Old 09-28-2014, 12:22 PM   #1
_RyN0_
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Default What to do for plugins?

I know about Going all freeware thread, but it's quite old, and represents a much darker time for reaper. Anyway, all of reaper's plugins, excluding ReaEQ, aren't beginner friendly and seem to be more for Band-based (guitar, acoustic drums, etc.) music, and not for electronic music (specifically trance/electro house/Aphex Twin style electronica, which are influences for my sound). Sampling will probably be done with ShortCircuit, but what plugins should I use for synth sounds (maybe one for bass/lead, and one for pads/chords/soundscapes)? also, what's good for reverb, compression, ping pong delays (or whatever kind is used in trance/techno/electronica, since I don't care about specific sub-genres) distortion, and spatial/stereo effects? What else will I need?
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Old 09-28-2014, 02:36 PM   #2
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I've tried a hell of a lot of free synths looking for one that is similar in power to Massive or Logic ES2.

I've settled on Swierk, Tunefish 4, and Anna. Usually in that order.

I also use Element of Surprise for the randomness. I just wish the 3 previous mentioned synths had randomization buttons like ES2 does. That way you could tweak the randomness after.

For reverb, I only use Reaverb with samples (usually the Lexicon PCM 90 or H3000 samples), Ambience, and EpicVerb.

For delay I only use ReaDelay now, use taps for ping-pong. NastyDLA is good too but not nearly as versatile.

Compression I use ReaComp (seeing a theme here eh?) for general use and ModernVFME for coloured saturation. LoudMax for limiting.

Spacial effects I use space360 and GFM Pyschopan for binaural stuff, and SpectralAutopan 1.5 for shifting frequencies across spectrum.

Distortion you can use the waveshapers/ folder of the JS effects, they are excellent for customization.

Last edited by Fergler; 09-28-2014 at 02:44 PM.
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Old 09-28-2014, 02:40 PM   #3
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In most cases there aren't genre specific effects. Compressor, EQ, delay or reverb etc. are just tools in engineer's hands to reach some goal (eg. fix some issue, enhance something, create vibe) regardless of genre.
If you are beginning and want to move forward, i would recommend to spend some time with reading of ReaEffects guide at http://www.reaper.fm/guides/ReaEffectsGuide.pdf experiment with sounds and create some personal idea, what each knob and slider does.
There is also few very usable effects in JS folder in Reaper, including ping-pong delay (it is named delay_pong). Check tutorials on various sites incl. YouTube and try to adapt it to Reaper included plugins. At beginning it is almost always better to seek for something like "How compressor and gate works" versus "Reciepe for great PsyTrance trackz".
I'm telling all that from my experience, it is better to know few effects well and gradually search for better alternatives, if you exhaust existing possibilities. That way, you can also appreciate, if there is something really better, than what you already have.
It quite common problem, that current beginners have so many possibilities, that they are almost paralyzed by available choices and never really learn, how to properly operate things.

Michal

P.S.: For shi*load of free or affordable plugins with reviews, check for instance:
http://bedroomproducersblog.com/
http://www.kvraudio.com/
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Old 09-28-2014, 02:51 PM   #4
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Go to the bookstore and get a $15 copy of Computer Music magazine.

They are heavily into electronica and will have lots of 'how to' info.

They also have a full DVD of free stuff, an entire studio on a disc...
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Old 09-28-2014, 02:53 PM   #5
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msmucr is spot on about there not being genre-specific processing.

I'm on Mac, so freeware is limited, but if you know how to create synth patches there's not much you can't do with TAL Noisemaker: http://kunz.corrupt.ch/products/tal-noisemaker

Check out these guides:
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/allsynthsecrets.htm (start at the bottom of the page)
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep0...onmadeeasy.htm
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Old 09-28-2014, 04:45 PM   #6
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you should get at least one modular synth. thats the basis for any studio/production that involves synth sounds. with a modular synth you are free! unlike synths with fixed pathways, you can, useing the modular system, build your own synth and therefore create much more sounds than a fixed synth would provide.
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Old 09-28-2014, 06:44 PM   #7
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Variety of Sound, Vladg Sound, Tokyo Dawn Labs, Meldaproductions free bundle. This will give you a lot of effects to play with.

Currently Meldapowersynth BETA free for 2 months. Plus you can have full version free if you make them presets:http://www.meldaproduction.com/plugi...id=MPowerSynth

KVR developper chalenges will give you about 30 good plugins to play with per year it's been on: http://www.kvraudio.com/news/kvrdc14...nnounced-27245

There's enough already to make your head spin start working it's endless those plugins really...
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Old 09-28-2014, 08:22 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinknoise View Post
Variety of Sound, Vladg Sound, Tokyo Dawn Labs, Meldaproductions free bundle. This will give you a lot of effects to play with.

