EQ is one of the most basic—and important—tools you have as an audio engineer.
7 Best Free EQ Plugin Software for Music Producers on a Budget EQs or equalizers are among the most useful–and most commonly-used–sound processing tools in the audio world. They're capable of brightening dull sound sources and tempering harsh and overly bright ones, it has near-limitless uses in studio and live settings. The free Orchestra from ProjectSAM – A series of 12 free instruments for Kontakt (now works with the FREE Kontakt player, but WAV files are also included). Rare from Analog Obsession – An analog-modeled EQ 'Rare' signature for low end from past. XPressor from e-phonic – XPressor is a high-quality saturation and dynamics processor. 12 Of The Best Free AAX Plug-ins - Have You Seen All Of These Friday Free Plug-ins? In our regular Friday Free plug-in posts we feature a different free AAX plug-in for the community. These cover everything from distortion and bitcrushing, through reverbs and delays, compressors and EQs and even utility tools such as loudness meters.
Working with virtual studio technology (VST) plugins is tremendously convenient, but a lot of the best VST plugins out there are very expensive. 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. Best Free Equalizer EQ VST / AU Plugins on Internet TDR Nova by Tokyo Dawn Records. TDR Nova from Tokyo Dawn Records is a parallel dynamic free equalizer plugin for Windows. Marvel GEQ by Voxengo. Marvel GEQ is a linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer AU and VST plugin with multi-channel.
But there are so many different EQs out there, how do you know which ones are for you?
You might be thinking your DAW's channel EQ is perfectly fine. But not all EQs are the same. There's more types than you might think.
Here's the 15 best EQ Plugins on the market today:
This article will teach you about the common styles of EQ and how to use them to shape the perfect sound.
Let's dive in!
Analog EQ
Early EQs were all analog. Some of the earliest equalizer designs are still around today.
Engineers covet these analog beauties for the musically pleasing way they shape sounds. The musical qualities are the result of the unique circuit design of each unit.
Certain EQs became so sought after that plugin designers developed software to emulate them as closely as possible in the digital domain—leading to a mind-boggling ocean of plugin choices.
So what are the different styles of analog EQ? How do they work? What are they used for and where do they work best?
There's no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing an EQ. But there are some helpful guidelines that will help you get started with the classic designs.
Pultec-style EQ
The Pultec EQP-1A is the most sought after EQ ever. Well-preserved original units can sell for over $10,000.
The Pultec EQP-1A is the most sought after EQ ever.
Fortunately for us, the EQP-1A has a long history of software emulation. Today's Pultec-style plugins can sound good—if you know how to use them.
Pultec-style EQ can work wonders to subtly boost top end or extend lows. It can even make broad EQ enhancements without sacrificing any of the original vibe of the sound.
Since the EQP-1A hails from the earliest era of equalizers, it's control scheme is a little less intuitive than modern designs.
The bandwidth control affects both the high and low band, but low band works differently from the high band.
For the low band, the boost and attenuate knobs are both linked to one of four frequency options. This quirk allows you to both boost and cut at the selected frequency.
The overlapping filters create a steep bump that's fantastic for boosting the fundamental frequencies of low end instruments.
The high band has separate frequency options for boosting and cutting with overlaps at 5 and 10 kHz.
These controls are interactive and can result in some unique equalization curves.
Best Pultec EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Ignite Amps PTeq-X
Ignite Amps PTeq-X is a fantastic (and free) way to get started with Pultec-style EQ. It works just like the original so you can get a sense for creating those quirky overlapping curves.
Cheap Plugin: Waves PuigTec EQP-1A
The Waves PuigTec EQP-1A is a well-emulated, workhorse Pultec EQ. It's very affordable if you can catch it on sale.
Pro Plugin: UAD Pultec EQP-1A
The UAD Pultec EQP-1A is the industry standard software Pultec. UAD spared no expense in creating the perfect Pultec for your DAW.
SSL Channel EQ
SSL console strips did a lot to inform our idea of what a modern EQ is.
SSL console strips did a lot to inform our idea of what a modern EQ is.
