How to complete this Home Studio Setup?

[Synchanter]

Well I tried ReaComp, ReaVerb and ReaEQ, and watched tutorials, and applied them to my synth drum tracks.
However, I concluded though they are OK plugins, they don't really KICK ASS.
So I tried out some demos of 3rd party Compressor, Reverb and EQs on my drum tracks.

Reverb and EQ were no-brainers. YES Valhalla Room. Decided to buy 5 seconds after activating on drum track.
Spline is just crazy easy to use and precise in curve manipulation. At $50 and $25 respectively, not items that would really cause buyer remorse.

Compressor was trickier, as they are expensive. Avoided trying anything beyond $250.
I tried Cytomic The Glue, PSPaudioware MasterComp, Oldtimer, Vintage Warmer 2, Fabfilter Pro-C and DMG Compassion. All of them turned out to be very good, I would happily use any of them.

However, Compassion totally blew my mind because the presets sound great but also the features and options seem to go far beyond the others. As I want to use only one compressor for everything, that is attractive to me. The only reason I am hesitating is because Vintage Warmer 2 also sounds so amazing on everything. Its like A1 Steak Sauce or something. But much less versatile than Compassion.

OK, I am rambling now. Got to think more.

[rod_zero]

Well I would have gotten a full suite of effects if using reaper (fabfilter for sure and add valhalla VVV), basically covering all the basic and then some because of the great flexibility of the plug ins.

Don't why you don't want speakers, but mixing just in heaphones is futile. Studio monitors are a most if you intend to get things done properly.

[Synchanter]

Well I would have gotten a full suite of effects if using reaper (fabfilter for sure and add valhalla VVV), basically covering all the basic and then some because of the great flexibility of the plug ins.

Don't why you don't want speakers, but mixing just in heaphones is futile. Studio monitors are a most if you intend to get things done properly.

I'm nervous about plunking down a chunk of moolah for any suites at present, as I want the best of each category rather than a mix of great and not-so-great products. Speaker I definitely do want, just dreading the $100s I expect they will cost. Oh well, if I need speakers I need speakers.

Just to be clear, I have spent quite little so far, Valhalla Room $50, SplineEQ $29 and Groove3.com tutorials $15
These purchases have delivered a ridiculous amount of value for their cost, so no buyers remorse at all.

It's the compressor that is hardest to choose! I know I need one to clean up my drum tracks.
However, I am torn between those that really modify the tone like Vintage Warmer 2/Compassion and Pro-C that is absolutely crystal clear. Don't know enough to really test out these products, so your opinions on them are highly valued guys.

[wesleyt]

VintageWarmer and Pro-C are a great starting combination. Gritty and clean--great complements.

I'd recommend holding off on Compassion for a year or so until you have some experience. My lack of understanding of it led me to trust some presets on a mix that bit me, and I had to re-do it with a less complicated compressor,because I couldn't figure out how to fix what it was doing wrong.

I think a better alternative to Compasion for newbs is Klanghelm's DC8C. Its presets are simply astounding and easy to adapt.

BTW, there are no compromises in FabFilter's products. Every single one is top notch. I've gradually collected almost all of them over the years. Pro-C and Pro-G are on every one of my mixes, and Saturn is astounding in its flexibility. All are highly recommended.

[wesleyt]

Just to clarify: I am not a compressor preset guy. On complicated compressors like Compassion and DC8C, it's important to use presets (mods specifically on Compassion) as starting points if you're not a compression wizard. And I am not one.

One of the Compassion mods broke my stereo image on one mix, and I couldn't figure out how to stop it from doing that. It's been sidelined until I better understand compression and how to control it.

Btw, another FF favorite of mine is Pro-L. It ends up on almost every master I do. Pro-MB is the only multi-band dynamics plug I use. Incredibly versatile. The only major FF plug I don't have yet is DS, and that is because I've been able to use MB so far in its stead.

My vocal treatment channels are almost always all FF. I'm a big fan.

[Synchanter]

VintageWarmer and Pro-C are a great starting combination. Gritty and clean--great complements.

Ah thanks, after trying both I don't think either would be a case of buyer's remorse.
I will just flip a coin and get Vintage Warmer 2 or Pro-C then the other at a later time.

BTW, there are no compromises in FabFilter's products. Every single one is top notch.

I believe it. I demoed 4 of their products and all 4 were top of their class. They all have this crystal clear sound and pleasant, accessible GUI.

Ah Pro-L sounds good for limiter. I should look into that. I know a limiter is not something that needs to be used often, but I want one just to know I have a complete studio.

[rod_zero]

Another advantage of fabfilter stuff is that the GUI helps you to understand what the effects do to the signal.

If you were using any of the other hosts (live, logic, cubase, studio one, pt, bitwig) I would recommend using their included effects. Reaper included ones are good enough but the lack of GUI make them uninspiring and tiresome to use them.

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

Another advantage of fabfilter stuff is that the GUI helps you to understand what the effects do to the signal.

If you were using any of the other hosts (live, logic, cubase, studio one, pt, bitwig) I would recommend using their included effects. Reaper included ones are good enough but the lack of GUI make them uninspiring and tiresome to use them.

i get your point, but there is a lot to be said for learning to use your ears. the op is using tutorials to learn the theory and application of these processors, so it might not be necessary to learn from visual feedback. reacomp has enough visual feedback, via meters, to know what's going on

i love a good gui as much as the next guy, but am more and more seeing the value of stripping back the visual

[el-bo (formerly ebow)]

by the way, i'm not saying he needs to stick with reacomp, just to maybe not base decisions on graphics

of course, pro-c does sound pretty good also

p.s might be worth the p checking out stillwell plugs. quite well-regarded, and you get a major discount if using them with reaper

[Synchanter]

I would compare Pro-C, Vintage Warmer 2 and Compassion this way:
Pro-C makes my drums sound clearer, Vintage Warmer 2 makes them sound groovy, and Compassion gives me the option to make them sound like 10 different drum sets!

Yes, I know GUI is not everything. Still Fabfilter GUI is efficient and that ease of use is a big plus to me.
I'm not daunted by the learning curve of Compassion after I messed around with it and found it can sound like almost any other compressor (including Pro-C!) and also act as a limiter, exciter, gate and more. It would save money if it can play the role of many different compressors so I don't have to buy 2 or 3 for different types of music.
I should check out Stillwell.

[Synchanter]

OK, since you guys were so kind as to give me all that advice on compressors and limiters I should update you on what I chose:
Vintage Warmer 2 + Cytomic The Glue + Fabfilter Pro-L for mastering.

Why did I choose that combination? Listen to what it did for my drum track!!
https://soundcloud.com/synchanter/drums-untreated
https://soundcloud.com/synchanter/drums ... mictheglue
https://soundcloud.com/synchanter/drums ... h-ff-pro-l

YMMV, its probably not for all types of music.

Cheers,
Synchanter

[kuzami]

Just started a small home studio for fun. I have the following gear listed below. What other software/hardware do I need to make professional sounding tracks? Don't want to spend more than $1000 more. So just the bare essentials please!

PC: i7-4500U, 8GB RAM
DAW: Reaper
MIDI Controller: Roland A-49
Soft-Synths: DIVA, Harmor, Blue II.
Drums: Drumaxx

Basically, what software is necessary to polish a raw Reaper project into a finished professional sounding MP3/.wav? Do I need an Equalizer? Compressor? Reverb? Sorry, no clue about recording at all.

My interest is just making some cool electronica tracks. Analog type sounds as the base with some more modern, interesting sounds to make it interesting. Need to learn mixing or whatever to make them sound less amateurish.

It would be awesome or fun too if you share your home studio setups!

Thanks in Advance,
Synchanter

Looks nice, but I would change Drumaxx into Punch by Rob Papen and maybe upgrade the MIDI keyboard to a Axiom 49 MKII by M-Audio if you can afford it. Also, you should know that you can get Harmor and Blue II cheaper by buying from Jrrshop.com (U-he doesn't do that stuff).

[Synchanter]

Thanks for the advice. Jrrshop has interesting deals. Down GAS!!!
Yes, I want to upgrade my MIDI keyboard sometime, but it somehow doesn't seem urgent as A-49 works fine.
Drumaxx sounds good but I'll probably get more drum machines for variety.

So far, absolutely no regrets with Vintage Warmer 2, The Glue or Pro-L.
It's fun learning more and more about their features, they don't disappoint.
If the rest of their products are as good, anything PSP, Cytomic or FabF is fine by me!

[kuzami]

Thanks for the advice. Jrrshop has interesting deals. Down GAS!!!
Yes, I want to upgrade my MIDI keyboard sometime, but it somehow doesn't seem urgent as A-49 works fine.
Drumaxx sounds good but I'll probably get more drum machines for variety.

So far, absolutely no regrets with Vintage Warmer 2, The Glue or Pro-L.
It's fun learning more and more about their features, they don't disappoint.
If the rest of their products are as good, anything PSP, Cytomic or FabF is fine by me!

The Rob Papen Explorer 3 Bundle is worth Checking out. I think they have discounts on jrr shop right now. You will get better plugins if you buy them individually from different developers, but it will cost a lot more. Rob Papen stuff is very good too, dont misunderstand me. Cytomic, Fabfilter and PSP are very good. I own VintageWarmer, Xenon and Neon by PSP, gonna get even more Fabfilter and Cytomic are also on my list.

[MadAnthony81]

A good Limiter such as that from Waves.com.

EQ, multi band, compressor. Think about a CLA-3a from Waves.com.

Waves is always going on sale but quite frankly most of it is not suited for EDM and the EDM packs are a rip-off.

Try looking up the Top Ten Best at Music Radar via Google.

The MKii Mod Compressor is outstanding for free.