In the high-turnover, time-conscious world of audio post-production, having the right tools can make all the difference. Whether you're mixing for TV, radio, or podcasts, the right plugins can enhance your workflow, ensuring your projects sound professional and polished.
As an audio engineer with over 35 years of experience, I've curated a list of my desert island plugins for audio post-production. These are the indispensable tools I wouldn't want to be without, from precise loudness metering to effective noise reduction and dynamic control. Read on to discover the plugins that i reckon should be in every audio professional's toolkit.
The Essential Audio Post-Production Plugins
1. Loudness Meter: iZotope Insight
When it comes to mixing for TV and broadcast, ensuring your audio meets loudness standards is crucial. iZotope Insight is a comprehensive metering suite that not only provides precise loudness measurements (compliant with standards like EBU R128 and ATSC A/85) but also includes spectral views, real-time 3D spectrograms, and a customizable layout to fit your workflow. Insight’s features help you visualize your audio, making it easier to spot and fix issues before they become problems.
2. iZotope RX
iZotope RX is the industry standard for audio repair and restoration. Its suite of tools, including De-Noise, De-Click, and De-Reverb, makes it invaluable for cleaning up audio in post-production. Whether you're dealing with background noise, clicks, or room echo, RX has got you covered.
3. Compressor: FabFilter Pro-C 2
Whilst there are other compressors out there that I would favour for particular tasks as a part of my workflow for audio post, if I could only pick one, it would be the FabFilter Pro-C 2. This versatile compressor offers various modes (like vocal, mastering, and bus) and features sidechain EQ, lookahead, and oversampling. Its intuitive interface and flexible settings make it a go-to choice for professionals.
4. FabFilter Pro-Q 3
A versatile EQ plugin, the FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is known for its intuitive interface and powerful features like dynamic EQ and natural phase processing. It's perfect for surgical adjustments as well as broad tonal shaping.
5. Soundtoys EchoBoy
EchoBoy is a highly regarded delay plugin that brings character and warmth to your audio. With a vast array of delay styles and presets, it’s a go-to for adding depth and dimension to voiceovers and sound effects.
6. Limiter: SSL X-Limit
A good limiter is essential for maintaining control over your mix’s peak levels, especially in broadcast scenarios. The SSL X-Limit is my go-to limiter for its precision and transparency. It ensures that your mix stays within the desired loudness range without introducing unwanted artifacts.
7. Waves R-Verb
Reverb is essential for creating space and depth in your mix, and the Waves R-Verb is an old-school but highly effective choice. Its simplicity and classic sound make it perfect for adding a sense of space to voiceovers and other elements, ensuring your audio feels natural and polished.
8. MeldaProduction MAutoAlign
Phase issues can wreak havoc on a mix, especially when dealing with multiple microphone setups. MAutoAlign automatically corrects phase alignment, ensuring your tracks are in perfect sync.
9. Multiband Processor: Waves C4 and F6 EQ
When it comes to multiband processing, it’s a tie between the Waves C4 and F6 EQs. The C4 offers dynamic control over four bands with intuitive settings, making it great for taming problematic frequencies and adding punch. The F6 EQ provides dynamic EQ capabilities with six fully adjustable bands, perfect for precise frequency shaping and control.
Honorable Mentions
Serato Pitch 'n Time Pro: Great for time-stretching and pitch-shifting with high-quality results, and also excellent for manipulating music if tempo or pitch changes are necessary.
Waves Clarity: Only beaten out by iZotope RX because of the suite of plugins that come with it. If I was looking for purely noise reduction only, Clarity would be my first pick.
Waves R-Comp: My favourite when I just need to tame something that's a little wild in terms of dynamics. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the FabFilter Pro-C 2 (although its side chaining is handy, too), but when you just want to get it compressed and move on, you can’t beat it.
Tips for Using Plugins in Audio Post-Production
Less is More: Use plugins judiciously to avoid over-processing. The goal is to enhance the audio, not to make it sound artificial.
Chain Order Matters: Experiment with the order of plugins in your signal chain to achieve the best results. For example, EQing before compression can yield different results than compressing before EQing.
Presets as Starting Points: Presets can be great starting points, but always tweak settings to fit the specific needs of your project.
Incorporating these essential desert island plugins into your audio post-production workflow can elevate the quality of your projects and streamline your process. From the precise control of FabFilter Pro-C 2 and Pro-Q 3 to the unparalleled noise reduction capabilities of iZotope RX, each plugin plays a crucial role in delivering professional-grade audio. By leveraging these tools, you can ensure your mixes meet industry standards and captivate your audience. Stay ahead in the competitive world of audio production with these top-tier plugins. Happy mixing, and remember, when in doubt, get some voodoo working for you!
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