Online learning resources, be it courses, videos, written content, one-on-one coaching, apps, et cetera, provide fantastic opportunities to learn (and teach) digital audio workstations like Steinberg's Cubase and audio engineering more broadly. Though nothing truly beats dedicated in-person DAW lessons, there are plenty of excellent alternatives online.

Note that by “resources,” I'm not only referring to video tutoring and full-length courses (though these are arguably the best options). I'm also considering masterclasses, videos and articles, and other online resources for learning the ins and outs of Cubase.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I’ve done my best to list out these resources based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Reputation of the learning resource
• Quality of education in features (including built-in virtual instruments and plugins), workflow, arrangement and mixing/mastering
• Organization and depth of learning
• Adaptability of teaching to individual students (one-on-one lessons are best here)
• The resource must be currently available

With all that being said, let’s list out the learning resources.

The Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase Are:

1. Steinberg
2. Berklee Online
3. Sonic Academy
4. Streamworks Audio
5. Next Level Sound
6. AM-Lab
7. Ask.Audio
8. Skillshare

In this article, we'll go through each of the above-mentioned resources to get a stronger idea of what makes them great for learning Cubase. Whether you're a complete beginner or a successful professional, there is always something to learn! I'll include links to check out each of the options for you to learn more about each resource. We'll also consider a few “honourable mentions” worth considering.

Cubase is featured in My New Microphone's Top 7 Best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) On The Market.

Click here to see more of My New Microphone's recommended learning resources.

Steinberg

Steinberg is kind of a shoo-in for the top of this list. It's the company that developed Cubase, after all.

But Steinberg's education on their flagship DAW isn't as dry as the typical user manual. Rather, the company curated a great amount of in-depth information from a variety of professional users to offer us a ton of information about the inner workings of Cubase.

These tutorials are for all levels. Whether you are a professional Cubase user or a newcomer, the wide selection of video tutorials will help you to bring you to the next level in your career or hobby with Cubase.

Click here to check out Steinberg's Cubase tutorials today!

Steinberg is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Audio Interface Brands In The World
• Top 11 Best Virtual/Software Instrument Plugin Brands

Berklee Online

Steinberg and Berklee are pretty big deals in the world of music. It seems like the perfect partnership between two of the world's best.

Berklee Online, the online extension of the school, offers excellent courses on Cubase through the power of the Internet.

Whether you're a complete novice or know your way around a DAW or two, Berklee Online's Cubase courses will teach you all you need to know to achieve professional results with this powerful software.

Earn legitimate credits from the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world as you learn the ins and outs of one of the world's most musical DAWs.

Click here to check out the Cubase courses at Berklee Online today!

Berklee Online is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW

Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy is a subscription-based electronic music production school.

If you're into producing EDM and other electronic music genres, Sonic Academy will set you up to do so with its Cubase courses and all its follow-up tutorials that utilize Cubase as the DAW for instruction.

Additionally, a subscription (which can be purchased monthly or yearly) will give you access to Sonic Academy's plugins and sound and preset packs.

This is a one-stop shop for learning Cubase (and other DAWs) with the intent of producing electronic music.

Click here to check out the Cubase courses at Sonic Academy today!

Sonic Academy is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW

Streamworks Audio

Streamworks Audio is an online training service dedicated completely to music and audio production tools and various tips and techniques to get the most out of the incredible technology now available to the music production world.

In addition to producing videos for their own catalogue, Streamworks also offers custom video tutorials and marketing videos in collaboration with some of the largest software vendors, including Steinberg Media Technologies, Cakewalk Inc., Image-Line, IK Multimedia, PreSonus, and more.

It's this working relationship with Steinberg that helps to make Streamworks Audio's Cubase courses among the best the market has to offer.

Click here to check out Streamworks Audio's Cubase courses today!

Next Level Sound

Next Level Sound is a certified Steinberg Training Center and offers a variety of high-value courses for discerning music producers and audio engineers. Chief among such courses is the Cubase Online Certification Program.

The 6-month online program is led by multi-platinum, award-winning engineer and course designer Daniel Wyatt. With Cubase as the central DAW, this superb course is designed to give us all the skills to produce modern styles of music at a professional level.

If you're dedicated to learning what Next Level Sound calls the world's most powerful and complete DAW, then enrol in this course now.

Click here to check out the Cubase Online Certification Program at Next Level Sound today!

AM-Lab

AM-Lab is another certified Steinberg training center. This online resource offers individual (one-to-one) and group (live or streaming) Cubase training according to Steinberg's certified process. That means AM-Lab will always teach the latest Steinberg software and have extensive current product and systems knowledge.

Choose from Standard, Advanced and Masterclass courses to develop a complete understanding of Cubase. In-depth training from AM-Lab is sure to bring you to a professional level with this powerful DAW.

Click here to check out AM-Lab's Cubase courses today!

Ask.Audio

Ask.Audio is a brand of NonLinear Educating, an online learning platform featuring video tutorials and courses for popular software applications and creative workflow techniques. Steinberg's Cubase is featured in-depth in its training programs.

Ask.Audio provides on-point instruction on the specific functions of this DAW and general music production information. If you're looking for a library of detailed tutorials on the many features of Cubase, then Ask.Audio is for you!

The subscription model of Ask.Audio gives students access to all courses at an affordable monthly rate. Learn at your own pace with each tutorial as you build a complete understanding of the superb DAW that is Cubase.

Click here to check out Ask.Audio's Cubase courses today!

Ask.Audio is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW

Skillshare

Skillshare is another popular subscription website that hosts courses on a plethora of topics, including Cubase.

Like Udemy, Skillshare is non-accredited and allows users to upload and sell their courses.

A subscription gets you unlimited access to every class on the site and is remarkably affordable. Skillshare offers a 30-day free trial, so you can test it out before investing.

Though this platform allows individuals to upload and sell their courses, the trainings are, for the most part, exceptional.

Give Skillshare a chance; you'll have access to many superb Steinberg Cubase courses to learn the DAW quickly and effectively.

Click here to check out the Cubase courses at Skillshare today!

Skillshare is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW

The post Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Online learning resources, be it courses, videos, written content, one-on-one coaching, apps, et cetera, provide fantastic opportunities to learn (and teach) digital audio workstations like PreSonus' Studio One and audio engineering more broadly. Though nothing truly beats dedicated in-person DAW lessons, there are plenty of excellent alternatives online.

Note that by “resources,” I'm not only referring to video tutoring and full-length courses (though these are arguably the best options). I'm also considering masterclasses, videos, articles, and other online resources for learning the ins and outs of Studio One.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I’ve done my best to list out these resources based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Reputation of the learning resource
• Quality of education in features (including built-in virtual instruments and plugins), workflow, arrangement and mixing/mastering
• Organization and depth of learning
• Adaptability of teaching to individual students (one-on-one lessons are best here)
• The resource must be currently available

With all that being said, let’s list out the learning resources.

The Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One Are:

1. Groove3
2. Home Recording Made Easy
3. Ask.Audio
4. ProAudioEXP
5. Skillshare
6. Just Music
7. Pro Tools Expert
8. YouTube

In this article, we'll go through each of the above-mentioned resources to get a stronger idea of what makes them great for learning Studio One. Whether you're a complete beginner or a successful professional, there is always something to learn! I'll include links to check out each of the options for you to learn more about each resource. We'll also consider a few “honourable mentions” worth considering.

Studio One is featured in My New Microphone's Top 7 Best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) On The Market.

Click here to see more of My New Microphone's recommended learning resources.

Groove3

Groove3 has an awesome library of courses and tutorials for all things related to music and audio.

The site's Studio One tutorials are organized and thorough. There's no certification training here, but the information provided is sure to give you the skills you need to unlock the potential of this superb DAW.

There are two main options for using Groove3. You can purchase individual products (download and online streaming) for lifetime access, or you can become an All-Access Subscriber and get streaming access to the entire Groove3 library.

If you're interested in building up a strong knowledge of Studio One, I strongly recommend investing in Groove3.

Click here to check out Groove3's tutorials on PreSonus Studio One today!

Groove3 is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW

Home Recording Made Easy

Home Recording Made Easy is an excellent resource put together by professional audio engineer David Vignola. His company's mission is to train both home-recording musicians and aspiring audio engineers.

With PreSonus' Studio One as the central DAW, these courses provide invaluable information to bring our skills with audio and music to the next level.

Choose one of several Studio One courses to suit your needs and be well on your way to mastery.

Click here to check out Home Recording Made Easy's Studio One courses today!

Ask.Audio

Ask.Audio is a brand of NonLinear Educating, an online learning platform featuring video tutorials and courses for popular software applications and creative workflow techniques.

Ask.Audio's training programs provide us with a wealth of practical knowledge.

With many different tutorial options, you should be able to find what you're looking for when it comes to learning Studio One with Ask.Audio.

Click here to check out the Studio One tutorials at Ask.Audio today!

Ask.Audio is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

ProAudioEXP

ProAudioEXP is David Wills' company, dedicated to teaching students the unchanging audio engineering principles in well-formulated, to-the-point courses. The goal is to provide affordable, practical training at a small fraction of the price of post-secondary institutions.

David distills the essential knowledge required to make great music with current technology through free training and premium courses. The 4+ hour ProAudioEXP Studio One course quickly gets us up to speed with the DAW and is even featured on PreSonus' website.

The course comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's really nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you need to learn the essentials of Studio One, look no further than ProAudioEXP.

Click here to check out ProAudioEXP's Studio One course today!

ProAudioEXP is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW.

Skillshare

Skillshare is another popular MOOC website that hosts courses on a variety of topics and DAWs, including Studio One.

Skillshare is non-accredited and allows users to upload and sell their courses.

A subscription gets you unlimited access to every class on the site and is remarkably affordable. Skillshare offers a 30-day free trial, so you can test it out before investing.

Though this platform allows individuals to upload and sell their courses, the trainings are, for the most part, exceptional. If you want to learn PreSonus Studio One from real experts at an affordable price, Skillshare could very well be the option for you.

Click here to check out the many PreSonus Studio One courses on Skillshare today!

Skillshare is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Just Music

Just Music is an institution that brings together all the critical and essential information that must be acquired to become a music producer.

This online platform offers free courses in addition to selling complete trainings to learn Studio One.

As a certified PreSonus partner, Just Music provides over 9 hours of videos, practices, quizzes and challenges to cover every feature and the best practices for a complete education with Studio One.

Click here to check out Just Music's Studio One courses today!

Pro Tools Expert

Pro Tools Expert is a mostly free platform (they have some premium content) with tonnes of information on music technology and production. One of the site's blogs, aptly named “Studio One Expert,” offers expert advice on the Studio One DAW.

If free sounds great to you, this will be an invaluable resource. There's plenty of knowledge to gain as you make your way through the web, much of it pertaining directly or indirectly to Studio One.

Click here to check out “Studio One Expert“ at Pro Tools Expert today!

Pro Tools Expert is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW.

YouTube

YouTube is an invaluable free resource from learning Studio One if we know how to use it correctly. Though the distractions are plentiful, there's a wealth of knowledge available.

Furthermore, once we find educators with good information and a compatible teaching style, the YouTube algorithm is likely to present us with more content from the same creators and those similar to them.

Sure, YouTube won't give us a certificate for our knowledge, but if we need to learn something specific in a short timeframe, it's perhaps the greatest free resource available. So, if you want to learn Studio One for free, do some digging through YouTube. You'll eventually learn exactly what you need to know about this excellent DAW.

Click here to check out Studio One tutorials on YouTube today!

YouTube is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW.

The post Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Online learning resources, be it courses, videos, written content, one-on-one coaching, apps, et cetera, provide fantastic opportunities to learn (and teach) digital audio workstations like Cockos' Reaper and audio engineering more broadly. Though nothing truly beats dedicated in-person DAW lessons, there are plenty of excellent alternatives online.

Note that by “resources,” I'm not only referring to video tutoring and full-length courses (though these are arguably the best options). I'm also considering masterclasses, videos and articles, and other online resources for learning the ins and outs of Reaper.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I’ve done my best to list out these resources based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Reputation of the learning resource
• Quality of education in features (including built-in virtual instruments and plugins), workflow, arrangement and mixing/mastering
• Organization and depth of learning
• Adaptability of teaching to individual students (one-on-one lessons are best here)
• The resource must be currently available

With all that being said, let’s list out the learning resources.

The Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper Are:

1. Reaper.fm
2. Reaper Blog
3. Pro Mix Academy
4. Ask.Audio
5. Groove3
6. CreativeLive
7. Skillshare
8. YouTube

In this article, we'll go through each of the above-mentioned resources to get a stronger idea of what makes them great for learning Reaper. Whether you're a complete beginner or a successful professional, there is always something to learn! I'll include links to check out each of the options for you to learn more about each resource. We'll also consider a few “honourable mentions” worth considering.

Reaper is featured in My New Microphone's Top 7 Best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) On The Market.

Click here to see more of My New Microphone's recommended learning resources.

Reaper.fm

Reaper.fm is the main website for downloading/purchasing Reaper. It has downloadable user guides, videos, additional resources (including a link to the unofficial Reaper Blog) and a forum.

Get your information straight from the source by checking out the resources Reaper.fm for your information on this DAW.

Click here to check out Reaper.fm today!

Reaper Blog

The (unofficial) Reaper Blog is a superb resource for music production tips and training for Reaper DAW users. The blog was started in 2010 and is run by Jon Tidey.

There is a ton of free information on this blog, along with in-depth paid courses and opportunities for private lessons online.

Whatever knowledge you need about Reaper, you'll be able to access it in one way or another through this excellent resource.

Click here to check out the Reaper Blog courses today!

Pro Mix Academy

Pro Mix Academy is run by Adam Steel, a professional engineer and early adopter of Cockos Reaper. The course teaches students step-by-step how to customize the DAW to their own workflow for maximum results while also covering the essentials of top-notch music production.

With such a flexible and customizable DAW, this course puts an emphasis on setting it up correctly. By the end of the training, you will have made Reaper your very own digital workhorse and be able to produce professional results in as streamlined a workflow as you could want!

The Ultimate Reaper Guide is a complete resource for learning Reaper, with 71 chapters and 9 hours of detailed instruction. It will teach you everything you ever need to know about this incredibly versatile DAW.

Click here to check out the Pro Mix Academy Ultimate Guide To Reaper course today!

Ask.Audio

Ask.Audio is a brand of NonLinear Educating, an online learning platform featuring video tutorials and courses for popular software applications and creative workflow techniques.

Cockos Reaper, along with many other DAWs, is featured in-depth in Ask.Audio's training programs.

Ask.Audio provides on-point instruction on the specific functions of Reaper and music production as a whole. This site is designed with smaller, more focused courses than large comprehensive training. If you're looking for a library of detailed tutorials on the many features of Reaper, then I recommend giving Ask.Audio a shot.

Click here to check out Ask.Audio's Reaper courses today!

Ask.Audio is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Groove3

Groove3 has a fantastic library of courses and tutorials for all things related to music and audio.

The Cockos Reaper tutorials at Groove3 are certainly worth your consideration. These thorough tutorials teach specific functions/features of Reaper in great detail.

The information provided is sure to give you the skills you need to unlock the potential of Reaper.

There are two main options for using Groove3. You can purchase individual products (download and online streaming) for lifetime access, or you can become an All-Access Subscriber and get streaming access to the entire Groove3 library.

If you prefer to learn Reaper one feature at a time and build up a strong knowledge base of the DAW's functionality, I strongly recommend investing in Groove3.

Click here to check out Groove3's Reaper courses today!

Groove3 is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW

CreativeLive

CreativeLive is an online education platform that offers online classes in a variety of fields taught by a variety of experts in their respective domains.

