Best Softube Plugins For Modern Metal Mixes

When you’re digging through the massive world of audio plugins, Softube consistently stands out. They’re known for their insanely accurate analog modeling and top-tier sound quality. But with a huge catalog, it’s easy to get lost wondering which ones are actually going to make a difference in a dense, aggressive metal mix.

Here’s the deal: getting hung up on having every single plugin the pros use is a trap. Plugin Acquisition Syndrome is real, and it won't magically fix your mixes. Your skills and your ears are what matter most. A great engineer can pull a killer mix with stock plugins because they know what to do.

But—and this is a big but—the right tool for a specific job can be a game-changer. Some plugins just do a certain thing exceptionally well. If you’re after a particular guitar tone, the amp sim you choose absolutely matters. If you need to add a specific analog character, a good emulation makes the job easier.

So, let's cut through the noise. Here are some of the best Softube plugins that are genuinely useful for metal producers, with actionable tips on how to use them.

The Foundation: Nailing Your Guitar & Bass Tones

This is one area where your plugin choice has a massive impact. Your core guitar and bass tones are the bedrock of a modern metal track, and Softube has some seriously powerful options.

Marshall Plexi Super Lead 1959

Don't let the vintage look fool you. The Marshall Plexi Super Lead 1959 isn't just for classic rock. It's a foundational amp that takes pedals incredibly well, making it a versatile weapon for various shades of metal.

How to use it for metal:

The magic happens when you slam the front end with a boost, just like you would with a real amp.

1. Get Aggressive: Place a Tube Screamer-style pedal plugin before the Plexi. Keep the pedal’s drive low (around 1-3) and crank the level/volume to max. This tightens the low-end and pushes the amp's preamp tubes into screaming high-gain territory.
2. Dial in the Amp: With the amp boosted, you'll find the gain knob becomes more about saturation and texture. Start with the Presence and Treble around 6-7 to get that aggressive cut, then use the EQ on the cabinet section to fine-tune the final sound.
3. Blend Mics: Don’t just stick with a single SM57. Blend a dynamic mic like a 57 (for midrange punch) with a ribbon mic like a 121 (for body and warmth) to get a full, complex tone right at the source.

Amp Room

If you want a complete, customizable digital backline, Amp Room is your playground. It’s a modular system that lets you build your dream signal chain from a collection of high-quality amps, cabs, pedals, and studio effects.

How to use it for metal:

This is about building a modern signal chain from the ground up.

1. Start with a Gate: The first thing in your chain should be a precise noise gate. This is non-negotiable for tight, chunky, palm-muted riffs.
2. Pick Your High-Gain Head: Amp Room has several great options. Try the "American Main" model for that classic, scooped Mesa-style modern metal sound.
3. Modern Cab/Mic Combo: Pair the head with a V30-loaded 4×12 cabinet. For micing, use the classic metal combo: a Shure SM57 on-axis for the attack and bite, blended with a Royer R-121 slightly off-axis to capture the low-mid thickness. Pan them slightly apart in the plugin’s mixer for a wider stereo image from a single performance. Learning how to properly apply EQ to metal guitars is crucial after this stage to ensure your tone cuts through the mix.

The Mix Bus & Channel Strip Heroes

Once your core tones are solid, it’s about shaping, controlling, and adding character. Softube excels at emulating the console and outboard gear workflow.

Tube-Tech CL 1B Mk II Compressor

This bright blue compressor is legendary for a reason. It’s buttery smooth and incredibly musical. While often praised on vocals, the Tube-Tech CL 1B Mk II is an absolute monster for getting a fat, consistent, and aggressive bass guitar tone.

How to use it for metal bass:

1. Set for Attack: Use a slow attack (around 4-5 on the dial) and a fast release (around 2-3). This lets the initial pick or finger transient smack through untouched before the compressor clamps down on the body of the note.
2. Aim for Consistent Level: You’re not trying to create a ton of pumping. Aim for 3-6 dB of gain reduction on the loudest notes. This evens out the performance, ensuring the bass provides a solid, unwavering foundation that supports the low end of the guitars.
3. Parallel Power: Blend the compressed signal with your dry DI signal. This gives you the solid, controlled body from the CL 1B while retaining the natural dynamics and raw aggression of the original performance. It’s a classic trick for a bass tone that’s both huge and clear. For more advanced techniques, check out our guide to metal compression secrets.

Tape Echoes

Delay in a metal mix isn’t just about clean, repeating echoes. It’s a tool for creating space, vibe, and texture. Softube’s Tape Echoes plugin nails the gritty, saturated, and slightly unpredictable character of a real analog tape delay.

How to use it for metal vocals:

1. Create Vocal Throws: Instead of having a delay running on the vocal track constantly, automate a send to the Tape Echoes plugin. Send just the last word or syllable of a vocal phrase into the delay. This creates a dramatic effect that fills gaps without cluttering the mix.
2. Crank the Drive: The secret sauce is the "Drive" knob. Pushing it adds harmonic saturation and grit to the echoes, making them sit in the mix in a more organic way than a pristine digital delay.
3. Tweak the Feedback: Automate the feedback (or "Just D'lay") to make the echoes swell and then die out, or even push them into self-oscillation for a wild, chaotic effect in transitions.

The Big Picture: Tools Don’t Make The Mixer

So, should you go out and buy all of these? Absolutely not.

Remember, the world’s best mixers, including many of the instructors you'll find at Nail The Mix, could get you a mind-blowing mix using the most basic set of tools. Their mixes are great because of the thousands of hours they’ve spent honing their ears and decision-making skills, not because they own a specific plugin.

These Softube plugins are great because they solve specific problems efficiently and with great sonic character. The CL 1B gives you that smooth optical compression. Amp Room gives you a flexible, high-quality rig builder. If a tool helps you get the sound in your head out of the speakers faster and with less friction, it's a good tool for you.

The real growth comes from not from collecting more plugins, but from deepening your understanding of how and why to use the ones you have.

If you want to see exactly how world-class producers use tools like these to create chart-topping metal albums, that’s what Nail The Mix is all about. Every month, you can check out the full catalog of sessions, get the original multitracks from bands like Lamb of God, Gojira, and Periphery, and watch the original producer mix the song from scratch, explaining every single decision along the way. It’s the ultimate way to learn the craft, not just collect the tools.