Free Mastering Bv Compressor Vst
Due to their undeniable complexity, a seasoned engineer can easily spend hours mastering a single vocal track…
Familiarity with compression (and the different types of compressor) is the best way to understand how dynamics can be tamed to perfection and with this collection of free VST compressors you’ll have plenty to work with. Best Free Compressor. This week's featured free plug-in from our free plug-ins database is a bundle of mastering plug-ins. A compressor, EQ, reverb, limiter and mono tool. What Is The Noiz-Lab LE Mastering Bundle? This bundle has been provided as a resource to complement the Home Studio Mastering.
Afterall, compressing and paying special attention to levels on the most dynamic instrument only makes sense.
Luckily, there are several free vocal mastering VST plugins to assist in the process without breaking the bank.
In this article, we’ll dive into a couple of compressors, exciters, equalizers, and noise gate VSTs that mimic many of the tools used by the pros to give mixes the extra polish they need.
Free Plugins For Mastering Vocals
Compressor VSTs
With vocal audio constantly wavering between high and low levels, a good compressor is nothing short of essential to the final mastering process. Check out some of these options to achieve a cohesive, condensed vocal sound.
Related: Proper Compression Settings for Vocals, Best Paid Vocal Compressors
OTT by Xfer Records
Pick it up here
Best Free Mastering Vst Plugins
With a simple yet sleek user interface, this plugin is approachable to engineers at all ends of the spectrum. The VST consists of 3 bands and is geared towards trap/electronic genres. OTT has the standard controls of any compressor: In/Out Gain, depth, and time without the clutter from any unnecessary bells and whistles. Each band is equipped with a modest visualizer, allowing you to see how your sound is being altered at different frequency ranges.
Although some producers may find the lack of options control-wise limiting, OTT is quick to get you to the sound you desire without wasting unnecessary time. Overall, the price is more than right, and OTT does an excellent job at evening out levels.
DC1A by Klanghelm
Pick it up here
If you’re looking for a simple compressor to give your vocals a bit more of an analog/classic feel, the Klanghelm DC1A is an excellent free plugin to start with. Its most notable feature is the 4 built-in presets with deep, relaxed, negative, and dual mono compression modes.
To add to its retro vibe, the VST has an embedded meter that looks like those on vintage rack mounts and is just as useful. The meter itself is easily understood and has a delineated red threshold so you can tell whether or not you’re clipping even with just a quick glance. The main focus of the plugin is the input and output, nothing else really besides the compression modes, making it a great option for beginners.
Moreover, Klanghelm produces a bulkier compressor VST entitled DC8C, so DC1A acts as a great trial run before investing in a paid plugin. For a seasoned engineer, this VST may be oversimplified, but those looking for efficiency or that classic mono sound, this is an excellent choice.
Equalizers (EQ) VSTs
When mastering a vocal, especially in pop/more current styles of music, producers commonly boost/cut out frequencies to help it stand out a bit more in the master mix. Here are a couple of free EQs that can fulfill all of your vocal mastering needs.
Related post: Best Paid EQ plugins for Vocals
ReaEQ by Reaper
Pick it up here
In general, this EQ plugin is great for the entire production process, but it also has a couple of key features that lend themselves particularly towards vocal mastering. For example, the VST has a dial-in frequency feature that allows the user to enter precisely what frequency he/she would like to be emphasized or lowered. You are able to add an unlimited amount of bands to give absolute clarity to the vocal and add polish to its final master. The bandwidth can be widened or narrowed with a few mouse clicks, streamlining the process.
Moreover, each band has a separate bypass toggle, meaning that you can easily switch one on/off to compare a sound before/after processing. ReaEQ comes equipped with high and low pass filters, bands, much more. The central visualizer makes it easy to locate all of your bands. Although the plugin is not the most aesthetically pleasing, it certainly works well and has a lot of features that normally come with paid plugins.
It is a great plugin to download as a beginner, but able to translate into more mature mastering practices with its potentially highly specified input/output values. ReaEQ is a superb tool and comes as a part of the Rea PLugs bundle with many other useful VSTs.
Luftikus By Lkjb
Pick it up here
This EQ is super useful in achieving a retro sound, as it is a digitized version of an analog-style Equalizer. Luftikus is set up like a traditional rack mount and has 5 fixed-frequency EQ bands with corresponding knobs. This feature could be seen as limiting during the mastering process as you cannot type in specific frequencies in the same way that you can with previously mentioned ReaEQ.
