<h3 class="h3ResourceTitle">[[*longtitle]]</h3>

<h5 class="h5ResourceCategoryLinks"><a href="#freeware">FREEWARE TOP TEN</a> -- <a href="#crossplatform">AFFORDABLE CROSS-PLATFORM SOFTWARE</a> -- <a href="#glossaries">GLOSSARIES</a> -- <a href="#forums">FORUMS</a> -- <a href="#interviews"> PRODUCER INTERVIEWS</a></h5>


<h3 class="h3ResourceCategory"><a name="freeware">MIXING SECRETS FREEWARE TOP TEN</a></h3>

<p>I've made more than 200 software recommendations in these resource pages, but if you're short on time then here's a shortlist of my own favourite freeware sources:</p>

<img class="imgMSTopTenLogo" src="[[$sitePrefixCMT]]SitePix/MSFreewareAward_Medium72dpiHorizontal.jpg">

<ul>

<li><strong><a href="http://antress.er-webs.com/">Antress</a></strong></br>The large [[$software_AntressModern_PluginCollection]] includes many plug-ins designed to emulate classic analogue hardware.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.knufinke.de">Christian Knufinke</a></strong><br>The [[$software_ChristianKnufinke_SIR]] plug-in is a great basic convolution engine. Here are some good all-purpose reverb impulse responses to use with it: ambiences <span class="spanExampleFile">(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/ambiences.zip">2MB ZIP</a>)</span>, chambers <span class="spanExampleFile">(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/chambers.zip">5MB ZIP</a>)</span>, halls <span class="spanExampleFile">(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/hall.zip">12MB ZIP</a>)</span>, plates <span class="spanExampleFile">(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/plate.zip">5MB ZIP</a>)</span>, and rooms <span class="spanExampleFile">(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/rooms.zip">3MB ZIP</a>)</span>, all care of the <a href="[[$URL_Echochamber_ImpulseLibrary]]">Echochamber</a> site.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.cockos.com">Cockos</a></strong><br>The flexible [[$software_Cockos_ReaPlugs]] bundle includes <a href="http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/ReaEQ"><i>ReaEQ</i></a>, <a href="http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/ReaGate"><i>ReaGate</i></a>, <a href="http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/ReaComp"><i>ReaComp</i></a>, <a href="http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/ReaXcomp"><i>ReaXcomp</i></a>, <a href="http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/ReaDelay"><i>ReaDelay</i></a>, <a href="http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/ReaFIR"><i>ReaFIR</i></a>, and the <i>ReaJS</i> <a href="http://wiki.cockos.com/wiki/index.php/Jesusonic_Effects_Documentation">Jesusonic effects</a> host.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.fluxhome.com">Flux</a></strong><br>The home of [[$software_Flux_StereoTool]] and [[$software_Flux_BitterSweet]].<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.gvst.co.uk/">GVST</a></strong><br>A great range of little workhorses, including [[$software_GVST_GGain]], [[$software_GVST_GFader]], <a href="http://www.gvst.co.uk/ghi.htm"><i>GHi</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin]], [[$software_GVST_GClip]], <a href="http://www.gvst.co.uk/gsnap.htm"><i>GSnap</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin]], <a href="http://www.gvst.co.uk/beta.htm"><i>GRect</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin]], <a href="http://www.gvst.co.uk/beta.htm"><i>GStereo</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin]], <a href="http://www.gvst.co.uk/gtune.htm"><i>GTune</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin]], and <a href="http://www.gvst.co.uk/gduckdly.htm"><i>GDuckDly</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin]].<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://mda.smartelectronix.com/">Mda</a></strong><br>A great bundle of cross-platform open-source plug-ins, including [[$software_Mda_Combo]], [[$software_Mda_Leslie]], [[$software_Mda_Detune]], [[$software_Mda_SubSynth]], and [[$software_Mda_TestTone]].<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.meldaproduction.com">Melda Production</a></strong><br>A powerful plug-in suite including [[$software_Melda_MAnalyzer]], [[$software_Melda_MStereoScope]], [[$software_Melda_MEqualizer]], [[$software_Melda_MCompressor]], [[$software_Melda_MPhaser]], [[$software_Melda_MFlanger]], [[$software_Melda_MVibrato]], [[$software_Melda_MTremolo]], and [[$software_Melda_MAutopan]].<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.platinumears.com">Platinumears</a></strong><br>The home of the powerful [[$software_Platinumears_IQ4]] dynamic EQ plug-in.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]">Variety Of Sound</a></strong><br>Here you can find a great range of plug-ins, including <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>BootEQ</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]], <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>PreFIX</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]], <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>Density</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]], <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>ThrillseekerVBL/LA/XTC</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]], <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>FerricTDS</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]], <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>Nasty VCS</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]], <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>TesslaSE/PRO</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]], <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>Nasty DLA</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]] and <a href="[[$URL_VarietyOfSound_VSTs]]"><i>EpicVerb</i></a>[[$softwareLogoWin32bit]].<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.voxengo.com">Voxengo</a></strong><br>Lots of excellent freeware here, including [[$software_Voxengo_MSED]], [[$software_Voxengo_MarvelGEQ]], [[$software_Voxengo_SPAN]], [[$software_Voxengo_TubeAmp]], [[$software_Voxengo_Boogex]], and [[$software_Voxengo_OldSkoolVerb]].<br><br></li>

