I rarely buy or get a new plugin. I think it's far more important to learn how to use what you already have. Most of my recording and mixing is done with the stock Cubase plugins. They work fine.
SO refreshing to hear Dom, thank you. We need a lot more of this mature perspective and common sense to balance the sheer chaos which has contaminated the consumer music production environment. More please!
Thank you Henry- I think many people lose the forest for the trees. I would prefer to see more people showing how they mix and master rather than endless plugin rants. We've seen it for two years now- do we need more of this?
Amen. But... (there's always a but!) if we let plugin devs "off the hook" for not including oversampling/anti-aliasing filters etc. where is the motivation to aspire to a higher standard? The classic "pros used this plugin on an amazing mix" should not be a justification of lack lustre engineering - Pros are "pro" because they have the experience to compensate or mask the flaws or even push a "short coming" into a sonic delight! We all buy plugins thinking they'll "enhance" our mixes and now we all have more plugins that we don't use than we do. If most plugins lived up to their hype this would not be the case... regardless of one's mixing skills.
I'm late to the party but I absolutely love this video. I was a plug in junkie when I first started but I'm mostly a stock plug-in guy now. What changed? The opportunity to spend time with a friend who is a professional mixing engineer in his studio. He gave me the appreciation for things like sweeping frequencies to find the mud or glitter. I do have a handful of paid plugins but they are bass and guitar amp simulators which I use if I'm not satisfied with what I'm getting from my mic'd amps. I'd rather spend time writing recording and mixing than searching plugin boutique for hours, but that is what I used to do and my mixes didn't get better.
@@jasonanderson5034 I don't know what aid lugins are. If you understand what presets are doing under the hood, you can make it happen with stock plugins.
@@petealba707 yea u didnt get my point their are plugins that emulate hardware u cant get the same sound with many stock plugins no matter what u do most plugins are just scams ands doable with stock plugins but heir is alot of plugins out their that are legit all reverbs and lots of other effects dont sound the same even with the same setings u maybe u should learn a thing or too about mixing if u cant hear the differrence between reverb plugins amp plugins and many others
I actually see a more overarching problem. The audio community hyped up hardware for so long that developers started using buzz words, flashy guis, and tricks to sell mediocre plugins.. part of the problem was the audio community having this analog over digital mindset without ever understanding digital audio and dsp. It opened the floor gates to large developers taking advantage of that!
Hey Nate, I totally agree. I think most people try to justify all the hate by blaming marketing. Marketing has always been this way- every product that's been advertised is "hyped"- from window cleaners to cars, to perfume, and yes, plugins. I would prefer some more toned-down language as well to be honest but I think getting super angry and toxic doesn't help anyone. Just move on to the next plugin if the you feel marketing overpromises :) Thank you for commenting!
@@DomSigalas I do think one thing that is easy to forget is that plugins now aways often cost $100 or even $100s of dollars. There's another side where I think you could argue people don't do a good enough job showing off indie or free plugins. Not everything is over 'hyped' or even marketed, that would just be a bias to large developers. There is a large community of people making open source plugins that sound great. I think if we want people to stop overreacting, giving them an alternative might be useful. It's hard to find well informed videos on less popular, less marketed plugins.
@@SinclairSound Agreed. That's why I've been evangelizing the use of stock plugins for ages on my channel. You don't even need to look outside your DAW sometimes. :)
"You have to realize where RUclips starts and ends, and where professional work and real life scenarios begin" 1000% !!! "People start spreading the wrong information, they have no experience, they have never worked in *professional environment* sometimes they don't even know what they're doing and they validate the wrong information based on an entertaining RUclips review video" YES !!! I'm an Industry pro for 25 years and I couldn't have said it better. This video is so refreshing... and needed!
i was totally bamboozled by the name of the video and the thumbnail and I totally agree with all that you've said, Friend! A tool is a tool, we don't always need screwdrivers with oversampling haha
Nailed!!! But what I also don't like are ppl only commenting to grab heart icons only. Writing any blowing sugar stuff and creators picking only the comments to pamper their egos.
Thank you for using your platform to spread the positive vibes. It's not easy or safe to stick your neck out like this, so props to you. The creative process is hard enough without extra added stress or negativity. Appreciate what you're doing..... BAM
You nailed it perfectly! That is the reason I am a fan of your channel. Your knowledge, positivity and passion for the art of making music makes all the difference.
Loved seeing this, Dom. I'm a baby when it comes to music producing, but I've been a screenwriter and fiction writer for a long time and it's much the same thing. People will argue for days over things like screenplay formatting and different tools for writing rather than working on improving their craft. Be the best tool in your toolbox, not the biggest tool out of it. 🙂 Thank you for all your videos, too; you are an incredible resource to the community!
So glad you made this video, cos I've started to think that its something wrong with me that I'm ok with stock plugins (+ couple 3rd party) and not obsessed with every plugin that someone said you must have it
Well done Dom. I am happy that I witnessed the digital revolution - I started as an intern in a recording studio in 1996. Had my own, very basic studio from 1999., worked with tape. I remember how excited we all were about first Waves plugins, first virtual instruments, not to mention DAWs that could record multi channel audio. But, while evolution of software is interesting, it is just - tools, same tools I had to learn to work with in the physical format. Plugins did not make me better, they did not make my production or my music better. What made me better (tooting my own horn here, but I live from music production for 25 years now), was time spent in the studio, learning to critically listen, learning to use basic tools like frequency and dynamic processors, and of course, make TONS of mistakes. I got scholarship and did my Audio Engineering Diploma and got BA in Music Production, which of course helped me, but it was the drive to work on tons of tracks that shaped my career and skills. I do not want to sound like an old man ranting, I do envy young generation the starting point where they don't need expensive studio to start with, rather just a laptop and a room - but the problem is, they watch these videos by self proclaimed tutors and instructors who can't do basic stuff themselves, and think that purchasing a plugin will elevate the quality of the production. To be perfectly honest, all fancy outboard, all the expensive plugins - IMO - make 10 to 15% of a difference compared to mixing with stock plugins of, say, Cubase. You can easily mix and master the song with stock stuff if you know what you are doing, if you know your monitors, what you are going for etc. If you build your skills to that 85%, by then, you will be able to purchase those fancy hardware units. And, I think that there is a separate "culture" of semi-professionals AND companies with terrible business practices targeting beginner producers, and it drafts focus from the music and production and goes into reality tv territory. Drama : producer XY said this or that about XY plugin. Who cares. Make your music, learn, get better.
I was really enjoying your comment until half way and there being no paragraphs. Sadly I had to quit reading half way. I'll revisit and finish reading if you can split it up a little :)
can u tell me what commpany made sample cell and v sampler im trying to find libaries from it but the search term is to board or nobody is searching it up their has to be soome archived tho somewhere
I used to buy sound on sound magazine every month. Great magazine. Also future music and audio technology. I have a huge pile of them in my studio bookcase being used to dampen reflections. Good times.
Spot on Dom! I just started learning CB three years ago. Worked my way up from Elements in '21 to Pro in March of this year. There are so many plugin's out there with different perspectives on each it boggles the brain. I was a professional musician for 35 years of my life I'm well aware of what hecklers (nae sayers) will do. My learning process in CB took me three years to get to where I am now and I'm still not totally there. I'm meticulous, probably OCD, about what everything does and what effect it has on a particular event and learning every aspect of that is how you can determine if it's to your liking or not. This video is extremely professional and direct to the point. If I have a problem or if something goes wrong with a plugin I'm learning it is probably something I've done or missed. I didn't get to 71 years old by looking at something for 5 minutes then deciding to follow the lemmings...lmbo. BTW... I've learned most of what I've be able to accomplish so far from watching your video's. Keep them coming my friend.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Possibly the only time i've been impressed with a bait. Glad were so aligned here too. Edit: out of some 700 videos i've done 2 negative plugin reviews, One as a PSA and 2 to call out some marketing BS. I often feel im getting battered on youtube by the volume of people opening up negative loops.
This is the point! I watch many of snake oil and plugin reviews videos and I find it exaggerated and not useful for many of us that works professionally in the audio industry. As a mix engineer we have to understand that you need to deliver a mix that sounds good! The client doesn’t care if the plugins you’re using is free or not, or if you’re using over sampling or not, what they care is about the result. And when you want results you focus on Workflow and quality, not just 1 of these two, you focus on both because time is money!
