Are these sound purchase choices? (getting my small Studio up to par)

[Lon]

soso, I've been more or less lurking for a while now, but this time i need some advice.

Currently i am working on a fast windows-pc which has a power-protection, raid5 and an in-flat NAS for backup.

for monitoring ive got the Adam A7X with a Sub8 and an old Logitech Hifi for A/B comparison.

I am using Reaper 4x with a lot of built-in and freeware Plugins (mostly Variety of Sound and SStillwell), and have Superior with TMF.

I know this is a very very basic setup, but as my mix quality skyrocketet when purchasing the Adam over my older NS80 (you know, you can't fix what you can't hear), i think i have to decisively upgrade in the S/W department too.

My planned purchases are:

- FabFilter Mastering Suite
Includes EQ, Compressor and Limiter, i was very very pleased with the Pro-C demo

- Waves CLA Compressorpack
I feel the need for a "charactery" vocal-compressor and maybe to use on the drumroom also.

- A signal switcher ,
so i can use the NS80 and Adams for direct A/B comparison, while the HiFi is ok for listening to a mix under "consumer circumstances" it sounds cloudy as f* and does not really help in judging besides obvious major flaws.

the question is: are those sound choices in getting the basic tools right or am i deluded by marketing and nice workflow (fabfilter!) and most freeware does it equally good?

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

My planned purchases are:

- FabFilter Mastering Suite
Includes EQ, Compressor and Limiter, i was very very pleased with the Pro-C demo

These are absolutely lovely plugins, but their usefulness in the mixing stage is (at least in my humble opinion) rather questionable. They're pristine, clean and accurate, something that's often very desirable in mastering, but not absolutely necessary in mixing. And if you plan to get into the mastering game, the Adam's just don't cut it. I might get flamed for being a snob, but that's just how I feel. They can work great for mixing, but I'd never trust them in serious mastering. Frankly, I think you should be fine with the stock EQ's of your DAW and some nice mojo-ish comps...

- Waves CLA Compressorpack
I feel the need for a "charactery" vocal-compressor and maybe to use on the drumroom also.

...which are these. Good choice, I doubt you'll regret the purchase. Especially since they're on sale ATM (I think).

- A signal switcher ,
so i can use the NS80 and Adams for direct A/B comparison, while the HiFi is ok for listening to a mix under "consumer circumstances" it sounds cloudy as f* and does not really help in judging besides obvious major flaws.

Get a monitor controller. Tons of threads on that one. I'm rocking a Presonus Central Station and can recommend that one, but there are cheaper (and of course, way more expensive) alternatives out there.

One thing you didn't mention is the acoustic treatment of your space. Is that taken care of? If not, then there's your first investment before you shed out any cash in plugins

 

[Mago]

One thing you didn't mention is the acoustic treatment of your space. Is that taken care of? If not, then there's your first investment before you shed out any cash in plugins

Was my first thought too.

CLA compressor seem to be a really nice choice, a pitty I haven't gotten around to get them yet.

 

[Lon]

These are absolutely lovely plugins, but their usefulness in the mixing stage is (at least in my humble opinion) rather questionable. They're pristine, clean and accurate, something that's often very desirable in mastering, but not absolutely necessary in mixing. And if you plan to get into the mastering game, the Adam's just don't cut it. I might get flamed for being a snob, but that's just how I feel. They can work great for mixing, but I'd never trust them in serious mastering. Frankly, I think you should be fine with the stock EQ's of your DAW and some nice mojo-ish comps...

I do not intend to get into the mastering game, more into the mixing or mixing and acceptably making it loud game (i would never imply i am anywhere competent enough to master). I listed the "Mastering Suite" because i do not need the gate included in the "Mixing Suite", i mostly hand-edit everything until i am satisfied. The reason i am considering the FabFilter plugs because with the Pro-C demo, the compressor just works for me... i've had a much better learning experience and sonic results than with other plugins, so maybe the workflow is just really for me.

...which are these. Good choice, I doubt you'll regret the purchase. Especially since they're on sale ATM (I think).

Bought, not cheap, hopefully they will reward themseles.

Get a monitor controller. Tons of threads on that one. I'm rocking a Presonus Central Station and can recommend that one, but there are cheaper (and of course, way more expensive) alternatives out there.

One thing you didn't mention is the acoustic treatment of your space. Is that taken care of? If not, then there's your first investment before you shed out any cash in plugins

Fortunately the room has nice dimensions and enough stuff to swallow a lot of buildups, unfortunatley i can't invest in big fixes, so i will get the necessary treatment done. Its not ideal but for the moment i have to live with it as i can't justify spending money on extra rooms / solutions.

thanks for the Input Jakko & Mago!