Currently Meldapowersynth BETA free for 2 months. Plus you can have full version free if you make them presets:http://www.meldaproduction.com/plugi...id=MPowerSynth

KVR developper chalenges will give you about 30 good plugins to play with per year it's been on: http://www.kvraudio.com/news/kvrdc14...nnounced-27245

There's enough already to make your head spin start working it's endless those plugins really...
antress modern plugins are good too.
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Old 09-29-2014, 01:35 AM   #9
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Ryno, try and find this book if you have a little time.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Effects-.../dp/1435456149

This is an exercise and example-led book for learning the ins and outs of the most common FX, written by the same guy who wrote the REAPER "Up & Running" manual and the ReaEffectsGuide suggested above.

The effects are 32-bit, but I think most should run either through 32-bit REAPER or in 64-bit using the defult bridge, or use the REAPER-supplied Rea-effects.

Using examples, it helps you learn what you can do with effects, some of the areas you concentrate on are going to be different with your Genres, especially with creative use, but the skillset is based upon learning corrective use of effects -which is needed in all genres.

I think Amazon lets you look through some of the the book, so you can see if it's for you.


>
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Old 09-29-2014, 07:00 PM   #10
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Blue Cat Audio's freeware pack:

http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products..._FreewarePack/

Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Gain, EQ and an excellent Freq analysis plugins. All of their plugins are good and available in every format conceivable.
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Old 09-29-2014, 07:24 PM   #11
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Sonigen is a good free modular synth : http://www.sonigen.com/
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Old 09-29-2014, 07:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by _RyN0_ View Post
What else will I need?
I like the VOS plugs in addition to Reaper's stock stuff even though I have supposedly 'better' name VST. Yje best advice I have is to pick one fairly basic plug from each category and learn it inside out, backwards and interdimensionally across the multiverse. Then, and only then, look for something they are not giving you.

Ultimately, you have to learn all aspects of Comp/EQ/Delay/Verb anyway to make the best use of them so use an incremental approach and hit the books on things you don't get.

Everyone has covered several plug makers whose products are great at all levels. Basically, it's pick the one you can get the most tutorials for and learn it...then expand from there.

IMO/FWIW/ETC
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Old 09-30-2014, 06:05 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by planetnine View Post
Ryno, try and find this book if you have a little time.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Effects-.../dp/1435456149

This is an exercise and example-led book for learning the ins and outs of the most common FX, written by the same guy who wrote the REAPER "Up & Running" manual and the ReaEffectsGuide suggested above.

The effects are 32-bit, but I think most should run either through 32-bit REAPER or in 64-bit using the defult bridge, or use the REAPER-supplied Rea-effects.

Using examples, it helps you learn what you can do with effects, some of the areas you concentrate on are going to be different with your Genres, especially with creative use, but the skillset is based upon learning corrective use of effects -which is needed in all genres.

I think Amazon lets you look through some of the the book, so you can see if it's for you.


>
Wow, I didn't know this book existed. I bought some of his other books and really learned lots from them. Definitely will look into this. Thanks for the heads up.
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Old 09-30-2014, 09:39 AM   #14
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Quote:
Anyway, all of reaper's plugins, excluding ReaEQ, aren't beginner friendly and seem to be more for Band-based (guitar, acoustic drums, etc.) music, and not for electronic music (specifically trance/electro house/Aphex Twin style electronica, which are influences for my sound)
howdy, solely electronic genre producer here. proof: https://soundcloud.com/nym/the-hidden-grasses

i have no idea where you've gotten this idea. if you were to take all instances of reaeq, reacomp, reagate, reatune, and reafir out of my compositions, my entire projects would collapse (and in the case of side chaining, NOT collapse

outside of this, TAL plugins are great

some nice ones recommended in this thread as well. variety of sound.

my latest favorite has been goddamn Kairatune, it's unique sounding compared to the other tired stuff i've been using. LOVE the delays built in (usually i don't like my synths to have fx but this one is rad). just wish it had a more collapsible gui

deputy mark, i love that one too

atlantis...just wish there was 64 bit

99% of my stuff is freeware based.
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Old 09-30-2014, 10:28 AM   #15
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For bread and butter FX like comp, EQ, reverb, delay etc there is nothing EDM specific. The stock Reaper plugs are a great place to start. Even Stylistic FX like "dub" delays can be made with readelay using the built in filters and bit crushing. if you need more control consider automation - like automating a LPF sweep. You can also add FX together on an aux track. Put distortion or autopan or a resonant filter after readelay (or any other effect) and get creative.

For the best freeware FX no need to look further than here

http://bedroomproducersblog.com/free-vst-plugins/

They are categorized and he lists his favorites. IMO this is about as comprehensive a list of the BEST freebies that exists. If you see it here its worth checking out.

