Don't Buy Another Plugin Before Watching This 

I wholeheartedly agree. I’ve been on this audio journey for decades and found the same thing. I’ll go a step further, most DAW stock plugins today will do 85-90% of what you need.

My advice: DOWNLOAD AND TRY THE DEMO. Compulsive tendencies happen over a super sale / cheap price. Trying the demo will cool your wheels and lead to a smarter buying decision.

Barry you are absolutely spot on. Here’s the irony. I heard another RU-vidr giving the exact same advice 5 years ago. Did I listen?? Did I heck 😅 I have learned that now for sure!

Let me just say thank you for saying this. Too many people and companies have gotten so far out of hand, it's ridiculous. And thank you for addressing elephants in the room in many of your videos. It's not always easy to publicly say what needs to be said. You're from the heart, honest, and NOT trying to sell something.

Very true, we need to cover that issue a lot more often

Fully do agree. Good songwriting and arrangement will give you 90% of a good song. 6-7 plugins will do the job.

I just bought CLA underwear 😂 , Dam he’s a good salesman, and thanks for your content Barry

Thank you for the video. I have been a business man for most of my life and have decided to get into the music recording environment. I must say that I am thankful that my business experience is keeping me from the desire to buy everything and then to be the master of none! You really hit the nail on the head when you stated that you need to master what you have and then wisely choose your next product. Really it appears to me that this might be one of the many reasons that people in this business get discouraged. There is just sooo much toys in this field to distract you. Don’t get me wrong - some are really good, but as you said, you get what you paid for. You gave good advise!

You're so right, Barry!! Great video.

I'm glad you pointed out this issue with selling your name on plugins

Great talk Barry! I find my acquisition motivation for *anything* is inversely proportional to how much I am using what I already have...

I realized that having your really good recording chain is the key to a song sounding like a record. The problem with plugins is that we record straight to the interface and then we try to emulate a signal chain with plugins in a mix. Spend more time getting better at recording.

Thank you Barry for always telling us the hard truth.

Absolutely love you Barry. You are speaking so much truth in this video. When I started my journey I initially thought I needed a lot of plugins and of course waves was it until I learned better. I did waste a few dollars but not too much as I quickly noticed the game. I only have a few plugins, none by waves as your stock plugins are better than ANYTHING by them. Thank you for calling out these famous mix engineers as they should be ashamed for prostituting themselves and taking advantage of people's lack of knowledge. I have no respect for them for those that do it. Everything you said in this video is correct. Me personally, my plugin list is a two channel strips from BWX, one two from soft tube and a few from Fabfilter and called it good. Keep up the good work.

that's why I love Soundtoys

Thanks again, Barry!

I am thankful for the work of Paul Third in this respect. His analysis of Waves plugins-and that company’s predilection for releasing new plugins based upon the features and EQ curves from their previous releases-has helped me curb my impulses for acquiring new titles. Your videos offer even more practical advice in this regard. Thank you.

This channel is the best. Kudos.

Good video. I used to stockpile plug ins and be overwhelmed with choice. Now I just use stock plug ins and get on with finishing tracks.

Such an amazingly beautiful soul you are sensei! I don’t know, where’s these tears are coming from! Stay well, and stay safe, I’d happily sacrifice my 20 years of life time for you. Godspeed!❤❤❤❤

Haven’t even finished watching the video, subscribed at 3.06. This is wisdom, pure untainted integrity there! Sensei, stay well!

You speak the truth & I admire your honesty

I swear , with the stock plug-in that come with your DAW , Melda Productions Free Pack and a couple of more free plug-ins YOU ARE SET FOR LIFE

You spoke my heart ! Great video brother thank you

Thanks for this video. As a beginner, the plug in market is incredibly deceptive. I appreciate your insight 😊

Came across Softube recenetly and really liked their stuff too. Thanks for the advice! 😂 and thank you for the bloopers at the end! Happy mixing!

Absolutely true, spend time mastering ur craft

Thanks for this realistic analysis, you are 100% right....

I updated my komplete 13 but apart from that I’ve not bought any other.it’s work in progress great video Barry 👍👍

Barry, 100 percent agree. I started down that road and have already come to the conclusion you are talking about. I pretty much use a few Softube, a few Plug-in Alliance along with primarily UAD Spark and that is way more than I need. Oh and I also find myself reaching for the Logic Channel EQ. That said, when you make up your mind to stop buying the next new thing, it becomes easier and easier to resist those emails and ads.

