Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Thought I would pose a question to the group:

What is your favorite plug-in or VST and why?

I'm thinking about getting the Sonic Sweet by BBE. I've used them in live performances for years, and am thinking about getting the plug-ins to sweeten my overall sound a bit and keep it from sounding too flat.

Does anyone use it or do you have another one you like better?

Thanks!

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
For live performances, I've always used hardware based FX. However, with the advent of digital mixers, they come loaded with all sorts of good FX.

For my studio work, my indispensable plug in is Ozone.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Hey GH - thanks for the note back.

Do you use Ozone directly in BIAB or as a mixing element in RealBand or your DAW?

Thanks!

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,800
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,800
Another vote for Ozone. I use it on the master bus of the DAW’s final stereo mix.

In case it helps, Ozone takes serious computer resources so Izotope offers Alloy. I use Alloy if I was to adjust individual tracks.


BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 139
I figured out how to apply it to all tracks if you want to apply effects prior to exporting tracks as separate .wav files prior to mixing.

When you add your VST plug in, select it to the "combo" bus, and it will apply it to all the tracks, as opposed to just and individual track.


Last edited by jimmadsen; 10/10/18 04:51 PM.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 13,978
Izotope's Ozone 8, Neutron 2 and Nectar 2
Waves' LinMb and CLA Drums.

They are all indispensable for what we do. It would be hard to pick one as they play different roles in our productions.

Bud

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382
K
PG Music Staff
Offline
PG Music Staff
K
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,382
FabFilter's Pro-Q and SoundToys' Decapitator are my go-tos, I throw them on pretty much everything.

I'm also crazy about Waves' API 2500 for compressing drums.

Cheers
Kent
PG Music

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,732
I agree on all the Izotope products...

Here's a fun one:
Izotope Vinyl - FREE




Steve

BIAB/RB 2022, Pro Tools 2020, Korg N5, JBL LSR 4328 Powered Monitors, AKG/Shure Mics.
PC: Win11 PRO, 4 TB M2 SSD, 2 TB HD, 128 GB Memory
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
Originally Posted By: jimmadsen
Hey GH - thanks for the note back.

Do you use Ozone directly in BIAB or as a mixing element in RealBand or your DAW?

Thanks!


I use it in Sonar in the master buss. I also use it in the Sonar vocal buss quite often.

Never use it in BB. BB is a writing and structure tool. Nothing in it makes it to the final mix.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,838
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,838
In order of preference...

1. iZotope's Ozone on the master stereo bus for the final mix.

2. iZotope's Nectar or Waves' 'CLA Vocal' plugin (both are great).

3. CLA plugins

4. Renaissance Bass (from Waves)

5. Reatune (in Reaper), Melodyne


MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 311
I love DMG audio products. I use DMG EQuality as an excellent EQ on any track and DMG Limitless as a final Limiter when mastering. I also like Sonible Smart EQ+ which I prefer to Ozone 8 in making a nice clear final master.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,664
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 7,664

Based on Noel Adams nod to ReaTune in Reaper, I have been using it "on trial" and purchased Reaper just to be a legit and honest user of ReaTune.

I love it.

I have many plug-ins I love, but ReaTune is a gem and my new favorite. It is SO EASY. My other pitch correction stuff drives me nuts. This is so fast, so intuitive, so easy to use. I will use it on all my correction projects.

Thanks Noel.

I guess I have an extra DAW now too.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,838
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,838
David,

You won't be sorry!

Reatune is a great vocal pitch corrector. I also use it on single-note instruments like sax, trumpet, etc., from time to time.

For reference, Reatune uses the same zplane's élastique that BIAB does with Realtracks and Realdrums.

In case it's useful information...

I use Reatune in Manual Correction mode. Since I record my vocals in mono:

  • I de-activate the default "Stereo correction"
  • set the attack time to 80 ms (rather than the default 250 ms)
  • set the "Algorithm" to "élastique 3.2.7 Soloist"
  • use a monophonic "parameter"

This seems to work well enough for me.

For anyone else who is reading this thread and who is interested, Kenny Gioia explains Reatune in the below video clip.



One thing that Kenny doesn't mention in his video is that it's also possible to set the tuning at an angle. This can be useful for enhancing slide effects. When I use it at an angle, I usually finish the note off with a horizontal tuning line at the top if needed. See the image below. (On this image, none of the notes need correcting. I'm just using them to illustrate what I mean.)

Lastly, in the "Project Settings" I set...

  • the "Playback resample mode" to "Better (384 pt sinc)"
  • the "Render resample mode" to "Extreme HQ (768 pt HQ sinc)

I don't know if this helps with ReaTune but since the plugin is pitch shifting, I reason that it's probably better to set these options rather than leave them with their defaults.

Regards,
Noel

Attached Files (Click to download or enlarge) (Only available when you are logged in)
reatune - angle tuning.JPG (26.99 KB, 68 downloads)

MY SONGS...
Audiophile BIAB 2024
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,609
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,609
Originally Posted By: David Snyder

I guess I have an extra DAW now too.


Like many DAWs it has it's benefits, and once you dig in they are plentiful.
If you can, take the time to tinker with it.

Sometimes I open RB/PT and Reaper at the same time, and just drag the tracks from RB/PT to Reaper. Then keep on working in a new environment, that (sometimes) can be more productive, & quicker (like when mixing).
It's different, but worth learning IMHO





Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.

ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.

PG Music News
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.

A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."

"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."

"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."

Happy Easter! Holiday Hours...

2024 is well underway - it's already Easter Weekend!

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are:

Friday, March 29: 8-4
Saturday, March 30: 8-4
Sunday, March 31: closed

Regular hours resume Monday, April 1st - no joke!

Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!

The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!

There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.

If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.

We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!

Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!

There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.

Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,399
Posts732,551
Members38,442
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
danielsk, Mark Morgan, zagrajbarke, Ernest J, Izzy
38,442 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 199
Al-David 132
DC Ron 115
rsdean 85
dcuny 83
Today's Birthdays
(charlie), WobblyGstring
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5