If you're interested in creative endeavours, CreativeLive is likely to have a perfect class for you. With affordable monthly subscriptions to cover on-demand access, you can learn Reaper at your own pace to help bring your creativity forth.

The Reaper courses, in particular, are taught by Kenneth Gioia, a Multi-Platinum music producer, engineer, mixer and songwriter from New York City.

Click here to check out CreativeLive's Reaper classes today!

Skillshare

Skillshare is another popular subscription website that hosts courses on a plethora of topics, including Reaper.

Like Udemy, Skillshare is non-accredited and allows users to upload and sell their courses.

A subscription gets you unlimited access to every class on the site and is remarkably affordable. Skillshare offers a 30-day free trial, so you can test it out before investing.

Though this platform allows individuals to upload and sell their courses, the trainings are, for the most part, exceptional.

Give Skillshare a chance; you'll have access to many superb Cockos Reaper courses to learn the DAW quickly and effectively.

Click here to check out the many Reaper courses on Skillshare today!

Skillshare is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

YouTube

If I had a nickel for every music or audio tutorial I watched on YouTube, I'd be able to pay for a Berklee education!

Sure, YouTube won't give us a certificate for the knowledge we learn, but if we need to learn something specific in a short timeframe, it's perhaps the greatest free resource available. This is true of Reaper and pretty much anything else we're interested in.

So, if you want to learn Reaper for free, do some digging through YouTube. You'll eventually learn exactly what you need to know about this excellent yet underserved DAW.

Click here to check out Reaper tutorials on YouTube today!

YouTube is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW.

The post Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Online learning resources, be it courses, videos, written content, one-on-one coaching, apps, et cetera, provide fantastic opportunities to learn (and teach) digital audio workstations like Avid Technology's Pro Tools and audio engineering more broadly. Though nothing truly beats dedicated in-person DAW lessons, there are plenty of excellent alternatives online.

Note that by “resources,” I'm not only referring to video tutoring and full-length courses (though these are arguably the best options). I'm also considering masterclasses, videos and articles, and other online resources for learning the ins and outs of Pro Tools.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I’ve done my best to list out these resources based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Reputation of the learning resource
• Quality of education in features (including built-in virtual instruments and plugins), workflow, arrangement and mixing/mastering
• Organization and depth of learning
• Adaptability of teaching to individual students (one-on-one lessons are best here)
• The resource must be currently available

With all that being said, let’s list out the learning resources.

The Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools Are:

1. Berklee Online
2. KMG Life
3. Pro Tools Certified
4. ProMeda Training
5. GeniusDV
6. Garnish Music Production
7. Groove3
8. Future Media Concepts
9. Pro Tools NYC
10. Pro Tools Expert

In this article, we'll go through each of the above-mentioned resources to get a stronger idea of what makes them great for learning Pro Tools. Whether you're a complete beginner or a successful professional, there is always something to learn! I'll include links to check out each of the options for you to learn more about each resource. We'll also consider a few “honourable mentions” worth considering.

Pro Tools is featured in My New Microphone's Top 7 Best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) On The Market.

Click here to see more of My New Microphone’s recommended learning resources.

Berklee Online

Pro Tools has been the industry standard in music recording and production for some time now. It's no wonder, then, that the world's largest independent college of contemporary music would teach this ubiquitous DAW.

Berklee Online, the online extension of the school, offers excellent courses on Pro Tools through the power of the Internet.

Whether you're a complete novice or know your way around a DAW or two, Berklee Online's Pro Tools courses will teach you all you need to know to achieve professional results and even become a professional with Pro Tools.

Earn legitimate credits from the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world as you learn the ins and outs of one of the world's most widespread DAWs.

Click here to check out Berklee Online's Pro Tools Courses today!

Berklee Online is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

KMG Life

KMG Life is an all-in-one music production studio, artist development service and education facility. The teaching side of the business (KMG Academy) began in 2015, and since then, this Boulder, Colorado-based company has become a top resource for learning Pro Tools.

In addition to its excellent in-person courses, KMG's online courses give students all they need to become successful with Pro Tools.

The Pro Tools Virtual Program is a 6-month online training designed to teach you everything you need to know in order to start your journey as a mixing engineer.

Click here to check out KMG Life's virtual programs today!

KMG Life is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW.

Pro Tools Certified

Pro Tools Certified Training is an official AVID certification program taught by an Expert Certified Learning Instructor who will teach you everything you need to know to prepare you for the AVID Pro Tools Certification Exams.

This resource gives students online self-paced training sessions led by a certified instructor at a fraction of the cost of in-person AVID Pro Tools online certification programs.

If you're serious about learning Pro Tools and want to be a certified expert, this online training will prepare you, in your own time, to take the exam and pass with flying colours!

Click here to check out the Pro Tools Certified training today!

ProMeda Training

From beginner lessons to professional education, ProMeda Training will teach us everything about Avid's Pro Tools, whether we want to record our first demos or pass the certification exam ourselves. In fact, ProMedia Training has been a licensed official Avid Training and Certification Center teaching beginners through expert-level users for over 20 years.

This resource has several online instructor-led courses that focus on different aspects of this powerful DAW.

So, it doesn't matter where you're at in your Pro Tools learning journey. ProMeda is here to help and can offer top-level training to anyone interested in enhancing their knowledge of Pro Tools.

Click here to check out ProMeda Training's Pro Tools courses today!

GeniusDV

Founded in November of 2000, GeniusDV has created an elite, luxurious training environment that provides state-of-the-art, hands-on training for all of the popular video and audio editing software packages.

Avid Technology offers Pro Tools certifications through GeniusDV, so if you need to take the exam, GeniusDV is a good place to do so.

One-on-one online training is available from this Avid Authorized Education Center. The training is designed specifically to bring students to a professional level fast without having to travel to a classroom setting.

Click here to check out the certified Pro Tools courses at GeniusDV today!

Garnish Music Production

Garnish Music Production provides a world-class education for music producers. Self-described as a boutique music production school, Garnish now has physical locations around the world and a strong online learning experience.

Students can choose to learn any of the world's most popular DAWs, including Pro Tools, online from this top-notch education provider.

The company's 36-hour Pro Tools course is designed to help musicians and producers master the basic principles and fundamental skills needed to create and arrange music in Pro Tools. You'll learn how to set up sessions and follow this right through to the final mix-down, all the while using the DAW's latest features. From there, students can explore deeper into music production from the expert instructors at Garnish online.

Click here to check out Garnish Music Production's Pro Tools course.

Groove3

Groove3 has a fantastic library of courses and tutorials for all things related to music and audio.

The Pro Tools tutorials at Groove3 are abundant and thorough. They teach specific functions/features of PT and go into great detail.

Of course, there are also more general courses that offer more broad training if you're into that as well. There's no certification training here, but the information provided is sure to give you the skills you need to unlock the potential of Pro Tools.

There are two main options for using Groove3. You can purchase individual products (download and online streaming) for lifetime access, or you can become an All-Access Subscriber and get streaming access to the entire Groove3 library.

If you would prefer learning Pro Tools one feature at a time and building up a strong knowledge base of the DAW's functionality, I strongly recommend investing in Groove3.

Click here to check out Groove3's Pro Tools courses today!

Groove3 is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW

Future Media Concepts

Future Media Concepts was established in 1994 and has become America's premier digital media training organization. The company provides manufacturer-authorized training for professionals engaged in the production, editing, design and delivery of digital content.

FMC is another legitimate Avid Authorized Training Partner. The company offers all the courses and exams necessary to become a Pro Tools Certified Operator or a Pro Tools Certified Expert.

There are several Pro Tools Master Class packages available. Choose the option that is right for you based on your current level of knowledge, career path and desired certification. All Master Class options offer significant savings for enrolling in multiple Pro Tools classes.

You can even take the exams at Future Media Concepts to get your entire professional training and certification under one online resource.

Click here to check out Future Media Concepts' Pro Tools training today!

Pro Tools NYC

Pro Tools NYC is yet another Avid Authorized Training Partner that will teach you the essentials to become a certified expert with the DAW.

You can take the necessary courses and complete the exam online. I'd suggest having a look at Pro Tools NYC, Future Media Concepts, Pro Tools Certified, ProMeda Training and GeniusDV to find the best option for you. They're all designed to yield the same results.

Click here to check out the Pro Tools NYC classes today!

Pro Tools Expert

Pro Tools Expert is a mostly free platform (they have some premium content) with tonnes of information on music technology and production, including Pro Tools.

If free sounds great to you, this will be an invaluable resource. There's plenty of knowledge to gain as you make your way through the web, much of it pertaining directly or indirectly to Pro Tools.

Click here to check out Pro Tools Expert's free Pro Tools tutorials today!

Pro Tools Expert is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW.

The post Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Online learning resources, be it courses, videos, written content, one-on-one coaching, apps, et cetera, provide fantastic opportunities to learn (and teach) digital audio workstations like Ableton Live and audio engineering more broadly. Though nothing truly beats dedicated in-person DAW lessons, there are plenty of excellent alternatives online.

Note that by “resources,” I'm not only referring to video tutoring and full-length courses (though these are arguably the best options). I'm also considering masterclasses, videos and articles, and other online resources for learning the ins and outs of Ableton Live.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I’ve done my best to list out these resources based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Reputation of the learning resource
• Quality of education in features (including built-in virtual instruments and plugins), workflow, arrangement and mixing/mastering
• Organization and depth of learning
• Adaptability of teaching to individual students (one-on-one lessons are best here)
• The resource must be currently available

With all that being said, let’s list out the learning resources.

The Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live Are:

1. Point Blank Music School
2. KMG Life
3. 343 Labs
4. Warp Academy
5. Producertech
6. Slam Academy
7. From Studio To Stage
8. Sonic Academy
9. Ask.Audio
10. Berklee Online

In this article, we'll go through each of the above-mentioned resources to get a stronger idea of what makes them great for learning Ableton Live. Whether you're a complete beginner or a successful professional, there is always something to learn! I'll include links to check out each of the options for you to learn more about each resource. We'll also consider a few “honourable mentions” worth considering.

Ableton Live is featured in My New Microphone's Top 7 Best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) On The Market.

Click here to see more of My New Microphone’s recommended learning resources.

Point Blank Music School

The Point Blank Music School is an excellent resource to learn music production and sharpen your creativity. With locations all around the world and superb online curriculums, Point Blank is a top choice for learning Ableton Live and music production more generally.

The school is a Certified Ableton Training partner, and its Live courses include production, composition, sound design, mixing, live performance, and more.

Point Blank Music School's Complete Ableton Live online course is designed to teach students everything there is to know about this powerful DAW. The 6-month 100% online program has multiple start dates throughout the year.

Point Blank's Virtual Learning Environment gives you the tools and network you need to succeed with Ableton Live, from the basics to the most advanced functionality.

Over the 2-term course, you'll get in-depth training in one of the world's most versatile DAWs. You also have access to 1-on-1 live sessions with your expert lecturers and additional training to set you up for success in the music/audio industry.

Click here to check out Point Blank Music School's Complete Ableton Live online course today!

Point Blank Music School is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW.

KMG Life

KMG Life started as an all-in-one music production and artist development studio. The wealth of knowledge accumulated over the years led to the formation of the KMG Academy in 2015. This Boulder, Colorado-based company has since become a top resource for learning Ableton Live.

Like Point Blank, KMG Life is an Ableton Certified Training partner, providing amazing online learning experiences in addition to its in-person courses.

The Ableton Virtual Program is a 6-month online training covering everything from workflow to production, mixing and mastering to live performance. KMG is sure to deliver in-depth teaching of Ableton Live to bring a thorough understanding to students.

Click here to check out KMG Life's virtual programs today!

KMG Life is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW.

343 Labs

343 Labs is another top-notch Ableton Certified Training partner. With physical locations in New York City and Berlin, 343 also offers an outstanding education in the e-learning space.

From the technicalities of the DAW to the philosophies of developing your sound and production style, 343 Labs offers excellent courses for students to learn Ableton Live.

With a strong roster of accomplished producers and Ableton Certified Trainers, students can expect an exceptional educational experience in NYC, Berlin, and, of course, online.

Click here to check out online Ableton Live courses at 343 Labs today!

Warp Academy

Warp Academy is a one-stop shop for music producers, offering training, software, and sounds and presets to help us make the best music possible. It's also an Ableton Certified Training partner.

The teachers at Warp Academy are industry experts with decades of experience and offer in-depth training in Ableton Live, DJing, synthesis, sound design, remixing, workflow, mixing, and mastering.

Rather than focusing on massive courses, you can expect shorter, more specific tutorials regarding Ableton Live's features and functions. If you prefer this modular learning style with smaller, more affordable courses, I recommend Warp Academy.

Click here to check out the Ableton Live tutorials at Warp Academy today!

Producertech

Producertech offers award-winning tutorials on Ableton Live and music production from a multitude of Ableton Certified Training partners and professional artists. In addition to on-demand streamed tutorials, all courses come with downloadable materials, including DAW projects, instrument presets, bonus samples and written notes.

Chief among this learning resource's range of online courses is the Beginner and Advanced Ableton courses. These affordable walkthroughs will get you superb results in a very short amount of time. Enhance your skills with more advanced masterclasses covering specific genres (especially electronic genres) and techniques.

Producertech uses a membership model, where members can get instant access to the entire library of courses and exclusive bonus content. Try it out with a 14-day free trial. 

Click here to check out Producertech's Ableton Live courses today!

Slam Academy

As we could come to expect from this list, Slam Academy is also an Ableton Certified Training Centre. The academy offers plenty of training programs, chief among which is their Ableton Live Program.

The online version of the interactive Ableton Live Program offers up to six hours of weekly contact time with a variety of certified instructors. The course is “open-enrollment”, meaning students can join anytime. This six-month program is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of Live and a developed ability to produce music in any genre they choose.

Choose from plenty of superb courses, or consider becoming a member for heavy discounts on whatever courses you're interested in. Learn music and music production through one of the world's most powerful and flexible DAWs at Slam Academy.

Click here to check out the Online Ableton Live Program at Slam Academy today!

From Studio To Stage

Ableton is much more than a studio workstation. It's a multifaceted software that excels as a live performance hub of technology.

If you want to really dig into the vast potential of Ableton as a live performance tool, I highly recommend checking out the many courses at From Studio To Stage. Learn how Ableton works with other powerful technology to produce the most intricate live sets of your career.

This Ableton Certified Training partner will answer questions and open new doors of possibility with Ableton Live. Opt for individual courses or a membership. Beyond the courses, FSTS also features templates, presets, sounds, and other tools to enhance your experience with this awesome DAW.

Click here to check out the courses at From Studio To Stage today!

Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy is a subscription-based electronic music production school and an Ableton Certified Training partner.

If you're into producing EDM and other electronic music genres (as many Ableton Live users are), Sonic Academy teaches you the ways of this powerful DAW with excellent courses and follow-up tutorials.

Additionally, a subscription (which can be purchased monthly or yearly) will give you access to Sonic Academy's plugins and sound and preset packs.

This is a one-stop shop for learning about music technology, news, features, samples, and software plugins to enhance your experience of and production with Ableton Live dramatically.

Click here to check out Sonic Academy's courses on Ableton Live today!

Sonic Academy is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Ask.Audio

Ask.Audio is a brand of NonLinear Educating, an online learning platform featuring video tutorials and courses for popular software applications and creative workflow techniques.

Though it's Ask.Audio sister brands, Ask.Video and macVideoPro, which are technically Ableton Certified Training partners, this website benefits from these accreditations.

Ableton Live, along with other DAWs, is featured in-depth in Ask.Audio's training programs.

Ask.Audio provides on-point instruction on the specific functions of Ableton Live and music production as a whole. If you're looking for a library of detailed tutorials on the many features of Ableton Live, then Ask.Audio is for you!

