“A poor workman always blames his tools” is an age old proverb that’s used time and time again. In essence, it’s meaning is that when one doesn’t get the results they desire, the tools they’ve used will take the blame for that shortcoming.
Whereas when one falls short, the reality is that the blame should fall solely on our heads, not on the tools we use.
Even if something goes catastrophically wrong and a plugin or piece of gear fails us, there should always be a workaround.
Now, when it comes to music, I definitely feel that “A poor mixer blames their tools” has a very interesting double meaning.
While the meaning of that phrase definitely matches the same as the age old proverb, the other meaning of “poor” is incredibly relevant.
When you’re financially poor, you blame the gear
How many times have you heard something like… “Oh, he’s only winning Grammys because he’s got such a great studio”, or “If I had the gear of x producer, I’d be doing that well too”?
Gear doesn’t win Grammys. Talent, perseverance and consistent hard work does.
Many years ago, I remember watching tutorial videos online or seeing other engineers working and they all had these great plugins that did amazing things for them in their mixes. I count myself lucky that I couldn’t afford those plugins because I would have been wasting my money. It wasn’t about the plugins. It was about what those mixers were doing with the plugins.
They had their method and they knew what they were trying to achieve. The premium plugins were only helping them along the way. They definitely would have been able to get the same result with a combination of stock and free plugins. It is simply that they know their gear and premium plugins make their lives easier.
If you’re feeling the pinch, don’t spend your money on extra gear. Focus on your skills, developing a rock solid mixing method and working with what you already have. The money will come in time.
If you’re not very good, you blame the gear
This is another sad truth. We all have skill deficits and blaming an inanimate object that won’t talk back is a very easy way out of accepting that.
If we don’t nail a mix, we have a tendency to go out and buy new toys to help us get there the next time. While premium plugins might help, they’ll only give you more options and quick fixes. They won’t fix the root cause of the skill deficit. That skill deficit will improve with time, patience, hard work and dedication.
A skill deficit will not improve by throwing money at new gear.
In fact, I recommend keeping a smaller number of tools at your disposal that you know inside out.
That goes for whether you’re short on cash or short on skills that pay the bills. A smaller set of tools helps you focus more on your method and the process rather than the cool tricks you can create with the latest flashy plugin. When you embed a method of how you mix into your brain, then you can introduce more premium plugins to help you get to the end result quicker.
So, this is the first barrier I want to move out of the way for you when it comes to producing more music and developing your mixing method.
You do not need the same tools as your favourite mixer to be successful
Once you understand the theory of what they’re doing, you can use other plugins and other ideas to achieve the same results.
The stock plugins in your DAW can do way more for you than you think but I do understand the temptation of using premium plugins. However, it’s really not worth spending that extra money on them until your finances and your skill level justify their purchase.
Actually, there are lots of very good third party plugins that you can download for free today that will do an excellent job.
Now, I’m not an exception to the rule when it comes to having “plugin envy”. As I’ve already said, I used to watch great mixers at work and long to own and use their plugin collection.
So with that in mind, I want to share with you 4 premium plugins that I really wanted and the 4 free plugins that I used instead.
Saturation
Kramer Master Tape (Premium) vs. Softube Saturation Knob(Free)
The GUI is not as fancy as the Kramer Master Tape but the Softube Saturation Knob is one of the best free plugins out there. It will give you the sound you’re looking for with minimum effort.
Transient Designer
SPL Transient Designer (Premium) vs. Flux BitterSweet (Free)
I wanted that fancy SPL Transient Designer more than most plugins, but I used Flux Bittersweet instead. Again, it’s another turn of a knob and it helps you get to grips with what a transient designer does before “graduating” to the SPL Transient Designer.
Bus Compressor
SSL Bus Compressor (Premium) vs. FXpansion DCAM FreeComp (Free)
Another plugin I wanted badly. I saw so many people using it and had a play around with a hardware version before I finally got my own software version. I do love the SSL Bus Compressor but the DCAM FreeComp from FXpansion is a really good, versatile bus compressor that will cost you absolutely nothing.
Mid-Side EQ
Brainworx bx_digital (Premium) vs. Voxengo Marvel GEQ (Free)
Before I really knew how to use Mid-Side EQ properly, I used to marvel (pun intended) at Dave Pensado using the Brainworx bx_digital on his mixes. The Marvel GEQ jumped in to fill that gap for me while I was waiting for more money to come.
I’m sure you can see that the tools did not hold me back and I eventually did get the premium plugins I wanted by using the free versions to get there. I still use most of the free plugins on my mixes to this day.
So that’s the first stumbling block that many people let affect them when it comes to creating music. They feel they won’t get the same results as their favourite engineer or producer without all their expensive gear and great plugins, so why bother?
When, in reality, the best thing to do is to work with what you have, slowly expand your collection as your knowledge expands and focus on developing a rock solid mixing method to get you from raw materials to finished, polished mix.
Now, I’d love to know…
Do you ever blame your tools? Go on… admit it!
Leave a comment below!
professional sounding mix every time...
Hello Stephen,
very good article. No, I don´t blame the gear or plugins. I know, I have to grow in know how and skills. There are many very good freeware plugins outthere. I like to use some of it. All the best for your moving,
your Gerd.
Thanks for your comment and well wishes Gerd! Hope all is good with you 🙂
Stephen
Hi Hope all is good with you. Well, you certainly know how to get to the point BIG 🙂 In the spirit of open confession not only have I blamed the gear (including room acoustics) but I’ve also blamed the vocalist and musicians – but guess who was in charge of production/arrangement/recording/mixing …me
So watch out if you’re a classic externalizer and start by looking “inward” – and I’m working on it. Many thanks for all the great work you do and for making us think. George
“A classic externalizer”… sounds like some sort of fancy plugin! We all do it as we are only human but it’s definitely something to be mindful of. Glad you liked the article George!
