These Plugins WILL RUIN Your Mixes! Let me show you WHY 

I rarely buy or get a new plugin. I think it's far more important to learn how to use what you already have. Most of my recording and mixing is done with the stock Cubase plugins. They work fine.

I actually see a more overarching problem. The audio community hyped up hardware for so long that developers started using buzz words, flashy guis, and tricks to sell mediocre plugins.. part of the problem was the audio community having this analog over digital mindset without ever understanding digital audio and dsp. It opened the floor gates to large developers taking advantage of that!

SO refreshing to hear Dom, thank you. We need a lot more of this mature perspective and common sense to balance the sheer chaos which has contaminated the consumer music production environment. More please!

This really needed to be said. I only hope enough people hear this and listen.

hahahah!!!! Dom!!! you dirty troll you! It was an intentional clickbait!!!! I forgive you! ;) Good video!

Man, we're on the same page here! Good job, bro!

Loved seeing this, Dom. I'm a baby when it comes to music producing, but I've been a screenwriter and fiction writer for a long time and it's much the same thing. People will argue for days over things like screenplay formatting and different tools for writing rather than working on improving their craft. Be the best tool in your toolbox, not the biggest tool out of it. 🙂 Thank you for all your videos, too; you are an incredible resource to the community!

You nailed it perfectly! That is the reason I am a fan of your channel. Your knowledge, positivity and passion for the art of making music makes all the difference.

I'm late to the party but I absolutely love this video. I was a plug in junkie when I first started but I'm mostly a stock plug-in guy now. What changed? The opportunity to spend time with a friend who is a professional mixing engineer in his studio. He gave me the appreciation for things like sweeping frequencies to find the mud or glitter. I do have a handful of paid plugins but they are bass and guitar amp simulators which I use if I'm not satisfied with what I'm getting from my mic'd amps. I'd rather spend time writing recording and mixing than searching plugin boutique for hours, but that is what I used to do and my mixes didn't get better.

Thank you for using your platform to spread the positive vibes. It's not easy or safe to stick your neck out like this, so props to you. The creative process is hard enough without extra added stress or negativity. Appreciate what you're doing..... BAM

So glad you made this video, cos I've started to think that its something wrong with me that I'm ok with stock plugins (+ couple 3rd party) and not obsessed with every plugin that someone said you must have it

I am actually very happy and grateful that you took the time to prepare and put up this video. So first of all: thank you very much! I mean it. As you said it throughout your video, it isn’t about agreeing or disagreeing with a point of view. The actual, personal experience is very important. Along with the learning and sort of knowing the craft, which I think is crucial and doesn’t have too many real shortcuts that could be taken, it is about the music itself. No one can tell you what the music you make should sound like: that is the point everyone has to reach for his own creations. But what I firmly believe in is the feedback others can provide, especially (a very important point in my opinion and experience) when this feedback includes questions and hints. If someone can make you try something and learn something, that helps you growing, getting better and feeling more secure about the very own creations. Nothing can replace the time you work on something - and nothing can replace personal feedback and personal advice, especially when it stems from personal experience. Most of the people that helped me getting to the point where I am at the moment were and are very, very professional, had lots of experience … and on top of it all stayed humble even in the tips and in the advice they had to share. I have to admit that it is tempting to assume that one has learned enough, but there is always something to learn. And every hint, every idea, every suggestion has its very own, respectable value. Nothing here is about taking a side or something like that. I guess that is about learning, about asking questions - it is about helping each other with honest and qualified feedback, sharing knowledge and sharing lessons learned from experience. That is what helps everyone involved in this grow. It takes time. And time in itself has its value, for everyone taking part in this. And me, I am grateful for every little bit that helped me being able to do what I can do now - and I am happy and eager to try and learn more. That said, thanks again, Dom, for putting up this video!

Thank you Dom. If we take anything away from your videos , it is to strive to be as solid as you are . I reference your videos often and they are invaluable to my daily work. Thank you for keeping things fun and professional :)

Every example of your music that you have featured on your channel sounds amazing and professional. That pretty much says it all. That's why I listen to you and take your advice about plugins or mixing and production techniques - because your music/sound shows your massive skill level. Thanks for all you share with us! PLUS your finger drumming is insane!

