Best "free" plug-in?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rossl
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Rossl

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I have never used any mastering type software (or hardware). I use Sonar 7 producer. I usually use a compressor to boost volume in my final mix.

What is the easiest and/or best free VST plugin available that I can experiment with?
 
Literally hundreds of free plugs you can audition right HERE!!!

easiset and best are subjective and only you can decide that for yourself.
 
In all honesty (and against my better judgment), if you want a plugin that will "masterize" by merely inserting it, download and install the Jeroen Breebart free bundle and try the "Broadcast" processor:

http://www.jeroenbreebaart.com/vst/jb_vst_plugins.zip

It may be free and it may be older, but it is one of the few plugins I've found where just by inserting it, it can give you a decent enough master to use for Soundcloud, Youtube, etc. The only thing you have to look out for is the automatic gain compensation. During quiet song passages it could boost to much. In that case I'll just turn AGC off and boost the input gain until I'm satisfied. What's cool about it is that it has tri-band compression and limiting, a brickwall wideband limiter, and spacial processing per band, which means that you can mono the bass if you want or just adjust the overall stereo spread.

The Broadcast is actually great for its namesake: broadcast. If you've got an internet radio station and run software that can host VST plugins, it would be great to put at the end of the processing chain. Personally, I think it's a gem.

Cheers :)
 
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the best free plugin which is on nearly all my masters is "voxengo span" ;-)
 
There are a lot of free VST plugins out there. I like the Alchemy Player and Blue Cat plugins. You can just Google "free vsts" and start your search. Only trial and error will give you an idea of what's the best free VST plugin for you.
 
Stock plugins in your DAW! You payed for DAW, but you get stock plugins for free, literally
 
JMN said:
Stock plugins in your DAW! You payed for DAW, but you get stock plugins for free, literally
Click to expand...

No you don't. If you paid for your DAW, then you've paid for the plugins that come bundled with it. An exception might be Reaper, where the stock plugins are available to download free for use in any DAW.
 
Good batch out there, Check Thrillseeker LA which I use on my main vocal in my mix this submission... 2 Knobs, FTW!
 
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There are hundreds and hundreds of plugins, but sounds like you could try some EQ and/or compression. Try your compression on different combinations of tracks together in a bus. Its a lot of trial and error...

Good luck!
 
I always google 'best free ... vst' and most of the time I land on sites where there's a top 10 list describing shortly what each plugin does etc.

For example that's how I found this 'Knufinke SIR1' reverb plugin!
 
Limiter No6 by vladg is a great limiter with some nifty tricks in it. I use it from time time on projects but it needs to be carfully applies or it does tend to distort.

Sam
 
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