Paid plugins you would deem essential?

Komplete 10 is really expensive and you probably won't use all of those plugins. If you think you'll use all of them regularly then go for it.

Sausage Fattener, absolutely not. Waste of money. Use a less convenient (but better) alternative.

The Glue is a great compressor. I highly recommend it.

PSP Vintage Warmer, idk what this is so I can't comment on it really.

Ozone 7 Basic. This is that mastering plugin right? Not necessary, FL has plenty of alternatives. If it works better for you though then get it I suppose. Just stay away from presets.

FabFilter Pro Q is an amazing EQ but afaik it doesn't do anything PEQ2 can't. If it works better for you then get it.

Melodyne. If you find yourself doing a lot of stuff involving pitching and vocals then this will be great for you. Don't buy it if you're not going to use it often enough to validate it's purchase though.

LFO Tool/VolumeShaper is about as useful as Sausage Fattener.

My advice is buy either Massive, Serum, or Sylenth (not all 3) and learn the one you buy inside and out. I would recommend Serum, but it depends on what you're looking for in a synth. Do your research on these, choose one, learn it well, very well. You should have Sytrus too if you've bought FL. Definitely give it a shot. It took me a bit to make cool sounds in it but it really paid off and you (should) already have it. Btw, here's a little tip I've got for Sytrus; use Massives wavetables in Sytrus. You'll thank me later ;)

As for plugins, you appear to be missing some distortion! I recommend either Izotope Trash or NI Guitar Rig. Try out this free compressor called Rough Rider. It's free so you've got nothing to lose!

A reverb I quite like is Valhalla Shimmer. A pretty damn good free-verb is Ambience

As for phasers, chorus, flangers, etc. the stock FL ones should serve you well. If you really want an alternative though, try TAL's plugins.

/r/edmproduction Thread