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Old 11-15-2021, 02:16 AM   #1
jameslondon74
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Default New to Reaper - any extra plugins worth getting?

hi everyone, so excited to have found Reaper and to be using it. I installed the demo a few days ago and have been getting to grips with it. So far I'm really impressed with what's possible at such a low price.

My work involves editing, mixing and mastering some old recordings into a polished album. The stock plug ins that come with Reaper seem to tick all the boxes (absolutely amazed at what ReaTune can do).

I've always wanted to avoid getting distracted with too many plug ins, synths, etc and it's so easy to get bogged down in installing everything you can. I always try and remember that even what I have now is way more powerful than the Beatles ever had. So there's no reason why it shouldn't be enough.

Having said that - does anyone have any plugins that would be worth me adding to the existing default stock?

thanks
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Old 11-15-2021, 02:44 AM   #2
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Default Free Plugins

BlueCat Audio Free Plugin Pack !
The freeamp is always in use for guitar and many others.
Good sounding easy-to-use plugins for all purposes.

Airwindows complete free bundle (Donation requested)
Over 240 plugins without GUI (only grey sliders) without user manual.
The Airwindows maker comes out of the Drum'n'bass scene and the plugins are sometimes extremly destructive to natural sound. Good for excessive overdose.

And this video is a must : https://youtu.be/ATRuiH87sjw
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Old 11-15-2021, 03:12 AM   #3
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I'd say you need some reverb, since the stock algo reverb is not very good.

There are two options:

1) you get some free impulse responses and use the stock IR reverb

2) you get some free 3rd party algo reverb:
for flexibility: https://www.kvraudio.com/product/ori...-denis-tihanov
for simplicity: https://acondigital.com/products/verberate-basic/
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Old 11-15-2021, 03:16 AM   #4
jameslondon74
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wallaby View Post
BlueCat Audio Free Plugin Pack !
The freeamp is always in use for guitar and many others.
Good sounding easy-to-use plugins for all purposes.

Airwindows complete free bundle (Donation requested)
Over 240 plugins without GUI (only grey sliders) without user manual.
The Airwindows maker comes out of the Drum'n'bass scene and the plugins are sometimes extremly destructive to natural sound. Good for excessive overdose.

And this video is a must : https://youtu.be/ATRuiH87sjw
Thanks. I'll check them out.
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Old 11-15-2021, 03:24 AM   #5
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If you like the stock plugins and want to avoid getting too many plugins which are not neccessary, why don’t you just start working with the stock plugins and when you get the feeling that you can’t accomplish a certain task with the stock plugin search for an alternative?

If you do editing/mixing/mastering existing records and nothing related to composition you probably don’t need instruments, which is the only category of plugins where Reaper falls short. I’d argue with all the ReaPlugs + Jsfx that come with Reaper you probably can do everything you need to do, provided their layout makes sense to you (sometimes I just can’t figure out how to do even some simple tasks with certain jsfx).
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Old 11-15-2021, 03:26 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bFooz View Post
I'd say you need some reverb, since the stock algo reverb is not very good.

There are two options:

1) you get some free impulse responses and use the stock IR reverb

2) you get some free 3rd party algo reverb:
for flexibility: https://www.kvraudio.com/product/ori...-denis-tihanov
for simplicity: https://acondigital.com/products/verberate-basic/
Thank you. Yes I actually did wonder about Reverb seeing as it's plug in that actually creates texture and sounds of its own.

I've not worked with impulse responses. Do you have a preference?
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Old 11-15-2021, 03:29 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phazma View Post
If you like the stock plugins and want to avoid getting too many plugins which are not neccessary, why don’t you just start working with the stock plugins and when you get the feeling that you can’t accomplish a certain task with the stock plugin search for an alternative?

If you do editing/mixing/mastering existing records and nothing related to composition you probably don’t need instruments, which is the only category of plugins where Reaper falls short. I’d argue with all the ReaPlugs + Jsfx that come with Reaper you probably can do everything you need to do, provided their layout makes sense to you (sometimes I just can’t figure out how to do even some simple tasks with certain jsfx).
Yeah that's my feeling too. I couldn't care less about UI, as long as the sound is good and I can achieve what I want. The stock plugins that come with Reaper seem to be pretty fantastic to me. The only things I think I might be needed are more textural stuff to add character. But part of me feels this is all distraction, bells and whistles that will just result in a mess.
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Old 11-15-2021, 03:40 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jameslondon74 View Post
The only things I think I might be needed are more textural stuff to add character.
That is well covered too in the jsfx domain (several nonlinear analog emulation jsfx by Liteon, Saike and others). I’m not sure if they are all provided with the Reaper installation directly or if they come with Reapack.

