Love the michelangelo EQ; With the trans-body section; the little arrow pointing down allows you to manipulate the threshold/detection crossover for what the band considers trans/body! The 432 is golden as well!
Fantastic video. What I love about your approach is that by using static EQ plugins (as opposed to dynamic, algorithm based ones) is that your mixes have those micro movements preserved. A lot of people say mixes are getting darker but I often find that it's movement in the upper mids that is getting lost. The fact that your Frequency sniper allows for static notches truly sets it apart.
Just tested the SSL 4K E myself and compared it to brainworx. Well damn, I'm already half way mixing through my band's album and want to replace it with the SSL 4K E. It only makes sense that SSL themselves got it as close as they can get it.
For me the best sounding digital SSL eq is SSL XL 9000 K-series from Softube. It sounds pretty clean and super musical (very broad curves) but it gives that something extra to the sound at the same time. Also the 9k compressor is amazing on drums - gives that punch and upfront yet pleasing sound you can't achieve using other plugins. Nice list! I don't have any of the plugs you mentioned but I've tried almost all of them. I need to try that Sontec
Very good picks, Joel! Some of them I use and have my eye on others. You mentioned Sonnox Voca not making your list. I've tried it and I think this plugin deserves more attention. This thing is really unique and can get you great results quickly when wrap your head around it. Of course it't not suits for all cases, despite being very versatile, but whet it does it's magic!
14:30 the Native Channel Strip has been out for a couple years (and it got multiple updates since), but the 4K E is pretty new, only a couple months old
The SSL strip and the Sontec are both on my list. Another recent one for me personally that I’m blown away by is the DSEQ. The DSeQ has paid for itself in time savings several times over.