Soundtoys Plugins: My Essential Tools for Mixing and Production

I’ve been using Soundtoys plugins since 2010, and they’ve become a core part of my mixing arsenal. They’re versatile, add character, and provide unique movement and colour to my mixes. Whether it’s saturation, filtering, delay, or modulation, there’s a Soundtoys plugin that fits the job perfectly.

These are the Soundtoys plugins I rely on most and how I use them in my workflow.

Decapitator: The Saturation King

Decapitator is one of the most well-known saturation plugins out there, and for good reason. I often find myself coming back to it when I need to add warmth, bite, or thickness to a sound. The different saturation modes (A, E, N, T, and P) all offer something unique, but I personally like A & E for helping sounds cut through the mix.

💡 Pro Tip: The Tone dial is excellent for subtly nudging a sound up or down in the frequency range, making it fit better in the mix.

FilterFreak1: Breathing Life Into Sounds

Lately, all I seem to be doing is mixing, and sometimes I come across sounds that feel stale or lifeless. That’s where FilterFreak1 comes in. It’s an easy-to-use, powerful filter that can add movement, warmth, and dynamic shaping to sounds that need extra life.

💡 Pro Tip: Even a small amount of automation on FilterFreak1 can transform a static sound into something much more interesting.

Devil-Loc Deluxe: Subtle But Powerful

Devil-Loc Deluxe can thicken and beef up a sound with minimal effort. A slight amount of Crush and Crunch can make a huge difference in a mix, especially when I need a sound to feel bigger and more solid.

💡 How I Use It: I blend in just a small amount of Devil-Loc to give a sound more body and weight without overdoing it.

EchoBoy: My Favourite Delay for Solo Sounds

EchoBoy is my go-to delay plugin for lead lines. The “Solo” presets are great for helping lead sounds sit better in the mix. I don’t always want an obvious delay effect-sometimes I just need a subtle presence underneath the main sound to help it blend naturally.

💡 How I Use It: A slight delay layer on a lead sound can add movement without overpowering the dry signal. The Solo presets are very useful.

MicroShift: Width & Presence

MicroShift is another essential plugin, especially for vocals and lead sounds. It gives vocals that classic H3000-style widening, making them sound bigger and more present in the mix.

💡 Pro Tip: If you don’t own an H3000, MicroShift is a great alternative to get a familiar, wide, and airy vocal sound.

Little AlterBoy: The Pensado Trick

I use Little AlterBoy for pitch-shifting effects, but one of my favourite tricks is the Pensado vocal technique-adding an octave-down version of the vocal just beneath the main vocal for extra body and depth. It also works the other way-an octave up can lift a vocal, adding energy and presence, especially in choruses.

💡 How I Use It: A subtle mix of the low-octave vocal under the main vocal thickens the sound without overpowering it.

PanMan: Subtle Movement for a More Dynamic Mix

PanMan is a stereo panning plugin that I use sparingly, but when I do, it makes all the difference. Small, natural panning movements can help sounds breathe and avoid clashing with other elements in the mix.

💡 Favourite Use: I apply gentle panning on hi-hats to create a slight stereo movement, which helps keep them clear of the centre of the mix where the kick and bass sit.

Crystallizer: Adding Sparkle & Depth

Crystallizer is perfect for adding shimmering, pitched delays to pads, guitars, or other elements that need a little lift. It works especially well for creating an ethereal or dreamy effect.

💡 Pro Tip: A touch of Crystallizer on a pad or background element can add a unique, textured feel to the mix. It fills space with interest.

Little Plate & SuperPlate: Rich, Thick Reverbs

Both Little Plate and SuperPlate are fantastic plate reverb plugins. They give a thick, vintage plate sound that blends beautifully into a mix.

💡 How I Use Them: When I need a big, lush plate reverb, these are great options. I don’t reach for them often, but when I do, I’m reminded of how good they sound.

Additional Soundtoys Plugins I Use

Along with my main Soundtoys staples, I also reach for Radiator and Tremolator when needed.

✔ Radiator – Adds analog-style warmth and character. Small amounts mean a lot.

✔ Tremolator – Great for adding rhythmic modulation and movement to sounds.

Final Thoughts

Soundtoys plugins have been around for a long time, and for good reason–they just work. They bring movement, character, and texture to my mixes in ways that other plugins don’t. Whether I’m warming up a sound with Decapitator, thickening a vocal with MicroShift, or adding movement with PanMan, these plugins continue to be an essential part of my workflow.

Soundtoys Effect Rack