dubdisciple
Max Output Level: -17 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5849
- Joined: 2008/01/29 00:31:46
- Location: Seattle, Wa
- Status: offline
Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
Some of the better audio tutorials on the web are from The Recording Revolution. They are practical, well paced and very informative. His blog today contained and article on plugins that reminded me of how pointless it is to constantly buy plugins when the problem is likely my own skill level: http://therecordingrevolution.com/2013/08/02/why-plugins-are-the-worst-investment-in-your-studio/ He doesn't slam plugins but throw out there that every major DAW includes plugins more than good enough to get the job done and that there is likely something more useful we could do with the money wasted on collecting the vinatge compressor of the month or the latest super filter. When I look at what Sonar offers, I have to agree. The Sonitus Suite alone covers most basic needs and the rest of the included plugins cover just about everything else for all but the most advanced/specialized of users. I'm not going to claim that the bundled plugins will make anyone forget Fabfilter, Waves, etc, but I suspect that a good chunk of us collecting plugins are just wasting money and time that could be better spent on mastering what we have.
|
MachineClaw
Max Output Level: -68 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1116
- Joined: 2012/10/08 00:15:28
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 13:34:37
(permalink)
but but ....but.....I have GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and if I can just find that ONE plugin, tool, gear then that will make me a rockstar and make millions then I will be happy.
a plugin with 2 buttons is desperately needed by me. Button 1 "Make Music" and Button 2 "Make me happy" .....oh and button 3 "Give me more time".......wait...oh yeah Button 4 "make me money" yeah 4 buttons that's what I need! but it will probably require iLok, so sad.
|
dubdisciple
Max Output Level: -17 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5849
- Joined: 2008/01/29 00:31:46
- Location: Seattle, Wa
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 13:38:45
(permalink)
LOL I too am seeking that elusive "Make me ultratalented and Filthy Rich" preset on a VST tha tmagically inserts ite=self into every new project.
|
ston
Max Output Level: -71 dBFS
- Total Posts : 965
- Joined: 2008/03/04 12:28:40
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 13:41:26
(permalink)
☄ Helpfulby dubdisciple 2013/08/02 14:29:53
|
MachineClaw
Max Output Level: -68 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1116
- Joined: 2012/10/08 00:15:28
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 13:42:28
(permalink)
|
doncolga
Max Output Level: -60 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1519
- Joined: 2006/01/03 17:15:48
- Location: Statesboro, GA USA
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 13:42:34
(permalink)
dubdisciple
Some of the better audio tutorials on the web are from The Recording Revolution. They are practical, well paced and very informative. His blog today contained and article on plugins that reminded me of how pointless it is to constantly buy plugins when the problem is likely my own skill level:
http://therecordingrevolution.com/2013/08/02/why-plugins-are-the-worst-investment-in-your-studio/
He doesn't slam plugins but throw out there that every major DAW includes plugins more than good enough to get the job done and that there is likely something more useful we could do with the money wasted on collecting the vinatge compressor of the month or the latest super filter. When I look at what Sonar offers, I have to agree. The Sonitus Suite alone covers most basic needs and the rest of the included plugins cover just about everything else for all but the most advanced/specialized of users. I'm not going to claim that the bundled plugins will make anyone forget Fabfilter, Waves, etc, but I suspect that a good chunk of us collecting plugins are just wasting money and time that could be better spent on mastering what we have.
Bud I agree. GAS and great marketing can be tough to fight.
HP Z220 Workstation I7 3770, 8 GB RAM, Windows 10, Sonar Platinum, RME Multiface II via PCIe, JBL 4326 w/sub, AvanTone MixCubes
|
Mesh
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 27360
- Joined: 2009/11/27 14:08:08
- Location: Online right here!
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 13:51:33
(permalink)
GAS keeps me going just long enough to make up for the lack of talent. 
Platinum Gaming DAW: AsRock Z77 Overclock FormulaI7 3770k @ 4.5GHz : 16GB RAM G.Skill Ripjaws X 250GB OS SSD : 3TB HDD : 1TB Sample HDDWin 10 Pro x 64 : NH-D14 CPU Cooler HIS IceQ 2GB HD 7870Focusrite Scarlett 2i4The_Forum_Monkeys
|
dubdisciple
Max Output Level: -17 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5849
- Joined: 2008/01/29 00:31:46
- Location: Seattle, Wa
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 14:29:34
(permalink)
|
brconflict
Max Output Level: -56.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1891
- Joined: 2012/10/05 21:28:30
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 14:55:36
(permalink)
The article has some good points, especially when it implies buying plug-ins impulsively without knowing the tools you already have, and while you "can" make a killer mix from the plug-ins you may already have (you pretty much can with Sonar Producer's plug-ins), but the use of "killer mix" is VERY subjective! Never forget that. What the writer may deem a killer mix, Chris-Lord-Alge might think is "ok".
Brian Sonar Platinum, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9, MOTU 24CoreIO w/ low-slew OP-AMP mods and BLA external clock, True P8, Audient ASP008, API 512c, Chandler Germ500, Summit 2ba-221, GAP Pre-73, Peluso 22251, Peluso 2247LE, Mackie HR824, Polk Audio SRS-SDA 2.3tl w/upgraded Soniccraft crossovers and Goertz cables, powered by Pass-X350. All wiring Star-Quad XLR or Monster Cable. Power by Monster Power Signature AVS2000 voltage stabilizer and Signature Pro Power 5100 PowerCenter on a 20A isolation shielded circuit.
|
thebiglongy
Max Output Level: -80 dBFS
- Total Posts : 502
- Joined: 2006/01/29 19:20:31
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 15:16:06
(permalink)
Funny thing is, when you think back over the past few years, great music has been made with the most basic versions of many daw's and plugins.
