Top 10 Best VSTs You Need in 2024

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their top 10 favorite VSTs for music production, offering a mix of powerful plugins designed to enhance sound quality and creativity. From synthesizers like The Prince by Cradle and Analog Lab to practical tools like Scala 2 and Serato Sample, the video covers a range of VSTs that cater to various production needs. The creator provides personal insights into each VST’s strengths, demonstrating their use for genres like trap, electronic, and orchestral music. This guide is perfect for producers looking to upgrade their toolkit and streamline their workflow.

Takeaways

• 😀 90% of VSTs are not worth the money, but the right ones can shape your sound and elevate your production.
• 😀 Hardware synths offer great sound quality but can be expensive and non-portable; software VSTs like 'The Prince by Cradle' provide a great solution.
• 😀 'The Prince by Cradle' is designed by Frank Dukes and emulates real synthesizers very well, offering lush and deep sounds.
• 😀 'Analog Lab' by Arturia is a great VST for trap producers, offering realistic emulations of classic synths like the Juno-106 and a vast sound library.
• 😀 Moog’s 'Moo Mariana' brings the same powerful sound as the Sub37 hardware, making it ideal for chunky basses and experimental sounds.
• 😀 'Trifecta' by Jacob is perfect for trap producers, providing three sounds in one VST and tools for quickly generating chord progressions without needing music theory knowledge.
• 😀 'Flowmotion' by Waves is a hidden gem for ambient sounds, offering airy pads and sequences with customizable oscillators for unique textures.
• 😀 'Kontakt' by Native Instruments is the go-to for realistic instrument sounds, such as strings, brass, and pianos, with a wide range of third-party packs available.
• 😀 'Addictive Keys' is a reliable VST for realistic piano sounds, especially the upright piano, and can be used to create layered, deep piano textures.
• 😀 'Scala 2' is a powerful tool for producers who are not confident with music theory, allowing them to create full chord progressions based on scale and genre.
• 😀 'Arcade' by Output is a loop-based VST for adding creative loops and samples to your beats, with specialized packs like ethnic and vocal chops for extra flavor.
• 😀 'Serum' by Xfer Records is a top choice for sound design, particularly for electronic music genres like house and techno, known for its versatility and powerful features.

Q & A

Why does the speaker recommend the Prince by Cradle app VST?

The speaker recommends the Prince by Cradle app VST because it effectively emulates real synthesizers, delivering high-quality sounds similar to those produced by hardware synths, while being more portable and cost-effective.

What makes Analog Lab VST special compared to other synthesizer plugins?

Analog Lab VST is special because it emulates real analog synthesizers like the Juno 106 and comes with a massive library of sounds. It also allows for further customization of sounds and includes third-party preset banks, making it highly versatile for various musical styles.

What is the benefit of using the Moo Mariana VST, according to the speaker?

The Moo Mariana VST is praised for its experimental sounds, especially for basses and leads. It's created by the same company behind the Sub37 synthesizer, ensuring a high level of sound quality and authenticity in the plugin's design.

How does the Trifecta VST enhance the beat-making process?

The Trifecta VST is designed to simplify the beat-making process for trap producers. It features three sounds in one, with various parameters to adjust the textures of sounds. It also includes features like reverse and half-time effects, and even has a chord progression cheat code for users unfamiliar with music theory.

Why is Flow Motion by Waves considered a valuable tool for producers?

Flow Motion by Waves is valued for its ambient and spacious sounds, particularly pads, ops, and sequences. It's a versatile tool that allows users to adjust oscillators and create effects, making it useful for atmospheric sounds in music production.

What type of sounds does the Kontakt Player VST specialize in?

The Kontakt Player VST specializes in realistic instrument sounds, particularly strings, pianos, and woodwinds. It also supports third-party sound libraries, providing a wide variety of instruments and textures for producers.

What makes Addictive Keys stand out among other piano VSTs?

Addictive Keys stands out for its high-quality piano sounds, particularly the studio grand and upright piano presets. It's reliable and versatile, working well for different types of piano-based compositions and providing excellent sound design flexibility.

How does Scala 2 help producers who lack music theory knowledge?

Scala 2 helps producers without strong music theory knowledge by allowing them to easily generate full chord progressions. The VST provides scales and chords based on genre, and users can capture and modify chord progressions without needing to play complex melodies on the keyboard.

What is the unique feature of Arcade by Output in music production?

Arcade by Output is unique for its loop-based approach, offering a large library of loops that can be customized and altered in real time. It includes features like key and scale adjustments, as well as creative effects, making it ideal for adding variety and 'ear candy' to melodies.

How does Serato Sample differ from stock sample chop tools in DAWs?

Serato Sample is a more advanced tool for chopping samples compared to stock DAW tools. It automatically detects key and BPM, aligns the sample to the project, and offers visual chopping and detailed control over sample editing, making it more user-friendly and precise.