I guess there should be a balance between knowing the plugins you already have and trying new things. I started buying what i use some time ago and it helped me, because i had to focus more on what I have instead of what I could have or want to have. I am still using cracked versions of the plugins that I bought because a lot of the time they are more efficient etc. but not having to install every new plugin and obsessing over them has helped me focusing on my music more.

 

You are just hoarding plugins![ been there got the teeshirt!] just because you have the latest plugins doesn't mean you have the edge on other producers! keep it basic & minimum.

 

Last edited: Jan 10, 2023

This may sound like a cliché, but anyway: I remember when I decided to unistall 90% of the plugins from my box, and tried to learn how to use the Klanghelm DC8C compressor. I took several days to try stuff, and since then is basically the only compressor that I use, and deleted like 10 other compressors (including my beloved x32 URS 1970). I followed the same process with Ableton EQ8. The same happened to me when I installed Spire VSti with something like 10.000 presets, and soon realized that I was using three or four, so I erased the whole thing and took some time learning how to create the sounds I wanted with that beautiful synth.
This all let me concentrate more on how I wanted to sound (it was all still crap, but that's is not the point) and less in changing plugins, solving problems with incompatibility, DAW crashes, etc etc.
So, removing unused plugins didn´t stop my music sounding like an agonizing rat farting out of control, but allowed me to focus on it.
Now that I don´t have a computer I went back to enjoying playing my guitar and studying music theory.

 

I don't agree: I don't need THIS plugin, but ALL plugins...

 

I have some clear reasons for not using lots of plugins:
-Some ones have a learning curve that is not rewarding in the final result
-Most of modern plugins are CPU hogs that don't give you a option to turn off oversampling (sometimes it's a hog without OS ) and i can get restricted in the middle of my project without CPU headroom.
-Filters are powerful tools
-Compressors are powerful tools
-Any kind of saturation is available. I choose my favorite flavours and just forget about some saturation/preamp magic, because it really can destroy a song if you used too much "analog emulations" on your projects.
-Don't want a lot of synths or virtual instruments. The best of each type (horns, drums, keys, synths, etc) is ok for me, because i like crafting my tone.


And i don't feel i'm missing anything if my sound is already the way i want in some manner. Yesterday i was searching for a mixing limiter because i wasnt happy with the ones i had used. I ended up choosing TrackLimit, a plugin that i already had and never used, and became so happy with the results it gave me that i don't even look at more modern tools, even the brand new purelimit by sonible didnt fit my tasks they way this one did. So... I don't know if i really NEED that much.

 

Its not the plug ins them themselves. Its the new added features, capabilities and updates. Antares for example

 

When it comes to instruments I need every flavor that I can afford.
for example - I love Juno-106 sound, so I use Roland version, Softube version, Arturia and TAL version. Oh, and even Cherry Audio. Each of these models the same instrument. But each sounds different and I need this variety. I think it is a personal preference - if you hear that plugin is useful, keep it, if it only takes a space on HDD, get rid of it. But, for me - having many plugins is also nice kick off for inspiration. I take some plugin that I haven't use for a longer time nad explore. It is rewarding, surprising and refreshing experience. And it makes music more interesting for me.

 

I made music I liked on a Portastudio with nothing but a Roland chorus and delay. Anything more is gravy.

GET OFF MY LAWN!

 

Joke's on you, i clicked to rage on the clickbait itself, but i see your point.

Personally i don't think there's anything wrong with trying new stuff, as long as you don't depend on it and remain objective, which can be a bit difficult for some people when BS marketing and tutorials/courses are a thing (even if they are not sposored, you might feel tempted to try the plugins they are using).

And although you're talking about plugins, let's not forget that sistersite is not just about that. There's sample packs, books, sound FX, field recordings, skins, all that stuff AND that juicy AS feed. It's like window shopping before getting to the main place. You may not get anything, but it's fun to just look around.

 

My before and after hoarding plugins... you can decide for yourself.

 

Don't mind me, I'm too busy to reply cause downloading the latest Kontakt libs releases...

 

rock-paper-scissors and a bottle of beer. who needs vsts? I want Clap!

 

A fool with a tool is still a fool.

 

well, I said that to myself year ago in 2022, heck I don't even need 100 of these:

 

If i think of all the stuff floating around we only need the new softube atlantis dual chambers, like for real.

 

we still need metatune its the best pitch shifting vst out there with retune speed -3 ive provided to MOCHA and im waiting for an answer or release

 

I don't know about your methodology: how you can prove that each person who clicked-other than being interested in finding out more about a plugin-is either compulsive like you or manages their plug ins like you?
This IS the best time to be interested in plug ins LOL, and I assume MOST members here are VERY interested.
So on the contrary, I encourage you all to keep downloading and trying, it is not greed, it's enthusiasm.
Some have the passion for creating devices and others for using them,
at the end of the day, the quantity, how many you own, keep installed etc...is nobody's business,
but if you feel guilty and need to confess, maybe their should be warez anonymous or something LOL

 

Seem to have ruffled some feathers today haha

But thank you everyone for your responses, it seems i'm not alone lol.

I like the suggestion of condensing into 2-3 tools for every aspect.

Gonna look at my collection and see what can go (already did this in November and cleared over 500 plugins) but cutting down to the barebones could be the move.

And then if you want to bring something in, you have to take one away (unless it's unique) like a one in one out system

Let's see where this year takes me (hopefully not refreshing DECiBELLE's AZ page)