Blog » CNXL STUDIO

My Favourite Plugins (1 of 5)

I often get asked which are my favourite plugins. I decided to answer this question with a 5 parts blog post.

1) Channel Strip and EQ
2) Compressors and Limiters
3) FX including Reverbs, Delay and Saturators
4) Space Enhancers Chorus / Flanger, Utility and others.
5) Virtual Amps and Virtual Instruments

I use a fair amount of plugins when I mix some are seasonal, I use them a lot for a few months then I move to something different, some have been with me for a really long time. Those are the one that I’ve been with me for quite a while and I keep using on almost every mix.

Channel Strips

If you have been following this blog you know that my Channel Strip of choice is the Softube Console 1 with the SSL 4000 E Channel.

I use Console 1 on every mix, on every instrument and on all the other channels, including fx returns, virtual instruments, 2bus and on the stereo mix out. This is my Swiss Knife of tool that gives me low and high pass filters, transient shaper, gate, 4 bands EQ, compressor and a saturator. I just love it. Sounds great and it helps to mix fast without compromising on the quality.

On the Master Out, I always have the Chandler Zener-Bender channel strip, and on some tracks, I often use the Summit Audio Grand Channel Console. Those are all compatible with the Console 1 hardware interface.
If I don’t have my trusty Console 1 available I use the SSL channel strip from Waves or/and the Scheps Omni Channel this second one is really an amazing plugin that can be used to achieve really lot’s of different sounds.

EQs

If the SSL EQ on the Channel Strip combined with on the harmonic distortion that can enhance the high or low-frequency harmonics, isn’t enough, then it really depends on the sound I need to process. But my choice is usually between the Neve 1073 EQ (Scheps 73), the H-EQ which is really versatile, the SSL G-Equalizer or the Kramer HLS (all Waves plugins).
When I need a dynamic EQ I go for the Waves F6 which is a joy to use and my go-to for DeEssing.

For surgical EQing I use F6 or the Waves Renaissance Equalizer or the Waves Q10. Using differ kind of EQs help to preserve separation while making some tracks really stands off for their uniqueness. (This is also true for compressors).
For example, I would use different EQs, a Pultec on a kick drum and API550 on guitars, a Neve 1081 on vocals and a Neve 1073 on the bass guitar, in this way all they would have their unique character.

Sound Engineers loved this hardware unit and this plugin is a treasure.

This is a new entry to my collection of plugins. The PSP 2445 EMT is a reverb processor plug-in that sounds great and it’s easy to use.

Inspired by two legendary early digital age reverberators: the EMT^® 244 and the EMT^® 245. PSP thoroughly researched how to bring the specific features of those simple, yet very musical sounding reverbs to life as a plug-in.

The reverb algorithms implemented in PSP 2445 are based on original algorithms designed by Dr. Barry Blesser (one of the grandfathers of the digital audio revolution). Thanks to Barry’s extensive consultation and support those algorithms sound as good as the originals and plug-in could be officially endorsed by EMT Studiotechnik GmbH.

This plugin is on discount until the 5 of July at only $29. Don’t miss this opportunity. https://www.pspaudioware.net/

The PSP 2445 EMT immediately found its way into my productions and mixes. My favorite reverbs hug the track in a way that is supportive and not distracting. Using this plug-in feels like I have the EMT units in the equipment room. Rich, complex and dense, this reverb plugin lives permanently in my mix template.

Greg Wells, record producer, songwriter, musician, and mix engineer
Celine Dion, Katy Perry, Adele, Pharrell Williams, Rufus, Timbaland, Pink …

The PSP 2445 is an exceptional reverb plugin. I remember seeing the original in all the mastering rooms. It was a really high quality verb that few could afford. The depth and natural decay of the PSP 2445 plugin is impressive. They matched perfectly the original and actually I think they improved it. It’s no surprise, I love so many of their other plugins.

Michael Brauer, legendary multiple Grammy winning mix engineer
Coldplay, John Mayer, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones …

The PSP 2445 is a welcome addition to any plug In arsenal. It faithfully reproduces, and goes beyond, the EMT 244 and 245 classic algorithmic reverbs which were EMT’s digital version of a plate reverb. These super musical reverb units are just gorgeous on vocals, guitars, drums and percussion, synths, bass, strings, nearly anything you can throw at it. These reverbs are based on tried and true designs that were made to just sound great in a recording studio and the PSP 2445 does not disappoint. It’s at home for subtle short doubler type effects as well as long beautifully decaying reverbs – something I find difficult to achieve with a plug in. If you’re looking for a very useful extremely musical versatile plugin, look no further.

Paul J. Falcone, Mixer, Musician, Engineer, ProducerMissy Elliott, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Maxwell, Luther Vandross, R.E.M., Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige …

Interesting Cool Plugin!

Plugindoctor a really interesting plugin that helps you analyse what is happening to the sound when you process it with a selected plugin.

Whether you are a plugin developer yourself who wants to thoroughly test the audio quality of your latest and greatest product or a power user who wants to understand in more detail what exactly a specific plugin is doing to your precious audio material, Plugindoctor will help you find out!

https://ddmf.eu/plugindoctor/

Process Audio in Real-time using analog hardware

Whit this super cool service you can add some real analog processing to your music.

How It Works
Access Analog gives musicians and recording engineers real time access to professional analog audio hardware over a standard internet connection. Audio streams from the Analog Matrix plugin across the internet, through the analog hardware, and returns to the plugin in real time.

