If you're looking to expand your library of VST instrument (VSTi) plugins, or tweak your mixes with some great effects or MIDI effects VST plugins, you can do it for free. You just need to know where to look. We've assembled the top 15 free VST plugins that can help elevate your music to the next level. Tunefish 4 is a nifty free VST synth that can recreate everything ranging from warm leads, pads, bass, and all other tasty sounds that your mix demands. 18) Synister An easy-to-use and dexterous synthesizer, Synister boasts a built-in virtual keyboard that can be used to create layer-after-layer of ethereal synth richness.
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Last Updated on December 15, 2020 by
Good mastering plugins can be hard to come by, and they candefinitely be expensive!
This is why I created this list of the best free masteringplugins which should help you get your mixes to a new level while not spendinganything!
Table of Contents
- Youlean Loudness Meter 2 (Windows/Mac)
- mvMeter 2 by TBProAudio (Windows/Mac)
- SPAN by Voxengo (Windows/Mac)
- LoudMax by Thomas Mundt (Windows/Mac)
- Limiter №6 by Vladg Sound (Windows/Mac)
- Voxengo Marvel GEQ (Windows/Mac)
- Stereo Tool v3 by Flux (Windows/Mac)
- IVGI by Klanghelm (Windows/Mac)
- Ferric TDS By Variety of Sounds (Windows)
- A1Stereo Control by Alex Hilton (Windows/Mac)
- Baxter EQ by Variety of Sounds (Windows)
- ClipShifter 2 by LVC Audio (Windows/Mac)
- Bitter Sweet V3 by Flux (Windows/Mac)
- Stereo Buss by Minimal System Group (Windows)
- Wider by Polyverse Music (Windows/Mac)
Youlean Loudness Meter 2
One critical aspect of proper mastering, and also mixing, isbeing able to monitor properly.
Youlean Loudness Meter 2 is a free loudness metering pluginthat features four metering modes; LUFS, LRA, DR and true peak.
It’s one of the most accurate loudness metering plugins outthere, even when compared to other premium ones, and a lot of producers use it…
Which is a clear testament to its overall quality.
Even though you can get it for free, it does have a Proversion which comes with additional features.
This is an essential tool for any producer, especially ifbudget is an issue, since it will help you determine the proper amount ofloudness without sacrificing quality or dynamics.
The great thing is that it’s also a very visual plugin…
You can not only hear, but see what is going on… and this isalways a plus!
Not only this, but it includes loads of presets so you canmake sure to sound great on all the streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube,etc.
You can download it here.
Related: Are you looking for free reverb plugins? Here’s a list of 14 of them!
mvMeter 2 by TBProAudio
This is a simple and easy to use plugin which is better thansome of its premium counterparts.
It is a multivariable meter including RMS, EBUR128, VU andPPM measurement.
Additionally, it has multi-channel metering…
This means that you can see what’s happening on the stereo,left, right, mid, or side channels.
You can even choose between five different themes, if youdon’t like the look of a particular one…
The mvMeter2, compared to the previous version, comes with acouple upgrades which are:
- single and dual meter display
- adjustable reference level for all meter modes
- adjustable meter delay
- preset management
You can download it here.
Related: If you’re looking for a free DAW, then here’s anarticle for you on that exact topic.
SPAN by Voxengo
SPAN is a free spectrum analyzer plugin which is absolutelyessential for mastering if you want your mixes to end up sounding loud but notcrushed.
It has a fairly simple Interface which, in my opinion, doesn’treally look that great… but it’s still customizable to some extent.
However, it’s very accurate and useful, plus it’s compatiblewith almost any DAW available right now.
It comes loaded with features such as being able to routemultiple tracks into SPAN and then comparing their frequency content.
Applications
- Fast Fourier transform spectrum analyzer
- Stereo, mid-side, surround spectrum analyzer
- Stereo correlation meter
- EBU R128, K-system meter
- RMS, true peak level and clipping detector
You can download it here.
