These are the VST's I'm using in 2025...

[@STRANJAH]

👉𝗚𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗬 𝗩𝗢𝗟. 𝟭 & 𝟮 𝗕𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗹𝗲 → dvnt.to/gnarly-vol-1-and-2 👉𝗢𝗚 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝗹. 𝟭 → dvnt.to/og-jungle-vol-1

[@HelixHolmes]

When are the Current preset packs coming brother ?

[@STRANJAH]

@@HelixHolmes Would love to work on one if there is enough user base and demand. I have a stock load of presets I made with it already. Nasty stuff.

[@HelixHolmes]

@@STRANJAH love to see you work a bit more with it than serum as it has a granular section also

[@STRANJAH]

I love Serum, but would love to work with something new. On a personal level, this is fine, but when it comes to promoting products and packs, there has to be a strong user base to make it worthwhile. I am hoping the plugin will gain in popularity and then the flood gates will be open!

[@Tek_TierZer0]

That RIP Groove sample in Quanta took me back.... And while i'm here a big thanks for your tutorials, this channel is really helping me get into production.

[@STRANJAH]

I am really glad to hear this and thanks so much for letting me know! I really appreciate your support, as this is the entire purpose of me starting this channel, to pass along decades of knowledge I have obtained, to help up and coming producers become the best they can be! I look forward to seeing you around throughout 2025, as I have lots of new content to come!

[@Hello-c2t9p]

I really love the delay in Slate digitals bundle. Although you need to register slate digital maybe on the monthly plan the delay in there is amazing. It can emulate any type of delay.

[@joechapman8208]

Kush's AR-1 compressor is worth having in the toolset. Excellent on breaks. I think UVI's Dual Delay X is a really nice delay. Great quality, great UI, very quick to use whether you're going for a basic or a complex pattern. It doesn't quite give you the specific tap placement of something like Newfangled's Recirculate or even UVI's other delay Relayer, but it does give you a huge amount of control over tone, distortion, even sample rate, ducking, rotation, all within the same panel. The graphical representation of the taps and rotation is perfect, too. I use a lot of different delays that would only suit certain people but if I could only recommend one to anybody then this would be it. It's about $60 full price but goes to $30-ish in sales. Leapwing's StageOne 2 is a tool that I use a lot for width control. The only other plugin I've seen that does what this one does is Tone Projects' Basslane Pro, but that only works on bass whereas this applies the same trick to the entire spectrum in three bands. Other width tools work in pretty much the same way as each other, whereas this method strives to realign phase as it brings signals back to the centre. This means the new centre you're creating sounds more coherent, and you get a controlled stereo sound that sums to mono better than other width tools. You can also stereoise mono sources, apply "depth" separately for each band (a spatial effect, when you want to make an element feel like it's further away in the stage. StageOne 2 is useful for everything in mixing and mastering, but it's also incredibly valuable for working with samples which might have an inconvenient stereo arrangement, for basslines where you want to make a strict centre from the frequencies under [x] Hz, etc. Expensive, and still pricey in sales, but easy to justify if you imagine how much this would cost if it was hardware (and, as I say, I use it at every single stage of prepping breaks, controlling breaks after processing, synths, mixing, the lot).

[@MajorPatchouli]

So true, great stuff!

[@MattRid]

Nice one Stranjah Love your channel mate Happy New Year all the best in 2025!! Make Jungle Massive Again!

[@STRANJAH]

All the best to you too and thanks so much for your kind words and support!

[@timetocookrightnow]

Awesome taste in plugins, and a few in hadn’t heard of. Thanks for the video!

[@STRANJAH]

No problem and thanks for checking out and supporting the video!

[@bennewman4627]

Love your content man, please keep up the good work! I've learned a lot from you already, thank you so much!

[@STRANJAH]

And I really appreciate your kind words and support! I hope to continue to have your eyes and ears throughout 2025, as I have lots of new content coming! Thanks so much!

[@threethievesmusic]

The new Addictive drums update is really nice.

[@STRANJAH]

Definitely going to have to check this out. Not only do I try and not have too many plugins installed, but it seems I don't update the ones I do have, because they just work and I am used to them. I should update my top plugins however, as bug fixes, performance improvements and new features are certainly welcome!

[@in_10z]

That's some effective kit there for sure! My best tunes are done on the simple setups. Hands down. Once I get carried away with outboard gear and plug ins, it goes to crap. I use Echo for all my in the box delay as well so no suggestions. I use a ton of outboard delays but one that I use a lot that also has software version is the Eventide H9. Check out the Blackhole set plug-in.

