give it a try.

I also read about the LVA Audio Limited-MAX and Limited-T plug-ins which appear to be very similar to the more expensive FabFilter Pro-L (both visually and feature-wise). Is anyone here familiar with these?
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: beatkilla on August 27, 2017, 11:41:54 AM
I like some of these ones.Free.

http://antress.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on August 27, 2017, 12:12:18 PM
I'm using a mix of paid and free stuff. After demoing a bunch of "clean" EQs (meaning not the analog-modelling stuff, though I do use some of that too), I never found one with an interface I liked as well as FabFilter. The Pro-Q 2 is probably my plugin MVP: https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-q-2-equalizer-plug-in (https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-q-2-equalizer-plug-in)

It's expensive at $179 but I just looked at it as a rig upgrade. There's a 30-day trial, which is pretty generous, good docs to explain all the features, and they have a YouTube channel with demos.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: macdaddy on August 27, 2017, 12:41:07 PM
Checkin in...

I like the waves stuff; I like the c6 the best/compression for eq'g...
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: rigpimp on August 27, 2017, 07:33:29 PM
I am a big fan of iZotope's work.  I love the EQ and maximizer wrapped into the Ozone package.  I often will start with one of their presets and then tweak it and save it to my archive file.

When I am doing restoration work I cannot speak highly enough of, and really, really love, RX 5 Connect.  The ability to tie my editor straight into RX 5 Advanced and back so seamlessly is worth the price of admission, and that is a lot.

@johnw, I am unsure what you do not find intuitive with MSED.  It is such a simple tool I am unsure what I would do without it.  I run a MS pair every opportunity I get.  I love the flexibility in post.  I have the ability to run Double MS now but am not sure that I want to take the gamble with how precise placement should be.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: johnw on September 14, 2017, 08:41:38 PM
Not sure. I've only done MS once. I tried messing withe MSED and it sounds like the band was behind me. Maybe if I kept playing with it, i'd figure it out
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: voltronic on September 15, 2017, 06:46:07 PM
I am a big fan of iZotope's work.  I love the EQ and maximizer wrapped into the Ozone package.  I often will start with one of their presets and then tweak it and save it to my archive file.

When I am doing restoration work I cannot speak highly enough of, and really, really love, RX 5 Connect.  The ability to tie my editor straight into RX 5 Advanced and back so seamlessly is worth the price of admission, and that is a lot.

@johnw, I am unsure what you do not find intuitive with MSED.  It is such a simple tool I am unsure what I would do without it.  I run a MS pair every opportunity I get.  I love the flexibility in post.  I have the ability to run Double MS now but am not sure that I want to take the gamble with how precise placement should be.

FYI, Ozone 7 has removed the Reverb module.  This is unfortunate, as I thought it was very good and would use it along with other modules when recording MIDI tracks with virtual instruments.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: if_then_else on September 16, 2017, 12:40:31 AM
Windows (VST):

DAW: Samplitude
EQ: Fabfilter Pro Q2
Compressor (analytical): LVC Pressed-MAX
Compressor (coloured): Klanghelm MJUC
Limiter: LVC Limited-MAX
Saturation / distortion: Klanghelm SDRR
Hall / reverb: Valhalla DSP Vintage Verb
Stereo widening: StereoSavage
Noise reduction: Izotope RX6 Standard

Linux (LV2):

DAW: Ardour
Calf plugin suite
Invada plugin suite
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Ronmac on September 16, 2017, 06:36:32 AM
FYI, Ozone 7 has removed the Reverb module.  This is unfortunate, as I thought it was very good and would use it along with other modules when recording MIDI tracks with virtual instruments.