</ul>


<h3 class="h3ResourceCategory"><a name="crossplatform">AFFORDABLE CROSS-PLATFORM SOFTWARE</a></h3>

<p>I've tried to mention appropriate cross-platform software options in every chapter page, but here are some of my overall top tips -- they're not all freeware, but they are all excellent value:</p>

<ul>

[[$MSRecommendedLogo]]<br><br>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.fluxworx-music.de">Brainworx</a></strong><br>Check out the freeware [[$software_Brainworx_BXCleansweep]] and [[$software_Brainworx_BXSolo]] plug-ins.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.cockos.com">Cockos</a></strong><br>Their [[$software_Cockos_Reaper]] DAW is now my go-to DAW mixing platform. It's extremely powerful and ridiculously affordable. The built-in plug-ins are good enough to create professional-level mixes without any third-party assistance, and the editing and workflow-customisation facilities are phenomenal. If you try nothing else, try this.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.ddmf.eu">DDMF</a></strong><br>A range of decent low-price plug-ins, including <a href="http://www.ddmf.eu/product.php?id=1"><i>LP10</i></a></strong>[[$softwareLogoMac]][[$softwareLogoWin]], [[$software_DDMF_Metaplugin]], and <a href="http://www.ddmf.eu/product.php?id=4"><i>NYCompressor</i></a></strong>[[$softwareLogoMac]][[$softwareLogoWin]].<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.fluxhome.com">Flux</a></strong><br>As featured in my <a href="[[~26]]#freeware">Freeware Top Ten</a>.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.liquidsonics.com">Liquid Sonics</a></strong><br>The <a href="http://www.liquidsonics.com/software.htm"><i>Reverberate</i></a></strong>[[$softwareLogoMac]][[$softwareLogoWin]] plug-in is a decent cross-platform convolution engine. Here are some good all-purpose reverb impulse responses to use with it: ambiences <small>(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/ambiences.zip">2MB ZIP</a>)</small>, chambers <small>(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/chambers.zip">5MB ZIP</a>)</small>, halls <small>(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/hall.zip">12MB ZIP</a>)</small>, plates <small>(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/plate.zip">5MB ZIP</a>)</small>, and rooms <small>(<a href="http://www.echochamber.ch/images/responses/960/rooms.zip">3MB ZIP</a>)</small>, all care of the <a href="[[$URL_Echochamber_ImpulseLibrary]]">Echochamber</a> site.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.meldaproduction.com">Melda Production</a></strong><br>As featured in my <a href="[[~26]]#freeware">Freeware Top Ten</a>.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.sonalksis.com">Sonalksis</a></strong><br>The freeware [[$software_Sonalksis_FreeG]] plug-in is good for metering and gain-management.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.stillwellaudio.com">Stillwell Audio</a></strong><br>I like these reasonably priced plug-ins a lot, my personal favourites being [[$software_StillwellAudio_Schope]], [[$software_StillwellAudio_TheRocket]], [[$software_StillwellAudio_TransientMonster]], [[$software_StillwellAudio_VibeEQ]], [[$software_StillwellAudio_CMX]], and [[$software_StillwellAudio_BadBussMojo]].<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.toneboosters.com">ToneBoosters</a></strong><br>The low-price <a href="http://www.toneboosters.com/trackessentials">TrackEssentials</i></a></strong>[[$softwareLogoMac]][[$softwareLogoWin]] bundle from well-respected software developer Jeroen Breebaart is a steal, including the likes of [[$software_ToneBoosters_TBEqualizer]], [[$software_ToneBoosters_TBDeEsser]], [[$software_ToneBoosters_TBFix]], [[$software_ToneBoosters_TBSibalance]] and [[$software_ToneBoosters_TBFerox]] (an updated version of his original classic <i>Ferox</i> tape-emulation). Check out the cool [[$software_ToneBoosters_TBFix]] dynamic EQ too.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.voxengo.com">Voxengo</a></strong><br>As featured in my <a href="[[~26]]#freeware">Freeware Top Ten</a>.<br><br></li>

</ul>


<h3 class="h3ResourceCategory"><a name="glossaries">JARGON-BUSTING GLOSSARIES</a></h3>

<ul>

[[$glossariesList]]

