Many stock plugins, at least the ones I use, which are the delays, the compressor, the EQ the DeEsser, the reverb, are fantastic! Avid’s reverb, the plate setting is a fantastic sounding plate. It’s kind of a secret weapon! Do you know how many people I know that when they’re using Pro Tools like the stock plate? It’s really popular. And if you’re using side chain compression on it, it can get even better still!
I think the reason why I try to push using stock plugins at all is because, I want to encourage you to make music!
My job is to help you and mentor you in the best possible way I can. I’m not one of the channels going “You’re doing it wrong!” That’s not my job. I’m not telling you a bunch of bologna because I’m looking at the waveforms and saying “Look it’s out of phase!” What does it sound like? Listen, don’t look at the music.
With all that in mind it I feel it is my responsibility to encourage you, not to tell you off! I make mistakes every single day of my life. I’ve done videos where I’ve made mistakes! I will joke about it and I will wear it. It doesn’t bother me because that’s how people grow. We make mistakes.
So what is point? My point is, I push stock plugins at first because I want you to be making music! As much as I love the Waves Rvox or the MV2 (two of my favorite plugins ever) and all the other plugins I mention (and didn’t!), as much as I love them, that’s stage 2 of the master plan.
Stage 1 of the master plan is “Get you making music.” Get you opening up your DAW, get you opening up using stock plugins! And as you get excited and you start creating great music, then you can start looking to these amazing companies for other plugins! They are so affordable now!
We’re looking for a way to get you going and to encourage you! Start mixing with stock plugins, and don’t listen to anybody, all of the “experts” telling you you’re doing it wrong, just listen and make great music. If it means that you’re bussing it to 5 different directions and it’s coming backwards, forwards, sideways or whatever, and it comes up sounding absolutely amazing, then that is all that matters.
Obviously you want to learn the skills of your trade. I can only encourage you to try to surround yourself with positive people that are uplifting and want you to succeed, which is what we do here!
I hope you enjoyed today’s FAQ Friday! I’ll see you next week!