[@STRANJAH]

It is very easy to get lost in the process and spend time tweaking, instead of progressing a tune. I found far too often, that after doing this, I would initially convince myself that I was making things sound better, only to come back the next day with fresh ears and question why the heck I did all I did! Just because something takes more time, doesn't mean it is beneficial. Use what works and move on!

[@djmasterkushsystemd2576]

HAPPY NEW YEARS STRANJAH !!!!! MY FAVORITE VST IS SERUM/ CURRENT/ DELAY TAPE 201 ARTURIA /REVERB AURORA/DRIFT DISTORTION/PRO Q03 FABFILTER/OZONE/TRASH/ AND MORE IN MY FAVORITE DAW IS REASON 13 BIG UP ALL JUNGLISTS !!!!

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks for sharing your list of likes! I see a few similarities between yours and mine!

[@torontojungle]

Great video, thank you!

[@almazmusic]

Valhalla Delay is a beast, for only 50$ you will get not only the updates but also new algorithms.

[@STRANJAH]

Valhalla does make some amazing plugins, it is why I still use their Vintage Verb after all these years!

[@23fx23]

Glad you liked psyscope :) watched few of your vids, hi quality stuff here! ya motivated me back on finishing some loop live mangler tool i started a while back^^. cheers'

[@STRANJAH]

Really glad to hear this and thanks so much for the support! I am definitely getting along nicely with psyscope and it will be my go to scope for the foreseeable future! I love being able to jump between views of all loaded instances! Thanks for designing such a thoughtful tool!

[@bluespectralmonkey]

def interested in your loopmangler !

[@MPCLogic]

@@23fx23 it’s only for windows isn’t it? Not MAC?

[@23fx23]

@@MPCLogic yep sorry

[@tonytemple8195]

New Years Greetings STRANJ 😃 Yeah, my next mission is a brand new computer, start fresh with only the plugins I've ended up using, that only seems to be a handful out of over a thousand plugins that's currently filling my hard drive 🙃

[@STRANJAH]

I think that will be quite liberating! Not only is a new system faster, but cleaner and more efficient running never hurts! Definitely only install what you absolutely need and try not to dabble and experiement too much, as this will quickly clutter things up and keep you distracted while you sift through the long list of plugins, instead of just getting to work!

[@AricoAudio]

my favorite plugins are vital and FL's stock plugins but I'm kinda broke my favorite plugin for delay and reverb is probably native instruments raum, it works for regular and more creative effects

[@STRANJAH]

There is nothing wrong with using what you mentioned. It isn't always about the tools, but the user. If you can get by with what you have, then stick to it! Thanks for the recommendations on the delay and reverb plugins, too!

[@Nothingspeshalwaysfresh]

Less is definitely more.. You want them all like Pokémon..but once you realize option paralysis is a thing, you strip everything down to barebones, only THEN will you see productivity through the roof.😊

[@STRANJAH]

This is true. Options anxiety is real! If you can eliminate that, you will find yourself far more efficient and productive overall!

[@50CalBeats]

You can still collect them all, just go into a project knowing which ones you’re going to use. I’ve started physically writing down - pen and paper, NOT on the phone or in windows notepad - which effects and synths I’m going to use for that session/day/week, whatever. I can switch it up after that specific period of time, but once the list and time is set I WON’T deviate.

[@STRANJAH]

But what is the point in 'collecting' them? This is what I don't understand. There is nothing tangible about them. They aren't physical that you can touch and look at, they are just files taking up space on your drive and slowing down your DAW. To each their own I guess, but if you have to write down which you use so you can find them in your long list of useless plugins, then maybe that list should just be slimmed down? That way, you will only see the ones you are actually using and not have to read it from pen and paper? 😉 Thanks for watching the video and commenting, I do appreciate the support and all the best in your musical journey!

[@50CalBeats]

@@STRANJAH oh, by no means am I condoning the behavior 😅, I would say subjectively that your approach is 100% more efficient. I just have a habit of impulse buying shiny and fun new toys in the digital realm! The one “benefit” I can come up with is that every once in awhile you do stumble upon something truly unique. For example: for years I had decent enough options for saturation and distortion without owning Saturn 2, mainly because I couldn’t justify the expense at the time. Was mainly using Audiority Pyros prior to getting Saturn, but now I can use both! Pyros for really nasty dirty stuff and Saturn for general workhorse stuff. Thanks for the encouragement and same to you, always like watching your new videos!

