The Death of Music Production Plugins

[@yurikalashnikov2460]

I finally did it. I bought all of the plugins.

[@croay]

mr beast forcing homeless plugins to smile at camera for that perfect thumbnail

[@mainsailsound983]

Haha. Yeah, I must be close

[@noahlenhard7010]

you dont have my blank white screen plugin with nothing but a ":)" that i accidentally programmed and gave up on

[@spectralisation]

But... have you also downloaded all Free plugins that are available?

[@SPOKSYA]

Speedrun 100%

[@TRXST.ISSUES]

When I started seeing UAD discount $250 plugins to $40 the writing really felt like it was on the wall.

[@koenignero]

They were NEVER $250 worth. Production cost $1 over time

[@Tyrell_Corp2019]

You can thank Tunca, the Analog Obsession guy ;)

[@soupforare]

welll, that's also them moving away from the sharc DSP hardware that has no replacement coming. They've been very calculating on a very long-term time scale and I applaud their efforts. Luna, the pedals, the Ox and down market interfaces are all great stuff.

[@soupforare]

@@koenignero ridiculous. for a _long time_ they were the only place to get a good plate, a good lex. it's less of a value proposition _now_ but that of course depends on which plug you're talking about.

[@prototype8137]

Uad has been doing that for years... so... your comment makes no sense. I remember seeing uad sales like that 10 years ago.

[@nilespeshay1734]

The "Death of Plug-Ins" is an amazing victory for us. It means that we have everything we could ever need.. right now. And.... that there's PROBABLY a free version of it available. Rejoice my fellow, countrymen! For this day, we feast on octaves and saturated tones!

[@binarysun_]

Feeling that for many years even with hardware. Everything has been seen and been done. It's just an infinite repetition of something that is already there or a new combination of something that you already have. With hardware it's equally bad imho. 99% of hardware that you can buy today are things we already know for decades. And if it's something genuinely new, then it's often so experimental that you can't really use it for making music and the only people I know buying those devices are either people making experimental music anyway or (and this is the majority of my peer group) use like to fiddle around with new hardware to satisfy their GAS It's all nice because we now have everything we could ever want. But also the external inspiration that special new hardware or software brought is gone now. Let's see where that leads in the future

[@Odihmantich]

airwindows consolidated - free and amazing!

[@feodorfiorina7835]

@@binarysun_ Best comment here. True on so many levels it's terrifying. Take FM for instance, the basics are known for ages, but it was terribly complicated to use it. I would terminate myself over programming something like a Yamaha DX7, but with f.i. the Korg opsix you have almost everything at almost your fingertips (a bit of menu diving is still required though). Fourty years ago professional musicians would have sold their most beloved aunties for something like a Korg modwave. Today I still have never met anyone, who has it in his bedroom, despite knowing plenty of musicians having multiple synths. If there's one Korg machine everyone's using like hell it's the minilogue. I've got the volca FM2, modular and drums LOL. Great fun devices for the cost of a dirt cheap holiday. (myself doing hardly any travel). Then I also know hobby guitarists owning electric guitars worth 6000$. Do I hear it in their music? Not sure about that. But they very much enjoy playing them. That's the most important thing. Because that's the real problem I see with all of that: More and more people do more and more things with less and less joy: music, books, artwork, dating, intercourse, whatever. There's a great joylessness in contemporary human expression (not only in the western hemisphere). It's quite obvious to many, many people. It's really frightening me out.

[@ZiggyMontezuma]

😋😋😋😋🤩🤩

[@ohcibi]

It just will never happen 😂. This whole conversation feels like bakers discussing about how to hit a soccer ball with tennis paddles in order to cut down a tree with the ball 😂

[@magillsk8]

VSTs specifically are gonna have to go back to what hardware keyboards & synths were designed to do, which is create unique sounds. These days everything is marketed as a shortcut to “industry level” sounds instead of allowing users to make sounds fit into modern music, like what was happening back in the day.

[@RealHomeRecording]

Doesn't Sylenth1 do that?

[@spectralisation]

You can already create virtually any sound imaginable or possible with existing software. You COULD actually do that a decade ago already. VSTs have long ago surpassed hardware in terms of what's possible. With the exception of complex, random natural sounds, which would be a waste of time to try and replicate with synths. Barring some completely new, yet unimagined methods of synthesis, there's no more room for innovation except making everything easier and more simple to use. Well, maybe physical modelling is the frontier where there's still room for improvement, but it's a tough one to do.

@@spectralisation as a developer I realized around the year 2000 that a modular soft-synth can do literally anything. Its funny watching the hype around plugins. They are all about usability, hype and shortcuts. Never about enabling something which was previously impossible.

[@WillyJunior]

Vital and Phaseplant already do this.

[@magillsk8]

@@spectralisation 💯 yeah exactly I think thats the point Weaver was getting at, the discussion is more centered around new plugins so while there are some older and fairly recent plugins that were extremely innovative Im really only talking about new plugins and I believe thats what Weaver is talking about as well

[@enricocirene]

in the past 5 years I've had the thought that stock ableton live standard or suite is immensely more capable than the studios that my fav electronic producers had in the 80's, 90's and early 2000's. since than I almost stopped buying anything new

[@therealajnelson]

Agree. I have gigs of useless VSTs I *thought* I needed until I found the correlating Ableton device.

