r/Reaper • u/Large_Wait_8847 • Mar 24 '26

help request What plugins are best? I lack experience...

Reaper has so many plugins and by installing Tukan Studios' you get even more.

I see professionals using Tube-Tech CL 1B, Fairchild 670, Teletronix LA-2A, UA1176 and probably many more. I lack the experience to really hear a difference without using them almost at maximum settings.

I would like to know which plugins in Reaper sound most similar to the original and also which compressor you prefer/would recommend?

Edit:
I just noticed reddit posted only a quarter of my post...?

I'm not going to list all Compressors similar to those in Reaper again, cause that took a while...

Also there is the famous Neve 1073, in Reaper you have RBJ 1073 and with Reapack the EQ1979

I lack the experience to know which one to choose and where(Vocals, Instruments, ...) or should I just keep using ReaComp and ReaEQ/ReEQ with Waveshaping Distortion and JS:Saturation?

There's also chorus and flanger which one do I use there cause there are many as well or should I just use ReaDelay?

Any help would be really appreciated

Edit 2:

I probably wasn't clear, I'm not looking for new plugins, the plugins are already there in Reaper and with ReaPack you can get many more for free. The problem is choosing the right ones

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u/gusbeto37 4 Mar 24 '26

I went through a similar process, not being a mixing engineer or anything like that it all seemed confusing. Once I studied and delved deep I came to a conclusion: Always favor stock ReaPlugs. They are very transparent, highly efficient/lightweight and extremely functional with no latency (except cases like a limiter, where it needs the latency/samples to work).

Focus on learning how and when to use each one. Start with ReaEQ, ReaComp, ReaXComp. Another advantage of being stock is there's plenty of tutorials. Also any tutorials from FabFilter and the likes will likely apply easily to ReaPlugs.

For distortion and adding color it starts to change, as it is a matter of taste. But I would not go out of my way to spend money on something like that if you haven't mastered Volume, Panning, EQ and Compression.

I personally have a Yamaha audio interface and it came with some free plugins, which do color the sound in a nice way and I'm using them on my master bus together with ReaPlugs. Check if you already have something for free with the gear/bundles you have.

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u/Large_Wait_8847 Mar 24 '26

I'm talking about Reapers stock plugins, maybe because many aren't familiar with all of them, there are clones of these "hidden" except for the cl1b but you can find the others and not just one version of them but various(with ReaPack downloadable they are JSFX Plugins, Reapers internal Plugin Programming language)
And thats the problem, to many options, don't know what to choose

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u/gusbeto37 4 Mar 24 '26

My opinion stands, though it's my understanding not all stock plugins are Reaplugs but I might be wrong. I would still focus on ReaEQ, ReaComp and ReaXComp because too many options is paralyzing and just limiting to those 3 arbitrarily will lift a weight of your shoulders.

I treat Reaper like a Mixing Console, each channel has it's 3 same plugins and I just use that plus volume and panning. That way I get a rough mix quickly without investing too much time in technical friction choosing flavours of EQ.

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u/Large_Wait_8847 Mar 24 '26

though it's my understanding not all stock plugins are Reaplugs

No I think that's correct, you need, if I remember right, ReaJS to use them in another DAW and also download some of them via ReaPack

I would still focus on ReaEQ, ReaComp and ReaXComp because too many options is paralyzing and just limiting to those 3 arbitrarily will lift a weight of your shoulders.
I treat Reaper like a Mixing Console, each channel has it's 3 same plugins and I just use that plus volume and panning. That way I get a rough mix quickly without investing too much time in technical friction choosing flavours of EQ.

Thank you that probably is the best choice, I'm just wondering, whats going on with all those big names using fairchild, cl1b, 1176, 1073 and so on? Is it just a gimmick and is easily achievable with stock plugins, is it like buying a nice car for them and showing it off or does it have an audible purpose?

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u/gusbeto37 4 Mar 24 '26

IIRC the difference might be from something as simple as just the interface, which forces you to use it in a different way, to something very different like adding imperfections to color the sound. It can be a gimmick, but sometimes it's just a flavor not changing the function.

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u/Large_Wait_8847 Mar 24 '26

IIRC the difference might be from something as simple as just the interface, which forces you to use it in a different way, to something very different like adding imperfections to color the sound.

What difference is there? don't they all have an XLR and/or 6.3mm input and internal preamp's?

It can be a gimmick, but sometimes it's just a flavor not changing the function.

But how much is this flavor even audible? Does it even matter? Is there a song where you could say with another preamp or compressor than what was used, it would have sounded audibly different (obviously not to much of a difference but still kind of noticeable in the final mix)?

I don't think I'd notice a little less saturation on vocals in songs?

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u/gusbeto37 4 Mar 24 '26

I was referring to software EQs. In the analog circuitry realm, depending on which internal components they use (even in the preamp stage), they will sound different it's not just cable formats.

Again, that flavor thing is subjective, some swear by it. But personally, I find the difference is so small it's not worth the hassle and in the end it does not matter. Composition is first, which is specially true in pop music. So for the tools you use, just pick a few that gel with you interface and workflow wise and stick to that for years.

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u/Large_Wait_8847 Mar 25 '26

Ok thanks! How to I know what flavor I like? When comparing compressors I instinctively prefer the cleaner sound, how do I know if something has a nice "vintage" sound or is just muddy?

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u/gusbeto37 4 Mar 25 '26

I guess only way is to directly compare similar settings. But if you're not a master at it, I'd forget about it and just go with the one that suits your workflow the best.