Dom, you nailed it. I could not agree more! It's the same as photography. The photographer makes the photo, the camera just memorizies what you tell it to memorize. And of course it is fun to talk about lenses and new cams and stuff but that doesn't prevent you from thinking and deciding about perspective, composition and in general what you want to see (and what not).

Dom, thanks for putting this video together. I've been producing and mixing for my band for about the years now (not professionally) and I always come back to you because you have integrity and passion for what you do. Thanks for being a beacon of light in our community!

Thank you for another great video with such important points and overall philosophy! Dom, your content has tought me so much about mixing and mastering in a year or so that I've been awere of your channel. Whether it's a plugin review or "how to mix" or Cubase tips, each video you put out is always an eye (or ear) opener. As I've been mixing and mastering as kind of a serious hobby for my own band for almost 20 years now, I truely appreciate your "the result is what matters" take on things and how you discuss "secrets" of mixing and mastering and also highlight the utility of ancient plugins that still get the job done. So, thank you! 🙏

Well done Dom. I am happy that I witnessed the digital revolution - I started as an intern in a recording studio in 1996. Had my own, very basic studio from 1999., worked with tape. I remember how excited we all were about first Waves plugins, first virtual instruments, not to mention DAWs that could record multi channel audio. But, while evolution of software is interesting, it is just - tools, same tools I had to learn to work with in the physical format. Plugins did not make me better, they did not make my production or my music better. What made me better (tooting my own horn here, but I live from music production for 25 years now), was time spent in the studio, learning to critically listen, learning to use basic tools like frequency and dynamic processors, and of course, make TONS of mistakes. I got scholarship and did my Audio Engineering Diploma and got BA in Music Production, which of course helped me, but it was the drive to work on tons of tracks that shaped my career and skills. I do not want to sound like an old man ranting, I do envy young generation the starting point where they don't need expensive studio to start with, rather just a laptop and a room - but the problem is, they watch these videos by self proclaimed tutors and instructors who can't do basic stuff themselves, and think that purchasing a plugin will elevate the quality of the production. To be perfectly honest, all fancy outboard, all the expensive plugins - IMO - make 10 to 15% of a difference compared to mixing with stock plugins of, say, Cubase. You can easily mix and master the song with stock stuff if you know what you are doing, if you know your monitors, what you are going for etc. If you build your skills to that 85%, by then, you will be able to purchase those fancy hardware units. And, I think that there is a separate "culture" of semi-professionals AND companies with terrible business practices targeting beginner producers, and it drafts focus from the music and production and goes into reality tv territory. Drama : producer XY said this or that about XY plugin. Who cares. Make your music, learn, get better.

Great video! Thank you Dom!

You're absolutely right! Your videos inspire and motivate me! Thank you! So let's go to the next plugin review on RU-vid.)))

Dom, all of your videos are so to the point, whether you're going to introduce us to a new plugin, or advise us on mixing processes, or position yourself like today on social behaviors. Thank you for showing us the way to a healthy and creative musical path. As you mentioned, music doesn't die anyway. Music is life!

Thank you Dom for your video! Remember "Success Is Going from Failure to Failure Without Losing Your Enthusiasm" My "two cents" on this is that getting a new gear keeps your enthusiasm going, that's all :) because let's face it, programming can be boring at times 😂

"You have to realize where RU-vid starts and ends, and where professional work and real life scenarios begin" 1000% !!! "People start spreading the wrong information, they have no experience, they have never worked in *professional environment* sometimes they don't even know what they're doing and they validate the wrong information based on an entertaining RU-vid review video" YES !!! I'm an Industry pro for 25 years and I couldn't have said it better. This video is so refreshing... and needed!

Awesome video Dom! Really great thoughts and I totally agree with you in that!

Fabulous video Dom. Thanks.

Dom, I have been watching your videos for a long time now. For me it's almost never about the actual plugin that you are reviewing, but about the methods you apply for the type of plugin being reviewed. I find that I always learn something new, that translates well for something comparable in my toolbox. Keep making your videos. They are very much appreciated.