[@enricocirene]

@@thomsonhomson When it comes to electronic producers I don't know that that's the case. 303's, 909's, Midiverbs, Tascam 4 tracks' weren't really revered at that time, they mostly worked with what they could access/afford

[@VirtualRiot]

I will just till the end of my days turn plugins into Ableton racks lol. But also theres a lot of cool specific independently made plugins coming out all the time that mostly only do ONE SPECIFIC THING but that thing really well and then they're like 5-20$ on gumroad or something which is awesome, like Nasko with his spectral compressor or iFeature with Thorn and Fusion and things like that. And also big things comin yo....I bet....I hope....

[@_DRMR_]

Nasko technically only creates patches, not plugins (yet!)

[@VirtualRiot]

@@_DRMR_ yeah you’re right, iFeature’s effects are also just m4l devices but I forgot about Paper Skies and the Chroma / Rezonator plugins! :)

[@WillyJunior]

Yooo! What are your favourites on gumroad?

[@JoelLinus]

Yea, I have seen cooler Max plugins recently than any VST out there

[@ZefParisoto]

This, absolutely!

[@PerpetualStudio]

Most of the DAWs these days come with excellent stock plugins.

[@b00ts4ndc4ts]

The only 3rd part plugin I use is vital and I just use the FX within Ableton. That's all I need.

[@hdslave]

This is it. You can make great music with the stock plugins in FL, reason, logic, pro tools etc. They're all better than they've ever been and the ui integration and cpu usage is the best compared to 3rd party

[@DaskaiserreichNet78]

Absolutely. I make heavy use of stock plugins

[@ChaosToOrder777]

​@@b00ts4ndc4tssame. And span on the master channel cos it looks cool on my other monitor.

[@Gooooberx]

The best part of cracking plugins is when my Anti-virus automatically deletes the serial code generator

[@subtara]

Just deactivate and unzip again.

[@tonyrapa-tonyrapa]

Hey, look at me - I'm sticking it to the man by using cracked plugins. Use free plugins if you can't afford to buy plugins or save up for them instead of buying your weed.

[@TinyTonyGOD]

I like the keygen music

[@notyourbusinessesnotyourbu7400]

😅

[@Lordxfx]

@@TinyTonyGOD No, you like back doors to your system. Njoy!

[@BigStereoVR]

Plugins are like youtube videos: there's a million different versions of the same thing. People are drawn to what they can relate to.

[@Kevhuman]

I solved the problem, got a car. Cant afford plugins now

[@JimGore]

Is it an EV? If so, it's still a plugin....

[@BernardShreveJr]

@@JimGore

[@zero2herobeatspaul882]

There's always an influx of new music producers/hobbyists and it's easier to sell them new stuff, even if everything they need already exists. Also by your logic the smartphone market has been dead for years, yet so many people keep replacing perfectly good devices for a shiny new one which is only marginally better. We're junkies for new stuff, so dealers will keep dealing.

[@jon1979roma]

When some hardware synths and outboard gear costs as much as a plug-in, it makes sense to the consumer to invest in something they can put their hands on, which will last longer and has resale value.

[@TJ-bx5px]

I do hardware synthesizers and fx,. I'm deathly tired from plugins.. and easily sell gear, sell old plugins, NO.. inly plugins I use now are for mastering .

[@davidzaydullin]

i get the point about plugin costs but how do you use multiple instances of a hardware synth or effect and since when hardware lasts longer than software

[@haisemitsu]

@@davidzaydullintake good care of your hardware and it’ll last you a lifetime time. If you’re unlucky and your plugin requires a server to run you’ll be lucky if it lasts you 10 years

[@ukbloke28]

@@davidzaydullin Layer. Hardware does last longer, because software goes out of date, or you keep having to pay over and over.

[@isocarboxazid]

Definitely not if you live in a place like Mexico. Hardware costs hundreds of dollars more than USD, and basically no used market.

[@mradamcshaw]

The way forward is GPU reducing CPU overhead.

[@willia_music]

2025: 0 new plugins 2025: 100s of plugin manager/installers 😒

[@DaskaiserreichNet78]

I hate plugin managers and installers. I like to get the plugins and then manually place them in to my plugin folder. It allows me to keep everything in order without plugins being scattered all over the place in various locations. It also allows me to back up my plugin folder as a single unit that can easily be restored

[@xrabbz2010]

Plugins in 2026: enter the promt and click generate

[@CarlitoProductions]

Dawesome Kult & Newfangled Audio Generate are pretty neat products focusing on Buchla-esque semi modular concepts, using chaos theory implemented within their oscillators. The sound that comes from them are really nuts and experimental, but you can also make them as tame as you want them.

[@soupforare]

Newfangled is the GOAT. All their shit is fire.

