Author: Jooyoung Kim

Mixing Engineer, Music Producer

2024 Black Friday Plugin Sale Guide Part 3 – Miscellaneous Effects

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!

2024 Black Friday Virtual Instruments and Plugins Sale Guide: Part 2 – Virtual Instruments

Hello! This is Jooyoung Kim, mixing engineer and music producer, and singer-songwriter.

Now, let’s dive into Part 2 – Virtual Instruments (Synthesizers, Sample-Based Instruments, Orchestration Tools).

As mentioned in Part 1, I’ve collaborated with Plugin Boutique for this guide. Links to products on Plugin Boutique will direct you there, while those unavailable on their platform will link to their respective websites or other discount pages.

Purchasing through Plugin Boutique links provides me with a small commission, which helps support my work. Your support is greatly appreciated!

This section is organized by instrument type for easier navigation.

Virtual Instruments

1) Acoustic Drums

  • BFD3: My go-to acoustic drum plugin. While the initial setup might seem tricky, just a bit of knowledge about drum recording will let you create realistic drum tracks. At $42.9, it’s a steal! However, you’ll likely need to invest in some expansion packs for serious use.
  • SSD5.5: Another solid acoustic drum plugin. Currently priced at $49. It also requires expansion packs for full functionality. I used to use the free version back on Cubase 10 with Windows, though there were compatibility issues back then. These should be resolved now.
  • Superior Drummer 3: Although I haven’t used this personally, it’s a favorite among pop producers. It comes with a wealth of preloaded sounds but is quite pricey at €299 (Black Friday price).
  • Addictive Drums 2: I haven’t tried this one either, but it seems to be a popular choice for simpler setups. Their discounted collections include the Custom Collection (3 kits for $92.4), Custom XL Collection (6 kits for $178.2), and Custom XXL Collection (10 kits for $273.9).

2) Piano & Synthesizer Emulations

  • UVI Key Suite: Offers an extensive and diverse library of sampled pianos and synthesizers, surpassing even Keyscape. At $224, this is a great deal if you’re looking for an all-in-one bundle.
  • Arturia V Collection X: Arturia excels at emulating classic synthesizers. This collection features 39 instruments, including acoustic pianos (Piano V, with nine piano types), electric pianos, and synthesizers. Priced at $328.9, it’s worth exploring if you love classic sounds.
  • Korg Collection 5: This bundle includes 15 emulations of iconic Korg synthesizers and is priced at $328.9.

Other honorable mentions include Native Instruments Komplete, Roland Cloud subscriptions, Xfer Serum, Keyscape, and Omnisphere, though they don’t seem to have discounts at the moment. Perhaps on the day itself?

3) Bass Virtual Instruments & Guitar Effects

  • IK Multimedia Modo Bass 2: Instead of purchasing the bass plugin alone ($54.99), consider the IK Multimedia Total Studio 4 MAX bundle ($164.99) for better value. Many are transitioning from Trilian to this plugin, though I ended up buying a physical bass instead.
  • Scarbee Series: Decent bass libraries, but it’s better value to purchase them as part of Native Instruments Komplete during sales.
  • IK Multimedia Amplitube 5 MAX v2: A must-have for guitarists. With both bass and guitar amp simulations, it’s a versatile tool priced at $109.99. Again, Total Studio 4 MAX is more cost-effective.
  • NI Guitar Rig 7 Pro: Another top-tier effects processor for guitarists. However, for composers, it’s wiser to wait for a Komplete sale rather than buying this standalone ($103.4).
  • Bias FX2: Widely used among guitarists. Currently 50% off at $149—definitely worth checking out.
  • Brainworx Guitar & Bass Bundle: Includes 24 amp models, 7 pedals, and various effects, all for $69.3. With 34 plugins in total, it’s an excellent value for its price.

Unfortunately, Trilian, the staple of bass virtual instruments, doesn’t seem to be on sale either. Perhaps closer to the day?

