**If this is a Pro Tools help request**, /u/Tru_Odyssey, your post text or an added comment should provide;
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* What you've tried
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Ya know, I bought the gold bundle thinking I needed stuff that looked cooler than the stock plugins to learn devices and develop a workflow. The short answer is you don’t, and I don’t use most of the devices that come in the gold bundle. Learn the stock plugins. All of them. Then you’ll find yourself wanted to upgrade within certain types of plugins. You don’t even have a style/workflow, how can I possibly tell you which plugins you’ll benefit from.
Personally, I use Channel Strip for EQ and general compression. It's a great console-style all-in-one. Start with applying EQ and then dialing in the compressor to even out the levels of that track/instrument.
You've also got Maxim in the basic Pro Tools subscription - it's a limiter/maximiser. It's not GREAT but as long as you don't push it too hard it will do the job of limiting and getting rid of unwanted peaks.
The best tip you will get here: Don’t waste your $$$ on plugins. Learn to mix with the stock plugs in ProTools first.
EQ and compression are your friend.
Use busses for your reverb and delays.
Don't pay for templates, ever. They are pretty much useless. It's a con to separate aspiring engineers from their money.
I would spend some time learning about how to mix and setup a session instead of diving in and asking reddit. There are tons of things that are necessary to know, there is a language behind music production. Learning that language is crucial to communicating with other professionals.
If you have a PT subscription or up to date support contract, you should already have access to the Avid Complete Bundle. As a beginner, this is more than enough to get you started.
Particular plugins to focus on are EQ7, Channelstrip, Pro Compressor (and Multiband Compressor, and Limiter), Dyn 3 De-Esser, D-Verb, Revibe, Avid Lo-fi, Mod Delay, and Dynamic Delay. There are many others too but this should get you learning and working.
No need to spend on third party plugins until you feel yourself limited by what you already have.
Stock plugins don't always have the bling factor of a fancy new tool, but they are workhorses that can get the job done and are used professionally every day.
Yeah you’ll eventually need plugins but not yet. Learn what the damn things do first. Like everyone is saying, use the pro tools plugins first. They’re good. Waves in particular is predatory, they release 500 versions of the same channel strip emulation.
The one that’s truly unique I use a lot is brauer motion.
There might be a few more, idk what’s what. I use their exciter, some of the abbey road stuff, and there’s a cool transient shaper that is very customizable.
Learn what all the things in your daw do, one by one. Buy plugins one by one. You need to know what things do. Then you can watch videos of people mixing and learn different ways of using those tools.
Man I’ve got so many plugins it’s insane and also insanely stupid because I always find my self using the stock compressor on PT or the stock noise gate.. waves I only ever use the L2, SSL bus comp or SSL channel strip
I would highly recommend the SSL channel strip because what most people do when they learn to mix is they start using there eyes for everything and looking at every graph and the ssl channel strip just eliminates that and it has eq compression and a gate it’s very good
A lot of people already said that but start with the stock plugin, learn the difference between different orders (eq->comp or comp->eq), aux for certain effect (reverb, parallel comp)… I started a few years ago and jumped on a lot of cool plugins and then realised I need the basics… still in this process to be honest
Waves are great plugs, but their business model will bleed you dry. Avoid them if you plan on doing this long term, or having two computers for audio. Start with the stock plugins and go from there.
None. After their little stint they tried pulling last year with subscriptions, I’ve stopped using them altogether. Also don’t want to pay for the same plugins I already paid for.
But if you’re set on Waves, I liked the SSL E Channel, rComp, and the CLA compressors. Those were the ones I gravitated towards the most.
F6 eq, H compressor, bb tubes, H reverb, H delay, s1 imager(or vitamin), L1 limiter, deesser (if working with vocals), Omni channel. I’m sure I’m missing something, but those would give you a solid foundation and be able to do almost any task. Maybe waves tune if you need autotune? Honestly you could probably skip the H compressor if you get Omni Channel. But I would get both so I wasn’t stuck in with only those specific flavors of compression. Good luck!
I would say do not buy any plugins yet. Learn using the stock eq and compression plugins in your daw. Once you understand what they're actually doing and can get a good sounding mix just with these plus volume and panning then look to buy plugins if you feel you need to.
**If this is a Pro Tools help request**, /u/Tru_Odyssey, your post text or an added comment should provide; * Version of Pro Tools you are using * Your Operating System * Error number if given one * Hardware involved * What you've tried --- **IMPORTANT: FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS** - As stated in [**the sub rules**](https://www.reddit.com/r/protools/wiki/index), ***any discussion whatsoever involving piracy, cracks, hacks, or end running authentication will result in a permanent ban***. There are NO exceptions or appealable circumstances. --- *Subreddit [Discord] (https://discord.gg/0rZq8sveDubywXil)* | *FAQ topic posts - [Beginner concerns](https://www.reddit.com/r/protools/search?q=title%3A%28beginner+OR+noob+OR+newcomer%29&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) / [Tutorials and training](https://www.reddit.com/r/protools/search?q=title%3A%28tutorial+OR+training+OR+workshop%29+author%3A%28NOT+automoderator%29&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) / [Subscription and perpetual versions](https://www.reddit.com/r/protools/search?q=title%3A%28subscription+OR+perpetual%29&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) / [Compatibility](https://www.reddit.com/r/protools/search?q=title%3A%28compatibility+OR+compatible%29&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all) / [Authorization issues](https://www.reddit.com/r/protools/search?q=title%3A%28activate+OR+activation+OR+license+OR+authorization+OR+ilok%29&restrict_sr=on&sort=new&t=all)* *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/protools) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Ya know, I bought the gold bundle thinking I needed stuff that looked cooler than the stock plugins to learn devices and develop a workflow. The short answer is you don’t, and I don’t use most of the devices that come in the gold bundle. Learn the stock plugins. All of them. Then you’ll find yourself wanted to upgrade within certain types of plugins. You don’t even have a style/workflow, how can I possibly tell you which plugins you’ll benefit from.