[@CarlitoProductions]

@@soupforare haven't used their other stuff, but pendulate and generate is hella great

[@derekded]

Thank you. Been feeling this way for a few years. Combining functions that already exist is cool, but not really necessary. Maybe they could try to focus on dramatic reductions in CPU usage. Would be cool if you could get top tier performance without concern for processing power, though i don't know how possible that even is.

[@Nyhde]

It would be amazing, but I'm afraid the incentive works the other way around. Making improvements in processor technology allows, for example, more anti-aliasing or other kinds of new processing tech. And new tech creates demand for more powerful computers. I appreciate everyone who is creating audio tools that prioritize lowering the CPU usage, but those folks are rare, which is unfortunate. Of course, one can exit this particular vicious circle by investing in hardware, but I for one am not going to do that anytime soon. Acoustics and playback are much more important anyway.

[@rd6228]

Check out airwindows and prisma plugins

[@thegeeeeeeeeee]

As a musician who recently turned software dev, I had this thought and it scared me. I am starting to learn real-time audio coding and I’m worried that most tools have been made and established. I want to make stuff that’s interesting and helpful, but it seems like I’m late to the party by 20 years 😢 I’ll keep grinding tho

[@ZefParisoto]

Good luck!! I'm sure you'll find something new still to implement!

[@thegeeeeeeeeee]

@@ZefParisoto thanks for the positivity! Much love 💙

[@thegeeeeeeeeee]

@@ZefParisoto btw, do you have any ideas or tools you think you are missing? You seem like you produce music, I need project ideas!

[@davidzaydullin]

​@@thegeeeeeeeeee smth like spectral distortion maybe? im also learning dsp, but im not close to making a plugin yet

[@JBWozEre96]

Go back to hardware you gimps.

[@MachoGrande777]

Thank you bro this the type of content we need. Good video. Keep it up

[@supadave422]

If they force subscriptions hardware will make a comeback and they will lose more revenue.

[@koenignero]

Probalbly

[@brianbergmusic5288]

I already wish that I had one or two hardware synths when I see the direction that consumer electronics is headed, alone. I can't imagine how bad things will get if plug-ins go full Adobe.

[@jonirischx8925]

Piracy will make a comeback (not that it ever went anywhere), not hardware. If a 200e plugin becomes a subscription you can't own, do you think the struggling musician will spend 600e on a similar hardware, or say 'screw this', and pirate the plugin they already have (and know how to use)?

[@soupforare]

*stares at my Avid 11rack* don't put ratfucking hardware past them, my friend car manufacturers are trying to get you to sub for seat heaters that are already installed in your whip

[@MichaelSmith-on1ig]

Physical modeling and sample libraries will keep the plug-in world going for a long time

[@junglerumbler6917]

Some of the sales since last Black Friday have been crazy. I loaded up

[@danceswith7wolves]

There is a sale for almost every day now, I saw one call Black Friday flash back Sale last month 😅

[@junglerumbler6917]

@@danceswith7wolves the flashback Black Friday sale is ending. But luckily Black Friday is here again! Lol

[@dreaminginnoother]

I have felt this for a while too. To add to your point, also logic is such a beast program now, the majority of my plugins are built in.

[@Sartorious420]

There's still some space to innovate by reducing latency, reducing CPU usage, and real-time remote user live collaboration (again with sync/latency issues). Also the market for plugins for use in mobile devices has room to grow.

[@iszoloscope]

LoL. I was having the exact same thought after a conversation with one of the bitwig devs at Superbooth this year.

[@danielcatron1979]

Aging code base is a perpetual worry for a lot of the DAWs and plugins that we have been using for years. Consolidations of companies, subscription models, and the private equity trap await (see Narive Instruments). I’m worried…

[@g3nj1]

NI is like the EA games of the music industry. their BS is going to ruin it for everyone else. I refuse to use any NI product since 7 years ago when I really noticed their scummy tactics.

[@zmmmzmmmz]

What's wrong with NI? Their hardware and software seem like relatively good values

[@MrGenophyte]

​@@zmmmzmmmz their older stuff just doesn't exist legally at all. It's the same with izotope. Ni vokator, izotope breaktweaker and iris among a few. Sure they are old but to not even be like " here's our super old stuff you can have for free or for 20 bucks" is wild. I just bought kickstart 2 and was actually surprised a link to kickstart 1 was also available for free. That's how you do it

[@fcmas]

Why does everyone mention N.I. like they themselves werent ALSO bought. Folks keep talking like NI was doing the buying.

[@fcmas]

​@@g3nj1NI didn't do anything. They were bought ALONGSIDE PA and Izotope

[@codexstudios]

I'm waiting for physical modeling to move forward, specifically for emulating real instruments. AAS Strum and the like are WAY behind actual sampled guitar vsts. MODO Bass is pretty good, but again, still not a guitar, and I still bought a sampled bass vst over it.

[@jrettetsohyt1]

Great video! If no one pushes back, these companies have no motive to push forward. Influencers should be the voice of the people and influence the companies; Turn the world upside down.

