Damn Plugin's

Today's minor blurb is about using new plugin's and, well, finding the right time to actually use them.  I, probably like everyone, have fallen into the awful trap of researching some audio issue online and then finding a slew of supposed "expert" YouTube videos about how to handle some issue, etc. (even though the videos are most likely from goons that know about as much as I do but simply speak in an authoritative manner), and then taking some plunge into using or buying a new plugin.  I'll just admit up front that I've fallen into this trap multiple times and it almost always gets me into trouble.

I'm actually currently digging my way out of one of these very traps, basically due to purchasing the Fab Filter Pro-MB plugin and throwing it into a bunch of mixes a bit too blindly.  Now, to be clear, I'm not picking on the plugin whatsoever...I'm the issue here.  I can tell you first hand that the plugin is a super valuable tool; I can also tell you firsthand that if it's not used well it can cause pure havoc on your mix without even realizing it.

So, what I've found is that I have been training myself when to simply say "no, not right now" versus thinking I need to play around with something immediately.  If it isn't terribly obvious, working through final mixdown of a song or project is probably not the right time.  Having said that, it's not always easy to say "no", though, and I'm always stumbling upon videos that make some recommendation that's supposedly "mind blowing" but I simply try to save the link with the intent of looking at it later if I'm in the middle of something crucial.  If I don't resist, there's usually a bit of pain.

In true audio engineering form, though, the opposite can also be said, and that is if you feel the mix has an issue and it simply needs to be addressed, well, take a deep breath and prepare for delays because otherwise you're going to lose sleep over NOT addressing it if you push forward.  This is also a lesson I've learned the hard way.  So, yes, some issues do need to be researched and require the patience to work through regardless of what delay they might cause, that is if you're trying to get the best result available to you.

Balancing these issues I think is the real trick and I'll openly admit that I'm still not the greatest at it.  I think when mixing, especially if it's taking a rather large amount of time to get it done, we just want to finish it and move on.  Ah, but can you live with the results?  Well, that's another story, and that's usually what I ask myself in a very serious manner.

I guess I honestly should always write at the top of these posts or this blog in general that nothing I ever write here is for the actual pro audio engineering world.  This is more for those people like myself who have figured out that the only way they're going to get their material out there is by taking the plunge and attempting to learn at least some of this on their own.  And, oh what a plunge it is...my goodness.  Prepare to take in quite a few gulps of water as you learn to dive!