Click here to check out Ask.Audio's Ableton Live courses today!

Ask.Audio is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Berklee Online

You know Ableton Live is a serious DAW when the Berklee College of Music teaches it academically. As an Ableton Certified Training partner, Berklee Online offers in-depth learning material on this excellent digital audio workstation, focusing particularly on its power as a musicians' tool.

Earn legitimate credits from the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world as you learn the ins and outs of one of the world's most musical DAWs.

Click here to check out Berklee Online's Ableton Live courses today!

Berklee Online is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

The post Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Online learning resources, be it courses, videos, written content, one-on-one coaching, apps, et cetera, provide fantastic opportunities to learn (and teach) digital audio workstations like Image-Line's FL Studio and audio engineering more broadly. Though nothing truly beats dedicated in-person DAW lessons, there are plenty of excellent alternatives online.

Note that by “resources,” I'm not only referring to video tutoring and full-length courses (though these are arguably the best options). I'm also considering masterclasses, videos and articles, and other online resources for learning the ins and outs of FL Studio.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list out these resources based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Reputation of the learning resource
• Quality of education in features (including built-in virtual instruments and plugins), workflow, arrangement and mixing/mastering
• Organization and depth of learning
• Adaptability of teaching to individual students (one-on-one lessons are best here)
• The resource must be currently available

With all that being said, let's list out the learning resources.

The Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio Are:

1. Image-Line
2. Production Music Live
3. GratuiTous
4. Producer's University
5. Born To Produce
6. Ask.Audio
7. Skillshare
8. Groove3
9. Sonic Academy

In this article, we'll go through each of the above-mentioned resources to get a stronger idea of what makes them great for learning FL Studio. Whether you're a complete beginner or a successful professional, there is always something to learn! I'll include links to check out each of the options for you to learn more about each resource. We'll also consider a few “honourable mentions” worth considering.

FL Studio is featured in My New Microphone's Top 7 Best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) On The Market.

Click here to see more of My New Microphone's recommended learning resources.

Image-Line

The RTFM (Read The F****** Manual) philosophy is well and good but is certainly not the most expedient nor the most fun method of learning a DAW as powerful as FL Studio.

That being said, the Image-Line manual is pretty user-friendly and, of course, contains within it everything we would need to know about FL Studio.

But what's more impressive is Image-Line's in-depth video tutorial content that walks users through the DAW's features and functionality, from basic setup to advanced production, performance mode and the DAW's mobile capabilities.

Who better to teach FL Studio than the developers themselves? That's why Image-Line gets a top spot on this list of the best resources to learn FL.

Click here to check out Image-Line's learning resources for FL Studio today!

Production Music Live

Production Music Live is a small team from Germany offering everything from DAW courses and templates to sound packs and virtual instrument presets.

With a focus on electronic music, FL Studio fits in nicely with PML's brand. But even if you aren't into EDM, these pay-per-course resources will surely help you level up your FL Studio productions.

The courses are value-packed, and specific to the important aspects of FL and music production, and each purchase gives you lifetime access to learn at your own pace.

Click here to check out Production Music Live's FL Studio courses today!

GratuiTous

GratuiTous is the artist/producer name of Riley Weller, a certified FL Studio trainer based in Canada. Riley's been teaching FL Studio since 2012 and has refined his teachings to give you value-packed lessons and tutorials that will get you up to speed with FL and producing professional-sounding tracks in no time.

Choose from beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons and even 1-on-1 coaching to learn the skills you need to become successful with FL Studio.

Courses can be purchased individually, though I'd recommend investing in a monthly, yearly or lifetime membership.

Click here to check out GratuiTous' FL Studio courses today!

Producer's University

Producer's University is dedicated to helping producers leap ahead and produce great music as quickly as possible. With FL Studio as the DAW of choice, Producer's University courses and tutorials will teach you the ins and outs of this powerful DAW.

Check out the free FL Studio Beginner's course to get a feel for the teaching style before moving on to the Masterclass. There are also free YouTube tutorials to help sharpen your skills outside the course.

Click here to check out Producer's University's FL Studio course today!

Born To Produce

Born To Produce has an excellent method for teaching aspiring music producers. Start with their Ultimate Beginners Tutorials to learn the essentials of FL Studio before opting into more generalized courses on genre-specific music production courses and music production masterclasses.

Learning FL Studio with Born To Produce's system will get up and running quickly with a 23-lesson, 5-hour course and offer additional resources to help you produce the music you want with expert advice and teaching.

Click here to check out Born To Producer's FL Studio course today!

Born To Produce is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW.

Ask.Audio

Ask.Audio is a brand of NonLinear Educating, an online learning platform featuring video tutorials and courses for popular software applications and creative workflow techniques. Image-Line's FL Studio is featured in-depth in its training programs.

Ask.Audio provides on-point instruction on the specific functions of this DAW and general music production information. If you're looking for a library of detailed tutorials on the many features of FL Studio, then Ask.Audio is for you!

The subscription model of Ask.Audio gives students access to all courses at an affordable monthly rate. Learn at your own pace with each tutorial as you build a complete understanding of the superb DAW that is FL Studio.

Click here to check out Ask.Audio's FL Studio courses today!

Ask.Audio is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Skillshare

Skillshare is another popular e-learning website that hosts courses on a plethora of topics, none the least is FL Studio.

Like Udemy, Skillshare is non-accredited and allows users to upload and sell their courses. Unlike Udemy, however, Skillshare works on a subscription model.

A subscription gets you unlimited access to every class on the site and is remarkably affordable. Skillshare offers a 30-day free trial, so you can test it out before investing.

Though this platform allows individuals to upload and sell their courses, the trainings are, for the most part, exceptional. You'll find some of the same top teachers on Skillshare as you would elsewhere on the web, including Riley from GratuiTous (link to check out Rilley Weller's teacher page on Skillshare).

Sure, Skillshare won't give you a degree, but who really needs a degree for working with audio these days? Give Skillshare a chance; you'll have access to many superb FL Studio courses to learn the DAW quickly and effectively.

Click here to check out Skillshare's FL Studio courses today!

Skillshare is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Groove3

Groove3 has a fantastic library of courses and tutorials for all things related to music and audio.

Groove3's FL Studio tutorials are plentiful and in-depth. They are designed similarly to Ask.Audio's tutorials in the way that they teach specific functions/features of FL and go into great detail.

Of course, there are also more general FL courses that offer more broad training so that we can get the best of both worlds with this resource.

There are two main options for using Groove3. You can purchase individual products (download and online streaming) for lifetime access, or you can become an All-Access Subscriber and get streaming access to the entire Groove3 library.

If you would prefer learning FL Studio one feature at a time and building up a strong knowledge base of the DAW's functionality, I strongly recommend investing in Groove3.

Click here to check out Groove3's FL Studio courses today!

Groove3 is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW

Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy is a subscription-based electronic music production school.

If you're into producing EDM and other electronic music genres (as many FL users are), Sonic Academy will set you up to do so with its FL Studio courses and all its follow-up tutorials that utilize FL Studio as the DAW for instruction.

Additionally, a subscription (which can be purchased monthly or yearly) will give you access to Sonic Academy's plugins and sound and preset packs.

This is a one-stop shop for learning FL Studio (and other DAWs) with the intent of producing electronic music.

Click here to check out Sonic Academy's FL Studio courses today!

Sonic Academy is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

The post Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

Online learning resources, be it courses, videos, written content, one-on-one coaching, apps, et cetera, provide fantastic opportunities to learn (and teach) digital audio workstations like Apple's Logic Pro X and audio engineering more broadly. Though nothing truly beats dedicated in-person DAW lessons, there are plenty of excellent alternatives online.

Note that by “resources,” I'm not only referring to video tutoring and full-length courses (though these are arguably the best options). I'm also considering masterclasses, videos and articles, and other online resources for learning the ins and outs of Logic Pro X.

Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, I've done my best to list out these resources based on the following metrics (in no particular order):

• Reputation of the learning resource
• Quality of education in features (including built-in virtual instruments and plugins), workflow, arrangement and mixing/mastering
• Organization and depth of learning
• Adaptability of teaching to individual students (one-on-one lessons are best here)
• The resource must be currently available

With all that being said, let's list out the learning resources.

The Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X Are:

1. Koenig Solutions
2. Global Knowledge
3. Berklee Online
4. Point Blank Music School
5. Skillshare
6. ProAudioEXP
7. Ask.Audio
8. Groove3
9. Born To Produce
10. Sonic Academy

In this article, we'll go through each of the above-mentioned resources to get a stronger idea of what makes them great for learning Logic Pro X. Whether you're a complete beginner or a successful professional, there is always something to learn! I'll include links to check out each option for yourself to learn more about each resource. We'll also consider a few “honourable mentions” worth considering.

Logic Pro is featured in My New Microphone's Top 7 Best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) On The Market.

Click here to see more of My New Microphone's recommended learning resources.

Koenig Solutions

If you want to master Logic Pro in the shortest time possible from the comfort of your own home, look no further than this Apple-accredited 3-day Logic Pro X training from Koenig Solutions.

Koenig Solutions is an Authorized Training Provider for Apple. Established in 1993, this IT training organization is one of the most trusted globally, with a mission to create a more just and prosperous world through the power of education.

Imagine learning everything to need to know about Logic, from the first note to the final master, over just three 8-hour days?

This intensive training blends hands-on labs and interactive lectures to teach us the complete functionality and power of Logic.

Opt-in for group training or request more intimate 1-on-1 training from their qualified experts. Flexible dates run at least once per month, and students can sign up easily through Koenig's website.

If you want the most impactful training on Logic Pro, Koenig Solutions has the solution for you.

Click here to check out Koenig Solutions' Apple-accredited Logic Pro course today!

Global Knowledge

Global Knowledge offers the same course as Koenig Solutions: a 3-day hands-on course to prepare you for the Apple Certified Professional certification exam for Logic Pro X.

Global Knowledge is a worldwide leader in IT and technology training. Their mission is to help individuals and organizations build the skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.

The course is intense, covering everything you'll need to know to be a professional user of Logic. If you're looking to learn Logic Pro effectively and as fast as possible, Global Knowledge offers you another option besides Koenig Solutions.

Click here to check out Global Knowledge's Apple-accredited Logic Pro course today!

Berklee Online

The Berklee College of Music needs no introduction. It's the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world.

Building upon its excellent reputation, Berklee College of Music's online extension has permitted students around the world access to the Boston-based school's outstanding curriculum.

Of course, part of being a contemporary musician is working with a digital audio workstation. The prominence of Logic Pro as a professional DAW and compositional tool has prompted Berklee to create amazing courses geared toward Logic Pro.

Chief among them is the 12-week Producing Music with Logic course, designed by experts to teach the technical understanding of Logic Pro X while improving students' overall creative abilities in music production.

Click here to check out Berklee Online's Producing Music with Logic course today!

Berklee Online is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Point Blank Music School

Point Blank has been around for a while with the goal of demonstrating the creative process of making music at the highest level. The school offers a variety of materials, from music production and sound engineering to the music business, singing, radio production, and DJ skills.

Point Blank Music School's Complete Logic Pro online course is designed to teach students everything there is to know about Apple's Logic Pro. The 6-month 100% online program has multiple start dates throughout the year.

From the basics to the most advanced functionality, Point Blank's Virtual Learning Environment gives you the tools and network you need to succeed with Logic Pro.

Over the 2-term course, you'll get in-depth training in one of the world's most powerful DAWs. You also have access to 1-on-1 live sessions with your expert lecturers and additional training to set you up for success in the music/audio industry.

Click here to check out Point Blank Music School's Complete Logic Pro online course today!

Point Black Music School is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW.

Skillshare

Skillshare is another popular e-learning website that hosts courses on a plethora of topics, none the least is Logic Pro.

Skillshare is non-accredited and allows users to upload and sell their courses. It works on a subscription model.

A subscription gets you unlimited access to every class on the site and is remarkably affordable. Skillshare offers a 30-day free trial, so you can test it out before investing.

Though this platform allows individuals to upload and sell their courses, the trainings are, for the most part, exceptional.

Sure, Skillshare won't give you a degree, but who really needs a degree for working with audio these days? Give Skillshare a chance; you'll have access to many superb Logic Pro courses to learn the DAW quickly and effectively.

Click here to check out Skillshare's many Logic Pro courses today!

Skillshare is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

ProAudioEXP

ProAudioEXP is David Wills' company, dedicated to teaching students the unchanging principles of audio engineering in well-formulated, to-the-point courses. The goal is to provide affordable, practical training at a small fraction of the price of post-secondary institutions.

David distills the essential knowledge required to make great music with current technology through free training and premium courses. In his Logic tutorial course, David spends 3.5 hours walking you through every critical feature of Logic's workflow, preparing you to produce radio-ready mixes quickly.

The course comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there's really nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you need to learn the essentials of this powerful DAW, look no further than ProAudioEXP.

Click here to check out ProAudioEXP's Logic Pro course today!

ProAudioEXP is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW.

Ask.Audio

Ask.Audio is a brand of NonLinear Educating, an online learning platform featuring video tutorials and courses for popular software applications and creative workflow techniques. Not least of all, the software taught is Apple's Logic Pro.

From Logic 7 onward, Ask.Audio has been providing instruction on the specific functions of the DAW and general music production information. If you're looking for a library of detailed tutorials on the many features of Logic, then Ask.Audio is for you!

The subscription model of Ask.Audio gives students access to all courses at an affordable monthly rate. Take your time with each tutorial as you build up a deep and complete understanding of the powerful DAW that is Logic Pro.

Click here to check out Ask.Audio's Logic Pro courses today!

Ask.Audio is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Groove3

Groove3 is an impressively deep library of learning resources for all things related to music and audio.

The company's Logic Pro tutorials are plentiful and in-depth. They are designed similarly to Ask.Audio's tutorials in the way that they teach specific functions/features of Logic and go into great detail. This is different than many other courses, which often only offer a broad overview of the DAW.

Of course, there are courses with more holistic approaches as well. So we get the best of both worlds with Groove3.

There are two main options for using Groove3. You can purchase individual products (download and online streaming) for lifetime access, or you can become an All-Access Subscriber and get streaming access to the entire Groove3 library.

If you prefer learning one Logic feature at a time and building up a strong knowledge base of the DAW's functionality, I strongly recommend investing in Groove3.

Click here to check out Groove3's Logic Pro courses today!

Groove3 is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Avid Pro Tools DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Cockos Reaper DAW
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn PreSonus Studio One DAW

Born To Produce

Born To Produce has a superb strategy for teaching aspiring music producers. They start with their Ultimate Beginners Tutorials to show the essentials of their DAWS (Ableton, Cubase, FL Studio or, of course, Logic Pro) before opting into more generalized courses on genre-specific music production courses and music production masterclasses.

Learning Logic Pro with Born To Produce's system will get up and running quickly with a 22-lesson, 5-hour course and offer additional resources to help you produce the music you want with expert advice and teaching.

Click here to check out Born To Produce's Logic Pro course today!

Born To Produce is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW.

Sonic Academy

Sonic Academy is a subscription-based electronic music production school.

If you're into producing EDM and other electronic music genres, Sonic Academy will set you up to do so with its Logic Pro courses and all its follow-up tutorials that utilize Logic as the DAW for instruction.

Additionally, a subscription (which can be purchased monthly or yearly) will give you access to Sonic Academy's plugins and sound and preset packs.

This is a one-stop shop for learning Logic (and other DAWs) with the intent of producing electronic music.

Click here to check out Sonic Academy's Logic Pro courses today!

