What 20 Plugins Do You Use In Every Mixing & Mastering Session?

[@screendrem]

What a stellar on point impressive list and explaination. Only surprised by Sonnox inflator not making the last unless i missed a part. Oeksound...I own 2 of them and demoing bloom.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I used to be a big fan of inflator. It's one of those plugins that I should probably revisit

[@screendrem]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I hope you do. I'm sure you have some other probably more current plugin that does something similar but I thought inflator was one of the best tricks in the box to increase perceived loudness that I've found after searching for over 10 years...

[@rjjtmt]

agreed on pro c2 top 3 compressor all time, great for beginners to see the compression and great for smash hits

[@risingphoenix1484]

Could you do a video of the top 5 problems you typical recieve for a project and how do you go about fixing them?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yes. Great question.

[@djdanger9812]

Thanks for the heads up on the Sound City. will have to try out the demo. Also, Ozone isn't that good.. THANKYOU! I thought I was the only one. It reminds me of the SSL Fusion, it does a bunch of things but none of them anything special.

[@rjjtmt]

for me its the entire fab filter bundle, spectre, and the only waves plugin i use and will do update plan once a year for rvox🗣

[@katzone3181]

ATR102 is being added on UAD spark🎉

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@katzone3181 was very surprised to hear this news yesterday

[@katzone3181]

@@AudioAnimalsStudiothey currently have sales for new UAD subscribers. I feel like they have watched your video - thanks to your video ❤

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@katzone3181 let's hope so. But if they'd have watched the videos they know the only reason a lot of us still use their dsp chips is because of the ampex. Now it's native there's very little use for the dsp chips. Well for me there isn't.

[@beatsandstuff]

I agree with most of your list, top tier plugins. Agree, that the Sonnox Inflator should be there (maybe even the limiter, but that's me, I alternate different limiters). My question to you: I have Soothe2, Bloom, Wavesfactory Equalizer, Ozone 11 (clarity/low-end/stabilizer), and others; I'm looking at Spiff and Gullfoss, I'm demoing Gullfoss and sounds amazing -different than the others, new color palette -, but haven't tried Spliff, I usually compress with UAD LA-2A/1167/C-2, and produce EDM. What's the main advantage of Spliff?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@beatsandstuff think of spiff as almost the opposite to soothe. It's more a transient designer that adapts in real time. Very flexible.

[@beatsandstuff]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Do you think it worth it for EDM, I manage dynamics with said compressors, cytomic glue/ssl bus comp, kclip3 and use an oscilloscope to see how much trim. I'm getting the feel that Spiff is a compressor with frequency selectivity.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@beatsandstuff no it is a transient designer. For EDM transient designers are a must. If you aren't using one then spiff will be good for you.

[@beatsandstuff]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Yeah, my mistake. I use the SPL or Kilohearts, but this can target the frequency, I see it being useful, but I'm not sure I can justify its price right now, it's on my list for sure.

[@marcsmith8146]

Here is a list you need to check out: 1. Eiosis AirEQ, 2. Apogee EQP-1A, 3. Neold Wunderlich, 4. PulsarModular P440 Sweet Spot, 5. Pulsar Modular MDN Sidecar, 6. Pulsar Modular P11 Abyss, 7.Pulsar Audio 1178, 8. Sonimus A-EQ, 9. Klevgrand Brusfri, 10. Musik Hack Master Plan 1.0, 11. Sound Radix Pi and 12. The God Particle plugin. I hope this helps. I use most of the plugins you talked about as well and these will add to your mixes/masters. Marc

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

All the above are great. But that God particle plugin is absolute trash.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

All the above are great. But that God particle plugin is absolute trash.

[@marcsmith8146]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Interesting, what makes you say that? Love to get your thoughts on why.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@marcsmith8146 it's honestly one of the worst mastering plugins I've ever tried. Had high hopes for it after the claim that it was replacing top engineers mastering chain and this one plugin was all that was being used now for their mastering chain. All marketing hype.

