🌟 A word from the Editor
👋 Hey What’s up! My name is Shawn, but you can call me “Paps”. I am a Music Producer, Software Dev and Creative based out of Central Florida. This newsletter is all about bridging the gap between tech & creativity, and helping you build your creative life and/or career. If you’re new here, thanks for looking. Consider subscribing if you like this week’s article!
When I started recording my first band back in 2012, I had a Macbook with a copy of Garageband, and a USB to 1/4” guitar cable for capturing riffs into a signal chain consisting of the “Brown Tone” preset on the stock amp sim, the “SoCal” midi drum kit, and “Picked Bass” preset for bass guitar.
Back then, in-the-box recording was not even half as capable as today. Plugin & recording technology has exploded at an exponential rate, and it is changing the landscape for modern music production.
Though I don’t believe that plugins alone will replace producers & engineers, I do see a fundamental shift in how music is created. Hit records are being made in bedrooms rather than multi-million dollar studios, and pro-level digital tools can be had with very small investment.
Production starts at the artist level now. And as an engineer, I believe that artists should learn the basics of recording because it saves time, money, and allows for more exploration of ideas, which leads to better songs.
Fast forward to today, and the tools available make it easier than ever to get pro-sounding demos that can actually hold up in a mix. I’ve narrowed down three plugins that have completely leveled up my writing sessions. These aren’t just “nice to have” — they let me focus on ideas instead of getting stuck wrestling with sounds.
Great songwriting needs drums that feel inspiring. One Kit Wonder is my go-to for fast, realistic drum tones without getting bogged down in programming. The kits are mix-ready right out of the box, so I can pull up a groove, tweak a couple of faders, and suddenly the riff I’m working on has the punch of a real drummer. It keeps the energy high in the room — which is everything when writing.
Bass can be tricky in a home recording setup. Direct-in tracks often sound thin or lifeless, and if you don’t nail the low end, the whole song feels flat. Nolly Bass takes care of that instantly. It gives me tight, defined bass tones with zero fuss, whether I need clean support or aggressive drive. The beauty of it is I don’t have to stop and overthink — I just load it up and the mix locks in.
Vocals are usually the hardest thing to demo convincingly without pro-level gear and processing. Mantra Vocals changed that for me. With its chain of high-quality processing, it gives my scratch vocals the polish they need to sit in the mix. That means I can actually hear how a song feels with vocals on top while writing, rather than waiting until the “real” studio session. It’s a game-changer for capturing ideas that might otherwise feel unfinished.
4.Amp Sim - Dealer’s Choice
At this point, I’m not too worried about amp sims. There are so many good ones available that it comes down to preference — but I will say, investing in a solid set of impulse responses (IRs) is worth it. A good IR can transform any amp sim into something mix-ready and inspiring.
These days, it’s all about removing friction between idea and execution. And when you’re chasing down inspiration, speed matters more than anything else.
What’s your favorite plugin right now? Drop it in the comments and let me know.
ICYMI: Last week, I revealed that my friend Julie and I are working on a networking platform for music industry professionals that aims to revolutionize the way the music industry connects. It’s called //TOURPASS and you should check it out.
Want a sneak peek 👀 : Join the Tourpass beta program, where you will get early access to Tourpass before anyone else, as well as all of the latest and greatest features moving forward. Click below to join for free (the more the merrier!) 🙂
Build fast. Break Stuff. Have Fun.