VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology. VST Plugins are plug-ins that can be installed on top of music software to add virtual instruments. These can include synthesizers, pianos, percussions, and so on. VST audio effect plug-ins can add effects like reverb, echo, pre delay, and de-essing. They also allow you access to an infinite number of instruments and effects. Virtual Studio Technology was created to support and supplement the various actual studio equipment.
Music mixes are all the rage now. Be it curating a mix for a posh escape room breakout or creating your newest original track; the right music mixes can make or break your music ventures. Here is a list of 10 free VST plug-in effects to take your mix to the next level –
1. The Freq Echo –
The Freq Echo is a frequency shifter that emulates analog echo. It incorporates chorus, phasing, and flanger effects. Make some wild glissandos and runaway echos if you want to. It’s ideal for psychedelic and dub effects. It’s great for thickening up basslines. You’ll enjoy it if you’re a fan of electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire. Freq Echo is compatible with both Mac OS and Windows, making it extremely user-friendly.
2. Code Red Free Shattered Glass Audio –
Giving your mix a feel is a terrific approach to improve it. The onboard EQ, which includes high and low shelf bands as well as a peak mid-band, can help shape the tone of your music and improve your mix. Because the plug-in also includes the REDD preamp’s sound, you can use these two elements together to get all of the 60’s tone you need for your project (s).
You may use the input knob to increase the level and obtain some nice clipping to drive the preamp harder. There’s also a handy wet/dry blend knob to help you get the right amount of color for your mix’s vibe.
3. 1208 SCS Channel Strip –
The plug-in includes a compressor, a 4-band parametric equalizer with switchable high and low curves, a high pass filter, mixing and metering sections, and a Plug Matrix for routing audio. This channel strip’s equalization is also available individually as 1208 SEQ. The 1208 GEQ, a classic 11-band graphic equalizer with adjustable Q, individual band bypass, and a light dab of mojo, is also available.
Its frequency ranges, gain levels, and Q parameters are largely modeled on a vintage British EQ. 1208 SCS Channel Strip is now available for 64-bit Windows (VST/VST3) as a free download. Both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows versions of the 1208 SEQ and 1208 GEQ are available. Oversampling, HP, and LP filters are unavailable in the free version.
4. Emissary –
Emissary is a digital emulation of a custom 2 channel guitar tube amp. It’s a no-holds-barred custom amp built to kill. It has a wide tonal palette for modern metal musicians, with a dynamic clean channel that runs from pristine cleans to slightly overdriven tones, and a harsh lead channel meant for serious bone-crushing distortions. The Emissary is designed to be used as a virtual guitar amplifier for live performance and jamming, as well as recording and mixing in hosts that support VST or AU Plug-Ins.
Dropping this amp model on your audio channel will turn your audio-in into some bone-crushing distortion. This is best suited to modern metal musicians and experimental techno artists.
5. Brainworx bx_Rockrack V3 –
Brainworx’s bx_Rockrack V3 includes eight well-known amp models in a single plug-in. This is in contrast to the more common and expected approach of providing guitarists with a plethora of modifying possibilities by including dozens of amp types, cabinet styles, and microphone selections. Three meticulously modeled amps (with a total of five unique channels) and four cabinet models were included in Rockrack Pro. There are 40 impulse responses included, as well as original ENGL 530 sounds and pure Marshall JCM 800 tones. You can start shredding very easily after you’ve set this up on your aux.
6. iZotope –
This iZotope plug-in allows you to get the vintage sound of vinyl for free. This plug-in generates a nice effect that ranges from a subtle analog taste to the sound of a worn-out vinyl record. Many aspects of the vinyl’s age can be controlled with iZotope. You can choose the vinyl’s age, which ranges from 1950 to 2000 and fine-tune it with the faders. Mechanical noise, electrical noise, wear, dust, scratches, and warp depth are all controlled by these faders. You may use this effect to give certain instruments the aged effect they require, or you could use it to give your entire mix a vintage sense.
7. OTT –
OTT is a powerful yet surprisingly adaptable compressor that works well on the mix bus, drum buses, and individual drum channels. The user interface is minimal, but it gets the job done. The ‘Depth’ option is used to change the mix level. The ‘Time’ control changes both the attack and release times at the same time; a higher ‘Time’ value means longer values. There are other settings for adjusting the amount of compression downwards and upwards.
Downwards compression, often known as ‘regular’ compression, reduces the volume of louder sounds. The quieter sounds are amplified during the upward compression process. Finally, there are controls for adjusting the high, mid, and low-frequency bands independently. The OTT plug-in is available in VST, AU, and AAX formats. Mac and PC are both supported.
8. Adam Monroe’s Delay -
When mixing music, the delay is an essential audio effect for generating space. Simple sounds can be made to feel larger-than-life by using delays. Generating professional-sounding electronic music necessitates the efficient use of delay. Ping-pong panning can be synced to the delay time with Adam Monroe’s free delay plug-in (creating delay sounds like an echo sweeping from left to right). It comes with built-in linear and exponential high and low pass filtering. When the filtering on the delay buffer is set to exponential, it produces intriguing effects such as clicks and hisses.
9. Cocoa Delay –
Cocoa Delay is a free, open-source delay plug-in with a simple interface and a warm, vibrant sound. From classic ping pong delays to chaotically driven drifting delays, there’s something for everyone. It’s an audio plug-in that gives sounds an echo effect. It takes the input signal, alters it, and stores it to a buffer, which is then played back with a delay. This signal will be written to the buffer again, along with the input signal, and so on.
10. Sonimus SonEQ –
The SonEQ has a preamp stage that allows you to color your sound and boost the bass on the front end. When trying to sculpt your sound, the ability to high or low pass your signal is very useful. The low-end control works similarly to a Pultec, with boost and attenuate sliders to find the right melodic response. The mid and high knobs are single knob controllers with frequency selection options. This EQ may add analog flavor to your mix as well as the musical curve of antique Pultec devices.
Engineers may take advantage of 64-bit floating-point processing and sampling rates up to 192 kHz using this plug-in. Use this plug-in to add character to your mix by sweetening the tone of your music.
Conclusion
With the correct effects, a mix can move from plain to spectacular. The good news is that it won’t set you back hundreds of dollars. Check out this selection of free VST plug-ins to help you improve your mix.
