Ableton Forum

UKRuss wrote:I think whether they are game changers or not depends on how you use them mostly. Otherwise you're probably just getting lists of plugs that people have actually got.

+1

I'm aware of that... I know that an ear is the greatest tool. There are plugs, however, that do what "you can't do" by simply processing something through it or that change the name of the game by its innovation/quality/superiority? Or that give you "movie-quality" sound as opposed to just "professional audio"? Sonic Processors, Mastering tools, Delays, Reverbs, etc... anything... BBE's sonic maximizer is one of them... true, it pays to understand its simple controls, but in general, throw anything through it and it sounds better... So, any other suggestions for plugs that fit this criteria?

UKRuss wrote:I think whether they are game changers or not depends on how you use them mostly. Otherwise you're probably just getting lists of plugs that people have actually got.

+1
like a lot of people I have a lot of software. Omnisphere, Soundtoys, great stuff. None of it's a game changer unless it addresses a need. Fabfilter Pro Q was like that, I needed an eq that I liked enough to feel confident using it. Same with a soft synth, compressor, anything- it's about liking it enough to learn it inside out.

The real game changers are the big things. Ableton's workflow was huge. For me the next real game changer has got to be hardware. A Black Lion Audio interface, great mic pre amp, analog synth- in that order. Then probably a Royer ribbon mic and a drum machine. It will take me years to come up with all that dough, but it's all about hardware for me. I'm happy with my software for now.

I think I misunderstood the question. Movie quality sound involves a lot of things, namely tens of thousands of dollars. It's not one plugin, but I know what u mean. Maybe more sound shaping tools, almost towards mastering ideas but in tracking & mixdown stages. Like the link posted earlier with the Trent Reznor endorsement is probably more what you're thinking. For sound design itself though, Max for Live can't be beat. Look at Henke and Klein's stuff, awesome.

The pass back rule made a huge change to the game

infiniteB wrote:I'm aware of that... I know that an ear is the greatest tool. There are plugs, however, that do what "you can't do" by simply processing something through it or that change the name of the game by its innovation/quality/superiority? Or that give you "movie-quality" sound as opposed to just "professional audio"? Sonic Processors, Mastering tools, Delays, Reverbs, etc... anything... BBE's sonic maximizer is one of them... true, it pays to understand its simple controls, but in general, throw anything through it and it sounds better... So, any other suggestions for plugs that fit this criteria?

well, i don't really get you. there are no magic plugs out there, yes there are high quality and low quality plugs around, many of the high quality ones have been mentioned, like Voxengo, Sonalksis, UAD, URS, Waves, etc... to name but a few...

but there is honestly no wonder just slap it on plug around, you need to know exactly what you do, no matter if you use a crap or divine sounding plug.

there are a few plugs that make several things at the same time and save you some work, for example, like most of the maximisers don't do anything you can't achieve with a 'normal plug chain' but that requires even more to know what you are doing and is a bit more work intense... i say just use good quality plugs and learn how to use them, instead of waisting time searching for the wonder plug. it makes you a better producer and engineer in the long run.

all that said, if i understand you correctly?

Ok, not to sound however this sounds, but I understand this. I have been making music for many years, and because of this have learned to not look for something that doesn't exist (don't get me wrong-- I can understand and do not take offense to how someone could see just the opposite in my question). With that said, there are certain plugs wherein the basic technology / method of sonic reproduction / originality of the chain itself produces (maybe with a little tweaking) a sound (not necessarily a 'final' sound, but maybe) that inspires (hell, even speakers themselves, with out any other help, can do this as speakers that aren't flat simply reproduce sound, un-flat as they may be, appeasing to the ears in ways very few speakers are... take some British companies, for instance).... BBE sonic maximizer is a plugin that does just this (to me and to others, maybe not to all- this is subjective) upon JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING (no, not 100% of the time, but a lot for sure)... My questionb is the type of question that is asked by one of two types of people - the first being someone who has no idea what he/she is talking about as they are looking for something that doesn't exist, an "easy way out", a "magic solution". The second type of person is one who understands dimensions in mixing (amplitude, panning, reverb), seperation of frequency, song structure, filters, synthesis, oscillation, automation, dBs, velocity versus amplitude, timbre, envelopes, EQ, etc, etc, yet is looking for that plugin that subjectively does just what one should "never" assume a plgin can do... I have had plugins wherein just the default preset itself on a particular track/instrument makes an instrument/track sound so much fuller/clearer/nicer/etc... By no means am I saying never explore or learn how to use a plugin, but why break what doesn't need fixed? At the very least, why not go to a plugin as YOUR magic box (again not saying to never tweak or simply assume you can just slap it on EVERY time with no work)..Yes, I know this is subjective.Those who get what I am asking though, any other plugins?

with that detailed explanation...you couldn't be more vague!

is this a quiz...?
what's the word your looking for...ehm inspiring...inspiring.. ehm what?
inspiring...presets? fx? synths ? production secrets...? rack chains?

what?

the amplitude vs. velocity...oscillations..kind of guy...is that you?
or are you the first?
I don't get it.

Ok The Sonnox Inflator I think qualifies. It makes nearly everything I put through it sound better. It has a knack of pulling details to the front like some compression but it doesn't effect the dynamics. I have it about 2 months and there was one track I was mastering myself (to some people this may forfeit my opinion) where I couldn't use it due to it distorting on all settings. It will usually distort on some settings but theres only 3 faders and 3 buttons!!! Ilok only.

The BBE D82 I agree is always good but sometimes only in tiny tiny amounts, I find it can easily wash out the mids.

Every plug in I use makes things sound better.

If it didnt, I wouldn't use it.



Btw, I'm not that mad keen on the sonic maximiser, it's good on some things, not on others. Great on guitars!

+mf100000000.9

3dot... wrote:with that detailed explanation...you couldn't be more vague!

is this a quiz...?
what's the word your looking for...ehm inspiring...inspiring.. ehm what?
inspiring...presets? fx? synths ? production secrets...? rack chains?

what?

the amplitude vs. velocity...oscillations..kind of guy...is that you?
or are you the first?
I don't get it.

lol... i said what i had to in order to squeeze a few more answers out. Otherwise, the "you can't" and "you'll never just find" and "there is no magical..." arguments, once again, would have ended conversation in which I was looking for something different. A thorough disclaimer was the only way I knew how to continue it...