I mainly use korgs MDEX plugin and the tools that come with Live.
overall i mainly use EQ and compression. I think most of the work is just knowing how to get your sounds to sit right in the frequencies and adding some compression and EQ as needed and watching your levels. if you can get that right before you mix down you won’t need elaborate mastering or touching up.
honestly, mastering plugins and such are meant for people that mash it all together onto a CD or mp3 and need someone to smooth it out later.
I think all that pan this, stage that is bunk. it’s good to know for radio friendly pop music, but if you’re not interested in that I think it’s better to develop your own preference as far as that goes.
