(plus 5 essential free plugin alternatives)
Ever wondered how to get the sound of famous records without needing the expensive studio equipment? Many producers out there will already be familiar with the following list, but until I took the plunge and added these plugins to my toolkit I spent many an hour trying (often failing) to get the sound of my reference tracks - since using these tools, the sound of my mixes and the time it takes to achieve that quality drastically improved overnight.
In the hope they might do the same for you, here are 5 essential plugins for achieving big record sounds (and free alternatives to get you going).
EQ
FabFilter Pro-Q3
EQ's are a fundamental tool in shaping the tonal balance of your tracks. The FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is a go-to choice for many producers and engineers, and whilst the native DAW EQ & specialised EQ’s still get regular use in my sessions, this is the one I turn to most frequently.
Its intuitive interface and transparent sound quality make it perfect for general shaping, precise and surgical EQ adjustments, and here's just a couple of tasty extra features that make it an everyday go-to:
Dynamic EQ capabilities, which enable you to address frequency imbalances that change over time, such as controlling harshness in vocals during loud sections;
Mid/side processing offers advanced stereo sculpting, allowing you to shape the width and depth of your mix with ease
EQ match with side-chaining, to create space in a source sound without the obvious pumping from compression side-chaining
Whether you're subtly enhancing the clarity of a vocal track or surgically notching out problematic frequencies, FabFilter Pro-Q 3's versatility and precision make it a fab tool for any music producer.
Find out more: https://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-q-3-equalizer-plug-in
TDR Nova
For those seeking a powerful and free EQ plugin, TDR Nova is an exceptional choice. This dynamic EQ offers incredible flexibility with its parametric and dynamic EQ capabilities. It's suitable for precise frequency shaping, tonal shaping and controlling problem areas in your mix!
With TDR Nova, you can achieve very similar tonal control to expensive plugins, all without breaking the bank. Even for those with Pro-Q3 it never hurts having some extra flavours up your sleeve!
Find out more: https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova/
Compression
Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor
The Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor emulates the legendary SSL 4000 G Series console's master bus compressor, a staple in professional studios and the most used compressor I’ve seen on summing and bus channels. In fact a variation of this (hardware or software) is almost exclusively what I see producers & engineers use on their summing and bus channels.
It provides punch, warmth, and character to your mixes bringing sounds together naturally, taming dynamic peaks while adding a touch of harmonic richness, resulting in a more cohesive and impactful sound.
By no means the only compressor to have in your arsenal - I would rarely turn to this for compressing individual sounds or in the recording process - but most DAW's have excellent compression emulations built in, making this an excellent choice for those looking to spice up their mixes.
Analog Obsession BUSTERse
There are actually really good alternatives for this in many daws, but for a 3rd party plugin try Analog Obsession's BUSTERse. It provides transparent compression, versatile sidechain options, and a wide range of control over dynamic processing. Whether you're looking to smooth out vocals or add punch to drums, BUSTERse is bang-on!
You can get all of Analog Obsession's plugins for free when you sign up to their Patreon account, starting at around 5$.
Find out more: https://www.patreon.com/posts/busterse-42658623
VST Instrument
Xfer Records Serum
There are plenty of candidates that could fill in here, but as a dance music producer I’m gonna lean towards my tastes - when it comes to creating electronic dance music and achieving the signature sounds found in big records of this genre, Xfer Records Serum is an absolute game-changer. This wavetable synthesizer is a go-to choice for d&b, techno, house, garage & EDM producers worldwide. With its intuitive interface and powerful sound design capabilities, Serum allows you to craft intricate and dynamic electronic sounds that dominate the dance floor.
Serum's extensive wavetable library, versatile modulation options, and flexible routing make it a powerhouse for designing basses, leads, pads, and more. Its real-time waveform editing and visual feedback make the creative process a breeze, enabling you to sculpt sounds that stand out in the mix and drive your EDM tracks to new heights.
And to be honest, I rarely craft my own sounds from scratch - the amount of preset packs out there means you can easily find sounds that you find inspiring and adjust from there to taste.