In either case, if you haven’t already, you should install both SWS and Reapack. They also include many actions and scripts, some of which may be useful to you. It often happens to me that I filter the action list, searching for some action and I only find a script or SWS action that does it and no native action. Reaper Blog has a good YT video explaining all available Reaper extensions and how to install them.
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Old 11-15-2021, 03:52 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phazma View Post
That is well covered too in the jsfx domain (several nonlinear analog emulation jsfx by Liteon, Saike and others). I’m not sure if they are all provided with the Reaper installation directly or if they come with Reapack.

In either case, if you haven’t already, you should install both SWS and Reapack. They also include many actions and scripts, some of which may be useful to you. It often happens to me that I filter the action list, searching for some action and I only find a script or SWS action that does it and no native action. Reaper Blog has a good YT video explaining all available Reaper extensions and how to install them.
There are tons of JS plugins that come with the basic install. I'm getting the impression I have so much stuff to try, it warms my heart that I probably don't need anything else. What a joy.

I'm also the kind of person who likes to be limited sometimes, I like creative challenges and always believe you can come up with more interesting results through being innovative with limited means.
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Old 11-15-2021, 04:28 AM   #10
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I look at my Reaper projects from ten years ago and there are dozens of free and not-so-free plugins I installed simply because the UI was more intuitive (and the retro ones are nice). But Kenny's on the money. The only non-Reaper plugins I use now are romplers or favourite Vstis (though I will get to grips with RS5k for keys) and various reverbs whose presets are quicker to use than tweaking ReaVerb or ReaVerbate (Aether, Panagement). I've even settled down to the stock JS 12-band graphic.

Just don't be misled by the simplicity of the Reaper Vst UIs, it's all there under the hood.

Voxengo SPAN signal analyzer is a must, though. https://www.voxengo.com/product/span/
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Old 11-15-2021, 05:34 AM   #11
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Analog Obsession are good (free) plugins


there:

https://www.patreon.com/analogobsession
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Old 11-16-2021, 11:00 PM   #12
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TDR Nova dynamic equalizer:

https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova/
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Old 11-17-2021, 12:42 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jameslondon74

I've not worked with impulse responses. Do you have a preference?
I created a free set for use in ReaVerb
(the REAPER convolution reverb plugin).

Here is the link that contains the details
and download links:

https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=130497

Enjoy.
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Last edited by SMM; 11-17-2021 at 10:26 AM.
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Old 11-17-2021, 08:18 AM   #14
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If you feel you're missing something, demo the respective plugin and decide.
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Old 11-20-2021, 08:59 AM   #15
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My Must-Have plugins:

EQ: Gullfoss
https://www.soundtheory.com/home

Dynamic Resonance Suppressor: Soothe2
https://oeksound.com/plugins/soothe2/

Reverb: Denise Audio Perfect Room
https://www.denise.io/store/denise/PerfectRoom

Level Matching between FX: ABLM2
https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/ablm

Gain Rider for Vocals: DynaRide2
https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/dynaride

Mid-Side Mastering EQ: Brainworx bx_digital V3
https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/p...igital_v3.html

Channel Strip Plugin: Brainworx bx_console SSL 9000 J
(note: turn the Noise all the way down on the instances, you don't want extra hiss in your mix!)
https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/p...sl_9000_j.html
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Old 11-20-2021, 10:01 AM   #16
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I'd say it depends. If you're fairly new to DAWs and and don't need more than one of any kind ( and two or three is not as bogging down as 20 or 30) then the stock tools in Reaper are great, certainly great to start with. Experiment with a few impulses for Reaverb to find some that work best for you and you're good to go. Now, the jsfx plugins, many of which are user created, open up many more options, absolutely worth checking out. BUT the process of going through the list of a hundred fx is the opposite of simple. BUUUT if you take the time to do it and make note of a few that you enjoy then you can use them as simply as anything, just ignore the other hundreds there

