What's In My Plugin Browser? What I’m Keeping, What I’m Deleting, Plugin Browser Pt 2
Welcome back, everyone! Whether you’re an old friend of the channel or just joining, I’m excited to have you along as we dive into part two of the plugin browser housekeeping series. Today, I’m going through my plugin collection—sharing which plugins will stay, which ones are getting the boot, and giving you some honest opinions and backstories on my most and least used effects, processors, and utilities.
If you missed part one, you’ll want to pause here and check it out—link’s in the description box! And while you’re at it, hit that like, share, and subscribe if you dig what you see. Also, if it’s your first time here, cruise on over to Home Recording Made Easy—I’ve got a FREE mixing course waiting for you, right on the home page. Can’t miss it. Big button. Click it. Delivered straight to your inbox!
“As I'm doing some housekeeping here on my system to get rid of some of the old plugins and just kind of refresh my memory to what I even have.”
So, let’s get right into part two and see what’s lurking in my plugin folders. I’ll share what I’m keeping, what’s headed for the trash, and why. If you see a plugin you know well, or if you have different experiences with any of these, drop your thoughts in the comments! Also, tell me what plugins YOU can’t live without or which ones you’ve purged in a fit of digital cleaning. Let’s get interactive with this. Ready? Let’s go!
Table of Contents
About This Blog & Plugin Housekeeping
Let’s face it: If you’re anything like me, you buy plugins, use them once or twice, and then forget about them as your plugin folder fills up with new toys, freebies, and abandoned demo licenses. A year (or three) later, you’ve got a pile of stuff—some gems, some junk—and you probably only use 10% of it regularly.
That’s what today’s blog is all about: cleaning up my plugin browser, deciding what to keep, and challenging YOU to do the same. Fewer choices mean faster mixes and better results. Time to show your plugin folder who’s boss!
Liquid Sonics: Lustrous Plates & Seventh Heaven
Lustrous Plates
Status: Keeping
Frequency of Use: Rarely (but should use more)
I’ve got Lustrous Plates here as part of my Slate All Access Pass. Gotta be honest, I NEVER use it. I gravitate towards other reverbs that I love, and this one just sits there collecting dust in the folder.
But here’s the thing: As part of my membership, it costs me nothing extra to keep, and honestly, it’s probably great. I just need to experiment with it a bit more. Maybe a future video about my favorite reverbs and delays is in the cards—if you want one, let me know in the comments!
Pro Tip: Sometimes we ignore plugins just because we forget we have them. Schedule some time to explore your forgotten collection!
Seventh Heaven (Lite)
Status: DEFINITELY Keeping
What I Use It For: Snare drums (all the time)
This one’s a keeper. Seventh Heaven Lite is modeled after the Bricasti M7 hardware reverb (which I’d love to own, but who has $4k+ just sitting around?). The Lite version cost me about $50–$60, and it’s super close to the real thing.
I use it on snares all the time, and it just works. There’s a Pro version that’s pricier, but even this lite edition is killer.
Takeaway: If you want world-class reverb without breaking the bank, check out Seventh Heaven.
Noise Works: DynAssist (DYYS) & More
DynAssist (DYYS)
Status: Keeping
Use case: Vocal editing, prep, and speed.
This plugin is a bit of a secret weapon. It’s AI-driven and combines vocal riding, gating, breath control, and sibilance control—all in one interface. That means you can prep your vocal tracks for mixing fast and accurately.
-
Why I bought it: To move quickly from tracked vocals to mix-ready vocals
-
Price: About $99
-
Best part: Works for both vocals and instruments; AI lookahead features are super slick.
Expect a dedicated video on this soon. Spoiler alert: If you do a lot of vocal editing, this one’s a smart investment.
Noise Hub (by Kit Plugins)
Status: DELETING
These came as demo gifts, but the Noise Hub suite was never my jam. I talked about Kit Plugins in Part 1, and this series (their subscription stuff) wasn’t for me. Into the trash it goes!
Neural Audio Plugins
Neural Audio is a relatively new addition to my collection, but there’s some real promise here.
X Pitch
Status: Keeping
A solid tuning plugin, not sponsored—I bought and genuinely like it. Still have a video in the works—let me know if you want to see one!
X Rider
Status: Keeping (But see below…)
If you’re familiar with Waves Vocal Rider, this is an alternative. I use it to even out dyn**amic vocals, especially tricky background stacks. Good, but if you already have something like DYYS (from Noise Works), you might like that even better.
X Comp
Status: Probably Deleting
It’s a one-knob compressor (Neural Audio makes cool stuff), but I honestly never reach for it. Might clear some space.