I hear U. I am one that like the Plug-in's I have and do not need an upgrade .. Love the one's I have and they are still great. Keep trucken Berry.

So glad I came upon this video. Was thinking about buying another plug-in that intrigued me, but I kept thinking I already have a bunch of great plugins that already cover this. Yes, there was a new angle to it, so I almost pulled the trigger. Your video was exactly what I needed to see. Don’t need that plug-in.

I'm guilty of this at times but not too bad about it. One major thing I changed in my buying process was going to Slate. I was not a Slate fan in the beginning. I am now an All Access sub and also own Trigger 2 and SSD5. Most of my other processing options now rarely get used. I'm not a subscription fan but the value and options I now have are really great. Trying out different configurations is now super easy and I've learned more new tricks now that I am a Slate user. I now use a select few from Waves and combine them with the Slate stuff. My workflow has sped up and my processing templates are more streamlined and productive now.

Congrats, man. 20K subscribers is right around the corner.

I agree, wholeheartedly. And don’t forget that many plugs included with DAWs are great, too. I can easily make a great mix with the stuff included with Cubase.

100% agree! I do love waves plug-ins but I literally use the same ones on every mix. Mainly to learn them in and out. No need for all the other ones. A few plug-in alliance and one or two izotope plugins. The secret sauce is in learning the product. It’s the same rule in the studio with hardware.

Wise words. Thank you

Thanks Barry.you nailed this subject.

This is great Barry; especially for a Newb, trying to sort through the UA soft/hard product workflow. Thanks so much! Seriously thinking about abandoning DSP and all the front loaded Plug-in expense due to having an M1 Max chip in my workstation.

This is a great editorial Barry, thank you. I've added fewer plugins in recent years, mainly filling a few holes. E.g. I finally bought my first tape simulator - Softube tape - on deep discount. I favor newer plugs like Soothe2 that do not try to emulate legacy hardware. And generally I favor utility over flavor. E.g. FabFilter is my go-to collection when mixing; I insert a few flavor plugins when specifically needed. Taking inventory of one's collection and actively managing is sound advice.

Hats off Paul this was very helpful and early clear.

You are soooooooooooooooo right ! I'm chompin at the bit to get my Chris Lord-Alge , endorsed toilet paper.

Took me a while, but I landed where you are on this. It's much easier on the pocket book and my wellbeing, no more acquisition anxiety.

This is really sound musical/educational/financial advice, I imagine it really helps a lot of people, thanks Barry

Still lovin' on you Barry. I'm still subscribing to Plugin-Alliance and like you said, they actually help you buy the plugins you actually want. I was able to get the SSL essential pack last Xmas and that was a steal. I have the 9099 channel and a few other plugs from P/A that have become valuable in my mixing. I use those along side the native plugins from my 2 DAWs I own. Great advise and great video. Now, I'll update my Nomad stuff and use those on my inputs.......

You could make a video about how to turn knobs and I’ll still watch it with joy. Congratulations man love your studio talk…

Completely agree... beyond the stock daw plugs, I use any about 3 must-have plugs.

So true. Oh gosh been there done that. It’s addictive. I’m just a serious hobbyist using Cubase Pro 12 and did a short experiment. I remixed a song with only stock plugins. Asked several of my friends to listen to it and compare it with the version on which I used Plugin Alliance, Waves, NI plugins, etc. Almost none of them could really hear a difference. That was a trigger for me. From now on, my discretionary $$$ will go to courses and training, or simply to more fun stuff with my significant other. That will have a bigger impact, both for my music and my life in general. Thanks Barry for all you publish on your site.

I usually leave videos early, but your bloopers at the end were hilarious 😂

Barry... Well done!

I agree I use The Focusrite Red EQ & Comp on most things as well as the Cubase EQ and it's really all I need.

Spot on Barry. Last month I just shed 9 plugins I don't use anymore . I'm down to my SSL Channel Strip, Ozone 9, some great synths, Addictive Drums/Keys, and some good Guitar VST's and select effects like Blu-cat, built in Studio One, MS20 filter and several others.

THIS WAS SO NEEDED!!!1

Thanks, I needed that!

