The Best Free VST Mastering Plugins Issue

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Mastering? Welcome to the epic Zystrix Mastering Issue… The Best FREE Plugins for Mastering 2024 Your DAW will be so happy. And so will you. Here are the best of the best for EQ, compression, limiting, tube and tape emulation, reverb, delay, and honorable mentions. Best FREE Mastering Plugins 2024 INTRODUCTION: This review is divided into four major sections: compression/limiting, EQ, tube/tape artifact, and reverb/effects. All of these plugins get a Zystrix 5-Star rating, all of them are easy to download and install into your VST folder, and a person can’t go wrong owning or using any of them. I installed and tested every plugin presented here (even those that go against Zystrix privacy rules) and I can attest that all listed here will compete with or exceed the paid versions. And unlike websites who must sell you something to stay alive, I do not get any kickbacks or payments from any of these manufacturers or click-throughs. I genuinely like these plugins, I use them on my projects, and I suspect you’ll like them too. And that’s for whatever style of sound you are mastering. Enjoy. The Best FREE Compressors/Limiters for Mastering BUSTERse by Analog Obsession If you like the stereo compressor SSL emulation plugin by Waves ($30 USA) then you’ll probably like this one. It has an excellent, pleasant, transparent, and snappy- accurate way of taming signals. And when mastering a project don’t forget that a little of this one goes a long way. Imagine having the original super expensive console sound without the electrician to come hook it up. Extraordinary. Click here to download the BUSTERse. Limiter No.6 by Vladislav Goncharov I covered this limiter back in issue #49 – click here to see that one. If you are looking for some serious clean muscle for mastering your DAW project, check out the Limiter No.6. It’s got a compressor, high frequency limiter, multi-band mode including M/S, brick-wall limiter, maximizer, clipper, and has a changeable GUI. It’s a work of art that has more moxy than most paid plugins of its ilk – it’s a phenomenal free download that seriously kicks ass. Download yours now. Molot by Vladislav Goncharov If you want a nice clean compressor that plays nice with everyone else then this kill- dog ain’t for you. It’s intimidating at first glance, and I wish this “Cold War” gem had a manual, but it’s relatively easy to understand. Molot is aggressive and adds serious attitude, it’s got a mid-scoop EQ for simple tonal balance, a built-in limiter (not brick wall type) for suppressing peaks, super low latency, and up to 8x oversampling. Molot is code word for THE BOMB. Download Molot. TDR Nova dynamic EQ and multiband compression Not only is this one great on the overall but it’s great on individual tracks. If there’s a spike problem it helps fix it. It’s a great EQ analysis device. It is great on guitar to help smooth out the sound and overall curve. Unfortunately there are only 4 bands, but there’s a work-around for everything. To download your Nova click here. OTT multiband Compressor by Xfer The OTT by Xfer is a clean, clear, and intuitive multi- band upward and downward compressor. It helps almost any signal you throw at it, but where it really shines is for mastering duties. This plugin in helpful in giving a very polished sounding end product. However, if needed this plugin can also be used as a very aggressive multi-band compressor via the depth control. The adjustable attack/release times are nice to conserve slight peaks so the audio material doesn’t sound unnatural. It also has a helpful visual compression display to see what’s going on. If you need a controlled loud mix (or tame a problem track) this plugin will get you there. Click here to download the OTT by Xfer. Rough Rider 3 by Audio Damage Rough Rider is a sidechain style compressor although it can also be run as a typical compressor. I like its retro feel, it really helps warm up a mix. It reminds me a little bit of the famous LA-2A. The control for ratio is everything from a slight 1:1 to a massive drum crush. Attack and release times must be done by ear, but that’s not a problem. It comes in Windows 64-bit, Mac, and Linux versions. It’s hard to believe it’s free. Click here to download the Rough Rider 3. TLS 1295 LEA by TbT Leveling amplifier There are many Teletronix LA-2A optical limiter and compressor emulation plugins available so choosing the best one is a challenge. However, this free download does a job that competes with Waves and T-Racks by IK Multimedia. It’s great on bass guitar, the drum buss, and the overall mix. Since it’s based on an optical compression emulation it leaves the signal alone long enough to sound fat and natural. Highly recommended. Download your TLS 1295 LEA Leveling amplifier -- click here. LoudMax by Thomas Mundt This plugin is amazing and does an excellent job on anything. I use it all the time to tame signals to fit within a certain volume range. And if you need to stop a signal at a certain point this will easily do that job. Set your EQs and go. This is probably the best look-ahead transparent limiter available anywhere at any price. Perfection. Download your LoudMax by Thomas Mundt. Kolin by Analog Obsession This excellent vintage type limiter has serious retro muscle-man attitude. If you like the T-Racks Brick Wall Limiter ($50 USA) then you’ll love this one. And it does one better with the