To take full advantage of the breadth of the jsfx fx out there (most of which are well used but don't come with the Reaper install), look up how to install Reapack. It will sync new and updated jsfx that cover much more ground. Then you can go to the sites of the fx creators (forum dwellers here) and read info on the plugins. This does add a layer of complication to the process of attaining plugins, but if it's not too complicated for me then anyone can do it and you end up with many great free (or donation ware) plugins that have similar functions as paid plugins and sound just as good.
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Old 11-20-2021, 11:52 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phazma View Post
If you like the stock plugins and want to avoid getting too many plugins which are not neccessary, why don’t you just start working with the stock plugins and when you get the feeling that you can’t accomplish a certain task with the stock plugin search for an alternative?

If you do editing/mixing/mastering existing records and nothing related to composition you probably don’t need instruments, which is the only category of plugins where Reaper falls short. I’d argue with all the ReaPlugs + Jsfx that come with Reaper you probably can do everything you need to do, provided their layout makes sense to you (sometimes I just can’t figure out how to do even some simple tasks with certain jsfx).
I think Phazama has said it all right here. I'm an old fart, I've been recording since back in the 1960s and although I have other rather expensive plugins, I still use ReaPlugs, becuase they are precise, functional, and just plain work.

The main plugin I recommend that isn't Reaper is Span which is one of the best spectrum analyzers you'll ever find. Span and ReaEQ are a dynamite combination.
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Old 11-21-2021, 02:50 PM   #18
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I use fabfilter pro-Q3 EQ and Pro-C2 compression, izotope ozone 5 and 8 (only for phase correction, stereo widening, and limiter), reafir for subtractive eq needs (remove hvac etc), acon deverberate (to remove small room ambience), Valhalla supermassive (a free delay plug), and a variety of reverb plugins - altiverb, waves IR-1 (with several customized IRs), inspirata, pro-r, abbey road chambers and plates. Each of these plugins (except reafir of course) provides capabilities that the rea-plugs do not give me.
I have also tried a billion other kinds of plugs, from a variety of “vintage” (tube, opto, etc) compressors, various “vintage” preamp emulations, saturation, smoothers, etc, etc, and a hundred or more reverb plugs - all of which I found to be completely useless.
Of all these things, selecting a reverb plugin is perhaps the single most important. In general, I find convolution verbs the most realistic for creating a “space” for acoustic material, while algorithmic verbs (such as fabfilter pro-r) seem to work better for rock, pop, electronic, etc.
There is a reason pros spend money on top quality plugins…
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Old 11-21-2021, 04:41 PM   #19
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One of mine is DMG's EQuilibrium

I rate this as essential.

Yes it costs a lot.
How often do I use it
All the time
I do not have Gullfoss... I can not comment.

Grinder
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Old 11-23-2021, 11:00 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jnorman34 View Post
a hundred or more reverb plugs - all of which I found to be completely useless.
Of all these things, selecting a reverb plugin is perhaps the single most important.
Agreed - dry Denise Audio's Perfect Room. It replaced ALL my reverb plugins to include FabFilter's R.

Check out what I did with this dry Guitar:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1usk...ew?usp=sharing

I used 5 instances of the reverb plugin with different hi and lowpass settings, different decay times, and ducking settings. Really great-sounding reverb even at the extremes.
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Old 11-23-2021, 11:07 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grinder View Post
One of mine is DMG's EQuilibrium

I rate this as essential.

Yes it costs a lot.
How often do I use it
All the time
I do not have Gullfoss... I can not comment.

Grinder
I haven't tried EQuilibrium yet. Gullfoss is super-powerful in that you have hi and lowpass settings, tame and boost, and then the amount of each you want. It's an extremely smart dynamic EQ (like, 1,000 times a second dynamic adjustment) that forces you to use your ears. Most people never use its full potential and a lot of people use it incorrectly.
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Old 11-23-2021, 02:12 PM   #22
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Lynx two - I just got a copy of Denise perfect room. It is indeed a very nice verb - thanks for the heads up.
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Old 02-21-2022, 03:07 AM   #23
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Just wanted to add something; I purchased DynaRide2 and I gotta say, it upped my Metal mixing game a LOT. Use it on a subfolder containing your Metal Guitar tracks. Set attack and release to 100ms and adjust from there. Keeps those pesky single mono riffs coming through while the mains are double-tracked keeping the same volume and energy as before since it ducks down the mains just enough WITHOUT using sidechain compression. Way more transparent that way.

