These include auto settings based on track analysis, plus visual tools that address mix balance, EQ masking and frequency content. Much of this is linked via inter-plugin communication. Treated carefully, this plugin is one of the best stereo wideners while keeping your mix compatible with any type of playback system. iZotope’s second entry in our list earns its place through its sheer breadth of options, and although many of them are aimed at those on a mastering tip, features such as Master Assistant, Tonal Balance, Spectral Shaping and Track Reference provide big helping hands whatever the task. Find out more about MasteringTheMix Reference. One of the best VST plugin delays on the market, this analog inspired delay is super versatile and can be used to effectively fill up your mix with top-notch delay throws. The UI is very simple to use and it features a large knob for controlling the amount of the desired effect. It’s well suited to submixes and master chain duties, and the ‘point and shoot’ simplicity is refreshing. MeldaProduction are well-known for some great plugins and they have earned their keep in many pro audio engineers’ plugin collections. FabFilter has a fantastic EQ that is very easy to use and provides an innovative way to mix your individual tracks so that they fit right into your mix. FabFilter Pro-Q 3. Each EQ band features a dedicated dynamics section which allows the EQ to cover a wide range of frequencies. There was a problem. Everyone needs to have Voxengo SPAN in their collection. Find out more about SoundRadix Auto Align. Basically, this is a tone and transient shaper plugin which can make your individual tracks go from biting hard to silky smooth. Its simple controls, sensible layout and slick-looking interface make it a joy to use, and you can write its output back as DAW automation for further tweaking if required. © We all love them and we all need them but sometimes their GUIs and options are too much to comprehend. Writer at Musician on a Mission. These include auto settings based on track analysis, plus visual tools that address mix balance, EQ masking and frequency content. 2. iZotope Neutron 2 Neutron 2 is a quality modular channel strip plugin that’s been supercharged with a bunch of intelligent mixing tools. Great! So if you’re looking for the greatest mastering plugins of today, you’re in the right place! You will receive a verification email shortly. Neutron 2 is a quality modular channel strip plugin that’s been supercharged with a bunch of intelligent mixing tools. You'll be able to unsubscribe at any time. By going to the sweet side you get very smooth transients and a silky tonal character, while going over to the bitter side you’re getting much more pronounced tonal characteristics and more aggressive transients. Yes we know that there are many other free “mastering” buss compressor plugins out there, and sure they all give you that kind of final touch and glue to you mixes, but in all honesty MSI Stereo Buss does it better than most others plain and simple. Sonible’s smart engine powers this hybrid EQ, which offers standard EQing alongside analysis-based filter curves. It is our favourite spectrum analyzer overall and it beats many analyzers out there that are paid-for. iZotope’s Music Production Suite combines seven next-level music production plugins. Basically it shapes your sub content and adds more oomph to your signal with body and punch. What’s more, by demonstrating what’s possible, they can also help us to expand our knowledge and understanding. Traditional EQ parameters are replaced by five controls that allow you to enhance masked elements, control dominant ones and then finesse the results. Check out our privacy policy to see how we protect and manage your submitted data. Neutrino tames undesirable resonances caused by poor room acoustics, cheap gear, and heavy-handed processing. Bitter Sweet is their freeware audio sweetening tool. The plugin has a certain character when pushed hard but it produces a warm pleasing output. This is a freeware loudness metering plugin featuring four metering modes (LUFS, LRA, DR and true peak). Check out their student discounts. Please refresh the page and try again. iZotope’s Neutron plugin bundle features a very unique technology and they scaled it down in order to present us with Neutrino, which is a freeware version with limited options. Sonarworks Reference 4 13. Each of them offers something new and unique (no boring EQs or compressors). For what it does and the fact that you’re getting it for free, it really is the best one out there at the moment. If we have to choose one, it’s got to be Soothe. Brainworx bx_masterdesk 3. That about wraps up the ultimate list of the best free audio plugins for mixing and mastering.. Hopefully, you have found some useful tools to help you shape your mix. If you work with live recordings, re-aligning elements to make them punchy and cohesive is a big task. (Computer Music) 30 December 2019, Best of 2019: Super-smart processors for your DAW. Much of this is linked via inter-plugin communication. The slider affects the amount of stereo processing, but be careful when pushing it too far though because too much stereo widening can make your track sound as if it doesn’t exist in the same space with others in your mix. Don't miss the latest deals, news, reviews, features and tutorials. All Rights Reserved. © 2020 Audio for Apps Ltd. trading as VSTBuzz. MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Both audible and visual. 1. Who is the best online guitar personality of 2020? Although all DAWs now include time adjustment features, Synchro Arts’ VocALign remains a firm favourite for vocals and monophonic instruments. This is a simple freeware VST plugin that widens your stereo signal with a very unique ability to broaden the stereo width of the signal without causing phasing issues when played back in mono. Its fully MIDI mappable for maximum control, and the integrated dry and wet knob opens you up to the possibility of parallel processing. This bundle contains 30 completely free plugins which span from bread and butter tools like compressors and EQs to some not so common effects like ring modulator and oscilloscope. bx_subfilter is a subharmonic content processor. All the plug-ins have been modeled after some of the most sought-after production equipment of all time.