[@sxrgwrld]

Pro Q for EQ, Valhalla vintage verb for reverb, H-delay or echoboy for delay, Saturn and decapitator for saturation, panman for panning, shaperbox for a world of LFO options, and UAD distressor for compression/saturation. I really dont feel the need to mix with much else these days.

[@thelolmighty]

As a learning producer who crosses over into a plugin collector, thank god.

[@tensnakeofficial]

Nothing but truth here. The flood of discount spam emails I receive everyday from companies I once appreciated, says enough. They seem desperate.

[@Centomila]

But that new plugin is new... and with a new analog saturation algorithm... and with a new AI... and with new animations. It's revolutionary... it's the future of music production... THE FUTURE MARTY! THE FUTURE!

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

“Great Scott!!!”

[@FrancoW1]

That's a very complicated and cryptic way of saying that you want Infiltrator 3, Weaver.

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Don’t think the world is ready…

[@Jazzfeezy]

Make Plugins Great Again MPGA

[@spectralisation]

Music consumption market is oversaturated and losing value (too much music for a no-longer growing consumer base). Downstream from it, music production market is also oversaturated (too many musicians and producers producing music, making it extremely hard to stay in business doing so); downstream from THAT is music production hardware and software markets. Now, hardware side doesn't have as big of an issue, since hardware loses it's value naturally over time by.. breaking, wear and tear, etc. Software, meanwhile, is a huge pile that's ever-growing, and only loses it's value if and when it becomes obsolete/incompatible with modern systems, which almost hasn't happened yet, because 20-year old DAWS and vsts are mostly still functional to this day. So everyone who IS a producer has already aquired everything they need, and almost everyone who's trying to get in the game are already TOO LATE, they're not gonna succeed for the most part, and therefore will not be a huge part of software customer base. So I'm guessing, we're going to see a race to the bottom with most companies (offering cheaper and cheaper deals until they can't earn anymore), AND a race to the top with a few largest companies, buying smaller players out and pushing subscription models in an attempt to become the Adobe of audio production market.

[@jonotwycross8998]

Yes totally agree with this video. - good time to learn your plugins . Just bought riff2 has some depth and has rejuvenated some of my old plugs as they sonically sound gr8 TIME FOR TUNES

[@TheRobba]

Stop buying plugins and start buying my albums 🤠

[@antonystannard3333]

And start making albums.

[@DaskaiserreichNet78]

Smooth plug.

[@TyboAudio]

This is so valid. Time to learn with what you have instead of having shiny object syndrome everytime something new gets released

[@ricgl84]

I totally agree with you ol weava bit, this is happening too for hardware, those are just a raspberry pi imitating a Reaktor patch from 10 years ago.

[@pierrebroccoli.9396]

Just means the segment is matured. Innovation will still appear but less often and we are seeing some interesting things in the controller space and maybe good implementation of Midi 2.0 which would be nice if it can free us up from walled garden plug-ins hosting. More direct and standardized connection of hardware to software. Anyway - limit yourself with plug-ins, get to know them well and create (as much a note to self as it is to anyone else). 🤣

[@drrodopszin]

I have a very short wishlist for plugins: - a synth where you can easily control out of tune frequencies (imagine you have a band and your synth just does not fit with the overtones of the other instruments). I'm sick to death with presets that sound great on their own and then you work your ass off until you realize that it was all the overtones... - an AI gate plugin that actually can save snare ghost notes and also does not swallow sustain - a generative AI plugin that creates velocity layered, round robin variations of your favorite kick/snare/hi hat sample. And that's it. Oh and realistic ride emulation.

[@NewMateo]

There's a good generative AI plugin that does audio to audio. It's called Deep sampler 2. It's new and a bit janky but it generates infinite AI samples that are pretty good but it depends on the fine-tune. There's a piano one that slaps and a vocal choir one but haven't tested it. Free too.

[@soupforare]

first one could probably be done with newfangled audio's plugs second? I'm not sure why you'd need it, you need a lazy gate. I like the dyna-mite for this, used to use dbx de-essers for it.

[@drrodopszin]

@@soupforare the second one is basically an unmixer. If you can remove voice from a track with the right training then you will be able to remove cymbal bleed from a snare track. All gates I know uses threshold and just keeps the cymbal ringing over the snare plus they are also swallow ghost notes in between louder hits. The technology is out there, you just need to train it with the right data.

[@ZVLIAN]

I'd love stuff that makes microtonal composition easier

[@davidzaydullin]

@@ZVLIAN TRUE

[@_DRMR_]

Having spent some time trying to get into making plugins .. it's very obvious that the market is completely over-saturated. I think especially for instrument plugins it's nearly impossible to have something original. On the FX side most of the bread and butter has of course already been done many times over, but there are still some opportunities for unique audio FX that can help with creative sound design. Still though, there are thousands of companies and if it's quite a race to the bottom of how much discounts you can present to people to make them buy plugins any more.

