The 88RS Channel Strip is fantastic for surgical precision.” The Neve 1081 EQ is great for vocals and acoustic guitars. You can't beat Neve 1073 EQ and 33609 Compressor on drums and guitars. I use all of them and for different reasons, just like I would with the hardware. In the Neve® Classic Console Plug-In Bundle I have all the tone shaping tools that I need to do a great mix. The 3 different models are subtly different and give me tonal flexibility to have a bright, dark, or clean sounding plate. The length adjustment feels real and not digitally manipulated. I can't live without a plate reverb, and the UAD EMT 140 is the closest I've heard to the real thing. The addition of the Rev A, E, and Anniversary models really gives me options!Īnother plug-in set that I use on nearly every mix has to be the EMT reverbs. Vocals, guitars, drums, bass, piano - it does everything. I have a Blackface Rev F that I love, but when I need more than one, I reach for the UAD 1176 Classic Limiter Collection.
“My favorite compressor of all time has to be the 1176. Ryan Hewitt - Engineer (Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Avett Brothers, Flogging Molly) Simply using the CD release version as source audio for lacquer cutting frequently produces inferior results.” Vinyl records just don't have the high frequency headroom that digital does, and so preparing a special set of sound files for lacquer cutting can make the vinyl version much better-sounding and more playable on lower cost cartridges. The third go-to plug-in is the Precision De-Esser, which is especially valuable in preparing master audio for vinyl releases. This is a very powerful and great sounding tool - the "stereo expand" can open up mixes that sound 'boxy' or 'claustrophobic,' the 'MID-HI TUNE"' and 'LC EQ' sections can add subtle sparkle to vocals or instruments depending on choice of turnover frequency in both, and the bass control can clarify or intensify bass timbres. The second is the emulation of the SPL Vitalizer. It is the best sounding, most transparent digital limiter I've ever found, and is particularly useful for acoustic music where coloration is not desired. “For mastering, the UAD plug-in I use most frequently is the Precision Limiter.