VST Plugins

VST plugins are a crucial part of the music mixing process. Whenever you're done recording and have turned to the mixing process, however good your recording is, it always needs a little extra touch in the mixing stage. That's where your audio plugins come in handy. 

There are numerous plugins out there to help you with your music mixing process. Whether they are VST plugins that work on most DAWs, Audio units that work with Logic, or RTAS plugins that work with Pro-Tools, these plugins help make your mix sound better. 

If you're not satisfied with the amount of plugins available in your chosen DAW, there are certainly resources out there to amplify your music mixing possibilites, with quality and professional plugin packages available on the internet. 

Resources range from free vst plugins that have questionable quality(although you can stumble upon very good ones) to professional packages such as the plugin packages from Waves. Waves plugins are some of the highest quality plugins you can find, and I've compiled a list of great bundles for you here.

Types of plugins

All sorts of VST plugins are available on the internet. Whether you need EQ, compression or modulation effects, there are multiple sites that offer plugins for free. There are quality offers, such as the VST Platinum package that give you 1700 plugins to choose from. These types of packages are a good option if you want all of the options at a great price.

How to use them

Plugins are easy to use. After you've followed the install instructions for whatever plugin or package you've gotten, it's as easy as inserting the plugin on your desired track and playing with the parameters. Of course, some VST plugins are more complicated than others, and a 1 band EQ can be much easier to navigate than a multi-effects processor with endless parameters.

Where to get them?

HERE! There's no need to search any further, as I've done all the research for you. Why do through countless websites to find the perfect plugins for you when you can find the perfect match right here!

Plugins for the guitarist/Bass Player

Since guitarists and bass players canget pretty particular about their guitar tones, there is a huge market for guitar recording software plugins out there. Some of the plugins available sound absolutely amazing and sometimes you can't really tell that those guitar tones are made in the computer. Check out some resources if you need guitar recording software here.

Plugins for dedicated music mixing

Mixing engineers are not so exclusive when it comes to their plugin needs. They tend to have every type of track imaginable -  from the drums to the choir, and due to that they need some heavy mixing plugins to make their mix sound good. Check out the Waves plugin page for some great plugin solutions for music mixing.

Mastering plugins

The needs of a mastering engineer are similar to those of a mixing engineer. Yet, there are plugin bundles out there that cater specifically to the nature of mastering. Mastering is a more delicate and subtle process than mixing, and these plugins are designed with that in mind.

The IK Multimedia T-RackS Mastering Plug-Ins has a great suite of 4 digital processors, both EQ and compression that's useful when you need to add that mastered touch to your tracks.

Steinberg WaveLab Studio Mastering Software, although not a plugin but a stand-alone audio program cannot be unmentioned. I have used it on occasion and it is an incredible program for putting your tracks together and making them sound like a proper CD. 

Combined with high quality mastering plugins such as the T-RackS, or the Waves Renaissance Maxx Native Bundle you are on the right tracks to professionally mastering your next hit.

VSTi plugins, instruments and synthesizers.

You can't fit a grand piano, a drum kit, an orchestra and an hammond organ into your bedroom studio. But with virtual instruments, you can fit all these things into your recording software. Just like a guitarist needs amplifier plugins, so do multi-instrumentalists need their instruments. 

How do VSTi software synthesizers work? Here's an introduction to VSTi plug-ins.

Let's just get this one off the table and start by introducing the flagship of Spectrasonics, the Spectrasonics Omnisphere Software Synth. It might be a one-stop-shop for some synth lovers, so take a look.

MOTU also has a great keyboard package, the Electric Keys Software Synth. It offers sounds of 50 old, vintage and cool keyboards from the decades of rock and roll. Pianos, keyboards, wurlitzers, you name it. This package has it. 

Reverb & effect Plugins

Reverb is such a powerful and widely used effect in music production that they have dedicated VST plugins just for reverb. These reverb devices often offer a one-stop solution with every reverb mode that you'll ever need.

World renowned reverbs are available from IK Multimedia Classik Studio Reverbs.
Reverb is the glue that holds it all together, and you need quality glue to make your mix shine.