When I am finalizing my tracks and mixes I use a process called a “shootout” where I compare every similar tool in my extensive collection and then choose the VERY best one for the final.

In rare cases a stock device will beat ALL competitors. Here is a list of such use cases. Hopefully they will help, and you will not be quite AS dismissive of your DAW’s stock devices.

AMP ON VOCALS

Set to clean mode, mono only, 2-5% wet. NOTHING is quite as good for bringing a centred brightness to my vocals that pushes them to the front of the mix.

EROSION ON SUBS

Nothing is better for bringing that little touch of noise to the highs on a sub bass. Set to “wide noise” mode, filter up to the very top, add depth and filter width to taste.

ALIGN DELAY INSTEAD OF TRACK OFFSET

Track delay causes all kinds of latency issues, but the new Ableton Align Delay is the perfect, minimal tool for this job. I find myself using it more and more, every track in my session and every drum in my kit will have tiny offsets added with the Align Delay.

OTT

Obviously…

HYBRID REVERB CONVOLUTION

I changed my Hybrid Reverb default to convolution only and use it as a 0 latency convolution ALL OVER the place. Using the IR recorder I made impulse responses for my Empress hardware reverb and they’ve become my go to. I own a LOT of reverbs and Hybrid Reverb on convolution only mode is the one I reach for.

ECHO's NON-DELAY FEATURES

I find myself using Ableton’s stock Echo effect for things other than delay quite often. Set to 100% wet, <10ms time, no input filtering and no feedback it becomes a simple time offset, only I can add noise, wow and flutter, and tape drive at the input. Nothing else compares.

SPECTRAL RESONATOR AS A VOCODER

It’s not a vocoder but I like it better than ALL of my other vocoders! I demonstrated this technique for Ableton when they had me do a track breakdown for the Chicago user group to launch Live 11. I show how it works at around 22 mins into this video here: https://youtu.be/HpuymC2_4ws

MASCHINE FREQUENCY SHIFTER

The stock frequency shifter in NI Maschine often wins shootouts too. Not doing anything abnormal either… it’s just my favourite frequency shifter algorithm because it sounds the nicest imho.

Alright!

That’s probably enough to get this thread going. Hopefully the community will find it useful.

Please contribute your own shootout-winning stock device tips in the comments.

All the best!

Dylan aka ill.Gates