When mixing drums, there are so many different plugin options that take your beats to the next level. It can be overwhelming to figure out what the best ones are for your mixes, so we’ve got you covered with drum expert Mike Pepe.
Mike Pepe is a writer, producer, and mixer well known for his work in the Rock/Pop/Alternative sphere. He teaches The Ultimate Drum Course with the Produce Like a Pro academy and right now you can take the course for only $57 ($20 OFF)!
In todays video, Mike takes us through his top 5 favourite plugins he uses to mix drums and a few of them may surprise you!
Top 5 favourite plugins:
Massenburg Design Works EQ6
The Massenburg DesignWorks EQ6 plugin, created by the inventor of the parametric EQ, George Massenburg, represents the cutting-edge in equalisation.
This EQ meets all requirements, both present and future, with traditional performance, innovative improvements, and next-generation capabilities.
Several new features, including a new active spectrum display, new high and low pass filters, and high Q shelving with finer transitions, are included in the MDWEQ6 which is based on the legendary MDW filter-form.
Native Instruments Transient Master
a must-have dynamics effect based on a studio favourite, is incredibly helpful, incredibly powerful, and deceptively easy. It is the preferred tool for placing drums and percussion since it enables you to mix from front to back and precisely control the amount of space.
With only three knobs — Attack, Sustain, and Gain — TRANSIENT MASTER is also a mix-fix for faulty recordings, and it’s quick and simple to operate. Transient Master should be the hidden ingredient in your mix as you shape your sound.
As a standalone plugin within your host programme, TRANSIENT MASTER functions.
Waves Renaissance Compressor
Any vocal or instrument recording can benefit from the special warmth and presence that the Renaissance Compressor (R-Comp) adds while yet producing transparent, undetectable results.
R-Comp offers a “no-frills” natural approach to dynamics processing with its contemporary UI. R-Comp offers threshold, ratio, attack, release, and output gain controls in addition to a choice of classic Opto or contemporary Electro compression modes.
SoundToys Devil Loc
Devil-Loc is a tiny plugin that makes drums sound large and is straightforward, cunning, and frequently unpredictable. Devil-Loc will amplify the room’s atmosphere by dropping it on a drum kit or loop, adding energy to a monotonous rhythm track. Push it to the maximum to produce extreme gating effects, where big strikes quiet the signal and cause the output to blossom into a muddle.
Devil-Loc is an example of how some of the best music production methods are built on bending and misusing antiquated technology. It was inspired by the Level-Loc, a vintage podium mic compressor.
Non-Lethal Applications Snapshot
Take a picture of anything you’re using in your recording session with Snapshot, and then store the image in the tracks of your DAW. Do you have a tone you’ve established for the vocal on your old 1176 compressor? Snap it. Have a favourite guitar amp setting? Snap it. Want to remember how your drum kit or cabs were mic’d? Snap it.
Using the free Snapshot plugin, take a picture with your phone, send it to your computer, and save it within your current session. Each Snapshot also allows you to add notes. It is easy to use, compatible with all popular DAWs, and requires very little maintenance.
Those are professional music producer, Mike Pepe’s favourite drum plugins!
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