Well said Dom! I really appreciated what you said about engineers still making great mixes with things they have been using for long time - even from 30 years ago. It's the end product that counts, the way you use your tools, not the huge variety of tools you have in your toolbag. Some of the Beatles mixes are still awesome - mixed in analog from a 4 track machine! Love your channel. Thanks a bunch!
You are so right. Semi-professionals like myself are always hunting for the miracle plugin, but they don't exist. I have made some pretty bad mixes in my days, but they were all my own fault. Either because of lack of know-how or because I was lazy. I have a few exotic plugins I like, but most of the time, I use Cubase stock and for 90% of my productions, they are good enough.
To be honest I prefer not to bother with negative reactions and comments too much, i filter them out. Someone who has a truly valid critical point to make about something finds also the right way to present it. I do not waste too much time watching reviews, only from very few people that I trust mainly their musical tastes. What I like in a review of a product I do not know, is to see the reviewer taking the time and first explaining about the tool like I see a video manual. Then putting the tool through its paces in a musical context, not in plugindoctor, that is ridiculous. What is extremely rare is to combine, like Dom here, deep knowledge coming from experience with a great vibrant positive attitude. That is really a gift to our community.
Excellent points. Unfortunately, we also have emotionalism in the other direction with some new plugins hyped as “game-changing,” “amazing” and “life-changing,” when in fact there is nothing new or special about them. This is increasingly happening as the the plugin market has (forgive the pun) become more saturated with hundreds of plugins that basically do the same thing, and we have more DAWs than ever with very capable stock plugins.
Dom, you nailed it. I could not agree more! It's the same as photography. The photographer makes the photo, the camera just memorizies what you tell it to memorize. And of course it is fun to talk about lenses and new cams and stuff but that doesn't prevent you from thinking and deciding about perspective, composition and in general what you want to see (and what not).
Great video ! To the point and the truth! A plugin is a tool in your tool box. Most of the newcomers are looking for a magic fix without putting in the work!
Dom, I have been watching your videos for a long time now. For me it's almost never about the actual plugin that you are reviewing, but about the methods you apply for the type of plugin being reviewed. I find that I always learn something new, that translates well for something comparable in my toolbox. Keep making your videos. They are very much appreciated.
I am actually very happy and grateful that you took the time to prepare and put up this video. So first of all: thank you very much! I mean it. As you said it throughout your video, it isn’t about agreeing or disagreeing with a point of view. The actual, personal experience is very important. Along with the learning and sort of knowing the craft, which I think is crucial and doesn’t have too many real shortcuts that could be taken, it is about the music itself. No one can tell you what the music you make should sound like: that is the point everyone has to reach for his own creations. But what I firmly believe in is the feedback others can provide, especially (a very important point in my opinion and experience) when this feedback includes questions and hints. If someone can make you try something and learn something, that helps you growing, getting better and feeling more secure about the very own creations. Nothing can replace the time you work on something - and nothing can replace personal feedback and personal advice, especially when it stems from personal experience. Most of the people that helped me getting to the point where I am at the moment were and are very, very professional, had lots of experience … and on top of it all stayed humble even in the tips and in the advice they had to share. I have to admit that it is tempting to assume that one has learned enough, but there is always something to learn. And every hint, every idea, every suggestion has its very own, respectable value. Nothing here is about taking a side or something like that. I guess that is about learning, about asking questions - it is about helping each other with honest and qualified feedback, sharing knowledge and sharing lessons learned from experience. That is what helps everyone involved in this grow. It takes time. And time in itself has its value, for everyone taking part in this. And me, I am grateful for every little bit that helped me being able to do what I can do now - and I am happy and eager to try and learn more. That said, thanks again, Dom, for putting up this video!
Dom, this is magnificent. I loved it when you said, "It's YOU". ALWAYS true. I consciously try to avoid the negative and/ or dramatic vids on RUclips, and instead look for informative, positive reviews and tutorials on specific items or concepts where I need help (and that's a lot...). Thanks for this take on clickbait and drama. BTW, I have found that the most important thing to obsess on with any plugin is the tonewood used to make the knobs.
There are only two people I take notice of - Dom Sigalas and Chris Selim. Can we have these two as a plugin. The videos are clear, concisive and informative and on a level that doesn't make you want to stop watching. Thank you Dom. Respect!
I've found myself predominately using stock plugins in Ableton, just due to their ease but also functionality. For me it creates a defined base layer, and I am not eating up too much RAM. After that it's all kind of just icing on the cake. A lot of times I pre-mix while I produce, it has just become part of my workflow and stock plugins are great to compensate for my lack of "room".
So true. And this rings true for so many professions. In a nutshell: a pro has the MacGyver attitude: do your best with what you have, leveraging your skills and experience. A noob, on the other hand, falls into the "gear is everything"-trap, and looks for a magic formula. Learn the principles, adapt, try, experiment, focus on the goal, and THEN find the best tools you can afford, and move on up from there if you care, and if it makes sense. The recently passed away Jeff Beck surely had one impressive and unparalleled gear setup: his hands and his heart ;)
completely agree with you. Nowadays the Internet in general is overcrowded with "experts" in all subjects who spread bad information everywhere. Particularly in the audio, poor quality information is disseminated without control by "engineers" who mix it with their eyes, with zero knowledge. Anyway, we have to be very careful and do a very good screening of what is valid.
The "know it alls" (who are also "know nothings") have been in online forums since they began, shouting loudly about stuff they claim to be experts at (but are not). Now they're on YT. As a result there's always been a lot of disinformation online, which makes channels such as yours so so valuable. Well said! You won't change their behaviours but it certainly needs calling out, so as many as possible are aware of what these people are (and what they are not).
Dom, you are amazing! I am so happy that someone like you speaking about what I was thinking for a months! Music or "the sound" is not in plugins, it is all about us how we will treat sounds in mixing process with ANY plugin or gear. It doesn't metter with which plugin. And I am surrounded with many friends who saying: "ohh that plugin don't work good..or that is great plugin etc." and I was always watching them and thinking "what are they talk about"! I am so happy that you spoken again and we have same opinion about this. Thank you! You made my morning happy today! 🤘🏻
Hi Dom, I absolutely agree with you. Many don't even know what they are doing in their DAW. I only go on youtube to learn. To understand how everything is connected to produce music, starting from recording, mixing and mastering. For example, I have tested many master bus compressors but in the end they all do the same thing and do not make a bad mix better. A plugin can't save your life, but knowing that you know exactly what you're doing can. I think you have to analyze for yourself where the weak points are and where you need to learn more and which plugins make sense or if you already have everything. For example, Tonal Balance Control from Izotope has helped me a lot. To see where I had weak points in the mix. At this point I would like to thank you very much. I have learned a lot from you.
Dom you are ALWAYS happy in all your videos. I honestly never seen you frown until this video lol! Great content! Edit: Damn autocorrect changed Dom to Don lol! Corrected it!
Paul Third is prefering the Softube Distressor above the hardware Distressors. No problem at all. But I did a comparison for myself with my hardware Distressors and the the Softube plugin. I prefer the hardware big time. Now he's telling me I'm not capable of doing the comparison the right way. He is of course. He's the first RUclipsr I think of watching this video. 2nd is Snake Oil Sietske or Sytse. The video's are entertainment though.
This reminds me of what my tutor once told me. Which microphone is the best microphone in the world? The one you have. Thanks Dom. It's great to have you and to learn from you.
I also "obsessed" with comparison. I always start Excel sheets and write down all the functions, mark them and funnel them. It takes time, but - at least for me - IT'S FUN!
Hahaha! You got me with the title. Honestly though, I only clicked because you are a pro and have proven to know your craft. I wanted to get your take on those "plugins" lol. Spot on with the actual content here. Too much bickering going on for sure. Good point about spending the time we have learning the craft. Far more productive lol. You have been a tremendous help in that regard man! Cheers✌
To be honest, I didn't even realize there was such a problem until then, but I agree that plugin ratings are a huge resource for me. Instead of arguing whether the plugin is good or not, it's best to download the demo, test it and make a simple decision whether it's for me or not. If so I always save my time and money and my work gives me more satisfaction... I wish you the same.
