Mike.

ive used many paid and free plugins over the years.
as always there are nice ones in each category ive found.

go on gearspace.com where tons of studios large and small hang out and ask what their favorite paid and free plugins are.
for example the free airwindows plugins have a impressive rep on GS if one peruses the threads.

as with any product 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating'.
best bet is, as always listen to others and ones own tests.
ive had great steak at high end diners and lousy steak....lol.

i can remember years ago showing big studios for example what the pg powertracks could do for hamburger money.
i was laughed at and derided initially when i mentioned it until i demoed it in detail and its extensive features.
the reaction always 'for how much money ?'
'amazeing'.
same with free or nearly free plugins...just gotta find the groovy ones.

given the state the music biz is in and the fact that even if one has a great song... and one is lucky to get 100 net plays a year its difficult for many musos to justify expenditures.

so one soldiers on doing the best one can with what one has.
the crazy thing is ive done some songs in big studios with the greatest gear but 'the man in the street' preferred the rough demo i did at home useing pg and non pg free plugins.
i put it down to us studio types are often super critical and analytical re our songs whereas the 'man in the street' has a very different viewpoint often.
ive said many times on these fora that if all martin/the abbey/the beatwells had for software gear is bb and rb...they would still churn out great songs imho.

haveing said the above the nectar products are obviously impressive imho.
but would the 'man in the street' notice a diff if one used free plugins instead ?. frankly i often tame sibs etc with pg plugins and eq.
the free audacity has various tools re improveing audio includeing de esser if i remember.

happiness.

om

Last edited by justanoldmuso; 05/08/25 07:26 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..)
https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs
(90 songs created useing bb/rb)
(lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)