</ul>


<h3 class="h3ResourceCategory"><a name="forums">FORUMS &amp; NEWSGROUPS</a></h3>

<ul>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.gearslutz.com">Gearslutz</a></strong><br>A good deal of pro-level chat and some great Q&A forums with high-profile producers. Plus, there's now a dedicated <a href="http://www.gearslutz.com/board/newbie-audio-engineering-production-question-zone-trial-beta-forum">newbies area</a>.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.homerecording.com">Home Recording</a></strong><br>Another active forum, with a dedicated <a href="http://homerecording.com/bbs/general-discussions/newbies">newbie zone</a>.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://groups.google.com/group/rec.audio.pro/topics">Rec.Audio.Pro</a></strong><br>Masses of archive material here, much of it deeply techy.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://recording.org">Recording.Org</a></strong><br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.soundonsound.com/forum">Sound On Sound</a></strong><br>A very active forum which includes regular contributions from Sound On Sound magazine's staff and contributors.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://mixoff.org">MixOff.Org</a> &amp; <a href="http://indierecordingdepot.com">Indie Recording Depot</a></strong><br>If you've already exhausted the <a href="[[~373]]">'Mixing Secrets' Free Multitrack Download Library</a> and its dedicated <a href="http://discussion.cambridge-mt.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=184">Discussion Zone</a>, here are a couple of other places where you can download multitracks, upload mixes, and swap feedback.<br><br></li>

</ul>


<h3 class="h3ResourceCategory"><a name="interviews">INTERVIEWS WITH PRODUCERS &amp; ENGINEERS</a></h3>

<p>Here are some of the best free on-line magazine interview archives on the net:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.soundonsound.com/articles/People.php">Sound On Sound Magazine Article Archive</a></strong><br>Includes all the magazine's articles since about 1996, although you have to be a subscriber to view any articles published within the last six months. (If you can't wait to read something that recent, bear in mind that a <a href="http://www.soundonsound.com/shop/Dept.php?DeptID=1">three-month e-subscription</a> costs very little.)<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.tapeop.com/">Tape Op Magazine Article Archive</a></strong><br>Another massive collection of on-line articles, although much of it only accessible if you sign up for an (excellent value!) online subscription.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.mixonline.com">Mix Magazine Article Archive</a></strong><br>Another good collection of on-line articles, although a little difficult to navigate through.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.gearslutz.com/board/expert-question-answer-archives/">Gearslutz Expert Q&A Archive</a></strong><br>Preserved for posterity here are Q&A sessions Gearslutz carried out on their forum with a couple of dozen big names. Although these aren't as focused as published interviews, they're nonetheless very revealing, and provide insights into the working methods of some engineers it's difficult to find out about from elsewhere (such as Mike Shipley and Russ Elevado).<br><br></li>

</ul>

<p>Video interviews are also becoming an increasingly valuable resource. Here are some freeware recommendations:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.recordproduction.com/record-producers.htm">RecordProduction.com Video Archive</a></strong><br>A fabulous collection of more than 300 interview videos with dozens of world-famous names.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.waves.com/content.aspx?id=5865">Waves Video Archive</a></strong><br>Despite the ostensible focus on Waves products, these interviews are also of general interest, and feature leading lights such as Manny Marroquin, Tony Maserati, Dave Pensado, JJ Puig, and Chris Lord-Alge.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.artandscienceofsound.com">Art &amp; Science Of Sound Recording</a></strong><br>There are a few free video interviews available here, and the payware video downloads also feature some good interview footage too, amidst the general tutorial content.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.gearslutz.com/board/video-vault/191111-video-vault.html">Gearslutz Video Links Page</a></strong><br>There are some reasonable interviews with producers here, but they're scattered amongst links to many other more general-purpose studio-related videos, so you have to sift a little.<br><br></li>

<li><strong><a href="http://www.pensadosplace.tv/">Pensado's Place</a></strong><br>A cable TV show presented by world-renowned mix engineer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Pensado">Dave 'Hard Drive' Pensado</a>, featuring candid interviews with many current A-list engineers.<br><br></li>

</ul>

<p>In addition to these free information sources, there are also a number of interview resources that I'd highly recommend:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>Howard Massey's <i>Behind The Glass</i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Glass-Record-Producers-Softcover/dp/0879306149">Volume 1</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Glass-II-Producers-Craft/dp/0879309555">Volume 2</a></strong><br>Probably the best books of collected technical interviews out there, in my opinion. What's particularly good is that Massey often asks the same questions of several different producers, and the differences in their responses are fascinating.<br><br></li>

<li><strong>Maureen Droney's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mix-Masters-Platinum-Engineers-Secrets/dp/087639019X"><i>Mix Masters</i></a></strong><br>Although some of this material is also available from the <a href="http://www.mixonline.com">Mix Magazine Article Archive</a>, it's nevertheless a great collection of interviews.<br><br></li>

<li><strong>Rick Clark's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Recording-Producing-Techniques-Pros/dp/1598638408"><i>Mixing, Recording, &amp; Producing Techniques Of The Pros</i></a></strong><br>Lots of good straight-from-the-horse's-mouth material.<br><br></li>

<li><strong>Bobby Owsinski's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mixing-Engineers-Handbook-Bobby-Owsinski/dp/128542087X/ref=dp_ob_image_bk"><i>Mixing Engineer's Handbook</i>
</a> &amp; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Recording-Engineers-Handbook-Bobby-Owsinski/dp/1285442016/ref=pd_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Q75QMZZD4ZWYY3DWT6M"><i>Recording Engineer's Handbook</i></a></strong><br>The mix-engineer interviews in the second half of the book are worth the entry fee on their own.<br><br></li>

</ul>