Favorite Plugin Developers

[Mattyy]

OK.
So. In the last three years, it feels like I've demoed at least a million plugins. My obsession borders on debilitating. BUT. I now feel that I actually have an opinion about the quality of the various offerings out there. AND. I am fairly new to music engineering (last 5-10 years) so I don't have any "romantic" favorites, therefore, I feel like I'm a tad more objective than many as well. So here goes -- in order of preference.

1. Fabfilter: Not a single weak product. Light on the CPU. Easy to use.
2. PSP: Best sounding bar none! A little more resource hungry and harder to get right at times.
3. Soundtoys: Gimmicky but awesome none the less. A tad bit over-hyped imho.
4. Brainworx: They have nailed M/S and EQ imho. Some of their distortion offerings are a bit weak I feel.
5. URS: Very under the radar and limited in scope but they sound really good to me at least.
6. Abbey Road: When they're right - they're right!

NO? Waves: WAYYY too inconsistent :S From truly ingenious to plain awful sounding (Retro Comp vs. Hybrid EQ for instance). McDSP: when they start putting more audio samples online then I may revise my opinion but until then, I assume that absence means... UAD: please start looking forward as well, there will never be another Queen, get over it.

HONORABLE MENTION FOR PAYING FOR PROMO? Slate Digital: The ones that I've used, I've liked but they lack a real range of plugins, they are HEAVY on the CPU and its just really hard to hear the truth over the din of Steven Slate singing lounge tunes
That's it for now.
Your opinions as of March 2013?
Expect my fave software instruments soon.
Thanks

[The_BPP]

You criticise UAD for not looking forward, and yet include "Abbey Road" in your list of favourite plugin developers?

[Scramble]

I am fairly new to music engineering (last 5-10 years) so I don't have any "romantic" favorites, therefore, I feel like I'm a tad more objective than many as well.

Yeah, inexperienced engineers are always the objective ones.

McDSP: when they start putting more audio samples online then I may revise my opinion but until then, I assume that absence means...

You can't tell much from listening to audio samples online, and expressing a negstive opinion of McDSP is on this basis is just a joke. (I hope your demo'ing doesn't just consist of listening to online samples).

UAD: please start looking forward as well, there will never be another Queen, get over it.

Do you actually own a UAD card?

[narcoman]

URS? In the early days defo king of the hill but they just haven't moved on. Not good sounding at all.

Not keen on Waves but for business reasons, they have a few good plugins.

Brainworx are great; the plugin alliance stuff is very good. Something not right about the MS stuff though.

[Dave B]

I'd also query the negative comments about the UAD ecosystem. I'm in the position now of feeling slightly silly for not adopting it over the years.

As mentioned in another thread, for cheap, but nice plugins there are a few from Audio Damage that I like.

TBH, my favourite 'plugin' is the one that Lexicon wrote to let me integrate my PCM96 into the DAW!

[Bossman]

My Favourite plugin developers = UAD

I like some of the Waves plugins.

I also like the Slate Digital plugins

[Bob Bickerton]

UAD all the way.

Bob

[Richie Royale]

One day I'll get the UAD precision suite. I demoed it years ago and the limiter was very good. The Manley would be nice as well.

Otherwise Fabfilter do some nice stuff.

[Mattyy]

You criticise UAD for not looking forward, and yet include "Abbey Road" in your list of favourite plugin developers?

Yup. The TG12412 plugin represents a tone palate that very few have been ever able to use. The RE-201???

Yeah, inexperienced engineers are always the objective ones.

Wow... I know you are but what am I? LOL!!!

You can't tell much from listening to audio samples online, and expressing a negstive opinion of McDSP is on this basis is just a joke.

Can tell even less from youtube videos at NAMM but McDSP seem to love those :S No criticism of McDSP sound - just the fact that they are less than transparent in their business approach. And I demo all I can - trust me

Do you actually own a UAD card?