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks for the reply, I'm glad I didn't come across to harshly previously, as that was not my intention. I enjoy having these conversations and debates and I'm glad when others can take part in them with me. 😊 GAS in the digital realm is just as real as hardware, believe me I know! I think those that appreciate working slimmer, are the same ones that at some point went down the rabbit hole with excessive and unnecessary purchases and they have learned the hard way and were able to take a step back from that, after the fact, trying to help others not make the same mistake! A smart man learns from his mistakes, but a wise man learns from the mistakes of others! 😉 You are right as well, you certainly do need to have an eye open for new and upcoming plugins, otherwise you could lose out on some potential golden ones. I think it is just trying to find the right balance between only getting what is valuable and worthwhile and not EVERYTHING, tricking yourself into think 'you might use it one day, so why not'?

[@georgesprackling6210]

Sureal machine Modnetic for delays or vallhalla delay both anolaoge sounding and not static. Lots of flavours.

[@atetraxx]

current is seriously great. its my go to. Its so fast.

[@STRANJAH]

It truly is! If there is enough demand, I would love to do a preset pack on this synth. I have already been experimenting and creating patches for my own use, but wouldn't mind compiling them for others if there is enough interest!

[@bluespectralmonkey]

I love current what I don't love is having to pay for all the presets I feel like this still a lot more than I could do with it so getting my head around a lot of the process that did come with it for free but once I heard some of the other ones makes me want a little bit more freedom but not so much out of pocket. that said don't miss lacerta - ghost syndicate , and ultronium - spektralisk presets for current both just wow

[@atetraxx]

Brother, why haven tyou updated your addictive drums? Its so much better now

[@STRANJAH]

Didn’t know it was updated. What’s new?!

[@a_t_f2869]

I use standard clip on everything. I mentioned it to you in one of your previous live streams. It’s amazing! Where can we send you tunes good sir!

[@STRANJAH]

Used subtly, clipping can definitely add more bite and edge to your tracks and help them cut through the mix better. Too much however and you lose dynamics and life in the track. There definitely has to be a fine balance between using clipping (and the right amount!) on elements that could use it, not necessarily on everything, all the time.

[@adz951]

​​@@STRANJAHHave you done a dedicated video on this? If not, I'd be keen to see it!

[@STRANJAH]

I can't say I have done a dedicated video, but it is a huge part of my process and I do it at some point in most of my videos.

[@adriano_sp]

13:40 Fabfilter Timeless Arturia Delay TAPE-201

[@STRANJAH]

Love Delay TAPE-201...only thing is there is no filter section. Yes there is an EQ stage, but that is for the input signal. I'm looking for a dedicated filter stage on the actual delay feedback.

[@adriano_sp]

@@STRANJAH right, then try Fabfilter Timeless, it has a very complete filter section, and it's a delay that allows you to experiment a lot

[@nicokarner3546]

@@STRANJAH check out soundtoys echo boy, sooo good, the presets are gold also

[@adz951]

​@@STRANJAHThere's a free delay VST called Deelay that's fantastic.

[@STRANJAH]

Nice, free is good! I will check this one out! Thanks!

[@fakshen1973]

Vintage Verb is surprisingly affordable. It's literally $50. Valhalla DSP also has some great free plug-ins as well. They are go-to quality. My recommendation is to pick up Super Massive and Space Modulator for free... then get Vintage Verb if you like what you're getting.

[@STRANJAH]

I have been a long time user of Vintage Verb already, definitely still holds its own, even after all these years. For the price it is a no brainer for anyone to pick, really!

[@visagemsc]

I use Bitwig's Delay+ which allows me to add effects to the feedback line (i just slap on te stock saturator for gain-staged distortion) but ValhallaDelay is also goated, especially for the BBD modes (BBD, BBDuck, and the new Analog). Set the color to 0 to avoid noise, and then slam the diffusion to 100%. One of the best reverb sounds in the entire world.

[@STRANJAH]

Interesting uses of those plugins. That Bitwig Delay+ sounds neat in how it can be used and thinking outside of the box in how you use that ValhallaDelay is also interesting. Thanks for sharing!

[@visagemsc]

@@STRANJAH I think you should thank Sean for adding diffusion in ValhallaDelay rather than me since it's the 2 knobs out of the >20 controls of the entire plugin. There's an article in ValhallaDSP's site about how he tried to cram in matrix delay lines into ValhallaDelay but it kept crashing and he had to yank it out but then used that same idea for Supermassive. It's called "Plugin Design: Rescue Your Darlings" and I highly recommend you read it.

[@STRANJAH]

That does sound like an interesting read and I am going to try to find the time to read it, when I get the chance. Thanks again for your comment!

