These are the plugins I actually use. This is not a best plugins list and nothing here is sponsored. If it is in this post, I reach for it constantly.
My bias is speed. I like tools that sound good fast and keep me moving. If a plugin makes me stop and think too much, it usually disappears from my folder.
Fast decisions beat perfect decisions in my room.
EQ
I was late to Pro-Q 4, but I get it now. The UI is gorgeous and the workflow is quick. I usually add two or three nodes, clean up the edges, and move on.
The little things matter to me, like double clicking at the ends of the spectrum to add a low or high pass. Over a whole session, those tiny clicks add up.
Compression
Compression is a rabbit hole, so I keep it simple. 1176 style on vocals is home base for me.
I track through the 1176LN on my Apollo Twin X. In the mix, I grab the CLA-76. I like the gain match toggle and the black or blue face switch. It is fast and it sounds right on my voice.
Channel strip
I have watched mixers load a channel strip on every track. That is cool, but it is not my workflow.
If I want a strip, I reach for SSL Channel Strip 2. The EQ is great for broad moves, the gate feels musical, and the GUI stays out of my way.
Reverb
Valhalla VintageVerb is my default. I put it on a send, keep it close to the preset, nudge the decay, and keep moving.
I also bought Valhalla FutureVerb. It sounds good, but it has not kicked VintageVerb out of my workflow yet.
Saturation
Soundtoys Decapitator is my one knob attitude. I bump the drive and the vocal gets thicker. Done.
I love plugins that do one thing well. Decapitator makes a decision for me and that keeps the session moving.
Delay
I have tried EchoBoy, Valhalla Delay, and plenty of stock delays. For me, H-Delay is the fastest to dial in. I usually add a little modulation so the repeats wobble just enough to feel alive.
Pitch correction
A lot of people swear by Melodyne. Because I am the singer on my tracks, I usually reach for Antares Auto-Tune in Auto mode. If it does not feel right, I would rather re sing the take than spend thirty minutes nudging notes.
I have tried a few pitch correction plugins. Antares has the most polished pop vocal sheen to my ear. Slate MetaTune is also solid, especially if you want to group multiple instances and change retune speed together.
Mixing utilities
The utility plugin I lean on most is Trackspacer. It is basically an intelligent sidechain compressor. When guitars, pads, or synths crowd the vocal, Trackspacer ducks only the masked range. It is more transparent than compressing the full signal.
Soothe2 can do a similar job and I use it too, but Trackspacer is lighter on CPU and quick to dial in. That is why it wins in my sessions.
Metering
A lot of people say mix with your ears. I agree. I just like a speedometer too.
Two plugins I like on the mix bus are iZotope Tonal Balance Control and Metric A/B. I use Metric A/B as a metering suite for spectrum, loudness, and dynamics, not as a comparison tool.
Tonal Balance Control gives me a quick heads up when a mix is too bright, too bass heavy, or too scooped for the genre.
Mastering
For mastering, I reach for Ozone 11 Advanced. The Maximizer is my final limiter, and I like the soft clip inside it to squeeze a little more loudness without getting harsh.
I do not keep Master Assistant in the final chain, but I run a mix through it early to get a quick reference point. I try to keep my master chain pretty minimal, and the Assistive Vocal Balance tool is a nice sanity check.
Want updates when this list changes?
I update this list whenever my go to tools change. Join the Kit list and I will send a quick note when I add or swap a plugin.
No spam. Just the occasional update.
The point
Just because I use these plugins all the time does not mean they are the best for everyone. The goal is to find tools that inspire you and help you move fast.