Hello, I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.
This post is Part 3, focusing on other plugins (mixing tools or those that don’t fit neatly into earlier categories but are still highly recommended).
As with previous posts, I’ve partnered with Plugin Boutique, so plugins available on their platform will be linked accordingly. If you purchase through these links, I’ll earn a small commission, which helps me a lot. Thank you for your support!
Let’s dive right in!
1) Vocal Tuning Tools
Three industry-standard vocal tuning tools dominate the market:
Antares Auto-Tune Pro 11 ($252.45): A powerful tool for manual pitch correction. With skilled adjustments, this plugin delivers highly natural-sounding results. Antares also offers various vocal processing plugins worth exploring.
Celemony Melodyne 5: Highly intuitive and fast for general tuning needs, though it lacks graphical pitch drawing capabilities. It’s my go-to plugin for vocal tuning. Multiple versions are available, but eventually, you’ll want the Studio edition. If you own a previous version, upgrading ($31.90) is most affordable. Otherwise, take advantage of the Black Friday deal ($327.80). Alternatively, you can start with Melodyne Essential ($53.90) and upgrade to Studio ($273.90) for the same cost.
Synchro Arts Revoice Pro 5 ($275): With an improved UI in version 5, it excels at aligning chorus and lead vocals, as well as matching timing and volume. It might take some getting used to, but it’s indispensable once mastered. Revoice’s specialized tools, Vocalign 6 Standard ($97.9) and Vocalign 6 Pro ($229.9), are also great for vocal alignment. Among the three, I recommend Revoice Pro 5 the most.
2) Analyzers & Plugin Diagnostic Tools
DDMF Plugin Doctor (~$30): An invaluable tool for analyzing and testing plugins or hardware. It helps you make informed decisions when buying plugins.
Yolean Loudness Meter ($29.7): A fantastic analyzer for measuring LUFS values. The free version is solid, but the paid version allows file-based loudness analysis. A reliable reference tool for mastering engineers.
Flux:: Session Analyzer (Studio Session Pack, ~$70): A versatile tool for analyzing multiple metrics simultaneously. It’s more cost-effective to buy the Studio Session Pack than individual tools. For advanced users, consider the Analyzer Essential ($478.8), which supports offline analysis and multichannel setups.
(Unfortunately, iZotope Insight 2 isn’t discounted yet, but it’s another excellent choice.)
3) Filters and Creative Effects
Moog MoogerFooger ($163.9): Moog is known for both synths and filters. This plugin bundle emulates the MoogerFooger pedals beautifully. If the full bundle feels expensive, consider smaller bundles: 4 plugins ($108.9) or 2 plugins ($60.5). I highly recommend the MF-101 Lowpass Filter ($31.9) as a must-have.
Denise Audio: Known for tools like the Motion Filter ($42.9) and other effects such as enhancers, gates, and saturators. The Motion Filter stands out for its unique capabilities.
Other brands like Output, Baby Audio, and Zynaptiq also have ongoing discounts.
4) Speaker Calibration Tools
Sonarworks Reference 4: Adjusts frequency responses for speakers and headphones. While the bundled mic (Behringer ECM8000) has its critics, it’s still a useful tool for improving your monitoring environment.
IK Multimedia ARC 4: Another speaker calibration tool. While ARC 4 isn’t discounted now, the IK Multimedia Total Studio 4 MAX ($164.99) includes ARC 3.5 and offers incredible value.
Other tools like Dirac Live and Trinnov Audio Optimizer are popular in the hi-fi world, but they’re on the pricier side. Personally, I use an Earthworks M30 measurement mic with a routing program (Audio Storm LiveProfessor) to manage my dual subwoofer setup.
I’ve compiled as much information as I could over the past two days. There may be additional discounts on the actual day, so I’ll update this post if needed.
Happy shopping and enjoy the Black Friday deals!
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