Doing what I do at Production Expert a lot of plugins get installed on my computer. However, I need only to look at my article Plugins Of the Decade 2014-2023 to see that we have so many great plugins which are still every bit as impressive as they were when they were released, for example would you be as surprised as I was to realise that FabFilter’s all-conquering EQ plugin was released almost ten years ago in it’s Pro-Q2 guise?

Most of us have already got some pretty amazing plugins. Surely that makes it hard for new plugins to earn a place in our plugins folders? I install lots of plugins, many of them I think deserve a place in my everyday workflow, but much of the time I’ve already got alternatives which I like just as much and familiarity and prior use crowds out the newcomer. It’s not that the new stuff isn’t good. It’s more that often I just don’t need a new plugin. I’m getting on just fine with what I’ve got. I’m sure the position is much the same for you.

What does it take for a new plugin to ‘cut through’ and actually stick around in my plugin folder and, more importantly, actually get regular use? Here is a selection of 6 plugins I’ve installed on my system in the last year which have done exactly that.

Mountain Road DSP auxCord

One surefire way to earn ‘keeper’ status is to solve a problem you didn’t previously have a convenient solution to. auxCord allows you to stream audio from iOS devices or a computer capable of using AirPlay, to your computer. Android users can use the AirPlay App. You can connect multiple devices at the same time. You can control the individual volume, solo mute and mute state of each iOS device from auxCord and crucially you don’t need to install an app on the iOS devices you’re streaming from, the only software to install is auxCord on the host computer.

The problem this solves for me is quickly routing mobile devices through the studio monitors, something which happens with inevitable regularity, without having to use a cable. It’s simple, it solves a real problem I actually encounter and it works. And it means I can avoid Bluetooth, which frustrates me as regularly as a reluctant printer!

Acon Digital DePlosive:Dialogue

We’ve heard so much in the last year about AI driven plugins which can magically fix previously intractable issues. The progress made in dialogue repair in particular is amazing. From noise reduction courtesy of Waves’ Clarity VX to dialogue repair using Accentize dxRevive, these products are invaluable for people who regularly need to fix these issues. I do have these issues occasionally but something I have to deal with far more regularly is stray plosives. For years I had dealt with these using an HPF Clip FX preset in Pro Tools. This was superseded by the excellent RX De-plosive AudioSuite plugin, which I would apply to a tight edit selection each time I had a plosive to deal with. I’d always apply it very selectively because at aggressive settings I could hear the effect on the bottom end of the voiceover.

Acon Digital’s DePlosive:Dialogue has replaced these solutions simply because I can’t hear it in use. I apply it on the most diaphragm-flapping of plosives and you simply can’t hear it’s been used. I rarely change the default settings. It solves a problem undetectably, with zero fuss. What more could you ask for?

Incidentally dxRevive doesn’t make this list because I’ve only had it a couple of days. I’m sure if I drew up this list in a few months it would be there but I can’t claim it has stayed on my machine if it’s only just arrived!

Use the button below to check out Paul’s video on Acon Digital Acoustica. Go to 5.15 to see DePlosive in use.

Sonnox Voca

So far the plugins on my list haven’t been particularly related to music production. This next one helps improve mixes by improving the most important element of most mixes - the vocal.

Most well-performed vocals benefit from at least a little extra hype to help them stand front and centre in a mix. We all have our preferred ways to get there. I’ve long been a fan of the combination of both a slow and a fast compressor with a bit of extra sizzle introduced by a touch of saturation. Whether that lift has been courtesy of an emulation of some vintage hardware or a valve condenser mic might vary but more often than not it’s in there somehow.

Sonnox’s new Voca plugin immediately impressed me with its combination of fast and slow compression, inspired by the LA2As and 1176s which popularised this approach. Tuneable saturation and a combined de-ess/de-harsh dynamic EQ module. The results are anywhere from subtly helpful all the way through to loud and proud hype. And it’s fast. Fast mixes are often the best mixes so this is definitely a keeper.

BlueCat Axiom V2

I play guitar but I’ve never described myself as a guitarist. Maybe because of this I’ve never had very fixed opinions on guitar tones, with one exception. I love a good AC30! HoweverI’ve never found a plugin which sounds quite right to me. I’ve tried several and my preference for AAX DSP plugins for guitar has led me to stick with Avid’s Eleven II. The AC30 in that can sound OK but can best be described as ‘AC30-ish’ to my ears.

I was very impressed by BlueCat’s FreeAmp plugin which featured three amp models from their Destructor Plugin. The clean amp wowed me immediately. I’d heard good things about Axiom but hadn’t tried it but when Axiom V2 dropped recently it prompted me to try it out. I found my missing AC30 model. It’s the best AC30 plugin I’ve used, though of course it does far, far more than just AC30s. I just wish it was AAX DSP!

Capitol Mastering Compressor

One category of plugin in which we have an unhelpful amount of choice is compressors. With the bewildering choice available you might think there wasn’t anything worthwhile left to do. But the next two choices show that there are still great products waiting to be made, rather than yet more versions of the same old hardware. The Capitol Mastering Compressor from UAD caught me by surprise when I tried it. It’s an authentic emulation of the CM5511 units which were hand built at Capitol for use in their mastering rooms. I’ve got more compressor plugins that I need. Far more. But then I heard this and realised I needed this as well! It’s not totally straightforward to use, it doesn’t sound its best if pushed too far but when it’s good, its really, really good. I discuss it with Steve Genewick, who was closely involved in the development of the plugin, during our podcast on Atmos embedded below. Check from 54 minutes to hear the discussion.

SSL G3 MultiBusComp

The second illustration that you should never believe anyone who says they don’t need any more compressor plugins comes in the form of SSL’s G3 multiband compressor. I’ve gone on record on the blog explaining why I rarely use multiband compressors. SSL’s G3 multi bus comp has changed that. Comprising up to 3 bands of SSL bus compression I find my familiarity with the format and the simple UI encourages straightforward, no-nonsense setup without distracting my attention away from my ears and how it sounds. I really like this plugin and it’s corrected a prejudice I’ve previously held against multiband compressors.

Honourable Mention - Wide Blue Sound Audio Plugin Uninstaller

While not a plugin, Wide Blue Sound’s Audio Plugin Uninstaller deserves a mention because working quickly with clarity of purpose is often conducive to a good mix. Clearing out clutter helps a lot and if you use a mac, this free utility makes it easy to remove those unused plugins lurking on your system. Recommended!

What plugins have made it onto your system in the last 12 months? Do you think they will still be seeing regular use in 12 months? Share your finds in the comments.