For great ideas on how to mix and use FX (with a large emphasis toward EDM, pop and Rap) check out Dave pensado's into the lair on YT. Forget about WHAT plugin he's using and focus on the CONCEPTS he is showing you.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...DA9FCB4BAB632A
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...57D274A1E94943


For synths and midi knowledge I am probably not the best fountain of information but the BPB link above has several sections dedicated to Free synths and there are a ton more best freeware synth blogs available via google.

http://lesitedeburnie.free.fr/lalistedeburnie1-en.html

http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2012...stiau-plugins/

http://getthatprosound.com/the-10-be...-in-the-world/

http://www.musictech.net/2013/10/fre...n-of-the-best/

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Old 09-30-2014, 10:59 PM   #16
sirmcp
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Default Synths

These are all x64 vsti.

U he's free synths (tyrell and podolski) are really good. The TAL stuff is awesome. Synth 1 is a must. Kairatune is incredible. Crystal makes nice ambient, trippy stuff. The bloo and monofury sound good. Obxd, Xhip and Charlatan are also cool. Kamioooka is a free modular.

x32 vsti
Atlantis, chimera, sonigen modular, argurus voyager, tone2 firebird, da hornet, sq8l and some of the free cakewalk synths, soundfont player should get you started.

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Old 10-01-2014, 01:26 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by planetnine View Post
Ryno, try and find this book if you have a little time.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Effects-.../dp/1435456149

This is an exercise and example-led book for learning the ins and outs of the most common FX, written by the same guy who wrote the REAPER "Up & Running" manual and the ReaEffectsGuide suggested above.

The effects are 32-bit, but I think most should run either through 32-bit REAPER or in 64-bit using the defult bridge, or use the REAPER-supplied Rea-effects.

Using examples, it helps you learn what you can do with effects, some of the areas you concentrate on are going to be different with your Genres, especially with creative use, but the skillset is based upon learning corrective use of effects -which is needed in all genres.

I think Amazon lets you look through some of the the book, so you can see if it's for you.


>
It is very good and written by someone we all know and love. . .
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Old 10-01-2014, 03:49 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pattste View Post
Blue Cat Audio's freeware pack:

http://www.bluecataudio.com/Products..._FreewarePack/

Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Gain, EQ and an excellent Freq analysis plugins. All of their plugins are good and available in every format conceivable.
+1

I'll add the for sure best free chorus Azurite and when you're already there you can DL some of the finest guitar fx - all Distorque stuff is great .

And while the Acon Digital Multiply is a great plugin (but I could right now list at least 2 or 3 which are better and it's not the matter of personal preference), I hate some stuff connected to it (this is about a month before voting was ended):

http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home...per-chall.html (sorry 'bout the OT).

Cheers,
Alex

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Old 10-01-2014, 05:49 AM   #19
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... he's put the same post on 4 different threads.

Original is here:
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.p...03#post1411703
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Old 10-01-2014, 07:00 AM   #20
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Crap! I want those three minutes of my life that I spent typing the answer back!
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Old 10-01-2014, 08:10 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alex1073 View Post
And while the Acon Digital Multiply is a great plugin (but I could right now list at least 2 or 3 which are better and it's not the matter of personal preference), I hate some stuff connected to it (this is about a month before voting was ended):

http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home...per-chall.html (sorry 'bout the OT).
So you hate the fact that the developer jumped through the hoops of Avid's AAX authorization process to cater his plugin, which he clearly cares a lot about, to as many people as possible? A free one, at that?

I say all the more power to him. He tapped into more resources and if that's what won him the vote, then he deserves it. An amazing plugin that is only for Linux, for e.g., is guaranteed not to do well regardless of how good it is, in that competition. And I think that makes perfect sense in a public opinion poll. Windows/Mac users wouldn't even be able to test it to say if it is good or not...
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Old 10-01-2014, 04:25 PM   #22
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Originally Posted by Fergler View Post
So you hate the fact that the developer jumped through the hoops of Avid's AAX authorization process to cater his plugin, which he clearly cares a lot about, to as many people as possible? A free one, at that?

I say all the more power to him. He tapped into more resources and if that's what won him the vote, then he deserves it. An amazing plugin that is only for Linux, for e.g., is guaranteed not to do well regardless of how good it is, in that competition. And I think that makes perfect sense in a public opinion poll. Windows/Mac users wouldn't even be able to test it to say if it is good or not...
I don't hate anything. Actually, if there wasn't REAPER I would be a PT user (originally that was the idea, but meanwhile REAPER came to the point where it could satisfy all my needs and since I love everything about REAPER and not so much about PT it was an easy decision (and saved me a lot of money for some other things too). The point is that that competition is (or is supposed to be) the one where anybody can win, which obviously is not true. And it's not only because of the reason I mentioned. There's a lot more to it. Anyways, I didn't want to hijack this thread with some serious talk. There's always time for that.


Cheers,
Alex
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