However, if you’re mastering a vocal bus with multiple vocal tracks, having fixed bands can help simplify the process and give you a little boost without being excessive. In addition, the VST has an added “mastering” mode which removes superfluous features to get you in and out of mastering efficiently. Luftikus has a separate section dedicated to boosting the high-end frequencies and a couple of preset options between 2.5-40K Hz which is particularly useful during the vocal mastering process.
Outside of the presets, the high-end boost has a knob that can be altered for a more specific vocal top-end boost. The plugin has a “keep gain” button designed to make changes appear more subtle than drastic while EQing, ideal for mastering. The colorful interface makes it exciting to use and Luftikus proves to consistently create masters with a bit more of a vintage feel.
Nova-67P by Vladg/sound
Pick it up here
The Nova-67p is a hybrid between a compressor and an equalizer making it a fine resource for mastering. The plugin is centered around the main visualizer where you can view the waveforms and respective bands. It’s nice that you’re able to see the waveforms in realtime, especially since vocals are fickle and quick to change from one level to the next. Since it also acts as a compressor, there is a small level meter as well to prevent clipping the vocal tracks.
This unique combination makes the VST a one-stop-shop for vocal mastering. Although sidechaining is traditionally done within the mixing stage, it is certainly worth mentioning that this plugin has sidechain capabilities built-in, along with high and low pass filters. It comes with attack, release, and ratio knobs and a separate toggle for mastering. If you’re looking to EQ or compress exclusively, this plugin may not be the best choice as the two components are designed to be used together in the mastering process.
For those looking to do both processes anyway, this plugin certainly accelerates mastering and will give you a more put together sound as the EQ and compressor interact with one another beautifully.
Noise Gate VSTs
Free Mastering Bv Compressor Vst Plugins
A less common but underrated gating possibility is centered around the vocals. Condenser and other common microphones, often pick up unneeded frequencies that can cloud your vocal clarity during the mastering process. In order to eliminate this, try out one of these free noise gate plugins and place it on a vocal track.
Related post: Best Paid Noise Reduction Plugins
preFix by Variety of Sound
Pick it up here
Prefix acts as a couple of plugins built into one with EQ, sidechain, compression, and phasing built-in. Similarly to Nova-67P, the features are meant to be used with one another without external interference. The noise gate feature is notable as it has specified attack, release, hold, and pre-gate knobs allowing the user to hone in on which frequencies they’d like to be ducked.
Although this plugin is best used during the mixing process, it can be a great reference point during mastering since it includes so many of the tools needed to create a polished track. If someone was stuck on a vocal mix and wanted to be able to visualize a finished or mastered product, preFix could be placed on the corresponding vocal bus and quickly adjusted to give the user a vague idea of the polished product. Since there are so many controls and a lack of a frequency visualizer, this plugin can certainly be intimidating and time consuming for a beginner. However, a reference track on its own is extremely valuable, especially for something as nuanced as vocals, and when mastered, preFix is as effective as comparable costly VSTs.
GGate by GVST
Pick it up here
This plugin is as simple as it can get, but don’t let its minimal approach fool you- GGate is very powerful and is straightforward enough to be added to all kinds of vocals. The plugin consists of 3 knobs: The threshold, attack, and fade; Each pretty self-explanatory in their own right. GGate has a dry/wet meter so that the gated signal can be played alongside the unaltered signal. This opens the door to parallel processing for vocals, which can make a significant difference in the listener’s experience.
Moreover, the “fade” knob is suited to create subtle changes in the overall level of a vocal track. For those looking to give a more processed/clear sound to vocals, i.e those centered around commercial/pop genres, this plugin may prove to be insufficient. However, if you’re in a pinch or just need to eliminate a minute level of noise without being too obvious, you can’t beat the control offered by GGate.
Exciter VSTs
In the same way it is helpful to boost the preexisting high-end of vocals in order to bring the sound more upfront during mastering, exciters generate artificial/organic tones typically in the 3K range and above.
Related post: Best Paid Exciter Plugins
Thrillseeker XTC by Variety of Sound
Pick it up here
This exciter is based around analog-style retro sounds and combines a traditional exciter/saturator with a 3-band EQ. Each set EQ range has a separate knob and bypass button so that different frequency ranges can be enhanced independently. This is particularly useful in scenarios where one is utilizing a vocal bus and wants to master an overall sound without emphasizing unwanted tones/frequencies. Free metal bass amp vst.
