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

[SteveK]

I know of many producers who use EZDrummer2 and EZKeys. Any thoughts from successful TAXI members on using EZMix2 vs. plug-ins and side chaining? In other words, 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

[Len911]

Oops! Edited

[mojobone]

My opinion, people jump into 3rd-party plugins too soon; you should be able to mix with the plugins that come with your DAW, depending on the genre and the DAW.


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I haven't tried either, but I think this is the better, cheaper option, at least right now, while it's $29. http://www.waves.com/plugins/cla-mixdow ... la-mixdown

[andygabrys]

Most stuff that is sort of a like a one knob wonder can work great.......if the source material is well recorded, or you have picked the right sample sounds, and especially if you have objective ears, mixing experience and a decent listening environment.

But it will take some tweaking to get it to sound as good as a bunch of individual plugins that are chosen for their particular effect by an experienced producer / mixer.

[mojobone]

Yup, pretty often you end up eking out that last tenth of a percent that puts a mix into 'pro' territory by doing things like fader rides; what plugin is gonna do that?

[LOCK88]

Most stuff that is sort of a like a one knob wonder can work great.......if the source material is well recorded, or you have picked the right sample sounds, and especially if you have objective ears, mixing experience and a decent listening environment.

But it will take some tweaking to get it to sound as good as a bunch of individual plugins that are chosen for their particular effect by an experienced producer / mixer.

So well said Andy. It's amazing how far a great recording of a solid performance will go.

[Len911]

To answer the question, yes imo it's a viable option. I think what you are actually mostly buying are the presets. Most all plugins come with presets. My guess is that what you may find disappointing, or not as preferable, are some of the plugins that are included. I don't think they are the be-all, end-all. For example, the guitar amps and cabinets, the reverbs, the tape saturators... Some plugins are fairly straight forward, though some I'm sure might not have the depth or character you might hope for.

It might get you to where you want to be sooner, but I don't think it will be the only plugin you will ever buy if you stay in this for the long haul.

[guscave]

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..

[cosmicdolphin]

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.

[andygabrys]

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.