I’ve been asked many times by both seasoned professionals and new engineers what stuff I use and recommend.
I’ll update this page from time to time, but here it is, in no particular order, the items I use/prefer to use, what I own and what I recommend. Sometimes these items will conflict, but you will find if you ask me I’ll usually recommend these same items over and over again.
I work Live and in the Studio and most of these items crossover to each area.
Anyway enjoy my list, recommend it to others and feel free to message me, or have an online discussion about my choices, good and bad.
Free Plugins – * Not all of these are still free…
MStereo Scope
YLM 2 Lufs Meter
HorNet Freqs – Analyser
Ben Schultz JP-ME-1 – SPX ish reverb
Rhodes V-Pan
HorNetDeeLay
Aturia Chorus Jun-6
mv Meter 2 – im sus on this.. I dont believe it
Sound Radix – MuteOMatic – Great to create an auto on/off talkback
TDR – Nova EQ – Dynamic EQ – Free alternate to ProQ/Waves F6
Acoustica Eminence – just the stereo sperader bit
Hornet Graffio – Distortion
Initial Audio Dynamic EQ – This is a NEW plugin for me and its fantastic.. It also allows expansion—- get it while you can.
Paid Plugins
SSL Native V6 Buss Comp
PA BX 2098 EQ
FabFilter Pro Q 3 – Get out of jail free card – great dynamic EQ
BX True Peak Limiter
SoundToys – Super Plate
echo boy jr
MicroShift
Little Plate
Soothe 2
BX SSL 9000 J – nice and fat – my drum channel
BX Lindell 80 Channel – Rocks on elec gtrs
PA Amek 9099
Relab LX480 Reverb – Better than the lexicon revs and the UAD lex..
Seventh Heaven – Just get this and thank me later..
Oxford Drum Gate – WOW
Waves Mondo Mod – The ONLY W branded plug I use
Softube TSAR
Melodyne – Doing it right
AutoTune – quick n nasty
Over Loud – Gem Mod – Dim D
Over Loud TH-U Rock Guy – Rocktron Rack
Softube Fix Phaser
Steven Slate – Trigger & SSD with blackbird libraries
TC Polytune
DSP / UAD Plugins
33609
ATR 102 – 2 Trk Tape
CurveBender – Softube – available via softube non UAD
UAD Precision Limiter
LA2 / Bundle
Harrison 32C – One of the best hats/cyms eq
1176
DBX 160
Distressor
CL1B
SSL 4000 E – “crunchs as it should, no others I’ve used do this”
Fairchild
API Vision Channel Strip – Nice weight and Snap on Drums
EMT 140
Roland RE-201 Chorus
Software Instruments
Falcon – U1250 ,Darklight IIx, Digital Synstations
Argumented Strings,
BBC Orchestra,
Labs,Lots of cool stuff
Skaka – Percussion
Studio hardware – Items I haven’t been able to replace with software* This EXCLUDES input/tracking & processing items.
SPX 90 – Pitch, Snare crunchy rock Reverb
Mozztronics Reamp
Mozztronics Bp1Ampeg style Bass Pre
Mozztronics VP1 JCM 800 style Gtr pre
Mozztronics Gtr Pedal Insert (prototype) – Allows you to use Gtr pedals as inserts
Items I use for Studio AND Live work – These are usually in at least 1 of my touring cases
Mics
AKG
D112VR
451B
C214
Shure
SM57 / Beta 57 (doesn’t sound as good as a 57 but harder to kill)
SM58 – I really DONT Like Beta 58’s
SM91A
Sennheiser
e604 / e904
e914
Neumann – KM184
Nude – Stereo Ribbon
Audix – I5
Carillion Ribbon
Di’s
KV2 Audio – Acoustic Di, Stereo Di, Mono Di
Mozztronics – DI-2 Valve Di, DI-1 Active DI with Cab Sim, DI-3 Passive Di, Various Pedal Pre/Di (some are prototypes..)
Headphones – Byer DT700 (80 ohm), KZ ZS 10 Pro – in-ear monitors (I hate in-ears)
Focusrite 2in/2 out interface to sun SMAART etc
Apple wireless Router for Ipad/console control
Mixing Station software and Behringer X-Touch with widi (wireless midi) for the Soundcraft UI24
Other fun non mic/Di bits I use live
Mozztronics MOM-2 Muto O Matic (Fantastic mic mute/output switch
LP drum claws
Various Gender Benders, Adaptor leads etc
SONNECT – Sound Bullet – Audio Tester – you dont realise but you NEED one of these.. or 2
Behringer CT100 cable tester
Fluke Multimeter
Items I use for Studio work only/mostly
Neumann – KM84, U87
Mojave MA200, MA100
DPA SDC
Beyer M201
Mozztronics – DI-4 – 4 Channel linkinng di with Variable Z
CL1B
Distressor
X81
Midas Pre/EQ
DBX 160X
Mozztronics CO3
Avid C|24
UA 110, LA610, 2610
AEA TRP
SPX 90, REV 5, SRV2000
Byer 66
Rola 77
Neumann 610’s with sub and alignment
a box full of fantastic Mozztronics and othern pedals
and lots more stuff I’ll add as people remind me of it..