Sonic Academy is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Ableton Live DAW
• Top 9 Best Online Resources To Learn Image-Line FL Studio DAW
• Top 8 Best Online Resources To Learn Steinberg Cubase DAW

Why I Use Logic Pro X

If you're thinking about getting into Logic Pro X, I just want to say it has my full recommendation. You can find out why I choose LPX for my home studio in this article or the video below:

The post Top 10 Best Online Resources To Learn Apple Logic Pro X DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

We're currently living in the age of digital audio, and in-the-box mixing within a digital audio workstation is commonplace. Plugins are, therefore, invaluable assets for the modern audio engineer.

Equalization is also invaluable, considered to be one of the most important tools in the audio engineer's toolbox.

So then it makes sense how there are so many equalizer plugins on the market. Though some parametric EQ plugins aim to emulate analog parametric EQ and even specific hardware EQs, there are plenty of digital EQ options to choose from.

In this article, we'll consider what I believe to be the top 7 stand-out digital parametric EQ plugins.

What is parametric audio equalization? Parametric EQ offers full customization of a set number of EQ filters. Each frequency band/filter may have the choice of filter type, centre/cutoff frequency, Q factor/bandwidth, and relative gain (boost/cut). It is the most flexible type of EQ.

The Top 7 Best Digital Parametric EQ Plugins Are:

1. FabFilter Pro-Q 3
2. Melda MAutoDynamicEq
3. Voxengo PrimeEQ
4. Eiosis AirEQ
5. Tokyo Dawn Records Nova GE
6. DMG Audio EQuilibrium
7. Waves Q10

It should go without saying that any “top X” article is subject to bias. I would expect the next person's top 7 to be different from mine, but I hope there would be plenty of overlap.

That being said, I believe these plugins to be the best parametric EQ plugin options today. The criteria I used to judge these plugins include the following:

• Sonic performance: how does the parametric EQ plugin sound subjectively/objectively?
• Graphic user interface (GUI): how does the parametric EQ plugin look when loaded in the DAW?
• Ease-of-use: how user-friendly is the parametric EQ plugin?
• Functionality: how many different functions does it serve and/or how many parameters are available for the parametric EQ?
• Accessibility/compatibility: how easy is it to acquire the parametric EQ plugin, and what are the system requirements?

To learn why they made this list, let's discuss each of the top 7 best parametric EQ plugins in greater detail.

Click here to return to the Recommended Gear Page.

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

The FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is an excellent fully parametric EQ plugin with up to 24 bands of completely customizable EQ filters.

The Fabfilter Pro-Q 3 is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Linear Phase EQ Plugins For Your DAW

FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is exemplary of the company's world-class plugins. This highly versatile, fully parametric EQ offers incredible sound quality and a beautiful, resizable Retina user interface. Whatever you need in an EQ, the Pro-Q 3 has it (I've added links for more detailed articles on each EQ type/function):

• Linear phase option
• Zero-latency option
• Natural phase option
• Dynamic EQ capabilities
• Per-band mono, mid-side, stereo and surround (up to Dolby Atmos 7.1.2) processing
• Intelligent solo feature
• Auto gain option
• Fully customizable spectrum analyzer (Pre-EQ, Post-EQ and external spectrum visualization)

This parametric EQ offers up to 24 user-defined bands. Add bands as you wish and select between 9 different filter shapes with slopes from 6 dB/oct to 96 dB/oct. The high-pass and low-pass filters even have a “brickwall” slope setting. Quickly add and adjust bands within the spectrum analyzer to achieve the exact EQ you need.

The Pro-Q 3 also provides superb EQ match functionality. Other features include optional collision detection for external spectrum visualization, piano roll EQ quantization, various display ranges, phase inversion and output level metering.

In typical FabFilter fashion, the Pro-Q 3 comes with interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switches, Smart Parameter Interpolation, “Help” documentation with interactive hints, sample-accurate automation, double-click text entry of parameter values and more.

With all of this power and functionality, the Pro-Q 3 uses minimal CPU and memory. Whether you need one instance or several hundred, the Pro Q-3 won't slow you down (unless you're using linear phase).

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the FabFilter Pro-Q 3 user manual.

Melda MAutoDynamicEq

Melda MAutoDynamicEq, as the name would suggest, is a high-performance automatic EQ plugin with dynamic processing controls. It features 7 fully parametric bands.

The Melda MAutoDynamicEq is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW

This parametric EQ combines dynamic and automatic EQ functionality, making it a super flexible and remarkably powerful plugin.

The sound of the MAutoDynamicEq is unbelievably transparent and musical-sounding, and with so much functionality built into its design, the plugin is especially beautiful.

Within the resizable interface, the MAutoDynamicEq shows the results of your processing along with an integrated analyzer, sonogram, spectrum areas and more.

Automatic equalization is a super powerful tool in the MAutoDynamicEq plugin. This plugin does an amazing job of matching the overall EQ of an audio signal to a defined source. The source could be a predefined analysis, a separate source recording, a user-defined EQ curve or a pre-recorded mixed or mastered track. Set up the auto EQ and let the plugin do its magic, setting up the EQ bands for you.

On the dynamic side of things, the MAutoDynamicEq features expertly crafted dynamic filters complete with sidechain control.

De-essing and bass drum enhancement are made easy without the need to reach for a compressor. This superb plugin can provide the necessary dynamic control while also offering beautiful equalization.

Each of the MAutoDynamicEq's 7 bands is fully parametric, offering frequency, Q, gain and, as mentioned, dynamic controls.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Melda MAutoDynamicEq user manual.

Voxengo PrimeEQ

The Voxengo PrimeEQ is a straightforward yet powerful “drag and drop” style parametric EQ plugin.

The Voxengo PrimeEQ is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW.

Voxengo designed the PrimeEQ to be user-friendly. The user interface is optimized with a differential display to show exactly how each band affects the overall EQ curve. Up to 32 individual parametric filters can be added to and dragged around the display, and there are 13 filter types to choose from.

All control points are adjustable on the overall EQ shape, further improving the already efficient workflow of the PrimeEQ.

This zero-latency equalizer plugin provides a real-time FFT spectrum analyzer for the processed audio. The transparent equalization can shape the sound of individual tracks, stereo signals and busses, and even 5.1 surround formats.

Voxengo has also included a preset manager, undo/redo history, and A/B comparison features to streamline its superb equalization further. If you're ever stuck trying to figure something out in this plugin, there are also contextual hint messages to help you unlock the full potential of this powerful EQ plugin.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Voxengo PrimeEQ user manual.

Eiosis AirEQ

The Eiosis AirEQ is a well-laid-out and user-friendly 7-band parametric EQ plugin designed with musical, technical and sonic excellence.

The Eiosis AirEQ is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW.

Eiosis has developed the AirEQ to be simple, intuitive and fast. This parametric EQ plugin sounds incredible and is remarkably powerful, given its relative simplicity.

This plugin offers transparent EQ and zero-latency processing, affording users high-end equalization in real-time without demanding much CPU. It's deeply impressive as a tracking, mixing and mastering EQ.

The Character parameter of the AirEQ alters the resonance and shape of each band “beyond analog”. Slide the control from Water through Neutral to Fire to a variety of EQ flavours.

• Water: the smoothest sound possible, open and natural, ideal for transparency. Clear highs, compact bass and balanced mids.
• Fire: very tight and focused sound, with punch and impact, ideal for precision. Snappy mids, sharp highs and powerful lows.
• Neutral: the usual equalization curves, perfectly matched to their analog references.

Adjust the low-end and high-end intuitively with the Earth and Air parameters, respectively. Use the strength knob to bring in some of the original signal for easy parallel equalization.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Eiosis AirEQ user manual.

Tokyo Dawn Records Nova GE

The Tokyo Dawn Records Nova is a powerful and highly versatile parametric EQ plugin with impressive functionality.

The Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Nova is also featured in the following My New Microphone articles:
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW

The Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Nova is a seriously versatile parametric EQ plugin that combines parallel parametric EQ capabilities with a full-featured dynamic processing section.

Needless to say, this superb plugin has plenty of applications. It may not be the most intuitive plugin, but once you understand what's under the hood and how to use it, it becomes a forceful plugin for many tasks.

The drag-and-drop display makes things easy with the Nova GE. Combine this functionality with the classic virtual knobs, and users can quickly dial in parameters in several ways.

This plugin features 4 dynamic EQ bands along with high and low-pass filters. These filters can be utilized for general parametric EQ, dynamic EQ, frequency-selective compression (i.e. de-essing), multiband compression, wideband compression and more.

Use the Mix knob to attain parallel EQ and take full advantage of the preset manager, undo/redo, A/B comparison, detailed documentation, copy & paste, and other top-notch functions.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Tokyo Dawn Records Nova GE user manual.

DMG Audio EQuilibrium

The DMG Audio EQuilibrium is a custom-designed parametric EQ tool for audio professionals, drawing upon 50 years of EQ heritage.

The DMG Audio EQuilibrium is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW.

DMG Audio's EQuilibrium is an excellent user-adaptable parametric EQ with an impressive feature set, capable of handling all critical equalization applications. It demands very little CPU and can be selected to work in FIR mode, Linear, Analogue, Minimum, Zero-Latency Analogue or even Free Phase control.

This plugin has 32 fully parametric bands of EQ with adjustable Q and a ±36 dB gain range. Choose between peak, high-pass, low-pass, shelf, bells or notch filters in digital or analog styles. Use it in stereo, mid-side or even surround sound.

Configure the user interface to benefit your specific workflow. Choose the analyzer style or spectrograph in the display and set up a piano roll for instrument equalization, among many other features.

To cover all the features of this spectacular EQ plugin, I would need an entirely separate article. For more information on this top pick, check out the user manual in the link in the following paragraph.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the DMG Audio EQuilibrium user manual.

Waves Q10

The Waves Q10 is a multiband paragraphic EQ with 10 bands of customizable high-precision equalization.

Waves' Q10 is a superb equalizer for mixing and mastering. It's incredibly precise, easy to use and optimal for subtle colouring and surgical repairing alike.

Users can choose between the classic Legacy or the new Modern user interface to best suit their workflow. Processing control can be selected between 32-bit and double-precision 64-bit processing. Each GUI offers easy access to the well-defined controls of this awesome parametric EQ.

Each of the 10 bands offers 6 different filter types and complete control over the gain, frequency, and Q. The Waves Q10 is configurable either as two independent mono equalizers or as a high-precision stereo equalizer.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Waves Q10 user manual.

Former Top Digital Parametric EQ Plugin Picks

Here are plugins that used to be on this list and the reasons they are no longer.

iZotope Neutron 3 (Discontinued/Upgraded)

The iZotope Neutron 3 (discontinued/upgraded to version 4) was a fully-featured 6-module mixing tool with intelligent Mix Assistant and Track Assistant technology that suggests an overall mix automatically. This super powerful mixing plugin featured all the mixing essentials and includes, of course, a superb parametric EQ. It was featured in this article from 2021 (original publishing year) to 2023.

Compatibility

The iZotope Neutron 3 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats. In addition to the Mix Assistant and Visual Mixer, it features 6 other modules: Sculptor, Transient Shaper, Exciter, Gate, Compressor and, of course, Equalizer.

This genuinely impressive mixing suite has an equally impressive equalizer module. Though we'll focus on the Equalizer module in this article, feel free to check out the Neutron Documentation for more information on the plugin.

This powerful parametric EQ module features 4 different displays: Spectrum analyzer, composite EQ curve, Filter response curve and meter scales. Though we should be relying mostly on our ears when EQing a signal, these visual aids can certainly help us out.

Up to 12 fully parametric bands can be easily added and removed from the EQ, including a high-pass/high-shelf and low-pass/low-shelf filter. Each band features a discrete utility menu with static and dynamic mode controls (except the pass filters), as well as access to Neutron's powerful sidechaining capabilities.

In dynamic mode, each parametric band has its own threshold, direction (upward or downward) and sidechain parameters in addition to the Q, frequency and gain controls. Use the internal/program signal as the sidechain or any external signal to trigger the dynamic EQ bands. The resulting EQ boost or cut will engage as the threshold is passed (can be set above or below).

iZotope Ozone 9 EQ (Discontinued/Upgraded)

The iZotope Ozone 9 Equalizer Module (discontinued/upgraded to version 11) was part of iZotope's famed Ozone mastering suite. Its Equalizer module was among the best of the best parametric EQ plugins. It was featured in this article from 2021 (original publishing year) to 2022.

Compatibility

The iZotope Ozone 9 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.

iZotope's Ozone 9 actually contains three different EQ modules: the Equalizer, Dynamic EQ and Vintage EQ.

The Ozone 9 Equalizer Module is a versatile parametric EQ combining asymmetrical analog-matched filters with high-precision digital linear phase filters. Whether we're the gentle warmth of analog-style EQ or the surgical exactness of digital-style EQ, the Ozone 9 Equalizer will deliver superior results without fail.

Ozone 9's Dynamic EQ features 8 parametric bands of adjustable filters and a variety of filter shapes. Use the Equalizer for the initial shaping of your master, then take advantage of Post-EQ later in the signal chain.

Note that the Vintage EQ is based on the famous Pultec equalizers, which are not fully parametric.

Within the Ozone 9 mastering suite, we can use the Equalizers for the initial shaping of the master bus and follow it up with the Post-EQ later in the signal chain. Of course, the Equalizer Module can also be used on its own to EQ individual tracks or mix buses with superb results.

Use the Ozone 9 in stereo (left/right) or mid-side processing modes to ensure the stereo field is being EQed to your exact liking.

Depending on the desired results, the Ozone 9 Dynamic EQ and Equalizer bands can also be selected as analog minimum-phase IIR filters or digital linear-phase FIT filters. The analog filters mesh together nicely when applied gently and do not create any pre-ringing, though they do cause frequency-dependent phase shifting. The digital filters cost more CPU but are much more clinical and precise and do not cause phase shift (though they are prone to pre-ringing).

Sonible smart:EQ 2 (Discontinued/Upgraded)

The Sonible smart:EQ 2 (discontinued/upgraded to version 4), as the name suggests, was an intelligent parametric EQ plugin. It was featured in this article in 2021 (original publishing year).

Compatibility

The Sonible smart:EQ 2 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.

This intelligent parametric EQ plugin utilizes Sonible's proprietary smart:engine learning engine and artificial intelligence to correct tonal imbalances in audio signals with incredible precision and dependability.

The Sonible smart:EQ 2 effectively analyzes the audio and generates a custom EQ curve to produce a natural-sounding balance.

Though the sonic possibilities are virtually endless, the smart:EQ 2 is incredibly focused on achieving the best results with the fastest workflow. A few parameter adjustments will allow the smart:EQ 2 to augment the detail and clarity of a mix with ease.

Not only is the A.I. expedient in analyzing and producing results, but the intuitive user interface is also a blessing for improving workflow speed. With easily accessible controls and a high-definition analyzer (with pre, post and pre/post settings), we can efficiently get the results we're after in a fraction of the time it would take with classic EQ units.

The smart:EQ 2 offers plenty of filter options and even includes mid-side processing.

The smart:EQ 2 comes with several profiles (presets) for content-aware audio processing and allows users to save their own. These profiles will provide a superb starting point for EQ and adapt to the audio signal in question to generate professional results with a simple click of a button.

Choosing the best audio plugins for your DAW can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Audio Plugins Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next audio plugin purchases.