Respect. I appreciate you looking out for the community at large, Dom. It's not exactly easy making videos like this, but I hope others have the guts to follow your lead. For a lot of people, the fear of being canceled means they won't even touch topics like this with a 10ft pole, so you are clearly in it for all the right reasons. So yeah, respect. Exploding fist bump, plus a double high five on the side.

Hola a todos , espero anden bien , Dom eres una persona muy aplicada que trabaja dia a dia en contribuir con la comunidad, la cual esta formada mayormente de gente dedicada a la produccion musical y que seguro hace que te merezcas todo su respeto, yo soy uno de ellos y no encuentro palabra para agradecer lo que haces y enseñas en cada video " ORO PURO " , yo aprendi que los RESULTADOS son los que MANDAN y tu eres un ejemplo de resultados, no le brindes tu tiempo a los difamadores , ellos siempre estaran un paso atras, saludos desde Argentina y a seguir produciendo musica que llena el alma , ABRAZO GRANDE

Good thinking. The ONLY thing that matters is how it sounds. I totally agree with you. Thanks!

Dom You are so good, thanks for all the efforts you make and have made.

I don't need plugins. My MIDI packs sound great all on their own. General MIDI for the win!

Thank You! It was about a time someone to say it out loud and clear. Rock on, Dom! Love your videos and your passion!

Love this Dom! I do love seeing vids like this because it reminds us to just USE WHAT WE HAVE! We already have phenomenal plugins built in to our DAWS and even if some don't apply all the fancy bells and whistles, it is always on us Producers/Mixers/Masters to just become the best we can first. Of course its always nice to get the new best thing, but we shouldnt ever be salty about it.

keep up the great & positive vibes here dom -> you rock!

i was totally bamboozled by the name of the video and the thumbnail and I totally agree with all that you've said, Friend! A tool is a tool, we don't always need screwdrivers with oversampling haha

Thank you for your sincere words and guidance, I really appreciate it !

You nailed it Dom! Thanks for sharing these valuable thoughts!!

Well said Dom! I really appreciated what you said about engineers still making great mixes with things they have been using for long time - even from 30 years ago. It's the end product that counts, the way you use your tools, not the huge variety of tools you have in your toolbag. Some of the Beatles mixes are still awesome - mixed in analog from a 4 track machine! Love your channel. Thanks a bunch!

Nailed!!! But what I also don't like are ppl only commenting to grab heart icons only. Writing any blowing sugar stuff and creators picking only the comments to pamper their egos.

Amen. But... (there's always a but!) if we let plugin devs "off the hook" for not including oversampling/anti-aliasing filters etc. where is the motivation to aspire to a higher standard? The classic "pros used this plugin on an amazing mix" should not be a justification of lack lustre engineering - Pros are "pro" because they have the experience to compensate or mask the flaws or even push a "short coming" into a sonic delight! We all buy plugins thinking they'll "enhance" our mixes and now we all have more plugins that we don't use than we do. If most plugins lived up to their hype this would not be the case... regardless of one's mixing skills.

Absolutely agree, Dom. GL!

Excellent message, Dom. 👏🏽

I liked the music that was playing in the background - cheers!

Very on point. Thank you very much. In my (humble and amateurish) experience a plugin is always a tool in the context of the production which helps me to achieve the sound I hear in my mind. As simple as that. And experience tells me when to choose or dismiss which plugin. It's the sonic result that finally counts.

Dom, this is magnificent. I loved it when you said, "It's YOU". ALWAYS true. I consciously try to avoid the negative and/ or dramatic vids on RU-vid, and instead look for informative, positive reviews and tutorials on specific items or concepts where I need help (and that's a lot...). Thanks for this take on clickbait and drama. BTW, I have found that the most important thing to obsess on with any plugin is the tonewood used to make the knobs.

Another great video. Have a great weekend, Dom! 😎

Biiiig Up, Dom! Very well put and an issue that needed to be adressed. Love it Thank you!

