Plugins can transform a mix, but with thousands to choose from, it’s easy to buy the wrong ones or use the right ones badly. This hub gathers our plugin guides: what you need for a full mix, the best free mixing plugins, mastering plugins, multiband compression, stereo imaging, exciters, gain staging, pitch correction, lo-fi effects and metering.
It’s for producers building or trimming a plugin folder, and for anyone who wants to understand what a type of plugin does before reaching for it. Start with The Plugins I Need To Do A Full Mix to see the core toolkit, then the free mixing plugins roundup if you’re on a budget. After that, explore by job: mastering, imaging, dynamics, tuning or creative effects. The Voxengo SPAN guide shows how to use a free analyzer to check your mixes as you go.
Start here: the best Plugins guides
- The Plugins I Need To Do A Full Mix
The EQ, dynamics, reverb and delay plugins you need for a complete mix. - The Best Free Mixing Plugins You Need to Try
Free mixing plugins worth trying, including Slate Digital Fresh Air, Valhalla Supermassive and TDR Nova. - Importance Of Gain Staging Plugins
Why gain staging matters and which plugins help keep levels clean. - How to Use VOXENGO SPAN for Mixing and Mastering
How to use the free Voxengo SPAN analyzer to spot problem frequencies in mixing and mastering. - The Best Waves Plugins and Bundles
Waves plugin picks for mastering, compression, EQ, reverb, vocals and more. - Which Plugins Are Recommended for Audio Mastering
Recommended mastering plugins, including FabFilter Pro-MB, Ozone and the Abbey Road TG chain. - Best Multiband Compressor Plugins For Mixing And Mastering
How multiband compressors work and top picks for mixing and mastering. - Best Stereo Imaging Plugins: Elevate Your Mixes!
Width, depth and mono compatibility, with the best stereo imaging plugins. - What is Harmonic Excitement and Exciter Plugins
What harmonic exciters do and when to use one in your productions. - Basics Of Vocal Tuning Using Pitch Correction Plugins
How pitch correction works, with Auto-Tune, Melodyne and Waves Tune compared. - Free Lo Fi Processing Vst Plugins
Free lo-fi plugins for vintage grit, including TAL-Dub-X, iZotope Vinyl and Krush. - The Best Tape Stop Plugin For Studio One 4
Tape stop plugins for Studio One, including Cableguys HalfTime and Kilohearts Tape Stop.
Plugins doing their job? Let Solar Heavy handle the last step: book a professional master, or browse all tutorials.
All Plugin Guides articles
- Top Stereo Width PluginsTop stereo width plugins include Ozone Imager 2 and Waves S1 Stereo Imager, providing easy widening and narrowing of stereo images. These…
- Favorite Delay PluginsMy favorite delay plugins are Soundtoys EchoBoy and Waves H-Delay. They provide an array of versatile options and rich-sounding delays, suitable for…
- How To Use Send EffectsTo use Send Effects in audio production software, select the desired track and send it to a bus or auxiliary channel. This…
- Best Glitch Vst PluginsThe best glitch VST plugins are Glitch 2, Stutter Edit 2, and RC-20 Retro Color. These plugins are perfect for creating unique…
- Lofi Effect ExplainedThe Lofi effect is a processing technique used in music production that seeks to recreate the sound quality of old recordings through…
- Best Electric Guitar VstsThe best electric guitar VSTs include Kontakt Player, AmpliTube 5, and Native Instruments Guitar Rig 6. These VSTs provide top-quality sounds and…
- Izotope Ozone 10 ReviewIzotope Ozone 10 is a powerful audio mastering software that provides in-depth control and precision when it comes to mastering your audio…
- How To Use ReverbsTo use reverbs, choose the right type of reverb, adjust the wet and dry mix, and finetune the parameters. Reverb is an…
- Best Noise Gate PluginsThe best noise gate plugins are by FabFilter and Waves. These plugins can be used to reduce unwanted noise within audio recordings.…
- Level Matching PluginsLevel matching plugins are used to balance the volume of audio tracks during mixing. These plugins ensure all tracks have the same…
- Reverb Less Is More"Reverb less is more" indicates that minimal reverb results in better sound quality. This concept is commonly applied in music production and…
- Best Free Harp VstThe best free harp VST is the LABS Harp by Spitfire Audio. It offers a high-quality sound and is easy to use.…
- Soundtoys 5 ReviewSoundtoys 5 is an excellent bundle of audio effects plugins, offering a wide array of creative processing options. Soundtoys 5 is a…
- What Is Audio SaturationAudio saturation is the phenomenon of intentionally overdriving an analog or digital audio signal to produce a pleasant distortion effect. Audio saturation…
- Peak Vs Rms CompressionPeak compression targets peak levels, and RMS compression targets average levels in audio signals. Choosing between peak and RMS compression depends on…
- Audio Effects ExplainedAudio effects enhance the sound quality of recorded audio. We will explain the various types of audio effects and how they affect…