4) Strings & Orchestration Tools

  • Musio 1: Amazing value! With over 80 instruments (including the iconic Cinesamples library) at $163.9, this is a no-brainer. Updates are ongoing, and though a “2” version may be on the horizon, this is still an unbeatable deal.
  • Spitfire Audio: A classic name in orchestration. Albion One is great for cinematic sounds, while Chamber Strings suits pop strings. BBCSO is excellent for classical vibes, and their Abbey Road and Studio series are worth exploring.
  • EastWest Sounds: Known for their Hollywood Orchestra OPUS Edition and Symphonic Orchestra. Their Pop Brass and Voices series are also excellent. Their ComposerCloud subscription is discounted at $149/year for Black Friday.
  • VSL (Vienna Symphonic Library): Produces ultra-realistic orchestral libraries with a steep price tag and a learning curve. Ideal for professionals dedicated to orchestration.
  • Orchestral Tools: A long-established brand, now offering 50% off. Their Berlin series is highly recommended.
  • Project SAM: Known for their Symphobia series, which is great for cinematic sound design. Symphobia 1 and 2 are staples, while 3 and 4 add more nuanced effects.
  • Audiobro: Popular for Korean pop strings, particularly the LA Scoring Strings series. They’re now pushing their Modern Scoring series as well.

Closing Thoughts

I wanted to include samplers or sound effects for video work, but I’m less familiar with these areas. I primarily use Logic’s built-in sampler and NI Battery. Also, since I play guitar myself, I didn’t cover virtual electric or acoustic guitars here.

Hopefully, this guide helps you navigate this year’s deals!

Stay tuned for the final part, covering effects plugins and miscellaneous tools—coming soon. Time to recharge before tackling the rest!

2024 Black Friday Virtual Instruments and Plugins Sale Guide Part 1 – Mixing

Hi everyone! This is Jooyoung Kim, mixing engineer and music producer.

Black Friday week has finally arrived!
To help those of you still deciding what to buy, I’ve compiled a list of recommendations, sorted by category:

  1. Part 1 – Mixing (Compressors, Reverbs, and more by company)
  2. Part 2 – Virtual Instruments (Synths, sample-based libraries, orchestration tools)
  3. Part 3 – Other Plugins (Recommended plugins that don’t fit into the above categories)

I’ve received a lot of support from Plugin Boutique over the years, so plugins available on their platform will link to Plugin Boutique. For others, I’ll provide links to the developers’ websites or other sale platforms.

If you purchase via my links, I’ll receive a small commission, which helps support my work. Your support means the world to me! 😊

This list is quite extensive. If you want to search by company, simply use Ctrl+F (or Cmd+F on Mac) to find what you’re looking for.
Let’s get started!

1) Universal Audio

Click Image to Purchase UAD Plugins

Universal Audio (UA) is a household name in the audio world.
In the past, you needed a Satellite PCI-E card or hardware with DSP chips to use UA plugins. Now, their plugins are available in native formats, making them more accessible.

Recommended purchases:

2) Waves

Click Image to purchase Waves Plugins

Waves plugins are studio staples worldwide. While some dismiss them due to their age, affordability, and widespread cracked versions, don’t underestimate the quality of their offerings.

For example, their SSL 4000 compressor emulation is one of my personal favorites.

If you’re looking for the best value:

For more advanced needs, you can opt for Mercury, though its high price makes it hard to recommend unless you’re fully committed.

That said, Waves’ current sale isn’t as steep as others, so if you’re shopping for mix bundles, check out IK Multimedia below!

3) IK Multimedia

Click Image to purchase IK Multimedia Total Studio 4 MAX

IK Multimedia has gone all out with their Total Studio 4 MAX bundle sale this year. At $164.99, this is an unbeatable deal!
(Note: This price isn’t available on their official site.)

This bundle is ideal for beginners, covering virtual instruments, mixing, and mastering plugins—all for under $250!

The bundle includes the T-Racks Max 5 v2 version for mixing plugins. While it’s not the latest (T-Racks Max 6), the difference is negligible.

Check out my previous review on T-Racks Max 5:
IK Multimedia T-Racks Max v2 Unprecedented Discount (Until June 30th)

If you’re looking for a great all-in-one bundle, you won’t regret purchasing this!

4) Soundtoys

Click Image to Purchase Soundtoys Plugins

Soundtoys occasionally offers 60% off their bundle, as they are now. In previous Black Friday sales, discounts hovered around 40–50%, so now is the perfect time to grab it!

