Plugins vs Outboard

[TheControlled]

Hi from Brisbane, Australia Justin.

With the myriad of excellent plugins available these days, do you find that it's easier to run with your "go to" mics and pres without testing and trying, and then "fix later" with plugins, or do you still find the best sounds are achieved at your level with good outboard gear and loads of time spent cycling through equipment (even when on a deadline)?

At my level, FX plugins are important because I can't afford nice outboard FX, but I still dislike using the EQ plugins, I'd rather spend a day getting an EQ'd sound I like straight into the interface first.

*Edit - The only thing I really like to use EQ plugins for is to easily HPF out wherever the nasty rumbles are in the lower end.

Kind regards, Elliot.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Hi,

This is all so situation dependent. But I don't actually know what specific question you are asking. If I have very tight deadlines, I use go to's. If I have a minute, I'll always use the hardware/software most suitable, and test things out a bit.

J

 

[TheControlled]

Thanks Justin, I guess I was really asking if you think modern plugins are an acceptable substitute for outboard gear at your level.

Cheers, Elliot.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Well, I think they are. But it depends on the plug. As an example, I really need good outboard EQ when I'm tracking guitar and/or bass, for instance. I can't just "hope that it'll come out right" and then eq in the box. I really have to have my API's and Neve's for that.

For certain reverbs, I can't go without my Eventide, my springs, PCM70, plates, that kind of stuff.

But very often I'll craft stuff in the box with plugs and just leave it because I love the sound.

All very circumstance and variable dependent, situations differ so wildly. So I can't really give a hard and fast answer to that.

JMJ