Ozone will allow you to use any external vst in any empty slot, so it's easy to regain that same workflow by adding one of your other reverb plugs.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on September 16, 2017, 10:05:20 AM
If you own one FabFilter product you can get others at up to 50% off; login to your account at their site to see your sale prices. I ended up buying Pro-MB multiband compressor and Saturn (dist/saturation plug). Can't recommend Pro-MB enough. Earlier in the thread I was using the free ReaXComp, but FabFilter's interfaces are excellent, and the visual feedback helps you understand what you're controlling.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: voltronic on September 16, 2017, 10:58:56 AM
FYI, Ozone 7 has removed the Reverb module.  This is unfortunate, as I thought it was very good and would use it along with other modules when recording MIDI tracks with virtual instruments.

Ozone will allow you to use any external vst in any empty slot, so it's easy to regain that same workflow by adding one of your other reverb plugs.

Well that's good to know.  It's just a shame that they removed the (to my ears) very good algorithmic reverb that used to be included with Ozone.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on September 17, 2017, 10:06:55 AM
Windows (VST):
Stereo widening: StereoSavage
Just took a look at this. I'm curious if you're just using the Width knob or if Rotation is of any use? I haven't tried this one but the Waves Imager has a rotation parameter, while most spreaders I've seen are just a single knob, so am wondering about this.

Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: if_then_else on September 17, 2017, 11:01:22 AM
Windows (VST):
Stereo widening: StereoSavage
Just took a look at this. I'm curious if you're just using the Width knob or if Rotation is of any use? I haven't tried this one but the Waves Imager has a rotation parameter, while most spreaders I've seen are just a single knob, so am wondering about this.

"Rotation" only affects the central processing of the signal but doesn't touch the side processing. It really depends on the source material, if this useful or not. (I'm playing with a SBD mono feed from last night and Stereo Savage as we speak...)
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on September 17, 2017, 11:25:14 AM
Windows (VST):
Stereo widening: StereoSavage
Just took a look at this. I'm curious if you're just using the Width knob or if Rotation is of any use? I haven't tried this one but the Waves Imager has a rotation parameter, while most spreaders I've seen are just a single knob, so am wondering about this.

"Rotation" only affects the central processing of the signal but doesn't touch the side processing. It really depends on the source material, if this useful or not. (I'm playing with a SBD mono feed from last night and Stereo Savage as we speak...)

Gotcha, thanks. I should probably demo and mess around with it.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on September 21, 2017, 11:54:09 AM
Ozone Imager is now available separately for free https://www.izotope.com/en/products/master-and-deliver/ozone-imager.html (https://www.izotope.com/en/products/master-and-deliver/ozone-imager.html)
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: voltronic on September 21, 2017, 12:20:45 PM
Ozone Imager is now available separately for free https://www.izotope.com/en/products/master-and-deliver/ozone-imager.html (https://www.izotope.com/en/products/master-and-deliver/ozone-imager.html)

That's awesome!
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on October 25, 2017, 01:02:04 PM
I found a new use for an old favorite, FabFilter Pro-Q 2. So lately I've been recording very close to the stage at my local club, and found that on headphones you can localize the bass cabinet as being off-center (which of course it is, as the drums are in the middle of the stage). It's not noticeable on speakers but kind of annoying on headphones.

I split my stereo room mics file to two mono tracks. I sent the left one (bass cab was on the far right) to the sidechain input of the right track. The instance of Pro-Q 2 on the right channel's track I used the EQ Match function to analyze the input from the left channel, and plot a correction curve for the right channel to match the left. Boom, centered bass cabinet.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on November 24, 2017, 10:14:42 AM
I've been messing with Slate Digital Revival over the holiday (http://slatedigital.com/revival/ (http://slatedigital.com/revival/)). Worth checking out, as it's free if you have an iLok 2. Simple 2-knob plugin with Shimmer and Thickness controls.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on December 09, 2017, 09:42:47 AM
http://www.elysia.com/software/niveau-filter/ (http://www.elysia.com/software/niveau-filter/)

Quote
Get the niveau filter section of our famous mpressor plugin - it's free! Add punch to muffled snares, reduce the harshness from active pickups, create some wonderful Dub and LoFi sounds... there are so many ways to benefit from this little tool. It's fast, efficient, and most important: It sounds great! 

