We have had an interesting chain of events recently regarding AAX DSP stories that has made me think about what AAX DSP plug-ins we really need. It started with Kush Audio announcing they would no longer be developing AAX DSP plug-ins. Then Sknote set up a Kickstarter project to try and break into the AAX DSP market and even with experience in writing for the DSP chips on the HDX cards wasn't enough for the Kickstarter to be a success.  But at least Sknote haven't been put off AAX development altogether and are going to start to port their plug-ins across to AAX Native.  Finally we have had Plugin Alliance announce that they are releasing a 100% AAX DSP bundle with significant savings over the individual pricing.

But What AAX DSP Plug-ins Do We Need And Why?

As an early HDX adopter all of this has made me think, what AAX DSP plug-ins would I really like? I believe that those of us working in AAX DSP would like plug-ins that mean we don't have to come out of DSP chain to use a native plug-in. 

That said, there is no point in having processor hungry plug-ins like reverbs etc, they are much better as Native plug-ins as we discussed with Michael Carnes when we chatted with him for a podcast Extra Interview.

So here goes with some suggestions from my post production context to get the ball rolling...

• FabFilter Pro-Q 2, Pro-C 2, Pro-DS
• Source Elements Source-Talkback
• Upmixing plug-ins like Nugen Audio's Halo and Penteo 7 Pro
• Brightening software like the BBE Sonic Maximizer plug-in
• Bottom end enhancing plug-ins like Waves MaxxBass or the UAD Voice of God plug-in.

How About You?

What are yours? Please do share what plug-ins already available for AAX Native that you would like to see as AAX DSP plug-ins? How about plug-ins that don't exist yet that you would like to see as AAX DSP plug-ins?  Then we can work in an AAX DSP world and use the hardware we have paid for.