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.

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.

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.

I really like the ill methodology video(s), very insightful and along similar lines:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVQ8c19unnM

LOL

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.

GAS keeps me going just long enough to make up for the lack of talent.

ston
I really like the ill methodology video(s), very insightful and along similar lines:
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVQ8c19unnM

Thanks for the link.  I will watch his over the weekend.

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".
 

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.