Great video, and I love this comments section - It's great to hear everyone's personal favorites. Might be time to try some new plugins (I don't own anything by Vertigo or Acme for example...) My faves are: 9000 J (far and away my most used - for hip hop melodies and basslines esp) Elysia Alpha compressor (the perfect mastering compressor imo) True Peak limiter (recent addition. Not transparent, but that's what I like about it) AMEK 200 (got this recently as well, very impressive)
Blackbox, SSL E, Lindell 80, ADPTR AB, and Townhouse are my PA all-time favs. That Lindell Neve and Townhouse buss comp are at the very top of my list if I could only pick two haha
Really like Plugin Alliance, and have many mentioned here and in the comments. Shout out to a couple of the (IMHO) under appreciated Plugin Alliance plug ins. The Lindell Channel X is relatively cheap and is really good as an alternative channel strip to the other more popular ones. Also, anything by Unfiltered Audio is worth a pop.
Good choices, loving their mix and master bundle. I need to mess around with the Bettermaker more, Here’s my top 10 1. Bx Digital 2. Amek 200 3. Millennia nseq2 4. SPL Passeq 5. SPL Iron 6. Vertigo Vsc2 7. Lindell 80 Series 8. Lindell 50 series 9. Bx Focusrite 10. UA BYOME
METRIC AB, MÄAG EQ2, SPL IRON, SPL PASS EQ, SPL VITALIZER,BX TOWNHOUSE,BX OPTO,... u must test the Vitalizer on Vocals is unbelieveble what it does with the Highs :)
Appreciate you man. You’ve put me on to a bunch of tricks/plugins over the last couple years. This 🎥 helped me make a few purchases last night during the sale. Looking forward to using the Amek more on the master bus.
Ah, another person that prefers the 4000 E to the 9000 J, good! My most used PA plug in is Metric AB. I use HG-2MS, VSM-3, Bettermaker, Magg EQ..I have the Shadow Hills (Green), but I don't really use it after getting some other compressors. Also the Unfiltered Audio stuff is pure gold. Funny pricing, but then with a bit of patience you get everything for 30bucks. I own a lot of their plugs so subscription is not an option for me. Great company though.
I like the 4000 E on drums or anything want weight on or put a ruffer feel on. I love the J on Vocals. I use both of em more for the color than anything else 👍🏽
I have a love hate relationship with plugin alliance. I learnt on PC's Mac's Mackie's and an SSL. Out of them all and to this day. Unlike most other people I prefer using a mouse and software on a PC. I still use analogue emulating software but I always found mixing in the box suited me better. Probably because I produce in the box and other than the odd bit of guitar I throw here and there on a DI, it is how I feel comfortable working. So I get used to a lot of clicking and dragging and a lot of ear to eye co-ordination. Everyone always says mix with your ears not with your eyes but I can tell you, ears play tricks. The mind is a strange thing. I have numerous times closed my eyes, boosted my bass and been like shit that is too bassy now and start rolling back off it. Just to open my eyes and realise I missed the hit box with my mouse and hadn't been altering anything. So ears can definitely play tricks because my head was expecting bass to boost, so I heard it boost. Reality, it did nothing. So for me, especially with EQ, I love the old typical digital EQ layout with curves on screen on the X/Y axis. Now Plugin Alliance tools sound amazing but I have so much difficulty with them because they are the complete opposite of what I usually work with. With Hills Master Comp, Master desk, a deharshening tool (I forget the name), the blue saturator thing that is in this video and the EQ right at the start. These are top class sounding tools but the layout of pot after pot is a nightmare for me. No one ever mentions Melda plugins and they are very strange looking digital plugins. I love them. For me they are visually fantastic. Waves plugins, perfect display. I find my t-racks plugins with a nice display, such as the quad band widener I love to use. Then the SSL channel I don't. All because of the style. I can get better results with a lower quality processor I enjoy using than a high quality one that I don't enjoy. Tough deciding sometimes.
Also I mainly just mix my own hip hop vox, but also use the De-Verbs to help with room sound. (Not sure if you’ve tired Acon Digital Deverberate 3 but that’s hands down the most realistic one I’ve used for rap vocals. It has intelligent AI functions & introduces even less unwanted artifacts than RX Voice De Noise & SPL Deverb. - IMO
Nice! I got some PA plugins and they are great, bx-opto, is my older one, its not my fist option for opto on main tracks, but its really good for tame a bit on a harsh cymbal on rooms or OH using the sidechain, got the maag 2 and 4, absolutly great, love the maag 2 for bring 1k on vocals on busses, and to eq the reverb bus the trick is balance the again, and the maag 4 the band 40 is really punch!