[@marcsmith8146]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Hmmm, I never looked at it as a Mastering plugin. I thought it was promoted as a plugin that replaced Jaycen Joshua's Mix Bus chain. Yeah, whoever promoted it a the ultimate master bus plugin was using it wrong. It's a great mix bus plugin to get things loud and more centered and even sounding, to me. I still us a mastering bus chain after this plugin. Try it like that.

[@flyoverfredusa]

wicked Paul ! Dear Santa list started early this year :)

[@braxal6983]

Sorry for this question being unrelated to plug-ins but I need more I/O to go with my RME UFX III and it seems everything points to the Ferrofish Pulse 16MX. I am skeptical if the converters are good enough for patching in hardware for mixing. What do you suggest?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I used to have a Ferrofish A32 and I found the converters to be great for mixing. I had the A32 hooked up to 32 channels of SSL summing. I would recommend the pulse for an affordable 16 channel converter.

[@braxal6983]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Paul, I appreciate your help. Are you referring to the Ferrofish pro 32 (black face) or the one with the silver face? For some reason when I look at the Ferrofish site they kind of suggest the 32 pro (black face) has better converters than the Pulse 16 MX. I just do not want to be sad on a purchase because I only need 16 extra channels . I was hoping that I would not have to start over from scratch because some suggest that the Antelope galaxy or Orion is better. I really appreciate your help.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@braxal6983 the one I had was the silver face version. I would imagine the newer black face version is better.

[@owlmuso]

Awesome list Paul. Can't wait for the Ampex to be released natively so I can experience its greatness. Gotta get the Cinematic Rooms and Sound City Studios too. I have both Kazrog's. I must try putting the True Iron on every buss like you suggest, thanks for the idea. Typically do you have a fav model on the true iron, and would you stick to one model for an entire mix to provide glue for the track? Cheers

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

UAD know too well that the Ampex is one of the only reasons users haven't left the DSP chips and gone native. It's the only UAD plugin I use these days and I have all of them, as soon as it goes native I will be getting rid of all my octo satellites. The thing with True Iron on every bus is that it behaves very different compared to if it is on the master bus. I am not a fan of it over a master bus. I know it's not a compressor but think of it like how different a compressor behaves over a master bus compared to each individual bus. I stick to the same model and the same settings for every bus. I like the I08X best. If you look at the models in Plugin Doctor you will see exactly what each model is doing. The I08X has the nicest curve to it and keep the low end information in tact. You will also notice that the mix knob adds a dip at 20k, so advisable not to use the mix knob. I'll do a video on this as it is really interesting to see.

[@owlmuso]

​@@AudioAnimalsStudio O yeah, that would be awesome to see a video on the True Iron and how you use it. Thanks for the feedback on it though, I will definitely give it more attention as its one of those gems that I haven't quite figured out yet. Agree on UAD delaying the release of the ampex. But really they should just see the writing on the wall. I mean they have probably done really well with the Sunset Sound Studios plugin, and will sell a lot more of ampex when its ported. The world has really moved on from proprietary DSP and so should they. On a separate note, I think Plugin Doctor has really revolutionized the plugin world. I, for one, have benefited immensely by analyzing my plugins, especially for aliasing. Its interesting that I think one of the reasons why UAD plugins sounded better than much of the competition (especially in the early days) is because they dealt with aliasing issues right from the start. Unlike Waves, for instance

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@owlmuso yeah UAD were really ahead of their time and for a long time I was using all uad with great affect. I just feel they've really slowed down with their plugin development over the past 5 years. So much so I don't really get to excited when I see an update. I'm really liking these new brands developing outside the box plugins. Like how many eqs, channel strips and compressors do I really need. Why I like Oeksound, they release some great tools but quality over quantity. They always come out with something new and interesting.

[@django3108]

​@@AudioAnimalsStudio and without an intro price or discount for owners of soothe2/spiff!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@django3108 I just checked this and you right. Intro sale and loyalty discount is pretty standard. Their sales are always minimal also. I guess they feel a good plugin doesn't need an intro sale to sell well.

