Must Have Plugins - Logic

[realmike15]

Are there any lists of must have Logic plug-ins?

[Lagerfeldt]

Do you mean AU plug-ins?

All the plug-ins in Logic Pro are bundled and free. Nothing more to "get" or "must-have" there.

Here are some of my favorite and most used AU plug-ins:

Antares Auto-Tune EVO

Flux Alchemist (flexible multiband dynamic processing)
Flux Limiter
Flux Solera (flexible wideband processing)
Flux Syrah (creative dynamic processing)

IK Multimedia CSR (Lexicon-ish reverb)

Softube FET Compressor

Sonalksis StereoTools

Sonnox Oxford Inflator (psychoacoustic enhancer using harmonic distortion)
Sonnox Oxford Limiter

Waves Renaissance Compressor
Waves Renaissance De-Esser

I also like romplers such as reFX Nexus2, Spectrasonics Trilian, etc.

[stevetothink]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

Do you mean AU plug-ins?

All the plug-ins in Logic Pro are bundled and free. Nothing more to "get" or "must-have" there.

Here are some of my favorite AU plug-ins:

Antares Auto-Tune EVO

Flux Alchemist (flexible multiband dynamic processing)
Flux Limiter
Flux Solera (flexible wideband processing)
Flux Syrah (creative dynamic processing)

IK Multimedia CSR (Lexicon-ish reverb)

Softube FET Compressor

Sonalksis StereoTools

Sonnox Oxford Inflator (psychoacoustic enhancer using harmonic distortion)
Sonnox Oxford Limiter

Waves Renaissance Compressor

I also like romplers such as reFX Nexus2, Spectrasonics Trilian, etc.

How would you compare the Waves Rennaisance Comp to the Softube FET Compressor? I have the waves compressor and am curious to know how they compare.

[Lagerfeldt]

The RenComp has its own sound while I think it's fair to say that the Softube FET is closer to an 1176 type of sound.

Using the mix function it's easy to do parallel compression inside the Softube FET.

When mixing ITB I still like to use the RenComp, even after all these years. It's true vintage digital ;-)

[Whitecat]

Pro Audio DSP - Professional Audio Plugins - Audio Units, Pro Tools and VST for Mac and PC

[Roger Starr]

I like the following instruments:

- Scarbee Vintage Keys
- Trillian
- Addictive Drums
- Superior Drummer + some packs
- Ivory Piano's
- B4, FM7 (maybe Komplete 6 too).

I like UAD card and especially the Vintage Plate. Much more I don't use. I primarly compose. For good final mixing I go with the audio tracks to a full blown pro studio with all the analogue stuff you'll ever wish for.

This combined with the stock plugs of Logic gives a great package to record any type of music, I think...

Roger

[SyncSailor]

Lagerfeldt - Just curious...I noticed that you didn't mention any EQs. Are you that content with Logic Channel EQ. Seems like I remember seeing that you were a big Epure user.

[bobule]

sonnox collection, soundtoys and theglue. <3

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by SyncSailor

Lagerfeldt - Just curious...I noticed that you didn't mention any EQs. Are you that content with Logic Channel EQ. Seems like I remember seeing that you were a big Epure user.

Yeah, I use the Epure a lot, mostly for mastering, M/S etc.

Minimum phase digital equalizers are often 100% identical in sound, once offset. Only the interface and sometimes functionality such as gain-Q coupling, asymmetry or special shelving curves (like the Eiosis EQ offers) sets them apart.

The bundled Logic Channel EQ is just fine - a standard minimum phase equalizer with plenty of functionality for mixing. I've changed the default settings so it opens up with a 12 dB/Oct HPF and a 6 dB LPF, and I turned off the strong gain-Q coupling and asymmetry.

[everythinglouder]

Must have AU plug-ins in my opinion, from cheapest to most expensive (list prices):

Massey TapeHead Medium (Saturation; Free)

DDMF IIEQ Pro ($15)

Audio Damage EOS (Reverb; $50)

FabFilter Timeless 2 (Delay/Echo; $144)

Flux Pure Limiter II ($150)

SoundToys Decapitator (Saturation/Distortion; $170 ?)

URS Saturation ($200)

FabFilter Pro-C (Compressor; $200)

Softube FET Compressor ($250)

2C-Audio Aether (Reverb; $250)

SPL Transient Designer ($260)


Many of these you can get from dealers for substantially lower than list price.

[fantomen]

The ones I could not leave without:

- Waves SSL/API 2500 buss compressor: I have found no other ITB plugins that are able to deliver that glueing / punch with such a good sonic quality
- DUY plugins: for some reason people are starting to like them less and less... for me, no matter what people say, they are the only ones unsubstitutable since no other plugin do the same. It's not a perfect tape emulation... who cares? It just makes my songs sound much sweeter
- Soundtoys plugins being used more and more... soon getting the unsusbstitutable status?

For the rest, I think I can always find a plugin that could deliver something quite close.

[mullet916]

I've been using Airwindows plugins on every mix lately. Really enjoying Desk, Channel (free!), Iron Oxide and Hard Vacuum.

I do want to try the DUY Tape & Valve as well to see if I like them on certain sources. McDSP is releasing AU plugins in May so Analog Channel could be a nice choice for Logic.

Other than that, the basic UAD stuff (Cambridge EQ, LA-2A, 1176, etc) and Stillwell plugs (Vibe EQ & The Rocket Compressor) get my mixes where I want them to be.

[Beyersound]

PSP sQuad EQ bundle - really great!