Marketing and the want for new shiny things is a pain in the wallet. A good ear and knowledge of what you have at hand goes a long way.
Sonar x2a Win 7 x64 // i7 930 @ stock speed // Gigabyte x58a-ud3r (rev 1) // 6gb corsair 1600mhz triple channel // ATI HD5450 Samsung EVO 128gb SSD // 2 x WD Black 1tb. M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R
|
brconflict
Max Output Level: -56.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1891
- Joined: 2012/10/05 21:28:30
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 15:29:03
(permalink)
No disagreements there. Look at The White Stripes and how lo-fi their success was. But it doesn't say that plug-ins can't be improved upon. Would you rely on a $1500 Yamaha mixing console to mix down the next Foo Fighters CD? They went after an API console, and liked it enough to not only use it for recording, but also for mix-downs. Would you use a $100 dbx EQ vs. an SSL4000 EQ for a vocal? There's subtle differences. Where ethy both provide the same valuable function, the SSL likely has a character of it's own and certainly has some differences in how it EQ's.
The EQ that comes with Sonar is very well done, and sounds awesome. But I wouldn't compare Waves Q10 to it. The Q10 is old, outdated, and doesn't have the improved functions of the Sonar EQ.
Brian Sonar Platinum, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9, MOTU 24CoreIO w/ low-slew OP-AMP mods and BLA external clock, True P8, Audient ASP008, API 512c, Chandler Germ500, Summit 2ba-221, GAP Pre-73, Peluso 22251, Peluso 2247LE, Mackie HR824, Polk Audio SRS-SDA 2.3tl w/upgraded Soniccraft crossovers and Goertz cables, powered by Pass-X350. All wiring Star-Quad XLR or Monster Cable. Power by Monster Power Signature AVS2000 voltage stabilizer and Signature Pro Power 5100 PowerCenter on a 20A isolation shielded circuit.
|
dubdisciple
Max Output Level: -17 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5849
- Joined: 2008/01/29 00:31:46
- Location: Seattle, Wa
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 15:39:02
(permalink)
I think the point Graham is trying to make is not so much that the plugins in DAWs are better. I doubt anyone would make that argument. I think he is stressing that the need for some of these plugins would be reduced if there was less to fix in post. For many of us, the expense of creating a well treated listening environment would likely produce better results than any additional plugin, even if that plugin was superior to what we have.
|
Beepster
Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
- Total Posts : 18001
- Joined: 2012/05/11 19:11:24
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 17:15:26
(permalink)
Yeah, I'm not too interested in plug ins above what came with my package. The CA2A was a good purchase though and I still want the Concrete Limiter (maybe). What I REALLY want is some Izotope stuff. Ozone and Nectar look like what I need. That and MarkII bass to round out my amp sim collection. If I can't get things sounding okay with all that then I might as well just pack it in.
I will be snagging the Melda suite just because it looks like it will be useful and people seem to like it but that's basically free. At this point I think actual hardware would be more helpful than a ton of expensive plugs. I need a nice vocal mic, a Gibby style guit to do the stuff my Strat clone can't and maybe a little 5 watt tube amp (Blues Champ Junior or similar). Maybe a tube mic pre. Oh and a DI box/splitter thingy. All that is way out of my budget as it is.
|
brconflict
Max Output Level: -56.5 dBFS
- Total Posts : 1891
- Joined: 2012/10/05 21:28:30
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 17:42:34
(permalink)
Yeah, no disagreements. I have a firm belief that the tracking process being right is paramount to a great mix. But I certainly don't believe that's where the expense ends. Even the best photographs in the world need some element of post-processing at the cost of chemicals, dark-room, or Photoshop. Use of the wrong chemicals or cheap Photoshop plug-ins can actually hurt them. Here, use of a low-cost reverb might actually do damage to a great recording. Use of a highly erratic compressor can destroy transients vs. enhance them or thicken them up. Graham is right in every respect and I am splitting hairs here. I'm just emphasizing that sometimes a plug-in will help a recording sound even better. In the case of Sonar, Cakewalk has included some that are profound. I simply suggest that "we" don't take his message into the context that you shouldn't bother with other plug-ins. Just take Graham's approach to buying them. I'll also throw in this last tid-bit. If you see a sale of a plug-in you've been pining for, give it a thought. 
Brian Sonar Platinum, Steinberg Wavelab Pro 9, MOTU 24CoreIO w/ low-slew OP-AMP mods and BLA external clock, True P8, Audient ASP008, API 512c, Chandler Germ500, Summit 2ba-221, GAP Pre-73, Peluso 22251, Peluso 2247LE, Mackie HR824, Polk Audio SRS-SDA 2.3tl w/upgraded Soniccraft crossovers and Goertz cables, powered by Pass-X350. All wiring Star-Quad XLR or Monster Cable. Power by Monster Power Signature AVS2000 voltage stabilizer and Signature Pro Power 5100 PowerCenter on a 20A isolation shielded circuit.
|
dubdisciple
Max Output Level: -17 dBFS
- Total Posts : 5849
- Joined: 2008/01/29 00:31:46
- Location: Seattle, Wa
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 17:46:51
(permalink)
br..no disagreement here. I'm always on the lookout for things that will improve what i already have.
|
John
Forum Host
- Total Posts : 30467
- Joined: 2003/11/06 11:53:17
- Status: offline
Re: Interesting Blog Post I Came Across Regarding Plugins
2013/08/02 17:49:41
(permalink)
Interesting. It confirms what I have said repeatedly that Sonar Pro comes with all the plugins you need to do a great song. And half of those you don't need.
|