Classic features we're familiar with today like integrated high/low-pass filters and variable Q were popularized by these consoles.
The SSL consoles are famous for their incredibly powerful filters.
The sharp high/low-pass filters, precise frequency ranges and extremely narrow Q options make this a EQ a first choice for surgical suturing and dramatic tonal changes. Their character is precise but aggressive.
Best SSL EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Smacklabs Logic Channel
Smacklabs Logic Channel is a good entry-level SSL EQ. This free plugin models the entire SSL channel strip, so you can try out the classic SSL-style compressor and gate/expander while you're at it.
Cheap Plugin: Slate FG-S
The Slate FG-S comes bundled with their very affordable VMR channel strip collection. The FG-S packs all the features and sound of the aggressive, surgical SSL channel EQ.
Pro Plugin: SSL Native Channel Strip
SSL recently jumped into the software game with its own line of plugins—including an in-house version of their classic console channel strip. Why not go straight to the source?
API-style EQ
Experienced engineers often refer to API as the 'American' sound in contrast to the 'British' Neve tone.
They're two sides of the same classic console coin.
If you're a fan of music from the 60's and 70's, there's a good chance some of your favourite records were recorded one of these desks.
Best Free Eq Vst 2019
The classic API EQ comes in a three band (550a) or four-band (550b) flavour.
The bands don't have individual Q controls, but the EQ is designed so that the Q becomes progressively sharper as you apply more extreme cuts or boosts.
It's intuitive and keeps you from worrying too much about the Q setting.
API-style EQ splits the difference between surgical and sculpting. Mild settings can be very transparent, while extreme cuts or boosts can be dramatic and vibey.
Best API EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Bee-Happy 550
Bee-Happy 500 is a free API-style plugin for those looking to start with classic 70's console EQ.
Cheap Plugin: Sly-Fi Axis
Sly-Fi Axis is part of the UBK family of products that includes the innovative Kush Audio hardware and software. This EQ is an API on steroids that's meant to exaggerate the analog colouration of the original.
Pro Plugin: Waves 550a & 550b
Waves 550a and 550b are fantastic native emulations of the API EQ. These are great-sounding and versatile plugins to get the API sound on your tracks.
Neve-style EQ
Neve consoles are the world's most prized vintage recording equipment.
From the early sixties until the mid-eighties, Neve Electronics produced consoles legendary for their warm, musical sound.
The preamp section of the Neve console strip often gets the most attention, but the EQ is a big part of the Neve sound.
Neve EQs are another great option for broad, smooth cuts and boosts with lots of character.
Neve EQs are another great option for broad, smooth cuts and boosts with lots of character.
There are several different flavours of Neve EQ from the various revisions of the console, but they mostly share the same architecture with a high-pass filter, two or three parametric mid bands and one fixed high band.
The fixed 12 kHz high band found on the Neve 1073 EQ is famous for its ability to add air to vocals, drum rooms and overheads.
Best Neve EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Smacklabs SL84 Console EQ
Smacklabs SL84 Console EQ will give you a taste of the Neve EQ sound for free. It's accurately modelled using IR technology.
Cheap Plugin: Sonimus Burnley 73
Sonimus Burnley 73 is super economical way to get the sound of a 1073 on to your tracks.
Free hip hop plugins for logic pro x. Pro Plugin: UAD Neve 1073
The UAD Neve 1073 is a tremendously accurate emulation of the classic 1073 preamp and EQ. It's incredibly smooth and musical with tone that screams Neve.
Digital EQ
We all drool over the analog EQ beauties. But that doesn't mean there aren't extremely useful and creative tools that don't have anything in common with the classics.
Digital EQ is essential for any DAW. It's the most precise tool in your EQ tool box.
Reach for digital EQ when you want to make changes without colouring your sound at all. In the right hands, digital EQ can be powerful, flexible and utterly undetectable.
Reach for digital EQ when you want to make changes without colouring your sound at all.
It's a first choice for 'problem solving' duties like notching out room resonances.