PSP Old Timer - one of the best all around plugin comps ever!

[syntax]

Don't miss the Stillwell Rocket ($49). Stillwell's vibe EQ, Major Tom Compressor, and 1973 EQ are also nice to have.

[realmike15]

Thanks guys, I look forward to building a plugin collection

[keyboardman]

I really liked the Sonalksis Compressor when I tried it. I just give myself tongue cramps whenever I try to say "Sonalksis."

It might just be me, but I've always liked the built-in Logic compressor.

I've been getting more and more into Melodyne. I think it's pretty cool for subtle pitch correction. The built-in Logic pitch corrector doesn't do much for me.

The UAD stuff is pretty nice. Of course, it's tied to hardware but there's a lot of useful stuff there.

[cane creek]

Softube CL1B
sugar bytes effectrix
Abbey road brilliance pack
Soundtoys native bundle

[DaVinci]

sonalksis comp
sonalksis freeG
Stillwell Rocket
psp Vintage Warmer
IK multimedia CSR
Soundtoys Tremolator

[_Morph_]

I'll tell you what I've got...

Softube Tubetech CL1b (opto flavour)
Stillwell Rocket (1176 "fast limiting")
DDMF LP10 (precision eq)
Flux Limiter
Flux Bittersweet (transient shaper)
POD Farm (nice addition, and it was free at the time)
DSM Dynamic Spectrum Mapper (program dependent compressor)
Steven Slate Drums EX

[TNM]

Originally Posted by everythinglouder

Must have AU plug-ins in my opinion, from cheapest to most expensive (list prices):

Massey TapeHead Medium (Saturation; Free)

DDMF IIEQ Pro ($15)

Audio Damage EOS (Reverb; $50)

FabFilter Timeless 2 (Delay/Echo; $144)

Flux Pure Limiter II ($150)

SoundToys Decapitator (Saturation/Distortion; $170 ?)

URS Saturation ($200)

FabFilter Pro-C (Compressor; $200)

Softube FET Compressor ($250)

2C-Audio Aether (Reverb; $250)

SPL Transient Designer ($260)


Many of these you can get from dealers for substantially lower than list price.

Some good stuff there but.... the inbuilt logic enveloper can be made to sound so close to the spl transient designer it's not even funny (and the logic one is overall a more versatile tool)...

I think the logic multitap delay designer is the most intuitive mega delay out there.. and i don't think the ddmf eq can do a think that the logic channel eq can't.
Also think the Pro-C is a waste of money for logic owners cause the logic compressor nowadays is very very good....

Can't argue with softube or urs saturation or decapitator though...neither with Eos or Massey....

Oh by the way alot of people underestimate just how favorably the logic ad limiter compares to some of the expensive plugins... although the sonnox is overall my favorite and i'd buy that over the flux one for sure.

And Aether, really? hmm.... I just can't see the love for that reverb....

[everythinglouder]

Originally Posted by TNM

Some good stuff there but.... the inbuilt logic enveloper can be made to sound so close to the spl transient designer it's not even funny (and the logic one is overall a more versatile tool)...

I think the logic multitap delay designer is the most intuitive mega delay out there.. and i don't think the ddmf eq can do a think that the logic channel eq can't.
Also think the Pro-C is a waste of money for logic owners cause the logic compressor nowadays is very very good....

Can't argue with softube or urs saturation or decapitator though...neither with Eos or Massey....

Oh by the way alot of people underestimate just how favorably the logic ad limiter compares to some of the expensive plugins... although the sonnox is overall my favorite and i'd buy that over the flux one for sure.

And Aether, really? hmm.... I just can't see the love for that reverb....

Thanks for the heads up on the enveloper and delay designer.

I agree that Logic's compressor is very good, but Pro-C is still more versatile and it beat out Logic's comp on a recent drum bus shootout I did.

I really do love Aether, but only for it's halls. I don't want to buy the Lexicon Native bundle right now, and Aether is the only other plug-in reverb which has really wowed me with its halls (I think I've demoed all the others).

But if you don't need 3-second lush halls in your music, I can easily see how it wouldn't be loved.

[TNM]

Originally Posted by everythinglouder

Thanks for the heads up on the enveloper and delay designer.

I agree that Logic's compressor is very good, but Pro-C is still more versatile and it beat out Logic's comp on a recent drum bus shootout I did.

I really do love Aether, but only for it's halls. I don't want to buy the Lexicon Native bundle right now, and Aether is the only other plug-in reverb which has really wowed me with its halls (I think I've demoed all the others).

But if you don't need 3-second lush halls in your music, I can easily see how it wouldn't be loved.

Fair enough i do realize Pro-C is extremely good.... i personally if spending money on compressors prefer to get the ones that are a bit unique like softube FET and CL1B for example....

Now the thing that stumps me is that the 3 second *lush* halls are particularly why i DON'T like aether.. I think it's grainy and has the inability to sound truly lush!

But of course, as with anything in life, different opinions are what makes the world go round... i did demo it extensively, and i chose the RP verb instead, by miles.

Did you try the Rob papen verb? It's incredibly LUSH.....in fact it's got that factor that actually even saved me money getting the lexicon bundle!

For verbs my go to's are space designer, 112db redline, RP Verb and Arts Acoustic.. between those 4 i can't see i'd ever need anything else as they all sound so different yet are all very capable!

[Babyslayer]

no plug is the same, often a different plug in which it is similar to another will do sometime completely different. had this happen many times and you really start to appreciate each plugin

[Cinemascope]

Melodyne, Vocalign & Metric Halo Channelstrip