[@shinyisshiny7780]

i half agree with you. We're also on the cusp of a whole new wave of plugins. Now that computers can keep up, convolution based plugins like Acustica stuff, and AI captures like Past to future and AnalogXai will start ripping over the next few years. I dont know where things can possibly go after that, but we'll see.

[@egmusic5042]

Loved your video! On point and honest !

[@ttttiiimmy10bit]

for plugs - the way forward is modular, self built environments; similar to Bitwig. Its so cool building things in Bitwig.

[@Engineeer]

When small producers see less chances to monetize their music, while the streaming platforms and online music stores are getting flooded with AI generated tracks, investing time and money in software and gear makes less sense than ever. = If the producers are broke, there is no money for plugins. It's that simple. Being a music producer used to be something special and required skills. Now, everyone and their mom can generate tracks with minimal effort using AI. The value of music got kicked down the drain not only through AI. The rise of social media with short-form videos reduced the attention span of many "listeners" so much, that they can not emotionally connect with music anymore. I am sure that there are even some people out there, who do not even know that having an emotional connection to music is actually a thing. It's pretty obvious when Spotify CEO Daniel Ek wants produces to make more "content" and not crafting amazing music, while he rigged the payout roulette against the small producer. Now, with a flood of AI tracks, he finally gets what he wants, I guess. The devaluation of music is a fundamental problem for the entire industry. Trapping music producers in subscription models may slow down the decline temporary, but at the end they beat a dead horse. The plugin market is dead, because the music market is dead.

[@meru_lpz]

NI should have kept Absynth in their lineup. Should have kept working on Reaktor. The “beatmaker” community killed the nerdy synth community. All the people who demand presets and “high-quality sounds” instead of powerful tools to experiment with and design something unique for themselves. Looking forward to U-he Zebra 3.

[@spectralisation]

Nobody's killed nobody. Like, all this nerdy software still exists and is usable, and is used all the time. That's the problem with this market - it's completely over-saturated and there's no more need for anything more. The only segment of the market that still WANTS new plugins are noobs and amateurs who understand nothing at all audio processing or synthesis and just want to make beats quickly, and that's what a lot of companies are catering to lately. Making everything simpler, more basic, more streamlined, with over-the-top marketing to sell the noobs the idea of effortless professional sound. The real professionals don't want anything new, they've already got everything they need.

[@ThatSockmonkey]

I liked Battery.

[@feodorfiorina7835]

​@@spectralisationNot true. There's a video of Depeche Mode using the Majella Implexus for their latest album. And that guy, Martin Gore, has whole WALLS filled with Eurorack-gear, more than would fit in the apartments of most people in this very comment section. If someone does NOT NEED any new gear then it's this man, a hardcore musician type of freak animal. This guy has a vision of his music, and he's an absolute perfectionist - nevertheless he gets his kicks and inspiration by new gear that's inspired by the minds of their builders and helps him to steer his creativity. I'm saying that being not a fan really, but I cherish his approach of doing things. Myself not a synth hoarder although having like ten machines (plus three drummies), most of it bass synths (using each of them regularly and don’t want to get rid of a single one).

[@spectralisation]

@@feodorfiorina7835 Martin Gore is like, the top of the crop of electronic artists. He hoards synths because he can and has had serious GAS for at least 20 years now. It's by no means common amongg producers to have entire rooms filled with synths. Also, for having so much gear to play around, he still isn't any more prolific or inventive than he was in the 80's with much more limited technology, on the contrary. So what good is it to have all this gear gathering dust? Obviously it doesn't result in more, or better, or more innovative music. (I'm a huge DM fan by the way, but honestly, they haven't made anything truly great since 2005, apart from a few songs here and there).

[@feodorfiorina7835]

@@spectralisation I might contradict myself: Everything you say is true. Absolutely so. On the other hand there would be quite some irritation if Depeche Mode would try to make music like in the 80s again or with equipment from then, don’t you think? Would be possible though. There's a late 90s Madonna album using the MS-20 and Juno-106 mostly (dislike Madonna, and for sure she doesn't play anything - courtesy of William Orbit) from 20 years earlier and it's still sounding "modern". Then there's a late 90s Björk album using a 909 clone (novation drum station) for some of the craziest beats in electronic music ever. My fave artist right now is Helena Hauff, originally a DJ, but she makes the most beautiful Techno with the most cliché set-up ever: 808, 707, 303, MPC and a Juno-60. Kinda more pleasing to my ear than the album of Demian Licht, who uses NI Reaktor in Ableton mostly, which i very much like as well. But the gear - it has a soul, which a plug-in, well... probably it's an illusion: like Techno vinyl - digital signal on digital master pressed on analogue media. But I know someone, who's written whole albums with basically like two Cherry Audio soft synths in Ableton, the CA sound incredible. When I asked her if she'd prefer the hardware (even a Behringer clone) the answer was Of course (no room for big a** synth plates on the table though).

[@aatreybhatt1999]

I've had this strong belief that technology and capitalism are not compatible. Once you make a software, you can't run out of it, it doesn't cost anything to produce copies and distribute it. Most businesses rely on returning customers, but in tech, why would a person buy a software that they already own? the only solution is to stop the customer from owning it in the first place. Letting Adobe and Avid get away with this was one of the worst things that happened to the creative industries.

