Audio software plugins are great! You can use them in any DAW and free plugins are available to simulate nearly any kind of audio effect or instrument.
So many free plugins are available for immediate download. ‘Free’ means that there’s no monetary cost involved. But this doesn’t mean there are no other ‘costs’. Because every tool has a learning curve and that takes time, it’s worth knowing what plugins are useful before diving in and personally testing every single one of them.
To help you with that, I’ll highlight some free plugins that I’ve used repeatedly and with good results. I’ll start of with a complete bundle that contains basic versions of many common audio production and mixing tools. After that, I’ll discuss a few individual free plugins in various categories.
Cockos Reaper free plugins suite
Cockos is the company that brought us the wonderful and affordable DAW ‘Reaper’. (Check this article if you want to start using Reaper)
The ReaPlugs free plugins suite is included if you install the Reaper DAW, but you can also download it separately if you want to use these plugins with any other DAW. The download page also has a nice overview of some of the plugins included. All essential plugin types are included and they sound great.
There’s a great equalizer, gate, compressor, multi-band compressor, delay, tuner, pitch-shifter and much more.
The user interfaces are sometimes basic but functional.
Free equalizer plugins
Cockos ReaEQ
A very useful equalizer plugin. Still my go-to equalizer, even though I own a lot of great paid EQ plugins. It’s quick and precise, it allows adding or removing bands at will and it gets the job done.
Variety of Sound BootEQ mkII
When it comes to equalizers, sometimes you want different options. If you’re looking for a more ‘analog-style’ EQ plugin, check out this EQ by Variety of Sound. There’s a classic arrangement of EQ controls like you can find on analog gear or consoles. There’s also a preamp and tube simulation setting for some extra coloration of the signal.
The difference in sound with a more ‘accurate’ EQ like ReaEQ above is subtle. If you want to boost frequencies in a more ‘musical’ way, a plugin like this can get you better results.
However, the difference in look-and-feel of these kinds of plugins has other advantages:
- You’ll rely more on your ears to adjust the sound, which is always better. Especially when learning.
- If you’re familiar with analog style EQs, this will feel more natural to you. On the other hand, if you don’t know how to work with analog EQ, this is a quick way to learn.
- It looks much cooler, don’t you agree? ; )
Free compressor plugins
Cockos ReaComp
A versatile and accurate compressor, part of the ReaPlugs suite. No sound coloration. Does the job it is supposed to do with a lot of tweakable settings.
Kjaerhus Classic Compressor
A simple but functional compressor plugin. Unfortunately, the Kjaerhus Audio website is offline, but you can still find their free plugin pack mirrored on other sites.
VladG Molot
If you’re looking for a compressor that adds character, enter the Molot by VladG (Vladislav Goncharov). This compressor is intended for advanced users, but feel free to experiment and learn!
Free plugins for delay effects
Bionic SupaDelay: this delay plugin has many features, like LP/HP filter, ping-pong, tape emulation, extensive modulated filter section, pitch shift and reverb.
(This is ‘donationware’: the developer encourages making a donation if you use and like this plugin.)
Other free plugin effects and synthesizers are available on the same website.
Valhalla FreqEcho: A simpler delay plugin from a great company. Has less features than the SupaDelay, but is very easy to use.
Free plugins for reverb effects
Reverberation or ‘reverb’ in short, is the effect you use for adding the sound of a ‘space’ to your instrument or track. These can be simulated rooms, halls, ‘reverb plates’ or abstract ambience spaces.
epicVerb
This developer: ‘Variety of sound’ has a lot of great plugins. I’ve used this particular reverb plugin a lot. It has a lot of common reverb features like filtering, early reflections parameters, mid/side setting, …
ReaVerb (IR)
Convolution reverb is a special type of reverb that you can use to simulate real spaces. The reverb generation is based on a sound sample recorded in an existing space. By multiplying the incoming signal with this impulse response, the reverb is reproduced in the plugin.
You can find free impulse response files online. What’s more, not only reverbs can be simulated like this: impulse response files exist for the simulation of guitar amps and cabinets for example. So yes, this plugin can also be used as an amp-sim or cab-sim plugin for example, if you have the right impulse response files.
ReaVerb is part of the Cockos ReaPlugs bundle. You can download some example impulse response files here to get you started.
Free plugins for saturation/distortion
Softube Saturation Knob
A nice free plugin for saturation/distortion. Has 3 saturation types and one knob for tuning the amount of saturation. Can be used subtly or at extreme settings. The only drawback is that there is no output gain setting, so watch out for the ‘louder-is-better’ effect.
Download link (account needed and installation of ‘Gobbler’ tool)
Variety of sound Ferric TDS
A free plugin for tape dynamics and saturation emulation. You can use it to subtly add tape compression, harmonic distortion and/or limiting to get a ‘fuller’, ‘warmer’ sound.
Download link (For more saturation options try the TesslaPro which has many saturation types and options or the TesslaSE, which has less options but can be easier to use.)
Free plugins for the master bus
Although these plugins can be used on individual tracks as well, they are commonly used on the master bus during mixing and/or mastering.
Cockos ReaXComp
A great multiband compressor. You can add or remove bands at will. I.e. this plugin can be used as a 2 band or 10 band compressor, if that’s your thing.. Can also be used as a surgical dynamic EQ tool. A de-esser for example, if you know what frequencies and settings to use.
VladG Limiter no6
The limiter is an important tool for mastering. You can use it to reduce loud peaks in a smooth and musical way. With a limiter you can crank up the volume or loudness by a few decibels. The Limiter no6 from VladG is an advanced limiter plugin with multiple sections. It’s actually 5 processes for compression, limiting and output protection in one plugin. Sounds great and looks the part.
BlueCat FreqAnalyst
A frequency analyzer is a plugin that maps out the frequency response on a graphical scale. This one is free and works great with a number of parameter settings and no excessive CPU usage. You can use it to check for dips and peaks in the frequency spectrum of your track.
Download link (The free plugins pack contains other excellent plugins like chorus, phaser, flanger, EQ and gain tools)
Free synthesizer plugins
VST or AU instruments are plugins that create sound rather than process it. (Although some synthesizer plugins can also process external signals.)
I’ll elaborate more on the different types of instrument plugins and review some good free options in a future post. Here’s one simple free synthesizer plugin here to get you started.
Togu Audio Line (TAL) Elek7ro
A synthesizer plugin with all basic features. This synth is no longer supported by TAL, but an excellent starting place to learn how to program synthesizers.
A newer, slightly more complex synthesizer is also available for free from the TAL website.
Now it’s your turn
You got an overview of some options that are available for different audio effect plugins. Try them out, you won’t be sorry. And if you’re able, support the developers who brought us so many great free plugins to use!
I’ve highlighted mainly plugins that I’ve used for myself regularly. If you think I’ve left out some important free plugins, or if you prefer using different ones, let me know in the comments below!
Until next time! Please subscribe if you want to receive updates on future blog posts.
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