Total agreement on my behalf ! The same thing counts for DAWs and the OS you use, it is all a matter of personal preference and workflow. Cheers

Hi Dom, thank you so much , I appreciate your reviews as I feel they reflect your honest opinions. Many feel the same. Please continue to be the lead channel for the community, thanks for all the contribution!!! ❤

This is the point! I watch many of snake oil and plugin reviews videos and I find it exaggerated and not useful for many of us that works professionally in the audio industry. As a mix engineer we have to understand that you need to deliver a mix that sounds good! The client doesn’t care if the plugins you’re using is free or not, or if you’re using over sampling or not, what they care is about the result. And when you want results you focus on Workflow and quality, not just 1 of these two, you focus on both because time is money!

So true Dom🙏🙏. Thank you SO much for this video😊😊🙏

fantastic video. thank you very much!

Dom, you are amazing! I am so happy that someone like you speaking about what I was thinking for a months! Music or "the sound" is not in plugins, it is all about us how we will treat sounds in mixing process with ANY plugin or gear. It doesn't metter with which plugin. And I am surrounded with many friends who saying: "ohh that plugin don't work good..or that is great plugin etc." and I was always watching them and thinking "what are they talk about"! I am so happy that you spoken again and we have same opinion about this. Thank you! You made my morning happy today! 🤘🏻

Very well spoken! I definitely appreciate this!!!

Well done 👏🏻 Thank you, Dom

Coming from a time where there were no plugins available due to no processor power available to even run a DAW I 100% agree with you on this topic. You said all the right things. Well done!

Thanks Dom, great advice.

Thank you for the difficult, time-consuming work you put into your music, your videos and your business. It shows, and it has helped me in my craft, as I've told you. All the best to you.

Dom, this is why i love to see your videos. You give inspiration and high quality entertainment too. Thank you for confirming my thoughts about this topic, i needed this.

I totally agree. Thanks for the video 😊

Spot on Dom! I just started learning CB three years ago. Worked my way up from Elements in '21 to Pro in March of this year. There are so many plugin's out there with different perspectives on each it boggles the brain. I was a professional musician for 35 years of my life I'm well aware of what hecklers (nae sayers) will do. My learning process in CB took me three years to get to where I am now and I'm still not totally there. I'm meticulous, probably OCD, about what everything does and what effect it has on a particular event and learning every aspect of that is how you can determine if it's to your liking or not. This video is extremely professional and direct to the point. If I have a problem or if something goes wrong with a plugin I'm learning it is probably something I've done or missed. I didn't get to 71 years old by looking at something for 5 minutes then deciding to follow the lemmings...lmbo. BTW... I've learned most of what I've be able to accomplish so far from watching your video's. Keep them coming my friend.

Perfect timing for this video. Well done!

Dom, thank you for your insights and your always positive energy, even when calling out the needy ones who are putting more effort into clickbait vs adding value. In reviewing my past year as a composer and producer, you rank as the top positive influence in helping me improve my craft - Many thanks and I look forward to your continued music leadership in 2023!

Thank you for this! It's so absolutely true!

Thanks for using your voice and sharing your wisdom with us! You are my inspiration I need every once in a while. You’re a great guy, keep it up bro!

You didn't have to make this video you said but you are just trying to connect and spread love. Which is a good thing. Thanks for the good energy

Thanks man. On point. 🙏

Hear Hear Dom! Well said!!! Thanks for getting that out there A point everyone should take to heart as FACT!!

Absolutley fantastic Dom!!

Bravo, great to hear this fresh perspective!

Right on the money Dom! Well done.

Words of wisdom - well stated Don - keep up the great work; I really like the enthusiasm and passion you bring to your channel. Cheers.

Hi Dom, I absolutely agree with you. Many don't even know what they are doing in their DAW. I only go on youtube to learn. To understand how everything is connected to produce music, starting from recording, mixing and mastering. For example, I have tested many master bus compressors but in the end they all do the same thing and do not make a bad mix better. A plugin can't save your life, but knowing that you know exactly what you're doing can. I think you have to analyze for yourself where the weak points are and where you need to learn more and which plugins make sense or if you already have everything. For example, Tonal Balance Control from Izotope has helped me a lot. To see where I had weak points in the mix. At this point I would like to thank you very much. I have learned a lot from you.