Coming from a time where there were no plugins available due to no processor power available to even run a DAW I 100% agree with you on this topic. You said all the right things. Well done!
I was ranting myself for a couple of years now, saying things about plugins and comparing them to other stuff (that doesn't even make sense). And then, one moment in my life, I met a producer, who nowadays is a friend of mine, and we spoke about my lack of mixing and how many doubts I had about this topic. He taught me the things I didn't know, and I learned from my mistakes. I'm currently using only a few plugins because I know them well and like them sound. I won't criticize any other plugin without fully testing it first and deciding whether I find it useful for my workflow or not. :D
" I recorded acoustic guitar in a 44.1khz CUBASE Pro 12 Project. Then in my trk inserts I placed DDMF's metaplugin and I put Waves C1 compressor with gentle compression imported inside of metaplugin. I worked rather skillful on my atk/release until I got it just right (no-oversampling). Sounded great as I always could get it to !! Suddenly, I activated the oversampling in Metaplugin - the guitar sound literally changed like night & day. It was a very clean & detailed solo trk- more real and definitely possessed a more 3d-like dimension to the acoustic guitar track. All in all.., I believe that had I recorded at 88.2khz , I could of nulled the same results as opposed to 44khz w/OS. imho, I believe that most Plugins shine their best when the project has a higher sample rate, or using OS if recording at 44/48khz. I record my clients projects at 44.1khz. It's cool, & good enough. Yet the mixing, can get a lil' foggy at times w/o OS imho. Sample Rate settings are crucial to getting a more defined sound/trk mix via plugin imho. Plugins do actually produce better results at higher sample rates - undeniable facts. Long ago, I once recorded a Project at 88.1khz w/no OS bc the technology wasn't out. I have yet too match the same sonic fidelity/character as opposed to recording 44/48khz. There is a difference, besides the plugins that one uses."
we started in the days of tape, desks and outboard gear, some of it homemade and we made great records, your so so right, if you don't know the basics, no number of plugins and presets will give you back a good mix. for sure.
Every example of your music that you have featured on your channel sounds amazing and professional. That pretty much says it all. That's why I listen to you and take your advice about plugins or mixing and production techniques - because your music/sound shows your massive skill level. Thanks for all you share with us! PLUS your finger drumming is insane!
Thank you very much for all your words. One of the biggest problems of people is that they don't listen at all, and they just want to speak for themselves, they just look for very simple and trivial ways, they think that mixing and mastering and making music in general is like a mathematical formula or It's physics, you put numbers in it, and boom.... Everything about plugins and everything else that others say is true, but what's the point if we don't try it ourselves? Let's try to listen more, use the experiences of others, rather than looking for wars and fights or playing with numbers.... Music has its own huge world, everything is not numbers!
Videos like this are the reason why you are one of the very few people that I follow (you, chris selim and michael white... XD). You always do a reasonable, serious, funny professional work.
So funny, I remember going back 12 years or so. I purchased a Liquid Mix box 400 quid and there was a guy that did some forensic testing and basically rubbished the product and showed evidence that it's emulations were not accurate. I remember thinking, I don't care, it's all about the music and I got some interesting creative sound from it. I just purchased yet another reverb, 'Ether' by AIR (worth a look btw), I am sure there is something wrong, it is brand new and probably they will update but I am going to write to them because even with the wet signal at 0% and the modules turned off, it adds 6-7db to the output but hey, I just turned the channel output down 6-7db and it's fine. No drama ha ha - You are always so on point Dom, keep it up man. I love all of my plugins like I love all of your videos (and your attitude) 🙂
Dom, I really love your videos. Thanks to you I bought Cubase 12 on sale. I find you so entertaining and a wealth of information. I appreciate and thank you. Thanks for making engineering fun!
@DomI started many years ago with Pro-24 on the Atari STe, then worked with Cubase 1/2/3, went through all these versions like XT, VST, XL up to the current Nuendo 12. I also worked as a sound engineer starting with Pro Tools 4 + Opcode on a PowerPC Mac and some analog and digital tools/tapes, I toured the studios, talked to other sound engineers, worked with them. What I always say to people asking about hardware or plugins - it's much easier to mess up a good mix with the best existing plugins/hardware than to find something really crappy and useless. Mostly these "bad" plugins are not bad, it depends on people using them with wrong audio material or settings. Sometimes audio tracks separated from the final version sound really bad, unnatural, but when you listen to them with others, they mix really well. The same goes for plugins. These bad plug-ins produce inaudible effects or, on the contrary, sound really weird, but this may be the key to sticking them to other audio tracks. Years ago, I asked a friend of mine, a really good sound engineer, to only use factory Cubase 5 VST plug-ins for the drum tracks I sent him. I asked him for a Toto-like sound for the snare and bass drum. And you know what? It was hard to believe that those pesky standard Cubase 5 plug-ins made such a sound! People have been asking what analog gears are used to mix drum tracks. When I replied that only Cubase 5 and its VST plugins were sure I was joking. So - not plugins, not thousand-dollars gears, but your experience and ears are the most important.
Attractive ! That's good vibes! I'm not accustomed to this kind of obsession but I understand as a beginner what you're saying but also sometimes believe that a plugin is bogus because I can't manage with it. And hop thanks to you, I was just on one of my tracks looking for parts and there I found a very simple one but which sounds very good. Good Vibes.
Dear Dom, you are absolutely right in everything you say about plugins. I also fully test and learn every plugin before using it. When I started in this field about 20 years ago, I also thought the more plugins the better, but experience has taught me that you have to deal with those things carefully and deliberately. But it was once again a wonderful video from you Dom. Thank you!! Greetings from Balou (Belgium)
Your channel is one of the best out there, talented, awesome teacher, fantastic topics, sir, you are on my top ten. Being a music producer around the world for over 40 years, I still learn something from every video you make. thank you so much indeed. Talented much !!!!!
I totally agree Dom with what you said in this video. The only problem that ruins our mixing or mastering, or even our entire lives, is between the monitor and the chair (WE). I am also a lover of plugins, I like to test them and if I like them I keep them, if they don't suit me I move on. We need to be aware that that plugin was created by someone who worked to make something quality. We don't all have the same tastes. We need to be human first and then give our opinion, not behead the creators for our inability to use them properly.
yeah. at some point I was so fed up by all the controversial videos about compressors that I just said "hang on a second" and just rendered tens of different settings of the simple cubase compressor applied to the same sound. It was the most revealing and at the same time simple task that I ever did in a daw.
Love this video Dom. As a bedroom producer, we go through a good production journey and at some point we think that our music isn't sounding as good as Hardwell because we don't have the so called "pro" tools that he has. And because of plugin reviews, it is easy to believe it more and more that a plugin makes or breaks a song. I myself have been there and it took me a long time to understand that it is not the plugin, it's my music that needs to be better. Maybe think of it this way - no amount of accessories will make my car better if the engine itself is bad. What needs to be fixed is the engine (music), not the accessories (plugins). I think if you're a musician/producer, instead of focusing on professional sounding plugins, the focus should be on writing creative/artistic music, good chords & melodies that connect to the audience and make them feel something. Plugins won't do that, your art and music will. The rest will follow. Not hating on plugins, plugins are cool and I even love them, but based on first hand experience, I've wasted a lot of my valuable time focusing on plugins, when I should've been focusing on improving my skills as a musician.
Everything you said ist totally correct! And another thing is that we are bombarded with plugins. I also downloaded tons and tons of them being already aware that I for sure will not even use most of them at all!
