Plugins That Sound Expensive: Get Mixes That Sparkle
Not all plugins were created equal.
We explore a range of plugins that sound expensive. These mixing and music production tools are tried and tested processors that add something special.
No matter how vast your plugin library grows, there will always be those select favorites you turn to when a mix needs that extra bit of shine and polish. It could be a vintage tape emulation, an analog-style limiter, or a saturation processor that just manages to produce magical results that you can’t seem to get from the stock plugins in your DAW.
Plugins That Sound Expensive: Universal Audio Ampex ATR-102
The UAD Ampex ATR-102 plugin is an officially authenticated recreation of the legendary 1970s tape machine. While it is designed for mix bus and mastering applications, the ATR-102 can also add warmth, saturation, glue, and tape compression to instrument groups within your mixes. This makes the ATR-102 a useful tool, especially for music that uses predominantly recorded instruments.
Because each circuit component has been carefully modeled, the ATR-102 plugin provides a great deal of control and sonic scope. This lets you add subtle amounts of shine to different areas of your mix or a healthy dose of analog-style tape saturation to the mix in its entirety. With the faster tape speeds, you get a crisper, more hi-fi sound, while the slower settings add more low-end warmth.
You can also choose between different tape reel types and head stacks for more intensive coloration or stereo image enhancement. Overall, the ATR-102 gives you a detailed experience of using a high-end vintage tape machine with calibration EQ, tape hiss, crosstalk, 50/60 Hz hum, wow and flutter, as well as auto-gain, making it ideal for modern production.
*Note that this plugin is on sale at Plugin Boutique (-60%) until 30 November
Plugins That Sound Expensive: Softube Chandler Limited Zener Limiter
The Zener Limiter is a highly sought-after piece of gear used in mixing and mastering workflows that uses vintage-style Zener-diode circuitry from the famous EMI consoles of the 1960s (think The Beatles). Softube has recreated every aspect of this prized analog limiter, allowing you to use it for a range of applications in your DAW to enhance channel groups and your main mix bus.
The first compression mode gives you a subtle character with a 2:1 ratio, similar to the RS124, while the second mode aggressively tames transients with a more modern sound. Then, the Limit setting delivers a character similar to the famous Fairchild, which is ideal for drums and guitars, or for getting that classic rock ‘n roll sound on your mix bus.
The Zener Limiter offers plenty of flexibility with 11 attack time settings, 21 release time settings, two input impedance settings, and a variable sidechain filter, as well as a THD mode for adding saturation without gain reduction. The plugin also has mid-side processing capabilities for targeting specific areas of the mix.
*Note that this plugin is on sale at Plugin Boutique (-80%) until 15 November
Plugins That Sound Expensive: Brainworx Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor Class A
The Brainworx Shadow Hills MC Class A plugin is an official recreation of a limited Class-A version of the legendary compressor with Lundahl transformers and high-end Mogami internal cabling. As a result, this version of the Shadow Hills MC has a slightly different character from the standard version, with a punchier, more responsive sound.
With its two different compression stages, the Shadow Hills MC can be used in a wide range of situations outside of just mastering applications. With the opto stage, you get smooth leveling, while the VCA stage is far more direct and precise. In addition, you also have a choice of nickel, iron, and steel transformer stages, each with different sonic characteristics.
Naturally, Brainworx has enhanced this processor for DAW workflows with features such as Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT), mid-side processing, a variable sidechain high-pass filter, a wet/dry mix control, and a headroom control to customize the gain staging. Overall, the Shadow Hills MC certainly does more than your stock compressor plugin.
*Note that this plugin is on sale at Plugin Alliance (-80%) until 30 November
Plugins That Sound Expensive: Sonnox Oxford Inflator
The Oxford Inflator is a tried and tested saturation enhancer that helps you get individual elements or your entire mix louder and more present without crushing your dynamics. By means of a harmonic processing algorithm and a simple set of controls, the Inflator can push key instruments like vocals, drums, and bass into focus or help you match commercial loudness standards.
With the I/O faders, you can drive the input gain harder and pull the output back for more intense clipping or tape-style saturation, depending on whether the Clip 0 dB mode is active or not. Even if you are doing a ton of shaping to the signal, you can use the Effect control to do parallel processing and balance your wet and dry signals accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Curve control changes the sonic character of the processing from gentle low-end enhancement to tube warmth to a midrange push. In addition, the Band Split mode can be used for more complex material, or you can use the Inflator in rull-range mode for simple direct applications.
*Note that this plugin is on sale at Thomann (-74%) until 17 December
Plugins That Sound Expensive: Relab Development Sonsig Rev-A
The test of a truly great reverb processor lies in its ability to recreate tight, realistic spaces and massive otherworldly ambiences at the same time, so it becomes both a functional mixing tool and a creative instrument for sound design at the same time. With Sonsig Rev-A you have a choice of the modern Rev-A, the classic Lexicon 224, and the gritty Quantec algorithms.
What’s more, there is a modulation section inspired by the ARP Solina that creates a thick, wide effect with multiple voices, ideal for offsetting guitar or vocal parts to improve the overall mix separation. The interface is decidedly simple, which lets you dial in sounds easily and shape the reverb and reflection envelope quickly.
In addition, there are tone shaping controls including a low-pass filter (Brightness), Hi Decay, Tilt, and Low Tilt to adjust how the reverb is sitting in the mix, while the Width control determines the stereo spread. Finally, you can add up to 800 ms of pre-delay or sync this parameter to the BPM grid for timed, musical precision.
*Note that this plugin is on sale at Plugin Boutique (-80%) until 30 November
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