Best Digital EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Your built-in DAW EQ
Most DAWs come bundled with a capable digital EQ. We're talking about stock DAW plugins like Ableton EQ Eight, Logic Channel EQ, and Avid EQIII. These are all effective entry points into digital EQ.
Cheap Plugin: Voxengo PrimeEQ
Voxengo PrimeEQ is a robust, well-designed digital EQ from a respected company. Look no further if you're after a nice workhorse digital EQ.
Pro Plugin: Fabfilter ProQ 2
Fabfilter ProQ 2 is the most technologically advanced EQ on this list. The raw power of this EQ is staggering—it's a singular feat of DSP engineering. Listing all its incredibly powerful features would take far too long, let's just say this a top-tier professional EQ!
Great Equalizer
There's a whole world of EQ out there.
It's such a fundamental tool that engineers will always have strong opinions about it. And that means that designers will always be creating new and better versions.
Wading through that water is daunting and exciting at the same time.
But now that you know a little bit about the types of EQ, go head try some of the plugins on this list. You'll find out which EQ works best for you!
We polled over 16,500 members of our Audio Plugin Deals and Freebies Facebook group to see what they thought the best freebies of this year were. Anyone could add a product and vote for as many as they liked. The only rules were that the plugins were new this year, they are still free, and they will remain free indefinitely. Note that some entries from the original list have been removed as they didn't fit the criteria.
Best Dynamic Eq Vst
Here are the top 20 results, starting with the number one position.
- Spitfire LABS Series – An ever-expanding collection of virtual instruments. LABS itself is a free plugin and Spitfire releases new instruments for it, for free, every month… and they're great!
- RS-W2395C from Fuse Audio Labs – The W2395c is a classic Baxandall EQ combined with a powerful and beautifully sounding mid-band. As solitary or complementing equalizer with that special something, its particular tone and slightly interactive bands let your tracks stand out big time.
- TAL Reverb 4 from TAL Software – A high-quality plate reverb with a vintage 80's character.
- Convology XT from Impulse Record – This free vintage verb plugin download, comes in VST, AU, and AAX and features a sampling of files contained in the Convology XT Library.
- Tape Cassette from Caelum Audio – Tape Cassette is an easy to use audio plugin that gives your music warmth, noise and character.
- Acon Digital VerberateBasic2 – The free Verbarate Basic is based on Verberate 2 and offers the same highly praised audio quality. The plug-in offers four high quality presets from Verberate 2 that showcase the quality and versatility of the algorithm.
- Kee Bass from Martinic– Bring some groovy, bassy vibes back from the ‘60s and straight into your music with our faithful emulation of one of the first monophonic string bass simulators, the Rheem Kee Bass.
- Coral Baxter EQ from Acustica Audio – The free Baxter, like the commercial version, features AI-based presets created by experienced engineers who have worked on this product.
- The free Orchestra from ProjectSAM – A series of 12 free instruments for Kontakt (now works with the FREE Kontakt player, but WAV files are also included).
- Rare from Analog Obsession – An analog-modeled EQ 'Rare' signature for low end from past.
- XPressor from e-phonic – XPressor is a high-quality saturation and dynamics processor. It's capable of making your drums, vocals and instruments stand out in a mix. From subtile warm saturation to overdrive, XPressor adds that extra touch.
- Push from Sampleson – Push is a subtractive synth with a huge amount of randomness. Parametrized with a sound-design logic to get the most of the results to be usable as a patch.
- FBVC Vocoder from Full Bucket Music – The Full Bucket Vocoder FBVC is a software plug-in for Microsoft Windows (VST) and Apple macOS (VST/AU) simulating the classic KORG VC-10 Vocoder from 1978.
- Crunck V2 Guitar Amplifier from Nembrini Audio – The Crunck V2 Guitar Amplifier is one channel FREE plugin designed for a wide range of music genres.
- SQ8ROM from SampleScience – SQ8ROM is a sampled version of SQ8L, a VST plugin based on the sound and synthesizer architecture of the Ensoniq SQ80. SQ8ROM comes with 50 sounds, the remaining sounds are available as free expansions for a total of 168 sounds.