Love it. FACTS!

Love this video!

Great video. Fortunately I'm using Harrison Mixbus 32Cv9 as my mixing DAW. The eq, compressor, gate is in my channel strip on each track as default. I like the simplicity.

Pretty much spot on !

This ending is HILARIOUS! Definitely guilty of being a plug-in head. After my PC Build, I'll be going for selected bundles as my core go-tos and various one-offs as needed.

I definitely agree 👍 💯 on everything Barry said ..

I decided "I love you" and subscribed... (Great personality, great delivery, insightful commentary and lots of interesting topics in your video list...)

I totally agree with you, use what you already have and save your money.

Great video man!! You speak the truth!

For the last year I have been moving toward using stock Reaper plug-ins as much as possible. Been doing this since 2007 and got caught up in the Waves game early. Of course, for plug-in instruments I can’t use stock Reaper because Reaper doesn’t have softsynths or guitar amp models. But for mixing tools, I’m trying to stay within Reaper’s vast offering of plug-ins. For free stuff, I use a lot of TAL. I completely agree with you about Fabfilter. I love to use their MB comp because of the user interface and how easy it is to use. Also something we don’t really talk about: I love Fabfilter’s preset management. So easy to go find where your user preset is and to keep it somewhere to use on another computer if you want or need to.

Good wisdom there Barry

This is so true as Barry only gives, how much do we really need and I'm guilty of overloading my plugin catalog with thing I don't need and have yet to use, Thanks Barry I will be using this knowledge going forth..

Amazing my RU-vid feed brought me to you. My stock is Fabfilter, Kush for coloring, Izotope and Plugin Alliance, and I am so happy with that. I do love HOFA IR reverb, but to expensive for me. I was looking forward for softube, but no waves. I will dig you channel sir! thanks for sharing

I'm older. I look for free plug-ins to get that inspirational fix. A new compressor, EQ, reverb is usually moot in capabilities. The only stuff worth it is noise reduction and the like. There's a plug-in called Sooth that takes a lot of harshness out of a track. Stuff like that is worth it. Everything else seems to have a free version.

I really enjoy your content...thank you

Solid advice. Thanks

So true, thanks Barry, you're like the Gandalf of audio. and yes I couldn't agree more, specially with Waves, they are just reusing the same code with a. pretty new GUI

You made my day on this video. I need to watch more. Please tell me more on best plugin manufactures other than universal plugins...

Agreed about Softube plugins. Totally worth it.

Thanks really needed this. Think I'm going to just leave it at the spark subscription

I agree with you. Your spot on. I am guilty of having way to many plugins. I probably have tried them all out at one time or another ( just to see what it would add to the tracks ) and wound up consistently using about a quarter of what I have. I do have the Plugin Alliance mastering and recording subscription, which I am very happy with , even though there is such a plethoria of processor choices that if taken into consideration while recording and mixing and having to experiment with alternate choices can slow down your work flow. I do use other manufacturers software ( such as Acoustica and Waves ) and after having time to use these plugins, I found the ones that work almost well. I do check out the latest and greatest when advertised, but I have no plans of purchasing any more processing plugins for quite awhile. Thanks for taking the time to create this video.

Quality Content always!

Love the authenticity of the out-takes at 15:20 - ish to end, lol.

Love it thanks

Great video!!!!!!!

I absolutely agree with you. One has to be just about the biggest idiot not to realize that a while ago. Yet we continue to browse through those websites looking for the newest GUI or the latest best sale on their plugins. I'm sticking to my slate permanent licenses and some essential plugins I've acquired throughout the years. Love your content man! Thanks for the hard work!

Absolutely correct ✌️

Barry, I love your videos man! You hit the nail on the head. I’ve actually just been thinking myself. What plug-ins do I need? What plug-ins do I have and which ones my gonna continue to use and update over my life basically. My personal opinion is the native instruments bundle is too much for me the type of music I make leans more on electronic sounds And I have found that Rob, Papen, Steinberg, Arturia, and Korg… Between those three my needs are pretty much met… I’ll call my sprinkle on top of the Sunday, synapse audio, if you haven’t tried the synthesizers you haven’t lived lol. They just sound really good.

