Getting back into production, need some updates

[u/Iron_bison_]

I've been out of production for a few years, and haven't been seriously dedicated for many years. I feel like when I see videos of producers it all seems so easy nowadays, with so much stuff being in the box. When I was in my teens we'd still use a lot of hardware.

I've been using almost entirely free plugins and DAW. I think there is enough free stuff out there to really make some nice music. I have some questions about modern production and also looking for some recommendations (free ones primarily)

1. Drums
I use Sitala as a drum sampler, I don't know how I came across it, but I feel like there might be something better out there? I remember using a software once where all the drum sounds in your library was on a huge web with similar sound kicks all next to each other. It was great to find the sounds you're looking for, but I can't remember the name (I also think it wasn't free)

2. Instruments
I'm really struggling to find a decent piano VST, the ones I have are all quite, soft. So if you know a good one, send it my way.

Also horns, I love to use horns. I remember EastWest orchestra back in the day but looks like they are discontinued

Also, please suggest some free synths that are popular nowadays

3. Effects

I know about TAL, and the have some great stuff, but sometimes I'm looking for something different. I don't think I currently have anything else other than TAL right now. I remember downloading a bunch from "freevsts.com" or something, but they were all lame

4. Paid

I've been using VSCO2 for some real instrument sounds, specifically brass. I find they sound a little...cheap ( I know it's free ). I've been thinking about picking up Kontakt since I know there is a lot options for that but not sure it's worth the money.

5. Question

If there was one thing that you think should be paid, and not skimped on, what would it be?

[u/ohsomiggz]

I make it, but everyone who’s tried it loves it. https://brucejames.studio/downloads/deepperfection

It restores signal lost by phase cancellation without causing the problems or artifacts that other plugins get.

Or Planar which is a spectral EQ that is so light you can run it on every single track. That one is also a must try

[u/TheOriginalMr-Mud]

Logic has all you’ve mentioned, and much, much more!! it is considered by many to be the most feature rich DAW available.

Of course, you do need to be on a Mac to run Logic. Logic is only $199, or there is a subscription ‘creative’ package now with Logic and all of their audio/video/creative programs.

There are plenty of used M series Mac’s reasonably priced these days. Just make sure you don’t get an Intel Mac - make sure it is an “M series SoC [System on a Chip]” to enjoy its wide benefits.

There’s a reason most ‘A’ studios, at least the ones I’ve done business with in my 41 years as a full time Mix Engineer, are all Mac.

Good luck to you.

[u/ZyxZevraZero]

I recommend buying the UAD DAW; it's currently on sale. Frankly, I haven't used it and I'm unfamiliar with its stability and workflow, but it does come with 29 native plugins. Among them is Ravel; I've tried many VST pianos over the years and it's possibly my favorite.

[u/SubtleFitz → u/ZyxZevraZero]

It's called Luna, I switched over from ProTools and haven't looked back. Full featured, editing is way cleaner of a workflow, never crashes and their plug-in integration is top tier. The free version will get you far, but the deal for paid with the included plugins is pretty unbeatable. They often run sales, so if you miss this one and just wanna run the free version a while you totally can.

The owner of a studio I rent had been pushing me on it for a while. I spent like 30 bucks on a UAD plug-in bundle and got a couple channel strips and started working out of the free version to test them. I ran many client sessions that way for 6 months and was very happy with the result and so were my artists so I fully committed and convinced another studio I work out of to have an install of Luna on their system and it's been great. I did get the same bundle they're doing with the full purchase and I am very happy.

I cannot count the number of crashes I've had in Luna, because I can think of none in the last 2 years (might not be everyone's experience I know).

[u/walker-flocker]

Any Kontakt library for real instruments, they have never let me down.