I've worked in major studios, from BBC to Abbey Road. Plugins that do automatic gain compensation, are nice, no problem whatsoever, however, if an engineer cannot turn the dial to gain compensate and balance the effect themselves, and or judge and hear the difference, (or if desired), understand what is happening to the signal once the volume is raised, then it is getting to the realm of splitting hairs and reaching the point of diminishing returns and is missing the point, basically, knowing what the boost does. In the early 2000's an HD avid rig with a good mic and pre going into at times, even a basic desk such as a Yamaha 01, sounded amazing, clear, punchy, crisp and rich. As everyone knows, the source, the signal and the environment, are the important bits, followed by gain-staging and balancing. There are some great plugins out there, however, some plugins can be overly complex and feature ladened, when one or two decent plugins with half the features will do the job. Back to the dialling business, we all know about the Fletcher Munson Curve, and what happens with volume boosting, that is all part of mixing and knowing how the mix can be enhanced and boosted, and hearing frequency boosts and volume shifts is all part of it. Balancing to perfection can result in a rather sterile, bland, lifeless mix, depending on what you are going for, and what the remit is, so automatic gain compensation, is not going to save your overall mix in an instance. If the plugin is boosting the signal by 20 db, then you have a problem with gain staging, so best avoided, if it is subtly enhancing it in a good way and the mix is balanced, then you're good to go.
Thank you, Dom. Great video and great point. I completely don't understand people who are bashing old plugins while they were often used for music production they love (just don't know about how it was created). But, I would like to disagree with you a little, though in one thing ;) I believe complains of users about lacking features is a 'tool'. It's pushing developers to make more advanced and features packed plugins. It is about workflow. For instance, things like mix knob in a compressor should be must have in every single implementation. Also expanding features of emulated hardware in plugin. How many we need 1176 with exactly the same controls? Maybe they sound a little different but does it matter? I don't want to call such approach laziness or looking for fast income but well... In fact the same thing about hardware. There are clones of 1176 which have completely the same knobs as original thing and nothing more... But adding mix knob and some other things would not break but gives something even powerful for users and best seller for manufacturer. It would be win-win... For instance a good example going above is Stam 1176 implementation where we have buttons to pick between different models while some manufacturers are just releasing separate ones. So it is about cost, space/power saving...
I seriously don't pay attention to any of the comments personally. Been learning the craft over a decade and still forever learning. I remember year's back, there was a picture of Caspa (dubstep DJ) and everyone slammed his pic bc of the old PC and synth at his side and I had to mention to them how great his tracks were coz it ain't what you got, it's how you use it 🤖 Love your work Dom, it's helped a lot! 👊🏾👊🏾
I don’t usually do the social media thing but just wanted to thank you for all your content that I have found so valuable. As a late comer to Cubase and home based recording in general, I really appreciate how certain ‘youtuber's freely share their experience and knowledge. Dom you are one such person, not just for the information you provide but also in the manner you present it. Unfortunately the theme of your comments related to how certain people express their thoughts and demonstrate behaviour extends far further than just music! We should always challenge certain belief structures but if not in a respectful manner the ‘good part’ between two different points of view often gets lost. One of life’s great lessons is not believing we always have the answers and valuing the experience gained by another person in all forms of life. Thank you ‘teaching an old man new tricks’ and sharing your talent and experience that I am sure all your channels subscribers recognize and appreciate. Kindest regards.
Thank you for another great video with such important points and overall philosophy! Dom, your content has tought me so much about mixing and mastering in a year or so that I've been awere of your channel. Whether it's a plugin review or "how to mix" or Cubase tips, each video you put out is always an eye (or ear) opener. As I've been mixing and mastering as kind of a serious hobby for my own band for almost 20 years now, I truely appreciate your "the result is what matters" take on things and how you discuss "secrets" of mixing and mastering and also highlight the utility of ancient plugins that still get the job done. So, thank you! 🙏
Very well said, very well delivered and also a very accurate view on just about every aspect of our new "online/social" digital culture. Thank you for that brilliant reality check.
Thank you Dom for your video! Remember "Success Is Going from Failure to Failure Without Losing Your Enthusiasm" My "two cents" on this is that getting a new gear keeps your enthusiasm going, that's all :) because let's face it, programming can be boring at times 😂
Thank you so much for your good words !! Its so much important what you have say ! Let us make music and have together fun, instead to tear down other peoples, i agree very much with you ! And thank you for your Videos, i have learned a lot from you !
You're absolutely right. There's always been this personality trait in the music world, arguing over gear and getting really aggressive about it. We should know our tools, the good and bad, but how many famous songs have been made with "bad" gear? The first songs with distorted guitars were due to malfunctioning amps! What was revolutionary in the 80s is laughable today from a tech standpoint, yet we covet the sound because of the music that it powered. No one would care about chasing "analog tone" if it weren't for the music we love that made us search for that sound, and we have so much cleaner and better tools today than any studio back then. All the plugin manufacturers have to do is change "no oversampling" to "rich harmonic saturation" 😂
Dom, thanks for putting this video together. I've been producing and mixing for my band for about the years now (not professionally) and I always come back to you because you have integrity and passion for what you do. Thanks for being a beacon of light in our community!
1001% right. As musicians we should be thankful there are those who appreciate our art and try their best to make it sound better. God bless them and you, Sir!
Hi Dom, you're right. Plus if don't have acoustic treatment will never get a nice mix with speakers cuz 85% will listen is from floor, walls and ceiling. I work in Arte Acústica a Brazilian acoustic company that's build the projects and produce the pannels based on the specific room study and I can assure that is a life change. When I see ppl talking about produce their own pannels (DIY style) it's ok but it's not professional and even disturbs our work as a reliable company. It's the same of when you need to cut your hair, maybe u can cut by yourself bit will never see all the sides and in the end it's better to go to a barber shop and let the professional do their job.
You are so cool😍Good sounds is good sound. No matter plug-ins you used the sounds is only the best way to judges. Just use the ears the determine if the plugins are useful or not😊
Love this Dom! I do love seeing vids like this because it reminds us to just USE WHAT WE HAVE! We already have phenomenal plugins built in to our DAWS and even if some don't apply all the fancy bells and whistles, it is always on us Producers/Mixers/Masters to just become the best we can first. Of course its always nice to get the new best thing, but we shouldnt ever be salty about it.
This had to be said. Preach it, bro! And even stock plug ins have become so good that sometimes I thank God to live in this time and age. I remember the days when we were happy that there was Alesis Microverb, because even Ursa Major Space Station was sooooo expensive before. Not to mention Klark Technic EQs, UAD compressors and such like. By the way, you opened my eyes for the Cubase plug ins, most of which I did not even know their names before. And they are so amazing. I dare to say that anyone who is unable to make a good production using stock plugins only is not able to teach the rest of us about anything related to mixing. And I guess their track record is as short as their…….ehem…😂
Yes colleague, fully agree. There are so many offers of buying these or those plugins, good discounts. However I just ignore them, I’m still mastering the stock Cubase plugins and completely happy with them ☺️
I rarely buy or get a new plugin. I think it's far more important to learn how to use what you already have. Most of my recording and mixing is done with the stock Cubase plugins. They work fine.
SO refreshing to hear Dom, thank you. We need a lot more of this mature perspective and common sense to balance the sheer chaos which has contaminated the consumer music production environment. More please!
Thank you Henry- I think many people lose the forest for the trees. I would prefer to see more people showing how they mix and master rather than endless plugin rants. We've seen it for two years now- do we need more of this?
This really needed to be said. I only hope enough people hear this and listen.
hahahah!!!! Dom!!! you dirty troll you! It was an intentional clickbait!!!! I forgive you! ;) Good video!
For a good reason though-
There are no good reasons to clickbait
Man, we're on the same page here! Good job, bro!
Thank you BRO! I knew you'd agree with this one- and this HAD to be said :)
Amen. But... (there's always a but!) if we let plugin devs "off the hook" for not including oversampling/anti-aliasing filters etc. where is the motivation to aspire to a higher standard? The classic "pros used this plugin on an amazing mix" should not be a justification of lack lustre engineering - Pros are "pro" because they have the experience to compensate or mask the flaws or even push a "short coming" into a sonic delight! We all buy plugins thinking they'll "enhance" our mixes and now we all have more plugins that we don't use than we do. If most plugins lived up to their hype this would not be the case... regardless of one's mixing skills.
I'm late to the party but I absolutely love this video. I was a plug in junkie when I first started but I'm mostly a stock plug-in guy now. What changed? The opportunity to spend time with a friend who is a professional mixing engineer in his studio. He gave me the appreciation for things like sweeping frequencies to find the mud or glitter. I do have a handful of paid plugins but they are bass and guitar amp simulators which I use if I'm not satisfied with what I'm getting from my mic'd amps. I'd rather spend time writing recording and mixing than searching plugin boutique for hours, but that is what I used to do and my mixes didn't get better.