[@dna598]

Kirchoff eq dynamics section smokes pro q. The freely movable detector and up/down compression is the bees knees.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I would agree. However I've found it to be very buggy and it doesn't map to the Avid S4 well. Misses key parameters and that's a deal breaker for me. For me it's as much about performance as it is a usability. So the Kirchoff gets a thumbs down from me for my very specific needs. Will be a great option for anyone on a mouse and keyboard.

[@delmixedit]

@@AudioAnimalsStudioI didn’t know Pro Q3 mapped well to the surfaces. Going to have to check it out again.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@delmixedit yeah, I have mine mapped so it's lighting fast to move around it.

[@dna598]

​@@AudioAnimalsStudio That S4 should map to the coffee machine at those prices! ;) I've given up trying to control the graph gui parametric eqs with controllers, and acknowledged that the point and click display is the whole point. By the time I've glanced at the graph, I feel no point in looking down for another display, and trying to control one of the 30 potential nodes and all associated params with a bunch of knobs. Found Kirchoff to be perfectly stable and totally bug free over years of use, so i'm sorry to hear it's not been working for you. It's an absolute swiss army knife eh!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@dna598 if you ever get the chance to work on a S4 or S6 with your own mapping you'll understand you are actually a lot quicker. The key is using your own mapping. No searching. With a mouse you are limited to controlling 1 parameter at a time. With the S4 your limited to how many hands you have. Controlling multiple parameters at once massively broadens what you can achieve the way you work.

[@garethde-witt6433]

I only use 5 just eq, compression, reverb and a couple of delays. 20 is somewhat extreme.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

How is 20 plugin extreme haha. How are you upmixing to atmos, how are you de-essing, how are you adding saturation, how are you limiting, how are you widening the stereo image, how are you adding tape simulation. To me, using on only 5 plugins just means you aren't reaching your full potential. Not using a limiter when mastering is crazy. Not de-essing vocals as well seems very strange to me.

[@garethde-witt6433]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio You asked what plugins not what process. I don’t mix or intend to ever mix to Atmos, I hate that crap it sounds like shit. As for limiting I have a compressor limiter combined. I have my ways and they work, no need for 20 plugins.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@garethde-witt6433 really limiting your abilities only using 5 plugins. Each to their own but honestly you could achieve so much more using more than just an EQ and compressor when mixing. Seriously one day maybe not soon but one day you'll look back at this comment and agree.

[@imant3586]

Could you make review of Shwabe Digital Gold Clip?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I look into this plugin and if I like it I'll do a review

[@JohnWuMastermind]

🎉Nice list! I think u forgot split EQ? Would also like to hear your thoughts on Acustica Plugins since a lot of people claim they are the best sounding emulations

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Split EQ is one of those plugins I reach for every now and then and that's only because it has a very particular purpose and isn't one of those all round plugins you use all the time.

[@rjjtmt]

acustica plugins are very good not many people use them cause they are very heavy on cpu search it up

[@kimseniorb]

try invisible limiter instead of pro L, youd be surprised how much better it handles transients

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I tried invisible limiter and it was OK. But L2 works a lot better than invisible limiter when working with the Hum Audio LAAL.

[@JohnFraserFindlay]

great reviews as always!! Thanks-you. When you say "three" it sounds like "free" ! ...its the English accent + my hearing loss! :)

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I know. I tell people there are 3 revisions included with all mixing services and they think I'm saying free revisions. I've considered making it 2 or 4 revisions included as a way of avoiding the confusion.

[@JohnFraserFindlay]

​@@AudioAnimalsStudio yes also Klipper 3 (not free! lol!) I used to live in Dalston /London...the accents are so cool there! Great work on your channel bros!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@JohnFraserFindlay the funny thing is that this is me speaking my best queens English when I do these youtube videos.