No. When they start to break new audio ground then I'll be first in line. The Precision line is interesting to me though.. maybe if they upgraded/updated that line as often as they release 1176 and LA2A clones

URS? In the early days defo king of the hill but they just haven't moved on. Not good sounding at all.

URS Saturation vs. whatever else in software saturation. I'm down for a shootout My next step is definitely hardware after this me thinks.

As mentioned in another thread, for cheap, but nice plugins there are a few from Audio Damage that I like.

Thanks! Finally someone who is NOT sponsored by UAD - LOL!! JK guys.. back with the flamethrowers :O

My Favourite plugin developers = UAD. I like some of the Waves plugins. I also like the Slate Digital plugins

...And I don't listen to any music released after 1974 - I know what I like and I like what I know. Don't mean to sound facetious (oops - LOL!) but those three companies probably spend by and far the most on ad space as well... Coincidence :S

Thanks for the input guys.
Sorry admin. Realized after that I probably posted this in the wrong place. My bad.
Will add my soft synth developers soon.
Cheers.

[muzines]

FWIW I find many of the UAD plugins (not all) to be my most used, simple, effective, great sounding, fast and overall *useful* plugins for my music.

I like other plugins as well, of course, but the UAD stuff just works really well for me, other constraints aside. Super useful, great sounding and quick and easy plugins to use. And I don't say that lightly, because I can't use them on my system at all (again) so I am forced to resort to alternatives, very few as which give me a similar level of utility...

[G-Doubleyou]

UAD, next best thing if you can't afford the vintage hardware.

IK plugs, actually sound very good, great bang for the buck.

[Scramble]

>Will add my soft synth developers soon.

Well, plenty of scope for some highly objective "It's not 1974 anymore" slams there!

[Karl H.]

You criticise UAD for not looking forward, and yet include "Abbey Road" in your list of favourite plugin developers?

Yup. The TG12412 plugin represents a tone palate that very few have been ever able to use. The RE-201???

Hilarious, I actually bought a UAD card first and foremost to replace my HW RE-201. I was sick and tired of the maintenance, so I sold that (and my for-parts spare unit) and bought a UAD card for the money I got for them.

Now, SpaceEcho may be an effect you either love or hate, but what it does, it does very well. Dub reggae would not exist without that box or its peers.

Now, I don't consider myself a vintage freak, I appreciate both new and old equipment and think some of the focus on vintage can be a bit silly. But, avoiding vintage just because it's old seems to be just as silly to me. If it sounds good, who cares when it was made?

Other than UAD, I like the Lexicon plugs (Gosh, another imitative plugin!), some of the Audio Damage stuff (DubStation - OK, I'm a delay freak), plus a good selection of free stuff (some great stuff out there, actually, I tend to spend most of my money on synths).

Karl

[Bossman]

Do you actually own a UAD card?

No. When they start to break new audio ground then I'll be first in line. The Precision line is interesting to me though.. maybe if they upgraded/updated that line as often as they release 1176 and LA2A clones

The first 1176 plugin was released in 2001. and they've only just recently updated it 12 years later... i'd hardly call that often.

UAD specialize in emulations. and they are very good at it. Mix engineers still use studios full of hardware.. including real 1176 and LA2A units amongst other classics. To be able to have a plugin that even comes close is great and we should be thankful.. and UAD have been delivering the goods since 2001.. respect to them!

oh yeah, and the RE-201 is the best delay plugin full stop. Love it. Closely followed by the Cooper Time Cube.

[Bossman]

lots of people hate Waves, as a company.. but no one likes companies do they?... everyone loves to hate the corporations etc.. so what..

they make good plugins. and have been doing since at least the mid nineties..they were one of the first plugin developers and they've always been ahead of the game.

I prefer UAD, but if I couldn't have UAD plugins then Waves would be my second choice.

[Chevytraveller]

lots of people hate Waves, as a company.. but no one likes companies do they?... everyone loves to hate the corporations etc.. so what..

they make good plugins. and have been doing since at least the mid nineties..they were one of the first plugin developers and they've always been ahead of the game.

I prefer UAD, but if I couldn't have UAD plugins then Waves would be my second choice.

