Acid Sequence is an independent publication about electronic music production. We explain what matters for each job, compare the tools using the manufacturers' own documentation, and tell you when the plug-in you already own is enough.
Synthesis
Which software synthesiser should I buy for electronic music production?
A practical guide to synth architectures and how Serum 2, Pigments, Diva, Vital and Logic's Alchemy differ in synthesis method, platform support and cost.
Dynamics
Which compressor plug-in should I use for electronic music production?
Electronic producers use compression for three distinct jobs: controlling dynamics, gluing a bus together, and deliberate pumping via side-chain. Different compressors are designed around different jobs.
Mixing
Which EQ plug-in should I use for mixing electronic music?
Most electronic mixes need two things from EQ: clean static shaping, and dynamic EQ for frequencies that are only a problem some of the time, such as a kick and bass sharing the same low end.
Logic Pro
Which plug-ins does a beginner using Logic Pro actually need to buy?
Very little, at first. Logic Pro includes a full set of instruments and effects, including Channel EQ, Compressor, ChromaVerb and Alchemy. Learning those well is worth more than any purchase.
Reverb
Which reverb plug-in should I buy for ambient music?
If you want to start without spending anything, Valhalla Supermassive is free, runs in every major plug-in format on macOS and Windows, and is built specifically around long, modulated reverb and delay modes.
17 products documented across 5 reverbs, 5 synthesisers, 3 equalisers, 4 compressors.