[@braxal6983]

Paul, Thank you for making this video. I will use this video as a reference as I get more plugins. I appreciate all your help. Will RX 10 Elements work or do I need to have the full blown version. Any word when you will get your Cranborne HE2. I am hoping you get yours before mine so I can see your video. If you make one right away.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

The plan is to get the HE2 before launch to do the video and create some content for launch day. Fingers crossed it arrives before launch. Regarding RX10 elements. Elements gives you declick, denoise, declip and dehum if I remember rightly. 4 key tools which are most of the essentials you will find you'll use. The advanced version has a few gems for editing. Leveller is brilliant for vocals. I'd say buy rx10 elements in a sale. You'll get it for very cheap in a sale. If it were easy to transfer a license I'd give you mine. I have about 10 license for rx10 and as I have advanced will never use it. I'll look into how easy it would be to transfer it.

[@braxal6983]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I appreciate your help Paul. You have been most helpful. Please let me know when you are able.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@braxal6983 I looked into sending you the license and it's possible. I just need to contact support and give them some info on where to send the license. Drop me an email and I'll see what I can do. [e-mail]

[@braxal6983]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I sent you and email Paul. I appreciate you help!!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@braxal6983 received. Will look at this when I get in tomorrow.

[@murraywebster1228]

No plugins from Sonible, my goto plugins for everything surgical…

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I have all the Sonible plugins and do like them. I just always find I gravitate towards fabfilter plugins. It's very much a case of one doesn't necessarily sound better than the other, it's more how well you know the tool you are using. Sonible and fabfilter are very comparable. I'm sure I could quite easily switch to Sonible EQ comp and limiter from fabfilter and get a very similar result.

[@murraywebster1228]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I’ve been mixing 46 years and could never warm too graphical plugins, found myself using my eyes more than my ears, and while fab filter were one of the first quality ones I never had them, when I did learn to overcome the graphic issue I was already owner of the Sonible early plugins which could eq like no others and have basically stayed with their development, I suppose it’s like the DAW question, the best one is that which works for you

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@murraywebster1228 exactly that 100%

[@murraywebster1228]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I would wish that more people online would give a more personalised explanation for their choices instead of the “these are good/these are bad” often see people saying something is good out of following the fad and then others are bad because they simply either don’t understand or cannot properly operate the software, I see this very often in the live concert side of my job too with digital mixing desks, no clear analysis by buying, just doing what everyone else does or having false biases

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@murraywebster1228 Yeah, I see this a lot too. I'm asked about certain gear a lot and if I don't have detailed experience using it, I will say so. I like to be a source of good honest advice on good equipment. If I say somethings good it's because I've got extensive knowledge and use of it. I'll always give a good explanation of my experience with it too.

[@grungefire]

Alkane is so bloody expensive. Wow!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yeah, it is. To be fair it is a top quality plugin. But I 100% agree that is expensive. I'm going to be doing a review on it in the coming days. I'll see if I can get a discount code to attach to the review video.

[@grungefire]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio It definitely is. I just tried it for awhile and I already absolutely love it. The workflow and the ability to shape the tone of the saturation easily, and then blend it in, was for me, a perfect match. Would love to see a review and a discount, and yet, I’ve contacted them as well. 😅

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@grungefire as a start up company with a quality product the plan should be to get as many people using the plugin as possible to spread word of the brand. Without cheapening the brand with too big a discount. For this reason I'm sure there will be some room for discounts.

[@grungefire]

@@AudioAnimalsStudioI really hope so. I already prefer the workflow on this against Decapitator and Saturn. Or should I say, it matches the way my brain works.

[@cesmcmyth]

Really? You seem to have all hardware to dream off. I would think 2 or 3 but 20?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@cesmcmyth in mastering, I'll use 2 or 3 out of this 20. But in mixing and stem mastering I'll use upwards of 10 plugins.

[@connorharris1900]

less talk more action

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@connorharris1900 you're on the wrong channel if you don't like discussion 🙄