I definitely have to agree with 90% of this. You just basically listed out all the plugins i individually chose from PA. The only ones im not sure about are the SSL and neve channel strip.. the neve simply because i haven't tried it. But SSL i simply dont see the big deal about them. They don't really do anything special compared to other ssl strips IMO. But to each their own. Great video
Yea just reEARED MY TEMPLATES AND FOUND MYSELF USING LESS PLUGS AND CONVERTING TO 80% PLUGIN ALLIANCE... POWERFUL...PUMPY...CRISPY WHEN U WANT AND FITTING... SMH LITERALLY !!!!! WOW
I prefer the PA version of Shadow Hills over the UAD version. I also love the bx_saturator and SPL transient designer. The entire collection is very complete and amazing
Quick question : If I'm doing mastering with multiples Brainworx plugins with TMT (ex : BlackBox MS2, Shadow Hills Class A, APEX ...), should I keep the same channels all the way through ? Or it will emphasize over and over the same color of sound ?
I'm not a pro like Matt Harris, but what I do is randomize the channels to find a set I like before dialing in the settings, repeating the same for each plugin I use (usually 9000J, Black Box, AMEK 200...). Once done mastering, I'll check each plugin individually and try different sets of channels to see if I notice any improvements. I'd recommend saving multiple versions of the mix or master, each with different channel sets you like, and giving the client a choice (or if n/a, deciding for yourself). Sometimes you clearly like one master best, then some time later after living with it a while, you change your mind. Can't hurt to have options.
Doesn’t Izotope Ozone do the same thing as A/B? I have several of these plugins including Black Box and Shadow Hills Mástering Compressor. Love the GUI’s as well.
Matty. Have you tried the Amek EQ 250? I’m between the 200 and the 250. Would love anyone’s opinions. The 200 has a higher msrp but I would get these on sale of course. And why did you not list the Amek channel strip. The 9099
i know u love the spl dverb. could u do a video where u compare it to clarity vx. i’m on the fence cuz it’s like how many de noise plugins do i really needa buy lol
Thanks this is interesting to try as I own other brand, but how does their pricing work? For example there's a Christmas 2022 bundle promo, I am interested with Ampeg bundle for only $9.99.. is that perpetual? Because it is not mentioned in the website product description. Tnx!
Hi Matty, I heard that the spl de-verb is the sustain knob from the transient designer. Is that true? I just bought the transient designer plus and wanted to know if the de-verb is the same or it could make any advantage for me. Thank you in advance!
BYOME and its sister TRIAD are both incredible for FX
Plugin Alliance will update bigger gui's to Mäag and other plugins. They have said it. Nice list!
Thats good news! I really dont know how they ignore that until now
Still haven't tho 😤
11 - Elysia Alpha Compressor
12 - SPL Transient Designer Plus
Focusrite Channel Strip is heaven.
Great Job. I like all the Plug ins stated but the Townhouse comp is a simple yet special comp for me.
Great video, and I love this comments section - It's great to hear everyone's personal favorites. Might be time to try some new plugins (I don't own anything by Vertigo or Acme for example...)
My faves are:
9000 J (far and away my most used - for hip hop melodies and basslines esp)
Elysia Alpha compressor (the perfect mastering compressor imo)
True Peak limiter (recent addition. Not transparent, but that's what I like about it)
AMEK 200 (got this recently as well, very impressive)
Great video, Thanks!
My favorites are:
- Lindell 80 series
- Acme Audio Opticom XLA-3
- Brainworx Townhouse
Blackbox, SSL E, Lindell 80, ADPTR AB, and Townhouse are my PA all-time favs. That Lindell Neve and Townhouse buss comp are at the very top of my list if I could only pick two haha
Really like Plugin Alliance, and have many mentioned here and in the comments. Shout out to a couple of the (IMHO) under appreciated Plugin Alliance plug ins. The Lindell Channel X is relatively cheap and is really good as an alternative channel strip to the other more popular ones. Also, anything by Unfiltered Audio is worth a pop.
Good choices, loving their mix and master bundle. I need to mess around with the Bettermaker more, Here’s my top 10
1. Bx Digital
2. Amek 200
3. Millennia nseq2
4. SPL Passeq
5. SPL Iron
6. Vertigo Vsc2
7. Lindell 80 Series
8. Lindell 50 series
9. Bx Focusrite
10. UA BYOME
I have the SPL Iron. One day I will put some time aside to explore it's hidden depths.