The plugin has a “Mojo” and Drive section, catered to leveling out the amplitudes of generated frequencies running parallel to the dry vocal. Moreover, the VST can be switched in between blue or black versions depending on how precise an engineer desires the finished master to be. Thrillseeker in this way lends itself to a variety of genres and applications. Although it is somewhat limited in being linked to retro or vintage type sounds, the VST is absolutely worth a try at no cost.
BuzVintageMaxi by Buzzroom
Buzzroom has created a true exciter plugin with BuzVintageMaxi. The VST is very minimal, with two main knobs: gain and ceiling for the threshold level of the audio signal. The plugin is known for adding thick, warm sounds to any track it is applied to. This can be especially useful for mastering female vocals, where sometimes the upper register can lose warmth/low-end frequencies when translated to an audio signal. It has two included processing modes, normal and deep, to cater to the depth of harmonics applied to the signal.
Although this plugin cannot be used to master an entire vocal tracks alone due to its lack of complexity, it certainly produces a warm vocal within a short amount of time. It’s definitely worth a try, even just train your ears on what a warm/fat vocal should sound like.
Modern Exciter by Antress
Pick it up here
Antress has a number of strong plugins free for download on their website. Modern Exciter has a user interface resembling a standard rack mount and is not overly muddled by too many controls. Harmonics can be added to low or high frequencies and adjusted with their respective knobs. This lends itself well to mastering vocals as different voices will have different areas in which they need more widening depending on the frequency of the dry audio signal. Modern Exciter includes a VU meter, which especially lends itself to mastering since it helps display the average level of the processed signal.
If you want more of a retro sound, this VST has a built-in analog preset. Moreover, the VST processes in stereo and has separate left and right channels appropriately. The plugin does not have a whole lot of controls which may seem to limit to some, but it notably separates the high and low ends to organically fill in vocal frequency gaps.
Quick Tips For Mastering Vocals
In general, the mastering process involves adding the final polish to a preexisting mix. This includes leveling, preparing for distribution, and making sure that the project as a whole is cohesive. Let’s dive into a couple of tips that illustrate what that process is like for vocals.
#1. Keep Mixing and Mastering Separate
With any aspect of a song, especially vocals, it’s important that you’re giving the mixing and mastering processes their own space. This is because the philosophy behind mixing involves deep adding/subtracting, sometimes involving an entire rework of a track.
When you master, you are looking to polish and heighten the parts of something that is already complete. By keeping the two operations independent of one another, you allow for your vocals to be better thought out in terms of context (mixing) and the overall level/vibe of the song as a whole (mastering). A good master on a bad mix still produces a poor track. Therefore, make sure you do your homework before jumping into the world of mastering plugins- The real work comes out during mixing.
#2. Know your Vocals
What type of voice is presented on your track? What kind of frequency is it lacking? Is your vocal the focus of your song or more in the background? It’s vital that you consider these questions deeply before beginning the mastering process so that you have a clear roadmap to lead you down the right mastering path with plugins that fit accordingly.
#4. Use a Reference Track
Vocals are by far the trickiest aspect of understanding audio engineering since they are so unique. It can be extremely helpful to use a reference track during the mastering process to get your vocal exactly where you desire. Moreover, so many of these free plugins include bypass features, sometimes for each separate band, which makes it easy to compare against your model track.
Mastering is the icing on top of the cake, not the cake itself, but that does not diminish its importance- especially with vocal tracks. A good master sets your music apart and is a mark of a seasoned producer. Try out one of these free vocal mastering VSTs on your next track to get you one step closer to the coveted warm, thick vocal our ears crave.