[@TheStephenHall]

I love fabfilter pro-c for clean compression but I also, for drums specifically, am a big fan of Arturia's VCA-65 compressor. I also use Decimort a ton. Best bitcrusher. Fabfilter L2 is the only limiter I've ever needed..

[@STRANJAH]

Fabfilter and Arturia are definitely two top developers at the moment. Multiple plugins from each of those teams, is in most of my projects.

[@lemonberries]

Waves H-Delay and Fabfilters Timeless are some tasty delay options

[@STRANJAH]

Oldies, but goodies!

[@xsm5525]

my go-to's are in 2025 will no doubt be: roland JD800 vsti roland Zenology vsti korg M1 vsti korg wavestation vsti stekker Amigo (amiga emulator sampler) fx: permut8 delay plugin big sky reverb plugin rx950 s900/s950 emulator plugin (when I'm too lazy to fire up my original s950!) mc77 compressor/limiter plugin (very good this!!)

[@STRANJAH]

Really liking this list! You are using some virtual variations of some of the top oldskool synths! Would love to hear some of your stuff!

[@randohuy9446]

I'm doing game music rn, so its a little different, but: Additive EQ/Harmonic Dist: Lindell 80, Lindell 69, Filter: Filterfreak Delay: UAD Galaxy Surgical EQ: Kirchoff EQ, Compressors: MC77, Townhouse Saturation: BlackBox HG-2 Reverb: Crystalline, Blackhole Synths: BA-1, Pigments 5 Musik Hack: Master Plan

[@STRANJAH]

A great list there and I will have to check some of these out! I appreciate you taking the time to reply and share this with us!

[@My_man_G_UK]

The delay I always seem to use is Studio Damage - Dubstation. It's just simple and classic

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@renaudlpsqr3166]

Hey, my favorite tools for delay are Ripley Space Delay & The Echo in Reason...

[@STRANJAH]

Nice suggestions and I will check these out, too!

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

I been using the stock Ableton stuff more and more. Except for mixdown/mastering where I’ll continue to use most the Slate Digital stuff .. the VCC and VTM is one of those things where u think stuff sounds good .. put those on.. then take em off for an A/B comparison and it’s like .. PUT EM BACK !! I got so many damn plugins that it’s like I found myself using em just to use em. Other honorable mention I want to dig into more … The Beatsurfing Metal

[@STRANJAH]

Two very good points. The second point about using them just because they are there, doesn't mean they are actually worthwhile and bringing you any benefit. They are being used simply because you don't want to feel they are going to waste and that isn't their purpose! As for sticking with stock plugins, that is completely fine! Stock plugins these days across all DAW are extremely high quality. Stock plugins now are better than the highest paid plugins from boutique developers from years ago. If they work for you and you get the results you are after, then continue to use them. It isn't about how you get the final track done, just did you get it done and sounding good? The end listener is never going to have a clue what went into the track, they just want to know if it sounds right and if they like it.

[@Maradnus]

My favourite delays are: Baby Audio - Comeback Kid D16 - Sigmund 2 Filter is absolutely without a doubt is Filterverse!!! there is no comparison!

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks for the list! Nice to know what others are using and favouring!

[@iamerror45]

Delay - Other Desert Cities by Audio Damage. it can be a simple delay, or a whole canvas for sound design, and relatively cheap for what it is👾👾👾

[@STRANJAH]

Sounds good to me! Easy, yet in depth and for a cheap price, is what a lot of users are after! I will look into this one! Thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@bupkis7505]

Why are you not monitoring with minimeters. Sooo much better than using 5 diff meter plugins

[@STRANJAH]

Which would you recommend and I will look into this?

[@bupkis7505]

@STRANJAH its kinda a standalone app but it also comes with a vst i just throw on my master but it is 15bucks and you get a spectrogram. Oscilliscope. Stereo field. Spectrum analyzer. Etc. its called minimeters if you look it up it should be first result. I have seen many creators like Au5 and i think also art1fact uses as well. I usually have a second computer monitor dedicated to it but all the windows can be resized and permanently pinned to wherever on the screen you like( i see a lot of people pin the spectrogram over the part of the screen that shows lives help tips)

[@STRANJAH]

This definitely sounds handy. Thanks for this detailed reply, it really helps and it makes me want to look into this even more now!

[@Szeeto]

Thanks bro

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and support, I appreciate it!

[@MastrcodeMusic]

I also have more than 100 plugins installed. But I keep using the same 4 or 5 plugins. I even have a lot of plugins installed that I haven't even used in years😂 I also use my own made VSTs a lot.

