Plugins - the good, the bad, the free - a discussion

Ok, just wondered if we could maybe have a discussion about the third party plugins we're using, what we think about them, and maybe point the way to some low cost or free options that we're aware of.

I'll start the ball rolling by saying that I'm using Logic (Express) and I find most of the built-in plugins are pretty decent. So, I haven't gone down the external plugin path all that much. But a new computer, upgrade to most recent version of Logic (which allowed me to use up to date plugs) has made me take the plunge.

I've added the Waves convolution reverb (to my ears a pretty big step up from the verbs in Express for most applications) and their H-eq. I'm still thinking about vibey compressors (when the ubk 1 comes out in au compatible format, I think I'm gonna take the plunge, although I've also heard good things about a couple of the Stillwell units), a good multitap delay, maybe the Slate console emulation and/or a tape emulator like the Eddie Kramer one.

I'm also looking for decent and not too pricey acoustic piano and organ (mostly B3) samples.

Ok, onto the low cost/freebie side of things.

I mentioned the Stillwell comps above - fairly inexpensive and free to demo. The 1973 eq of theirs has a pretty nice top end - not hard and digital sounding like the built in one in Logic. Waves has a current sale with a bunch of stuff under $50. Flux has a few things - I believe their bittersweet is free. Voxengo has a bunch of free things that are useful. Massey tapehead is free if you use the au format.

Any others you know of and are worth checking out?

Cheers,
Geoff

I'm a REAPER guy and I'm quite happy with the free REA plugs included. But I supplement with a few: Variety of Sound http://varietyofsound.wordpress.com/ does an algo reverb that I really like, Epic Verb. The free MS tool from Voxengo, MSED, is one I use often. The only plugs I've purchased are from ToneBoosters: http://www.toneboosters.com/ They've become my goto plugs.

I just found an old copy of Wizooverb W2 - is it gonna be worth the hassle of getting it running and authorized under Win7 - hmmmmmmm. Still making up my mind about that.

Fran

I'm a REAPER guy and I'm quite happy with the free REA plugs included.

Fran

That's cool - I've been meaning to give reaper a look and just see what it's like as I've heard good things. Good to hear the built in plugs are decent.

Cheers,
Geoff

I use Audacity for really quick audio edits, but I've been having trouble finding a semi-decent reverb plugin. Apparently Freeverb isn't compatible anymore. Can anyone point me to a good alternative?

The Epic Verb I mentioned above works in the Audacity 1.3 beta, as do SIR, Gverb, Glaceverb, and Classic Reverb.

Fran

The Epic Verb I mentioned above works in the Audacity 1.3 beta, as do SIR, Gverb, Glaceverb, and Classic Reverb.

Thank you so much! I'll make sure to try them out when I get home.