Recommended individual plugins:

5) Eventide

Click Image to Purchase Eventide H9 Bundle

Eventide is renowned for their reverbs and modulation effects.
I highly recommend their H9 Series, though it’s a bit pricey.

For individual plugins, check out:

6) Arturia

Click Image to Purchase Arturia FX Collection 5

Arturia FX Collection 5 Overview & Sale (50% Off, Until December 10th)

Arturia’s FX Collection 5 is packed with mixing plugins, and I recently reviewed it in detail. If you want to know what’s included and which classic hardware they’ve emulated, take a look at the post.

Recommended individual plugins:

However, individual plugins aren’t currently discounted, so I’d recommend this bundle for those with intermediate to advanced mixing knowledge.

7) Brainworx

Click Image to Purchase Brainworx plugins

Brainworx creates some fantastic plugins that I often use in my mixes. Originally exclusive to Plugin Alliance, they’re now also available on Plugin Boutique.

Recommended plugins:

8) Leapwing Audio

Leapwing Audio produces high-quality plugins, though they rarely go on sale. These are on the pricier side but are worth it.

Recommended plugins:

  • CenterOne: Advanced LCR processing beyond standard MS processing.
  • StageOne 2: Great for adjusting stereo width.

You can check my earlier reviews of these plugins here:

9) iZotope

Click Image to Purchase izotope plugins

iZotope was acquired by Native Instruments last year, resulting in several collaboration bundles.

Key plugin recommendations:

Additionally, iZotope has developed Neoverb, a reverb plugin leveraging technology from Exponential Audio (previously acquired by iZotope). It’s worth exploring!

10) Sonnox

Click Image to Purchase Sonnox Plugins

Sonnox is a renowned plugin developer for mixing, recently offering steep discounts amid market changes.

Recommended plugins:

  • Claro: Combines EQ and stereo widening in one tool.
  • SuprEsser: Initially a De-Esser, but versatile for other tasks.
  • Pro-Codec: Ideal for mastering, allowing playback simulation across codecs.

Though their UI might feel dated, their plugins perform exceptionally well.

11) Goodhertz

Click Image to Purchase Goodhertz Plugins

Goodhertz is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a 37% Black Friday discount!

Recommended plugin:

  • Good Dither: A reliable dithering plugin for mastering.

12) AudioThing

Click Image to Purchase AudioThing Plugins

AudioThing produces affordable and highly useful plugins.

Recommended plugins:

  • The Orb: A formant filter plugin.
  • Valves: A tube saturator that’s surprisingly effective and budget-friendly.

Especially consider Valves—it’s inexpensive yet highly effective for saturation tasks.

13) FabFilter

Click Image to Purchase Fabfilter Plugins

FabFilter is known for its top-tier optimization and performance. However, their plugins can be pricey.

Recommended plugins:

  • Pro-Q3: Exceptional EQ with superior latency performance compared to others. Great for those managing large sessions.
  • Pro-L2: A premium limiter with few alternatives in its class.
  • Pro-MB: A highly versatile multiband compressor.

If the cost is a concern, alternatives like Sonnox Claro and Arturia Bus PEAK might be worth considering.

14) NUGEN Audio

Click Image to Purchase Nugen Audio Plugins

NUGEN Audio is perfect for audio engineers who enjoy a technical approach.

Recommended plugins:

  • SigMod: Allows creative routing and effects processing.
  • Monofilter: Ideal for managing stereo width in low frequencies.

Their plugins are tailored for professional and technical audio work, offering unique utilities.

15) Softube

Click Image to Purchase Softube Plugins

Softube creates exceptional plugins with authentic analog emulation.

Recommended plugins:

  • Weiss Gambit: A versatile channel strip plugin.
  • Tape: A reliable tape simulation plugin.
  • Softube Essentials Collection: Includes Tape, British Class A (Neve console emulation), Model 84 Polyphonic Synthesizer (Juno-106 emulation), FET Compressor Mk II (1176 emulation), and Wasted Space (reverb). This bundle is affordably priced at $128.7.

Additionally:

  • Weiss DS1-MK3: A mastering limiter, although pricey, it’s a highly acclaimed plugin.

16) Cableguys

Click Image to Purchase Cableguys’ Shaperbox 3

Cableguys plugins are excellent for creating groove and movement in your tracks.