This filter is a specialist in changing the overall sonic character of a signal with ease. It features two comprehensive controllers and is capable of producing convincing results in no time at all. Whenever a classic shelving filter would be too limited and a fully parametric filter would be too much, the niveau filter is the perfect tool.

Its main function is to change the proportions between high and low frequencies. The principle is quite similar to a pair of scales: Dependent on the gain setting around a variable center frequency, the high frequencies are boosted whereas the low frequencies are attenuated (or vice versa) at the same time.


The center frequency can be shifted continuously between 26 Hz and 2.2 kHz or between 260 Hz and 22 kHz respectively (when the x10 switch is activated). The characteristics of the filter change in the extreme positions of the EQ Gain controller: The fully counter-clockwise setting will give you a low pass filter; fully clockwise position will result in a high pass filter

This might be of interest for those who are wary of learning to EQ their recordings. A quick simple adjustment from this "tilt EQ" (it's like a see-saw, when you turn down the lows, you're turning up the highs, and vice versa) can make a big difference on an audience tape with no further EQ work. It is free, though you have to sign up for an account so they can spam you.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: ScoobieKW on December 18, 2017, 08:19:08 PM
Softube's Console 1 plugin.

It's a bit of a cheat as it is paired with a Channel Strip hardware controller.

Out of the box it models the SSL 4000E, but can run other strips, eq's, compressors etc.

Sounds friggin amazing, and mixing with knobs and your ears is so much nicer.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: rigpimp on December 18, 2017, 10:09:43 PM
I like some of these ones.Free.

http://antress.blogspot.com/

Both of the links to DL those are dead.  Can you dropbox them?
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: beatkilla on December 18, 2017, 10:31:44 PM
I like some of these ones.Free.

http://antress.blogspot.com/

Both of the links to DL those are dead.  Can you dropbox them?

Give me a day or two to get them together for you.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on March 01, 2018, 11:29:01 AM
Demoing this now, about to buy most likely: http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/azure (http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/azure)
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: noahbickart on March 02, 2018, 08:03:17 AM
Demoing this now, about to buy most likely: http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/azure (http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/azure)

Please let us know what you think!!!
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on March 04, 2018, 10:45:59 AM
Demoing this now, about to buy most likely: http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/azure (http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/azure)

Please let us know what you think!!!

I'm definitely buying Azure for a finishing/enhancing EQ. The only reason I haven't yet is because I'm demoing "color"/"musical" channel strip EQs and want to purchase them on the same invoice (my company gives a Lifestyle Reward benefit, so they're footing the bill for these  ;D ) It's down to Gold (one of their two Neve emulations) and Pink (API emulation); leaning toward Pink at the moment. I use FabFilter Pro Q 2 for surgical stuff, so between the three I should be covered.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on March 05, 2018, 03:45:50 PM
I'm bored so here's everything I'm currently using:

on the room and soundboard channels -

Sonalksis FreeG- balance L/R https://www.sonalksis.com/freeg.html (https://www.sonalksis.com/freeg.html) $0
PSP Triple Meter - VU to gain stage both tracks http://www.pspaudioware.com/plugins/tools_and_meters/psp_triplemeter/ (http://www.pspaudioware.com/plugins/tools_and_meters/psp_triplemeter/) $29
FabFilter Pro-Q 2 - HPF/LPF, surgical cuts for resonances  https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-q-2-equalizer-plug-in (https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-q-2-equalizer-plug-in) $179
??? channel strip ??? currently testing various for boosts and compression; have been using Pro-Q 2 for boosts but would prefer the guidance of a channel strip EQ over a graph with unlimited choices. Whatever I buy will be Acustica Acqua, just testing the different flavors
Waves Vitamin - exciter https://www.waves.com/plugins/vitamin (https://www.waves.com/plugins/vitamin) $59 on sale (never pay full price for Waves, they have deep sales constantly)
Ozone Imager - widening to taste https://www.izotope.com/en/products/master-and-deliver/ozone/ozone-imager.html (https://www.izotope.com/en/products/master-and-deliver/ozone/ozone-imager.html) $0

