What are the best plugins?

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not an easy question.....

Finding the best plugins for music production can be a game-changer, transforming a mix from good to professional. Whether you’re looking for the right reverb to add depth, a compressor to even out dynamics, or a synthesizer for rich soundscapes, today’s vast selection of plugins offers producers endless possibilities. But with so many options—free and paid, beginner-friendly and advanced—it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start.

So instead of swinging for the fences immediately let's cover some basics...

  1. What are plugins?
  2. What is the difference between VSTs, AUs, and AAX?
  3. What types of plugins are there?
  4. 5 free and rad plugins to start with
  5. The top 10 most popular plugins purchased
  6. About us

What are plugins

A plugin for music is a software add-on used within a digital audio workstation (DAW) to expand its capabilities. It can be an effect, such as reverb or EQ, or a virtual instrument, like a synthesizer or sampler. Plugins allow users to shape, enhance, or generate sound within their music projects.

They come in various formats like VST, AU, and AAX, depending on the platform and DAW. Plugins are essential for modern music production, enabling a wide range of creative possibilities. They can be third-party tools or built directly into a DAW.

What is the difference between VSTs, AUs, and AAX?

VST, AU, and AAX are all plugin formats used in digital audio workstations (DAWs) for processing audio and adding instruments, but they differ in platform compatibility and the DAWs that support them.

  1. VST (Virtual Studio Technology):
    • Developed by: Steinberg.
    • Platform: Cross-platform, works on both Windows and macOS.
    • DAWs Supported: Used in many DAWs like Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Reaper.
    • Usage: The most widely adopted format for both effects and virtual instruments.
  2. AU (Audio Units):
    • Developed by: Apple.
    • Platform: Exclusively for macOS.
    • DAWs Supported: Primarily used in Apple's Logic Pro and GarageBand, but also supported in some third-party macOS DAWs.
    • Usage: Preferred in Apple's ecosystem for deep integration with macOS’s Core Audio system.
  3. AAX (Avid Audio eXtension):
    • Developed by: Avid.
    • Platform: Used on both Windows and macOS but specifically for Pro Tools.
    • DAWs Supported: Pro Tools (the only DAW that supports AAX).
    • Usage: Designed for high-performance, real-time audio processing in Pro Tools, often favored in professional studios and post-production.

What types of plugins are there?

There are several types of plugins available for Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), each serving a unique function to enhance, manipulate, or create audio. Here’s a rundown of the main types:

  1. Virtual Instruments (VSTi)
    • These plugins are software-based instruments that you can play within a DAW, such as synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines.
    • Examples: Serum (synthesizer), Kontakt (sampler), EZdrummer (drum machine).
  2. Effects Plugins
    • Dynamic Processors: Control volume levels and dynamics, including compressors, limiters, expanders, and noise gates.
    • Example: FabFilter Pro-C (compressor).
    • EQ (Equalization): Adjusts the frequency content of audio, balancing highs, mids, and lows.
    • Example: iZotope Ozone EQ.
    • Reverb & Delay: Adds space and depth to audio, simulating environments or echo.
    • Examples: Valhalla Room (reverb), EchoBoy (delay).
    • Distortion & Saturation: Adds warmth or grit, often used in rock, hip-hop, and electronic genres.
    • Examples: Decapitator (saturation), FabFilter Saturn (distortion).
  3. Modulation Effects
    • These alter the audio signal by adding movement and texture, often used to create unique, evolving sounds.
    • Examples: Chorus, flanger, phaser, tremolo.
  4. Pitch and Time Manipulation Plugins
    • Used to adjust pitch and time without distorting the sound quality, perfect for vocal tuning or creative time-stretching.
    • Examples: Melodyne (pitch correction), Auto-Tune, Soundtoys Crystallizer (time manipulation).
  5. Utility Plugins
    • These serve more practical functions, like metering, stereo imaging, and noise reduction.
    • Examples: Waves PAZ Analyzer (metering), iZotope RX (noise reduction).
  6. MIDI Effects
    • Used on MIDI tracks to manipulate how MIDI data is played or interpreted, like arpeggiators, chord generators, and note repeaters.
    • Examples: Cthulhu (chord generator), Ableton’s Arpeggiator.
  7. Mastering Plugins
  8. Multi-FX Plugins