- Yala from Analog Obsession – Famous Vari-Mu Limiting Amplifier. Level vocals and basses especially but it's good for all purposes.
- Dyno from Airwindows – Dyno is a lot like Mojo, but for intensity instead of loudness.
- Panagement2 from Auburn Sounds – Panagement is the spatialization laboratory that has found its way to thousands of studios around the world. Panagement gives you raw power over your stereo tracks. Panagement FREE gets everything except the Delay and PGMT-400 chip.
- 'On The House' Kontakt instruments from 8dio – Currently six free instruments. (Pick from the options in the ‘On The House' dropdown menu.)
- Plasticity Filter by Bom Shanka Machines – plasticityFilter is a dual-mode filter offering a simplified interface to its high and low pass filters or a more complex mode of operation allowing complete independent control.
Best Free Parametric Eq Vst
So there you go… twenty freebies (more, really, as some are multiple plugins) that have impressed our community this year. We hope you enjoy them too!
Here is a link to the original poll.
Want more? You can also get a number of FREE EFFECTS, FREE INSTRUMENTS and FREE STUDIO TOOLS from our partner, Plugin Boutique.
The Pultec EQP-1A is the most sought after EQ ever.
Fortunately for us, the EQP-1A has a long history of software emulation. Today's Pultec-style plugins can sound good—if you know how to use them.
Pultec-style EQ can work wonders to subtly boost top end or extend lows. It can even make broad EQ enhancements without sacrificing any of the original vibe of the sound.
Since the EQP-1A hails from the earliest era of equalizers, it's control scheme is a little less intuitive than modern designs.
The bandwidth control affects both the high and low band, but low band works differently from the high band.
For the low band, the boost and attenuate knobs are both linked to one of four frequency options. This quirk allows you to both boost and cut at the selected frequency.
The overlapping filters create a steep bump that's fantastic for boosting the fundamental frequencies of low end instruments.
The high band has separate frequency options for boosting and cutting with overlaps at 5 and 10 kHz.
These controls are interactive and can result in some unique equalization curves.
Best Pultec EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Ignite Amps PTeq-X
Ignite Amps PTeq-X is a fantastic (and free) way to get started with Pultec-style EQ. It works just like the original so you can get a sense for creating those quirky overlapping curves.
Cheap Plugin: Waves PuigTec EQP-1A
The Waves PuigTec EQP-1A is a well-emulated, workhorse Pultec EQ. It's very affordable if you can catch it on sale.
Pro Plugin: UAD Pultec EQP-1A
The UAD Pultec EQP-1A is the industry standard software Pultec. UAD spared no expense in creating the perfect Pultec for your DAW.
SSL Channel EQ
SSL console strips did a lot to inform our idea of what a modern EQ is.
SSL console strips did a lot to inform our idea of what a modern EQ is.
Classic features we're familiar with today like integrated high/low-pass filters and variable Q were popularized by these consoles.
The SSL consoles are famous for their incredibly powerful filters.
The sharp high/low-pass filters, precise frequency ranges and extremely narrow Q options make this a EQ a first choice for surgical suturing and dramatic tonal changes. Their character is precise but aggressive.
Best SSL EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Smacklabs Logic Channel
Smacklabs Logic Channel is a good entry-level SSL EQ. This free plugin models the entire SSL channel strip, so you can try out the classic SSL-style compressor and gate/expander while you're at it.
Cheap Plugin: Slate FG-S
The Slate FG-S comes bundled with their very affordable VMR channel strip collection. The FG-S packs all the features and sound of the aggressive, surgical SSL channel EQ.
Pro Plugin: SSL Native Channel Strip
SSL recently jumped into the software game with its own line of plugins—including an in-house version of their classic console channel strip. Why not go straight to the source?
API-style EQ
Experienced engineers often refer to API as the 'American' sound in contrast to the 'British' Neve tone.
They're two sides of the same classic console coin.
If you're a fan of music from the 60's and 70's, there's a good chance some of your favourite records were recorded one of these desks.
