Sonar Platinum Plug Ins...

Sure - The new lp and eq plugins in sonar platinum are great mastering processors, and the eq in the pro channel is extremely useful as well.
 
The compressors available in the pro channel are pretty good, although I will often gravitate to something with more functionality.  I recently grabbed the waves api suite - as waves is having a sale over the summer, and have found that their compressor has a very sweet high end even when you really hit it hard.
 
As far as a d-esser Im not aware of one specifically in the sonar package - but I havnt really looked as I often use the one in izotope's alloy 2.  You can however use just the upper mid band of the sonitus to do the same thing.
 
As far as verb - I moved into the psp line last year after sampling the spring verb from them on guitars.  I think its very well done - I soon grabbed their award winning 2445 plate verb - which emt now endorses, and it has become my go to verb.
 
Best
David

Hey, thanks so much guys.

Yes, knowing how to use/manipulate the plug ins that are built in does really help, so maybe I should buckle down and really try to work with, for instance, Breverb, before running to another verb.

Many people are pushing the Waves stuff to me. Gonna read some more about them now.

Thanks, Scook, good tip.

I just read about the Waves CLA Vocals bundled with some other stuff for only 99.00. Anyone have any experience with this plug in? The video shows that's its superfast in applying multiple effects on a vocal, as well as many presets you can tweak.

I don't generally like the Waves "catch all" plugins, although I have to admit CLA Bass can work really well. You can try out any Waves plugin for free for a week (or longer? not sure).

I have a healthy dose of their stuff but they are not the answer to everything, there are plugins both cheaper and better working in some cases. If you want to dive into a specific category in more detail you'd probably get some good suggestions.

That said, my "go-to" plugs are:

Compressor: depends completely on the source and the effect I'm going for. My most versatile option is FabFilter Pro-C2 but I use at least four or five others regularly. The stuff that comes with SPLAT isn't bad and CW's CA2A is really good (extra purchase though, I think).

De-esser: I use FabFilter Pro-DS a lot because I happen to have it and I like the interface. Waves Renaissance DeEsser is pretty good too. But essentially a DeEsser is a specialized version of a multiband compressor so as was pointed out, you could use the upper mid band of the Sonitus multiband compressor.

Reverb: Currently I use ValhallaDSP's VintageVerb and Room a lot. But I actually like BReverb and sometimes still use it. If I need a "real" space I use Waves IR-1 which uses impulses (basically recorded real room responses). SPLAT offers Rematrix for this.

EQ: FabFilter ProQ2 is my favorite general EQ but as was pointed out the LP-EQ and ProChannel EQ are really good and only miss a few options compared to ProQ2. For "flavour" EQ I like a Waves Pultec style EQ I have, I believe SPLAT also has a few in the BlueTubes collection.

Mastering: I don't like to do a lot of my own mastering and I think there are many misconceptions about what mastering is. That said, for a quick fix I use ProQ2 in linear phase mode, Waves Center to deal with some basic stereo issues and one of the various multiband limiters I have.

Use the wallet!
 
Join the GAS-side!
 
Let your boredom flow through you!
 
(there's no emperor emoji so just pretend this guy is wearing a dark hood: )

I thought one of Craig's tips discussed De-Essing using built-in tools but I couldn't find it scrolling thru his master index. Does anyone remember which tip it was in?