Example here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cko...ew?usp=sharing
And here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oDK...ew?usp=sharing
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Old 02-21-2022, 07:42 AM   #24
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Free Stuff:
All the Tokyo Dawn freebies.

Maybe pick up some Analogue Obsession freebies like Channev, and consider if you would like to support his work, if you use a great deal of his plugins. It's entirely optional.

Want a limited choice of synth but free?:
Surge XT.
Back in the day Synth1 was the solid first free synth recommendation, so lots of presets available for that too.

Klanghelm freebies.

TB Pro Audio freebies like Gsat.
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Old 02-21-2022, 09:20 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jameslondon74 View Post

Does anyone have any plugins that would be worth me adding to the existing default stock?

thanks
I added GClip to my collection.

I use it in my mastering chain
and sometimes on individual tracks.
It has a nice knee in it.

You can find it here:
https://www.gvst.co.uk/gclip.htm

Its an excellent plugin.
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Old 02-22-2022, 01:15 PM   #26
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I'd go freeware only. Whatever it is you're trying to do, you don't know whether you can do what you're trying to do for free until you've tried. Also with free VSTs, you don't need to deal with licenses, administrative nonsense, etc. Check out https://plugins4free.com/effects/ they have lots of links with reviews. Here are some of my favorite freeware manufacturers:

Analog Obsession: has lots of great classic hardware emulations for free. I use their ChannelV channel strip. Yes, it occasionally crashes Reaper if you use too many iterations. It's worth it for a free Neve channel strip that sounds so good on vocals. I've never heard of similar issues with any of their other plugins. I've recently downloaded a whole bunch of their other stuff, but I haven't had a chance to try em out. https://plugins4free.com/dev/585/

Melda Productions: has a whole series of plugins like M-Compressor, M-Convolution, etc. They're all easy to use, and have the vibe of paid plugins (lots of control, great graphics, etc). Their filters, flangers, etc. have lots of freaky sounds, have great graphic representation of their waveforms, and are easy to use. Their convolution reverb is my go to because it's so easy to use and has such a variety of sounds without having to go too far afield searching for IMs. Their free EQs and compressors are nice alternatives to the Cockos stuff, but are no better or worse. Get their whole dang free bundle www.meldaproduction.com

TAL Audio: Their Dub series of delays are OTT, and their reverbs and filters are cool too. They can hog CPU, but I haven't been having any problems lately, even with my cheap laptop. They're not the first things you'd go to if you just want to make something fit in the mix. The dub delays are well-named. https://tal-software.com/

Klanghelm: They only have 3 freebies, two compressors and a saturator, but I use them all the time. https://plugins4free.com/dev/400/

I always use ReaEq for my utility EQ and ReaLimit as my brick wall limiter because I've never found anything better or easier to use. I'll confess to being kinda visual when it comes to FX because I'm not an expert. You could probably use stock plugins for everything if you have enough knowledge and ingenuity. However, I'm the opposite. I'll download freebies just for their presets.

I've bought some stuff from Waves. It's cheap. Some of it is more refined than what you could get for free, some if it isn't. I was impressed by some of their channel strips and their dynamic EQ for $30 a piece. I haven't tried any of the high end stuff that many swear by, because I'm not a pro, and I don't need it to make decent music. I'm not particularly interested in spending more money on VSTs. I wanted an easy dynamic EQ and an SSL channel strip and now I got em.

Last edited by Maggot; 02-22-2022 at 01:57 PM.
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Old 02-22-2022, 01:37 PM   #27
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Snap Heap by Kilohearts and all their free fx: https://kilohearts.com/products/snap_heap

ValhallaDSP:

Supermassive - https://valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/...-supermassive/
Space Modulator - https://valhalladsp.com/shop/modulat...ace-modulator/
Freq Echo - https://valhalladsp.com/shop/delay/valhalla-freq-echo/
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Old 02-23-2022, 10:56 AM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jameslondon74 View Post
My work involves editing, mixing and mastering some old recordings into a polished album.
Depending on the condition of the old recordings, it's possible you might want some restoration tools, for example the Acon Digital restoration tools.
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