Is EZMix2 a viable alternative to expensive plug-ins and side chaining?

[SteveK]

I brought EZmix a few years ago and although it’s a cool product I find that most of these types of “preset plugins” are more work than just using your own compressor, limiter and EQ that already comes with your DAW.

I spent more time trying to fix what these plugins were doing wrong with my mix (ex: too much eq, not enough compression, etc.) instead of enhancing the mix.

However if you do want a one button type of mixing plugin that IMO works well 90% of the time, try Rob Chiarelli’s Mix bus lite. I picked it up a couple of years ago at the Road Rally.

http://www.finalmix.biz/Final_Mix_Software/Home.html

For $19, you can't go wrong..

Thank you Gustave!
SteveK

[SteveK]

I had the original version on my previous DAW PC...totally forgot about it when I reinstalled everything. I find with these things that are very preset oriented that if you're lucky you wind up finding a few that become your 'go to' plugin for certain types of tracks.

These Taxi deadlines have definitely made my mind up on quite a few things where I can be pretty sure I can just slap it on and it'll sound better

Sidechaining ? I don't think any preset is going to be an alternative to that technique for EDM if that's the sound you are after. Should be pretty easy to implement though with any compressor that has side chain capability.

Not all of these are expensive ...some are free...more often it's something that does one thing only than a multi plugin.

I've also found some of these that seem work great on their default setting ..no presets needed. I guess it depends on genre and how you like to mix too..some stuff I just use because the interface is better.

Thank you cosmic dolphin!
SteveK

[SteveK]

Sidechaining:

Waves one knob pumper
Xfer LFO Tool
Nicky Romero kickstart
Cableguys Volumeshaper
Any stereo tremolo effect with no offset between l and r channels.

And there are others.

Way easier than setting up a sidechain compressor if all you are after is the pump.

Thank you Andy!
SteveK

[SteveK]

... is using EZmix2 a viable way in making professional recordings as compared to using a seemingly endless list of plug-ins (can be expensive) as well as side chaining those plug-ins?

Thank you,
Steven Bruce

There's an alternative, it's free, endless list of plugins, not easy, viable or not is debatable,lol! It's Csound. There's a free frontend
called Cabbage where you can even make your own vst's. There are even many "pre baked effects and instruments".

I bought a couple books and am dipping my toe in the water. It's piqued my interest.

What is I think many times overlooked, is that you can most of the time manually create in your daw what many plugins provide automatically, and also, you don't necessarily need to process the whole track with a plugin. There are basically just 3 things, gain, frequency and phase, that effect most processes.

Thank you Len!
SteveK

[SteveK]

I find myself wanted more control with the ezmix stuff. Also, if you want to continue to learn the recording/mixing craft, I definitely suggest using the "basic" ingredients and working with them.

For example, you could put the preset "rock vocal" on your vocal and it may sound great. But maybe taking the time to learn the ins/outs of compression, saturation and eq, you will be definitely more equipped for when that "rock vocal" preset does not work for the kick butt female rock singer.

I'm all about convenience, but I am more about knowing the fundamentals and constantly educating myself on the art of mixing.

Thank you Keith! I saw you win the John Braheny award last year!
SteveK