Recommended plugins:

  • ShaperBox 3: Adds creative modulation and rhythm to your mix.
  • Kickstart 2: Simplifies creating rhythmic sidechain effects.

Their full bundle costs under $100, making it a great value for both mixing and music production.

This concludes the mixing plugin recommendations! Up next will be virtual instruments and other effects plugins. Stay tuned for Part 2!😊

The History of the UA 610 Preamp and Introduction to the LA6176 Plugin (90% Off Until Nov. 30)

Hi everyone! This is Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.

It seems like every company is releasing tempting new gear—just yesterday, Warm Audio unveiled a new series of 1176 replicas! I was planning to grab a hand-crafted Japanese unit, but now I’m seriously considering their Rev D model instead. Decisions, decisions…

Today, I want to introduce you to the UAD LA6176 channel strip plugin, which combines the 1176 compressor and 610 preamp.

Purchase LA6176 at Plugin Boutique

This plugin was provided to me as part of the UAD Spark NFR subscription. If you decide to purchase it via the links in this post, I’ll receive a small commission—any support is greatly appreciated! 😊
Let’s dive in!

The History of the Universal Audio 610 Preamp

Universal Audio 610 Console

The 610 preamp originated from Universal Audio’s custom-built mixing console, designed by Bill Putnam Sr. in the late 1950s. Most recording equipment of that era was bespoke, but the 610 introduced a modular design, making it easy to swap out broken channels.

The 610 preamp module

The console offered:

  • High headroom (+30 dBm output, equivalent to a whopping +32.2 dBu!)
  • Mic/line inputs, pad functionality, high/low EQ, and echo sends.

Only about 25 units were made, but they were used by legendary artists like Ray Charles and Frank Sinatra.

Reissues and Plugins

Based on this legendary design, Universal Audio released various reissues like the 2-610, Solo/610, and M610 channel strips and mic preamps.

In the plugin world, Universal Audio introduced two versions:

  • The 610-A Preamp Plugin (faithful to the original design).
  • The 610-B Preamp Plugin (modeled after the reissue).

They also released hardware like the LA-610 (a 610 preamp paired with an LA-2A compressor) and the 6176 (a 610 preamp with an 1176 compressor).

The UAD LA6176 plugin recreates the latter in software form, bringing both its preamp and compressor/EQ sections to your DAW.

Plugin Features

610 Preamp + EQ

The input section works best in Line mode when used with UA Apollo’s Unison preamps. You’ll find:

  • Input Gain control.
  • 75 Hz low-cut filter, -15 dB pad, and phase inversion switches.

The EQ section features a simple shelving design, but the High EQ acts like a tilt EQ when boosted, subtly cutting low frequencies as you increase highs.

High EQ boosted to +4.5

Comp Mode

The compressor section offers two modes:

  1. 1176 Mode (top selector).
  2. LA-2A Mode (bottom selector).

Both modes exhibit slightly different tonal characteristics, with subtle differences in low-end compression.

Even when the EQ and compression are bypassed, the plugin adds natural saturation.

At high SPLs, you’ll notice slight compression even with no additional processing.

1176 Compression

In 1:1 mode, the 1176 exhibits a very subtle knee, creating a compression ratio that feels like 1:1.01—barely noticeable but present.

In 4:1 mode, compression is tighter and more aggressive. Comparing the UAD LA6176 to the standalone UAD 1176LN plugin, their compression curves are nearly identical, suggesting the plugin replicates the 1176’s algorithm seamlessly.

LA-2A Compression

The LA-2A mode behaves slightly differently depending on the model emulated. For example:

  • The Silver model exhibits distinct compression characteristics compared to the Gray model and Tube Compressor emulations.

When used, the plugin adds more harmonic richness than applying the 1176 or LA-2A plugins individually. This makes the sound fuller and more dynamic.

Why Choose the LA6176 Plugin?

UAD has shifted its pricing strategy dramatically, offering deeper discounts during sales like Black Friday. Considering its detailed emulation of legendary hardware, the LA6176 is a powerful addition for any studio setup.

Purchase LA6176 at Plugin Boutique

If you’ve been eyeing premium channel strips, now might be the perfect time to grab this plugin at a fraction of the original cost!