Best Free Eq Vst 2019
The classic API EQ comes in a three band (550a) or four-band (550b) flavour.
The bands don't have individual Q controls, but the EQ is designed so that the Q becomes progressively sharper as you apply more extreme cuts or boosts.
It's intuitive and keeps you from worrying too much about the Q setting.
API-style EQ splits the difference between surgical and sculpting. Mild settings can be very transparent, while extreme cuts or boosts can be dramatic and vibey.
Best API EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Bee-Happy 550
Bee-Happy 500 is a free API-style plugin for those looking to start with classic 70's console EQ.
Cheap Plugin: Sly-Fi Axis
Sly-Fi Axis is part of the UBK family of products that includes the innovative Kush Audio hardware and software. This EQ is an API on steroids that's meant to exaggerate the analog colouration of the original.
Pro Plugin: Waves 550a & 550b
Waves 550a and 550b are fantastic native emulations of the API EQ. These are great-sounding and versatile plugins to get the API sound on your tracks.
Neve-style EQ
Neve consoles are the world's most prized vintage recording equipment.
From the early sixties until the mid-eighties, Neve Electronics produced consoles legendary for their warm, musical sound.
The preamp section of the Neve console strip often gets the most attention, but the EQ is a big part of the Neve sound.
Neve EQs are another great option for broad, smooth cuts and boosts with lots of character.
Neve EQs are another great option for broad, smooth cuts and boosts with lots of character.
There are several different flavours of Neve EQ from the various revisions of the console, but they mostly share the same architecture with a high-pass filter, two or three parametric mid bands and one fixed high band.
The fixed 12 kHz high band found on the Neve 1073 EQ is famous for its ability to add air to vocals, drum rooms and overheads.
Best Neve EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Smacklabs SL84 Console EQ
Smacklabs SL84 Console EQ will give you a taste of the Neve EQ sound for free. It's accurately modelled using IR technology.
Cheap Plugin: Sonimus Burnley 73
Sonimus Burnley 73 is super economical way to get the sound of a 1073 on to your tracks.
Free hip hop plugins for logic pro x. Pro Plugin: UAD Neve 1073
The UAD Neve 1073 is a tremendously accurate emulation of the classic 1073 preamp and EQ. It's incredibly smooth and musical with tone that screams Neve.
Digital EQ
We all drool over the analog EQ beauties. But that doesn't mean there aren't extremely useful and creative tools that don't have anything in common with the classics.
Digital EQ is essential for any DAW. It's the most precise tool in your EQ tool box.
Reach for digital EQ when you want to make changes without colouring your sound at all. In the right hands, digital EQ can be powerful, flexible and utterly undetectable.
Reach for digital EQ when you want to make changes without colouring your sound at all.
It's a first choice for 'problem solving' duties like notching out room resonances.
Best Digital EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Your built-in DAW EQ
Most DAWs come bundled with a capable digital EQ. We're talking about stock DAW plugins like Ableton EQ Eight, Logic Channel EQ, and Avid EQIII. These are all effective entry points into digital EQ.
Cheap Plugin: Voxengo PrimeEQ
Voxengo PrimeEQ is a robust, well-designed digital EQ from a respected company. Look no further if you're after a nice workhorse digital EQ.
Pro Plugin: Fabfilter ProQ 2
Fabfilter ProQ 2 is the most technologically advanced EQ on this list. The raw power of this EQ is staggering—it's a singular feat of DSP engineering. Listing all its incredibly powerful features would take far too long, let's just say this a top-tier professional EQ!
Great Equalizer
There's a whole world of EQ out there.
It's such a fundamental tool that engineers will always have strong opinions about it. And that means that designers will always be creating new and better versions.
Wading through that water is daunting and exciting at the same time.
But now that you know a little bit about the types of EQ, go head try some of the plugins on this list. You'll find out which EQ works best for you!
We polled over 16,500 members of our Audio Plugin Deals and Freebies Facebook group to see what they thought the best freebies of this year were. Anyone could add a product and vote for as many as they liked. The only rules were that the plugins were new this year, they are still free, and they will remain free indefinitely. Note that some entries from the original list have been removed as they didn't fit the criteria.