5 Free rad plugins to start with

  1. Valhalla Supermassive (Free) - Valhalla Supermassive is a mind-blowing reverb and delay plugin that’s totally free! Known for its massive, otherworldly sounds, it’s perfect for adding huge spaces and lush, atmospheric textures to your music. Whether you're working on ambient tracks, cinematic scores, or just need a nice reverb for vocals, Supermassive has you covered.
    What Makes It Great:
    • Huge, ethereal reverbs and delays
    • Easy-to-use interface
    • 100% free!
  2. Spitfire Audio LABS (Free) - Spitfire Audio’s LABS series is a collection of high-quality virtual instruments, and the best part? They’re all free. From soft pianos to quirky string ensembles and experimental sounds, LABS has a wide variety of instruments that can add depth and character to any genre. It’s perfect for producers looking to expand their sound palette without spending a dime.
    What Makes It Great:
    • Tons of unique, high-quality instruments
    • Expands your sound library for free
    • Regularly updated with new instruments
  3. TDR Nova (Free) - TDR Nova is a dynamic EQ that’s both powerful and free. It acts like a regular EQ, but with the added ability to compress specific frequencies, giving you super fine control over your mix. It’s perfect for dialing in precise EQ changes, whether you’re cleaning up muddy low-end or boosting vocals. If you’re looking to level up your mixing game, TDR Nova is a must-have.
    What Makes It Great:
    • Combines EQ and compression in one plugin
    • Super flexible and easy to use
    • Great for precise mixing
  4. Xfer OTT (Free) - OTT is a free multiband compressor by Xfer Records that’s become a favorite in the EDM, pop, and hip-hop world. It’s based on the “Over The Top” preset from Ableton Live, and it can really make your sounds punchy, aggressive, and clear. It’s great for adding energy to drums, synths, and even vocals, helping your mix stand out.
    What Makes It Great:
    • Adds punch and clarity to your mix
    • Simple, effective multiband compression
    • Ideal for electronic music and beats
  5. Slate Digital Fresh Air (Free for a limited time) - Add smooth, crisp top end to your vocals, beats, samples & even full mixes in seconds without a single ounce of harshness. Once you hear the difference Fresh Air makes, you’ll never want to go without it. And the best part? You can get Fresh Air FOR FREE! But only for a limited time, so get yours now!

Top purchased plugins

Here are ten of the most popular and frequently purchased plugins for DAWs, widely favored by music producers for their quality, versatility, and unique sound-shaping capabilities.

  1. Serum by Xfer Records - Known for its powerful wavetable synthesis, intuitive interface, and high-quality sounds, Serum is a staple for electronic music producers.
  2. FabFilter Pro-Q 3 - This EQ plugin is praised for its flexibility, precision, and transparency. It’s used in all genres for its intuitive interface and excellent visual feedback.
  3. iZotope Ozone - Ozone is an all-in-one mastering suite offering EQ, compression, and imaging tools, making it one of the most comprehensive mastering plugins.
  4. Soundtoys Decapitator - Decapitator is a go-to for analog saturation and distortion, perfect for adding warmth, grit, or edge to sounds.
  5. Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor - Modeled after the classic SSL console, this compressor adds punch and glue to mixes, making it a favorite for mastering and drum bus processing.
  6. Native Instruments Kontakt - Kontakt is a sampler plugin and virtual instrument powerhouse, allowing access to extensive libraries across genres, from orchestral to EDM sounds.
  7. Valhalla VintageVerb - Valhalla plugins are renowned for their high-quality reverb, with VintageVerb offering a warm, analog-style reverb sound popular across genres.
  8. Auto-Tune by Antares - The industry-standard pitch correction tool, Auto-Tune is essential for both subtle tuning and stylistic vocal effects in genres like pop, hip-hop, and R&B.
  9. Waves CLA-76 Compressor/Limiter - Modeled after the classic 1176 compressor, this plugin is prized for its fast response and ability to add punch to vocals, drums, and more.
  10. Arturia Analog Lab - This plugin offers a massive selection of analog synthesizer sounds, based on Arturia’s suite of modeled vintage synths, perfect for warm, classic tones.

About us

Maastr is an AI online mastering service, that tackles music mastering in a more holistic way than our competitors, creating a better end result. It comes from leveraging 20 years of experience from our lead mastering engineer Jay Maas. Maastr is run by Jay and a small team of music and community enthusiasts.

You try our product out for free, and see what all the fuss is about.

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