[@willia_music]

While I think developers should be paid fairly for their work, (like you said) software is virtually worthless. The oversaturated market coupled with the ease of piracy makes subscriptions worthless, yet it's the only way a software company can viably sustain itself. Am I gonna back up my statement with some solution? Not really. In my experience the best way to source money without being greedy is put it as free & open source and ask for donations. One thing that is forgotten is server costs. The cost to store, advertise, and deliver the software. At a small scale it's pennies in the bucket, but at scale it definitely needs some funding. I think FL Studio has the right strategy with offering cloud storage (a service people agree paying a subscription to) and adding on top stuff like samples and plugins to sweeten the deal.

[@j3ffn4v4rr0]

The subscription model is a terrible plague that infects capitalism.

[@FerutElCampeador]

There is no software trouble in north korea... there is no software!

[@john-vv1ln]

yeah, for the amount of time I actually use adobe photoshop, why would I upgrade from PS 7 to subscription? sure theres all the new features but I'm not a graphic artist who needs that.

[@bengsynthmusic]

​@@john-vv1ln Well I'm sorry to tell you that Adobe is revoking permanent licenses.

[@smccarthy945]

I use all the stock plug ins in Ableton. There is no need to buy third party plug ins anymore because the stock stuff does it all. The only plug ins I buy are a couple sound-based VSTs. I use Purity for most of my sounds and this single plug in can provide every sound you will ever need with the exception of a few sounds. You only need 1 or 2 sound plug ins for sounds.

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Yes and no.

[@RP-mp4ow]

Its about time someone sat down and made a video about the problen with home recording

[@NOCTACRY]

meh, someone will always have some weird sound design thing or niche use case that no other plug-in can do, or they can do them but it's so cumbersome that making a new plugin specifically for it is basically needed if you want to do it regularly

[@Dane_Riazer]

I do firmly believe that reason why companies still do well because there is a lack of people knowing how to mix. and then we start blaming it on the tools instead of our lack of skills. Once your skills are were they need to be you start to realize this. We live in a world of "Tips and Tricks" and not fundamental.

[@AdamSki.45]

1:02 that guy sounds just like weaver

[@PlugInGuruVideo]

For 14 years I've supported plug-ins by making sound libraries for the top plug-ins. It used to be far easier when there were fewer plug-ins, now there are so many that the # of users for each plug-in is down because those same number of users are spread across many more plug-in instruments. I decided 4 years ago to make my own plug-in and just make patch libraries for it and I'm thriving. I might do a subscription plan at some point but I earn far more just releasing new fresh content and keeping my pricing affordable. Thankfully many in my customer base are not musicians in the industry but musicians that work regular jobs and come home at night and want new sounds to play with.... the "professional" music industry is dying, so of course anybody supporting only that industry with high "pro" pricing is now changing their tune to cheaper pricing or hoping they have enough catalogue that people see the worth of subscribing. There is still room for new ideas - I have many nobody has even come close to developing but I don't have an active developer to work with - reach out to me if you're a kick ass RELIABLE developer, there is still money to be made!

[@beat_spot]

I have to admit I'm consistenly getting rid of plugins from my toolbox and eventually replacing some plugins with racks or m4l counterparts. The mental tax of updating, picking plugins etc is just too much. I'm sticking with either very high quality stuff or unique functions.

[@Maplefoxx-vl2ew]

I i forgot one more Synchron Prime Flow.. probably the biggest game changer in history of orchestra music production.. it works like SWAM sort of now. they made new patches called "performance patches". This only came out last week, biggest news this year.. oh and Divisimate 2 just released yesterday too. it's fire.

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Thanks for sharing. Divisimate looks interesting!

[@Maplefoxx-vl2ew]

@@ghfjfghjasdfasdf it is absolute fire and guess what.. they have a template for Synchron prime, i'm sure they are working on one for the new synchron prime flow. they have a discord too and are good ppl. i'm in there. i use Divisimate 1 right now.

[@Mike_Benz_]

Hey Unison always come out with new ground breaking stuff all the time, all the Influencers (Influence you to spend your money people) in their ads always seem to think so.

[@xXsnarfx2Xx]

is the groundbreaking stuff in the room with us?

[@fukszbau]

Like selling midi chords? :D

[@flashback4588]

Waves is one of the biggest and most popular plugin manufacturers and the fact that they tried to go subscription only means that they are either greedy or arent making enough money If the latter is true that means even smaller manufacturers are also being affected

[@smartistartist]

Your right, this is so true. It’s all become about the bizz and capital not about the end user. But the Daws are still solid! Abelton and logic are getting better and better.

[@JackaTrial]

Yes you are, you are 130% correct and it applies to midi controllers, DAWs, etc. Some areas are worse, some less so. Mido controllers especially are a field where not company seems to be trying to give us something useful, but just want to push for their ecosystem that, again, doesn't work for the same reason.

