Effect Plug-Ins Explained

In this series you'll learn the essential basics to properly and effectively use EQ, compression, delay and reverb plug-ins in any DAW! We don't just give the textbook meaning of each knob and button, there are hours of practical examples and real-world techniques demonstrated on the most common instruments and vocals.

• Intro to Frequency (06:32) - In this tutorial you are given fundamental understanding of what frequency is and how it relates to your mix.

• EQ Overview (11:03) - This video describes the key concepts behind EQ, what all the common features of an EQ are, such as frequency, Q, filter type, etc... Most importantly it is full of audio examples so you can hear how these parameters affect your sound.

• EQ on Acoustic & Electronic Drums (14:30) - Dig in deeper and start applying the concepts you have developed. Get strong understanding of how you can use EQ on various elements of drums. Learn how to fatten a kick drum, or bring out more attack, see and hear how you use EQ on toms, cymbals, snare drums. Also learn how to use EQ on electronic drums.

• EQ on Guitar (16:05) - This video introduces several different guitar riffs, of varying style, and shows you how to use EQ in each unique situation. Essential viewing for anyone looking to mix bands or work with guitar.

• EQ on Bass Guitar (15:11) - Bass guitar can be a hard thing to mix. EQ is crucial to getting bass to sit right with the other elements. This video examines several different bass styles and looks at lots of options for achieving a wide range of possibilities.

• EQ on Vocals (09:41) - This video takes a look at several male vocal riffs and how you can use EQ to manipulate them. Learn how to help bring your vocal out in a mix, clean up the low end and more.

Compression

• Intro to Dynamics (11:25) - Dynamics is the range of volume for a sound, softest to loudest. Good dynamics are essential to creating a good mix. This tutorial gives you a foundation on what dynamics are, how they relate to your mix and sets you up for the rest of the tutorials in this chapter.

• Compression Overview (07:06) - Compressor Plug-Ins can be hard to understand initially. This tutorial details each parameter commonly found in a compressor, regardless of manufacturer. If you want to get comfortable with compression and how to use compressors, this is a must see.

• Compression on Acoustic Drums (13:35) - We look at the acoustic drums again, this time focusing on compression. In this video each element of the acoustic drum kit is detailed and discussed. Learn essential skills for taming volume, bringing out the ring, fattening or adding space to your acoustic drum mixes.

• Compression on Electronic Drums (10:48) - Compressing electronic drums can require a different approach than acoustic drums, so this tutorial focuses specifically on how you can use compressors to improve your mixes that use electronic drums.

• Compression on Guitar (12:27) - We revisit several different guitar riffs that cover a range of styles. Each style may need a different approach when using compression, so we take care to show you these differences and walk through the process with each different riff.

• Compression on Bass (07:35) - This video takes you through using compression on several different styles and examples of bass guitar. Learn how to tighten up the bass without losing too much low end and tons of other practical examples with real world use.

• Compression on Vocals (09:09) - This video takes another look at our male vocalist takes and shows how you can use compression to really smooth out vocal takes, add richness to your sound and more.

Reverb

• Intro to Reverb (05:55) - Reverb is both simple and complex. In this video you get a good basic understanding the elements that make up the natural reverb you hear everyday and how those relate to the reverb plug-ins we use.

• Reverb Overview (11:57) - Learn all the various elements of a Reverb plug-in, what each means and how they each affect your audio.

• Using Reverb as a Send (05:32) - This video details how to set up a Reverb as a send and return type effect. This setup allows you to blend the reverb signal with the original signal much more effectively and really control your reverb. You also are able to share the one reverb amongst several tracks.

• Reverb on Drums (09:08) - Detailed instruction on how to effectively use reverb on the individual elements of your drums as well as the overall kit.

• Reverb on Guitar & Bass (09:19) - Essential reverb techniques for dealing with guitar and a detailed look at how reverb affects bass.

• Reverb on Vocals (08:17) - We take another look at the male vocals and see the effects reverb can have as well as some interesting and useful ways to use reverb on your vocals, in your mixes.

Delay

• Delay Overview (08:03) - This video describes what delay is, how it can be created and the common elements you will find in delay plug-ins.

• Delay on Drums (13:33) - Learn how you can use delay to add new life to your drum parts, give depth and add space. Also learn some more creative uses of delay with drums.

• Delay on Guitar & Bass (14:25) - This video goes through several different guitar and bass parts while showing you the various ways you can use delay to enhance these elements in your mixes.

• Delay on Vocals (07:28) - Delay can help blend your vocals, give them extra depth or thicken them up. It can be a great creative effect for production work or used subtly to help vocals fit in the mix. This video teaches you some practical uses and examples that you can implement.