Thinking out of the box

Technorati Tags: mixing out of the box,FMR RNC,Overstayer Compressor,plugins,hardware

There is an old saying, “what comes around goes around” that I’ve heard applied to many things. Fashion, cars, whatever you can think of has a trend and then disappears for a while, then comes back sometimes in better form, sometimes not.

I’m noticing a lot of software manufacturers releasing plugins that emulate and model vintage gear. These plugins go for a premium price because of the gear that the tend to try and copy. But I’ve been noticing a quiet revolution of sorts….

While the market trend is to buy these software emulations the prices on some of the real hardware is coming down below the cost of the software. For example, the Lexicon LXP plugin bundle sells for $399. You can buy a real LXP for around $150. Now, I know that there are advantages to using plugins like being able to load as many as you want, I get that. But there are advantages to hardware as well….like the sound! There are ways around the limits of hardware within in DAW as well.

There are new manufacturers that are creating NEW world class hardware now for the same cost or less than a premium plugin would cost. For example, FMR makers of the “Really Nice Compressor” and Overstayer Recording Equipment makers of the “Overstayer” compressor which is being heralded on line as the next classic to rival the 1176. Both sell way under what some of the software packages do.

Both have advantages and disadvantages that you have to weigh to figure out what works best for you. Hardware requires maintenance, software doesn’t. Software requires a license key or number, hardware does not. Those are just two small examples.

Choose what works best for you, but I invite you to think out of the box! It’s a whole new world outside.

Free tools worth having

Usually I shy away from free plugins. Most are not coded well, some just don’t work right and almost all have no support. But recently I found two gems that I must pass onto you. I just used these both on a session and am very happy with the results I got.
The first is from my friend “Leftover Lasagne”. It’s a Pultec type EQ called “Pushtec”.

If you don’t already have a Pultec type EQ, I want to encourage you to snap this up! It sounds beautiful, works well and for me, really helped the mix come to life. This is a rare free plugin that could do very well commercially. I used it on everything from drums to vocals to mix bus and it made a better difference each and every time. From adding punch, to just enough crispness to help a vocal cut through. Using this EQ, you can really shape your tones by using the “push” to boost, and then using the “pull” to cut and really sculpt the sound. The frequencies are pre-set but have a few choices to select from so it’s not like a typical parametric EQ.  I’m very glad to have found “Pushtec”. It’s made a difference in my mix.
Next up from “Variety of Sound” we have “Rescue”

The best way I can describe “Rescue” is an enhancer with a Mid-Side processor. There is another anniversary edition that adds a limiter, but I just use the standard version.
Adding Rescue to a mix really helps tighten up the low end using the punch feature and gives the mix a great sense of space with the MS feature. There is an ‘analog” switch at the output to add harmonics into the mix. It’s easy to get carried away and add too much because it sounds so good, but the key to success is subtlety and moderation. They both go a long way. Just add a little in and hit the bypass switch, you’ll see what I mean.
I used both on a project I just did, and was able to get very precise with the Eq, adding just enough punch and snap on the drums. I was able to bring out the vocals a little better and give them a little shine. Overall taking the mix to another level sonically.
Special thanks to both developers for taking the time to create these special tools and for offering them for free!

Technorati Tags: Free plugins,bootsie,pushtec,mix rescue,mixing,vst