The reason people hate the corporations and the large companies is that they often tend to treat their customers quite badly, only care about the big name clients and think marketing is all they need to do..
Waves is one of these companies.

There are many great software developers who have a very good relationship with their users but they are quite often the smaller companies who seem to be able to listen and maintain a good dialogue with the buying public

[_ Six _]

Business practice aside I really like Waves plugs. Yes, I've been stung by them but, I would buy their products again. I also quite like Softube. Especially their 1176 FET emulation. That sounds great on drums. I've never been convinced by the amp sims though.

Native Instruments have a few beauties too.

[Bob Bickerton]

Do you actually own a UAD card?

No. When they start to break new audio ground then I'll be first in line. The Precision line is interesting to me though.. maybe if they upgraded/updated that line as often as they release 1176 and LA2A clones

UAD have effectively broken new ground by being better at emulating very good analogue equipment than anyone else.

If you're trying to argue all high end analogue equipment is inferior to 'breaking new ground plug ins' then it may be time to get your ears syringed, if you're not trying to argue that point then UAD wins by default!

It's no coincidence that there's a lot of support for UAD around here - perhaps you should ask why?

Oh and the UAD Precision line is the least interesting of the UAD fare and not because it hasn't been upgraded.

Bob

[_ Six _]

I've never used UAD plugs in anger (I considered getting a card) but I can't really tell much of a difference on the listening tests compared to the Waves stuff. I don't really see the point in paying out for one when I can get the native stuff to run without the additional cost and restrictions of the card. They're not exactly cheap! I could buy a decent mic instead!

The tape plugs might have swayed me but again there's the Kramer Tape and Slate Digi affairs that will run on my iLok without the additional cost.

Maybe I'm missing something!

[A. AuCr]

No love for Variety of Sound? I wind up using his plugs on a lot of channels.

Y'must all be Mac users or sumptin.

[Mattyy]

LOL! Dodges flame throwers
Guess I deserve it for calling out the irrelevant :O "The material sounds great - all nice and Steely Dan polished - but it's about as boring as listening to paint dry." Come on gals/guys - lets give the innovative some love as well as the imitative (as "great" as they are *shrugs*).

UAD, next best thing if you can't afford the vintage hardware.

Couldn't of said it better myself

Well, plenty of scope for some highly objective "It's not 1974 anymore" slams there!

Sheesh - I thought I was being quite witty. Apparently, Matt from UA took it to heart - LOL!!

...To be able to have a plugin that even comes close is great and we should be thankful.. and UAD have been delivering the goods since 2001

I can buy a brand new 1176 for 2 grand here in Canada. I can buy a used one for roughly half of that. I can get the UAD version on my system (Macbook Pro) for a grand plus. Thanks. No second hand option. No chance to preA/B it with PSP Oldtimer. HUH? BTW, there's a shootout UAD beta testers

Re: Waves: they make good plugins. and have been doing since at least the mid nineties..they were one of the first plugin developers and they've always been ahead of the game.

Waves would be a footnote without piracy. It actually kind of worked out for them. Again, they have some ingenious plugs but most sound just awful!!! Do yourself a favour and use only Hybrid EQ on a whole mix... sheesh :S Sorry - I'm pissed at them, my sponsorship deal just ran out and they didn't renew. Can you blame them? And me so charming and all. LOL!!

If you're trying to argue all high end analogue equipment* is inferior to 'breaking new ground plug ins' then it may be time to get your ears syringed, if you're not trying to argue that point then UAD wins by default!

Nope. I'm trying to argue that time moves forward. Technology improves. But, nostalgia rules in this broken down industry. Time to shake it up. New suggestions? I'm interested in new hardware as well if you have any faves

*assuming you mean vintage here as otherwise your statement wouldn't make any sense.

There are many great software developers who have a very good relationship with their users but they are quite often the smaller companies who seem to be able to listen and maintain a good dialogue with the buying public..

