OC Some helpful plugins and techniques for consistently good output.

Will update this from time to time.

Tools

I'm opting not to add EQ plugins as for the most part you can get really good results with stock EQs.

A. Monitoring
Arguably the most important part of mixing is being able to hear accurately what you're mixing. A good tonal balance also affects how loud your mix can get in the mastering stage.

• Free: https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/isol8
• Paid: Dsoniq Realphones

I use both ISOL8 and Realphones, which has improved my confidence in my mixes and perhaps removed the need for checking in the car each time.

B. Compression and Limiting
Mostly free stuff here because I'm assuming if you're going the paid route then you know what you're doing for the most part.

• LoudMax - good practice to just place a limiter at the end of your mixbus at the start of every session just so you don't get audio going over 0 dBFS which can cause ugly digital clipping.
• DC1A - Very easy 2-knob character compressor from Klanghelm.
• MJUC Jr - Very easy VariMu style compressor, also from Klanghelm.

Techniques

A. Calculating pre-delays for reverb

• Count the number of beats in a song for 15 seconds.
• Multiply the number of beats by 4. For example, 24 beats x = 96 bpm.
• To get quarter note length delay, divide 60 seconds by the bpm.
  Example: 60 seconds / 120 bpm = 0.5 seconds or 500ms (0.5 x 1000ms per second)
• The get smaller delays (1/8, 1/16, 1/32 etc) divide the quarter note length by 2 recursively until you reach the desired value.
  Example:
  1/8 for 120bpm = 500ms/2 = 250ms
  1/16 for 120bpm = 250ms/2 = 125ms