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 - Page 5
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- What is the Haas Effect And How Does It Impact Audio Perception?The Haas Effect, also known as the precedence effect or the law of the first wavefront, is a psychoacoustic phenomenon that determines…
- Vintage Emulation Plugins: Unleash the Timeless PowerEmbracing the charm of bygone eras in music production is a captivating journey that many modern music makers are drawn to. Vintage…
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- The Best Bass VST: Unleash the Power of Your Tracks!The best bass VST is X. It delivers a realistic and versatile low-end sound for your productions. When it comes to…
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- Using Limiters On Individual Tracks: Master Your Mix with PrecisionLimiters on individual tracks are used to control peaks and prevent clipping in audio recording. Proper limiter settings ensure optimal sound quality.…
- Demystifying Bus Compression: Unlocking Its PowerUnderstanding bus compression involves reducing dynamic range of audio signals for more consistent levels in mixes. It enhances overall clarity. Bus…
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- Bass Compression Trick: Unlock the Power of Your Bass SoundOne useful bass compression trick is using a slow attack and fast release for a punchy sound. This technique helps emphasize the…
- Parallel Compression Guide: Master Dynamic ControlLearn how to effectively use parallel compression to enhance your audio tracks for a fuller sound. Discover the step-by-step process and tips…
- Car Test VST Plugin: Get Powerful Audio ResultsCar Test VST is a free plugin simulating car speakers, providing a car-like audio environment for mix testing. It helps music producers…
- Dc1A3 Plugin Download: The Best FREE Alternative to Waves Renassaince CompressorFor a quick and easy download of the DC1A3 plugin, visit the official Klanghelm website. The plugin offers various features for smooth…
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- Ott Vst Plugin : Unleash Your Music’s PotentialOTT VST Plugin by Xfer Records is a popular free multiband compressor favored by electronic music producers. It provides extreme compression for…
- Gmulti Vst : Unlock the PowerGVST GMulti is a free multiband compressor VST plugin available for music production and audio editing. It splits the frequency spectrum into…
- Saturation Knob VST Plugin: Unleash the Power!The Saturation Knob VST Plugin by Softube is a free modeled output distortion tool. It adds grit and character to audio. …
- Smexoscope Vst Plugin: Unlock the Power of Audio VisualsThe Smexoscope VST Plugin is an oscilloscope tool used for visual monitoring of audio waveforms. It is available for free download on…
- Mequalizer Plugin Download: Boost Your Audio with this Powerful Tool!You can download the MEqualizer plugin for free from various reputable sources such as the MeldaProduction website, KVR Audio, Soft Famous, and…
- Loudmax Vst Plugin: Unleash the Power of Your MusicLoudMax VST Plugin is a Look-Ahead Brickwall Loudness Maximizer Plugin with a clean transparent sound. It retains original music character at high…
- Mequalizer Vst Plugin: Transform Your Audio with Expert PrecisionMEqualizer VST Plugin by MeldaProduction offers advanced equalization features with integrated analysis tools and a user-friendly interface. With MEqualizer, you can shape…
- Dlym Vst Plugin: Boost Your Tracks with Powerful EffectsDLYM is a free Delay Modulator VST plugin that creates flanger and chorus effects using powerful technology. Based on Imaginando's processing, DLYM…
- Ozone Stereo Imager: Perfectly Widen Your MixThe Ozone Imager by iZotope is a free stereo widening plug-in for adjusting stereo width with simple controls. Improve your mix by…
- Dc1A Vst Plugin: Unleash the Power of Audio ProcessingThe DC1A VST Plugin offers gentle leveling to heavy pumping with crunchy saturation and punchy dynamics. It is a versatile audio tool…
- Izotope Vinyl White Noise: Unlock the Power of Vintage SoundIZotope Vinyl White Noise is a free lo-fi plug-in simulating vinyl record dust, scratches, warp, and mechanical noise. Enhance your tracks with…
- Soneq Vst Plugin: Unleash the PowerSonEQ VST Plugin by Sonimus is a free vintage equalizer combining parts from vintage gear. It enhances audio quality. The SonEQ…
- Room 041 Vst Plugin: Elevate Your SoundRoom041 VST Plugin is a free reverb plugin known for its quality sound and versatility. Developed by Analog Obsession, it offers a…
- Signalizer Vst: Unleash the Power of Audio VisualizationSignalizer VST is a real-time audio visualization plugin by Janus Lynggaard Thorborg based in Austin, Texas. It offers engineering-grade oscilloscope, vectorscope, and…
- Tdr Vos Slickeq Vst Plugin: Master Your Music with Impeccable SoundTDR VOS SlickEQ VST Plugin is a versatile mixing/mastering equalizer known for ease of use and impeccable sound quality. With its user-friendly…
- Fresh Air Vst Plugin: Unleash the Power of Brilliance!Fresh Air VST Plugin by Slate Digital is a free high-frequency exciter with brilliance and smoothness. Create sparkling mixes with Fresh Air…
- Deelay Vst Free Download: Get the Ultimate Delay Plugin for Modern ProducersDeelay VST is a free delay plugin by Integraudio & Sixth Sample, designed for modern producers, featuring various controls and modulation options.…
- Compressor Ac1 Vst Plugin: Master Your Music with the Ultimate ToolThe Compressor AC1 VST Plugin is an essential tool for audio compression. It enhances dynamics and boosts volume, delivering professional-level results. …
- Running Guitar Effects On A Computer: Unleash Your Digital Sonic PowerTo run guitar effects on a computer, use digital audio workstation software with virtual plugins. This allows for versatile sound shaping. …
- Audio Compression : The Ultimate Guide to Achieving Studio-Quality SoundAudio compression reduces the size of audio files without compromising quality, making them easier to store and transmit. It accomplishes this by…
- Plugins And Vsts : Unleash the Power of Music with These Must-Have ToolsPlugins and VSTs are essential tools for enhancing audio production, offering a wide range of customizable effects and instruments. These tools can…
- Best Delay Plugins : Unleash the Ultimate Sound QualityLooking for the best delay plugins? FabFilter Timeless 3 and Soundtoys Echoboy are top choices. These plugins offer versatile features and…
- How Waves Renaissance Bass Works: Unleashing the Powerful SoundWaves Renaissance Bass enhances low frequencies to add depth and warmth to audio tracks. Through harmonic synthesis, it simulates the behavior of…
- Audio Distortion : How to Fix and Prevent This Annoying ProblemAudio distortion occurs when unwanted changes in sound quality disrupt the original audio signal. It can be caused by various factors such…
- How to Easily Install Vst Plugins and Supercharge Your Music ProductionTo install VST plugins, download them to your computer and follow the installation instructions provided. After installing, open your DAW (Digital Audio…
- Supercharge Your Edm Tracks with the Best PluginsLooking for the best plugins for EDM production? Look no further. Electronic Dance Music (EDM) relies heavily on software plugins to…
- Can Reason Supercharge Your Sound with VST Plugins?Yes, Reason can use VST plugins. This enhances its capabilities and opens up a wide range of additional sound options. In…
- Best Sidechain Compression Plugins : Elevate Your SoundFor the best sidechain compression plugins, look into Waves C1 Sidechain or FabFilter Pro-C 2. These plugins offer advanced features for precise…