LoudMax by Thomas Mundt
LoudMax is a Loudness Maximizer Plugin with a clean andtransparent sound.
It is designed to retain the original character of the musicas much as possible even at high compression levels.
It’s a very simple yet powerful tool.
It has two sliders which are: Threshold and output.
LoudMax is a plugin which I’d recommend to beginners sinceits simplicity will better help you understand how to properly use a limiter.
But, even though it’s extremely simple, it’s still a greatplugin!
Features
- True Peak Limiting (Further information for ISPbelow)
- Supported Samplerates: 2kHz – 384kHz
- Latency: 1.25ms (+ 6 samples with ISP)
- Look-Ahead and Attack Time: 1.25ms
- Release Time: Automatic – depending on the inputsignal
- No audible distortion
- Possible overdrive: 740dB
- Very low CPU usage
You can download it here.
Interested in free Synth vst plugins? Here’s an entire post on that topic.
Limiter №6 by Vladg Sound
Remember I said that LoudMax is a very simple plugin withjust two controls?…
Well, Limiter №6 is far more complex and also versatile…
This is why I wouldn’t recommend it to absolute beginners.
It offers more control than LoudMax, meaning that it allowsyou to do more detailed tweaking, but it’s a bit harder to use.
It has five modules which include: RMS compressor,peak limiter, high-frequency limiter, clipper, true peak limiter.
Even some premium plugins don’t come with such featuresincluded…
So, definitely give it a try!
Features
- 5 modules: RMS compressor, peak limiter,high-frequency limiter, clipper, true peak limiter
- high-quality signal processing to use formastering purposes
- brickwall and soft limiting with differenttiming settings
- M/S and multiband modes
- optional 4x oversampling
- true inter-sample peaks (ISP) limiting
- analog-style indication
- 2 different GUIs
You can download it here.
Looking for free guitar VST plugins? Here are the 15 best ones.
Voxengo Marvel GEQ
Voxengo is a very well-known company that creates excellentfree plugins…
And Marvel GEQ is no exception.
Having a good EQ is essential for any mixing and masteringengineer.
This is a linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer which youshould definitely give a try.
It comes with an “undo/redo” function which can be quitehelpful.
Marvel GEQ offers extensive internal channel routingcapabilities, and supports mid/side channel processing.
Supporting mid/side channels is a fantastic feature since itallows you to treat the information in the center in a different way than theinformation on the sides.
Marvel GEQ allows audio engineers and musicians to applyquick EQ shape adjustments, both to audio tracks and full mixes.
Applications
- Track graphic equalizer
- Voice streaming equalizer plugin
- Mastering graphic equalizer
- Stereo, mid-side, 5.1 surround equalizer
- Transparent graphic equalizer
You can download it here.
Related: Looking for free compression plugins? Then here’s a list I wrote just about that topic.
Stereo Tool v3 by Flux
StereoTool is a free plugin that offers precise control ofinput gain and individual pan for left and right channels.
It also comes with an accurate visual feedback, reflectingthe content with;
A vector scope, PPM meters for inputs/outputs, phasecorrelation meter permanently monitoring the signal and individual left andright polarity reversal.
In some cases, mixes require some balancing of theinformation between the channels, and if your mix has some balance or phaseissues, then StereoTool can be quite helpful.
Features
- Input Gain controls for adjusting the level forleft and right channels before processing
- Phase inversion of the incoming signal on leftand right channels
- Individual panning control for left and rightchannels
- Vector Scope Display providing accurate visualfeedback reflecting the signal stereo image content graphically.
Free Vocal Leveler Vst
You can download it here.
Interested in free Auto-Tune VST plugins? Here’s a post about the best ones.
IVGI by Klanghelm
I love Klanghelm. I use a couple of their compressors andthey all work great!
So, it’s no surprise that this saturation and distortionplugin is also excellent!
Adding a bit of saturation to your final mix can completelychange the way it sounds, and in a good way!
