Producing EDM: Essential Plugins and Tools
What are the essential plugins needed for producing EDM music?
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) demands a high level of precision, creativity, and technical know-how. This is where plugins and digital tools come into play, giving music producers the necessary sounding design features and mixing capabilities for a world-class final product. In this article, we explore some of the most indispensable plugins and tools every EDM producer needs in their arsenal.
Software Synthesizers
Software synthesizers play a crucial role in EDM production. They generate electronic sounds through a myriad of waveforms and manipulation processes to help craft your desired tone.
Serum
Serum by Xfer Records is an advanced wavetable synthesizer with a visual and creative workflow-oriented interface. It delivers a clear, detailed and highly versatile sound. The real-time wavetable manipulation provides the capability to stack multiple waveforms for richer and more complex synth sounds.
Massive
Native Instruments’ Massive is a staple in EDM production, known for its beefy sounds and flexibility. Massive provides a range of wave-scanning oscillators, modulation options and filters. Whether it’s punchy bass lines, piercing leads or atmospheric pads, Massive can do it all.
Effect Plugins
From enriching the sound to creating mind-boggling effects, these plugins introduce creative ways to enhance EDM tracks.
FabFilter Pro-Q3
The FabFilter Pro-Q3 is a high-precision equalizer plugin that gives you surgical control over your mixes. With up to 24 EQ bands and an excellent visual display, you can make precise and measured adjustments to your sound. It’s an essential tool for mixing and mastering EDM tracks.
Valhalla VintageVerb
A good reverb is essential for creating space and depth in your mix. Valhalla VintageVerb is known as an excellent reverb plugin for EDM. It provides a rich range of different reverb algorithms, from classic hardware inspired reverbs to more surreal spaces.
Drum Plugins
No EDM track is complete without a solid rhythmic backbone. Here are a couple of drum plugins that can give you the drum sounds you’re seeking.
Xfer Records SerumFX
Xfer Records’ SerumFX is a versatile and high-quality tool for creating and processing drum sounds. Its direct and visual approach to sound design makes it easy to craft intricate kicks, snares, and percussive sounds.
Sonic Academy Kick 2
Kick 2 from Sonic Academy is a dedicated kick drum synthesizer that allows you to design the kick sounds that perfectly match your tracks. With a user-friendly interface and numerous presets, Kick 2 is perfect for customizing and tweaking your kick sounds to perfection.
In conclusion, these tools and plugins provide a plethora of sound design and processing possibilities that can help turn your ideas into high-quality EDM tracks. However, the most important ingredient in the mix is still the creative vision of the producer.