- Compressor Release SettingThe compressor release setting is a crucial component in regulating the pressure of compressed air. It determines the point at which the…
- Best Reverb PluginsThe best reverb plugins are Valhalla Room, Audio Ease Altiverb, and Waves Abbey Road Studios. These plugins provide high-quality and versatile reverbs…
- Fabfilter Timeless ReviewFabFilter Timeless is a versatile delay plugin that offers a range of high-quality effects. This plugin is popular among musicians and producers…
- Jdk R22 Stereo CompressorThe JDK R22 is a stereo compressor that provides a transparent and warm sound with its Class A circuitry and dual VCA…
- What Is Audio CompressionAudio compression is the process of reducing an audio file's size by decreasing its dynamic range. Audio compression reduces the difference between…
- Guide To Music CompressorsA guide to music compressors: learn how to use them effectively. Compressors can help control volume and create unique soundscapes, but choosing…
- Plugins For Music ProducersPlugins for music producers can enhance the quality and creativity of their work. These plugins provide a range of tools and effects…
- Why Use ReverbReverb is used to enhance the sound quality of music recordings and live performances. It improves the overall tone of the music…
- Top Free Kontakt LibrariesHere is an example of an accurate, to-the-point answer in two sentences: "Top free Kontakt libraries include LABS by Spitfire Audio, Iowa…
- Best Free Delay PluginsThe best free delay plugins are Tal-Reverb-4, TDR Feedback Compressor II, Voxengo Tempo Delay, and Valhalla Freq Echo. Delay plugins add depth…
- Explained Ott CompressorThe Ott compressor is a type of analog compressor that uses optical coupling to achieve gain reduction. It is known for its…
- Reverbs EffectsReverb is an effect that manipulates the sound's reflections to add depth and spaciousness to music or audio recordings. This effect can…
- Reverb TypesReverb types are the different categories of reverb effects available in music production. Reverb types include room, hall, plate, spring and digital…
- La2A Hardware Vs PluginThe La2A hardware and plugin each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The hardware provides a warm and organic sound but can…
- How To Use SaturationTo use saturation, adjust the amount of color in an image to increase or decrease its vibrancy. Saturation is a key element…
- How To Level Match PluginsTo level match plugins, adjust the volume of each plugin until they sound the same. This ensures a balanced mix with no…
- Compression MetersCompression meters are devices used to measure the compression of an engine's cylinders during operation. These meters are essential tools for monitoring…
- Compressor Attack SettingThe compressor attack setting determines how quickly the compressor reacts to changes in audio levels. It is a crucial parameter in achieving…
- Izotope Ozone7 Review"Izotope Ozone 7 is a comprehensive mastering suite that delivers excellent sound quality and powerful features." Izotope Ozone 7 is a software…
- Using Trim PluginsUsing Trim Plugins is crucial for enhancing the quality of audio tracks by eliminating unwanted noise and gaps in the recordings. These…
- Width Panning ReverbWidth panning reverb is an audio effect that creates a stereo spread by applying a different amount of reverb to the left…
- How Audio Compression WorksAudio compression works by reducing the dynamic range of an audio signal, allowing for a more consistent and even sound. Through a…
- Top Five Waves PluginsThe top five Waves plugins are SSL G-Master Buss Compressor, API 2500, CLA-76 Compressor / Limiter, Vocal Rider and Waves Tune Real-Time.…
- Reverb Plugin ParamatersReverb plugin parameters control the characteristics of the reverb effect that a plugin produces. These parameters can include decay time, pre-delay, and…
- Sidechain CompressionSidechain compression is a technique used in music production to reduce the volume of one sound when another sound is present. This…
- Setting Up ReverbsSetting up reverbs is a crucial part of sound engineering. To do so, adjust the reverb time, diffusion, and predelay settings on…
- Api 2500 CompressorThe Api 2500 compressor is a high-quality, versatile tool for audio compression. With its unique features and adjustable settings, the Api 2500…
- Reverb Aux Send Vs InsertThe main difference between a reverb aux send and insert is that an aux send allows the original signal to remain untouched,…
- Guide To Using A LimiterUsing a limiter can help control the dynamic range of audio, preventing it from becoming too loud or distorted. To properly use…
- Eventide Reverb ReviewEventide Reverb delivers an outstanding level of customization and a diverse collection of reverb tones. This high-quality pedal enhances musical expressions with…
- Softubes Tube Tech Blue Tone PluginThe Softube Tube Tech Blue Tone Plugin is a high-quality audio plugin for enhancing the sound of digital music. It combines the…
- Urei Universal Audio 1176 CompressorThe Urei Universal Audio 1176 Compressor is a legendary piece of analog gear known for its fast, responsive compression and iconic sound.…