GearCast - 5 Essential Recording Software Utilities Under $50

Sure, we all know about those sexy recording plug-ins that model vintage instruments and create sounds that would cost us thousands of dollars if they were done using hardware. But what about the hard-working utilities that don’t get the glory, yet still get the job done? Let’s look at some recording software under $50 that will become your DAW’s best new friend while keeping your checking account happy.

BRING 32-BIT ZOMBIE PLUG-INS BACK TO LIFE

The good news: it’s a 64-bit world on both Mac and Windows. The bad news: You still have a bunch of cool, if not legendary, 32-bit plug-ins that aren’t compatibleDefinition:
Capable of operating with a particular selection of hardware or software. with today’s computers, but would be alive and well if only they could be converted to 64-bit operation. Fortunately, they’re not dead—they’re only sleeping. Bridging software “wraps” 32-bit plug-ins so that they look like 64-bit plug-ins to your DAWDefinition:
(Digital Audio Workstation): A computer program or stand-alone device that provides digital audio recording, editing, and mixing., and DDMF Bridgewize is the only cross-platform bridging utility that works with AU/VST 2.4 plug-ins on the Mac, and VSTDefinition:
(Virtual Studio Technology) Steinberg's specification for plug-in software, compatible with DAWs that run on Windows or MacOS, if supported by the host program. 2.4 plug-ins on Windows. It also transfers audio with zero latencyDefinition:
The amount of delay a signal, data, sound, video, or control signal acquires within a device, system, or long-distance connection. between your 64-bit DAW and 32-bit plug-inDefinition:
A software module, typically for signal processing or analysis, that inserts into the signal path of a DAW or video editor, or in some digital consoles. Also Plugin., while adding negligible CPUDefinition:
CPU (Central Processing Unit): In a computer, the CPU functions like a brain. It interprets incoming data, and directs the execution of that data. usage. The interfaceDefinition:
A device that adds I/O capability to another device. Common would be a MIDI, audio or video interface for a computer. displays all 32-bit candidate plug-ins for easy wrapping and unwrapping, and speaking of zombies, Bridgewize even works with 64-bit computers dating back to Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.7. It’s pretty cool when your 32-bit plug-ins can reincarnate as productive members of today’s 64-bit society.

ALL ABOUT THAT BASS

It’s hard to get bass mixed right, because those low frequencies push the limits of recording and playback technology. The usual answer is to slap a ton of compressionDefinition:
1. Reducing the dynamic range of an audio or video signal for consistency, to keep it from exceeding the available headroom, or providing a special effect.  2. With data, using a process to reduce the amount of data. Compression can be lossless, where decompressing replicates the original signal, or lossy, where compression occurs by judging some data as unnecessary, and can therefore be discarded from the file. to even out levels, but that can add artifactsDefinition:
Errors in digital conversion, recording, processing or transmission of audio and visual information caused by compression, quantization, jitter and/or packet loss. like pumpingDefinition:
A change in background sound, hiss, or "room noise," caused by the tendency for automatic level control systems and audio dynamic range compression to audibly vary background or system noise. See also: Breathing., breathingDefinition:
See: Pumping., and popping—not good. Fortunately, there’s a better way: ride the gainDefinition:
The amount of amplification provided by an amplifier circuit, expressed in dB or numerically as in "3X" = "3 times". perfectly to compensate for level variations. Sure, humans can’t do that perfectly, but the Waves Bass Rider can. Essentially, it’s like a robot engineer that constantly monitors the bass level on a note-by-note basis, and adjusts the level for consistency. Because this doesn’t require dynamics processing, the sound is as a natural as simply varying a channelDefinition:
1. In radio, television, citizen's band radio, and other wireless communications modes, a specific frequency for communication.  2. In mixers and video, an input or output signal path with controls.  3. In MIDI, one of 16 data paths. faderDefinition:
An audio control, rotary or linear, to control volume level., and doesn’t alter the bass’s attackDefinition:
The time it takes for a signal to reach maximum amplitude. This timing controls the response of dynamics processors such as compressors and limiters, and a variety of music synthesizer modules. and decayDefinition:
1. The natural volume falloff in an audio or resonating system, such as reverb, or an instrument's note.  2. A parameter in an ADSR envelope. See: ADSR. characteristics (or the tone). And if you do want to add compression for color or character, you won’t need to add as much, because the Bass Rider will already have done the heavy lifting. Besides, it’s hard not to like a plug-in that makes life easier!

