Tip: Run this in parallel on lead vocals or a vocal aux, and add a substantial amount of gain (anywhere from 1 kHz to 27 kHz) to add whatever the vocal might be missing - whether it’s bite, clarity or air. Try this plugin - add a generous amount of 12 or 16 kHz to the two-buss and you’ll see why. The original hardware unit is one of the most widely used equalizers in mastering. Tip: Use this in Unison in conjunction with an Apollo interface, and set it to mic level when recording electric guitar for the most absurd, fuzzy, 70’s lead guitar tone I’ve ever achieved in the box. It’s super smooth and I’d describe it as “forgiving” on vocals, but it works on pretty much anything. Tip: Send your bass in parallel to the 33609 and push the input to add excitement and vibe, while still maintaining the dynamics of the original signal.ĭepth, clarity, bite, mayhem - normally I choose a specialty EQ to add one of these qualities to my audio.

If you’re looking to “glue” multiple sources together and add instant excitement without killing your dynamic range, this is my favorite compressor. This compressor, which models the classic Neve hardware, is a regular on kick, snare, drum buss and master buss. Try bringing it down to just before the signal starts breaking up, and then push the input for instant vintage saturation and excitement. There are so many tonal options with this plugin - it’s like an EQ, compressor, saturator and signal destroyer all in one. It can also really warm up a master buss and is excellent on lead vocals and close-miked drums. It’s a mainstay on my drum buss and other sub-aux tracks. If I had to choose just one plugin from UAD, this would be it. Beneath are the UA plugins that I use most often. To complement their impressive line of interfaces, which also include the Apollo Quad, Twin, Solo and newer Volt, Universal Audio have been making some of the finest analog emulation plugins for over a decade now. The flexibility, sound quality and reliability make it a perfect interface for recording, production and mixing. The centerpiece of my home studio is a Universal Audio Apollo x8.

List of free uad plugins