One of the biggest advantages of using a
digital
audio workstation (DAW) for your home recording studio is that you can easily expand your
capabilities to match your needs by using plug ins. So, if in the middle of a home recording
session you realize you really need to add a slight distortion effect to get the perfect guitar
tone, you'll be able to do exactly that without much effort. With the right plug ins, your virtual
studio can effectively simulate thousands upon thousands of different amplifiers, effects pedals,
and a whole lot more.
What are Home Recording Plug Ins?
Simply put, plug ins are optional applications that add
additional functionality to the existing software. Or, in other words, plug ins are programs that
work with your recording software to give you even more possibilities when recording. Since the
software you use for your DAW is essentially just a virtual studio, it can be helpful to view plug
ins as additional equipment inside the studio. So, for example, when your guitar track really needs
that distortion, you can use a distortion pedal plug in to produce the desired effect without
having to own the physical equipment.
The
M-Audio
iZotope Trash plug in, for example, gives your digital audio workstation the breadth and
versatility to cover all your distortion needs. With amp simulators, tape modulators and a whole
array of custom distortion tones and effects at your disposal, the M-Audio Trash Plug In is
compatible with most recording software and definitely makes a great addition to any home recording
studio.
What can I do with recording software Plug Ins?
A better question is: what can't you do?
When you want your guitar to simulate the famous warm tones of a Fender Twin Reverb amp; there's a
plug in for that. If you're looking to tweak your sound with the classic delay of the Roland Space
Echo; there's a Plug in for that too. With the right plug in, your home recording studio will be
able to effectively simulate all your favorite amps, effects, modulators, and more.
For example, with the
Line
6 Pod Farm plug in you'll get the ability to emulate tons of classic amplifiers, effects,
speakers and pre-amps all within your digital audio workstation. The Line 6 Pod Farm plug in is VST
compatible, so it will work with most recording software to give your home recording studio a whole
to range of tools to shape your sound. The Line 6 Pod Farm is so powerful, you'll even be able to
split your recording signal to play through two separate virtual amplifiers simultaneously,
allowing you to compare and contrast sounds quickly and efficiently.
What type of Plug ins can I use in my home recording studio
The type of plug ins available
to you will depend upon what software you use in your home recording studio. Don't worry though, no
matter what recording software you use for your home recording studio, chances are that there are
more than enough plug ins available for you. Just remember to always check that your specific
software supports the Plug in type.
Virtual Studio Technology (VST) – VST Plug Ins are far and away the most commonly
supported file type today. VST plug ins will work on both PC and Mac computers, and across many
different software configurations.
AU (Mac) and Direct X (PC) – AU Plug Ins will only work on Mac-based computers
while Direct X plug ins will only work on PC computers. However, plug ins in these formats will
sometimes be available in VST as well, and should then work with recording software on either a PC
or a Mac.
