Clear Lake Recording Studios

Tag: 808

  • Creative Uses for Your Free Plugins

    Creative Uses for Your Free Plugins

    Producers and engineers of all skill levels can get caught up in wanting to purchase the latest game-changing plugin. Unfortunately, many of these new tools have a tendency to break the bank. For the budget-conscious producer, we’ve identified several unorthodox ways that free plugins can add character and life to your tracks. Check out the full list below! 

     

    Camel Crusher on Synths

    Camel Crusher was once a staple distortion plugin for major EDM acts, primarily to fatten basslines and lead synths. In 2015, Camel Audio was acquired by Apple, discontinuing the line of Camel products. For those who are willing to search, Camel Crusher is still available and can have wondrous effects when its distortion, filtering, and compression capabilities are applied to synth material. Take a listen to the example below – by adjusting the Mech and Tube Distortion settings and automating the filter cutoff, you can easily transform a synth in seconds. 

    Regular Synth:

    Camel Crusher Synth: 

     

    Tal Chorus LX on 808s 

    The Tal Chorus LX, a standalone version of the chorus implemented in the larger Juno 60 emulation plugin by TAL, sounds great on just about any source. It shines on pads and synths, creating a gooey width and depth that instantly gives them a lush feel. A more uncommon use is to create width on the top of your 808s. Try creating a send, hi-passing everything up to 130 Hz with an EQ, and then place the Tal Chorus LX after it with the stereo width and the dry/wet knobs at 100%. Be judicious with this one! 

    Regular 808:

    Tal Chorus LX 808: 

     

    OTT on Vocals 

    OTT, or “Over The Top” Compression, is typically used on instrument sources, such as synths in massive EDM drops, or pianos that need to poke out of the mix. However, when applied subtly at the end of a direct vocal chain, OTT helps a vocal sound more front and center by lifting some high frequencies and boosting the gain a touch. This application can be a game-changer if your vocals are competing for space in the mix, and also works great on vocal chops. 

    Regular Vocals: 

    OTT Vocals: 

     

    Slicers on Melody Loops 

    Logic, Ableton, and FL Studio all come with built-in slicers (if you’re in Pro Tools, try Structure Free). These plugins allow you to slice a sample of audio into smaller pieces and trigger them in any sequence you please. If you’re a loop maker, try throwing one of your finished loops into a slicer and messing with the timing and order of your audio sample! Get creative and make a whole new loop. Oftentimes, these textures and flips are great ways to spice up different sections of your song. 

    Bonus tip: try pitching individual slices up and down, or duplicating certain slices and stretching them out to double their length (the popular “half-time” effect) to layer underneath your new loop.

    Regular loop: 

    Slicer loop: 

     

    Dimension Expander on Electric Guitars 

    The Dimension Expander is a standalone plugin based on the “Dimension” feature that comes standard inside Serum by Xfer Records. The plugin has two controls: a dry/wet knob and a size knob. The magic of Dimension Expander is on full display when it’s placed as an insert on an electric guitar track. With the size at 100% and the dry/wet around 33%, the plugin transforms the dry signal into one with a unique depth hard to achieve with other plugins. Hear the difference below: 

    Regular Guitar:

    Dimension Expander Guitar: 

     

    If you want more of these tips, be sure to check out this article for creative ways to use other plugins in your collection! Happy producing. 

     

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  • Creative Uses for Your High-End Plugins

    What thread connects Finneas, Timbaland, Benny Blanco, and Dr. Dre? 

    Out of thousands of music producers, these four have risen to the top because they are innovators who push sonic boundaries and bend genres in creative and inexplicable ways. They are unafraid to experiment, take risks, and most importantly, break the rules. In the spirit of rule-breaking, we’ve compiled a list of unconventional ways to use the plugins in your arsenal that will separate your sound from the rest. 

    WARNING: the following is a deep dive and will get technical! 

     

    Polyverse Music Manipulator on 8o8s 

    Designed mainly for use on vocals, Manipulator can also shine when its parameters are automated on an 808. Try different combinations! A fun one is to automate the Alternator, Octave, and Harmonics knobs to achieve a “drowsy 808” effect. Check it out below: 

    Normal 808:

    Drowsy 808: 

     

    Wavesfactory Spectre on Vocals 

    Spectre by Wavesfactory uses 10 high-quality saturation algorithms to introduce harmonic content to a desired part of the EQ spectrum. Most producers put Spectre on a mix bus to breathe life into the track, but it also does great work on vocals. Try boosting some of the mids and the high shelf and hear your vocal cut through the mix with new warmth and air. 

    Regular Vocals: 

    Spectre Vocals:

     

    iZotope Trash 2 on 808s 

    Trash 2 is iZotope’s flagship saturation and distortion plugin, capable of everything from subtle touches to sonic destruction. However, one of its most interesting uses is on 808s, using the Convolve feature to introduce your booming low end into a new space, such as an amplifier or a fishbowl. The mix knob is particularly handy for giving your 808s just the right amount of that unique flavor.

    Regular 808: 

    Convolve 808 (Noir):

    Convolve 808 (Kick Box):

     

    Universal Audio Studio D Chorus on Synth Bass

    The Studio D Chorus emulates a hardware unit that introduces spatialization and subtle modulation into every track that runs through it. Try putting the Studio D on a return track, followed by a high-pass EQ cutting the sides below 130 Hz. Send some of your bass signal to the track and listen as it becomes wider, richer, and fuller. For best results, engage settings two and four on the Studio D Chorus. 

    Regular Bass:

    Studio D Bass: 

     

    Celemony Melodyne Studio on Melody Loops 

    This is a trick used by legendary producer Ian Kirkpatrick, best known for his work with Dua Lipa, such as “Don’t Start Now”. Kirkpatrick will import a loop into his DAW, then insert Melodyne Studio on it and tweak it until he arrives at something unrecognizable from the original loop. Playing with the Spectrum, Formant, and Amplitude controls can yield inspirational, unique results. Take a listen below. 

    Regular Loop: 

    Melodyne Loop: