[Lyrical]

Hi guys I just wanted to add to this and tell you about some plugins that I find invaluable.

I always run the latest Pro Tools software. Now running PT 12.

First off, if anyone isn't using Pro Tools I would highly recommend it. It is the industry standard and it's no longer that expensive. Like most companies they have moved to a subscription model so it can be had for a small amount of money per month, or annually (which is what I do now).

Plugins wise. WAVES plugins are incredible. They can be a little on the pricey side but every weekend they have random plugins massively discounted. WAVES plugins are used by the best of the best in the industry and as such they have great licensing deals. For example, "super producers" like Chris Lord Alge have their own personalised series of plugins (based on their specific setups) at WAVES. Check em out.

I've more recently moved onto loving stuff by Steven Slate.

Slate started out with his amazing drum software. It's used by everyone. If you listen to any genre top 40, likely most of the tracks on their have some slate processing on them (incidentally just went to their site and see that Chris Lord Alge is now with Slate.... interesting).

They recently launched a subscription model where you get all of their plugins for like $20 per month. Totally incredible stuff.

For some freeness check out Amplitube 4 by IK Multimedia. This is an EXCELLENT guitar modelling package that is essentially free, BUT if you want officially licensed amps by companies like Mesa Boogie, Fender, Diezel, Dr Z, ENGL etc etc (seriously, every big amp company has a software model on Amplitube) then you can trial them for free and then buy them a la carte for like $30 each.

I use WAVES H-Delay, WAVES Tune and everything else by Slate Digital these days.

Links:

Slate: http://www.slatedigital.com
Waves: http://www.waves.com
Amplitube: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/amplitube4/

Hope someone finds something new here :-)

[Boydie]

I agree with the list, although I am not sure PRO TOOLS is that necessary nowadays

It is absolutely still the "industry standard" (based on a history of providing very good service and support) and most big studios have such an investment in kit, licences and training it is a big barrier to switching

Anyone starting out has MANY more excellent options, many of which do lots of things better than PRO TOOLS - and are a lot cheaper - Cubase, logic, Studio One, Sonar, Reaper etc.

Waves stuff is great and I lucked out getting the GOLD bundle of a ridiculously cheap amount during one of their many sales

[Lyrical]

Ooft Boydie

I agree there are many other options, but "more excellent options"...

#agreeToDisagree

[Boydie]

Lol - I did actually mean "more" "excellent" options - as in there are lots of different options that may suit an individual better than PRO TOOLS - rather than these options being "more excellent" than PRO TOOLS

However, I do stand by the fact that the other options can do things better than PRO TOOLS and have features PRO TOOLS doesn't - although this is spread across the other options and there is not a single "better than Pro Tools" alternative

I use SONAR Platinum and I wouldn't swap it for PRO TOOLS - although I do use PRO TOOLS in a studio and there are a few features that I would love SONAR to "steal" from PRO TOOLS (and Cubase, and Logic etc.) which has been starting to happen with Cakewalk's monthly update programme

I do think the days of "having to have" PRO TOOLS to be successful have gone and I urge people to try out the cheaper options and alternatives to find a way of working that suits their workflow

PRO TOOLS is definitely a "safe bet" though and you would never go wrong diving in to it - and it has never been easier or cheaper to do so (which has annoyed the existing PRO TOOLS user base that have invested £000s to keep up and someone can just jump straight in for very little)

It is like guitars - having a Fender or Gibson gives instant credibility, but there are many other makes that may be "better" - but they are just not a Fender or Gibson even though you achieve the same end result

You see Fender and Gibson around the necks of the guitar heroes and you know Pro Tools is in the biggest studios in the world so there is definitely a value to being part of this recognised brand

Bottom line - find what works for YOU and your songs/workflow

[Lyrical]

#agree

[MartynRich]

I´d certainly agree about Waves plugins, they are fantastic. I got the Waves vocal bundle on Black Friday at a ridiculous price of 99$ (Note to readers - not used on the songs I´ve posted on here  )

The rest of their stuff seems equally impressive. Native Instruments also do a great free bundle - worth it for the Double Bass alone.

[Chris Perra]

I use mostly UAD..  I also like Softube and Brainworx

http://www.uaudio.com/
http://www.softube.com/
http://www.brainworx-music.de/