Thank you for your message Pete. Inspiring :)
plugins arent ment to make your mixes better aid lugins can give u more features or a differrent sound thats the whole pooint
@@jasonanderson5034 I don't know what aid lugins are. If you understand what presets are doing under the hood, you can make it happen with stock plugins.
@@petealba707 yea u didnt get my point their are plugins that emulate hardware u cant get the same sound with many stock plugins no matter what u do most plugins are just scams ands doable with stock plugins but heir is alot of plugins out their that are legit all reverbs and lots of other effects dont sound the same even with the same setings u maybe u should learn a thing or too about mixing if u cant hear the differrence between reverb plugins amp plugins and many others
@@jasonanderson5034 maybe it's because of the run on sentences. I was taught to understand English not junklish.
I actually see a more overarching problem. The audio community hyped up hardware for so long that developers started using buzz words, flashy guis, and tricks to sell mediocre plugins.. part of the problem was the audio community having this analog over digital mindset without ever understanding digital audio and dsp. It opened the floor gates to large developers taking advantage of that!
Hey Nate, I totally agree. I think most people try to justify all the hate by blaming marketing. Marketing has always been this way- every product that's been advertised is "hyped"- from window cleaners to cars, to perfume, and yes, plugins. I would prefer some more toned-down language as well to be honest but I think getting super angry and toxic doesn't help anyone. Just move on to the next plugin if the you feel marketing overpromises :) Thank you for commenting!
@@DomSigalas I do think one thing that is easy to forget is that plugins now aways often cost $100 or even $100s of dollars. There's another side where I think you could argue people don't do a good enough job showing off indie or free plugins. Not everything is over 'hyped' or even marketed, that would just be a bias to large developers. There is a large community of people making open source plugins that sound great. I think if we want people to stop overreacting, giving them an alternative might be useful. It's hard to find well informed videos on less popular, less marketed plugins.
@@SinclairSound Agreed. That's why I've been evangelizing the use of stock plugins for ages on my channel. You don't even need to look outside your DAW sometimes. :)
@@DomSigalas Exactly. A plugin can't teach you to mix, and not knowing what you're doing can't be solved by the injection of third party wonderware.
"You have to realize where RUclips starts and ends, and where professional work and real life scenarios begin" 1000% !!! "People start spreading the wrong information, they have no experience, they have never worked in *professional environment* sometimes they don't even know what they're doing and they validate the wrong information based on an entertaining RUclips review video" YES !!! I'm an Industry pro for 25 years and I couldn't have said it better. This video is so refreshing... and needed!
Total agreement on my behalf ! The same thing counts for DAWs and the OS you use, it is all a matter of personal preference and workflow. Cheers
i was totally bamboozled by the name of the video and the thumbnail and I totally agree with all that you've said, Friend! A tool is a tool, we don't always need screwdrivers with oversampling haha
Nailed!!! But what I also don't like are ppl only commenting to grab heart icons only. Writing any blowing sugar stuff and creators picking only the comments to pamper their egos.
Thank you for using your platform to spread the positive vibes. It's not easy or safe to stick your neck out like this, so props to you. The creative process is hard enough without extra added stress or negativity. Appreciate what you're doing..... BAM
You nailed it perfectly! That is the reason I am a fan of your channel. Your knowledge, positivity and passion for the art of making music makes all the difference.
Thank you Denis ❤
Loved seeing this, Dom. I'm a baby when it comes to music producing, but I've been a screenwriter and fiction writer for a long time and it's much the same thing. People will argue for days over things like screenplay formatting and different tools for writing rather than working on improving their craft. Be the best tool in your toolbox, not the biggest tool out of it. 🙂
Thank you for all your videos, too; you are an incredible resource to the community!
I agree with you. This is a very mature attitude. You use your brain.
So glad you made this video, cos I've started to think that its something wrong with me that I'm ok with stock plugins (+ couple 3rd party) and not obsessed with every plugin that someone said you must have it
Good thinking. The ONLY thing that matters is how it sounds. I totally agree with you. Thanks!
Well done Dom. I am happy that I witnessed the digital revolution - I started as an intern in a recording studio in 1996. Had my own, very basic studio from 1999., worked with tape. I remember how excited we all were about first Waves plugins, first virtual instruments, not to mention DAWs that could record multi channel audio.
But, while evolution of software is interesting, it is just - tools, same tools I had to learn to work with in the physical format. Plugins did not make me better, they did not make my production or my music better. What made me better (tooting my own horn here, but I live from music production for 25 years now), was time spent in the studio, learning to critically listen, learning to use basic tools like frequency and dynamic processors, and of course, make TONS of mistakes. I got scholarship and did my Audio Engineering Diploma and got BA in Music Production, which of course helped me, but it was the drive to work on tons of tracks that shaped my career and skills.
I do not want to sound like an old man ranting, I do envy young generation the starting point where they don't need expensive studio to start with, rather just a laptop and a room - but the problem is, they watch these videos by self proclaimed tutors and instructors who can't do basic stuff themselves, and think that purchasing a plugin will elevate the quality of the production.
To be perfectly honest, all fancy outboard, all the expensive plugins - IMO - make 10 to 15% of a difference compared to mixing with stock plugins of, say, Cubase. You can easily mix and master the song with stock stuff if you know what you are doing, if you know your monitors, what you are going for etc. If you build your skills to that 85%, by then, you will be able to purchase those fancy hardware units. And, I think that there is a separate "culture" of semi-professionals AND companies with terrible business practices targeting beginner producers, and it drafts focus from the music and production and goes into reality tv territory. Drama : producer XY said this or that about XY plugin. Who cares. Make your music, learn, get better.
I was really enjoying your comment until half way and there being no paragraphs. Sadly I had to quit reading half way. I'll revisit and finish reading if you can split it up a little :)
@@UncleBenjs done, hope its less overwhelming this way :)
@@earlsfield Thanks dude 🙏 was way easier to read and I totally agree with every point you made. Well said 👏
@@UncleBenjs cheers matey
can u tell me what commpany made sample cell and v sampler im trying to find libaries from it but the search term is to board or nobody is searching it up their has to be soome archived tho somewhere
Thanks Dom, you are truly right. The problem is these's too many fools out there :) I think people get off on hate comments, like i said... fools :)
I used to buy sound on sound magazine every month. Great magazine. Also future music and audio technology. I have a huge pile of them in my studio bookcase being used to dampen reflections. Good times.
Spot on Dom! I just started learning CB three years ago. Worked my way up from Elements in '21 to Pro in March of this year. There are so many plugin's out there with different perspectives on each it boggles the brain. I was a professional musician for 35 years of my life I'm well aware of what hecklers (nae sayers) will do. My learning process in CB took me three years to get to where I am now and I'm still not totally there. I'm meticulous, probably OCD, about what everything does and what effect it has on a particular event and learning every aspect of that is how you can determine if it's to your liking or not. This video is extremely professional and direct to the point. If I have a problem or if something goes wrong with a plugin I'm learning it is probably something I've done or missed. I didn't get to 71 years old by looking at something for 5 minutes then deciding to follow the lemmings...lmbo. BTW... I've learned most of what I've be able to accomplish so far from watching your video's. Keep them coming my friend.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Possibly the only time i've been impressed with a bait. Glad were so aligned here too. Edit: out of some 700 videos i've done 2 negative plugin reviews, One as a PSA and 2 to call out some marketing BS. I often feel im getting battered on youtube by the volume of people opening up negative loops.
I Really appreciate 🙏 ur help..
Ur Videos has changed my life
This is the point! I watch many of snake oil and plugin reviews videos and I find it exaggerated and not useful for many of us that works professionally in the audio industry. As a mix engineer we have to understand that you need to deliver a mix that sounds good! The client doesn’t care if the plugins you’re using is free or not, or if you’re using over sampling or not, what they care is about the result. And when you want results you focus on Workflow and quality, not just 1 of these two, you focus on both because time is money!
Well said Dom!
I really appreciated what you said about engineers still making great mixes with things they have been using for long time - even from 30 years ago.
