Thank you Bluebones and Christian!
These are all client supplied files. Guitars are recorded, not a keyboard played patch.
Regarding plugins:
EQ - I usually start with lsp EQ. I can make those sound like anything. They even can do a good Pultec emulation. I also give HUGE props to Robin Gareus’ x42 EQ. I use it to add top end air on things and it does not get brittle.
Compresson - I was doing Calf comps for a while, then really leaning into lsp again. lsp comps are soooo versatile. They are the only ones I can make sound like an 1176. For “mastering” stereo buss jobs, I love x42 compressor. It’s a perfect “gluey” unit.
Gate - Was doing Calf…now its all lsp. I love the Hysteresis control. Can help a lot to get rid of gate stutter on drums. (I just realize as I’m typing this that it may not be called that. it might just be a second threshold control for release…)
Saturation - Calf is the best so far. I admit I and am in need suggestions. Having said that, Calf actually does this good. Their Saturation and bit crusher do the job.
Drum replacement (sample) - Note, I almost never entirely replace a live drum. I will augment the sound with the sample on another track. lsp is awesome for this. Their Trigger works great. I usually print the output to a track, then get rid of this plug in. Time align printed track if necessary. Sometime I’ll on purpose change the time alignment - doing so can give you many choices in attack sound (especially for Kick).
Verb - Dragonfly rooms, plates (drums and Vox). Tal Reverb II & III for snare. My last project I tried a lsp Impulse Reverb plugin with a Lexicon 480L IR on snare (Snare Plate) and one on vocal (A-Plate). Soooo good!
Last couple of odd and ends would be bass enhancement and stereo widening. Calf right now does this best for me. And to get my mix up to competitive levels, all master buss processing is x42 - comp, limiter, metering.
What I’m looking for is a comp that can do ssl buss style compression, and a doubler (harmonizer type). Maybe one day…
Yours,
Steve