INTERVIEW: ZEHV on his top 10 plugins

ZEHV’s unparalleled style and sound is one to follow up close, as his productions display his skills and talent as one of the most trailblazing artists in the Electronic Dance music world. With a long list of impressive supporters like Guy J, Fehrplay and Cristoph, ZEHV is ready to share his new productions with the world.

And while he keeps busy in the studio working on his release schedule, we sat down with him to ask him about his top 10 plugins and why these are his favourites.

1. Fab Filter Pro-C2

My go-to compressor for sidechaining. It has a lot of control over compressing specific frequency ranges which allows for a really organic-sounding side chain so only the low end is compressed.

2. Fab Filter Pro Q3

In my opinion, the best EQ out there. Surgical control over shaping sounds and getting rid of unwanted frequencies.

3. Waves H-Delay

There are a lot of delays out there and I think it comes down to preference and also what exactly you’re looking to accomplish with your sound, but for my style, H-Delay just fits perfectly in every situation and is always my first choice.

4. Soundtoys Echoboy

Soundtoys has some of my favourite plugins in general, just such great control over how you want to shape your delay and reverb. Echoboy is an incredible tool for that and I use it on a lot of busses to build atmosphere and unique soundscapes as well as give depths to a lot of dry sounds.

5. Minimal Audio Rift

I was introduced to Minimal Audio last year and was BLOWN away. Rift is an insane distortion plugin that has some crazy filters and FX built into it allowing for some gnarly sounds. I’ve been loving using it subtly on some basses and leads, or unleashing it on some random samples and finding some creative sound design.

6. Movement by Output

Another creative tool I’ve fallen in love with, a really easy way to had groove to any sound. I’ve been using it on drum loops a lot to create some patterns and break up the loops. It’s also great on pads and leads to create some groovy rhythms.

7. Thermal by Output

Another badass distortion plugin. Output is incredible at making fun to use, and creative ways to play with sound. Thermal is everything you need to add some grit, shine, and movement to any sound. I use it multiple times on every project.

8. Cableguys Shaperbox2

As you can probably tell at this point, I LOVE any creative tool that can help me create some unique sounds. Shaperbox2 comes with loads of ways to manipulate sounds such as time stretch, filters, and distortion (and more). My favourite part about it is you can set different FX for the lows, mids, and high frequencies or whatever channel you put it on by FX. So if you want a filter automated on the highs you can have a different filter on the lows creating a different groove. It’s super cool and I use it constantly to create different variations of the same sound.

9. Logic’s Space Designer

One of the best reverbs anywhere. It’s crazy this is a stock plugin with Logic. There are some super cool presets with it to warp sounds. I use it a lot to create atmospheres, but also on a lot of percussion to just simply add space.

10. Valhalla Vintage Verb

I think this is my most used reverb, i just love the way it sounds! Super natural, lots of different styles to choose from (70s, 80s, modern…) and lots of control. It’s my go to.

Check out his latest EP Ōkami below