It's the end product that counts, the way you use your tools, not the huge variety of tools you have in your toolbag.
Some of the Beatles mixes are still awesome - mixed in analog from a 4 track machine!
Love your channel. Thanks a bunch!
You are so right. Semi-professionals like myself are always hunting for the miracle plugin, but they don't exist. I have made some pretty bad mixes in my days, but they were all my own fault. Either because of lack of know-how or because I was lazy. I have a few exotic plugins I like, but most of the time, I use Cubase stock and for 90% of my productions, they are good enough.
You right. 100% . Thanks for you clear words.
To be honest I prefer not to bother with negative reactions and comments too much, i filter them out.
Someone who has a truly valid critical point to make about something finds also the right way to present it.
I do not waste too much time watching reviews, only from very few people that I trust mainly their musical tastes.
What I like in a review of a product I do not know, is to see the reviewer taking the time and first explaining about the tool like I see a video manual.
Then putting the tool through its paces in a musical context, not in plugindoctor, that is ridiculous.
What is extremely rare is to combine, like Dom here, deep knowledge coming from experience with a great vibrant positive attitude.
That is really a gift to our community.
Excellent points. Unfortunately, we also have emotionalism in the other direction with some new plugins hyped as “game-changing,” “amazing” and “life-changing,” when in fact there is nothing new or special about them. This is increasingly happening as the the plugin market has (forgive the pun) become more saturated with hundreds of plugins that basically do the same thing, and we have more DAWs than ever with very capable stock plugins.
Dom, you nailed it. I could not agree more! It's the same as photography. The photographer makes the photo, the camera just memorizies what you tell it to memorize. And of course it is fun to talk about lenses and new cams and stuff but that doesn't prevent you from thinking and deciding about perspective, composition and in general what you want to see (and what not).
I don't need plugins. My MIDI packs sound great all on their own. General MIDI for the win!
Great video ! To the point and the truth! A plugin is a tool in your tool box. Most of the newcomers are looking for a magic fix without putting in the work!
Dom, I have been watching your videos for a long time now. For me it's almost never about the actual plugin that you are reviewing, but about the methods you apply for the type of plugin being reviewed. I find that I always learn something new, that translates well for something comparable in my toolbox. Keep making your videos. They are very much appreciated.
I am actually very happy and grateful that you took the time to prepare and put up this video. So first of all: thank you very much! I mean it.
As you said it throughout your video, it isn’t about agreeing or disagreeing with a point of view. The actual, personal experience is very important. Along with the learning and sort of knowing the craft, which I think is crucial and doesn’t have too many real shortcuts that could be taken, it is about the music itself. No one can tell you what the music you make should sound like: that is the point everyone has to reach for his own creations. But what I firmly believe in is the feedback others can provide, especially (a very important point in my opinion and experience) when this feedback includes questions and hints. If someone can make you try something and learn something, that helps you growing, getting better and feeling more secure about the very own creations.
Nothing can replace the time you work on something - and nothing can replace personal feedback and personal advice, especially when it stems from personal experience. Most of the people that helped me getting to the point where I am at the moment were and are very, very professional, had lots of experience … and on top of it all stayed humble even in the tips and in the advice they had to share. I have to admit that it is tempting to assume that one has learned enough, but there is always something to learn. And every hint, every idea, every suggestion has its very own, respectable value.
Nothing here is about taking a side or something like that. I guess that is about learning, about asking questions - it is about helping each other with honest and qualified feedback, sharing knowledge and sharing lessons learned from experience. That is what helps everyone involved in this grow. It takes time. And time in itself has its value, for everyone taking part in this. And me, I am grateful for every little bit that helped me being able to do what I can do now - and I am happy and eager to try and learn more.
That said, thanks again, Dom, for putting up this video!
Dom, this is magnificent. I loved it when you said, "It's YOU". ALWAYS true. I consciously try to avoid the negative and/ or dramatic vids on RUclips, and instead look for informative, positive reviews and tutorials on specific items or concepts where I need help (and that's a lot...). Thanks for this take on clickbait and drama. BTW, I have found that the most important thing to obsess on with any plugin is the tonewood used to make the knobs.
There are only two people I take notice of - Dom Sigalas and Chris Selim. Can we have these two as a plugin. The videos are clear, concisive and informative and on a level that doesn't make you want to stop watching. Thank you Dom. Respect!
I've found myself predominately using stock plugins in Ableton, just due to their ease but also functionality. For me it creates a defined base layer, and I am not eating up too much RAM. After that it's all kind of just icing on the cake. A lot of times I pre-mix while I produce, it has just become part of my workflow and stock plugins are great to compensate for my lack of "room".
So true. And this rings true for so many professions. In a nutshell: a pro has the MacGyver attitude: do your best with what you have, leveraging your skills and experience. A noob, on the other hand, falls into the "gear is everything"-trap, and looks for a magic formula. Learn the principles, adapt, try, experiment, focus on the goal, and THEN find the best tools you can afford, and move on up from there if you care, and if it makes sense. The recently passed away Jeff Beck surely had one impressive and unparalleled gear setup: his hands and his heart ;)
completely agree with you. Nowadays the Internet in general is overcrowded with "experts" in all subjects who spread bad information everywhere. Particularly in the audio, poor quality information is disseminated without control by "engineers" who mix it with their eyes, with zero knowledge. Anyway, we have to be very careful and do a very good screening of what is valid.
The "know it alls" (who are also "know nothings") have been in online forums since they began, shouting loudly about stuff they claim to be experts at (but are not). Now they're on YT. As a result there's always been a lot of disinformation online, which makes channels such as yours so so valuable. Well said! You won't change their behaviours but it certainly needs calling out, so as many as possible are aware of what these people are (and what they are not).
Dom, you are amazing! I am so happy that someone like you speaking about what I was thinking for a months! Music or "the sound" is not in plugins, it is all about us how we will treat sounds in mixing process with ANY plugin or gear. It doesn't metter with which plugin. And I am surrounded with many friends who saying: "ohh that plugin don't work good..or that is great plugin etc." and I was always watching them and thinking "what are they talk about"! I am so happy that you spoken again and we have same opinion about this. Thank you! You made my morning happy today! 🤘🏻
Hi Dom, I absolutely agree with you. Many don't even know what they are doing in their DAW. I only go on youtube to learn. To understand how everything is connected to produce music, starting from recording, mixing and mastering. For example, I have tested many master bus compressors but in the end they all do the same thing and do not make a bad mix better. A plugin can't save your life, but knowing that you know exactly what you're doing can. I think you have to analyze for yourself where the weak points are and where you need to learn more and which plugins make sense or if you already have everything. For example, Tonal Balance Control from Izotope has helped me a lot. To see where I had weak points in the mix. At this point I would like to thank you very much. I have learned a lot from you.
Dom you are ALWAYS happy in all your videos. I honestly never seen you frown until this video lol! Great content!
Edit:
Damn autocorrect changed Dom to Don lol! Corrected it!
You're absolutely right! Your videos inspire and motivate me! Thank you! So let's go to the next plugin review on RUclips.)))
Paul Third is prefering the Softube Distressor above the hardware Distressors. No problem at all. But I did a comparison for myself with my hardware Distressors and the the Softube plugin. I prefer the hardware big time. Now he's telling me I'm not capable of doing the comparison the right way. He is of course. He's the first RUclipsr I think of watching this video. 2nd is Snake Oil Sietske or Sytse. The video's are entertainment though.
Thank you for the positive comments... good luck, I'm glad you're here 🙂🙃
You are absolutely right! You maybe able to compress audio but you CAN NOT COMPRESS EXPERIENCE!
Thanks Dom, you are amazing keep up the great work…
This reminds me of what my tutor once told me. Which microphone is the best microphone in the world? The one you have. Thanks Dom. It's great to have you and to learn from you.
I also "obsessed" with comparison. I always start Excel sheets and write down all the functions, mark them and funnel them. It takes time, but - at least for me - IT'S FUN!