[@philxdev]

crazy though ... I know. I know... but what if... what if we just use the tools we have at our disposal to actually make music instead of constantly looking for the next thing to buy?...

[@KozmykJ]

I would agree that there is such a thing as Plugin Saturation. A lot of us continue to collect them well after we have all we actually NEED. Innovation will appear to be marginal to those who have 'Saturated'. However, people on their way in see it all as Novelty and have a whole new hobby of 'Plugin Collecting' to adopt.

[@lukasgruber1280]

current strategy: take well known concept + add AI = win

[@88bsides]

Theres a ton of new and crazy stuff coming from smaller creators! The big box plugin companies that got by on "Vintage modeling" though are for sure done.

[@SaintMichaelOfficial]

Stoked for the release of Kick 3. I never knew before now that my kicks could be even kickier.

[@66KhzProductions]

I have been thinking this for a few years. Really its an exhausted industry. Nothing out there is really better than what we have access to - or you can get for free. We need put more time into learning what we have and be creative with that. Subscriptions. Re-package. Look at Rolands' partials model. Company's need to stay alive. So learn what you have access to and chain them togather, so you sound unique :) That's my approach these days. UNTIL THERE IS A MASSIVE INDUSTRY CHANGER, I somewhat agree with this video.

[@TribecaBlackstarr]

When training algorithms becomes more ubiquitous and easy, there will be new great stuff And the amount of fore-coming personalization within your training data set by a system/plugin based on your habits, files, library, presets, favorites will really be sick

[@stigsofficial]

Agreed, which is kind of a good thing imo. With Slate including SSL that’s the one subscription I can deal with (and output arcade), other than that, soundtoys has been worth the money by a long shot. I really don’t need anything else

[@lucyfuir6386]

I follow all the modern recording methods and products I even tried going on to a DAW platform with a PC, 10 years ago. I'll stick with my outboard racks and vs880s I got 3 of em n I midi link for 24 tracks ore than I ever need at once

[@user-en1oc8xn8q]

Someone make a plugin that generates high fidelity hihat/top drum loops, focusing on jazz and east coast mid 90s hip hop genres. It always requires so much effort to build my own when just about everything I find on Splice is shwag (referring specifically to hihat/top drum loops in these genres, Splice is a goldmine for most of my sample/loop needs)

[@ryte6933]

I suggest checking out Soulfi by Teletone Audio if you have or are interested in the Kontakt realm...really great drum sounds and kits.

[@utrippin7486]

im also guessing theyre not doin good financially. Thats mainly because of their absolutely pathetically high prices. Nobody in the music game can afford to spend 200$ on every damn plugin. Not even 50. If u want a good arsenal of plugins and soundpacks, nowadays you gotta spend thousands... it shouldnt be like that in an industry where almost all the customers are broke 9-5 workers struggling to pay rent

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

“U be trippin’, yo.”

[@Foggjammer]

I noticed this a few years back. There was an endless release of reverb plugins. How many does one need and how different can they be? And you’re absolutely correct about the overlap.

[@raiidkerbage8187]

been a long time serum user thanks for mentioning Synplant 2, demoing it at moment. :-)

[@JBWozEre96]

I used logic x and used waves etc but few months back i got rid of the MacBook. I bought the mpc one, Roland sp 404 mkii and polyend tracker mini. I also bougt a multi fx guiter unit for the tracker, it's different hardware keeps my attention. And i own them lol. I miss the convenience of he MacBook for like sitting in coffee shops but thats why i got the sp and tracker to jam out with and a latte. Cant wait for mpc live mini, it's a costly hobby still.

[@RoneySmithseedoflife]

The trend is going out of the box and while many and most may connect to desktop computers and mobile devices, most are already focusing on staying out of the box and connecting to other out of the box devices. The Roland AiraCompact line is my first witness. Your subscription model comment is spot on and another reason to stay away from plugins. My second witness is the process of running out of hard drive space and attempting to work in the cloud on multiple devices is not as easy as it should be. The capability of midi bulk dumps on the new mobile devices is mandatory however.

[@kierenmoore3236]

If people boycotted subscription models, they would have to sell outright instead … but people don’t, because we are weak and derive ‘meaning’ (or just distraction?) from continuous consumption …

[@T-BOUNCING]

I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL ❤

[@S4SK__1]

i stopped dabbling with making music in 2016 and going back into it again i find that really nothing has changed, especially in dj equipment

[@Imetalman2000]

Subscription models is probably #1 reason I just work with analog gear. I only buy stuff I can plug in irl.

[@JTAITSINGER]

This could be true, but I am covered for a long time. I have so many things that I don’t even have yet that I would like to buy eventually. Master Plan, God Particle, CL1B compressor, Knock, Fairchild.

[@madeithappen8158]

I always circle back and end up using the DAW's stock....

[@wat5384]

what an irony that unison audio ad appeared before the video

[@j-maur]

2 clicks and it's perfect

[@DaskaiserreichNet78]

I agree with you. I have definitely noticed that there is a law of limiting returns on signal processing effects in general. I do think that we are near the plateau where for the most part we don't really see any significant innovation. Perhaps the only exception is AI based stuff or improved amp modeling or realistic synthesis of real instruments. But even AI which has made a leap in recent years is destined to face limiting returns and will most likely face a plateau over the coming years.

