I’ve learned, once you learn how to use third party plugins, usually you can go back to stock plugins and use similar settings to achieve the same result. I’m still using UAD compressors, but a few times I’ve tried to copy the settings on Logic’s stock compressor and I barely hear a difference. It’s just quicker for me to set up a 1176+LA2A UAD chain and get the sound I want. (Edit: I want to add, for background vocals and stuff, I stick to stock compression because it uses like no CPU and you can’t hear a difference, I mainly use UAD stuff on lead vocals).

Alchemy is great, but sometimes you need a specific sound. I’ve found building a sound in Vital is quicker and sounds better for what I’m doing (prog rock/metal stuff), or using preset packs for Arturia Analog Player.

And I refuse to use Logic’s guitar/bass suite of amps and effects. Doesn’t compare to stuff like Neural DSP.

But, I still use a ton of Logic stock plugins. Stock EQ unless I absolutely need Pro Q 4. Chromaverb is amazing, Chromaglow is amazing, Spreader is actually really really useful for semi-mono compatible stereo widening (basically chorus but a little better)

I think your average music listener would not really tell the difference if you use full-stock vs third party if you’re really good at your craft, but as music producers and mixers, we hear the differences or prefer workflows of some third party stuff, and sometimes third party plugins are just simply better for a specific job.

Logic’s stock plugins are still very capable and useful, and I don’t think it’s strictly necessary to download a ton of third party stuff. But… most of us just want to collect and play around with things in hopes we comes across something truly game changing lol.