Hahaha! You got me with the title. Honestly though, I only clicked because you are a pro and have proven to know your craft. I wanted to get your take on those "plugins" lol. Spot on with the actual content here. Too much bickering going on for sure. Good point about spending the time we have learning the craft. Far more productive lol. You have been a tremendous help in that regard man! Cheers✌
To be honest, I didn't even realize there was such a problem until then, but I agree that plugin ratings are a huge resource for me. Instead of arguing whether the plugin is good or not, it's best to download the demo, test it and make a simple decision whether it's for me or not. If so I always save my time and money and my work gives me more satisfaction... I wish you the same.
Coming from a time where there were no plugins available due to no processor power available to even run a DAW I 100% agree with you on this topic. You said all the right things. Well done!
That track in the background is awesome! Its on his Spotify link in the description if anyone else is looking for it, "Beautiful Asymmetry".
I was ranting myself for a couple of years now, saying things about plugins and comparing them to other stuff (that doesn't even make sense). And then, one moment in my life, I met a producer, who nowadays is a friend of mine, and we spoke about my lack of mixing and how many doubts I had about this topic.
He taught me the things I didn't know, and I learned from my mistakes. I'm currently using only a few plugins because I know them well and like them sound. I won't criticize any other plugin without fully testing it first and deciding whether I find it useful for my workflow or not.
:D
Thank you for sharing Martin!
" I recorded acoustic guitar in a 44.1khz
CUBASE Pro 12 Project. Then in my trk inserts I placed DDMF's metaplugin and I put Waves C1 compressor with gentle compression imported inside of metaplugin.
I worked rather skillful on my atk/release until
I got it just right (no-oversampling). Sounded
great as I always could get it to !!
Suddenly, I activated the oversampling in
Metaplugin - the guitar sound literally
changed like night & day. It was a very
clean & detailed solo trk- more real and
definitely possessed a more 3d-like
dimension to the acoustic guitar track.
All in all.., I believe that had I recorded
at 88.2khz , I could of nulled the same
results as opposed to 44khz w/OS.
imho, I believe that most Plugins shine
their best when the project has a higher
sample rate, or using OS if recording at
44/48khz.
I record my clients projects at 44.1khz.
It's cool, & good enough. Yet the mixing,
can get a lil' foggy at times w/o OS imho.
Sample Rate settings are crucial to getting
a more defined sound/trk mix via plugin imho.
Plugins do actually produce better results
at higher sample rates - undeniable facts.
Long ago, I once recorded a Project at
88.1khz w/no OS bc the technology wasn't out. I have yet too match the same sonic
fidelity/character as opposed to recording 44/48khz.
There is a difference, besides the plugins
that one uses."
we started in the days of tape, desks and outboard gear, some of it homemade and we made great records, your so so right, if you don't know the basics, no number of plugins and presets will give you back a good mix. for sure.
Every example of your music that you have featured on your channel sounds amazing and professional. That pretty much says it all. That's why I listen to you and take your advice about plugins or mixing and production techniques - because your music/sound shows your massive skill level. Thanks for all you share with us!
PLUS your finger drumming is insane!
Thank you my friend. I appreciate this and I don't take it for granted.
Thank you very much for all your words. One of the biggest problems of people is that they don't listen at all, and they just want to speak for themselves, they just look for very simple and trivial ways, they think that mixing and mastering and making music in general is like a mathematical formula or It's physics, you put numbers in it, and boom.... Everything about plugins and everything else that others say is true, but what's the point if we don't try it ourselves? Let's try to listen more, use the experiences of others, rather than looking for wars and fights or playing with numbers.... Music has its own huge world, everything is not numbers!
Videos like this are the reason why you are one of the very few people that I follow (you, chris selim and michael white... XD). You always do a reasonable, serious, funny professional work.
I liked the music that was playing in the background - cheers!
Thank you my friend. Head over to my Spotify to listen to it properly :) ❤️
So funny, I remember going back 12 years or so. I purchased a Liquid Mix box 400 quid and there was a guy that did some forensic testing and basically rubbished the product and showed evidence that it's emulations were not accurate. I remember thinking, I don't care, it's all about the music and I got some interesting creative sound from it. I just purchased yet another reverb, 'Ether' by AIR (worth a look btw), I am sure there is something wrong, it is brand new and probably they will update but I am going to write to them because even with the wet signal at 0% and the modules turned off, it adds 6-7db to the output but hey, I just turned the channel output down 6-7db and it's fine. No drama ha ha - You are always so on point Dom, keep it up man. I love all of my plugins like I love all of your videos (and your attitude) 🙂
Dom, I really love your videos. Thanks to you I bought Cubase 12 on sale. I find you so entertaining and a wealth of information. I appreciate and thank you. Thanks for making engineering fun!
@DomI started many years ago with Pro-24 on the Atari STe, then worked with Cubase 1/2/3, went through all these versions like XT, VST, XL up to the current Nuendo 12. I also worked as a sound engineer starting with Pro Tools 4 + Opcode on a PowerPC Mac and some analog and digital tools/tapes, I toured the studios, talked to other sound engineers, worked with them. What I always say to people asking about hardware or plugins - it's much easier to mess up a good mix with the best existing plugins/hardware than to find something really crappy and useless.
Mostly these "bad" plugins are not bad, it depends on people using them with wrong audio material or settings. Sometimes audio tracks separated from the final version sound really bad, unnatural, but when you listen to them with others, they mix really well. The same goes for plugins. These bad plug-ins produce inaudible effects or, on the contrary, sound really weird, but this may be the key to sticking them to other audio tracks.
Years ago, I asked a friend of mine, a really good sound engineer, to only use factory Cubase 5 VST plug-ins for the drum tracks I sent him. I asked him for a Toto-like sound for the snare and bass drum. And you know what? It was hard to believe that those pesky standard Cubase 5 plug-ins made such a sound! People have been asking what analog gears are used to mix drum tracks. When I replied that only Cubase 5 and its VST plugins were sure I was joking. So - not plugins, not thousand-dollars gears, but your experience and ears are the most important.
Old saying: A bad craftsman always blames his tools.
Great post Dom. 🖖
Attractive !
That's good vibes!
I'm not accustomed to this kind of obsession but I understand as a beginner what you're saying but also sometimes believe that a plugin is bogus because I can't manage with it.
And hop thanks to you, I was just on one of my tracks looking for parts and there I found a very simple one but which sounds very good.
Good Vibes.
Dear Dom, you are absolutely right in everything you say about plugins. I also fully test and learn every plugin before using it. When I started in this field about 20 years ago, I also thought the more plugins the better, but experience has taught me that you have to deal with those things carefully and deliberately. But it was once again a wonderful video from you Dom. Thank you!! Greetings from Balou (Belgium)
Another great video. Have a great weekend, Dom! 😎
Your channel is one of the best out there, talented, awesome teacher, fantastic topics, sir, you are on my top ten. Being a music producer around the world for over 40 years, I still learn something from every video you make. thank you so much indeed. Talented much !!!!!
I totally agree Dom with what you said in this video. The only problem that ruins our mixing or mastering, or even our entire lives, is between the monitor and the chair (WE).
I am also a lover of plugins, I like to test them and if I like them I keep them, if they don't suit me I move on. We need to be aware that that plugin was created by someone who worked to make something quality. We don't all have the same tastes. We need to be human first and then give our opinion, not behead the creators for our inability to use them properly.
True my friend. No matter what paint brush you have, but how you paint.
yeah. at some point I was so fed up by all the controversial videos about compressors that I just said "hang on a second" and just rendered tens of different settings of the simple cubase compressor applied to the same sound. It was the most revealing and at the same time simple task that I ever did in a daw.
Love this video Dom. As a bedroom producer, we go through a good production journey and at some point we think that our music isn't sounding as good as Hardwell because we don't have the so called "pro" tools that he has. And because of plugin reviews, it is easy to believe it more and more that a plugin makes or breaks a song. I myself have been there and it took me a long time to understand that it is not the plugin, it's my music that needs to be better.
Maybe think of it this way - no amount of accessories will make my car better if the engine itself is bad. What needs to be fixed is the engine (music), not the accessories (plugins).
I think if you're a musician/producer, instead of focusing on professional sounding plugins, the focus should be on writing creative/artistic music, good chords & melodies that connect to the audience and make them feel something. Plugins won't do that, your art and music will. The rest will follow.