ability to dial in the original signal. An amazing plugin for free. Download your Kolin by Analog Obsession. Xtressor Nuke by Kiive Audio If you liked the expensive rack mount version of this emulation from the 1990s then you’ll probably like this one. It’s got serious fat and sassy attitude and makes drums sound enviously huge when using a crush method drum mix. This compressor isn’t really known for mastering, it can do the job OK, but it’s the big fat attitude that always brings me back for more. Killer. Grab your Xtressor Nuke by Kiive Audio. Multiply by Acon Digital This plugin doesn’t do any compression (unless you get the paid version) but what it will do is tell you how the mix is going for EQ volume. Sure, there are other ways to do the same job, but this makes it so much easier. It’s quick, easy, and intuitive. Put it at the end of the mastering chain to keep an eye on how your overall is doing. This plugin is indispensable. Download Multiply by Acon Digital. SPAN by Voxengo Just like the plugin above, SPAN doesn’t do compression. SPAN is another way of analyzing your EQ overall, does a superior job at it, and it competes with many paid plugins. It’s essential for mixing, mastering, and checking individual tracks. It does A/B comparisons, mid/side analysis, and even smooths out the visual for easier comparison. You need this. Download your SPAN by Voxengo. The Best FREE EQs for Mastering MQ57 by J1000 It looks difficult to use, but the learning curve on the MQ57 is really pretty easy. This EQ is optimized for mastering so the wide Q focuses on subtle overall balance instead of narrow cuts and boosts. The MQ57 has stereo and dual-mono operating modes, and either Mid/Side or Left/Right. It’s also zero latency, low CPU consumption, and absolutely no harmonic or dynamic distortion. If you like the Brainworx mastering EQ you may like this one. Download your MQ57 now. Luftikus by IKJB Luftikus has fixed half-octave EQ bands at 10, 40, 160 and 640 Hz, completed by a high shelf at 2.5 kHz. There’s also a high frequency boost at 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 40 kHz for that special sparkle on the top end. This plugin can add overall gain which would possibly lead to clipping. To get around that problem there’s a manual output control as well as a "Keep Gain" mode for relative control of the output. There are two modes: Analog and Mastering modes and, of course, the "analog" mode emulates a more rack mount version, and in Mastering mode the controls become stepped and the "Analog" mode performs better. Download your Luftikus by IKJB now. Slick EQ by TDR Vos This semi parametric EQ is a very easy and powerful way to give your mastered project an “American”, “British”, “German” or “Soviet” type of audio non- linearity. I love the auto-gain because it compensates for loudness changes in EQ differences. Slick EQ can also process either the stereo sum or the stereo difference (width). And there are five output flavors: “Linear”, “Silky”, “Mellow”, “Deep” and “Toasted” for added flexibility. Download the Slick EQ by TDR VOS. Marvel GEQ by Voxengo The Marvel GEQ by Voxengo is a 16-band linear-phase EQ. It features a transparent sound which preserves the integrity of the original signal, and it’s designed for equalization tasks for high quality and excellent sonic character. It also supports mid/side channel processing, has low CPU drain, low latency, and a freehand drawing mode. Download the Marvel GEQ. PTEq-X by Ignite Amps There are many Pultec type EQs available (paid and free) and they all have a slightly different character. However, after critical listening I decided I preferred the PTEq-X by Ignite Amps. It is meant to be used as a studio equalizer for mastering, tracking, mixing, and I love the tube warmth. I’ll bet you will too. Create giant killer guitars and great masters. Download the PTEq-X. ReaEQ by Reaper This clean EQ has a user interface that looks a little dated, but the plugin does the job of EQ very well indeed. This one comes as part of a free package deal of several free plugins from Cuckos Reaper including a superb mastering plugin (download ReaXcomp) that competes with or surpasses paid ones. At any rate, ReaEQ has unlimited bands, phase display, and per band bypass, and many other options. Download the ReaEQ by Reaper. Thrillseeker XT CmkII by Variety of Sound Thrillseeker XT isn’t exactly an EQ, it’s more of a modern style exciter, but it deserves mention here because it does some EQ duties. And it improves the signal even by running it flat because it emulates analog anomalies. Thrillseeker XT is built around a true parallel analog style equalizer design. Subtlety wins the day with this one. Download the Thrillseeker XT CmkII. The Best FREE Tube and Tape Analog Warmth Emulations for Mastering Chow Tape by Chowdhury DSP Chow Tape is an emulation that’s based on a top-of-the-line 1967 consumer audio analog tape machine -- the Sony TC-260. This current version can be used to emulate a wide variety of reel-to-reel tape machines, and it has an excellent wow and flutter section. This tape emulation plugin is better than any paid version I’ve ever heard -- an absolute must have. Download Chow Tape. IVGI2 by Klanghelm This one is my favorite of all the available tube emulations because it reminds me of a very popular wooden console type living room record- player/radio from the late 1960s. It sports big nuts and a very individual but cool tube attitude, for sure. Travel back