Best software/plugins 2012

[FoxMulderFBI]

Originally Posted by Nevelous

After completely loosing my trust to plugins and then spending 70 000€ on hardware Pres, Eqs, Comps, Verbs and a summing mixer (not to mentions the mics!!).

Originally Posted by Nevelous

Still searching for the best GATE plug with look ahead.

Fabfilter Pro-G

[digidan]

1. UBK-1 Wicked compressor. the wet/dry ratios alone are worth the price of admission. Probably my favorite of current favorites!

2. UAD Trident a-range. Simply put, the best eq i have EVER used for electric guitars period.

3. All three of the waves (newer) H series plugs. The H delay is so simple to use and still lands you with a solid sound.

4. Speakerphone gets used in my mixes anytime I get stuck and need a helping tone or texture.

5. Decapitator. The name says it all! I love good distortion, and plugins rarely do it well. The new little radiator plug sounds promising as well. As a matter of fact, if you have yet to do so, get the big soundtoys bundle with everything. one of the best purchases ive ever made!

[RevolutionStudio]

UAD Trident A Range - Really glad I picked this one up.
Sony Oxford EQ,
UBK-1,
Classik Studio Reverb (not my go to plug but I found it very useful at times)

[yllet]

UBK-1
White2A
w735eq
Cuttertone
Kramer MPX

/Jon

[Spigon]

Originally Posted by Nevelous

Let's me make this a good one...ok

After completely loosing my trust to plugins and then spending 70 000€ on hardware Pres, Eqs, Comps, Verbs and a summing mixer (not to mentions the mics!!), I decided to invest in the best plugins as well, just to serve the engineers that want to use them too. I've struggled to make any decisions on what to buy for over a year now so I turn to you guys.

This thread is here to find the BEST OF THE BEST in software.

Criteria for the suggestions are:
1. name only 5 plugins tops, name the plugin, not just the vendor
2. emulations of SLL, NEVE, API are not allowed
3. can also be software like Triggers, Effects and other

In my research, I found these plugs which are often mentioned.
If you love 'em or hate 'em, let me know:
- UBK-1
- Lexicon PCM native
- Soundtoys Decapitator
- Softube CL1B
- Cytomic The Glue
- Voxegon Elephant
- Relab LX480
- Valhalla Shimmer
- Slate Trigger


Still searching for the best GATE plug with look ahead.

Thnx guys!

I hope you don't mind if I also list a runner up. This is for those who either can't afford it, already have it, cannot fit it into their workout, don't like it, or can't use it.

1. Nebula 3 Pro (nicest Console, EQ, verb, and pres ITB)
Runner up: I have none for this..... Sorry.

2. Lexicon PCM Native (both the verb and the effects)
Runner up: Easily would be Aether Verb or Altiverb (if you're going convolution).

3. N-TEN-AT4 (best non-nebula eq that sounds like vintage analogue gear)- This is a NEVE though so... Yea....
Runner up: ReaEQ or Dmg Equality (super clean workhorse eq), NobleQ (Pultec style), AirEQ (top end), SonEQ (voted best free EQ on another board)

4. Algorithmix (best linear phase eq)
Runner up: PlparEQ (best alternative) or Sonoris (best budget alternative)

5. LP Split Comp (nice mastering comp)
Runner up: FX-G (closest alternative imo), Softube CL1B (best CL1B we got atm), ThrillseekerLA (free la2a- I prefer it to the Waves version)

6. Paul Frindle's DSM (just had to add this one no matter what)

I have one computer with over easily 300 plugins to A/B between. Yes it a lot of money but I like to give feed back to the community whenever I find time to be online; I'm always way too busy lol. And of course YMMV!

[godotzilla]

Your exclusion of Neve/API/etc. emulators is too limiting, because the Slate VCC is easily one of the best plugs out there.

[Sudad G]

SSL Duende Native (Especially the X-EQ and SSL Bus Compressor....their reverb is also not bad)
Lexicon PCM Native Reverb Bundle
Sonnox Bundle (especially Inflator and EQ)
UAD 1176 new update
Slate VCC

Sudad G

[X Lo Fi]

UBK-1 watch the headroom carefully. I agree that the wet dry sets it apart. got it 4 drums, but also great on electric guitar.

UAD new 1176 bundle. I never used their original 1176 ln cuz it didn't do much for me. I graitated to their la2a instead. I use these new ones constantly in the few weeks I've had them, and go 2 the la2a less and less.

[Homunculus]

cytomic the clue, best plugin compressor hands down, reverb i prefer valhalla room over lexicon, there's just something about lexicon verb sound i dont like, it just too clean/sterile imo, saturation- decapitator is awesome. EQ none beats DMG Equality..Chorus effect/- valhalla ubermod.. Stereo imager, DrMs hands down the best..Delay-Echoboy/ubermod

these IMO are the best plugins the market has to offer

[Ragan]

Decapitator

Echoboy

Abbey Road limiters (surprised no one's mentioned these)

Trigger (learn to make your own Trigger samples and you're set)

Waves SSL (really good channel strips with great gates although not look ahead)


And if you didn't say no console emulation, VCC would've been the first plug I listed.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Gearslutz App

[D K]

Originally Posted by Nevelous

Let's me make this a good one...ok

After completely loosing my trust to plugins and then spending 70 000€ on hardware Pres, Eqs, Comps, Verbs and a summing mixer (not to mentions the mics!!), I decided to invest in the best plugins as well, just to serve the engineers that want to use them too. I've struggled to make any decisions on what to buy for over a year now so I turn to you guys.

This thread is here to find the BEST OF THE BEST in software.