The bx focusrite console made a huge difference in my mixes
@@ctrlaltcreate3827 I love it for lofi. its warm on its own but there's nothing like the mid boost with it
That Neve emulation and Black Box MS are some beasts
METRIC AB, MÄAG EQ2, SPL IRON, SPL PASS EQ, SPL VITALIZER,BX TOWNHOUSE,BX OPTO,... u must test the Vitalizer on Vocals is unbelieveble what it does with the Highs :)
Appreciate you man. You’ve put me on to a bunch of tricks/plugins over the last couple years. This 🎥 helped me make a few purchases last night during the sale. Looking forward to using the Amek more on the master bus.
Ah, another person that prefers the 4000 E to the 9000 J, good!
My most used PA plug in is Metric AB. I use HG-2MS, VSM-3, Bettermaker, Magg EQ..I have the Shadow Hills (Green), but I don't really use it after getting some other compressors.
Also the Unfiltered Audio stuff is pure gold.
Funny pricing, but then with a bit of patience you get everything for 30bucks.
I own a lot of their plugs so subscription is not an option for me.
Great company though.
I like the 4000 E on drums or anything want weight on or put a ruffer feel on. I love the J on Vocals. I use both of em more for the color than anything else 👍🏽
Agree on the Unfiltered Audio stuff, really fun and excellent quality
I have a love hate relationship with plugin alliance. I learnt on PC's Mac's Mackie's and an SSL. Out of them all and to this day. Unlike most other people I prefer using a mouse and software on a PC. I still use analogue emulating software but I always found mixing in the box suited me better. Probably because I produce in the box and other than the odd bit of guitar I throw here and there on a DI, it is how I feel comfortable working. So I get used to a lot of clicking and dragging and a lot of ear to eye co-ordination.
Everyone always says mix with your ears not with your eyes but I can tell you, ears play tricks. The mind is a strange thing. I have numerous times closed my eyes, boosted my bass and been like shit that is too bassy now and start rolling back off it. Just to open my eyes and realise I missed the hit box with my mouse and hadn't been altering anything. So ears can definitely play tricks because my head was expecting bass to boost, so I heard it boost. Reality, it did nothing. So for me, especially with EQ, I love the old typical digital EQ layout with curves on screen on the X/Y axis. Now Plugin Alliance tools sound amazing but I have so much difficulty with them because they are the complete opposite of what I usually work with. With Hills Master Comp, Master desk, a deharshening tool (I forget the name), the blue saturator thing that is in this video and the EQ right at the start. These are top class sounding tools but the layout of pot after pot is a nightmare for me.
No one ever mentions Melda plugins and they are very strange looking digital plugins. I love them. For me they are visually fantastic. Waves plugins, perfect display.
I find my t-racks plugins with a nice display, such as the quad band widener I love to use. Then the SSL channel I don't. All because of the style. I can get better results with a lower quality processor I enjoy using than a high quality one that I don't enjoy. Tough deciding sometimes.
Also I mainly just mix my own hip hop vox, but also use the De-Verbs to help with room sound. (Not sure if you’ve tired Acon Digital Deverberate 3 but that’s hands down the most realistic one I’ve used for rap vocals. It has intelligent AI functions & introduces even less unwanted artifacts than RX Voice De Noise & SPL Deverb. - IMO
I like Acon's stuff a lot... Thanks for mentioning the Deverberate, I will have to check that out!
PA is a powerhouse in the game. Have their Mega Bundle. And I’m in love. 😎
Spot on. PA is the best.
Thanks for great content - I teach music tech and your channel is one of my favorites to recommend
Appreciate that!!
I literally have all of them except the deverb. I use RX8 for that but without being said, plugin alliance is one one of my top plugin companies
great video. Thanks!
I just picked up SPL Iron - it is amazing! Surprised how few people mention it in reviews.
probably because of its notorious aliasing problem that has yet to be fixed
Nice! I got some PA plugins and they are great, bx-opto, is my older one, its not my fist option for opto on main tracks, but its really good for tame a bit on a harsh cymbal on rooms or OH using the sidechain, got the maag 2 and 4, absolutly great, love the maag 2 for bring 1k on vocals on busses, and to eq the reverb bus the trick is balance the again, and the maag 4 the band 40 is really punch!
Plug-in alliance really doing their thing a friend recently pulled up a session unreal takes a lot to wow me definitely getting some of these
Another great video. Thanks, Matty!