These days, most DAWs come with a host of built-in free VST plugins. These are generally designed to give you a good set of starting tools to make the most of your DAW. However, most DAW designers are very good at building DAWs and not as good at building VSTs. Whilst there are always a few stand out tools that every DAW user couldn’t live without, it’s quite common to find a large array of third-party plugins in professional studios. I know myself that over 95% of the plugins I use on a regular basis are third-party.Now I’m sure you’re thinking that it’s all good and well having third-party VSTs if you’ve got the money. This is where I step in. Today we’re going to take a look at 13 free VST plugins for windows that give the high-end gear a serious run for their money.Free VST Reverbs
First off, let’s take a look at reverbs. This is probably one of the most abundant freeware plugin types on the market. However, there are some real duds out there. I’ve got two great bits of kit here that will really help bring some depth to your mixes.epicVerb by Variety of Sound
The first of these is epicVerb. Designed for maximum flexibility, this algorithmic reverb does it all. From small, ambient spaces to luscious halls, you’ve got full control. With a built-in EQ and modulation controls, there aren’t many spaces you can’t recreate with this thing.RoomMachine 844 by Silverspike
Another interesting reverb plugin is RoomMachine 844. This plugin appears to be modeled on a convolution premise in that it is designed to simulate speakers and microphones in a real space. However, as they are digital, we can assume it is still using algorithms to do the calculations and not impulse responses. However, it still has a unique premise. You are able to use the positions section to place to virtual loudspeakers and then dictate their stereo width and distance from the microphones. This lets you simulate real spaces that suit what you are trying to achieve. The controls are simple and you certainly won’t get as many unique tones out of this one but it’s still a fantastic free VST.Time for Some EQ
There are a variety of different EQs types out there and every DAW comes with at least. This is typically a standard parametric EQ with fairly limited capabilities. As such, I can imagine that you might be wanting of a few more choices when using EQ.Luftikus by IJKB
Some of my favourite EQs to work on are also some of the simplest ones you can get. I’ve always loved mixing with hardware EQ and really using my ears to sculpt the tone of my signals. As such, fixed band EQs whilst limiting, give me fantastic results. Unlike parametric EQs, you have to work with the fixed bands and as such, be far more careful with your choices. Using your ears, you make minor adjustments and keep things musical, not clinical.Now, unfortunately, these types of EQs usually come at a cost. They are typically emulations of famous hardware and as such, yield similar prices. I’m talking about things like APIs and Pultecs. That was until I came across Luftikus.This multi-band fixed EQ comes with four half octave bells, one half octave high shelf and another high shelf with adjustable fixed frequency points. It’s generally very gentle and you will have to really crank the knobs to get it to do much. However, this is kind of what makes it great. It’s one of those tools that’s handy when you’re trying to be subtle, especially with subtractive EQ. Bus EQing and master channel EQing come to mind here.It also has three switches built into the bottom. One enables ‘mastering’ mode. This changes the EQ knobs from being adjustable by 0.1dB to being adjustable by 1dB. This means that each step on the knob will have a significantly more noticeable effect as it jumps. Very handy for final adjustments and mastering. We’ve also got an ‘analogue’ switch to emulate an analogue sound. Finally, there is a ‘keep gain’ switch designed to adjust the overall level of the signal as you make changes. This is really handy when you need to A/B the plugin.Electri-Q (posihfopit edition) by Aixcoustic Creations
Now, if you’re more in the market for control over your EQ, you might like what I have next. Electri-Q (posihfopit edition)is a powerful, low phase parametric EQ with the capability to handle up to 64 bands. It also comes with a variety of filter types and the ability to switch between clean digital EQ and transformer modeled analogue EQ that’s a touch more colourful.Whilst most DAWS typically offer their own parametric EQ, this offers you a little bit more. With it’s added controls, expanded band allowance, and low phase calculations, it becomes a powerful tool for mixing and mastering. It’s not the prettiest of things to look at but then who really cares?The Best Free Compressor VSTs
Compression is always a tricky one for beginners. Just like with EQ, most DAWs only come with one standard compressor that often has a one glove fits all approach. For anyone who understands compression, you’ll know that no single compressor is perfect for everything. Below are a couple of really great tools that I guarantee will operate far better than any built-in DAW compressor.MJUC JR by Klanghelm
In a previous article, I addressed the different circuit types that you can typically find in compressors. One of the lesser knowns of these is the Vari-Mu. Often used in mastering, Vari-Mu (or variable-gain) is a tube based compression type. The original design is owned and trademarked by Manley and costs so much, you’d need to remortgage your studio. However, there are plenty of software alternatives out there. Obviously, these don’t use tubes so you’re not going to get that true vari-mu sound. However, the concept for the compression type holds true and there are even free versions on the market.The MJUC JR by Klanghelm is a great example of this. It has a simple and straightforward design just like a vari-mu should. We get one knob for the amount of compression and another for makeup gain. We also have a control for the recovery time and slew rate giving us control over different content types. Stacked up against the Waves Puigchild this thing performs pretty well. It works great as a glue compressor, however, I find it a little over aggressive for the circuit type.Molot by vladg/sound
