Dan Kenyon, Sound Effects Editor at Warner Brothers, Brendan Byrnes, composer and sound designer for podcast production company Stitcher, and Logan Byers, sound effects editor at Levels Audio helped me create this list of plugins that professionals use each and every day on the films, television programs, advertisements and podcasts that we consume. I was fortunate to have several of my friends and colleagues offer insight into what they’ve been using recently in their work. Similarly, thoughtfully choosing and layering sound effects, as well as mixing all the components that make up a production’s soundtrack as to enhance the cinematic experience is more essential than making sure that you have every single piece of industry-standard software ready to go within your DAW. I will mention before providing this roundup of important plugins when working in audio post-production, that properly capturing the source (whether it be dialog or sound effects) by choosing the correct microphone(s), and proper placement and recording technique, is more important than knowing what the latest noise-reduction plugin is. Regardless, if you’re hoping to work in audio for film, television, and other media, it’s important to know the tools that are commonly used by professionals.

I’d far prefer a compelling story that provides an intimate look into the lives of characters, than a movie that is propelled strictly by slick production values. A work of great cinema shouldn’t be entirely reliant on cutting-edge technology.

How to use izotope insight