Criteria for the suggestions are:
1. name only 5 plugins tops, name the plugin, not just the vendor
2. emulations of SLL, NEVE, API are not allowed
3. can also be software like Triggers, Effects and other

In my research, I found these plugs which are often mentioned.
If you love 'em or hate 'em, let me know:
- UBK-1
- Lexicon PCM native
- Soundtoys Decapitator
- Softube CL1B
- Cytomic The Glue
- Voxegon Elephant
- Relab LX480
- Valhalla Shimmer
- Slate Trigger


Still searching for the best GATE plug with look ahead.

Thnx guys!

I find this strange since at least 4 of the plugs you mentioned are emulations and 1 is an emulation of an SSL?

[electro]

Best Gate Plugin?
Sonalksis Ltd.

Heard good stuff about this one too
Neve® 88RS Channel Strip Plug-In | Universal Audio

[Nevelous]

Originally Posted by D K

I find this strange since at least 4 of the plugs you mentioned are emulations and 1 is an emulation of an SSL?

Sorry I did not know one of them is SSL emulation.

Emulations in general are ok, never said that...

The reason I excluded SSL, Neve and API because I can :D... no, I've tried most of them, and I know how they sound + some people tend to love 'em just because it's an xxx, you know.


I like how this thread is looking already. Keep it coming...

[Nevelous]

Originally Posted by Nevelous

After completely loosing my trust to plugins and then spending 70 000€ on hardware Pres, Eqs, Comps, Verbs and a summing mixer (not to mentions the mics!!)

Originally Posted by FoxMulderFBI

Some people save 10 years to buy a house or a car or start a family. I, in the other hand, love music.

[Ragan]

Originally Posted by Nevelous

Some people save 10 years to buy a house or a car or start a family. I, in the other hand, love music.

I don't think those things are mutually exclusive. I bet you live somewhere and drive something.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Gearslutz App

[Nevelous]

Originally Posted by Ragan

I don't think those things are mutually exclusive. I bet you live somewhere and drive something.

Well, I guess you can say that but:
I am selling my apartment after paying my bank loans for 10 years and will use the profit to pay off my hardware. Traded my car for a Van so I can move equipment better and will be living in my rental studio building soon. I have a girl friend though so... maybe I'll still have family of my own some day

[Ragan]

Originally Posted by Nevelous

Well, I guess you can say that but:
I am selling my apartment after paying my bank loans for 10 years and will use the profit to pay off my hardware. Traded my car for a Van so I can move equipment better and will be living in my rental studio building soon. I have a girl friend though so... maybe I'll still have family of my own some day

Right on. Just wanted to make clear that if you can't dedicate all your resources to gear, it doesn't mean you don't love music.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Gearslutz App

[Nevelous]

Originally Posted by Ragan

Right on. Just wanted to make clear that if you can't dedicate all your resources to gear, it doesn't mean you don't love music.

Sure thing. I guess my point in that was I JUST love music and I feel that is pretty much everything I have and need right now, and people have to spend their time on money on something. I chose to do this like quite many of you do here I guess. But yeah, the gear does not make the music.

Nice to chat about life, but let's continue on the subject

[Ragan]

Indeed.

Thought of another indispensable plug for me, Waves C6. Unbelievable sound sculpting with that thing. Really good for fixing problems, or just shaping tone.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Gearslutz App

[Nevelous]

Originally Posted by Ragan

Waves SSL (really good channel strips with great gates although not look ahead)

NO SSL! :D

If I have to go here:
I used to think Waves SSL was kind of ok, or good enough until I A/B'd it with hardware. I used to use the gate on it, but I'm looking for a new one now...

Come on guys, I need more suggestions, especially from the GS veterans.

Although using plugins is the most unfashionable thing there is (on this forum at least ), and you try to avoid it, or whatever, every engineer uses them on something I would think.

[Nevelous]

bump

[Chevron]

Fabfilter Saturn

[ObiK]

Thanks for the CSR and White 2A shout outs. :D

[electro]

Originally Posted by Nevelous

NO SSL! :D

If I have to go here:
I used to think Waves SSL was kind of ok, or good enough until I A/B'd it with hardware. I used to use the gate on it, but I'm looking for a new one now...

Come on guys, I need more suggestions, especially from I the GS veterans.

Sonalksis Ltd.

[Resonator]

Originally Posted by Chevron

Fabfilter Saturn

+1 for Saturn

[Sonkite]

Softube FET Compressor
Trident A-Range
Lexicon PCM
CL1B
Softube SUMMIT TLA 100
Soundtoys Native Bundle

THE GLUE (winner)

[Pschelfh]

1. SSL Duende channel strip (used on all my drum tracks)
2. UAD 1176 new versions (crunch and punch)
3. UAD EMT140 ('Nice Drum Room'!)
4. UAD Ampex ATR-102 (instant mixbus glue)
5. JB Ferox (after all this time still ends up on almost all my tracks even though I also have UAD Studer A800)

Peter.

[John The Cut]

Boring boring boring. Everyone saying the same thing over and over again.

for those of you who LLLOOVVEE Decapitator - has anyone actually HEARD real distortion..

So mine,

1. Simuanalog JCM900 - one of the first, still one of the best, and free Guitar Amps.
2. PSP Mixpressor - (v1.8 for GUI) one of the best bread and butter compressors STILL
3. Izotope Trash - again one of the best for Rhythm guitar duties and 're-amping' of soft synths..
4. Kontakt - gotta be the best sampler bar none, gets used on everything, more power than anyone can handle
5. EQ... EQ.. UAD Pultec Vs UAD A-Range... 2 of the best ITB imvho

[Slikjmuzik]

Originally Posted by Spigon

1. Nebula 3 Pro (nicest Console, EQ, verb, and pres ITB)
Runner up: I have none for this..... Sorry.

Really interested in this. Is it relatively CPU friendly?