Other Top Audio Plugin Articles

Here are additional My New Microphone articles regarding the best audio plugins by type:
• Top 11 Best Distortion Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Saturation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 8 Best Graphic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Linear Phase EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Parametric EQ Emulation Plugins For DAWs
• Top 8 Best Passive EQ Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best FET Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Optical Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 10 Best Multiband Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Variable-Mu Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 11 Best VCA Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Limiter Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Channel Strip Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Chorus Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Flanger Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Phaser Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Tremolo Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Analog Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Delay Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Tape Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 12 Best Reverb Plugins (Spring, Plate, Algorithmic, Convolution)
• Top 9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Guitar Amp Simulator Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 7 Best Noise Reduction Plugins For Your DAW

The post Top 7 Best Digital Parametric EQ Plugins For Your DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

We're currently living in the age of digital audio, and in-the-box mixing within a digital audio workstation is commonplace. Plugins are, therefore, invaluable assets for the modern audio engineer.

Stereo imaging is also considered an important tool in the audio engineer's toolbox (when mixing in stereo, which is common).

Then, it would make sense that a stereo imaging plugin would be a worthy investment for mixing engineers. With plenty of options on the market, I've collected what I believe to be the best 9 stereo imaging plugins on the market today.

Note that we won't be discussing doublers or delay plugins in this article, though they are certainly great choices for adding additional width to a mono or stereo signal.

The Top 9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins Are:

1. MeldaProduction MStereoProcessor
2. CredlandAudio Stereo Savage
3. iZotope Ozone Imager 2
4. Waves S1 Stereo Imager
5. Polyverse Music Wider 2.0
6. Alex Hilton A1StereoControl
7. Brainworx bx_stereomaker
8. Nugen Audio Stereoizer
9. Waves PS22 X-split

It should go without saying that any “top X” article is subject to bias. I would expect the next person's top 9 to be different from mine, but I hope there would be plenty of overlap.

That being said, I believe these plugins to be the best stereo imaging plugin options today. The criteria I used to judge these plugins include the following:

• Sonic performance: how does the stereo imaging plugin sound subjectively/objectively?
• Graphic user interface (GUI): how does the stereo imaging plugin look when loaded in the DAW?
• Ease-of-use: how user-friendly is the stereo imaging plugin?
• Functionality: how many different functions does it serve and/or how many parameters are available for the stereo imaging effect?
• Accessibility/compatibility: how easy is it to acquire the stereo imaging plugin, and what are the system requirements?

To learn why they made this list, let's discuss each of the top 9 best stereo imaging plugins in greater detail.

Related article: Is Stereo Or Mono Audio Better? (Applications For Both).

Click here to return to the Recommended Gear Page.

MeldaProduction MStereoProcessor

The MeldaProduction MStereoProcessor is an advanced mastering multiband stereo analyzer and enhancer plugin.

The MStereoProcessor is highly functional yet straightforward, allowing users to easily control the stereo image and the necessary depth and space perception. It offers 4 separate bands and 3 crossover types, with each band providing its own width control and an aural exciter for additional clarity.

Integrated analyzers (Default, Mid and Side) present accurate visual information regarding the output stereo profile, thereby improving decision-making with an objective representation of the stereo image. Easy-to-read meters show the input, output and width of the output.

Automatic gain compensation makes this plugin a joy to work with, especially on master channels. The plugin quickly adapts to current settings and ensures the output sounds as loud as the input, even as users toggle through various presets.

The A/B comparison featured is also remarkably advanced with the MStereoProcessor. It features 8 instances (A through H) that can be quickly and easily switched between. The first 4 slots (A through D) can even be morphed via an X-Y pad, allowing for a unique interpolated blend of various stereo width settings.

Additionally, you can easily check by listening that your recording is mono-compatible and what the stereo content actually is.

The MStereoProcessor also looks as excellent as it sounds with its advanced GUI engine. The beautiful GUI Accelerated interface utilizes GPU to run fast. It can be resized and styled to the liking of the user for optimal workflow.

Other noteworthy features of the powerful MeldaProduction MStereoProcessor include:

• Up to 16x upsampling
• Integrated help system
• Safety limiter
• MIDI learn
• Multiparameters
• Global preset management and online preset exchange

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the MStereoProcessor support page at MeldaProduction.

CredlandAudio Stereo Savage

The CredlandAudio Stereo Savage is a versatile plugin capable of turning mono sources into stereo signals, complex panning and controlling other stereo image parameters.

CredlandAudio's Stereo Savage is a powerful yet easily navigated plugin. As mentioned, it does a superb job of turning mono sources into stereo signals. It's also a rather advanced panning plugin, offering additional adjustments unavailable in typical channel strips.

In terms of stereo widening, the Stereo Savage offers a simple Width knob in addition to its Pan, Rotation and Level controls. Dial in the perfect amount of stereo width in seconds and utilize the bass bypass feature to maintain superb mono compatibility.

To make the plugin even better, CredlandAudio includes modulation and optional Vox, Delay and Expand effects modelled after modern and classic tools. Use these subtle tools to allow the stereo field of your track(s) to shine truly.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the StereoSavage user manual.

iZotope Ozone Imager 2

The iZotope Ozone Imager 2 is a stereo imager included as a module in iZotope's industry-leading Ozone mastering suite.

iZotope's Imager 2 is a relatively simple plugin. The basic version works on the entire signal at once, while the Ozone Standard and Advanced versions work with up to 4 independent frequency bands.

The integrated Vectorscope and Correlation meters offer invaluable visual feedback for the mastering process, including Polar vectorscope modes and a Stereo Balance meter. With immersive, fluid visuals and full resizability, this stereo imager looks as amazing as it sounds.

Whether we're after a super-wide stereo field or a narrow, nearly mono output, the Imager 2 delivers with stunning clarity. Mono compatibility can be easily achieved in multiband versions by tightening up the low end and expanding the high end.

The two Stereoize functions can turn mono into stereo without the need for reverb or doubling. Use the new Stereoize II mode for a subtle enhancement or Stereoize I for a colourful phasing effect.

As a standalone insert or as part of the Ozone mastering suite, the Imager 2 is undoubtedly one of the best stereo imager plugins on the market today.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Imager V2 system requirements webpage at iZotope.

Waves S1 Stereo Imager

The Waves S1 Stereo Imager is a unique and powerful set of tools that uses psycho-acoustic spatial imaging techniques to enhance and alter stereo separation.

This powerful Waves plugin is a superb choice for individual stereo tracks and full mixes alike. Featuring Shuffler, Imager and MS Matrix components, the S1 is a powerful tool for achieving all your stereo width goals. This 3-in-1 plugin actually has 4 distinct components. They are:

• S1 Shuffler: the full plug-in, with all controls, including Width, Rotation, Asymmetry, and Shuffling, plus all channel controls (phase, gain, etc.), and does not count clips. It's perfect for:
  • Mastering
  • Fixing off-centre or unbalanced mixes
  • Precision image adjustment
  • Changing wide-band width
  • Expanding low-frequency image
  • Rotating true stereo sources without collapsing the image
  • Creating strong anti-phase content
• S1 Shuffler (48): the full mastering plug-in (TDM only) in 48-bit double-precision resolution
• S1 Imager: omits the Shuffler and Bass trim controls (saves processing power if Shuffling is not needed)
• S1 MS: a simple MS converter/matrix that converts left-right input into MS output or vice versa

If you require a fully functional stereo width plugin, I highly suggest giving the Waves S1 a shot, especially when it goes on sale!

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the S1 Imager user manual.

Polyverse Music Wider 2.0

The Polyverse Music Wider 2.0 takes the popular stereo width section from the company's Manipulator Pitch Shifter plugin and offers it in its own plugin.

Polyverse Music's Wider is designed to create the illusion of an expanded stereo image of a mono signal while maintaining full mono compatibility. Any signal widened by the Wider will always remain in phase with itself when summed to mono.

To do so, Polyverse has programmed a one-of-a-kind all-pass and comb filtering algorithm. This specialized algorithm produces a natural-sounding stereo image from a mono channel without compromising the phase between the sides.

This super simple plugin has a single control and can increase the stereo image of any mono signal up to 200% of full stereo for an extra-wide, exaggerated effect. With a stamp of approval from the experimental electronic music duo Infected Mushroom, you can count on this user-friendly freebie to get superb and interesting results.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out Wider 2.0 at Polyverse Music.

Alex Hilton A1StereoControl

The Alex Hilton A1StereoControl is a versatile yet easy-to-use stereo imager plugin, and it's absolutely free!

The entire stereo widening (or limiting) control of the A1StereoControl is available using a single knob. All other controls aim to enhance the stereo expansion/compression while mitigating any all-to-familiar unwanted side effects.

The A1StereoControl has an integrated “Safe Bass” algorithm to centre all bass frequencies below an adjustable value to the middle of the stereo field with minimal effort.

Its expert mode opens up the doors for more creative stereo widening, allowing users access to different “pan laws” (0db, -3db, -6db), different pan curves (linear, logarithmic, sin/cos), as well as classic “balance” mode or “dual panning”.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the downloads webpage at A1Audio.

Brainworx bx_stereomaker

The Brainworx bx_stereomaker is a superb frequency-optimized mid-side upmixer capable of converting any mono signal to stereo while keeping it 100% mono-compatible.

By creating a virtual side (S) signal with analog-style filters, Brainworx's superior M/S stereo algorithms can effectively produce the illusion of enhanced width on any mono signal. By using filters, the focus of the pseudo-stereo widening effect can even be focused on particular frequency bands.

Adjust the stereo-width added to the mono source signal from 0% to 300% while maintaining mono compatibility; use the Hi-Damp shelving filter to keep the image warm and, if you're feeling extra experimental, solo the virtual side signal of the track within the mix.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the bx_stereomaker user manual.

Nugen Audio Stereoizer

The Nugen Audio Stereoizer is a mono-compatible stereo width plugin that works equally as well with mono signals as it does stereo signals.

Nugen Audio's Stereoizer has been designed to sound amazing in stereo (of course) and mono. It can be used to add natural sounding width and depth to both mono or stereo signals, leaving the character of the source intact. It can also be pushed to the extremes for super-wide imaging.

This plugin keeps total mono compatibility and does not cause any artifacts. The advanced algorithms of the Stereoizer adapt to the audio using techniques based on natural human hearing. IID (Interaural Intensity Difference), ITD (Interaural Time Difference) and Linear Width algorithms all work independently of each other to ensure maximal flexibility and superior sonic performance across the panorama.

Check mono compatibility easily with the ‘Collapse output to mono' option to ensure the plugin is doing its job.

In addition to improving the stereo width of individual tracks and mixing at large, the Nugen Audio Stereoizer also excels at taming eccentric material and revamping old recordings, all while helping to strengthen the centre image while enhancing stereo information.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Stereoizer user manual.

Waves PS22 X-split

The Waves PS22 X-split is a top-level mono-to-stereo plugin.

Waves' PS22 X-split offers a superb set of controls for creating convincing stereo results from a mono source. True stereo signals can also be used to synthesize a richer stereo effect from existing true stereo (mono left + mono right) material.

This “pseudo-stereo” effect is a perfect choice for psycho-acoustic spatial enhancement and phase compensation. It retains mono compatibility and the original frequency response on the mono signal.

With left/right or MS meter monitoring, the X-split offers a variety of parameters to dial in the perfect stereo effect. Panning and rotating of the signal are made easy. A second stage offers parameters to control the stereo spread across the frequency spectrum and how certain bands will be affected by such stereo spread.

With tonal neutrality and ultra-low phase cancellation, the PS22 X-split creates a smooth spreading of sounds across the stereo stage. Users can quickly access professional results via the plugin presets or dive into the immersive technical document that is the user manual to master the concepts of the plugin and produce exact results themselves.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the PS22 Stereo Maker user manual.

Choosing the best audio plugins for your DAW can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Audio Plugins Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next audio plugin purchases.

Other Top Audio Plugin Articles

Here are additional My New Microphone articles regarding the best audio plugins by type:
• Top 11 Best Distortion Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Saturation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Parametric EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 8 Best Graphic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Linear Phase EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Parametric EQ Emulation Plugins For DAWs
• Top 8 Best Passive EQ Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best FET Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Optical Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 10 Best Multiband Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Variable-Mu Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 11 Best VCA Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Limiter Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Channel Strip Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Chorus Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Flanger Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Phaser Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Tremolo Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Analog Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Delay Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Tape Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 12 Best Reverb Plugins (Spring, Plate, Algorithmic, Convolution)
• Top 11 Best Guitar Amp Simulator Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 7 Best Noise Reduction Plugins For Your DAW

The post Top 9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins For Your DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

We're currently living in the age of digital audio, and in-the-box mixing within a digital audio workstation is commonplace. Plugins are, therefore, invaluable assets for the modern audio engineer.

When used consciously as an effect, distortion is also considered an important tool in the audio engineer's toolbox. With so many distortion plugins on the market, 10 stand out as being top performers.

What is the audio distortion effect? The “distortion” effect in audio is produced by hard-clipping the input signal through transistor-based or tube-based circuits. Distortion is the most common on electric guitars but also suits many other instruments.

In this article, we'll discuss the top 10 best distortion plugins.

The Top 10 Best Distortion Plugins Are:

1. Soundtoys Decapitator
2. Ohm Force Ohmicide
3. FabFilter Saturn 2
4. Dada Life Sausage Fattener
5. Waves OneKnob Driver
6. Native Instruments Driver
7. AudioThing Wave Box
8. kiloHearts Faturator
9. Kuassa Efektor DS3603
10. Universal Audio Distortion Essentials Bundle

It should go without saying that any “top X” article is subject to bias. I would expect the next person's top 10 to be different from mine, but I hope there would be plenty of overlap.

That being said, I believe these plugins to be the best distortion plugin options today. The criteria I used to judge these plugins include the following:

• Sonic performance: how does the distortion plugin sound subjectively/objectively?
• Graphic user interface (GUI): how does the distortion plugin look when loaded in the DAW?
• Ease-of-use: how user-friendly is the distortion plugin?
• Functionality: how many different functions does it serve and/or how many parameters are available for the distortion effect?
• Accessibility/compatibility: how easy is it to acquire the distortion plugin, and what are the system requirements?

To learn why they made this list, let's discuss each of the top 10 best distortion plugins in greater detail.

Related article: Top 11 Best Distortion Pedals For Guitar & Bass

Click here to return to the Recommended Gear Page.

Soundtoys Decapitator

The Soundtoys Decapitator is a popular distortion plugin with 5 different analog distortion models.

The Soundtoys Decapitator is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Saturation Plugins For Your DAW.

As the second Soundtoys plugin to grace this list, the Decapitator is a relatively straightforward hardware-modelled distortion plugin, given its superb versatility. From subtle saturation to extreme breakup, this plugin will get you the distortion your tracks need.

Bringing the best analog distortion to the digital realm, the Decapitator adds character in 5 distinct styles. It allows users to process distortion in parallel with the original dry signal via the Mix knob. The 5 styles are as follows:

• A: modelled after the Ampex 350 tape drive preamp
• E: modelled after the Chandler/EMI TG Channel
• N: modelled after the Neve 1057 input channel
• T: modelled after Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture triode setting
• P: modelled after Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture pentode setting

These analog distortion styles have been programmed with a natural-sounding changing response indicative of real analog hardware. The Punish button can be engaged to push any of the styles beyond typical distortion, which kicks in an extra chunk of gain to produce extreme results.

Shape the contour of the distortion with analog-modelled tone control, low cut and high cut filters to really dial in the perfect saturation/distortion for any track in any situation.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Soundtoys Decapitator user manual.

Ohm Force Ohmicide

The Ohm Force Ohmicide is an awe-inspiring 4-band distortion plugin offering more than 80 professional-level distortion models.

Ohmicide is a popular distortion plugin and for a good reason. With 4 bands, over 80 distortion models and a wide variety of adjustable parameters, the sky's the limit in terms of distortion character.

Each independent distortion band has its own noise gate, dynamics, distortion, feedback, and mixer and can be set anywhere between classic to extremely harsh tones.

Choose an algorithm and dial in the desired effect, or choose from thousands of presets to get you exactly what you need.