The Analog Matrix plugin remotely controls the physical knobs, buttons, and switches on the audio hardware. The audio hardware meters and indicators are precisely tracked and displayed in the plugin interface in real time.

Try it out! https://accessanalog.com/

Introduction pricing:

Duration	Regular Price	Sale Price
30 Minutes	$9.99	$5.99
1 Hour	$19.99	$9.99
1 Hour 30 Minutes	$26.99	$13.99
2 Hours	$32.99	$17.99
3 Hours	$37.99	$23.99

Music Theory Lessons

It’s really important for musicians, singers and also music producers to be able to communicate and talk about music at a deeper level. Know what is a scale, a chord and what are intervals allow a more effective communication that means achieving high results in studio.

Online there are 100s of tools that can help us learning or even just refreshing some basic knowledge in music theory.
One that I feel like suggesting to use is MUSICTHEORY.NET a well put together website with a series of basic lessons that really help you learn.

Cash-out instantly when your music streams

Digital card

Left your card at home? Don’t worry about it! StreamCard is also a digital card, so you can just swipe your phone to use Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Emanate self-upload has arrived!

We’re excited to release alpha 1.3 giving you more freedom to manage your releases! Watch as Jimi runs you through the process!
🎧 Emanate is a community that instantly rewards artists and music lovers for their creative expression and dedication to music.

If you are not distributing your music on Emanate you should do it now!

Learn more about Emanate here
Visit https://emanate.live/home and sign up!

Remix Contest: ‘Love’ by Les Amazones d’Afrique

West African musical collective Les Amazones d’Afrique invite you to remix their recent single ‘Love’, taken from the new album Amazones Power.

Participants are invited to submit their work as part of a remix contest hosted by Real World Records in association with Universal Audio, who have provided a package of prizes for the best tracks. The winning tracks will be chosen by a panel which includes producers Jacknife Lee (U2, The Killers, Snow Patrol), Che Pope (Kanye West, Lauryn Hill) and the engineers of Peter Gabriel’s world-renowned Real World Studios.

The brief

Just as producer Liam Farrell did with the original session recordings, we encourage you to take the song to new and unexpected places. The mix pack includes stems from the initial recording session in Paris, elements of Doctor L’s production, as well as a new Malian funk guitar part by Sountoucoumba “Salif” Koné, a member of Les Amazones d’Afrique’s live band. The only rule to follow with this contest is to be daring in your approach to the track. Whilst there is plenty of heritage in the music of Les Amazones d’Afrique, the band have always sought to steer their music into fresh new territories, blending pan-African styles and collaborative harmonies with gritty, contemporary pop influences. We hope to see this same attitude reflected in the remixes we receive.

The Prizes

“We are delighted to offer prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in this contest. Prizes have been generously provided by Universal Audio, and they will be: Universal Audio Apollo x8 (1^st), Apollo x4 (2^nd), Apollo Twin X QUAD (3^rd), along with a copy of Les Amazones d’Afrique’s album on double coloured vinyl and a selection of Real World and Universal Audio merchandise for each finalist”. In addition, the winning remix will be considered for release as a digital single by Real World Records.

HOW TO ENTER

Please read carefully the terms and conditions and End User Licence Agreement below. You will be asked to agree to these in the process of entering the contest and receiving the remix stems.

https://mailchi.mp/realworld/remixed

Frequency Cheat Sheet

Some crucial EQ bands and what they sound like

50-60 Hz

Thump in a kick drum
Boom in a bassline
Essential in dub, dubstep and reggae !
Too much and you’ll have flapping speakers and a flabby mix
Too little, and the mix will never have enough weight or depth

100-200 Hz

This EQ band adds punch in a snare
Gives richness or “bloom” to almost anything
Too much makes things boomy or woolly
Too little sounds thin and cold

200-500 Hz

Crucial for warmth and weight in guitars, piano and vocals
Too much makes things sound muddy or congested
Too little makes them thin and weak

500-1000 Hz

One of the trickiest areas
Gives body and tone to many instruments
Too much sounds hollow, nasal or honky
Too little sounds thin and harsh

2 kHz

Gives edge and bite to guitars and vocals
Adds aggression and clarity
Too much is painful!
Too little will sound soft or muted

5-10 kHz

Adds clarity, open-ness and life
Important for the top end of drums, especially snare
Too much sounds gritty or scratchy
Too little will lack presence and energy

16 kHz

Can add air, space or sparkle
Almost too high to hear
Too much will sound artificial, hyped or fizzy
Too little will sound dull and stifled

New sound palette added to the CNXL STUDIO.

Now available for our mixing and mastering service the sound of the historic EMI/Abbey Road sound from the late 60s realised by Chandler Limited®’s hardware and reimagined for a modern studio context.

Units used on modern classic records by Beyoncé, The White Stripes, and Lady Gaga

A powerful and musical modern channel strip with the unique vintage sound of Chandler Limited®, the Zener-Bender combines the crisp and colorful character of the Curve Bender Mastering Equalizer with the big, punchy Zener Limiter to bring class, history, and most crucially of all, a phenomenal sonic impact.

Tracing the heritage of the Chandler Limited® Zener-Bender is like discovering an imperial family tree. Its roots are in EMI consoles, used at Abbey Road from the 60s onwards to record some of the most seminal albums of all time, by the likes of Pink Floyd and The Beatles. And right up to the present day Curve Bender and Zener Limiter are being used in both hardware and plug-in form by top producers and engineers across records by world-leading artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, The White Stripes, Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, and more. The influence of the Chandler sound cannot be overstated. It shapes the world it rules.