Free Utility VST Plugins
Utility VSTs are Important
Looking for the ultimate collection of FREE utility VSTs to enhance your music production? Look no further! These indispensable tools are perfect for tasks like gain staging, channel routing, and sound refinement, providing all the essential features you need at no cost.
Whether I’m polishing my mix with precise volume adjustments or cleaning up my audio with clever EQ techniques, these utility VSTs always exceed my expectations. And the cherry on top? They come at zero expense!
Frequency Analyzers and Meters
Analyzers and meters are audio tools used to measure and display various aspects of a sound signal. Analyzers provide a visual representation of frequency content, allowing you to see the distribution of different frequencies in your audio. Meters, on the other hand, measure levels such as volume, loudness, phase, or stereo balance.
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YouLean Loudness
The Youlean Loudness Meter is a great tool if you need to measure the true loudness of your audio and make sure it’s ready for TV or streaming. Tons of producers already use it, and it works in pretty much any DAW—whether you’re using FL Studio, Logic, Ableton, or even something like Final Cut or Pro Tools. It helps you hit the right loudness.
FREE
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Voxengo SPAN
Voxengo SPAN is a free real-time FFT audio spectrum analyzer plugin for AAX, AudioUnit, and VST formats. It offers customizable spectrum analysis with adjustable Fourier block size, overlap, visual slope, and multi-channel support. SPAN also includes stereo correlation, RMS, true peak level, amongst many other specs. 100% Worth having.
FREE
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MAnalyzer
MAnalyzer is an advanced spectral analyser and sonogram featuring smoothing, normalisation, super-resolution, prefiltering, and deharmonisation. It also includes a peak meter and loudness meters compliant with EBU R128 and ITU-R BS 1770-3 standards, making it a powerful tool for precise audio analysis. I prefer this one to Voxengo SPAN. 👀👀
FREE
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MIDI Monitor
MIDI Monitor is a free app for Mac that displays incoming and outgoing MIDI signals. Im a windows guys, so was only able to test this on virtual machine. It’s really useful for musicians troubleshooting MIDI issues and programmers testing MIDI drivers and apps. It is open-source, available under the BSD license, and supports macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) and later versions.
FREE
Equalizers and Filters
Equalizers (EQs) and filters are audio tools used to shape a sound’s frequency content. EQs adjust specific frequency ranges, boosting or cutting areas like bass, mids, or treble to balance or enhance a mix. Filters are specialized EQs that remove unwanted frequencies, such as low-pass (cutting highs) or high-pass (cutting lows), to clean up the sound. Together, they help refine audio quality and control tonal characteristics in music production and mixing.
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TDR Nova
TDR Nova is a parallel dynamic equalizer with a familiar parametric EQ layout, featuring dynamic controls on each band for versatile processing. Whether you’re adding density to a mix, enhancing a drum bus, or addressing sibilance, Nova offers a smooth solution. With a drag-and-drop interface and classic knob controls, it provides quick access to its powerful features, including four dynamic EQ bands.
FREE
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ReaFIR by Cockos
ReaFIR is a versatile FFT-based dynamics processor offering FFT sizes from 128 to 32,768. It features a useful frequency response display with flexible response curve control, either by points or freehand. It serves as a linear phase mastering EQ, a precise surgical EQ, a multi-band compressor, and a noise subtractor by building noise profiles. Additionally, it can gate audio with per-band threshold control.
FREE
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Synchronize
Synchronizes’ IIR Filter with envelope and LFO offers dynamic sound shaping for both Mac and Windows users, compatible with host applications supporting Audio Units and VST3. Its standout feature is high performance, regardless of I/O buffer size. You can control filter parameters using the envelope and LFO, which are triggered by the input signal, adding expressive modulation to your audio processing.
FREE
DJ MIXES
High Quality Vintage Mic Preamp
PREDD
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PREDD plugin emulates the iconic REDD.47 console, featuring a Mic/DI switch, Voltage Gain knob, -20dB pad, 10dB High Boost, Phase Invert, and a Rumble Filter (20-180Hz). With Fine Gain Set for precise adjustments and easy output control, it promises to deliver the warmth and character of classic analog sound. Although it’s not yet tested, Analog Obsession’s reputation for high-quality emulations sets high expectations for this plugin!
Pitch and Tuning VSTs
Pitch and tuning VSTs help musicians and producers adjust the pitch and fine-tune audio in their recordings. These plugins can correct off-key notes, adjust pitch shifting, or apply creative effects like harmonization. Common features include auto-tuning, manual pitch correction, and formant shifting. Popular VSTs in this category allow for both subtle tuning adjustments and more dramatic effects, catering to various genres and production styles.
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GSnap
GVST GSnap is a free pitch-correction VST plugin that can subtly correct off-key vocals or create the iconic “robot voice” effect, like T-Pain or Cher. It supports MIDI control, allowing you to reshape a recording to a new melody. Best used on monophonic inputs like vocals, GSnap offers versatile autotuning for music production.
FREE
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MAutoPitch
MAutoPitch is a free, easy-to-use automatic vocal tuning and pitch correction plugin designed for vocals and other monophonic instruments. It not only improves pitch but also offers creative features like formant shifting and stereo expansion, making it a versatile tool for quick and effective audio adjustments.
FREE
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MTuner
MTuner is a free frequency analyzer designed for tuning guitars, basses, and other instruments. It features both a classic monophonic tuner for single notes and a high-resolution polyphonic tuner, allowing users to quickly tune multiple strings simultaneously. With its user-friendly interface and accurate tuning capabilities.