[@STRANJAH]

And you are proving the point made in the video, more is not better, in fact, if you can't separate yourself from them and find you often spend time going through them all around and around, you are never actually getting much productive work done. Having so many plugins that you don't use wastes hard drive space, slows down the loading of the DAW as it has to take into account all those plugins and also clutters up the listing of the plugins, while in a session. If you find you are using the same few, stick with those and get rid of the rest! If you haven't used some of those in years, you likely never will!

[@MastrcodeMusic]

@STRANJAH yeah, and using just a few plugins also will force you to be more creative.

[@mikeh5050]

Recreate Rave Out Turno for us !!!

[@Bowmans_journey]

Baby Audio Comeback kid is my goto Delay. Super fast and easy on the cpu, has some filtering and sounds nice. If you never heard of it, you might want to give it a spin…

[@STRANJAH]

I will certainly look into this! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@ukaszuszczek5797]

THx

[@kaislate]

Delay: Dee-lay (Free) Compressor: TB Tech Cenozoix

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@Merge_Funktion]

My go to is phase plant and there is an update on addictive drum 2

[@STRANJAH]

Another viewer already tipped me off to the Addictive Drums 2 update, as I wasn't aware of it. I actually just grabbed it and am checking it now!

[@Merge_Funktion]

@@STRANJAH it looks really good and so does the new design

[@STRANJAH]

Yes, this is what I am noticing. It is mainly a visual upgrade, then a functional one, but I have to dig deeper into it. Maybe I will do a video on this... 🤔

[@ericmeza576]

I’m wanting to buy a midi controller that will map with knobs for tweaking sounds… I’d love to hear what you recommend? If you could start with low budget 200$ to 600$.

[@STRANJAH]

That is a hard one! There are many good contenders, especially for that price range and it will ultimately come down to past experiences, or personal preference. The Novation Launch Keys are popular, as are the Arturia Keylab series. Native Instruments have their Kontrol series, etc. This is a very important decision, as your controller of choice will be the hub of your setup and you must be comfortable with its size, layout, feel and workflow. Best of luck!

[@ericmeza576]

@@STRANJAHthanks man.. I appreciate it!!

[@ArcRunner]

honestly, ScalerEQ [EQ] & Newfangled Audio's Recircuilate [Delay] are both worth a good look. Thank-you for the vid!

[@STRANJAH]

You are most welcome and thank you for the recommendations! I am going to look into these!

[@LethalCali_b]

TAL DUB X is an amazing delay plugiin

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks! I will check this one out, too!

[@onetwentyeight]

i like this one a lot too.

[@DjangoFlaherty]

Loved all the free Tal Dubs. Someday I would love to buy all their paid stuff.

[@bluespectralmonkey]

everyone sleeping on tug glicento

[@embersandash]

Delay: Newfangled Recirculate.

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will look into this one!

[@embersandash]

@@STRANJAHVery welcome - it’s the absolutely least I could do, all the dnb I’ve learned I’ve learned from you. Mad respect ✊

[@STRANJAH]

Thanks so much for your continued support, I really appreciate it greatly. I am glad to have been able to help.

[@mnieuwhof]

Delay: Soundtoys Echoboy!

[@STRANJAH]

Oh, that is an absolute classic!

[@DirtyDrops]

Bosh❤

[@PICO_BE]

Deelay by Integraudio & Sixth Sample is insane , AND FREE !! with duck, reverse, saturation and much more!

[@STRANJAH]

Free is good! I'm going to look into these, thanks for the suggestions!

[@guillaumedestrebecq6821]

Stranjah, sans te manquer de respect, trouve un ostéopathe, un chiropracteur ou un praticien de médecine chinoise. Je souffre de voir ta mâchoire, sans manque de respect, accident ou des années de mauvais maintient, même inconscients. Je te souhaite la santé pour 2025, sans la santé rien n'est possible. Et je te souhaite de vivre de ton investissement pour la bass music ainsi qu'un album et mixer en deuxième partie d'ouverture de soirée. 🥁🎹

[@MPCLogic]

Delay- waves H Delay

[@STRANJAH]

Another old and popular one! I'm glad it is still seeing support!

[@a-matics1831]

E-MU Proteus vx Permut8 Massive

[@STRANJAH]

Interesting on the Proteus, not many mention that one. E-MU came out with some GREAT hardware 20 or so years ago! I used their E-5000 Ultra sampler for years, back in around 2001 or so.

[@MajorPatchouli]

Triangle, OTT, Steroids 😆

[@Nocular]

I still use H-delay and Timeless. Can't go wrong with these 2.

[@NikolayTechno]

@STRANJAH try melda MDelayMB MTurboDelayMB

[@STRANJAH]

Nice one, I appreciate the list and will look into these!