In this article Julian checks out those plugins which make mixes better just by being there. We call them Betterizers. Here are 5 to think about.

Some plugins we choose because they efficiently correct sonic issues, some we choose because they impart a distinctive character. In this article we highlight some plugins we love because they just make stuff sound better by being there.

Kush Clariphonic DSP MKII

Lots of people might reach for one of the many Pultec emulations available if they want some high end sheen on their mix. It’s a great choice, after all, decades of great records probably aren’t wrong but we’re going to choose the Clariphonic Parallel Equaliser from Kush. All of Kush’s products are aimed at vibe and flavour but this plugin is all about parallel EQ and using your ears.

Rather than conventional markings in terms of Hz, Q and dB, Clariphonic’s cream chicken head knobs offer unspecified amounts of boost (no cut option) at frequencies which are described rather than defined - Focus, Sheen or Shimmer, you get the idea. The very skeuomorphic UI mirrors the analogue hardware unit of the same name from Kush.

Clariphonic DSP MKII is a first call plugin for open top end without a hint of harshness. Its flexible too, with dual mono and MS modes and if you can figure out the various switches used to set it up it’s capable of addictive amounts of boost, not only at the extreme top end but lower down where harshness can be a very real hazard. Pultecs are great but give this a try.

Sonnox Inflator

If you’re looking for a stalwart plugin which takes what’s already there and just makes it “more” then the perennial Inflator from Sonnox is a must-have.

Sonnox Inflator is a magic plug-in which does something mysterious which just makes stuff sound better. Pop an Inflator across a few subgroups rather than just on the output and run each instance gently. You hear it, then you become less aware of it but when you bypass the Inflator(s) you really hear what it was doing.

The best thing about Inflator is that, unlike a multiband compressor, distortion plug-ins or even just HF EQ, it takes some very heavy handed use to go too far (don’t take that as a challenge though).

Wavesfactory Spectre

One of the quickest ways to add a little extra something to a mix is to add judicious amounts of saturation. In this article we look at some of the ways we prefer to add a little saturation across source tracks to get something like the cumulative effect of running tape through a console but saturation is typically a choice of “how much?” but usually not “where?”.  Spectre from Wavesfactory strikes just the right balance between flexibility and too many options to get any work done. It has 5 bands of boost-only saturation which is presented in a conventional EQ format. 9 saturation modes, from tasteful to ruined and three levels of aggression make this a very flexible plugin but courtesy of its clean UI it doesn’t encourage unnecessary tinkering.

Wind in a couple of dB of high shelf on the default setting at 10KHz and you’ll see what I mean. Simple and controllable with so many options if you want to experiment.

Sound Theory Gullfoss

Gullfoss doesn’t share its secrets but if you try it you’ll probably like it as much as we do. Taking its name from a waterfall in Iceland, Gullfoss is an adaptive equaliser which magically knows what to do. It’s unnervingly automatic and insultingly clever.

The user has control over the process but only from the top level. The Recover control dials in more of what is good and Tame reduces what is bad and that’s pretty much it. Bias and Brighten allow you to steer the process a little but if you want the level of control you might be used to in a typical EQ you’re not going to find it here.

It works better on some sources more than others but what it works on it tends to work on very well indeed. If you can tolerate the mystery surrounding what and how Gullfoss does what it does you’re going to find it an extremely useful plugin.

Process Audio Sugar

A Multiband Audio Sweetener, this is the kind of plugin I usually avoid because I find them too complicated. I praised Wavefactory Spectre earlier in this article because of its uncluttered UI. I can’t be alone in finding lots of parameters, just asking to be investigated, a distraction. Sugar is quite busy by comparison but it has a helpful workflow which makes using the plugin feel fast and direct. In essence it offers 4 bands of enhancement. You can dial in as much of each band as you like, there are two flavours of enhancement in each band and you are invited to try each, decide which you prefer and move on.

The really appealing part of this plugin is the central Wet Inject control which allows you to globally dial back (or increase) the amount of effect you have set up while keeping the relative levels between the bands intact.

Most of us would use a mix control or parallel routing to lean into or out of the effect but this is slightly different and this macro control of the four bands make this a joy to use. The results sound excellent, turning this initially hostile user into a convert immediately. A multiband enhancer you can overdo (as is all too easy) but you can easily back out of when you realise you’ve lost perspective - great.

These are our five “Betterisers”. There are lots more contenders out there. What would be on your list?