SPAN is a free real-time “fast Fourier transform” audio spectrum analyzer AAX, AudioUnit and VST plugin for professional sound and music production applications. SPAN provides you with a very flexible.
It can be overwhelming for a beginner music producer. Because there are a lot of plugins (and types of plugins) out there.
What do you need to know? What are the standards?
Coming up.
Plugins are software elements to extend the functionality of a program.
In this case the software for music production: a DAW.
Types of plugins
There are different types of plugins:- instrument plugins - make sound. made a video about the basics
- effect plugins - effects like EQ or compressor
- midi manipulation plugins - chord tools, note repeater, arpegiator
Plugin standards
The most common plugins standards are:- VST - Virtual Studio Technology: most famous. VST version 2 and version 3 windows + mac
- AU - Audio Units: Mac only
- AAX - for Pro Tools windows + mac
Pro tools only supports AAX plugins.
Ableton and Studio One support only VST and AU
Logic doesn’t support VST and AAX, only their own AU standard.
VST misconception
A lot of music producers are talking about VSTs.What they actually mean by VST is: plugins.
A lot of music producers are not tech savvy and just blabbing around some terms they heard somewhere.
VST is merely a standard.
You are educated now :)
More plugins = better producer
A lot of beginner music producers think that buying new plugins will make them better producers.That is not the case.
If your music doesn’t sound good. It’s because your skills are not good enough, you don’t need to buy a new plugin.
Just make sure that your skills are top notch, then you can look for plugins.
A good producer can make good music with mediocre plugins, a mediocre music producer makes mediocre music with the best plugins.
Stock plugins
A DAW nowadays come equipped with stock plugins.Those plugins will do just fine for the basic tasks.
But you can purchase plugins to get different sounds for example.
Kinds of plugins
What plugins are there?- Instrument plugins: You can think of a Sampler, a Piano or a synthesizer.
- EQ plugins: The equalizer shapes the sound by reducing or boosting frequencies. A particular sound too harsh? Lower the frequencies a 4000 hz a couple of Db and it sounds much better.
- Analyser: analyses the loudness of all the frequencies. An Analyzer can be separate but are mostly build into a Equaliser
- Limiter: reduces the volume of the sound when it exceeds a certain threshold.
- Compressor: reduces the volume of the sound when it exceeds a certain threshold.
- De-esser: specifically targets the S and T sounds that sound harsh.
- gate: allow or disallows a sound to pass through when certain sound volume conditions are met
- Saturation: distort the sound, so it sounds badass.
If you are serious about DJing and want to take it to the next level on the CDJ,
you should check out my CDJ 2000 video course.
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FREE e-book
Introduction to music production.Drag & drop chords
Music theory hard?Let me make it a little bit easier.
Top Vst Plugins
Just drag and drop a chord in your timeline.CDJ 2000 Course
Complete CDJ 2000 video training for pro and beginnerAAX or “Avid Audio eXtension” is a plug-in format developed by Avid, the company behind the hugely-popular Pro Tools audio recording and editing system. AAX replaces the older Pro Tools plug-in formats TDM, RTAS, and AudioSuite.
With AAX, Avid aimed to provide a unified plugin format that was capable of 64-bit processing. Its release came on the heels of the 64-bit version of Pro Tools, which required a plug-in format suited to its capabilities.
AAX comes in two versions: AAX DSP and AAX Native. The format enables users to transfer sessions between native and DSP-accelerated Pro Tools systems, and still have access to the same plug-ins.
Other helpful articles:
AAX: a more efficient plug-in format
There are a number of good reasons why AAX are a better alternative to the older plug-in formats. As with all other 64-bit capable software, AAX plugins will be able to make full use of the available RAM in a given computer system. In contrast, 32-bit plugins can utilize only a maximum of 4 GB. With AAX, users will be able to utilize more effects and more virtual instruments in their sessions.
AAX–a logical step forward
Vst To Aax Converter
The rationale behind the development of AAX was laid out by developer Paul Neyrinck and Avid’s Dave Tremblay. According to Paul, AAX was borne out of the need for a plug-in format that worked with both native and DSP systems. Avid was compelled to develop AAX, given the fact that only Steinberg could modify the VST format for DSP support, and that only Apple could do the same for its AU format.
Dave Tremblay added that AU–being a Mac-only format–left Windows users with no option but to use VSTs. Considering the absence of processing code suitable for DSP operation, he cited the need for a format that wouldn’t be limited to native applications. He further explained that VSTs don’t scale up favorably to large sessions, due to the way they handle automation.
Pro Tools users that aren’t quite ready to give up on their TDM plugins and RTAS plug-ins will be glad to know that AAX maintains compatibility with the older formats. Even older sessions can be opened without issues, going as far back as Pro Tools 9. This wouldn’t have been possible with the VST format, because of the incompatibility with the data stored in Pro Tools sessions.
Another factor that played a part in the development of the AAX format was Avid’s desire to remain an industry innovator. As Dave said, sticking with the VST format would have limited the company’s flexibility with regard to plug-in platform innovation, and would have hindered the development of the Pro Tools engine itself. By developing the AAX format, Avid was able to produce plug-in such as AAX Hybrid, which processes audio using DSP hardware and the native processor at the same time.
AAX now and in the future
Aax Plugins Vs Vst
At present, it seems that Avid has pinned all its future development plans on AAX. As far as the company’s efforts in the 64-bit realm go, AAX is pretty much poised to remain the standard. Upcoming Pro Tools releases will most definitely be using the AAX format. Backwards compatibility with TDM and RTAS notwithstanding, Avid is clearly sticking with AAX for the long haul. The company also expects third-party developers to follow suit with their own 64-bit offerings.
Vst Or Aax
The question that this now brings up is: what of the users of plug-ins that have yet to be released in AAX format? It might be a tough pill to swallow, but the reality is that Pro Tools 11 will only support 64-bit AAX plug-ins. This means that all plug-ins will have to be updated to 64-bit versions.
Aax Free Plugins
If all this seems a bit too much for you, it might be wise to hold off on upgrading to Pro Tools 11 until such a time as AAX support becomes the norm. Longtime users with an eye toward the future may also opt to run PT 10 alongside PT 11, so that they can still use their TDM and RTAS plug-ins while waiting for the right time to make the switch. And of course, you also have the option to migrate to PT 11, and switch out all your old plug-ins in favor of new AAX versions, all in one go.
Aax Plugins Crack
You can find all AAX plugin versions in our VST and AU plugin guide.