Vox Pro
Status: Keeping
This is an all-in-one vocal channel. It does it all:
-
Simple dynamics section (like a compressed/compacted channel strip)
-
Solid EQ
-
Reverb & Delay FX
-
Fun stuff: Chorus, tape saturation, phaser, unison amp, telephone, pitch widening*
There are lots of presets, and the workflow’s quick. I bought these plugins to try, still need to dive in—let me know if a video comparing these to the others interests you!
More Favorites (and Not-So-Favorites): Oeksound, Overloud & Plugin Alliance
Oeksound Soothe 2
Status: Keeping
Works wonders on harsh instruments and vocals. Wildly popular for good reason—every engineer should try it.
Overloud Guitar Stuff (“THU”)
Status: Deleting
Came with my Slate package. I tried it once, but it just didn’t spark joy. Plenty of amp sims out there; this one’s gone from my system.
Plugin Alliance Plugins
Plugin Alliance is a heavyweight—especially for channel strip emulations and mastering tools. Let’s dig in!
Metric AB
Status: Keeping
My No. 1 reference track tool. Huge GUI, maybe a little too huge—but it’s awesome for comparing your mix against commercial tracks.
Black Box Analog Design
Status: Deleting
The hardware is amazing. The plugin? Not so much. Bought it hoping for the hardware magic—it’s just not there.
AMEK 9099 Channel Strip
Status: Keeping
A unique Rupert Neve channel strip. Not many of these boards left in the world—this emulation is very cool. If you love the channel strip workflow, definitely worth having.
Focusrite Channel Strip
Status: Keeping
Rare as a plugin—Plugin Alliance’s Focusrite strip is one-of-a-kind. Another tool for the in-the-box console style mix.
bx_console N, SSL 4000E/G/J
Status: Keeping, even if not my faves
Not my “desert island” picks, but hard to delete channel strips. They’re classic, I use them occasionally, and it’s nice to have options—especially for teaching and comparison.
Lindell Audio 50 & 80 (API/Neve)
Status: Meh, but hard to delete
I’m not wild about these, but they stick around for completeness’ sake. Universal Audio’s versions are my preference, but I’ll keep these for now.
Channel Strips Galore: Why I Love (and Hoard) Channel Strip Plugins
Channel strips let you work like you would on an analog desk. One plugin, everything you need: EQ, compression, sometimes de-essing and more. When you work this way, you work faster—less time spent hunting down plugins, more time mixing.
My Top Channel Strip Plugins (Current Browser):
-
Plugin Alliance: AMEK 9099, Focusrite, bx_consoleN
-
SSL Native: 4K B, 9000 J, Channelstrip 2
-
Slate Digital: Virtual Mix Rack, FG modules
-
Universal Audio: Coming up in Part 3—don’t miss it!
If you’re into channel strip mixing, you can never have enough cool strips.
Try mixing a session top-to-bottom with one channel strip plugin per track—you might never go back!
Slate Digital: Still King of Bundles?
No secret—Slate Digital makes some of my favorite plugins, period.
Why Keep the Slate/SSL Native Bundle?
Best bang for your buck. If you asked me: “If I could only have one bundle, which one would it be?” I’d pick the Slate Digital/SSL Native Complete Access Pass every time. For about $20/month, you get literally everything you need for killer mixes:
-
EQs
-
Compressors (bus, channel, VCA, Mu-style, Red, Gray, and more)
-
Tape emulation
-
Reverb/delay
-
Channel strips (Virtual Mix Rack)
-
Plus ALL the SSL Native stuff (channel strips, fusion, etc.)
My Must-Use Slate Digital Tools
-
FG Bus Compressors: FG Gray, FG Mu, FG Red—use them constantly.
-
Space Echo: Brilliant for creative delays and ambiance.
-
Virtual Mix Rack: 500-series workflow in your DAW.
-
Virtual Tape Machines: Still love ‘em (though Universal Audio’s are even better IMO).
And don’t forget the Slate Drumgate or Trigger 2 for drum sample overlays and enhancement—they’ve been in every project I’ve mixed, in or out of the box.
Sonnox, SoundRadix, and Soundtoys Essentials
Sonnox Oxford DrumGate
Status: Keeping
This is THE BEST drum gate on the market in my opinion. Yes, it’s expensive—normally $200—but I scored it for $50 on sale. Fully customizable and highly accurate. Second place? Black Salt Audio’s Silence gate, then Slate Drumgate.
SoundRadix Auto Align 2
Status: Keeping
For phase correction, nothing’s better. If you record live drums, stacked guitars, or even vocals—this is indispensable.
Soundtoys: Must-Haves
-
Decapitator: Dirty, analog-style saturation for everything.
-
Devil-Loc: Smash bass, kick, drums—great for attitude in your mix.
-
EchoBoy: Favorite delay plugin ever. Deep, musical, tons of presets.
-
Radiator: Subtle warmth with character.
-
MicroShift: Sometimes handy for widening, though I don’t use it as much.
