Here's a list of 5 of my most used plugins, a brief description of their sound, and how I tend to use them.
1. SSL Channel Strip - Softube Console 1 SSL4000 and Waves SSL4000
With my love of mixing on the SSL 4000, it should come as no surprise that I make a lot of use out of SSL 4000 channel strip emulations. The one I use most often is the Softube Console 1 emulation. It's eq curve emulations are the most true to my experiences with the console, particularly in the high end. I use the Softube Console 1 on most individual channels when I want the familiar curves of the SSL console.
The downside to the Softube is that its compressor doesn't use the same fixed attack settings from the console (either fast or normal - program dependent). That's where the Waves emulation comes in handy. Great snap in normal attack, great control in fast attack mode.
Used on shaping individual tracks.
2. 1176 - UAD 1176 Bundle and Waves CLA-76
Ah, the good ol' 1176 compressor. The working man's compressor. It seems to work on anything. Each one of these emulations from UA and Waves have a unique tone and crunching action.
I find the UA rev A (blue stripe) has a really beautiful, lush tone that works great on lead vocals, some guitars that need added smoothness and depth, and the occasional snare. UA rev E (black face) has a harder edge, and gets the play on bass, snare, and guitars that need more edge.
Waves CLA-76 Bluey is super aggressive with a great in your face quality. It gets used on vocals, and various drum tracks. The CLA-76 Blacky is a little more buttery (if you can ever call an 1176 buttery) and works from time to time on bass, vocals, and percussion.
3. DMG EQuillibrium
This EQ is incredible. Seriously. It is the best sounding, most flexible, most outrageously complex and yet best designed EQ I've ever used. By far.
It can be constituted in its settings to be very light on processor power -or- you can make one instance of it choke all the power your machine can muster.
This is my go to EQ for everything. It is a carving machine. It is unstoppable.
I use it on individual tracks for shaping, I've used it many times on the master bus, and I use it regularly in mastering.
4. API 2500 - UA API 2500 and Waves API 2500
The API 2500 compressor has a great tone that it imparts on any program material it touches. Each of these emulations has its own "shade" of that tone.
The Waves emulation is snappy and sharp. Even when applying no gain reduction, it adds a top end presence and blocky thickness to the low mids. I've used this on drum bus in the past, and still use it on some acoustic guitars.
The UA API 2500 has a more chunky weight than its Waves sister. It gives a great grit and girth to the signal. Its compression action is much more useful than the Waves version. And I LOVE that UA added a mix knob to this amazing sounding emulation.
Great on drum bus, and anything that needs added weight and girth.
5. Decapitator - Soundtoys
There is so much that can be done with this plugin. It can mangle and distroy audio, blow it up sky high, and add copious amounts of grit and distortion.
But...it can also be used to add a tasteful amount of sizzle, warmth, grit, energy to any track or bus it touches. The tonal variations and energy enhancements this plugin holds in its deceptively simple form are a blast to use.
I'd suggest getting to know the presets that come with the plugin to figure out what all the Decapitator can do.
Used on anything that needs harmonic enrichment or added warmth or energy...vocals, drums, bass, guitar...everything.
Well there you have it - those are 5 of my currently most used plugins. This list changes a little bit from time to time, but I made an effort to keep this list to the ones I think I will use for years to come.
I have buckets and buckets of other plugins that I enjoy using (we didn't even get to reverbs, delays, and modulation!), but these 5 are the staples that get used on almost every mix.
Try em out, and I hope you have as much fun with them as I do!
-Ty