Pro Tools: Stock Plug-ins

The venerable EQ III has a neat feature whereby you can temporarily turn any band into a band‑pass filter, allowing you to home in on your desired frequency.

We get re-acquainted with some of Pro Tools’ stock plug‑ins.

If you install all the plug‑ins which come with Pro Tools, you’ll be greeted with a generous array of processing options — tools that are often overshadowed by the allure of third‑party alternatives. Yet, hidden among these are some real gems that can be just as effective, whether you’re new to the DAW or a seasoned professional. In this article, we’ll explore some of these overlooked plug‑ins and share practical tips.

The exact set of plug‑ins you have access to depends on which Pro Tools tier you’re using — whether it’s Intro, Artist, Studio, or Ultimate. Some premium Avid plug‑ins require you to be ‘on plan’ with a subscription or support plan, but even without it, the stock plug‑in library is substantial.

There are also some third‑party plug‑ins that come as part of Avid’s Inner Circle scheme, which adds value over time for on‑plan customers. But the total available to a new user is significantly boosted by legacy plug‑ins, some of which have been around a really long time. Although they are ‘legacy’, Avid ensure that they’re kept up to date so that users can open older sessions without issues. You might be surprised at how well these older plug‑ins still hold up. Also, nearly all Avid plug‑ins are available in AAX DSP versions — an increasingly rare feature.

If you haven’t checked out the stock plug‑ins as thoroughly as you might have, or if you’ve never even installed all of them, there’s probably a reason for that. Maybe you have a subscription with a third‑party plug‑in brand that already provides you with more plug‑ins than you can shake a stick at? Whatever the reason, let’s get into some specific examples which might encourage you to look again at these plug‑ins. Switch on the preference to display plug‑ins by manufacturer as well as by type, and have a browse under ‘Avid’ to see what’s already installed.

Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned user, there’s plenty to explore in the stock plug‑ins.

EQ &...