A brief overview and history of music software plugins:

Music software plugins are software-based tools that can be used to alter or enhance the sound of audio recordings. They are typically used in conjunction with digital audio workstations (DAWs) and can be used to perform a wide range of tasks, such as adding effects, processing audio, and creating virtual instruments.

Plugins have revolutionized the modern music engineer workflow in a number of ways. First, they have made it possible to access a wide range of high-quality effects and processing tools that were previously only available in expensive hardware units. Second, they have made it possible to create virtual instruments that can sound just as good as, if not better than, their hardware counterparts. Third, they have made it possible to work more efficiently and creatively, as they can be loaded and unloaded as needed, without the need to re-patch or reconfigure hardware.

The history of music software plugins can be traced back to the early 1990s, when a number of companies began developing software-based effects units. These early plugins were often quite basic, but they quickly gained popularity among musicians and engineers due to their affordability and flexibility.

In the years since, the development of music software plugins has accelerated rapidly. Today, there are thousands of plugins available, covering a wide range of effects and processing tasks. Plugins have also become increasingly sophisticated, with many now offering features that were once only available in hardware units.

As a result of these advances, plugins have become an essential tool for modern music engineers. They offer a wide range of benefits, including affordability, flexibility, and performance. As a result, they have revolutionized the way that music is produced and mixed.

Here are some of the benefits of using music software plugins:

• Affordability: Plugins are typically much more affordable than hardware units. This makes them a great option for budget-minded musicians and engineers.
• Flexibility: Plugins can be loaded and unloaded as needed, without the need to re-patch or reconfigure hardware. This gives musicians and engineers a great deal of flexibility when creating their music.
• Performance: Plugins can often be used to achieve the same results as hardware units, but with better performance. This is because plugins are not limited by the same physical constraints as hardware units.

Now let’s dig into some of our favorites!

If you know anything about software plugins then you probably know about Fab Filter.

FabFilter is a Dutch audio software company that develops digital audio processing plugins for Windows and macOS. The company was founded in 2002 by Frederik Buyckx and has since released a wide range of plugins, including EQs, compressors, limiters, reverbs, delays, and synthesizers.

FabFilter plugins are known for their high sound quality, intuitive interface, and comprehensive feature set. They are used by a wide range of professional musicians and engineers, including Grammy-winning producers and mastering engineers.

Some of the most popular FabFilter plugins include:

• Pro-Q 3: A 24-band, fully parametric equalizer with a wide range of features, including dynamic EQ, external spectrum visualization, and EQ match.
• Pro-C 2: An 8 mode compressor with a wide range of features, including sidechain compression, parallel compression, and auto gain.
• Pro-R: A high-quality reverb with a wide range of algorithms, including hall, room, plate, and spring.
• Timeless 3: A vintage tape delay with a wide range of features, including modulation, EQ, and saturation.
• Volcano 3: A powerful filter plug-in with a wide range of features, including multimode filtering, modulation, and distortion.

FabFilter plugins are available in both stand-alone and VST/AU/AAX formats. They are compatible with a wide range of digital audio workstations, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, and Ableton Live.

FabFilter plugins are a great choice for musicians and engineers who are looking for high-quality, versatile, and easy-to-use audio processing tools. They are used by a wide range of professional musicians and engineers, and they are available at a very reasonable price.

Here are some of the pros and cons of FabFilter plugins:

Pros:

• High sound quality
• Intuitive interface
• Comprehensive feature set
• Wide range of algorithms
• Compatible with a wide range of DAWs
• Moderately affordable

Cons:

• Some plugins can be quite complex
• Can be CPU intensive if oversampling is on

Overall, FabFilter plugins are a great choice for musicians and engineers who are looking for high-quality, versatile, and easy-to-use audio processing tools. They are used by a wide range of professional musicians and engineers, and they are available at a very reasonable price.

The Cosmos team utilize Fab Filter plugins as the foundation to our mixing process. We specifically use the Pro-Q3, Pro-C2, Saturn 2, Timeless 3, Pro-MB, Pro-R, Volcano 3…actually, essentially every plugin they offer! The interface allows for optimal workflow…if you can get a hang of each interface. I wont lie, some of their plugins can be extremely complex, and have quite the learning curve. If you can master the plugins though, the possibilities for what each plugin do are near endless.

Universal Audio is a leading manufacturer of audio hardware and software. The company was founded in 1958 by Bill Putnam Sr. and has since become a respected name in the audio industry. Universal Audio’s products are known for their high sound quality, innovative features, and ease of use.

Universal Audio’s plugins are some of the most popular in the world. They are used by professional musicians and engineers in a wide range of genres, from pop to rock to classical. Universal Audio’s plugins are known for their authentic sound, which is achieved by using emulations of classic analog hardware.

Some of the most popular Universal Audio plugins include:

• 1176LN Compressor: A classic compressor that is known for its punch and warmth.
• LA-2A Leveling Amplifier: Another classic compressor that is known for its smooth sound.
• Teletronix LA-610 MKII Tube Preamp/compressor: A versatile preamp and compressor that is known for its warm sound.
• Neve Complete Bundle: The Universal Audio Neve Pre-Amp Collection is a set of pre-amp, EQ, compressor, channel strips, and limiter plugins that emulate the sound of classic Neve hardware. The collection includes the 1073LB, 1073LN, 1073MP, 1272, 1273, 1276, 1290, 2254, and 2264. These preamps are some of the most sought-after in the world, and they have been used on countless classic recordings.