Another great compression plugin to have to hand is Molot. On the surface, this looks like a fairly typical optical compressor. However, once you chuck onto a channel it really comes into its own. This thing is far from transparent and offers a staggering amount of power. You’ve got the addition of a high-pass filter as well a limiter, mid scoop bell EQ, and multiple stereo image modes. For me, this is reminiscent of the Fairchild in its design but more like an 1176 in its sound. It’s something you’ll probably have to learn to use and then only implement when you know you need it. But when you need it, it’ll work wonders!Having a variety of compressors in your arsenal is imperative. Knowing how and when to use them is even more important still. Many DAWs come with one stock ‘one glove fits all’ compressor which is really no help. Grab these great free VST plugins to make sure you’ve got choices in your tool belt.Moving on to Mastering Tools
Besides the typical things such as EQ and compression, mastering tends to deal with the subject of width and loudness. Here a few freebies that can help get your tracks into that commercial realm without costing you a penny.YouLean Loudness Meter
Being able to measure loudness and dynamic range accurately is one of the most important things a mastering engineer has to do. You can easily pay hundreds on histogram tools with fully customizable features. Or, you can grab the Youlean Loudness Meterfor absolutely nothing.A truly marvellous tool that does everything that you need a LUFS loudness meter to do. Easy to understand short-term and integrated loudness metering with a dynamic range readout and a true peak detector. It also provides measurements in mono and stereo and has a detailed and adjustable histogram. Seriously, you couldn’t ask for much more out of something like this, especially when it’s completely free.If you don’t already have some form of loudness metering software, this is a great place to start. I routinely chuck this on my master channel even when I’m doing production or mixing work. It’s a really easy way to make sure you’re not clipping and a fabulous tool for identifying dynamic contrast in your work. Equally, it’s very handy when it comes to examining reference tracks. If you’re one for commercial loudness and being competitive in the market, this plugin is going to set your mind at ease in a heartbeat.TT Dynamic Range Meter
Another great little tool to grab is the TT Dynamic Range Meter. Far simpler than the loudness meter above but it does a great job at measuring dynamic range and peak levels. For a low CPU quick mix checker, it’s definitely worth having. Especially before sending your material off for mastering.Ozone Imager by Izotope
Another notable mention for freebies is the Ozone Imager. A slightly simpler version of the one that comes with the paid suite, this little gem is a great mastering tool for stereo width. It’s not something that I’m a huge advocate of because of the phase issues that these things can cause. However, used subtly for a little bit of separation, it can yield great results. It has a beautiful, simple design with a fader for width and another for the amount of stereoization. The vectorscope is a lovely thing to watch and really easily helps to show you exactly what’s going on under the hood. Grab this while it’s going free and get to work on widening your mixes. Just remember to check the mono mix afterward!A Great Set of Free VST Plugins for Beginners
Now this tenth plugin is a little more than just a single tool. As I mentioned early on, many DAWs come with plenty of built-in tools. However, sometimes they are a little lacking or you’re simply missing a few of the essentials. If this sounds like the problem you’re having, I suggest you check out Dead Duck Software.With a plain but appealing GUI, Dead Duck provides 24 free VST plugins for all your production and mixing needs. From a full channel strip to a ring modulator, this plugin bundle encompasses a really great set of tools. You’ve probably got alternatives for a lot of them already but where you don’t, they make a really strong addition. The simple design makes them great for beginners and they won’t let you down in what they can do.Even if you’re thinking that you’ve got all the basic tools already, there is one real stand out here. The Utility plugin. This is something that lives on my master bus by default nowadays. Being able to quickly flick between your stereo, mono, and mid/side mix is super helpful. Also, it’s great for checking out the separate sides of your mix independently as well as their phase. Do yourself a favour and have a play around with some of these. I’m certain you’ll find something worth keeping in your toolbox.A Few Additional Mentions in the Free VST World
Amongst the typical tools listed above, there are also a variety of specialist tools that can come in handy in certain situations. The ones I’ve sourced below for you are particularly useful because they aren’t commonly available in the typical DAW.Vinyl by Izotope
The first of these is a plugin by the name of Vinyl. Known as “The Ultimate Lo-fi Weapon”, Vinyl is a multi-parameter plugin designed to simulate the grit and noise of old analogue formats. This is one of those plugins that you can strap onto your master channel and use to dial in a bit of noise and ambience. It’s designed to give your tracks a little bit of character and edge. Now, this won’t be for everyone. I know plenty of people love a clean, modern sound and are thankful that gear has moved on from the noisy old bits of kit we had to use before. However, if you’re all about a bit of retro and lo-fidelity, then you are going to love this free plugin.You’ve got controls for mechanical noise, electrical noise, dust, scratch, and warp. Not only this but you can dial in the amounts of each that you want as well as adjusting the whole plugin to replicate a different part of history. From the 1930’s to the 2000’s, Vinyl is capable of emulating an incredibly authentic sound for any genre at its high point. This is going to be especially great for those of you looking to get a really gritty 90s sound.