9. Resources & Tools
Things That Help You Feel More. Not Just Mix Better.
Let’s be honest: we’ve all spent too much time downloading plugins we didn’t
need and auditioning reverb presets like we were casting a Broadway play.
But over time, you start to realize: a small, personal toolkit—full of tools you
know how to use emotionally—beats a massive VST graveyard any day.
Here are some go-to plugins, tools, books, and resources that align with a
feel-first approach to mixing.
Plug-ins That Serve the Vibe
These are tools that either add character, enhance movement, or get out
of the way when they need to.
EQ & Compression
- Waves CLA MixHub – A flexible SSL-style channel strip built for fast
workflow, punchy EQ moves, and shaping drums or guitars with attitude. - Waves CLA-76 – Yes, it’s overused, but it does make vocals pop.
- FabFilter Pro-Q3 – Transparent and visual; great for fixing gently.
Saturation & Distortion - Soundtoys Decapitator – Like yelling into a warm, expensive pillow
- FabFilter Saturn 2 – Surgical or sludgy, depending on your mood
- iZotope Trash 2 (still great) – Absolute chaos, in the best way
- Avid SansAmp – Old-school, unforgiving, and perfect for ruining things
just right.
Delay & Echo Effects - Soundtoys EchoBoy – The Swiss Army knife of delays. From tape wobble
to pristine slap, it oozes character and vibe. - Line 6 Echo Farm – A digital museum of vintage delay boxes. Gritty, weird,
and wonderfully unpolished. - Waves H-Delay – Big, bold, and unpredictable when pushed. Analog grit
with digital flexibility. - D16 Repeater – A dual-engine delay that nails vintage tone without the
clutter. From gritty tape slap to ping-pong space, it’s versatile, warm,
and easy to dial in.
Reverb & Space - UAD or Relab 480 – The classic Lexicon sound: lush, deep, and endlessly
musical. - Slate Verbsuite Classics – A greatest-hits reverb collection. Plate, hall,
room—all the moods, all the shine. - Soundtoys Little Plate – One trick, but a beautiful one. Dense, warm, and
effortless. Sounds like the past trying to be the future. - Make Believe Studios DBVerb – A sleeper hit for drums. Presets are
weirdly spot-on: Small, Medium, Large—no mystery, just instant vibe.
Books & References
Not technical manuals—creative bibles. - Mixing With Your Mind by Michael Stavrou – Half madman, half genius.
Trust his instincts. - Zen and the Art of Mixing by Mixerman – More about philosophy than
technique, which is the point. - Behind the Glass by Howard Massey – Conversations with legendary
producers; priceless mindset stuff - How Music Works by David Byrne – For understanding why we do any of
this.
Feel-First Mentors on YouTube
These are people whose instincts, not just gear, are worth studying. Find them
across interviews, live sessions, and guest features. When in doubt, follow the
person, not the platform.
Chris Lord-Alge – His YouTube appearances on various channels reveal a
mixer who leads with instinct, not hesitation. Watching CLA is a reminder that
great mixes aren’t over analyzed—they’re felt, fast, and fiercely committed.
Serban Ghenea – Harder to find, but worth the hunt. Study every interview,
seminar, or breakdown you can get. Serban’s invisible signature is a masterclass
in restraint, depth, and emotional calibration.
Andrew Scheps – Whether it’s Mix With The Masters, his PureMix tutorials, or
podcast interviews—Scheps always drops thoughtful gems. He’s the rare tech
head who’s also philosophical.
Tchad Blake – Watch him talk about mono, saturation, weird mic placements—
then realize how much of it is driven by taste. Tchad doesn’t explain as much
as he vibes, but there’s deep method behind the madness.
Personal Tools You Might Forget - A notebook or voice memo app: to write what you felt before you start
mixing - Your favorite reference song: the one that still moves you, even if it’s
“wrong” technically - Your room, imperfect as it is: get to know it, embrace it, and stop blaming
it
You don’t need more tools. You need deeper relationships with the tools you already
have.