Best Dynamic Eq Vst
Here are the top 20 results, starting with the number one position.
- Spitfire LABS Series – An ever-expanding collection of virtual instruments. LABS itself is a free plugin and Spitfire releases new instruments for it, for free, every month… and they're great!
- RS-W2395C from Fuse Audio Labs – The W2395c is a classic Baxandall EQ combined with a powerful and beautifully sounding mid-band. As solitary or complementing equalizer with that special something, its particular tone and slightly interactive bands let your tracks stand out big time.
- TAL Reverb 4 from TAL Software – A high-quality plate reverb with a vintage 80's character.
- Convology XT from Impulse Record – This free vintage verb plugin download, comes in VST, AU, and AAX and features a sampling of files contained in the Convology XT Library.
- Tape Cassette from Caelum Audio – Tape Cassette is an easy to use audio plugin that gives your music warmth, noise and character.
- Acon Digital VerberateBasic2 – The free Verbarate Basic is based on Verberate 2 and offers the same highly praised audio quality. The plug-in offers four high quality presets from Verberate 2 that showcase the quality and versatility of the algorithm.
- Kee Bass from Martinic– Bring some groovy, bassy vibes back from the ‘60s and straight into your music with our faithful emulation of one of the first monophonic string bass simulators, the Rheem Kee Bass.
- Coral Baxter EQ from Acustica Audio – The free Baxter, like the commercial version, features AI-based presets created by experienced engineers who have worked on this product.
- The free Orchestra from ProjectSAM – A series of 12 free instruments for Kontakt (now works with the FREE Kontakt player, but WAV files are also included).
- Rare from Analog Obsession – An analog-modeled EQ 'Rare' signature for low end from past.
- XPressor from e-phonic – XPressor is a high-quality saturation and dynamics processor. It's capable of making your drums, vocals and instruments stand out in a mix. From subtile warm saturation to overdrive, XPressor adds that extra touch.
- Push from Sampleson – Push is a subtractive synth with a huge amount of randomness. Parametrized with a sound-design logic to get the most of the results to be usable as a patch.
- FBVC Vocoder from Full Bucket Music – The Full Bucket Vocoder FBVC is a software plug-in for Microsoft Windows (VST) and Apple macOS (VST/AU) simulating the classic KORG VC-10 Vocoder from 1978.
- Crunck V2 Guitar Amplifier from Nembrini Audio – The Crunck V2 Guitar Amplifier is one channel FREE plugin designed for a wide range of music genres.
- SQ8ROM from SampleScience – SQ8ROM is a sampled version of SQ8L, a VST plugin based on the sound and synthesizer architecture of the Ensoniq SQ80. SQ8ROM comes with 50 sounds, the remaining sounds are available as free expansions for a total of 168 sounds.
- Yala from Analog Obsession – Famous Vari-Mu Limiting Amplifier. Level vocals and basses especially but it's good for all purposes.
- Dyno from Airwindows – Dyno is a lot like Mojo, but for intensity instead of loudness.
- Panagement2 from Auburn Sounds – Panagement is the spatialization laboratory that has found its way to thousands of studios around the world. Panagement gives you raw power over your stereo tracks. Panagement FREE gets everything except the Delay and PGMT-400 chip.
- 'On The House' Kontakt instruments from 8dio – Currently six free instruments. (Pick from the options in the ‘On The House' dropdown menu.)
- Plasticity Filter by Bom Shanka Machines – plasticityFilter is a dual-mode filter offering a simplified interface to its high and low pass filters or a more complex mode of operation allowing complete independent control.
Best Free Parametric Eq Vst
So there you go… twenty freebies (more, really, as some are multiple plugins) that have impressed our community this year. We hope you enjoy them too!
Here is a link to the original poll.
Want more? You can also get a number of FREE EFFECTS, FREE INSTRUMENTS and FREE STUDIO TOOLS from our partner, Plugin Boutique.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL AT AUDIO PLUGIN GUY!