In conjunction with Ohm Force's Melohman technology, the Ohmicide features full MIDI compatibility to command preset changes via a hardware controller, with 7 different modes, with the possibility of customizing the morphing speed, making it equally at home in the studio and on the stage.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Ohm Force FAQ Page.

FabFilter Saturn 2

The FabFilter Saturn 2 is a multiband saturation plugin with 28 different distortion styles.

The FabFilter Saturn 2 is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Saturation Plugins For Your DAW.

FabFilter is one of the top boutique plugin manufacturers in the world. Their feature-rich plugins offer amazing sound quality. The Saturn 2 exemplifies the brand's excellence, delivering everything from subtle warmth to the wildest multiband guitar amp distortion.

Inspired by the vintage sound of tubes, tape, transformers and guitar amps, the Saturn 2 provides a whopping 28 different distortion styles. Each of up to 6 bands can have its own distortion style with independent feedback, dynamics, drive, tone and modulation controls.

The superb distortion of the FabFilter Saturn 2 can be easily modulated for impressive results.

Virtually unlimited modulation possibilities of the crossover frequencies, dynamics, band levels and tone controls are made possible with built-in XLFOs, EGs, XY controllers/sliders, envelope followers and MIDI sources.

With drag-and-drop functionality with a 50-slot modulation matrix, modulation has never been easier!

The plugin also works well on the mastering chain, as it's fully capable of subtle saturation and optional linear phase processing. Add warmth to the master channel without overly affecting important phase relationships and waveform characteristics.

In typical FabFilter fashion, the Saturn 2 comes with interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switches, Smart Parameter Interpolation, “Help” documentation with interactive hints, sample-accurate automation, double-click text entry of parameter values and more.

Here are a few more noteworthy specifications of the superb FabFilter Saturn 2 plugin:

• Adjustable crossover slope (6, 12, 24 or 48 dB/oct)
• Live modulation visualization for targets and sources
• Optional HQ modes:
  • (8x oversampling)
  • Superb (32x oversampling)
• Interactive multiband display
• Supports common Pro Tools hardware control surfaces
• Mid/side processing
• Various interface sizes and Full-Screen mode
• GPU-powered graphics acceleration
• Unique per-component presets
• Interactive MIDI Learn
• Carefully designed and curated Factory Presets, plus the support of V1 presets
• Per-band solo and mute options
• Smart Parameter Interpolation
• Extensive help file with interactive help hints
• Undo/redo
• A/B comparison

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Saturn 2 user manual.

Dada Life Sausage Fattener

The Dada Life Sausage Fattener, developed by Tailored Noise, is a super-simple yet wildly popular distortion/compression plugin.

With only 2 knobs, Dada Life's Sausage Fattener is super easy to use. Insert it on a track (or several) and quickly dial in the Fatness knob for overall compression and Color knob for tone.

From moderate compression to pleasing saturation to dirty distortion, the Sausage Fattener hastily gets you a variety of distortion effects.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Sausage Fattener user manual.

Waves OneKnob Driver

The Waves OneKnob Driver is even simpler than the Sausage Fattener with only a single knob. Waves Audio has created something truly amazing with this easy-to-use distortion plugin.

Waves OneKnob Driver has been inspired by famed guitar overdrive pedals, especially those that can provide everything from light overdrive to full-on distortion.

Of course, the OneKnob Driver isn't restricted to guitar guitars. It sounds incredible on nearly everything you could think of putting it on.

Related overdrive pedal articles:
• Guitar Pedals: Boost Vs. Overdrive Vs. Distortion Vs. Fuzz
• Top 10 Best Overdrive Pedals For Guitar & Bass

As part of Waves' OneKnob Series, the Driver (as the name would suggest) is controlled by a single knob. The OneKnob Driver has been designed with the best of Waves award-winning audio processes, coupled with the simplest, most intuitive interfaces ever.

Expedient and sonically powerful, the OneKnob Driver is certainly a distortion plugin worth checking out for yourself.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the OneKnob Driver user manual.

Native Instruments Driver

The Native Instruments Driver is a creative distortion plugin with superb modulation capabilities.

Native Instruments' Driver offers a variety of amazing textures, from subtle to devastating. It combines distortion with EQ/filtering and audio modulation to add dynamic motion to flat-sounding audio, bringing productions to life one instance at a time.

The smooth filter section offers a wide range of effects, from super-subtle to exceptionally rich, while two modulation sources allow for creative textural shifts. The distortion section is proficient in everything from light saturation to complete sonic destruction.

Together, the sections of the NI Driver make up one amazing distortion plugin.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Driver at Native Instruments.

AudioThing Wave Box

The AudioThing Wave Box is a rather involved dynamic dual waveshaper capable of fantastic symmetrical and asymmetrical distortion.

Wave Box features 2 separate waveshapers that can be mixed together while being modulated by 2 LFOs and 1 Envelope Follower.

Unique waveshaping curves are user-defined by combining and adjusting 12 pre-defined shaping functions (tanh, erf, sinh, sin, linear, abs, invert, floor, round, ceil, gauss 1, gauss 2).

From mild tube-flavoured overdrive to extreme digital harshness, the AudioThing Wave Box does it all!

The Wave Box's distortion can be further refined with a built-in pre or post-waveshaping filter section offering low-pass, band-pass, high-pass and notch filters. With oversampling up to 16x, the plugin can be set to provide only the “good” distortion.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Wave Box user manual.

kiloHearts Faturator

The kiloHearts Faturator is a straightforward distortion plugin with simple controls, making it easy to dial in the perfect amount of distortion on any given source.

As is the case with all great distortion plugins, the Faturator's effect ranges from a subtle and warm gritty character to heavy saturation and digital fuzz. However, unlike many distortion effects, this kiloHearts plugin is able to preserve the dynamics of that audio and work its wonders on it regardless of input gain.

Adjust the Drive, Fuzz and Color bars to achieve the most desirable distortion and take advantage of the Mix control for parallel distortion effects.

In addition to the wide variety of distorted tones, the plugin also offers a stereo width control to widen stereo signals.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Faturator user manual.

Kuassa Efektor DS3603

The Kuassa Efektor DS3603 is a versatile distortion plugin with 5 different types of distortion available and easy-to-use yet adaptable parameter control.

The DS3603 provides 5 superb distortion algorithms, ensuring a perfect distortion sound for any situation. Users can choose between:

• Lead Distortion: ringing mids for screaming leads
• Heavy Distortion: penetrates from mild to heavy
• Metal Distortion: dark and thick, the solid metal gear
• Classic Distortion: singing leads and rockin’ hard
• Pro Distortion: fat and sharp edge for your tone

Clipping the input signal by increasing the signal to maximum overload allows the Kuassa Efektor DS3603 to achieve its musical distortion while preserving the characteristics of the original sound. Of course, this process can be pushed to the extreme as well, thereby removing any semblance of the original signal.

Choose an algorithm and set the independent Gain, Tone, and Output volume controls to produce the perfect distortion for your track(s). Use A/B comparison, and Dry-Wet controls to ensure you're getting the best sound out of this flexible distortion plugin.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Efektor DS3603 at Kuassa.

Universal Audio Distortion Essentials Bundle

The Universal Audio Distortion Essentials Bundle is a three-for-one on this list. It includes 3 different stompbox emulation plugins: The Raw distortion, TS overdrive and Bermuda fuzz/distortion effects.

Each of these classic emulations features Universal Audio's Unison technology, giving you the individual touch, tone, and feel of these prized stompboxes.

UAD TS Overdrive

The TS Overdrive is an emulation of the famous Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808 overdrive pedal, offering beautiful dynamic, touch-sensitive distortion and throaty midrange.

Versions of the Ibanez Tube Screamer are featured in My New Microphone's Top 10 Best Overdrive Pedals For Guitar & Bass.

Ibanez is featured in top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!

UAD Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle is an emulation of the famous Electro-Harmonix Big Muff fuzz pedal, offering powerfully fat sustain, aggressive attack, and an over-the-top sonic personality.

Versions of the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff are featured in My New Microphone's Top 12 Best Fuzz Pedals For Guitar & Bass.

Electro-Harmonix is featured in top brand articles at My New Microphone. Check out these articles here!

UAD Raw Distortion

The Raw Distortion is an emulation of the famous Pro Co Rat distortion pedal, offering superb dynamic and tonal range, smoothness, and heaping amounts of gain.

The Pro Co Rat is featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Distortion Pedals For Guitar & Bass.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the UAD Plug-Ins Manual.

Former Top Distortion Plugin Picks

Here are plugins that used to be on this list and the reasons they are no longer.

iZotope Trash 2 (Discontinued)

The iZotope Trash 2 is a highly functional multiband distortion/saturation plugin with a whopping 60 different distortion algorithms. It was featured in this article from 2021 (original year of publication) to 2022.

Compatibility

The iZotope Trash 2 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite, AU and VST formats.

iZotope's Trash 2 is arguably the most creative distortion/saturation plugin ever produced. It is versatile enough for any situation and ranges from subtle to extreme distortion, with practically every creative sonic possibility in between.

The plugin's 4-band dual-stage distortion signal path includes over 60 different distortion algorithms (in addition to the user-definable graphic waveshaper option). With advanced filtering and dynamic effects, Trash 2 offers immediate sonic transformation.

Along with the 60+ distortion algorithms, this iZotope plugin also offers over 20 selectable filter types, along with versatile oscillators on each band. This is a super high-functioning distortion plugin.

Other noteworthy features of the iZotope Trash 2 include:

• Realistic speaker and space simulation
• Amp, device, cabinet, effect, and speaker modelling
• 100 impulse responses with the Convolve module
• Delay module
• Dynamics module
• Pre-distortion filter (with 20+ evocative filter types)
• Post-distortion filter (with 20+ evocative filter types)
• 2 LFO-enabled EQ filters
• Output limiter
• Expansion Libraries: Over 100 additional Trash 2 patches

Camel Audio Camel Crusher (Discontinued/Defunct Company)

Camel Audio's Camel Crusher (disconitnued/defunct company), if you can find it, can easily become a go-to distortion plugin for your DAW. It is a simple yet effective distortion plugin. However, since Apple acquired Camel Audio in 2015, the plugin has ceased to exist for official sale or download. Indeed, this plugin was out of production when this article was first published in 2021.

Compatibility

The Camel Audio Camel Crusher is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU and VST formats.

The Camel Audio Alchemy synthesizer has been incorporated into Apple's Logic Pro DAW. Similarly, certain aspects of the Camel Crusher have been added to Apple's extensive database of audio programs.

However, there is no clear transfer of the plugin into the Logic Pro DAW, per se.

Choosing the best audio plugins for your DAW can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Audio Plugins Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next audio plugin purchases.

Other Top Audio Plugin Articles

Here are additional My New Microphone articles regarding the best audio plugins by type:
• Top 11 Best Saturation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Parametric EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 8 Best Graphic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Linear Phase EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Parametric EQ Emulation Plugins For DAWs
• Top 8 Best Passive EQ Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best FET Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Optical Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 10 Best Multiband Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Variable-Mu Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 11 Best VCA Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Limiter Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Channel Strip Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Chorus Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Flanger Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Phaser Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Tremolo Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Analog Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Delay Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Tape Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 12 Best Reverb Plugins (Spring, Plate, Algorithmic, Convolution)
• Top 9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Guitar Amp Simulator Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 7 Best Noise Reduction Plugins For Your DAW

The post Top 10 Best Distortion Plugins For Your DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

We're currently living in the age of digital audio, and in-the-box mixing within a digital audio workstation is commonplace. Plugins are, therefore, invaluable assets for the modern audio engineer.

Saturation is an essential tool in the audio engineer's toolbox when dealing with digital audio, which is sterile and clean relative to analog. With so many saturation plugins on the market, 10 stand out as being top performers.

What is saturation? Saturation is an audio effect fusing soft-knee/program-dependent compression with harmonic generation/distortion. It has the effect of producing and enhancing a signal's harmonic profile in a sonically pleasing way. Saturation is achieved naturally with tubes and tape or digitally with plugins.

The Top 10 Best Saturation Plugins Are:

1. FabFilter Saturn 2
2. Softube Harmonics | Saturation Knob | Tape
3. Klanghelm SDRR
4. Waves J37 Tape
5. D16 Group Redoptor 2
6. Soundtoys Radiator
7. Soundtoys Decapitator
8. Sonnox Oxford Inflator
9. Unique Recording Software URS Saturation
10. Brainworx bx_saturator V2

It should go without saying that any “top X” article is subject to bias. I would expect the next person's top 10 to be different from mine, but I hope there would be plenty of overlap.

That being said, I believe these plugins to be the best saturation plugin options today. The criteria I used to judge these plugins include the following:

• Sonic performance: how does the saturation plugin sound subjectively/objectively?
• Graphic user interface (GUI): how does the saturation plugin look when loaded in the DAW?
• Ease-of-use: how user-friendly is the saturation plugin?
• Functionality: how many different functions does it serve and/or how many parameters are available for the saturation effect?
• Accessibility/compatibility: how easy is it to acquire the saturation plugin, and what are the system requirements?

To learn why they made this list, let's discuss each of the top 10 best saturation plugins in greater detail.

Click here to return to the Recommended Gear Page.

FabFilter Saturn 2

The FabFilter Saturn 2 is a multiband saturation plugin with 28 different distortion styles.

The FabFilter Saturn 2 is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Distortion Plugins For Your DAW.

FabFilter is one of the top boutique plugin manufacturers in the world. Their feature-rich plugins offer amazing sound quality. The Saturn 2 exemplifies the brand's excellence, delivering everything from subtle warmth to the wildest multiband guitar amp distortion.

Inspired by the vintage sound of tubes, tape, transformers and guitar amps, the Saturn 2 provides a whopping 28 different distortion styles. Each of up to 6 bands can have its own distortion/saturation style with independent feedback, dynamics, drive, tone and modulation controls.

The superb saturation/distortion of the FabFilter Saturn 2 can be easily modulated for impressive results.

Virtually unlimited modulation possibilities of the crossover frequencies, dynamics, band levels and tone controls are made possible with built-in XLFOs, EGs, XY controllers/sliders, envelope followers and MIDI sources.

With drag-and-drop functionality with a 50-slot modulation matrix, modulation has never been easier!

The plugin also works well on the mastering chain, as it's fully capable of subtle saturation and optional linear phase processing. Add warmth to the master channel without overly affecting important phase relationships and waveform characteristics.

In typical FabFilter fashion, the Saturn 2 comes with interactive MIDI Learn, undo/redo and A/B switches, Smart Parameter Interpolation, “Help” documentation with interactive hints, sample-accurate automation, double-click text entry of parameter values and more.

Here are a few more noteworthy specifications of the superb FabFilter Saturn 2 plugin:

• Adjustable crossover slope (6, 12, 24 or 48 dB/oct)
• Live modulation visualization for targets and sources
• Optional HQ modes:
  • (8x oversampling)
  • Superb (32x oversampling)
• Interactive multiband display
• Supports common Pro Tools hardware control surfaces
• Mid/side processing
• Various interface sizes and Full-Screen mode
• GPU-powered graphics acceleration
• Unique per-component presets
• Interactive MIDI Learn
• Carefully designed and curated Factory Presets, plus the support of V1 presets
• Per-band solo and mute options
• Smart Parameter Interpolation
• Extensive help file with interactive help hints
• Undo/redo
• A/B comparison

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Saturn 2 user manual.

Softube Harmonics | Saturation Knob | Tape

At number 2 on this list, we have a three-for-one. Each of these Softube plugins offers superb saturation in its own right. I've cheated a bit in an attempt to pack as much value as possible into this top 11 (you can think of it as a “top 13” if you'd like).