On mixbus -

Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor - a couple db of compression on the mix https://www.waves.com/plugins/ssl-g-master-buss-compressor (https://www.waves.com/plugins/ssl-g-master-buss-compressor) $99 on sale, don't pay more. I may have only paid $50 for this

Mastering -

FabFilter Saturn - saturation (Warm Tape on the bottom end, Warm Tube up top) https://www.fabfilter.com/products/saturn-multiband-distortion-saturation-plug-in (https://www.fabfilter.com/products/saturn-multiband-distortion-saturation-plug-in) $154
FabFilter Pro-Q 2 - another instance, typically gets bypassed, but is loaded in case I need to make additional resonance notches to the mixed sources
TDR - Kotelnikov - mastering compression if needed
Acustica Azure - mastering EQ modeled on Knif Soma hardware http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/azure (http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/azure) $177
Slate Revival - sweetener plugin with Shimmer and Thickness knobs http://slatedigital.com/revival/ (http://slatedigital.com/revival/) $0 but requires iLok
Slate Virtual Tape Machines - tape sim http://slatedigital.com/virtual-tape-machines/ (http://slatedigital.com/virtual-tape-machines/) $140
Kazrog KClip - clipper for rare occasions when I need more volume and don't want to make the limiter do all the work http://slatedigital.com/virtual-tape-machines/ (http://slatedigital.com/virtual-tape-machines/)
FabFilter Pro-L 2 - limiter and dither https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-l-2-limiter-plug-in (https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-l-2-limiter-plug-in) $199

On monitor channel -

Voxengo Span - spectrum analyzer http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/ (http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/) $0
Sonarworks Reference 4 - monitor/room calibration plugin https://storeus.sonarworks.com/collections/reference-4/products/reference-4-studio-edition (https://storeus.sonarworks.com/collections/reference-4/products/reference-4-studio-edition) $249
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: Sloan Simpson on March 15, 2018, 11:18:53 AM
Ended up purchasing Pink2 for the channel strip and Azure for mastering EQ. Very happy with both of them.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: chk on March 15, 2018, 02:52:42 PM
Another vote for Limiter No.6
Related to that is the full suite of TDR labs plugins, most of which have free versions which are quite flexible and generally built with audio transparency being a critical consideration. Highly recommended

http://www.tokyodawn.net/tokyo-dawn-labs/

...Also like izotope for de-click, de-noise, de-clip duties
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: capnhook on March 15, 2018, 09:00:33 PM

Related to that is the full suite of TDR labs plugins, most of which have free versions which are quite flexible and generally built with audio transparency being a critical consideration. Highly recommended

http://www.tokyodawn.net/tokyo-dawn-labs/


TDR Nova works great, and free.  Thanks
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: voltronic on March 15, 2018, 09:06:57 PM

Related to that is the full suite of TDR labs plugins, most of which have free versions which are quite flexible and generally built with audio transparency being a critical consideration. Highly recommended

http://www.tokyodawn.net/tokyo-dawn-labs/


TDR Nova works great, and free.  Thanks

This looks really cool.  Did you see Proximity?  Never seen that done before.
Title: Re: Favorite VST/AU Plugins?
Post by: capnhook on March 15, 2018, 09:19:28 PM

Related to that is the full suite of TDR labs plugins, most of which have free versions which are quite flexible and generally built with audio transparency being a critical consideration. Highly recommended

http://www.tokyodawn.net/tokyo-dawn-labs/


TDR Nova works great, and free.  Thanks

This looks really cool.  Did you see Proximity?  Never seen that done before.

Proximity....what a concept  :hmmm:

Gotta have it, thanks for the alert.


It's hard to describe what Proximity does.  I save a few different setups, and switch between them.  Darned if I can figure which settings I like better.  Cool.