Logic Pro 9 What set of Plugins for mixing do you prefer?
- Thread starter afavreau
- Start date
Coming from someone who has a ton of plugins I'd recommend Logic's plugins! Great stuff. I use the eqs and compressors all the time. The things I think are more important than plugins( if you want to spend money), is proper bass trapping/acoustic treatment, monitors, etc for your control room so you can actually hear things correctly. Also, there are some great video tutorials that have to do with mixing out (many at groove3.com, where you can just rent them) where you can learn more about how to mix. It has very little to do with using certain plugins. Just my experience! Good luck.
I can't improve on the recommendations offered above.
I use Logic's Channel Eq all the time due to the combination of built-in frequency analyzer, color coded bands, plus a transparent sound.
I can't say enough good things about PSP plug-ins. The must haves include:
1. Old Timer!!!
2. sQuad Eq's.
You'll have to reference frequency settings of sQuad using Logic's track automation as many of the eq's in bundle require the use of your ears in the absence of numbering.
3. VintageWarmer
4. MixPack which includes the still amazing MixPressor.
I have all things PSP as they are my overall favorites!!!
I use Logic's Channel Eq all the time due to the combination of built-in frequency analyzer, color coded bands, plus a transparent sound.
I can't say enough good things about PSP plug-ins. The must haves include:
1. Old Timer!!!
2. sQuad Eq's.
You'll have to reference frequency settings of sQuad using Logic's track automation as many of the eq's in bundle require the use of your ears in the absence of numbering.
3. VintageWarmer
4. MixPack which includes the still amazing MixPressor.
I have all things PSP as they are my overall favorites!!!
I actually have two different sets of plugins that I use, depending on the stage of the production. Usually, while I'm tracking, composing, trying out new creative ideas, I pretty much throw an iZotope plugin on everything. Alloy, their designated tracking multiplug, includes limited multiband dynamics, an EQ that you probably should should just turn off in favor of Logics, and some cooler and more obscure goodies like transient shaping and a pretty advanced DeEsser. I find it good for bass, acoustic guitars, and occasionally voice. iZotope Ozone, intended for mastering, actually works better as a bus-plugin for submixes (chorals, drums), and often on solo vocal tracks it sounds better than Alloy. Usually I just slap on a preset and take ten minutes adjusting it, and I've got passable sound for the creative process.
I use this technique while composing and exploring broad level mix ideas -- I don't want to be spending hours in the plugin strip yet, but I can't do nothing cause I can't recognize a good idea when every idea sounds like crap.
The other "set" of plugins I use, for the actual production of a creatively finished piece, is not really a set at all. I start from the top pretty much every time, going through a motley, ill-conceived collection of plugs that I've ended up (probably because I'm physically unable to resist even the simplest marketing ploys.) Not much advice I can offer there, since the selection usually varies with the context. I do tend like IK Multimedia's T-Rack3 for Mastering, though.s
I think the two pronged approach is helpful, mostly for one reason. The first set (iZotope, in my case), provides much more overall utility while being less expensive. It's true that if you've got a track going to the chairman of of Virgin, you're going to spend the time and money to get it sounding as mint as you can. But for me, that isn't usually whats going on. I use the cheap stuff more, and its more indispensable to the overall creativity that drives me musically. Going cheap first and expensive later is something most people do anyway, but in this case, you don't have to throw away the cheaper stuff when you upgrade. And you get time to find out what kind of interfaces you like, etc, before dropping ten grand on Waves Complete.
So, sorry about the novel, but my advice is to get a set of cheaper, versatile plugins first, get comfortable with them, and then base your future, pricier decisions on that experience. And of course, get comfy with the Logic Plugins -- they will always be more stable, better documented, and more reliable than their third party competitors.
I use this technique while composing and exploring broad level mix ideas -- I don't want to be spending hours in the plugin strip yet, but I can't do nothing cause I can't recognize a good idea when every idea sounds like crap.
The other "set" of plugins I use, for the actual production of a creatively finished piece, is not really a set at all. I start from the top pretty much every time, going through a motley, ill-conceived collection of plugs that I've ended up (probably because I'm physically unable to resist even the simplest marketing ploys.) Not much advice I can offer there, since the selection usually varies with the context. I do tend like IK Multimedia's T-Rack3 for Mastering, though.s
I think the two pronged approach is helpful, mostly for one reason. The first set (iZotope, in my case), provides much more overall utility while being less expensive. It's true that if you've got a track going to the chairman of of Virgin, you're going to spend the time and money to get it sounding as mint as you can. But for me, that isn't usually whats going on. I use the cheap stuff more, and its more indispensable to the overall creativity that drives me musically. Going cheap first and expensive later is something most people do anyway, but in this case, you don't have to throw away the cheaper stuff when you upgrade. And you get time to find out what kind of interfaces you like, etc, before dropping ten grand on Waves Complete.