Let's begin with the Harmonics before moving on to the Saturation Knob and Tape.

Softube Harmonics

The Softube Harmonics is a saturation plugin with 5 component-modelled distortion sounds.

Softube's Harmonics is a smart saturation plugin that uses Revolutionary' Dynamic Transient Control' technology to track incoming signal dynamics and react to the dynamics according to DTC parameters (when engaged).

Additionally, Harmonics offers low and high-pass filters (pre and post-distortion), wet/dry knob for parallel mix control, and THD (total harmonic drive) metering, allowing users to define the perfect amount of saturation or distortion for each and every track in which the plugin is inserted.

I have a video dedicated to parallel saturation if you're interested:

The 5 superb component-modelled distortion/saturation types are Solid, Transformer, Master, Tube and Modern. Control each of these excellent flavours of saturation with the Drive and Character knobs.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out Harmonics at Softube.

Softube Saturation Knob

The Softube Saturation Knob is a freebie that offers three modelled distortion modes. It works as a standalone plugin and as part of Softube's Modular virtual Eurorack platform.

This free plugin is very straightforward but sounds incredible. Whether it's as an insert or as part of Modular, the Saturation Knob brings easily-dialled saturation to any digital audio workstation.

The plugin has a single knob and a three-way switch to choose between 3 different kinds of distortion/saturation: Keep High, Neutral and Keep Low. The Keep High mode “keeps” the high-end relatively clean while distorting the low-end, while the Keep Low does the opposite. Neutral mode offers saturation/distortion across the frequency spectrum.

As a quick, easy and free way of adding weight and colour to your tracks, look no further than the Softube Saturation Knob.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out Saturation Knob at Softube.

Softube Tape

The Softube Tape is a tape saturation emulation plugin with 3 different tape machine types.

This straightforward tape saturation plugin from Softube provides realistic analog sound, adding cohesion and warmth to individual tracks and mixes at large. Its straightforward design has 3 distinct tape machine types (A, B and C). For quick and easy saturation, choose a tape machine and dial in the Amount knob or, alternatively, choose from the superb presets.

• Type A emulates a precise and linear high-end Swiss reel-to-reel machine
• Type B emulated a colourful transformer-based machine
• Type C emulates a vintage-style British tape machine

Additional control is to be had in the back end, where users can adjust tape speed settings, stability, and crosstalk amount, as well as a mastering grade high shelf filter, stability control, wet/dry mix knob and more.

PreSonus Studio One users are in luck with the Softube Tape since it includes Tape Multitrack, which can be used in the MixFX slot of Presonus Studio One. This means that individual channel crosstalk and single interface control of all tracks are made easy within the DAW.

PreSonus Studio One is featured in My New Microphone's Top 7 Best Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) On The Market.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out Tape at Softube.

Klanghelm SDRR

The Klanghelm SDRR is a superb saturation plugin with 4 distinct modes.

Klanghelm's comprehensive SDRR saturation plugin offers incredible flexibility to ensure the resulting saturation will work perfectly with any audio source in any mix. This saturation plugin has 4 main modes, each of which can be altered by an impressive set of control parameters. The 4 modes are:

• Tube: consists of two different models of a two-stage tube preamplifier
• Digi: designed to precisely add even and/or odd harmonics to program material
• Fuzz: consists of two different models of classic germanium fuzz stompboxes
• Desk: flexible mixing desk channel strip plugin with just a few controls

Related article: Top 12 Best Fuzz Stompbox Pedals For Guitar & Bass.

Each mode has its own unique crosstalk behaviour and reacts dynamically to the input signal to impart its distinct flavour of saturation.

With an impressive collection of parameter controls, the SDRR is an amazing saturation plugin but can also act as a compressor, an EQ, a bit-crusher and a stereo widener.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Klanghelm SDRR user manual.

Waves J37 Tape

The Waves J37 Tape is a tape saturation plugin modelled after the EMI-modified Studer J37 4-track tape machine from Abbey Road Studio. It has been developed in association with Abbey Road Studio.

The Waves J37 is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 10 Best Tape Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW.

The Waves Abbey Road J37 tape emulation plugin provides stunning analog warmth, delivering a level of hardware realism never before experienced “in the box.” It offers an impressive number of controls, including Tape Speed, Bias, Noise, Saturation, Wow and Flutter, Low-pass Filter and High-Pass Filter. This plugin is subtle yet powerful when it comes to adding realistic tape saturation to digital audio.

With 3 exclusive EMI-developed oxide tape formulas modelled, the J37 brings 3 unique frequency responses and harmonic distortion characteristics with a single plugin. Waves has included a comprehensive tape delay unit with a sync control to improve upon an already stunning design further.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Waves J37 Tape user manual.

D16 Group Redoptor 2

The D16 Group Redoptor 2 is an excellent plugin designed to emulate the organic sound of vintage tube saturation.

D16 Group perfectly emulates the character of a tube amplifier being pushed to break up with its Redoptor 2 plugin.

The Redoptor 2 smoothly responds to the dynamics of the source material, just like a real tube amp, adding both odd and even harmonics to the signal in a sonically pleasing way.

Louder signals get saturated more aggressively with plentiful harmonics and gradually return to their clean state as they decay. This natural tube-style saturation emulated by the Redopter 2 provides superb dynamic distortion.

On top of expertly modelled vacuum tube circuits, the D16 Group Redoptor 2 offers several powerful and interactive parameters.

Adjust the tube bias parameter to add subtle amplification of even harmonics and gentle transient reshaping.

Set the preamp's frequency range, set the high and low cutoff points before or after the signal is processed and engage the 4-band parametric equalizer for advanced tone shaping.

This stereo plugin offers independent stereo channel processing without cross-bleed. Taming the dynamics is made easy with the inclusion of a pre-gain compressor module and master output limiter.

This powerful saturation plugin will get you whatever style of tube saturation you're after with stunning results, and with two alternative GUI sizes, it looks great while doing so!

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Redoptor 2 user manual.

Soundtoys Radiator

The Soundtoys Radiator is a straightforward saturation plugin modelled after the classic Altec 1567A tube mixer from the 1960s.

Soundtoys' Radiator is a dual drive tube input channel and EQ.

The hardware it emulates is a coloured and gritty 1960s rack-mounted five-input tube mixer with a massive 97 dB of gain, removable transformers and a simple 2-knob EQ (with bass and treble control).

Indeed, the Altec 1567A was a distinctive part of the Motown sound from that era.

The warmth and punch of the Altec 1567A are made possible in the box with the Soundtoys Radiator. It, too, has input, output, bass and treble controls. It also has a mix knob for parallel processing.

The plugin also has a switch to emulate the inherent noise of the original or not, along with an input level switch between mic level and line level.

So, although this plugin isn't explicitly labelled as a saturator, you can be sure that its colourful tube circuit emulation will yield top-level saturation.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Soundtoys Radiator user manual.

Soundtoys Decapitator

The Soundtoys Decapitator is a popular saturation plugin with 5 different analog saturation models.

The Soundtoys Decapitator is also featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Distortion Plugins For Your DAW.

As a second Soundtoys plugin to grace this list, the Decapitator is a relatively straightforward hardware-modelled saturation plugin, given its superb versatility. From subtle to extreme, this plugin will get you the saturation your tracks need.

Bringing the best of analog saturation, the Decapitator adds character in 5 distinct styles and allows users to process this character in parallel with the original signal via the Mix knob. The 5 styles are as follows:

• A: modelled after the Ampex 350 tape drive preamp
• E: modelled after the Chandler/EMI TG Channel
• N: modelled after the Neve 1057 input channel
• T: modelled after Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture triode setting
• P: modelled after Thermionic Culture Culture Vulture pentode setting

These analog saturation styles have been programmed with a natural-sounding changing response indicative of real analog hardware.

The Punish button can be engaged to push any of the styles beyond typical saturation, which kicks in an extra chunk of gain to produce extreme saturation.

Shape the contour of the saturation with analog-modelled tone control, low cut and high cut filters to really dial in the perfect saturation/distortion for any track in any situation.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Soundtoys Decapitator user manual.

Sonnox Oxford Inflator

The Sonnox Oxford Inflator is a unique plugin for increasing loudness without sacrificing sonic quality or dynamic range. It utilizes gain and tube-like musical saturation to boost the perceived loudness of the source material.

As Sonnox's best-selling plugin, the Oxford Inflator is a popular and easy-to-use plugin that simply makes audio sound better, increasing perceived loudness and adding life to the tracks it's inserted on. With a simple layout and easy controls, it's no wonder it's such a well-received plugin.

Though it's not marketed specifically as a saturation plugin, the Inflator does utilize saturation as it works its magic, increasing loudness without sacrificing sonic quality or dynamic range.

By utilizing saturation, the Oxford Inflator is able to do its job, satisfying amateurs and professionals alike.

Of course, the plugin can work subtly. However, when driven harder, it delivers tube-like musical saturation and provides the ‘sonic glue' needed to “glue” mixes together for professional results.

This plugin can even add apparent dynamic range to previously clipped signals and can be run in Flexible Direct and Band-split modes.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Oxford Inflator user manual.

Unique Recording Software URS Saturation

The Unique Recording Software URS Saturation is a powerful, user-friendly saturation plugin with several high-quality saturation algorithms, including 6 vintage preamp saturation, 2 tape saturation and 2 transformer core saturation algorithms.

URS Saturation includes 10 vintage analog algorithms, each with its own character, ready to offer the ideal saturation for your project. The character of each algorithm ranges in its effect on even and odd-ordered harmonics, overall saturation and soft clipping.

The 6 preamplifier saturation algorithms include:

• Vintage Motorcity: Class A Tube Mic Pre Amplifier
• German: Class A Tube Mic Pre Amplifier
• British: Class A Discrete Pre Amplifier
• Modern: Class A Discrete JFET Pre Amplifier
• 1951: Class A Tube Mic Pre Amplifier
• Tape Deck: Class A Tube Mic Pre Amplifier

The 2 mono tape head algorithms add analog tape saturation. This non-linear saturation produces a smoothing effect on high-frequency transients. 

• 15ips Tape 
• 30ips Tape

The transformer core saturation algorithms add non-linear transformer core saturation found on vintage consoles, tape machines and outboard gear.

• Transformer American
• Transformer British

Mix and match the algorithms above for a wide range of sonic possibilities in this super-versatile plugin. Use the input level, output level, drive, mix (parallel processing) and other parameters to dial in the exact effect that will most benefit your work!

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the URS Saturation user manual.

Brainworx bx_saturator V2

The Brainworx bx_saturator V2 is a mid-side multiband saturation plugin offering everything from subtle mix glue to insane crunch.

Brainworx's bx_saturator V2 multiband saturation plugin boasts a wide range of parameters. It processes the signal in mid-side.

The plugin's “True Split” crossover technology ensures that the Mid and Side channels are always perfectly in phase, allowing for incredible bass results on stereo tracks, mix buses and master channels alike.

The wide-ranging sonic possibilities of the bx_saturator V2 make it an ideal choice for saturation in practically all scenarios.

The plugin works on four different bands, each with dedicated gain, drive, and XL (mix) controls. Increase the perceived volume of each band without boosting its actual output level, delivering louder, punchier mixes without sacrificing dynamics.

Former Top Saturation Plugin Picks

Here are plugins that used to be on this list and the reasons they are no longer. Currently, there is only one plugin on this list.

iZotope Trash 2 (Discontinued)

The iZotope Trash 2 (discontinued) was a highly functional multiband distortion/saturation plugin with a whopping 60 different distortion algorithms. It was featured in this article from 2021 (original year of publication) to 2022.

Compatibility

The iZotope Trash 2 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite, AU and VST formats.

iZotope's Trash 2 is arguably the most creative distortion/saturation plugin ever produced. It is versatile enough for any situation and ranges from subtle to extreme distortion, with practically every creative sonic possibility in between.

The plugin's 4-band dual-stage distortion signal path includes over 60 different distortion algorithms (in addition to the user-definable graphic waveshaper option). With advanced filtering and dynamic effects, Trash 2 offers immediate sonic transformation.

Along with the 60+ distortion algorithms, this iZotope plugin also offers over 20 selectable filter types, along with versatile oscillators on each band. This is a super high-functioning distortion/saturation plugin.

Other noteworthy features of the iZotope Trash 2 include:

• Realistic speaker and space simulation
• Amp, device, cabinet, effect, and speaker modelling
• 100 impulse responses with the Convolve module
• Delay module
• Dynamics module
• Pre-distortion filter (with 20+ evocative filter types)
• Post-distortion filter (with 20+ evocative filter types)
• 2 LFO-enabled EQ filters
• Output limiter
• Expansion Libraries: Over 100 additional Trash 2 patches

Choosing the best audio plugins for your DAW can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Audio Plugins Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next audio plugin purchases.

Other Top Audio Plugin Articles

Here are additional My New Microphone articles regarding the best audio plugins by type:
• Top 11 Best Distortion Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Parametric EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 8 Best Graphic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Linear Phase EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Parametric EQ Emulation Plugins For DAWs
• Top 8 Best Passive EQ Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best FET Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Optical Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 10 Best Multiband Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Variable-Mu Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 11 Best VCA Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Limiter Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Channel Strip Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Chorus Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Flanger Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Phaser Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Tremolo Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Analog Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Delay Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Tape Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 12 Best Reverb Plugins (Spring, Plate, Algorithmic, Convolution)
• Top 9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Guitar Amp Simulator Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 7 Best Noise Reduction Plugins For Your DAW

The post Top 10 Best Saturation Plugins For Your DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.

We're currently living in the age of digital audio, and in-the-box mixing within a digital audio workstation is commonplace. With modern technology, we don't even need to mic up guitar amps to get the best guitar sounds.

Instead, it's completely possible (and perhaps even more cost-affordable) to plug directly into an interface and utilize one of the many superb guitar amp simulator plugins on the market.

In fact, there are so many guitar amp simulation plugins on the market that it can be overwhelming to pick just one to start with (or the next plugin to add to the collection). In this article, we'll look at what I consider the 10 stand-out guitar amp simulator plugins on the market today.

The Top 10 Best Guitar Amp Simulator Plugins Are:

1. IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 Max
2. Line 6 Helix Native
3. Positive Grid Bias Amp 2
4. Overloud TH-U Full
5. Waves GTR3
6. Softube Amp Room
7. Studio Devil Amp Modeler Pro
8. Blue Cat’s Axiom
9. Audio Media Research/Peavey ReValver 4
10. Audiffex/Audified ampLion Pro

It should go without saying that any “top X” article is subject to bias. I would expect the next person's top 10 to be different from mine, but I hope there would be plenty of overlap.

That being said, I believe these plugins to be the best guitar amp simulator plugin options today. The criteria I used to judge these plugins include the following:

• Sonic performance: how does the guitar amp simulator plugin sound subjectively/objectively?
• Graphic user interface (GUI): how does the guitar amp simulator plugin look when loaded in the DAW?
• Ease-of-use: how user-friendly is the guitar amp simulator plugin?
• Functionality: how many different functions does it serve and/or how many parameters are available for the guitar amp simulator effect?
• Accessibility/compatibility: how easy is it to acquire the guitar amp simulator plugin, and what are the system requirements?

To learn why they made this list, let's discuss each of the top 10 best guitar amp simulator plugins in greater detail.

Click here to return to the Recommended Gear Page.

IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 Max

The IK Multimedia AmpliTube 5 Max is a top-rated guitar/bass amp and effects simulator plugin with over 400 of the most sought-after guitar & bass gear ever.

Developed with top brands and artists, the AmpliTube 5 Max is a super powerful and versatile amp emulation plugin.