Hi Stephen,
Guilty as charged but exonerated. My computer was really struggling with using plugins live on electric guitars. Worse still, the more tracks we ran the more stuttering and freezing we had.
There is nothing more embarrassing than having your computer freeze in the middle of a recording session. It kills the vibe of the moment and has everyone muttering under their breath.
I did a lot of research and decided that my next investment should be a new computer that was made by a reputable company called Scan who made specialist computers for music production.
It was a huge investment and a risk, but the staff at Scan were brilliant and took on board all my studio requirements. They even had a music production guy as part of their team setup.
When it arrived we put it to work on a new album that my old computer could not cope with. We have done 15 songs so far and “God willing” the computer is running like a dream.
So whilst I agree entirely with your comments, this was the one occasion when it really was the gear at fault ;-b
Kindest regards
SteveJBailey
Absolutely Steve. That is a great point. I’ve had the spinning rainbow wheel of death and the blue screen of death hit me at the most inopportune times.
But… I have a question for you. Do you think there’s a slight element of knowing it won’t work before you go into it?
There are genuine times when the computer fails us but on some of the occasions in my early career, I knew what I was doing would overload my computer but I tried it anyway.
Thanks so much for your comment and sharing your experiences, Steve.
Hi Folks,
Here are a few random thoughts.
While I agree that stock and free plug-ins can get you a long way, there are some advantages that come with paid ones.
For me stock plug-ins aren’t as efficient as I work across different DAWS (I use S1, Logic and PT). Using third-party plug-ins means that I can use the same ones across different DAWS which makes for a better workflow.
Also, there are some great bundles available – have a look at Toneboosters, Flux. etc. High quality and the price-per-plug-in is very reasonable.
Finally, if you’re patient and you really must have some of the more expensive plug-ins then wait for a sale – they seem to happen pretty regularly these days. Waves seem to have them all the time! And get on the Plug-in Alliance mailing list – they have regular sales and discounts. I recently got bx_rooMS for $9 and the Lindell 254E compressor for free! And keep an eye out for time-limited giveaways like those for LittlePlate and EQ550.
Cheers!
Absolutely agreed that premium plugins are more efficient, for the most part. That’s why we pay for them!
Fantastic advice on when to buy and what to buy. Thanks very much for sharing your experience with us.
I have a question that is wide- but in the meat of it- the plugin issue becomes weird. I would love some focus in general for the compulsive recording enthusiast who has thrown out the computer altogether out of repeated problems from compatibility, reductipn of in and outputs and the inability of portable computer devices to manage the load of programs with apps being tailored to physical interactive ease with screens etc… But not even clise to the needs filled by something like what used to be taken for granted in the huge resources available in a full audigy physical ins and outs and system integration. Midi without knowing the basics, allowed composition etc. None of that was available when wear snd tear killed my whole recording experience.
Ten years later, I am finally feeling mire comfortable and skilled with tascam 8 tracks (multiple models), monitors and headphones and a few less familiar mixers that I am learning. And a minidisc to run into for a single track. Or put the SD card in the puter and touch up the sound.
There are skills I am lacking (like mixing so clean that the volume gets eaten)…organizing files over too many devices. My vegas soundforge and plugins keep randomly uninstalling, so I now can’t rely on software for control of arrangement processes as learned.
I dont really have a DAW.
It is hard to find help that applies, but also with the process I use it so often comes down to how you capture and how you mixdown with panning, source blending and volumes. Reverb decisions and keeping it simple.
I have about 4 plugins I trust to sound the way intended across many ways people play it (high fi soynd system, tv speakers, phones, car stereos etc.
I am unsure how to add busses and mastering to what has become a pretty flexible system. Money goes into microphones, and very specific cables, and stands and… You get it. And very good open backed AKG stereo mixing phones. And maintanance/replacements as I break stuff.
I am rambling hardcore. And may gave lost the point somewhere… 🙂
Hello, if you can´t afford a DAW, if you use windows 7 or higher, you can order this one:
https://www.pearl.de/a-SA5302-2214.shtml?query=Magix
it has all highend plugins you need inside, also all to master. For this price you can´t get better. Also are great videos online how to do with. Greetings your Gerd.
I have a Daw or two-just don’t use the computer; unless the computer is high-end or a mac- it will always be software/os Support/driver/quality & Settings (deep in system & not always reversable)-dependant. So if you only use the computer to arrange-but not actually record…. What are the important functions one needs to have available & not “edit out all the volume” when cleaning a mixed master with them, it?
Cheers-J
If you’re using a computer to arrange, then the most important functions you’ll need are all going to be based around shortcuts and editing.
If you’re not mixing but only moving pieces of audio around in a DAW, then the best tools at your disposal will always be the speed and ease at which you can use the DAW to manipulate the audio and arrangement to suit your needs as quickly as possible.
So, I would say, those are skills more than functions. Editing and arrangement skills coupled with a solid knowledge of your DAW’s shortcuts and editing commands.
Hope that helps!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks very much for your comment and sharing your experiences. What exactly do you think you need help with?
Thanks,
-Stephen
Yeah, in part. After all, I don’t have an interface so I connect my headphones to the PC audio output, which is very noisy.
Now when it comes to plugins I have all I need and all of them are free :v
Nice! Thanks for your comment 🙂