Absolutely brilliant Dom. Blunt, honest and inspiring.

Gracias DOM , la verdad admiro muchisimo tu trabajo , yo soy músico y empecé hace dos años a empaparme en esto de la producción que realmente me apasiona y justamente tus videos fueron el disparador, hice un máster de producción, uso cubase pro 12 y sigo investigando todos los días sobre este grandioso Daw que no deja de sorprenderme, mi meta es llegar a manejarlo profesionalmente y se que eso me demandará tiempo y aplicación, a veces no encuentro un orden o plan de estudio para ir avanzando, pero bueno ahi te tengo a ti y tus tutoriales que son una bomba. Me puso muy contento recibir una respuesta de tu parte por eso te hago este comentario, espero no lo tomes a mal ,no soy uno más, sino alguien dedicado aprender para cumplir su sueño y llegar al final , GRACIAS otra vez DOM SIGALAS y perdón por el atrevimiento de escribirte , saludos

Hello Dom! you’re such an inspiration❤ i want to ask you something, is cubase good for producing electronic music? people are saying cubase is just for film score.

Bang on! This video just made me a subscriber.

Thanks Dom, very well put. There is no magic bullet only your own hard work.

I Really appreciate 🙏 ur help.. Ur Videos has changed my life

This reminds me of what my tutor once told me. Which microphone is the best microphone in the world? The one you have. Thanks Dom. It's great to have you and to learn from you.

True That. Love you Dom !

Excellent insights.

I'm glad I watched it. What is that amazing digital fun thing behind you that's always changing images?

Hi Dom, I really appreciate the way your channel. I am a very long term user of Cubase and I have learnt a lot. But your genuine positive energy and enthusiasm are really refreshing and much appreciated. Stay with it bro - no need for drama - we all have enough of that from many other channels and parts of our lives.

Absolutely! Dom. Positive vibes and relevant information, is your thing. Lang may yer lum reek! Cheers Alex

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Possibly the only time i've been impressed with a bait. Glad were so aligned here too. Edit: out of some 700 videos i've done 2 negative plugin reviews, One as a PSA and 2 to call out some marketing BS. I often feel im getting battered on youtube by the volume of people opening up negative loops.

Thank you so much for your good words !! Its so much important what you have say ! Let us make music and have together fun, instead to tear down other peoples, i agree very much with you ! And thank you for your Videos, i have learned a lot from you !

You right. 100% . Thanks for you clear words.

Well said Dom. Keep up the great work 👍👍

True dat! Preach it Brother! Thank you for posting this Dom.

Hahaha! You got me with the title. Honestly though, I only clicked because you are a pro and have proven to know your craft. I wanted to get your take on those "plugins" lol. Spot on with the actual content here. Too much bickering going on for sure. Good point about spending the time we have learning the craft. Far more productive lol. You have been a tremendous help in that regard man! Cheers✌

Very well said. Excellent video, Dom. There’s truth and wisdom here that’s very much appreciated 🍻

Well said Dom. Keep up the good work. ❤️ ur channel

Well you got that off your chest :). Nice vid, I agree totally. Even with years of experience, a sign of truly understanding your craft is to stay humble, work hard and learn from everyone.

Very well said, very well delivered and also a very accurate view on just about every aspect of our new "online/social" digital culture. Thank you for that brilliant reality check.

You are so cool😍Good sounds is good sound. No matter plug-ins you used the sounds is only the best way to judges. Just use the ears the determine if the plugins are useful or not😊

Thank you Dom, well said!

You are absolutely right! You maybe able to compress audio but you CAN NOT COMPRESS EXPERIENCE! Thanks Dom, you are amazing keep up the great work…

That’s why I still have a subscription on Computer Music magazine. Great ❤ video, Dom.

Well said Dom! I feel I have learnt so much about Cubase just by watching and learning new skills directly from you. I don’t see this just about plugins either, but more about learning solid engineering techniques as I’ve never sat alongside a pro in a control room, and “does this make my music sound better?” is what works for me. If I feel something will, then I will buy it so keep up the great reviews on plug-ins, Cubase and skills!