With proprietary DIM (Direct Impulse Response), DSM (Dynamic Saturation Modeling), VIR (Volumetric Impulse Response) and VRM (Volumetric Response Modeling) technologies, IK Multimedia has modelled hundreds of pieces of audio gear with remarkably realistic results. The over 400 gear models include:

• Fender Collection 1 & 2
• AmpliTube SVX 1 & 2
• AmpliTube Orange
• AmpliTube Mesa/Boogie
• AmpliTube Slash
• AmpliTube Jimi Hendrix
• AmpliTube Brian May
• Dimebag Darrell CFH Collection
• AmpliTube Joe Satriani
• Fulltone Collection
• AmpliTube Leslie

This plugin covers the entire signal chain, offering virtual stompboxes, amplifiers, cabinets, rooms and rack effects. Route these devices whichever way you want inside the beautifully intuitive interface.

The drag-and-drop signal chain supports up to 57 simultaneous models with series and parallel routing and DI blending for virtually limitless tonal possibilities.

In addition to the extraordinary sonic flexibility, IK Multimedia's AmpliTube 5 Max is also its own standalone digital audio workstation (if you choose to use it that way).

The software features its own 8-track recorder and a looper, tuner, various practice tools and an impressive set of live performance implementations.

To learn more about loopers, check out my article What Are Looper Pedals (Guitar/Bass FX) & How Do They Work?

Though this software/plugin has everything you'd ever need in an amp simulator, it also offers a custom impulse response loader, which allows users to load, tilt and re-size their own impulse responses in place of any cabinet.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the AmpliTube 5 specs at IK Multimedia.

Line 6 Helix Native

The Line 6 Helix Native brings Line 6's award-winning HX Modeling technology to a super powerful audio plugin.

Like its hardware counterparts, the Helix Native plugin offers remarkably authentic tones with 60+ vintage and modern amplifiers, 30+ cabinets, 16 microphones (and 23 recording distances), and 100+ effects.

Preset compatibility makes it easy to transfer user-defined and stock presets between all devices of the Helix family, including the Helix Floor, Helix Rack, and Helix LT hardware units (link to check them out at Sweetwater).

Workflow is made fast with an intuitive interface. Instant access to the entire signal chain makes dialling in the perfect tone as straightforward as possible.

Like the aforementioned AmpliTube plugin, the Helix Native offers everything you'd need, but in the off chance you need more, the plugin also supports 3rd party impulse responses.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Helix Native user manual.

Positive Grid Bias Amp 2

The Positive Grid Bias Amp 2 is a fan favourite fully customizable virtual amplifier designer with versatility in design that extends right down to the component level.

The advanced modelling of the Positive Grid Bias Amp 2 takes things well beyond a wide range of impulse responses. This super customizable plugin allows users to swap out virtual vacuum tubes and tailor preamps, power amps, transformers, and tone stacks to their exact liking.

Send the signal through open/closed-back virtual cabinets and choose from a variety of virtual mics (with different mic placements) to achieve limitless sonic possibilities.

This intelligent plugin can even match the tone of any miked amp or recorded audio signal. Use the Bias Amp 2 to recapture the magic from sessions past or even improve upon what would otherwise be the best tone from your hardware amp.

Download and share tone within Positive Grid's online ToneCloud community. Offer your own masterful setting or opt to use custom virtual amps created by world-renowned artists, session players and guitarists.

Check out the Bias Amp 2 specs at Positive Grid for more information on system requirements and authorization instructions.

Overloud TH-U Full

The Overloud TH-U Full is a superb amp simulation plugin that includes both amp modeling and capturing technologies to capture the entire sonic performance of a real-world guitar rig.

Overloud's TH-U Full models an impressive 89 guitar amplifiers and 4 bass amplifiers, 50 guitar cabinets and 2 bass cabinets, 77 pedal and rack effects, 18 microphone models, and up to four mics on each cabinet.

With authorized modelling (45 fully authorized models in total) from brands such as Randall, DVmark, Brunetti and THD, it's no wonder this plugin sounds so amazing.

The cabinet modelling technology is particularly spectacular. Fluid Convolution functionality offers a full matrix of 4 microphones, which can be placed anywhere in the virtual 3D space in front and even behind the cabinet for a superb stereo response.

Additionally, ReSPiRe 2 technology allows users to choose between the real response of the cabinet and a processed version optimized to fit into the mix.

Though not as meticulous as the Bias Amp 2, this Overloud plugin does allow customization of its preamp and power amp tube models.

More than 8000 rigs are made available in Overloud's massive library, and the TH-U can use any of the TH3 user presets.

Choose the best presets for your sound and further refine each preset with Scenes functionality, which instantly recalls different model configurations within any given preset.

The impulse response loader of the TH-U Full allows users to load two different IRs and blend them for even greater tonal variety. Moving beyond standalone and plugin versions, the TH-U also comes in a mobile app.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the TH-U user manual.

Waves GTR3

The Waves GTR3 is somewhat of a gold standard guitar amp simulator plugin that also works tremendously well as a standalone software thanks to the host-free Standalone ToolRack.

Waves Audio is a big name in the plugin game. The GTR3 ups the ante, bringing in other huge names such as Fender, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie and Vox. With expertly modelled versions of the finest vintage and contemporary amps from these brands and more, the GTR3 earns its spot on this list of the best guitar amp simulator plugins.

Fender, Marshall, Mesa/Boogie and Vox are all featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Guitar Amplifier Brands In The World. Fender and Mesa/Boogie are also featured in the Top 11 Best Bass Guitar Amplifier Brands In The World.

This outstanding plugin models 32 Amps, 30 Cabs, and 25 Stompboxes. Sure, these may seem like small numbers compared to the previous plugins mentioned in this article.

However, 87 ultra-realistic models are still superb. Waves combine quantity with quality in this stunning guitar amp plugin.

Less is more when it comes to this plugin. Having fewer high-quality options is often better than scrolling through hundreds of settings you'll never use. Speaking of superb workflow, the GTR3 is super user-friendly, with all controls laid out in a straightforward interface.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the GTR3 tech specs at Waves.

Softube Amp Room

The Softube Amp Room is more than just an amplifier simulation plugin. It offers a full professional studio's worth of virtual processors.

In addition to a wide variety of classic Marshall amps and cabinets, pedals, and mics, Softube's Amp Room provides emulations of legendary compressors and EQs.

It's everything you need and more to get the optimal guitar or bass guitar tones in any application.

Softube has made a name for itself, emulating top-level hardware with superior precision.

The Tube-Tech and Trident processors included in Amp Room are exemplary of this faithfulness. Upon teaming up with the legendary amp manufacturer Marshall, it's no surprise that Softube's amp simulations are among the best in the world.

Tube-Tech is featured in My New Microphone's Top 11 Best Audio Compressor Brands In The World, while Trident is featured in the Top 10 Best Studio Recording/Mixing Console Brands.

The Softube Amp Room comes with the following features:

• 6 amplifiers, component modelled to perfection
• 16 cabinets with multiple microphone options
• 10 effect pedals from distortion to delay and reverb
• 3 studio effects as modules
• 8 utility modules, such as short delay for phase aligning
• 260 presets in many different genres and styles

Mix and match in whatever way you like via the stunning user interface to achieve the perfect tonal results. All Softube amplifier plugins can be loaded in Amp Room with heads and cabinets as separate modules.

The comprehensive utility modules make adjusting gain, volume, pan, phase alignment and frequency-splitting easy. It also offers filters and mute options. There is a built-in gate. The Headphones Mode of the plugin adds subtle room ambience in stereo when you're working with headphones.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Vintage Amp Room at Softube.

Studio Devil Amp Modeler Pro

The Studio Devil Amp Modeler Pro is a compact guitar amp simulation plugin with a straightforward interface and remarkably great sound.

Using Studio Devil's proprietary ToneBrain digital vacuum tube modeling technology, this software models amp hardware to provide an authentic sound. The interface is super straightforward, with practically all parameters in a single window, making it somewhat limited in tonal variety but superb at what it offers.

The Studio Devil Amp Modeler Pro offers the following features (I've included links to in-depth articles on the processes/effects when applicable):

• 15 Preamp Models
• Authentic Tone Controls (Gain, Bass, Mids, Treble, and Presence)
• Boost, Deep, and Bright Switches
• 3 Power Amp Models with Drive Control
• Impulse Modeler / Cabinet Processor (import your own IR)
• 32 Studio Devil Cabinets plus 58 ReCabinet modles
• 7-Band Graphic EQ with Master Level, 3 Modes, and Pre/Post Switch
• Sweepable Parametric EQ
• Wah-Wah Effect
• Compressor / Sustainer
• Chorus
• Flanger
• Phaser
• Tremolo
• Echo / Delay Modeler
• Reverb (Room, Club, and Hall)
• Noise Gate
• Chromatic Tuner
• Level Meters
• Master Volume
• Import and Export Presets and Banks via XML

Looks are deceiving with this plugin. Check it out for yourself and marvel at the surprising versatility of this superb amp simulation plugin.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Amp Modeler Pro user manual.

Blue Cat’s Axiom

The Blue Cat's Axiom is a powerful multi-effect/amp simulation modeling software.

This powerful amp simulator offers virtually endless options for bass and guitar tones.

Axiom includes 32 module slots that can host any of the 44 superb built-in effects or third-party AU or VST plugins.

There are even 3 dedicated slots for virtual instruments (cue the metronome, drum machine, sequencer, or whatever else you like).

This flexible routing features 2 parallel amp simulation channels with effects along with input and master sections. The integrated precision tuner and brickwall limiter make this software even better.

Whether you decide to tinker with the amp edition to build your own custom tone or search for the perfect sound within the hundreds of loadable presets, this excellent zero-latency amp simulator will not disappoint.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the Blue Cat's Destructor user manual.

Audio Media Research/Peavey ReValver 4

The Audio Media Research ReValver 4 is a top-of-the-line amp simulator offering exquisitely component-modelled guitar amplifiers, stompboxes and effects.

ReValver provides unmatched realism, dynamics and tone in a super intuitive software package. The proprietary RIR 2 Cabinet Modeling technology takes convolution cabinet modeling to a whole new level.

The trademarked ACT (Audio Cloning Technology) provides precise instrument modeling at the input and perfect tone matching at the output. ACT can clone the sound of instruments, speaker cabinets, amps and even recorded tracks and mixes.

Create and load amp clones in the ReValver ACT Combo module and host your favourite third-party AU or VST plugins directly in the software. Thanks to full MIDI control and GIG Mode, the ReValver is equally at home as a studio plugin and on the road.

Whatever guitar tone you're after, you can make it happen with the excellent ReValver 4 amp simulator.

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out ReValver 4 at Audio Media Research.

Audiffex/Audified ampLion Pro

The Audiffex/Audified ampLion Pro is an ultra-precise amp simulation plugin/software with an intuitive interface and stunning tonal opportunities.

Audified's ampLion Pro offers the mixing and matching of 9 guitar preamps, 7 power amps, 12 speakers, 8 microphones and 30 effects.

With meticulous modelling of world-class amps, this software provides tones indistinguishable from the variety of top-level hardware.

These emulated hardware preamplifiers include such big names as:

• Fender Super Reverb
• Fender Deluxe Reverb
• Fender Bassman '59
• Marshall JCM800
• Marshall JCM900
• Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
• Engl Ritchie Blackmore Signature
• Engl Tube Preamp 530 (Lead mode)
• Engl Tube Preamp 530 (Clean mode)

And power amplifiers such as:

• Mesa/Boogie Dual Rect (solid state)
• Mesa/Boogie Dual Rect (tube)
• Fender Bassman
• Fender Super Reverb
• Marshall 100W
• Marshall 50W
• Fender Deluxe Reverb

The virtual amplifier output signal can be split and processed by 2 independent speakers. Cabinets are miked by 7 different microphone types with the simulation of distance, position and axis.

Chose up to 8 virtual stompboxes in the pedalboard to unleash effects from subtle to extraordinary.

To learn more about pedals and pedalboards, check out the following My New Microphone articles:
• Ultimate Guide To Setting Up A Guitar Effects Pedalboard
• How Many Guitar Effect Pedals Is Too Many?

For more information on system requirements and authorization instructions, check out the ampLion Pro at Audified's downloads webpage.

Other Guitar Amp Simulator Plugin Options

Other amp simulator plugins to consider are:

1. Amp Designer [Logic Pro X stock plugin]
2. Black Rooster Audio Cypress TT-15
3. Blue Cat Audio Blue Cat's Re-Guitar
4. Brainworx ENGL Amps
5. Ignite Amps Amp Simulation Plugins
6. JST Toneforge
7. Kuassa Amplifikation 360 Bundle
8. LePou Amp Sims
9. Line 6 POD Farm 2.5 Platinum
10. Nembrini Audio Amp Simulation Plugins
11. Neural DSP Amp Simulation Plugins
12. Scuffham S-Gear
13. Shattered Glass Audio Ace
14. SimulAnalog Guitar Suite
15. ToneLib GFX
16. Universal Audio Fender '55 Tweed Deluxe
17. Voxengo Boogex
18. Waves PRS SuperModels

Former Top Amp Simulation Plugin Picks

Here are plugins that used to be on this list and the reasons they are no longer. Currently, there is only one plugin on this list.

Native Instruments Guitar Rig Pro 6 (Discontinued/Upgraded)

The Native Instruments Guitar Rig Pro 6 (discontinued/upgraded to version 7) is a big name in the amplifier simulation/virtual guitar effects world, and for good reasons.

Compatibility

The Native Instruments Guitar Rig Pro 6 is compatible with Mac OS and Windows OS and comes in AAX, AU, VST and standalone formats.

This super powerful software is available in the plugin and standalone versions. It's highly customizable and offers an incredible amount of processes. More specifically, the NI Guitar Rig comes with the following number of modules:

• 21 amplifiers
• 4 cabinets
• 7 delay/echo effects
• 15 distortion effects
• 12 dynamics effects
• 5 EQs
• 10 filter effects
• 12 modulation effects
• 5 pitch effects
• 12 reverb effects
• 7 special effects

Additionally, the Legacy Cabinets and Mics model various cabinets, the microphone's type and position, and the room response from previous Guitar Rig versions.

On that note, 54 of the original world-class effects have been brought forward to this most recent edition.

This inspiring plugin offers the best of the best effects and virtual amps. There are numerous presets to choose from as well if you don't want to fall down the rabbit hole of this deeply versatile software.

But if you do want to customize your tone, the intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to select and route modules as needed. On top of that, each module itself offers its own controllable parameters. All in all, this plugin has limitless sonic potential worth exploring.

Choosing the best audio plugins for your DAW can be a challenging task. For this reason, I've created My New Microphone's Comprehensive Audio Plugins Buyer's Guide. Check it out for help in determining your next audio plugin purchases.

Other Top Audio Plugin Articles

Here are additional My New Microphone articles regarding the best audio plugins by type:
• Top 11 Best Distortion Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Saturation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Equalizer/EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Parametric EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Dynamic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 8 Best Graphic EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Linear Phase EQ Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Parametric EQ Emulation Plugins For DAWs
• Top 8 Best Passive EQ Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Digital Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best FET Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Optical Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 10 Best Multiband Compressor Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Variable-Mu Compressor Emulation Plugins
• Top 11 Best VCA Compressor Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Limiter Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Channel Strip Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Chorus Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Flanger Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 9 Best Phaser Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 11 Best Tremolo Modulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Analog Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Digital Delay Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 10 Best Tape Delay Emulation Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 12 Best Reverb Plugins (Spring, Plate, Algorithmic, Convolution)
• Top 9 Best Stereo Imaging Plugins For Your DAW
• Top 7 Best Noise Reduction Plugins For Your DAW

The post Top 10 Best Guitar Amp Simulator Plugins For Your DAW first appeared on My New Microphone and is written by Arthur Fox.