Yes I totally agree with you Barry! I’ve forwarded this to a few of my audio engineer buddies and yes we do get addicted to buying plugins!I sell music software and yes you can create great mixes with stock Logic , PT, Cubase plugins and the companies you mentioned Fabfilter, UA , Plugin Alliance create great stuff to add onto your core DAW software!

From Russia with love !

I like recording with the Apollo interface and plugins but when it comes to mixing I only use Harrison Mixbus32c with just a few reverb/delay options for fx. The whole session might have 4-5 plugins total.

I had to learn this as well. Constantly updating my NI collection to the latest and greatest. I stopped at Ultimate Collectors 12 when I realized I was only using about 4 Kontakt instruments and none of the new stuff....

Thanks barry

Completely agree... I basically use 2 plugins in addition to the stock plugs in nuendo.

Fabfilter and oeeksound are absolute must have

Thx for the reminder :)

This video should have a double-Like button.

What kills me are consumers on forums complaining about mistakenly double buying plug ins. They then blame the company some how and never stop to think that maybe they are buying way too many plug-ins , if you don’t even remember that you already have one.

Thanks!

I agree. In my first year of learning mixing I stuck to all stock plug-ins, then I splurged on a bunch of Waves stuff. I’d say that of the 15 or so PIs I ultimately bought from them, I regularly use 8 of them. Another 2 occasionally for specific scenarios, 3 not at all b/c they’re not worth the CPU load. And two I haven’t even tried! The thing I noticed is that the 8 I use are the ones I bought to upgrade my toolbox: that is, increase the quality of a tool that I already had and understood and used. I think for those of us learning in the box and drawing so much info from online as a substitute for having a dedicated mentor to guide (and warn) us, it seems like getting duped into buying some fancy PIs is part of the learning curve. I’m grateful that I did have a mentor early on who advised me to learn the fundamentals using the basic tools at hand, then only after really understanding how the tools work and can be used, then does it make sense to explore expanding the toolkit with paid PIs. These days I find myself starting with the question “what am I trying to achieve” and working backwards from there to the tool selection, rather than doing the tempting thing of starting with throwing up a PI assuming it will be a solution to an aim I haven’t even taken time to define. This helps me see exactly what’s being put across in this video: We can achieve most of what we need to do in a mix with a relatively short list of well-used tools 🙏🏽

I literally talked myself out of plug-ins this morning with this exact logic.

Agree 100%, like Clavia with the new Stage 4, They add a little here and have insanely increased the price. As a keyboard player I own 3 board, they're all awesome, but I really don't need 3 boards today and sometimes I lose so much time having fun cuz my boards are great but in the end I get nowhere. Instead of spending money we all should be more concerning into learning what we already have.

Lately! I have had more fun with my old 4 track cassette recorder. Limitations lead you to creativity. I have a old Mac laptop strictly for digital transfer so friends can listen on their little Bluetooth speakers.

Good video man keep speaking the truth.

Compulsive plugin buying for a newbie to sound engineering like me reminds me (looking back) of what so many journeys in my youth were about : you may end up realising that where I started from was as good a place to be as any, but you had to make those journeys to learn that. And the journeys were fun and gave many happy memories (and hair tearing moments): they provided a foundation and a sense of what is possible (and not possible) in life. My plugin purchasing addiction is subsiding now but, with only a few exceptions, I've had a lot of fun and got a lot of good results from my purchases. As said by others, presets alone are a handy way of getting interesting results and learning how they can be arrived at. And the pretend game of working vintage / classic hardware is also fun to someone like me who never could afford to be a a real studio when I was in a band in the 1970s. So don't beat yourself up over it you addicts, is what I say. Great video by the way, like your style 👍 P.S. If I had to single out one purchase that killed off using several other plugins, it would be the purchase of a Softube Console 1 - it is not perfect by any means, but the immediacy of it as a mixing device pulls you in and once you're using it as a controller with onscreen pop-up channel strip access, all those other (Plugin Alliance) channels strip plugins rarely get used as its not practical to use other than the Softube architecture as plugins controlled by the Console 1 hardware (it is sort of possible but not very practical). And My budget doesn't run to buying all the extra Softube plugins that work seamlessly with the Console 1 controller.

I've purchased very few plugins ($300) most of what i use is 3rd party free. I did pay for waves SSL, PEQ -1, and a couple other. Thanks forvyour advise, it is wise.