What Are the Most Effective Plugins and VSTs for Elevating Your Beat Making?
Creating beats is not just about the right sounds and effects; it's an art that requires passion, practice, and a deep understanding of the tools you use. While high-quality plugins and Virtual Studio Technology (VSTs) can significantly enhance your music, they won't do much if you're not proficient in your skills. Let's dive into the role of plugins and VSTs in taking your beat making to the next level.
Context and Essential Skills for Beat Making
Trevon emphasizes the importance of dedication and practice. Having played drums and music for decades, he speaks from experience when he says, 'It’s an art, it’s what I do, and I’m fucking good at it.' This underscores the fact that regardless of the tools you have, the foundation of good production lies in your skills and understanding of music.
Dismissing or undervaluing music entirely can hinder your progress. The art and craft of making beats should be respected, and honing your skills is crucial. As Trevon puts it, do not disrespect music or drums.
Identifying What You Lack to Elevate Your Beats
The effectiveness of plugins and VSTs hinges on understanding what aspects of your beat making need improvement. If your beats lack interest, you might need synthesis and sound design plugins. If they sit poorly in a mix, consider tools for mixing. And if they're repetitive and 'flat,' creative effects can help. A modern Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) comes equipped with a wide range of high-quality effects, which are often more than sufficient for most tasks.
Choosing the Right Tools
Recent companies such as Baby Audio have impressed with their tools, particularly those designed for beatmaking. For instance, Crystalline is a reverb that syncs with the tempo and has intuitive controls, hiding the complexities of reverb. Transit is great for creating transition effects and sweeps.
For utility and more utilitarian stuff, FabFilter provides top-tier tools. Pro-Q3 is a standard in equalization, and Pro-L2 is a highly transparent limiter. Pro-C and Pro-MB are flexible utility and multiband compressors, respectively. Mastering these basic tools can make a significant difference in the quality of your mixes.
If you have everything covered and are looking for that final touch of enhancement, consider vendors like Universal Audio, Plugin Alliance, Soundtoys, Slate Digital, and Softube. Their high-quality recreations of real hardware can add an extra layer of professionalism. However, without the proper foundation, this 'extra touch' might not mean much.
Conclusion
Trevon's passion for drums and music reflects the importance of dedication in the production process. While plugins and VSTs play a crucial role, they are most effective when used by someone who has the necessary skills and understanding. Invest time in learning the basics of your DAW and the effects you use, and then consider using advanced tools and VSTs to elevate your beats to the next level.