So, sorry about the novel, but my advice is to get a set of cheaper, versatile plugins first, get comfortable with them, and then base your future, pricier decisions on that experience. And of course, get comfy with the Logic Plugins -- they will always be more stable, better documented, and more reliable than their third party competitors.
For bread and butter mixing, I love Logic's channel EQ. I like Logic's compressor in many circumstances. But lately I have been really enjoying the T-Racks compressors by IK Multimedia. There is something really special about them that I haven't heard in other plug ins. And I don't mean just for mastering - but using the individual T-Racks compressors for regular track or bus compression. You can purchase them individually BTW. They are called "singles".
Nomad Factory
These are excellent and affordable, vintage-style emulated plug-ins:
http://www.nomadfactory.com/index.html
I would recommend the Essential Studio Suite:
http://imsproav.com/main/Browse-Bra...Nomad-Factory/NOMADFEssentialStudioSuite.html
It contains all of the processing you'll need i think, and would be especially suitable for modern pop/rock...
You can download trials from their site- let us know what you think!
These are excellent and affordable, vintage-style emulated plug-ins:
http://www.nomadfactory.com/index.html
I would recommend the Essential Studio Suite:
http://imsproav.com/main/Browse-Bra...Nomad-Factory/NOMADFEssentialStudioSuite.html
It contains all of the processing you'll need i think, and would be especially suitable for modern pop/rock...
You can download trials from their site- let us know what you think!
IMHO....The EQ's in Logic are as good as anything else.. (I think that most software Eq's sound virtually the same..) The comps are OK, but I could not live without the Limiters (LL, L3 Ultramaximizer...etc) in Waves for bus limiting/mastering... I do find myself using L9's Delay and Space Designer ALOT, (and I have alot of 3rd party plugs).... They are extremely good, and you have alot to work with there. The UAD stuff is unbelievable, but alot of $$$. Take the time to purchase or view some videos (Eli has a good one at groove3.com that deals extensively with Logic Plugins..), and experiment and work with what you have for now....as Logic's plugins are decent, and not simply an afterthought like many other platforms. There are ALOT of great 3rd party plugs out there, but try to get a feel for what you already have.... included for FREE
UAD is awesome...without a shred of a doubt...I used to run three UAD-1 cards in a Magma expansion chassis, and that was BEFORE most of the SSL, Pultec, and Neve stuff was even available. However, UAD-2 is a sizable investment, and my only point in answering the original poster is that one can make professional recordings with Logic plugs only, if they take the time to learn them, and have good fundamental engineering skills. After I switched from PT 7 to Logic 8, the first thing that blew me away was the quality of the VI's and plugins that came with Logic Pro. Point being, that most other platforms (and I do see this changing now...), have historically bundled subpar VI's and plugs with their products, in the anticipation that most users will simply go to 3rd parties.
What's a while ago?
Nomad Factory continue to evolve in quality. There has been a dramatic difference in sound quality since they started using Retro Sound Modeling in the Retrology Series which includes the Motown Eqs, the British Bundle, and the monstrous Pulse Tec EQ all of which would make for a high quality mixing tool kit!
Nomad Factory continue to evolve in quality. There has been a dramatic difference in sound quality since they started using Retro Sound Modeling in the Retrology Series which includes the Motown Eqs, the British Bundle, and the monstrous Pulse Tec EQ all of which would make for a high quality mixing tool kit!
Hey, I am on a list for audiomidi.com and they have a couple of sweet deals for folks on a tight budget.
http://www.audiomidi.com/cust_search/British-Bundle-No-Brainer-Deal-P13767.aspx
Some of the vintage plugs Eddie mentions are for sale for a limited time for $30.:eeek:
Yes, the "British Bundle" is on sale for $30. I bought them last week. If the OP wants some options to try/compare to Logic's plugs, this ain't a bad deal to get started.
http://www.audiomidi.com/cust_search/British-Bundle-No-Brainer-Deal-P13767.aspx
Some of the vintage plugs Eddie mentions are for sale for a limited time for $30.:eeek:
Yes, the "British Bundle" is on sale for $30. I bought them last week. If the OP wants some options to try/compare to Logic's plugs, this ain't a bad deal to get started.