"List 5 Plug-Ins You Can't Live Without"
1 - Logic ES2.
This is such an overlooked synth. People assume that because it's included with Logic Pro that it lacks any real power. Seriously. I have used this more than my Access Virus. In fact, my Access Virus sat in a corner collecting dust throughout the whole process of writing "All Beauty Destroyed". 70% of everything you'll hear on this record is ES2. Intuitive design, monster sounds, very versatile beast indeed.
2 - Analog Filter Box (Reaktor 5 Ensemble)
If ES2 is the beast, this is its roar. Lots of soft synths have a characteristic in their overall sound I dislike. This very artificial digital sound that gets on my nerves more than I can say. Most of the time I just throw an instance of this on a channel to help "fix" that digital sound and make it sound more analog. The real joy of this plug-in lies in the distortion and filter sections. The digital distortion is a godsend when trying to create a massive, distorted wall of sound. Sometimes, though, it can be like trying to lasso a pissed off bull, one dial turned one notch in the wrong direction can ruin everything. But once you hit the sweet spot, it's just unmatched in my opinion.
3 - DFX Buffer Override
I love spastic effects. I use them sparingly in order to make their impact more... impacting. But this is an indispensable tool when trying to get a jittery, stuttered effect. For songs like "One and Only" I used buffer override on the synth solo and automated the cycles per beat and buffer size in opposite directions along with some improvised pitch bend action. It was essential in creating the effect that opens the track "Under Your Skin" (because that song is acapella, I had to get creative with plug ins and create unique effects with nothing but my vocal recordings).
4 - Logic Compressor
Clearly I'm not a total gear nut. I've got other compressors, but I just keep coming back to this one. Maybe it's how easy it is to get that pumping side chain effect with it, maybe it's cuz I don't know anything better. Doesn't matter. This was an essential part of creating the last record. Literally every single song uses this.
5 - Native Instrument's Massive
I can't say enough good things about this. I bought it on a whim halfway through writing "All Beauty Detroyed". I wasn't really interested in learning a new synth, (I hate technical stuff. Have I mentioned that yet?), but for $100, why not? Right out of the box I realized that this was a seriously impressive synth that was desperately needed in my setup. The very digital, crystalline sound complimented the overly fat analog sound of the ES2. I'd venture a guess and say that 28% of the new album is Massive. The remaining 2%... well that's just a fucking secret.
3 comments:
I really like the metallic sound/patch/sample on "The Devil's In the Details." Are you going to be experimenting with new vocal distortions in the new stuff versus what was used on the last two albums?
I used a lot of new vocal ideas on the new record. Still did a lot of the growl/scream from before, too.
I can't recall where that sample came from. It's just something like a metallic percussion hit I pitched and compressed.
Never really ventured into "softsynths" but this sounds cool. Furthermore, I love your sounds!
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