Whether you're aiming for thunderous drops, melodic hooks, or atmospheric textures, Serum's versatility and sonic depth make it an indispensable tool for electronic music producers seeking to capture the essence of big records in their tracks.
Find out more: https://xferrecords.com/products/serum/
Helm
Helm is an open-source, cross-platform synthesizer that offers advanced wavetable synthesis capabilities. It features a user-friendly interface and a wide range of modulation options, making it suitable for creating dynamic and evolving electronic sounds.
Helm's flexible routing system, rich preset library, and built-in effects provide a comprehensive toolkit for EDM producers. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of Serum, Helm is a powerful and free option for crafting electronic dance music sounds. It's also open source, so if you have the skills you can customise away to your hearts content and really make sounds unique to you.
Find out more: https://tytel.org/helm/
Saturation
Soundtoys Decapitator
Saturation adds warmth, harmonics, and character to your audio, giving it a vintage, analog feel. Soundtoys Decapitator is a saturation plugin that excels at adding grit and color to your tracks. Whether you want subtle tape saturation or full-blown distortion, Decapitator is a versatile tool that can make your sounds stand out in the mix.
Decapitator offers a wide range of saturation flavours, from subtle tape-like saturation to aggressive distortion. It's not just about adding harmonics; it's about shaping the texture of your sound. Whether you want to impart the warmth of a classic tape machine or push your guitars into a wall of sonic fury, Soundtoys Decapitator is the secret weapon to craft memorable sonic landscapes.
I’ll be honest that I’m not completely sold on digital saturation matching the quality of analog yet - Decapitator can sound slightly harsh - but it’s a great option when used tastefully in bringing sounds to life, and I see it used in almost session I attend!
Find out more: https://www.soundtoys.com/product/decapitator/
Softube Saturation Knob
Adding warmth and character to your audio doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag. The Softube Saturation Knob is a free saturation plugin that offers simplicity and sonic richness.
It provides three saturation modes, allowing you to dial in the perfect amount of harmonics and colour to your tracks. It's an excellent choice for giving your sound that analog touch, and with a simple interface that puts focus on sound over dials, its a great addition to any virtual studio!
Find out more: https://www.softube.com/saturationknob
Reverb
ValhallaVintageVerb
ValhallaVintageVerb is a favourite among producers for its lush and authentic reverbs. It offers a wide range of vintage-inspired algorithms, from classic plate reverbs to ethereal halls and gawd-damn does it sound good.
Reverb is the essential ingredient both for creating immersive soundscapes and for bringing depth into recordings - ValhallaVintageVerb is a reverb plugin that excels in this domain. It offers a rich palette of vintage-inspired algorithms, from classic plate reverbs to ethereal halls.
What sets ValhallaVintageVerb apart is its simplicity and affordability without compromising on quality. It allows you to add lush, realistic reverbs that can give your tracks a sense of space and dimension. Whether you're working on ambient textures or enhancing the natural acoustics of an instrument, this reverb plugin has you covered.
Find out more: https://valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/valhalla-vintage-verb/
OrilRiver
Most DAWs have got reverb covered with their native plugins, but if you're on the hunt for a free reverb plugin that can create lush and immersive spaces, OrilRiver fits the bill.
This versatile reverb offers various reverb algorithms, from halls to plates, all with adjustable parameters for tailoring your sound. OrilRiver allows you to add depth and dimension to your mixes without spending a dime.
Find out more: https://www.kvraudio.com/product/orilriver-by-denis-tihanov
These five essential plugins – FabFilter Pro-Q, Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor, Xfer Serum, Soundtoys Decapitator, and ValhallaVintageVerb – are by no means the only plugins that will help you craft rthe recognisable sounds heard on major records. You’ll see
Remember that while these tools are powerful, the most crucial element of music production is your creativity and experience. I’m testing out free equivalents, so when I've got 5 I’m happy to endorse, expect that list to come!
Happy producing!
OH
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