Plug-in effects have become the most important tools in a modern producer’s studio setup. The plug-in effect can do literally everything. From adding a gentle touch of reverb to your vocals to mastering a track; from helping to compose a tune to actually mixing one.
As with the virtual instruments before them, plug-in effects were developed to replace expensive hardware. Digital recording just wasn’t cutting it back in the early 1990s. This was because of those expensive analogue pieces that were used for recording throughout the 50s to 70s were ditched in the 80s to ‘do’ digital recording instead.
Read more about this here: https://www.musictech.net/2018/04/essential-guide-plug-in-effects/
Music Recording
Getting up and running in PreSonus Studio One 3
This incredible music production software is available for both Mac and Windows and comes in three versions: Studio One Prime, Artist, and Professional. Prime is free, Artist around £80/$120 and Prime around £340/$480.
The Prime and Artist versions lack many of the virtual instruments and effects that you get with Professional. You also get more options to mix your music in different ways with Professional. plus more direct connectivity with music websites like Soundcloud. However, Artist is also a very good DAW option and you can often get it bundled free with Presonus hardware.
Read more about this here: https://www.musictech.net/2018/04/getting-up-and-running-presonus-studio-one-3/
Antares Auto-Tune Pro Now Available
Antares Technologies, the global leader in professional vocal processing tools, announced that Auto-Tune Pro is now available. For two decades, Auto-Tune has remained the industry standard for natural, real-time pitch correction and vocal effects. With Auto-Tune Pro, Antares has incorporated its most advanced engineering innovations.
Auto-Tune Pro features a sleek, intuitive interface that has been redesigned for streamlined workflow, offering new modes to help users work smarter and faster, whether they’re novices or seasoned pros. The update adds ARA support and incorporates user-requested features such as Classic Mode for creating the legendary Auto-Tune 5 sound.
Read more about this here: https://ask.audio/articles/antares-autotune-pro-now-available
Universal Audio releases Lexicon 480L plug-in
Universal Audio has released the Lexicon 480L Digital Reverb and Effects plug-in, an emulation of the popular studio reverb unit. It includes all of the legendary original reverb and modulation algorithms, a re-creation of the “LARC” remote, and more than 100 artist presets.
Now available exclusively for UAD hardware and UA Audio Interfaces, it is the world’s only Lexicon-endorsed emulation of this classic studio reverb – expertly capturing its unique, infinitely moldable ambience and modulation splendour. Combined with its unique four-voice Twin Delay algorithm, the Effects algorithm turns the 480L into a versatile multi-effects system with unending creative potential.
Read more about this here: https://www.musictech.net/2018/11/universal-audio-releases-lexicon-480l-plug-in/
Reverb Plug-Ins Every Producer Should Know
Reverb is an effect that’s used so often that sometimes people tend to take it for granted. However, there are many different reverb options out there for those who are a bit more discerning about the space they place their mixes in.
I’m going to make up a list of standout reverbs by type, with two or three plug-ins mentioned in each category. These are the Convolution Reverbs, Algorithmic Reverbs, Emulations, and FX-Oriented Reverbs. Modern reverb plug-ins offer so many options that it can be hard to decide which plug-ins to choose.
Read more about this here: https://ask.audio/articles/reverb-plugins-every-producer-should-know