I definitely have to agree with 90% of this. You just basically listed out all the plugins i individually chose from PA. The only ones im not sure about are the SSL and neve channel strip.. the neve simply because i haven't tried it. But SSL i simply dont see the big deal about them. They don't really do anything special compared to other ssl strips IMO. But to each their own. Great video
Great list Matt! Love PA
Great video dude ... You are helping me a lot with your channel!
You've just picked up a new subscriber, man! Good stuff!
I am currently mixing a rock album with bx_console N. Only knobs, only ears. Great and fast.
if you need a dedicated compressor, SPL Iron is great for that. Rock, Jazz etc.
That console is underrated, love it
Very good presentation, as usual!
Thank you Matty! Great great video!
All great choices. It seems to me that the Elysia Alpha is a highly underrated buss compressor. I don't hear it mentioned much.
They do a fantastic job emulating that $10,000 unit. Agreed, all the Elysia stuff from PA is stellar.
Make a video on how to use the A/B. How , where do you insert it ? And step by step how you use it for newbies like me
Last slot on your master bus.
Great video Matty ✅ thanks a lot ✔️
Yea just reEARED MY TEMPLATES AND FOUND MYSELF USING LESS PLUGS AND CONVERTING TO 80% PLUGIN ALLIANCE... POWERFUL...PUMPY...CRISPY WHEN U WANT AND FITTING... SMH LITERALLY !!!!! WOW
I still use the HG-2 over the new one. I just find it sounds better and so easy to use
I only have 3 out of 10- I need to step up my game :-)
I prefer the PA version of Shadow Hills over the UAD version. I also love the bx_saturator and SPL transient designer. The entire collection is very complete and amazing
They are identical
Shadow Hills has two nice gain knobs
Mid-side on the Red one is bomb
@@summerfazed also TMT, parallel, and external sidechain
We need a great tape plugin from them
aw man, not another tape plugin 😂
have you checked out LO-FI-AF yet?
Nice job, Matty.
Great stuff ! Thanks
Thanks Matty!
Quick question : If I'm doing mastering with multiples Brainworx plugins with TMT (ex : BlackBox MS2, Shadow Hills Class A, APEX ...), should I keep the same channels all the way through ? Or it will emphasize over and over the same color of sound ?
I'm not a pro like Matt Harris, but what I do is randomize the channels to find a set I like before dialing in the settings, repeating the same for each plugin I use (usually 9000J, Black Box, AMEK 200...). Once done mastering, I'll check each plugin individually and try different sets of channels to see if I notice any improvements. I'd recommend saving multiple versions of the mix or master, each with different channel sets you like, and giving the client a choice (or if n/a, deciding for yourself). Sometimes you clearly like one master best, then some time later after living with it a while, you change your mind. Can't hurt to have options.
THANK YOU!
Doesn’t Izotope Ozone do the same thing as A/B? I have several of these plugins including Black Box and Shadow Hills Mástering Compressor. Love the GUI’s as well.
Matty. Have you tried the Amek EQ 250? I’m between the 200 and the 250. Would love anyone’s opinions.
The 200 has a higher msrp but I would get these on sale of course.
And why did you not list the Amek channel strip. The 9099
i know u love the spl dverb. could u do a video where u compare it to clarity vx. i’m on the fence cuz it’s like how many de noise plugins do i really needa buy lol
Great list and vid. 9 out of 10 of mine, but I've never used the de-verb (use the RX a lot though). Must try it out.
Yo man, you gotta update this list for 2022! Thank you!
Thanks this is interesting to try as I own other brand, but how does their pricing work? For example there's a Christmas 2022 bundle promo, I am interested with Ampeg bundle for only $9.99.. is that perpetual? Because it is not mentioned in the website product description. Tnx!
how do you tell between the old and newer Shadow hills compressor?, I dont see an option to choose if I go t the PA site, thanks
Great video
Nice!
Hi Matty, I heard that the spl de-verb is the sustain knob from the transient designer. Is that true? I just bought the transient designer plus and wanted to know if the de-verb is the same or it could make any advantage for me. Thank you in advance!
I’m not sure. I would have to compare to two to find out. I’ve just always used de-verb
How do these compare to Slate digital all access?
I would still rather prefer an analogue eq. Hardware rocks.
good that i own them all :-)
Faltou o dearVR Pro!
I gotta get into that one. Not the first time I’ve heard that mentioned
PA is like over advertised Waves
40k??
Randomly, this video has 47 thousand views
way to expensive