One of the issues in todays music industry is that we allrecord using digital gear, which is fantastic in its own way…
But some of those older sounds that we love came from theimperfections of recording with tape and analog gear.
This is why adding a bit of warmth, using a saturationplugin, can do wonders!
Not only can IVGI add warmth, but it can also be used tocompletely distort tracks, and it also lets you alter the frequency dependencyof the saturation with the RESPONSE control.
You can download it here.
Ferric TDS By Variety of Sounds
Ferric is a tape dynamic simulator which was inspired by thedynamic shaping capabilities of some high-end reel-to-reel tape recorders.
It simulates three of the most distinctive sonic effects ofthese devices:
- Dynamics: gently shaping the overalldynamic response.
- Saturation: adding extra harmonic-relatedcontent.
- Limiting: controlling peak performance.
Since most people don’t have access to vintage tapemachines, they would need some sort of plugin to achieve the same effect…
And this is where Ferric TDS comes in!
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It simulates dynamics for shaping the overall dynamicresponse, adds extra harmonics and saturation effects, and controls outgoingpeaks.
You can download it here.
Looking for free Distortion VSTs? Here’s a post I wrote about the best ones.
A1Stereo Control by Alex Hilton
Often times you’d want to give your mixes a wider andexpansive sound…
This is where A1Stereo Control comes in.
One issue can arise which is “widening the bass end”, sincethe bass should always be in the center.
This plugin comes with the “Safe Bass” algorithm whichcenters everything below a user-configurable value.
This gives your tracks the solidity and definition you want whilepreserving maximum transparency and sharpness.
Simply turn on “Safe Bass” and adjust thefrequency if needed and that’s it… It’s really that simple.
You can download it here.
Baxter EQ by Variety of Sounds
Like I mentioned earlier, EQ is an absolutely critical elementof the mastering process…
And it is used for very gentle accentuation of specificfrequencies which affect the whole mix.
BaxterEQ was designed to be used for this specific purposewhich is why is has a full dual channel layout as well as mid/side encodingsupport, and per-channel level for easy A/B matching.
Features
- lowripple and distortion filter implementations
- 64bitfloating point internal processing
- oversampledfor superior impulse response
- naturaland accurate bass response
- authenticanalog style HF curve rendering
- smoothestshelving operation
You can download it here.
ClipShifter 2 by LVC Audio
ClipShifter is a wave-shaping audio plugin that functionslike a clipping-style limiter.
It provides enough user controls to be useful in all mixingstages: from distorting basses and drums, to maximizing mix buses andwarming-up overall mixes.
The distortion can be altered from a hard, brickwall-styleclipping, to softer saturation with compression.
ClipShifter can be used in static or dynamic mode.
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Also, there is an independent left/right or mid/sidecontrol.
Most of the features of this plugin are free, but if youwant to access all of them, you’ll need to purchase the premium one…
Or you can purchase Clipped-Max which is an updated version of the software, plus it includes a key for ClipShifter as well.
Features
- Clipping style limiter
- Controls for Clip Shape (hard to soft) andharmonics
- Low CPU usage
- Standard LVC-Audio metering, including VU-style,PPM-style, and loudness meters to easily monitor input and output levels
- Scalable waveform history view
You can download it here.
Looking for free Drum VST plugins? Here are the best ones.
Bitter Sweet V3 by Flux
Flux is a well-known and respected company that createdhigh-quality plugins…
Bitter Sweet is basically their free version of a sweeteningplugin.
At its core, this is a tone and transient shaper pluginwhich with just one turn of a knob can reduce/magnify the transients, makingthe sound sweet or bitter.
By turning the knob to the sweet side, you get a very smoottransient which brings a silky tonal character with it.
On the other hand, turning it to Bitter, you get a much moreaccentuated and aggressive tonal characteristic.
Since this plugin is so easy to use, I’d say that evensomeone who is a complete beginner should download it!