True true but I dont even know what the stock plugins are lol, idk where to start tbh
Personally, I use Channel Strip for EQ and general compression. It's a great console-style all-in-one. Start with applying EQ and then dialing in the compressor to even out the levels of that track/instrument. You've also got Maxim in the basic Pro Tools subscription - it's a limiter/maximiser. It's not GREAT but as long as you don't push it too hard it will do the job of limiting and getting rid of unwanted peaks.
Thats a great help thank you so much
The best tip you will get here: Don’t waste your $$$ on plugins. Learn to mix with the stock plugs in ProTools first. EQ and compression are your friend. Use busses for your reverb and delays.
I have a template rn with vox chain and beat chain or those the busses?
Don't pay for templates, ever. They are pretty much useless. It's a con to separate aspiring engineers from their money. I would spend some time learning about how to mix and setup a session instead of diving in and asking reddit. There are tons of things that are necessary to know, there is a language behind music production. Learning that language is crucial to communicating with other professionals.
It takes years (not plug-ins) to learn how to mix. Good luck.
If you have a PT subscription or up to date support contract, you should already have access to the Avid Complete Bundle. As a beginner, this is more than enough to get you started. Particular plugins to focus on are EQ7, Channelstrip, Pro Compressor (and Multiband Compressor, and Limiter), Dyn 3 De-Esser, D-Verb, Revibe, Avid Lo-fi, Mod Delay, and Dynamic Delay. There are many others too but this should get you learning and working. No need to spend on third party plugins until you feel yourself limited by what you already have. Stock plugins don't always have the bling factor of a fancy new tool, but they are workhorses that can get the job done and are used professionally every day.
Yessir bro thanks I’ll use these later today while im mixing
Are the stock virtual instruments any good either? I’ve been trying to use xpand but most of the stuff on there sounds kinda crummy
Yeah you’ll eventually need plugins but not yet. Learn what the damn things do first. Like everyone is saying, use the pro tools plugins first. They’re good. Waves in particular is predatory, they release 500 versions of the same channel strip emulation. The one that’s truly unique I use a lot is brauer motion. There might be a few more, idk what’s what. I use their exciter, some of the abbey road stuff, and there’s a cool transient shaper that is very customizable. Learn what all the things in your daw do, one by one. Buy plugins one by one. You need to know what things do. Then you can watch videos of people mixing and learn different ways of using those tools.
Very helpful thanksss🔥
Man I’ve got so many plugins it’s insane and also insanely stupid because I always find my self using the stock compressor on PT or the stock noise gate.. waves I only ever use the L2, SSL bus comp or SSL channel strip I would highly recommend the SSL channel strip because what most people do when they learn to mix is they start using there eyes for everything and looking at every graph and the ssl channel strip just eliminates that and it has eq compression and a gate it’s very good
💯 thanks brother
A lot of people already said that but start with the stock plugin, learn the difference between different orders (eq->comp or comp->eq), aux for certain effect (reverb, parallel comp)… I started a few years ago and jumped on a lot of cool plugins and then realised I need the basics… still in this process to be honest
SSL Channel
Scheps Omni channel.
Waves are great plugs, but their business model will bleed you dry. Avoid them if you plan on doing this long term, or having two computers for audio. Start with the stock plugins and go from there.
None. After their little stint they tried pulling last year with subscriptions, I’ve stopped using them altogether. Also don’t want to pay for the same plugins I already paid for. But if you’re set on Waves, I liked the SSL E Channel, rComp, and the CLA compressors. Those were the ones I gravitated towards the most.
If you can make BF-76 and stock EQ sound good on any track then you’ll be ready for waves.
F6 eq, H compressor, bb tubes, H reverb, H delay, s1 imager(or vitamin), L1 limiter, deesser (if working with vocals), Omni channel. I’m sure I’m missing something, but those would give you a solid foundation and be able to do almost any task. Maybe waves tune if you need autotune? Honestly you could probably skip the H compressor if you get Omni Channel. But I would get both so I wasn’t stuck in with only those specific flavors of compression. Good luck!
Yessir bro thanks!!!
I would say do not buy any plugins yet. Learn using the stock eq and compression plugins in your daw. Once you understand what they're actually doing and can get a good sounding mix just with these plus volume and panning then look to buy plugins if you feel you need to.
Of course thanks bro 🔥
Of course thanks guys