Soundtoys plugins aren’t in every mix, but they’re always there when I need them.
SSL Native: Channel Strip Heaven
Part of my favorite plugin deal—the Slate/SSL bundle. If you want that true SSL workflow in your DAW, SSL Native’s plugins are the way to go.
Standouts From SSL Native
-
4K B & 4K E Channel Strips: Classic SSL, modeled right.
-
Fusion Plugins: If you know, you know—paint your master bus with analog flavor.
-
Bus Compressor: Tons of glue for your stereo mix.
-
Channel Strip 2 (9000 Series): Great for detailed, modern mixing.
-
Drum Strip: Dedicated drum processor—easy to use and powerful.
-
Saturation Plugins: From subtle crunch to bold creative drive.
I also use their Guitar Channel Strip, vocal strip, and even their gate/limiter plugins from time to time.
Other Tools & Plugins
SessionWire
Status: Deleting
A client collaboration tool—great idea, but didn’t work reliably in my setup. Out it goes.
Synchro Arts (RePitch, Vocalign Pro)
Status: Probably Deleting
These were essential for vocal alignment and tuning, but since I picked up new stuff (Wave’s Xync, Neural Audio’s tuning tools), they’ve fallen out of favor. Vocalign Pro is powerful, but the workflow’s tricky and I ran into DAW crashes occasionally (Studio One users beware). Life’s too short for buggy plugins.
Toontrack EZMix 2/3
Status: Deleting
Tried, demoed, and...nope. Not my thing. It’s aimed at quick start users, but I found it limiting. Did a video on it if you’re curious.
Trident Audio TriMeter
Status: Keeping
This is a low-key gem for gain staging. Helps you hit your plugins with the right level for the best sound and easiest workflow.
Housekeeping Takeaways: Why Less Is More
Here’s why I dive into my plugin browser once or twice a year for a major purge:
-
Clutter slows you down. The more you scroll, the longer it takes to start or finish a mix.
-
Too many choices = paralysis. Having 50 compressors is way worse than having 3 that you know inside and out.
-
Old, unused plugins cause problems. They might not be supported, they crash your DAW, or they just take up space.
-
“Housekeeping” reveals hidden gems. You’ll be surprised what you forgot you owned. Rediscover some great tools!
“Minimize your options, minimize your tools, help you mix faster. Trust me.”
I challenge you: Take a Saturday, brew some coffee, and clean up your plugin list!
Giveaways, Discounts, and Next Steps
Get Your Free Mixing Course!
Just for stopping by Home Recording Made Easy, you get a free mixing course—grab it from the big button on the homepage.
Want More Training?
If you like the free course and want to level up even more, take 25% off any full training course on the site.
Coupon Code: YOUTUBE25
Use at checkout for your discount!
Final Thoughts & What’s Next
Alright! We covered a lot of ground today (and there’s still more coming in Part 3—Universal Audio and Waves get their big moment soon). I’ve given you my honest thoughts on what I’m using, what’s getting deleted, and what’s always in my template. Remember: This blog is about making home studio mixing easy and fun. Know your tools, but don’t bury yourself in unused clutter.
Quick Recap:
-
Keep what you use—explore your ignored plugins every so often.
-
Delete what fails—time saved is better music made.
-
Favorites so far: Slate Digital + SSL bundles, Seventh Heaven, SoundRadix, Soundtoys, and Oxford DrumGate stand tall.
"Housekeeping" isn’t just for neat freaks. It’s how you keep your workflow sharp and your mixes sounding fresh.
Share Your Thoughts!
Did I say I’m deleting your favorite plugin? Let me know in the comments why you love it! Got a must-have that I didn’t mention? Tell me what’s working for you. And as you start your own plugin purge, let me know what you discover—never know when you’ll help a fellow engineer find a new favorite.
Stay Tuned for Part 3
Next up: Universal Audio, Waves, and some more heavy hitters. If you want to see direct comparisons, shootout videos, or deep dives on any plugin here, drop your requests—I listen!
Thanks again for hanging till the end. Don’t forget that:
-
Free mixing course awaits at Home Recording Made Easy
-
25% off any training course with coupon code:
YOUTUBE25
Happy mixing, keep those browsers clean, and as always—
I’ll see you in the next video!
Useful Resources & Links
-
Download My Free Mixing Course – Big Button on the homepage!
-
Courses Discount Code:
YOUTUBE25(Use at checkout)
(Insert a screenshot of your DAW’s plugin browser before and after the housekeeping—for inspiration!)
(A photo of your favorite hardware or plugin GUI, such as Seventh Heaven or Oxford DrumGate, to make it personal and visual)
“Fewer options, more music. Trust me. Clean up your digital space and let your creativity run wild!”
Catch you in part three, where Universal Audio and Waves get their time in the spotlight—can’t wait to nerd out with you there!
