Eddie.

If you want something really easy to use, but which still sounds good, try the Antress Modern Range. There's lot of units to choose from and some are quite complex, but the LOST ANGEL compressor and the FLASHVERB reverb are particularly intuitive and are free as well.

Google them for links - some of the links are down at the moment, so I don't like to suggest any, but if you're stuck, send me a PM and I'll mail you the dlls.

ROG.

Hi all,

A quick post (a busy day ahead). A great site for learning more about mixing, plugins and anything to do with recording is this one. It might be of interest.

http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm

VST plugins are one of my favourite fun things to play with. I can also second the Antress plugins (love the lost angel). Also the Kjaerhaus set are good. I'd probably start with the PG plugins and learn from them. Just go nuts and have fun!

For everyone, if you haven't already got it, I really like this free plugin for stereo widening called ST Tools(you have to put it after chorus, delays for it to work properly and only use it on individual tracks, not the full mix). Their Bittersweet is great as well (for transients). Here is the link.

http://www.fluxhome.com/products/freewares/stereotool

Eddie, you will love the freedom working "in the box". I'd never go back to hardware mixing now.

I'll check in later tonight, it's interesting to see what everyone else uses.

Hi Eddie.

I'm in between students at the moment but I thought I'd mention some great videos that helped and are still helping me get my head around audio processing and recording.

Some background.
When my faithful Atari and Notator programme finally ground to a halt, I had to move to a new computer system and DAW. I was used to very simple 4 track recording to tape and even then hubby did the audio connections. I was fine with MIDI but following the routing for audio was a pain (for me.)

To cut the story short, I got Powertracks for my DAW and had to learn the ins and out of recording with a virtual mixer. I really like being able to tweak the VST plugins while the music is running. I (personally for me) also wouldn't go back to graphic eqs after using parametric ones where I can grab the peak and move it to find the "sweet spot", all while the music tracks are running. It's so much easier and fun.

I didn't know how to use a compressor, I would just fiddle around with no idea what I was doing. Same with EQ. So my suggestion for the videos that I study a lot. They are from RSO(recording school online). (They aren't free but they do have sales often) Clear explanations. If a novice like myself can understand it, believe me they are worth a look.

Must go.

There's a commercial program called EZmix2 that has a bunch of different canned presets, as well as a bunch of expansion packs. A bit pricy for my wallet, but you could try out the free demo and see for yourself.

In the long run, you're probably better served by learning the tools yourself. But if you just want to find a canned effect and use it, I've heard good things about it.

Hi,

In such a rush earlier, I forgot the link for the videos if you want to have a look.
The Compression Masterclass is the one that helped me. There's a 30% off sale at the moment so It'll set you back around $50.

http://recordingschoolonline.com/documents/recording_school.html

Another good free compressor is "Rough Rider" from audio damage.

http://www.audiodamage.com/

Eddie -


Another valuable resource is the Sonar Forum. There's a wealth of info there.



http://forum.cakewalk.com/tt.aspx?forumid=5





Regards,


Bob

I use the PG dynamics plugin.
Couple of the "Pro's" on this site mentioned they used it.

Like some of you dont know much about compressors.
Use the default settings with up/down on the gain as required.

That compression link I inserted above will really help you understand how it works. Give it a read, should take 10 minutes to learn.

Eddie, in your plugin arsenal I would recommend you have one or two of the following which you should learn forwards and backwards - spend as much time twiddling controls in these as you have done in the past with hardware processors. It's fun; approach it that way:

A. Absolutely essential list - these are to make 'repairs' on recordings which can't first be resolved with mic selection, and mic pre-amp technique. Always try to account for issues in the signal chain before A/D if you can:

Low pass and high pass filters
EQs of both Graphic type and Parametric
Dynamics processing

B. Flavoring list - this can get real long, but on the short list are reverbs and delays, and after that chorus and other modulation effects

C. 'Mastering' list - I use the word in it's more recent 'processing' type of meaning and not 'mastering' as a mastering engineer approaches an entire album project.

My 'go-to' plugins in each list:

A. I use the HP and LP filters that are native to my DAW software, as well as the parametric EQ that's native. However, I recommend two different 'suites' of plugins and use them regularly as well: rharv already gave the link to the Kjærhus series of plugins - go grab them now. Another suite of plugins that is great is the Gvst series in the original 'skin'. Don't bother with the updated 'skin' from grymmjack, the original is actually better. I like these because the controls almost always show what they are doing to the signal with some type of graphical feedback. They are great learning and teach-yourself tools. http://www.gvst.co.uk/ The compressor, Gcomp still reigns supreme in my book for showing what various dynamics processing controls do, both with an input/output diagram as well as displaying the changed waveform. He also has an HP and LP simple filter (often this is all you need for EQ).

There still isn't a parametric EQ in there. I rarely use anything but Tracktion's built-in 4 band, but I have used posihfopit before with success:

Actually, rather than me re-writing this guy's blog - this bedroom producer blog lists the best of the freeware plugins out there and I can't disagree with his/her recommendations:
http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2011/03/...er-vst-plugins/

Surf all of their lists. Have fun. Take your time to learn the controls and the effect on the sound.

-Scott

rharv,

Supposed to be working on my fire-breaks, but in here..
Just skim read a port of your compression link.
That is excellent information. I come from a long line of O-scope users. LOL.

Scott,

Excellent link on the freebie "coagulations". And its updated also.

Thanks to the rest of you. I'm already buried, but know some of those
will be improvements over current tools being used.

I mostly use Waves Diamond on my PC and on my Mac Logic Pro 9, it has an incredible array of plugins that are included and suites with presets for any type vocals or instruments. Logic is way easy for beginners with it's mastering suites and plugins! Also comes with 6 DVDs of loops both audio and midi.

Hi 90dB,

can you point me to a link? I can't find one that works.
thanks

This link to Antress is working. The "download here (v4.95)" is the full package.

http://antress.blogspot.com.au/

thanks it worked.