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My Favorite VSTs
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Garrett Mickley profile picture
Garrett Mickley
These VSTs are the ones I use across all of my music projects. Many of them are used on every track.
Sections
4
 
Synths
 
Drums
 
FX
 
Mixing + Mastering

Synths

These VSTs are different types of “soft-synths” aka synthesizer plugins.

 
Garrett Mickley profile picture
I use this across the board for synthesizers and drum sounds, though mostly these days for the synths.
Output Arcade - The hitmakers' favorite playable sampler and ...
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Garrett Mickley profile picture
This is mostly used to host other VSTs. It has a cool function where you can layer different synths and play them at the same time.
Samplers : Kontakt 8 | Komplete - Native Instruments
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Garrett Mickley profile picture
I’m still using the original Massive a lot.
Massive – polyphonic software synthesizer - Native Instruments
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Garrett Mickley profile picture
This is the primary bass plugin I use, often stacked with something from Massive (in Komplete) and then with Thermal thrown on it.
Substance - Powerful Bass Engine - Output
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Drums

These VSTs are plugins used to generate, modify, and/or organize drum sounds.

 
Garrett Mickley profile picture
This is a quick way to find good loops that are in Arcade.
The fastest way to find samples that fit - Output
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Garrett Mickley profile picture
This is a really fantastic plugin for layering drums and adding effects all in one spot. I really like the randomization feature to get new ideas and tweak from there.
Polyplex
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FX

These VSTs are effects plugins used to enhance and modify sounds.

 
Garrett Mickley profile picture
Distortion of choice. The only distortion plugin I use.
Thermal - Interactive Distortion Engine - Output
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Garrett Mickley profile picture
This is a great plugin to add some…movement.
Movement - Powerful Rhythm Engine | Output
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Garrett Mickley profile picture
I use this as a glitch plugin for studio recordings. I use a different one in my live sets.
Portal - Granular Synthesis Engine, Made Musical - Output
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Mixing + Mastering

These VSTs are added to a song last and add that final bit of polish.

 
Garrett Mickley profile picture
This is what I use for mastering. It's the only plugin I use for mastering as of right now.
Ozone 11 | iZotope Audio Mastering Software
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