• LUNA Recording System is the new full-featured music creation and recording system from Universal Audio, exclusively made for Thunderbolt-equipped UA audio interfaces including the industry-standard Apollo and Arrow.
• Auto-Tune is everywhere and everyone is using it From slight pitch correction to some cool robotic sounds, pitch correction software can be extremely useful. T-Pain made this effect very popular, but it’s also been used by a lot of other artists such as Daft Punk, the Black Eyed Peas, and more. Auto-Tune can be used The 8 Best Free Auto-Tune VST/AU Plugins of 2020!

VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology. There are three types of VST plug-ins:

• VST instruments: These plug-ins generate audio and are either virtual synthesizers or samplers. Many VST instruments emulate the appearance and sound of famous hardware synthesizers. Popular VSP instruments include Massive, FM8, Absynth, Sylenth 1, Reaktor, Gladiator, Vanguard, and Omnisphere.
• VST effects: Effects process audio instead of generating it. VST effects function like hardware audio processors, like reverbs and phasers.
• VST MIDI effects:MIDI plug-ins process MIDI messages and send MIDI data to other VST instruments and hardware.

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VST Plug-ins

VST plug-ins can be used within a digital audio workstation, in programs like Pro Tools and Logic. They’re frequently used to emulate hardware outboard gear such as compressors, expanders, equalizers, and maximizers. You'll frequently find these distributed to emulate certain models of hardware; there's some for vintage compressors, and you'll frequently find effects that emulate vintage hardware (both in instrumental and stompbox-like effects).

Think of VST plug-ins as really affordable ways to make your home studio sound like a really expensive commercial operation.

VSTi Plug-ins

Aside from VST plug-ins, you'll also find VST-instrument or VSTi plug-ins. These can emulate really cool, but expensive, hardware (like Hammond B3 and Nord Electro). The quality of these VSTi plug-ins can vary from acceptable to really poor; it all depends on the quality of your system resources (RAM and scratch space on your hard drive, for example), and how well-sampled the instrument is. You also want to make sure that your VSTi plug-in offers true polyphonic content, meaning you can make life-like chords that don’t sound too artificial.

Quality

There are thousands of plug-ins available. Some only take a few hours to produce and are free, but the quality is terrible. Some are made by huge companies and sound amazing, but are expensive. VST plug-in developers try to recreate the sound as closely as possible, but the original instrument is probably always going to sound better than the plug-in. You might be trying to get the rich, full-bodied sound of an organ, for example, but who owns an organ? No one has access to every type of instrument, so a plug-in will have to do. The good news is that VST plug-in technology is improving, so quality can only get better with time.

VST Plug-in Standard

Created by Steinberg, a German musical software and equipment company, the VST plug-in standard is the audio plug-in standard that allows third-party developers to make VST plug-ins. Users can download VST plug-ins on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. The vast majority of VST plug-ins are available on Windows. Apple’s Audio Units are standard on Mac OS X (it’s actually considered a competing technology), and Linux lacks commercial popularity, therefore few developers create VST plug-ins for the operating system.

Where to Find VST Plug-ins

There are thousands of VST plug-ins available, both commercially and as freeware. The Internet is flooded with free VST plug-ins. Home Music Production and Bedroom Producers Blog have robust lists of VST plug-in recommendations, and Splice and Plugin Boutique also offer a ton of free plug-ins.

Article Content

If you’ve seen my video tutorials, you know I tend to mix with a lot of UAD plugins.

Here’s a roundup of my ten go-to plugins as well as some mix tips for each.

1. Studer A800

If I had to choose just one plugin from UAD, this would be it. It’s a mainstay on my drum buss and other sub-aux tracks. It can also really warm up a master buss and is excellent on lead vocals and close-miked drums.

There are so many tonal options with this plugin—it’s like an EQ, compressor, saturator, signal destroyer all in one.

Tip: Experiment with the “bias setting”—try bringing it down to just before the signal starts breaking up, and then push the input for instant vintage saturation and excitement. /vst-plugin-maker.html.

2. Neve 33609 Compressor/Limiter

This compressor, which models the classic Neve hardware, is a regular on kick, snare, drum buss and master buss.

If you’re looking to “glue” multiple sources together and add instant excitement without killing your dynamic range, this is my favorite compressor.

Tip: Send your bass in parallel to the 33609 and push the input to add excitement and vibe, while still maintaining the dynamics of the original signal.

3. Neve 1073

Depth, clarity, bite, mayhem—normally I choose a specialty EQ to add one of these qualities to my audio, but the 1073 can achieve all of it and more. It’s super smooth and I’d describe it as “forgiving” on vocals, but it works on pretty much anything.

Tip: Use this in Unison in conjunction with an Apollo interface, and set it to mic level when recording electric guitar (make sure to turn the output way down) for the most absurd, fuzzy, 70’s lead guitar tone I’ve ever achieved in the box.

4. Manley Massive Passive

The original hardware unit is one of the most widely used equalizers in mastering. Try this plugin, add a generous amount of 12 or 16 kHz to the two-buss and you’ll see why.

Tip: Run this in parallel on lead vocals or a vocal aux, and add a substantial amount of gain (anywhere from 1 kHz to 27 kHz) to add whatever the vocal might be missing—whether it’s bite, clarity or air. Be mindful not to push the volume of that aux track too much. The high-end is unmatched.

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5. Harrison 32C

A great Swiss Army Knife equalizer. Intuitive, and easy to use, but also full of character and interesting tones.

Tip: Whereas the upper midrange of most plugin equalizers can be harsh and brittle, this EQ is really pleasing in that range. Try it on electric guitars, with a couple dB of gain (anywhere from 1 – 3 kHz) for bite without the fatiguing quality that other plugins can sometimes add.

6. LA-2A Collection

Despite having minimal controls, this emulation of the classic hardware compressor is extremely versatile. The fact that you get several variations makes the collection even more powerful.

Tip: These compressors have their own unique tonal characteristics in addition to being adept at managing dynamic range. Experiment with the different versions in the collection before reaching for an equalizer.

7. Ampex ATR-102

This tape emulation plugin is perhaps even more versatile than the Studer A800 given that it has a built in delay and additional tape characteristics. For warmth and midrange vibe, I’ll reach for the A800. For clarity and sheen, I usually choose the ATR-102.

Tip: Experiment with the Wow, Flutter and Noise features to make your VST synths sound more “drifty” and analog.

8. dbx 160

Use it on snare. It’s “that” sound, instantly.

Tip: Seriously: snare drum.

9. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor

It can be intimidating to use this one for the first time if you’re not familiar with the original hardware unit or well-versed in compression, but get past the initial learning curve and it’s one of the most versatile plugin compressors.

Tip: To retain and even enhance the bass response of program material, make sure to engage the sidechain function, and choose the “steel” transformer setting.

10. EMT 140

Another emulation of a classic unit, this is one of the only reverb plugins that “feels” like a piece of hardware.

Tip: Between the different plates, input filter and EQ settings, you’ve got a ton of options. Try doing something drastic like adding 12dB somewhere between 1 kHz – 6 kHz with the plugin’s EQ engaged for any track you want to really stand out. I feel confident “pushing” a lot of these plugins, and the EMT 140 is no exception.

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If you've seen my video tutorials, you know I tend to mix with a lot of UAD plugins. Here’s a roundup of my ten go-to plugins as well as some mix tips for each. 1. Studer A800 If I had to choose just one plugin from UAD, this would be it. It’s a mainstay on my drum buss and other sub-aux tracks. It

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