FREE
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Audio Effects and Enhancement VSTs
Audio effects and enhancement VSTs are plugins used to shape, manipulate, and improve the sound of audio tracks in music production. They include a wide range of tools, such as reverb, delay, chorus, distortion, compression, and saturation, which add depth, space, or character to the sound. Enhancement VSTs focus on refining audio quality with tools for EQ, dynamics processing, and transient shaping, helping to polish mixes and achieve a professional sound.
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Dimension Chorus
Dimension Chorus Free VST Plugin, designed to add depth and creativity to your sound. This powerful tool features a unique pseudo-stereo effect for mono sources, complete with a hi-pass filter to prevent low-frequency phase issues, adjustable “wash” for desired depth. Many many features!
FREE
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A1 Stereo Control
The A1StereoControl plugin lets you adjust the stereo width of your tracks with a single knob, useful for mixing and mastering. It features a “Safe Bass” algorithm that centers bass frequencies below a chosen threshold, preventing unwanted side effects in the stereo field.
FREE
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Tonocracy
Atomic’s Tonocracy platform represents a major leap in guitar amp modeling, combining Atomic’s innovative SchemAccurate technology for lifelike amp behavior and ToneSnap for capturing the nuances of real gear. With a growing collection of factory amps.
FREE
Audio Routing and Utility VSTs
Audio routing and utility VSTs are essential plugins for managing signal flow and improving workflow in a digital audio workstation (DAW). They enable functions like channel splitting, sidechaining, signal routing between tracks, and real-time monitoring. Utility VSTs often include tools for gain staging, phase correction, stereo imaging, and metering, ensuring proper audio levels and signal management.
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VB-Audio
Virtual Cable
VB-Audio CABLE is a virtual audio cable for Windows, functioning as a seamless audio driver. Its multi-format audio engine allows it to work instantly, with no need for configuration. Compatible with all audio applications using MME, KS, DX, KS, or WASAPI interfaces, it simplifies audio routing across different platforms effortlessly.
FREE
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MChannel
Matrix
FREE
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Jack Audio Connection
The JACK Audio Connection Kit (JACK) is a professional sound server API that enables real-time, low-latency connections for both audio and MIDI data between applications. It allows you to route audio output from one program to another, or even multiple programs, and record the result. Ideal for musicians, producers, and programmers.
FREE
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SAVI
Host
SAVIHost is a lightweight utility that transforms any VST effect or VSTi into a standalone application. It allows users to easily run or test a VST plugin without needing a full host software like Cubase or Sonar. By renaming SAVIHost.exe to match the plugin’s .dll file name, the VSTi or effect can be launched directly as an application.
FREE
Gain and Dynamics Processing
Gain and dynamics processing are essential tools in audio production used to control the level and intensity of sound. Gain adjusts the signal’s volume, ensuring proper input levels. Dynamics processing, which includes tools like compression, limiting, expansion, and gating, manages the dynamic range of audio by controlling the volume fluctuations. This helps keep sound consistent, prevents distortion, and adds punch or smoothness to a mix. These techniques are vital for achieving a balanced, polished sound across different audio elements in a track.
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Gainer
Gainer is a free gain-staging plugin designed to give you precise control over gain levels at every stage of your signal chain. While DAWs provide basic gain control for tracks and master buses, Gainer steps in where more flexibility is needed, especially for plugins that lack input gain controls. It allows you to monitor and adjust gain levels between plugins, offering up to +24dB or -100dB.
FREE
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kHs Gain
The Gain plugin offers straightforward and precise volume control, allowing you to easily adjust the loudness of your audio by increasing or decreasing the gain in decibels. Whether your sound is too loud or too soft, this tool helps achieve the perfect volume balance with minimal effort. The built-in VU Meter provides real-time visual feedback, displaying the levels of both left and right.
FREE
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Blue Cat Gain Suite
The Bluecat gain suite plugin offers advanced MIDI control and automation, allowing full customization of response curves for dynamic audio manipulation. When paired with an analysis tool or MIDI controller, you can remotely adjust the gain of each audio channel, no matter where it sits in the signal chain. Blue cat plugins are so well made. I think I own most of them if not all. Well made tools, Free!
FREE
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Auto Gain Stager
This plugin simplifies gain staging by automatically adjusting the level of your audio based on the loudest section of your track. When using Peak Mode, it calculates the highest sample value and lowers it to a specified calibration level between -12 and -21 dB. In Average Mode, it measures the average RMS, applying an algorithm to calibrate the gain for dynamic material like vocals or drum.
FREE
Free Audio Plugin Bundles
These bundles often include essential plugins like EQs, compressors, reverbs, and modulation effects, giving producers access to versatile audio tools without the cost. They are great starting points for beginners or those looking to expand their plugin library with high-quality free options. For more details on available bundles, check out specific sources or collections online for curated options.
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Yum Audio
Plugin Bundle
Yum Audio offers four free plugins for AAX, VST3, and AU: Crispy Clip Light for precise clipping with soft and hard modes, Spread Light for stereo widening and panning, Flux Light for tape emulation with dynamic warble effects, and Grater Light for extreme compression and distortion. Perfect for enhancing your sound across any DAW. I also have this one, you should too.
FREE
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MFreeFX Bundle
The MFreeFXBundle is a comprehensive and powerful collection of free audio effects plugins, offering an extensive range of tools for music production and audio processing. Despite being free, these plugins deliver exceptional quality and functionality, rivaling many paid options on the market. The bundle includes some real high quality VSTs.
FREE
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Blue Cat
Plugin Pack
All of Blue Cat Audio’s free tools are available with full functionality, which absolutley bonkers. They are designed with the same attention to detail as their commercial counterparts. These tools are provided at no cost to support music creation, offering features like smooth chorus effects, vintage flanging, guitar amp simulation, and more. Just download it, thank me later.
