VST Plugins Recommendations by Top Artists

Tape Notes Podcast

VST Plugins Recommendations by Top Artists

This article highlights top VST plugin recommendations from artists like Four Tet, Bonobo, and A. G. Cook (of Charli XCX). It features plugins including Soothe and Arturia DX-7; let’s dive in and explore further below.

Every producer has a go-to plugin that they use in every track they create. This list includes top picks from renowned producers like Jacob Collier, Four Tet, Bonobo, and others. Inspired by the Tape Notes podcast, this article highlights some of the best plugins, ranging from Soothe to TB Reelbus. You can draw inspiration from how these artists utilize these plugins in their tracks and develop your techniques. Let’s take a closer look at the plugins and their features. Below, you will find a button that allows you to explore more about each remarkable VST in depth with just a simple click.

Here are the artists’ favourite VST selections:

Jacob Collier- Oek Sound Soothe
A.G. Cook- Arturia DX-7
Jack Antonoff – Waves Morphoder
Four Tet- Soundtoys Microshift
Kenny Beats- Venn Audio V-Clip
Jack Antonoff- Soundtoys Filter Freak
Bring Me the Horizon- ElastiquePitch 2
Bonobo- TB Reelbus4
A.G. Cook- Vocal Synth 2

1. Jacob Collier- Oek Sound Soothe :

Soothe 2 by Oeksound is a sophisticated dynamic resonance suppressor crafted to eliminate problematic frequencies in audio tracks. It is the perfect tool for softening harshness in vocals, instruments, and full mixes. Soothe 2 intelligently identifies and diminishes resonances in real time, promoting a more harmonious and balanced sound. Its user-friendly interface provides precise control over sensitivity and frequency range, significantly boosting its versatility in various applications. Featuring low latency and minimal CPU consumption, Soothe 2 integrates effortlessly into any workflow. Many presets are highly effective, making it indispensable for mixing or mastering. Soothe 2 is crucial for enhancing audio clarity and quality, establishing it as a must-have for producers and sound engineers who aim for outstanding results.

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2. A.G. Cook- Arturia DX-7:

The DX7 V accurately model the FM digital synthesizer that became synonymous with the sound of the ‘80s. Our enhancements add more features to make the new DX7 V a timeless instrument. It is part of the Arturia V collection and is an excellent plugin for creating pads and lo-fi sounds. A.G. Cook uses this plugin as the primary synthesizer in some of his tracks.

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3. Jack Antonoff – Waves Morphoder:

The Waves Morphoder plug-in combines the iconic characteristics of a vocoder with the sonic flexibility needed to create truly unique sounds. The morphoder operates by merging the frequency information from a carrier signal with the amplitude information from a modulator signal. This process enables you to create effects such as singing synths, talking drums, and much more. Additionally, Morphoder includes Waves’ Linear Phase EQ and an impressive formant effect. Jack Antonoff, known for his production work with artists like Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey, utilizes this plugin for various background effects and other applications.

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4. Four Tet- Soundtoys Microshift:

Utilizing pitch shifting and delay techniques, Little MicroShift excels as a stereo imaging plugin, enhancing the stereo width in your mixes. Its user-friendly design makes it suitable for nearly any instrument, from background vocals to adding stereo depth to specific signals. MicroShift preserves the essence of the original sounds, including saturation and the various de-glitching algorithms employed by these devices. This means you can achieve the expansive, rich sound characteristic of the original hardware, all through a streamlined interface that simplifies accessing those classic sounds faster and more efficiently than ever.

Also Read: Four Tet on How He Made “Looking At Your Pager”

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5. Kenny Beats- Venn Audio V-Clip:

V-Clip is the sequel to Free Clip. It can be used for creative purposes, such as a saturation tool. V-Clip offers multiple waveform displays and fine-grain controls for adjusting positive and negative samples, managing DC offset, and utilizing a clipping function. Kenny Beats uses this tool on drums to clip snares and toms, and he claims it is one of the best clippers available.

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6. Jack Antonoff- Soundtoys Filter Freak:

The FilterFreak plug-in from SoundToys offers an analog-style filter that delivers a classic, warm sound. It provides a high level of flexibility, allowing you to create amazing LFO sweeps, sample-and-hold effects, and even a Rhythm mode that syncs to a MIDI source. The included FilterFreak2 feature features two powerful filters that can be used in either series or parallel configurations. According to Jack Antonoff, FilterFreak Native is an essential addition to any music production toolkit.

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7. Bring Me the Horizon- ElastiquePitch 2:

Elastique Pitch 2 allows for real-time control over a signal’s pitch and formant, and zplane claims it does so without the artifacts typically found in similar processors. The new version introduces features such as input Freeze, Delay, Feedback, and Dry/Wet control. The interface predominantly features a large X/Y pad, where the vertical axis represents pitch and the horizontal axis represents formants (labeled as Timbre).

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8. Bonobo- TB Reelbus4:

ToneBoosters ReelBus 4 is a high-quality tape simulation plugin that captures the warm, vintage sound of analog tape recorders. It offers a wide range of tape and deck models, allowing users to achieve classic tape saturation, as well as effects such as wow, flutter, tape hiss, and crosstalk. With its intuitive interface, ReelBus 4 enables precise sound shaping by allowing control over parameters like tape speed, bias, and saturation level. The plugin is highly regarded for its authenticity, effectively recreating the nostalgic charm of tape while enhancing the warmth and character of audio. When compared to plugins like Waves Kramer Tape and Studer A80, ReelBus 4 is surprisingly lighter on CPU usage, making it an ideal choice for adding depth and richness to digital recordings. It’s a go-to tool for producers seeking that vintage tape sound.

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9. A.G. Cook- Vocal Synth 2:

VocalSynth 2 includes several effects: a Vocoder, Compuvox, Polyvox, Talkbox, and Biovox, which is a new effect that mimics the sonic qualities of the human vocal tract. This plugin offers various features to enhance vocal arrangements, making them more engaging. A.G. Cook is among the artists who use this plugin to improve their vocal tracks.

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