to the 1960s for some TV room musical entertainment. Download the IVGI2. Overheat by Sampleson Overheat is a realistic tube emulation that’s simple to use. There really isn’t much to this effect so it’s very intuitive: pre-gain, drive, post gain, color, and low pass. It can go from smooth to the fuzzy grunge of an old tube amp begging for mercy by simply using the color dial. It sort of sounds like a cross between the tube pre by H.H. Scott and the Voice-of-Music (remember them?). You get the picture, it does it’s own thing and sounds great from tame to flame. Download your Overheat by Sampleson. Ferric TDS mkII by Variety Of Sound When I think of some kind of tape emulation plugin I often think of the wow and flutter – I like the ability to change it from zero to “holy s**t I think it’s broken”. Alas, the FerricTDS mkII doesn’t offer that feature, but it is a superb subtle tape saturation effect. Click here to download the Ferric TDS mkII by Variety Of Sound. Diabolique by Ourafilmes If you want some realistic sounding tape deck warmth and smudge (without the wow and flutter) try this one. It emulates 2 vintage tube reel to reels: a Revox F36 from 1962 (circuitry 1) and a Tandberg Model 3 from 1958 (circuitry 2). It can either be used in a subtle way to make things warmer or you can use it to crush tracks. It goes much farther than an old tape deck; the old tape deck front end simply couldn’t survive this kind of abuse. I should know -- I’ve killed a couple. And if you like the sound of the old red rack-mount Focusrite tube pre you may like this warmth. Diabolique by Ourafilmes. Distox by Analog Obsession Distox has lots of options, and not only old fashion sounding tube emulations but op-amps too. The offerings are excellent albeit subtle. Try Distox by Analog Obsession. The Best FREE Reverb, Delay, and Effects for Mastering Room 041 by Analog Obsession Room 041 is an easy-to-use reverb plugin, and it isn’t modeled after any certain brand, it just does old plate style room reverb very well. If it is fed a stereo signal then it is a stereo reverb, but mono signals come out mono reverb. Makes sense. Get Room 041 by Analog Obsession. Chow Matrix by Chow DSP A complex and infinitely unpredictable multi-tap delay, Chow Matrix goes from tempo sync (or not), to curious delays, to outer space adventures, to bizarre psychedelic dreams. The included presets are great starting points. This plugin is only for the adventurous at heart. Click here to download the Chow Matrix. Supermassive by Valhalla Here are 18 unique professional quality high echo density reverb/delay modes, each offering a different character and sound. The intuitive interface makes Supermassive perfect for adding depth to your mixes. And it’s also great for expanding synth pads for heavy duty layering. Click here to download Supermassive by Valhalla. Pro IR Reverbs by Zystrix This is the most popular Zystrix download by far. You’ll need a convolver plugin with the ability to use a reverb IR for these – something like ReaVerb in Reaper works great, but there are others like Easy Convolver. Convology XT would be good but it has privacy issues, and it kicks and screams when installing it offline. If that’s for you then go for it. Grab Pro IR Reverbs by Zystrix. Honorable Mention Mastering Plugins There are other useful plugins not listed above that have strange features, privacy issues, are too old, or just plain didn’t quite make it for mastering purposes for whatever reasons. However, it’s all a matter of taste and you have to be the final judge – there’s a lid for every pot. And with so many options available I’m sure I overlooked something somewhere, so maybe you have suggestions. But here they are; the honorable mentions... Space Modulator by Valhalla download Frequency Echo by Valhalla download Mangleverb (reverb) by Audio Damage download TAL-Reverb-4 download Merica (channel strip EQ) download Moss Equalizer by Stone Voices download Britpressor (compressor) download Fetish (compressor) Analog Obsession download Unlimited (limiter) by Sonic Anomaly download Saturation Knob by Softube (privacy issues) FetSnap (exciter) by Analog Obsession download Free Mastering Plugins CONCLUSION I hope you enjoyed the most comprehensive free mastering plugin list available. I’m sure I missed someone’s favorite, but these are the ones I have tried and I find useful. Download and try them a few at a time, or download them all at once and spend a day or two experimenting. Enjoy.

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There are also free sample downloads of the book reading. There are free downloads of music samples. There is a free “Look Inside” download of the paperback. There is a free glossary of the largest list of mortuary slang in the world. The Free Dangerous Neighbors Album The Fluid, Embalmed for Life comes included as part of the audio book and parts are available here as a free download. The paperback book is available for sale at Amazon dot com. I have no control over these sales; because of the Amazon agreement I cannot offer complete paperback or complete audio books here. And for some reason most book sales go to Japan. Who would have thunk it? Click here for free audio books, book reading samples, music samples, etc. Take me back to the top of the page. Zystrix Privacy Policy THE FINE PRINT: Zystrix is a world leader in personal privacy and we take your privacy very seriously. 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