Not hating on plugins, plugins are cool and I even love them, but based on first hand experience, I've wasted a lot of my valuable time focusing on plugins, when I should've been focusing on improving my skills as a musician.
Everything you said ist totally correct! And another thing is that we are bombarded with plugins. I also downloaded tons and tons of them being already aware that I for sure will not even use most of them at all!
I've worked in major studios, from BBC to Abbey Road. Plugins that do automatic gain compensation, are nice, no problem whatsoever, however, if an engineer cannot turn the dial to gain compensate and balance the effect themselves, and or judge and hear the difference, (or if desired), understand what is happening to the signal once the volume is raised, then it is getting to the realm of splitting hairs and reaching the point of diminishing returns and is missing the point, basically, knowing what the boost does. In the early 2000's an HD avid rig with a good mic and pre going into at times, even a basic desk such as a Yamaha 01, sounded amazing, clear, punchy, crisp and rich. As everyone knows, the source, the signal and the environment, are the important bits, followed by gain-staging and balancing. There are some great plugins out there, however, some plugins can be overly complex and feature ladened, when one or two decent plugins with half the features will do the job. Back to the dialling business, we all know about the Fletcher Munson Curve, and what happens with volume boosting, that is all part of mixing and knowing how the mix can be enhanced and boosted, and hearing frequency boosts and volume shifts is all part of it. Balancing to perfection can result in a rather sterile, bland, lifeless mix, depending on what you are going for, and what the remit is, so automatic gain compensation, is not going to save your overall mix in an instance. If the plugin is boosting the signal by 20 db, then you have a problem with gain staging, so best avoided, if it is subtly enhancing it in a good way and the mix is balanced, then you're good to go.
Thank You! It was about a time someone to say it out loud and clear. Rock on, Dom! Love your videos and your passion!
Thank you, Dom. Great video and great point. I completely don't understand people who are bashing old plugins while they were often used for music production they love (just don't know about how it was created).
But, I would like to disagree with you a little, though in one thing ;)
I believe complains of users about lacking features is a 'tool'. It's pushing developers to make more advanced and features packed plugins. It is about workflow. For instance, things like mix knob in a compressor should be must have in every single implementation. Also expanding features of emulated hardware in plugin.
How many we need 1176 with exactly the same controls? Maybe they sound a little different but does it matter? I don't want to call such approach laziness or looking for fast income but well...
In fact the same thing about hardware. There are clones of 1176 which have completely the same knobs as original thing and nothing more... But adding mix knob and some other things would not break but gives something even powerful for users and best seller for manufacturer. It would be win-win...
For instance a good example going above is Stam 1176 implementation where we have buttons to pick between different models while some manufacturers are just releasing separate ones. So it is about cost, space/power saving...
I seriously don't pay attention to any of the comments personally. Been learning the craft over a decade and still forever learning.
I remember year's back, there was a picture of Caspa (dubstep DJ) and everyone slammed his pic bc of the old PC and synth at his side and I had to mention to them how great his tracks were coz it ain't what you got, it's how you use it 🤖 Love your work Dom, it's helped a lot! 👊🏾👊🏾
Hear Hear Dom! Well said!!! Thanks for getting that out there
A point everyone should take to heart as FACT!!
I don’t usually do the social media thing but just wanted to thank you for all your content that I have found so valuable. As a late comer to Cubase and home based recording in general, I really appreciate how certain ‘youtuber's freely share their experience and knowledge. Dom you are one such person, not just for the information you provide but also in the manner you present it. Unfortunately the theme of your comments related to how certain people express their thoughts and demonstrate behaviour extends far further than just music! We should always challenge certain belief structures but if not in a respectful manner the ‘good part’ between two different points of view often gets lost. One of life’s great lessons is not believing we always have the answers and valuing the experience gained by another person in all forms of life.
Thank you ‘teaching an old man new tricks’ and sharing your talent and experience that I am sure all your channels subscribers recognize and appreciate. Kindest regards.
Thank you for another great video with such important points and overall philosophy! Dom, your content has tought me so much about mixing and mastering in a year or so that I've been awere of your channel. Whether it's a plugin review or "how to mix" or Cubase tips, each video you put out is always an eye (or ear) opener. As I've been mixing and mastering as kind of a serious hobby for my own band for almost 20 years now, I truely appreciate your "the result is what matters" take on things and how you discuss "secrets" of mixing and mastering and also highlight the utility of ancient plugins that still get the job done. So, thank you! 🙏
True dat! Preach it Brother! Thank you for posting this Dom.
Very well said, very well delivered and also a very accurate view on just about every aspect of our new "online/social" digital culture. Thank you for that brilliant reality check.
Biiiig Up, Dom! Very well put and an issue that needed to be adressed. Love it Thank you!
Thank you Dom for your video! Remember "Success Is Going from Failure to Failure Without Losing Your Enthusiasm" My "two cents" on this is that getting a new gear keeps your enthusiasm going, that's all :) because let's face it, programming can be boring at times 😂
Thank you so much for your good words !! Its so much important what you have say ! Let us make music and have together fun, instead to
tear down other peoples, i agree very much with you ! And thank you for your Videos, i have learned a lot from you !
You're absolutely right. There's always been this personality trait in the music world, arguing over gear and getting really aggressive about it. We should know our tools, the good and bad, but how many famous songs have been made with "bad" gear? The first songs with distorted guitars were due to malfunctioning amps! What was revolutionary in the 80s is laughable today from a tech standpoint, yet we covet the sound because of the music that it powered. No one would care about chasing "analog tone" if it weren't for the music we love that made us search for that sound, and we have so much cleaner and better tools today than any studio back then. All the plugin manufacturers have to do is change "no oversampling" to "rich harmonic saturation" 😂
You nailed it Dom! Thanks for sharing these valuable thoughts!!
@Dom Sigalas Right on! Great message. Is this post on Facebook so we can share?
Thank you my friend. Feel free to share the link :)
Dom, thanks for putting this video together. I've been producing and mixing for my band for about the years now (not professionally) and I always come back to you because you have integrity and passion for what you do. Thanks for being a beacon of light in our community!
1001% right. As musicians we should be thankful there are those who appreciate our art and try their best to make it sound better. God bless them and you, Sir!
Hi Dom, you're right. Plus if don't have acoustic treatment will never get a nice mix with speakers cuz 85% will listen is from floor, walls and ceiling. I work in Arte Acústica a Brazilian acoustic company that's build the projects and produce the pannels based on the specific room study and I can assure that is a life change. When I see ppl talking about produce their own pannels (DIY style) it's ok but it's not professional and even disturbs our work as a reliable company. It's the same of when you need to cut your hair, maybe u can cut by yourself bit will never see all the sides and in the end it's better to go to a barber shop and let the professional do their job.
So true Dom🙏🙏. Thank you SO much for this video😊😊🙏
Dom You are so good, thanks for all the efforts you make and have made.
You are so cool😍Good sounds is good sound. No matter plug-ins you used the sounds is only the best way to judges. Just use the ears the determine if the plugins are useful or not😊
Love this Dom! I do love seeing vids like this because it reminds us to just USE WHAT WE HAVE! We already have phenomenal plugins built in to our DAWS and even if some don't apply all the fancy bells and whistles, it is always on us Producers/Mixers/Masters to just become the best we can first. Of course its always nice to get the new best thing, but we shouldnt ever be salty about it.
This had to be said. Preach it, bro! And even stock plug ins have become so good that sometimes I thank God to live in this time and age. I remember the days when we were happy that there was Alesis Microverb, because even Ursa Major Space Station was sooooo expensive before. Not to mention Klark Technic EQs, UAD compressors and such like. By the way, you opened my eyes for the Cubase plug ins, most of which I did not even know their names before. And they are so amazing. I dare to say that anyone who is unable to make a good production using stock plugins only is not able to teach the rest of us about anything related to mixing. And I guess their track record is as short as their…….ehem…😂
That’s why I still have a subscription on Computer Music magazine. Great ❤ video, Dom.
Well said. It's easy to criticise. It's easy to throw negative comments at someone or something.
Yes colleague, fully agree. There are so many offers of buying these or those plugins, good discounts. However I just ignore them, I’m still mastering the stock Cubase plugins and completely happy with them ☺️