If you’re relatively new to the world of music production, choosing new FX plugins can be difficult. Yes, you want effects that offer great sound quality and features, but many of these can be confusing, with complex interfaces that you won’t fully understand.
So, you might look for simplicity… but go too basic and there’s a risk that you won’t get all the power and flexibility that you require.
What to do, then? Luckily, Focusrite has a tailor-made answer in the form of its FAST plugins - powerful effects that are not only suitable for beginners, but also deep enough to keep you interested as your production skills improve.
Known as FAST Equaliser, FAST Compressor and FAST Reveal, these have been created in collaboration with highly-respected plugin developer Sonible.
In terms of function, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that FAST Equaliser and FAST Compressor are an EQ and compressor respectively, but FAST Reveal takes a little more explaining. It’s an intelligent ducking tool that can analyse two audio signals and apply precise reductions where frequency clashes happen.
And this is where we get to the clever stuff: all three plugins feature an AI engine that ‘listens’ to your incoming audio and automatically applies suitable settings. They don’t do all the work - you still need to tell them what kind of material they’re dealing with by choosing a suitable preset (drums, guitars, vocals etc) - but the FAST plugins will give you a big headstart.
This all takes place in the FAST view, where you get a limited number of controls that offer jargon-free labelling that anyone can understand. What’s more, the clear visuals show you exactly what each plugin is doing, aiding the learning process significantly.
But there’s more - what’s really clever is that, when you switch to the Detailed view, you’ll get to see more traditional parameter labelling, and learn how this corresponds to the simplified nomenclature of the FAST view.
What this means is that, as well as making your music sound great - and these effects do sound great - the FAST plugins will equip you with music production know-how that will last you a lifetime.
The FAST plugins are all available as part of The Collective, a new suite of software tools that puts the emphasis on creativity. Each one can be tried for free, or purchased on subscription for £5.99 a month. After 15 months of payments, the plugin is yours to own; alternatively, you can buy any of the plugins outright for £89.92.
Find out more on The Collective website.