Universal Audio’s plugins are available in both stand-alone and Spark subscription formats. They are compatible with a wide range of digital audio workstations, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, and Ableton Live.

Universal Audio’s plugins are a great choice for musicians and engineers who are looking for high-quality, authentic audio processing tools. They are used by a wide range of professional musicians and engineers, and are available at a mid-level price.

Below are some of the pros and cons of Universal Audio plugins:

Pros:

• High sound quality
• Authentic sound
• Wide range of features
• Compatible with a wide range of DAWs

Cons:

• Limited DSP depending on your sound interface if you aren’t using the native plugin versions.
• On the pricey side

Our team uses a few of these plugins in specific cases when we want to capture a more “analog hardware” sound to whatever it is we are processing. We specifically use the 1176, LA-2A, and a few other various effects plugins. When comparing the tonal quality of these plugins vs. others on the market, or even copycat versions of these, I have to say these are the gold standard.

Sonible is an Austrian audio software company that develops intelligent audio processing plugins. The company was founded in 2009 by two audio engineers, Georg Stemmer and Markus Pitsch. Sonible’s plugins are known for their innovative features and their ability to improve the sound of audio without adding any unwanted artifacts.

Some of the most popular Sonible plugins include:

• smart:EQ 3: An intelligent equalizer that uses machine learning to automatically correct the frequency response of audio.
• smart:Limit: An intelligent limiter that uses machine learning to prevent clipping and distortion.
• smart:Comp: An intelligent compressor that uses machine learning to achieve transparent compression.
• smart:Reverb: An intelligent reverb that uses machine learning to create natural and realistic reverberation.
• smart:EQ live: A real-time equalizer that uses machine learning to correct the frequency response of audio in real time.

Sonible’s plugins are available in VST/AU/AAX formats for Windows and macOS. They are compatible with a wide range of digital audio workstations, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, and Ableton Live.

Sonible’s plugins are a great choice for musicians and engineers who want to improve the sound of their audio. The plugins are easy to use, they offer a wide range of features, and they are affordable.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Sonible plugins:

Pros:

• Innovative features
• Ability to improve the sound of audio without adding any unwanted artifacts
• Easy to use
• Affordable

Cons:

• High CPU Load

Within the last year we have started to explore the Smart:EQ 3 and it has definitely improved my mixing workflow. The AI built into the plugin analyzes the source audio and creates a suggestive EQ curve to enhance the source audio. Beyond this amazing feature, you can also create groups of up to 6 instruments or instrument groups, set them into a custom hierarchy of importance, and simultaneously mix them intelligently together to circumvent any masking issues.

Izotope is a software company that develops audio plugins, audio mastering products, and audio editing software. It was founded in 2001 by Mark Ethier and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Izotope’s products are used by professional musicians, producers, and engineers in a wide range of genres, including pop, rock, classical, and film scoring.

Izotope’s mixing and mastering plugins are some of the most popular in the world. They are used by professional musicians and engineers to improve the sound of their mixes and masters. Izotope’s plugins are known for their high sound quality, innovative features, and ease of use.

Some of the most popular Izotope mixing and mastering plugins include:

• Ozone: A mastering suite that includes a wide range of tools for improving the sound of audio, including EQ, compression, tape saturation, imaging, excitation, maximizer.
• Neutron: A mixing suite that includes a wide range of tools for improving the sound of individual tracks, including EQ, compression, and reverb.
• RX: A suite of audio repair tools that can be used to remove noise, clicks, and other unwanted artifacts from audio recordings.
• Tonal Balance Control: A plugin that helps users to achieve a balanced tonal sound across their mixes.
• VocalSynth: A vocal processing plugin that can be used to create a wide range of vocal effects, including vocoding, pitch shifting, and formant shifting.

Izotope’s mixing and mastering plugins are available in VST/AU/AAX formats for Windows and macOS. They are compatible with a wide range of digital audio workstations, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, and Ableton Live.

Izotope’s mixing and mastering plugins are a great choice for musicians and engineers who want to improve the sound of their mixes and masters. The plugins are easy to use, they offer a wide range of features, and they are affordable.

Here are some of the pros and cons of Izotope plugins:

Pros:

• High sound quality
• Innovative features
• Easy to use
• Affordable

Cons:

• None

When we are mastering our songs, the first tool I reach for is Ozone. The interface is easy to figure out. The maximizer, specifically, is what I’m most impressed with. The algorithm Izotope invented for their Maximizer is par none due to its ability to drive loudness without distortion.

Conclusion

Obviously there are thousands upon thousands of software plugins out on the market. This list is a brief insight into the main ones we use regularly. I think most of us producers have more than we can count, and even more we have forgotten we even have! In future blog posts we would be happy to dig into some individual plugins, and how we use them in our mixing and mastering process.