SCOPE OUT THE ISSUES

Are the drums aligned with the bass? Is the signal that’s taken direct, out of phaseDefinition:
Sound waves are variations in air pressure that, like water waves, have peaks and troughs. Phase is the waveform's position in its current cycle. For example, if two versions of the same waveform are both at their peak, or at their trough, they're considered in phase. If one is at its peak and one is at its trough, they are considered out of phase. If one is at its peak and the other is at zero (between the peak and trough), then the two waveforms are 90 degrees out of phase. See also: Polarity with the miked version? Are there phase issues with multi-miked instruments, or within an effects chain? Is one of those waveforms clippingDefinition:
Distortion caused by overdriving a signal through an electronic device, to a level beyond which no more headroom is available., or is it just a saturationDefinition:
1. (audio) The result of overloading a transformer, tape, speaker, amplifier, or tube to add harmonics, which can sometimes create a desirable effect. See Soft Clipping. 2. (color) Amount of color present in a light, fabric or paint. effect? Blue Cat’s Oscilloscope Multi plug-in has the answers, costs a whole lot less than a laboratory oscilloscope, and works with any sample rateDefinition:
The number of times per second that an analog signal is sampled prior to conversion into digital via an analog-to-digital converter. See Nyquist Frequency, Analog-to-Digital Converter.. You can visualize and compare the content of several audio tracks on the same screen using its X-Y view, as well as do waveformDefinition:
A graphic picture of a wave. extraction on mid-sideDefinition:
Mid-Side processing separates a stereo field into a mid channel (the center of the stereo signal, or what the two channels have in common) and the sides (the right and left components that don't have anything in common). The balance of the mid and side signals can be controlled electronically, before or after recording, prior to combining back into stereo. channels; it also has syncDefinition:
To make two or more pieces of equipment or signals synchronize with each other. modes similar to a triggered laboratory ’scope. Other features include a phase scope, histogramDefinition:
A graphic representation of numerical data distribution. For example, a histogram could show the different levels of light in an image, or levels of different frequencies in audio. display to represent average levels of signal peaks, and four memory slots so you can store waveform displays for comparison with other waveforms. It’s available for Mac and Windows (32/64-bit) AAXDefinition:
AAX (Avid Audio eXtension): A newer version of RTAS (Real-Time Audio Suite), Avid's proprietary plug-in format., VST, and VST3, as well as AU for Mac.

STRIKE UP THE MULTIBAND (DISTORTION)

You might think the D16 Group Devastor plug-in is more of a processorDefinition:
A device that modifies signals. In audio, this typically affect dynamics, frequency response, harmonics, or time. In video, processors typically affect color, intensity, and special effects. than a utility, but it’s very useful to have something that can split audio into multiple bands so they can be processed individually. It provides diodeDefinition:
1. An electronic component that converts AC into DC.  2. A protection device so that reverse currents can't destroy components that are damaged by reverse polarity.  3. The component that adds distortion to many effects boxes and other signal processors. clipping with three bands—each of which can go before or after clipping. The filters aren’t the traditional peaking kind, but offer low pass for the low bandDefinition:
A grouped range of frequencies, usually with a commonly used designation., high pass for the high band, and bandpass (or band reject) for the mid frequencies. Because they each have their own cutoff frequencies and resonanceDefinition:
1. (physics) The phenomenon of a signal's amplitude increasing when its frequency is close to the natural frequency of a system of which it is a part, or on which it acts. 2. (filter) A control that increases amplitude at whatever frequency is selected. controls, it’s possible to obtain unconventional multiband distortionDefinition:
A change in an electronic or acoustic signal's waveform. This can undesirable if it impacts signal quality, or desirable when used for creative signal processing. effects. Also note that you can always dial back the drive, thresholdDefinition:
The level above or below which a signal triggers a processor's effect., and shape if you want subtle saturation effects to give a sweet lift to master recordings, although of course, you can always crank things up for monstrous, growling distortion with kick drum and bass. This plug-in is available for 32-bit or 64-bit hosts, with Mac OS X 10.6 or higher, or Windows XP and above.

PLUG YOUR PLUG-INS INTO A PLUG-IN

You know the story: you can’t use VST or AU effects in Pro Tools, or VST effects in Logic Pro X. Cubase is allergic to AU plug-ins, and Ableton LiveDefinition:
Live broadcast of an event or program without substantial delay or editing. doesn’t want to deal with VST3. You want to do parallel or multiband processing, or insert series/parallel effects chains, but not every program has Studio One’s ability to create parallel effects chains. What you need is a plug-in that can accept and transform other plug-ins, which is what the DDMF Multiplugin does—and more, like mid-side processing. It even comes with a four-band crossoverDefinition:
A filter or set of filters that divide audio signals by frequency. Crossovers, whether active or passive, are common in speaker designs to direct high and low frequencies to their respective drivers. Crossovers are also used in multiband signal processors, like multiband dynamics or multiband distortion. for multiband processing, and a routing plug-in for cross-track processing. It also includes bridging for 32-bit plug-ins, a stereoDefinition:
A two channel signal simulating a sound space, typically played through two speakers. sidechain input, dry/wet control for each plug-in, support for surroundDefinition:
Multiple speakers place around a listening area to create an enveloping soundscape. and other multi-channel applications, and a whole bunch of other stuff that’s essential for, well, managing almost any type of plug-in in any type of host. It’s compatible with Windows (32/64-bit VST/VST3 and AAX as well as 32-bit RTAS) and Mac OSX (10.6 or higher, 32/64 bit VST/VST3/AU/AAX and 32 bit RTAS). This is your basic “how did I get along without this?” plug-in...and the price is certainly right.