Compressor/EQ scams. Thoughts on AP Mastering's research?

Discussion in 'Mixing and Mastering' started by hed0rah, Apr 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM.

?

Are expensive EQs/Compressors worth the money?

  1. Yes

    33.3%
  2. No

    66.7%
  1. Lois Lane

    Lois Lane Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2019
    Messages:
    5,328
    Likes Received:
    5,364
    Location:
    Somewhere Over The Rainbow
  2. theantididdy

    theantididdy Newbie

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2011
    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    NY
    This guy's content has been popping up a lot as of late. I don't have the technical background that would allow me to truly argue the claims that he makes in his various videos. I will say this. People have been using their DAW's stock plugins to get amazing sounding records for decades. It's always been that it's not about the gear, but how you use it. You probably can get many stock plugs to sound like their expensive, third party counterparts. As others have mentioned though, this might be a more time consuming process. The outboard gear emulations of brands like UAD are definitely very close (imo). Can you get similar sounds from stock compressor plugins? Sure. Doesn't mean I don't want to try out some UAD plugs.I have a bunch actually.

    The main thing... I find his online persona to be a bit grating. He's tapping into the classic "negative engagement" strategy. It's effective. We're talking about his content. But I'd also suspect that there's a Dunning Kruger affect at play. He's obviously a bright guy. But I don't trust that his own experiments aren't without some sort of bias baked in, which is affecting his conclusions. But again, I don't have the knowledge to debunk him, nor do I believe that to be a good use of my time. I'll just keep making music.
     
  3. Bunford

    Bunford Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2012
    Messages:
    2,629
    Likes Received:
    1,012
    This. And this AP Mastering guy is the antithesis to this in the way he presents and argues stuff, smacking of elitism and superiority whilst at the same time discouraging the art of making music. Take note, the "ART". I'm sure Van Gogh could use dollar shop paints and come up with a far better painting than me with top grade professional paints. It's not the tools you have, nor how good they are, but how effective you are in creating your art with them, and this AP Mastering goon totally misses this point looking at music creation and production as a black/white, good/bad, right/wrong type of thing instead of the artistic expression it is, regardless what tools you use and manipulate to YOUR needs and taste. F*** this guy and block his YouTube channel would be my advice as nobody needs this much elitism and negative in their lives :rofl:
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
  4. zpaces

    zpaces Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2016
    Messages:
    381
    Likes Received:
    185
    Plugin developers don't care about our sound. They only are about the money they can earn.
    Marketing is everything, so I think in some parts the scam is real.
     
  5. Zenarcist

    Zenarcist Audiosexual

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2012
    Messages:
    4,376
    Likes Received:
    2,796
    Location:
    Planet Earth
    I buy plugins for the UI, not their sound.
     
    Last edited: Apr 14, 2025 at 8:46 PM
    • Love it! Love it! x 2
    • Like Like x 1
    • List
Loading...
Similar Threads - Compressor scams Thoughts Forum Date
Budget compressor Soundgear Apr 4, 2025
Deal Compressor March 28, 2025 | New Releases & Music Software News Software News Mar 28, 2025
[SOLVED] Is Sonimus N Console a... compressor? Software Mar 21, 2025
glue compressor compared to ableton glue Software Feb 16, 2025
Most flexible compressor for automation Software Jan 21, 2025
Loading...