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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Introduction to Computer Music: Plug-Ins

      In this 2nd blog post, I will discuss the ever expanding world of DAW plug-ins!

     There are so many out there, ranging from just a couple megabytes to a 500GB library of pinpoint accurate and dynamic samples. I will discuss VST plug-ins and Mastering/EQing plug-ins in this article.



Plug-ins are little pieces of software that attach to the DAW. You can access and open software within the DAW to use it with your MIDI Controller ( A external hardware device that controls plug-ins/MIDI software) or Sampling Pad (An Electronic Percussive Device used the same was as a MIDI Controller).

Of course there are many uses for plug-ins and there are thousands of them out there. A lot of them are free to download and they are relatively easy to install.

*You can even pick up a disc of plug-in software at your local music store if they have a Pro-Audio section.*


VST Plug ins:


VST (Virtual Instrument) is a plug in that try's to mimic and simulate a real instrument. With the way technology


is growing, these virtual instruments are beginning to sound like the real deal!


Here is a short list of VST plug-ins that I have used and can recommend to you.


Drums:

Addictive Drums


EZdrummer


Guitar/Bass:

Guitar Rig 4


Steinbergs Virtual Guitarist


Refx´s Slayer


Piano:

Synthology's Ivory


Labordance stage piano


Mda piano


Orchestra/Choir:

   
EastWest EW-178 Quantum Leap


East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs


Other Plug-ins:

Not all DAW plug-ins are VST. There are plug ins out there that can add effects and more mastering/EQing options, which will in tern effect the overall end product of your song. All these plug-ins are just waiting to be downloaded so go ahead and try as many as your hard-drive can handle!!!

20 comments:

  1. I have always wanted to buy instrument expansions for garageband, but its like $30 for 10 instruments that I may never use! I never know what to do. I am going to tag this post for later reference. Thanks for the info dude.

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  2. awesome, tyvm
    ive been looking for this kinda stuff forever

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  3. This is absolutely helpful. I wish I had a list like this years ago, thank you.

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  4. i use guitar rig and addictive drums. great stuff on here.

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  5. very interesting post. i am following.
    i would love to try superior drummer, but its a little bit expensive...

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  6. fantastic post, thanks :D

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  7. why make music when you can listen to it?

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  8. Awesome post man. As a person that's into music, this is definitely something to be on the look for.

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  9. Nice post, i've been dabbling in sort of things for a while.

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  10. Will need to start doing it! it seems so awesome

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  11. These are cool. The new ipad app music is really neat also.

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  12. Really coool, I like to use FL Studio 9 to make music. I can make some pretty cool stuff but I'm still just a beginner.

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  13. sweet!!! I so need one of those!!!

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  14. Thanks for the help!

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  15. I'm an audio engineer and musician, so this is a great guide for anyone getting into this kind of stuff.

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  16. I'm pretty good with computers, but man this stuff confuses me.

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  17. Awesome list, I might need it later for my blog. Thanks for the help! Followed!

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