[@Iaintthesharpesttoolintheshed]

Typical plug-in company these days: HEY! HERE’S OUR VERSION OF LA2A!🗣️🔊 🤡🤡🤡

[@CFox.7]

subscription model is about cash FLOW - you know, the most important aspect of a business surviving - you know, to pay the lease, to keep the doors open, the power on and staff ( programmers ) paid.. durrrr

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

No sh*t… it’s still unethical and cringe at the end of the day though.

[@thefinstasis]

@@ghfjfghjasdfasdfhow so? As long as you’re using something and deriving some value from it, it’s justified to require payment. You won’t have any plugins made at all, if this shit was all for free. Maybe a few ones made by sole enthusiasts and small teams, no serious projects though

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Never said anything about giving work away… was specifically referring to subscriptions for software and always online bullsheet.

[@CFox.7]

@@ghfjfghjasdfasdf no its not. its unethical if theres no other option for an original prodcuct owner. You seem like an angry half wit

[@StevenQBeatz]

We definitely don't need anymore delay or reverb plugins! 😂

[@feodorfiorina7835]

@@StevenQBeatz What about pedals? In the last decade hundreds of pedals were released doing just delay or reverb. Often they cost a fortune because boutique and whatever. I bought some DIY-kits from Germany for a tiny fraction of these prices and they sound great. Plus the soldering is fun and you learn a lot about the electronics and how it all works. I didn't had this in school, but neither do i feel the need for studying electrical engineering. Being a hobbyist is just great.

[@StevenQBeatz]

@@feodorfiorina7835 pedals are cool with me! I have a few that I use on my hardware synths and keyboards. The pedals are definitely a lot more fun to use than plugins, but I think you can achieve similar results with free or stock plugins...especially when it comes to delay and reverbs.

[@empiresoulmusic]

I believe (or hope) there will be some improvement in audio modeling, like SWAM did, but then better/more realistic instruments, I would definitely buy a realistic virtual sax, trumpet, etc…

[@PrototypeAudio]

Great stuff! I will take this serious! I have a lot of ideas, just starting out as a plugin developer. Wanna start simple :)

[@moonstrobe]

I got excited seeing the new Kepler EXO in FL Studio. Also, Harmor still kicks ass. Kult is innovative (though related to Generate). Ideally people innovate or properly evolve existing tech, like Phaseplant did. Or maybe do something fun and creative, like Sugar Bytes is known for. It just takes the right minds.

[@RePeterPod]

I think in every internet niche there are influencers who are milking the market. You're right though. I like kilohearts modular model for this reason although it's been glitchy with 12. Don't burn yourself out weaver. Make sure to go to the beach you are very blessed to live where you do!

[@mattkaz9604]

Maybe I'm old (well, i definately am), but to me the exciting era of vsti's was the first handful of years when it felt there was something groundbreaking popping up every 6 months or less. These days it's mostly all the same stuff.

[@BrokenBeats94]

I agree with plugins becoming less exciting because if it’s already been thought of and there have been very few plugins I’ve found interesting apart from Synplant 2, which for a £40 upgrade it was excellent and a really fun sound design tool. I think the way we have to think of certain plugins now is that is more of a refinement of what we already have, because when plugins like Massive X comes out and flops, you know the plugins business might be in trouble.

[@chrisdorsch9754]

The Plugin makers use the term stock plugins to minimize the built-in experience. I use Studio One, and those so-called stock plugins are amazing. Engineered by former developers from Stienburg, so they know their stuff. They created Nuendo.

[@skeen0076]

the more you trust your ears, the less plugins you buy. I can't imagine why I would ever purchase a new one. the human ear is the limitation... it used to be that the tech was. we're done with plugins now.

[@Sheeninthebox]

It’s crazy to think how fast the plugin landscape has changed. While it might seem like the “death” of music production plugins, it’s more of a transformation. Subscription models, huge price cuts, and more accessible tools are pushing things in a different direction. But with so many companies innovating and offering more powerful features for less, I feel like we’re entering a new era where creativity is more accessible to everyone. It’s not the end-it’s just evolving!

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

We all for the most part have anything we need by now. The stock stuff in most DAWs are the true workhorses. The slate digital stuff will remain on subscription for perpetuity for me tho. Ever since I tried the slate stuff coded by fabrice Gabriel.. I was sold ! Can’t beat thst stuff

[@Danefrak]

Instrument modeling plugins are hitting their stride right now!

[@phoenixrising4995]

When it comes to compressors, EQs, reverb, just use built in DAW plugins or free stuff. The only thing worth buying are sample libraries or a mixing console type plugin with AI features that can get quick results. I use the REAPER built in plugins, but Apple Logic has a ton of stock plugins as well.

[@axonassault]

The subscription model is the best justification for piracy. That's right.

[@DaskaiserreichNet78]

Absolutely.