Now, I don't consider myself a vintage freak, I appreciate both new and old equipment and think some of the focus on vintage can be a bit silly. But, avoiding vintage just because it's old seems to be just as silly to me. If it sounds good, who cares when it was made?

Wisdom I can absorb and use today in 2013. Thanks guys

My take on the suggestions for what it's worth:
IK: Good stuff - just eclipsed by others imho. Ie. CSR vs Aether
Lexicon: LOL!! Can't take on the Lexicon reps as well :O
Audio Damage: REALLY unique and new but often don't sound great to my (need to be syringed) ears :S
Softube: Like them!! Again - do the FET/Oldtimer shootout and tell me what you think.
Native Instruments: Innovative as HELL. They were WAY up there for me but recent developments have dropped them out of the running as far as I'm concerned. The sound is suffering...
Variety of Sound: DAMN I wish Bootsy would port to AU for me!!!!

For my part - I never said that UAD weren't producing GREAT plugs (how would I know?) I just implored them to get CREATIVE.
Remember creativity?
Thanks again for all suggestions.

[Mattyy]

P.S. RE-201 vs. PSP Echo anyone?
LOVIN' that new plug

[Scramble]

No reps here. Just a few bemused onlookers.

[Dave B]

I'm interested in how you'd define 'Creative'?

One example is that using a Liquid Mix, I can build a custom eq with Neve low end, a couple of bands of mid from an SSL, a high mid from a Pultect and some glossy top end courtesy of an Amek. It would be interesting, but a) is it _creative_ and b) would the effort involved in creating that plugin justify it's use?

There's a reason why people put a Distressor over drums or an LA2A over bass - it works and works well. The $1000 you spend on a single used 1176 will give you the ability to use 1 channel at a time - with a $2000 UAD card, you can have a shedload of channels of all sorts of cool stuff. Surely, the creativity should be in the _use_ of the plugins..?

(better still in the music .. but let's gloss over that part )

I'm not flaming here - genuinely interested in what you consider 'creative'? Maybe we can point to something that you might like...

[Bossman]

I'm interested in how you'd define 'Creative'?

One example is that using a Liquid Mix, I can build a custom eq with Neve low end, a couple of bands of mid from an SSL, a high mid from a Pultect and some glossy top end courtesy of an Amek. It would be interesting, but a) is it _creative_ and b) would the effort involved in creating that plugin justify it's use?

There's a reason why people put a Distressor over drums or an LA2A over bass - it works and works well. The Dave B000 you spend on a single used 1176 will give you the ability to use 1 channel at a time - with a I'm interested in how you'd define 'Creative'?

One example is that using a Liquid Mix, I can build a custom eq with Neve low end, a couple of bands of mid from an SSL, a high mid from a Pultect and some glossy top end courtesy of an Amek. It would be interesting, but a) is it _creative_ and b) would the effort involved in creating that plugin justify it's use?

There's a reason why people put a Distressor over drums or an LA2A over bass - it works and works well. The 000 you spend on a single used 1176 will give you the ability to use 1 channel at a time - with a 000 UAD card, you can have a shedload of channels of all sorts of cool stuff. Surely, the creativity should be in the _use_ of the plugins..?

(better still in the music .. but let's gloss over that part )

I'm not flaming here - genuinely interested in what you consider 'creative'? Maybe we can point to something that you might like... 000 UAD card, you can have a shedload of channels of all sorts of cool stuff. Surely, the creativity should be in the _use_ of the plugins..?

(better still in the music .. but let's gloss over that part )

I'm not flaming here - genuinely interested in what you consider 'creative'? Maybe we can point to something that you might like...

+1 ..the tools are there to be used ..creativity is about how you use the tools. Its about how you use them and what you make with them.

A carpenter doesn't complain about hammers and drills because they are copies of old designs, or because they are unimaginative. They use the hammer to bang in nails, and they use the drill to drill holes.. Its what they make with the tools that counts.

If you have a design that works well, why redesign it... I'm not saying no-one should invent new plugins or tools, but why discount the old trusty designs that everyone else uses to get the job done.