Features
- Upto 8 channels Input/Output
- OutputGain
- Controlsthe Output Gain at the end of the processing (-/+ 12 dB).
- Linkto Output Gain – Compensates the Output Gain depending on the Transient Amountin order to achieve unity gain.
You can download it here.
Stereo Buss by Minimal System Group
This is a free compression plugin specifically designed specifically for Master Bus compression.
Compression helps glue all the tracks together to createthat sense of congruency in the mix, and while this is certainly doable withmost compression plugins…
Stereo Buss does it better!
Basically, if you’re looking to add some finishing touches toyour mixes, then Stereo Buss might be the compression plugin you need!
Tip: Try introducing the Stereo Buss Compressor earlyin the mixing process.
This all depends on how you like to mix, but it often timeshelps with gluing the tracks together faster…
And this means faster mixes!
Features
- AnalogueModelled Buss Compressor.
- TheXStudioToolz stereo Buss Compressor can be used on the Master Buss and also onsub-groups (Drum Groups etc).
- Greatvisual feedback.
- Greatsound.
- Presets.
- ProfessionalGUI Design.
- Verylow CPU usage.
You can download it here.
Wider by Polyverse Music
This is a simple free plugin that widens your stereo signal…
The added benefit of Wider is that it does this withoutcausing phase issues when you listen to the mix in mono because any widenedsignal will always remain in phase.
It’s extremely easy to use because you can only control oneparameter; the width.
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And that’s it!
It creates a much wider stereo feel and it doesn’t mess withthe phase at all!
Excellent plugin that I absolutely recommend!
You can download it here.
Conclusion
I hope I was able to provide the information you neededhere.
I believe that all of the plugins on this list areabsolutely amazing considering that they are free!
Wider is fantastic, and I also love Youlean Loudness Meterand mvMeter 2.
Give them a try and see how you like them!
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Have a great day!
Plugin Boutique is including a free copy of the ERA 4 Voice Leveler effect by Accusonus with any purchase until May 31st, 2020.
ERA 4 Voice Leveler is a single-knob tool for auto-correcting the level of vocal recordings. You can use it to achieve a voice leveling result that is more transparent than compression and similar to manual volume automation. However, everything is done automatically with a single control knob. Increase the processing amount to normalize the volume of the processed vocal.
The plugin features multiple processing modes, depending on the intensity of voice leveling that should be applied. Choose the “Tight” processing mode for a more intensive radio-like sound. The “Normal” processing mode is the better option for a more natural sound. The “Emphasis” processing mode ensures a more consistent tone and increases the intelligibility of dialogues and spoken word.
ERA 4 Voice Leveler can automatically adjust the volume of vocal recordings, dialogue recordings, podcasts, and more. It can be used as a real-time effect or as a channel insert in a digital audio workstation. In a mixing project, it can be used in tandem with a compressor to bring out the finer details in a vocal recording. It can also prevent the compressor from working too hard, thus avoiding the “pumping” artifacts that appear with overcompression.
For spoken word applications like podcasts and radio broadcasts, ERA 4 Voice Leveler can be used as an insert before the compressor and the limiter. It can smooth out the audio before further dynamic range reduction is applied.
Get Your Free Copy
To claim your free copy of the ERA 4 Voice Leveler plugin, simply complete any purchase at Plugin Boutique. In the shopping cart, make sure to check the ‘Yes, I want to receive this free gift!’ option and click ‘Proceed’.
The software is available in VST, AU, and AAX plugin formats for compatible digital audio workstations on PC and Mac. Both 32-bit and 64-bit host applications are supported. The free download offer ends on 31st, 2020.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Era 4 Voice Leveler is available for FREE download from Accusonus as part of the Video Creator Bundle. You will also get Era 4 De-esser and several other goodies. This offer expires on May 16th! So that’s a better deal if you’re reading this while the Video Creator bundle is still available.
More info:ERA 4 Voice Leveler(free with any purchase @ Plugin Boutique)
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