It used EQ “cassettes” that you could swap depending on the sound you were looking for. This EQ is no longer in production, and many of the remaining units have been disassembled for parts and converted into rack gear. Luckily, Soundtoys has captured the sound of this vintage EQ in an easy-to-use plugin.
- Plugin Equalizer Vst Free
- Free Eq Vst Plugin
- Best Professional Vst Plugins
- Plugin Equalizer Vst Download
EQ is one of the most basic—and important—tools you have as an audio engineer.
But there are so many different EQs out there, how do you know which ones are for you?
Next up is the Equalization plugin, which is an infinite band Equalizer. The benefit of this plugin is that it can apply things like a “High pass” filter and do some very basic equalization of an audio signal, or very advanced EQ if you want to put the time into moderating the tone of the audio signal to your liking. “TDR NOVA is a parallel dynamic equalizer. Appearing in the familiar layout of a parametric equalizer, each band also includes a full featured dynamics section allowing the processor to cover an impressively wide range of applications. Some of the best EQ plugins are modelled not after standalone outboard units, but the EQ sections of classic mixing consoles. In particular, the term ‘British EQ’ became something of a selling point over the years since the 1950’s, and essentially refers to the quality and sound of the equaliser sections found in many classic British-made mixing consoles by the likes of Neve, AMEK,. The free VST vocal effects plugin gives you the ability to control reverb parameters (pre-delay, space, time, and width), damping (low and high), EQ (lows, mids, and highs), and output gain (both reverb and dry).
You might be thinking your DAW’s channel EQ is perfectly fine. But not all EQs are the same. There’s more types than you might think.
Here’s the 15 best EQ Plugins on the market today:
This article will teach you about the common styles of EQ and how to use them to shape the perfect sound.
Let’s dive in!
Analog EQ
Early EQs were all analog. Some of the earliest equalizer designs are still around today.
Engineers covet these analog beauties for the musically pleasing way they shape sounds. The musical qualities are the result of the unique circuit design of each unit.
Certain EQs became so sought after that plugin designers developed software to emulate them as closely as possible in the digital domain—leading to a mind-boggling ocean of plugin choices.
So what are the different styles of analog EQ? How do they work? What are they used for and where do they work best?
There’s no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing an EQ. But there are some helpful guidelines that will help you get started with the classic designs.
Pultec-style EQ
The Pultec EQP-1A is the most sought after EQ ever. Well-preserved original units can sell for over $10,000.
The Pultec EQP-1A is the most sought after EQ ever.
Fortunately for us, the EQP-1A has a long history of software emulation. Today’s Pultec-style plugins can sound good—if you know how to use them.
Pultec-style EQ can work wonders to subtly boost top end or extend lows. It can even make broad EQ enhancements without sacrificing any of the original vibe of the sound.
Since the EQP-1A hails from the earliest era of equalizers, it’s control scheme is a little less intuitive than modern designs.
The bandwidth control affects both the high and low band, but low band works differently from the high band.
For the low band, the boost and attenuate knobs are both linked to one of four frequency options. This quirk allows you to both boost and cut at the selected frequency.
The overlapping filters create a steep bump that’s fantastic for boosting the fundamental frequencies of low end instruments.
The high band has separate frequency options for boosting and cutting with overlaps at 5 and 10 kHz.
These controls are interactive and can result in some unique equalization curves.
Best Pultec EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Ignite Amps PTeq-X
Ignite Amps PTeq-X is a fantastic (and free) way to get started with Pultec-style EQ. It works just like the original so you can get a sense for creating those quirky overlapping curves.
Cheap Plugin: Waves PuigTec EQP-1A
The Waves PuigTec EQP-1A is a well-emulated, workhorse Pultec EQ. It’s very affordable if you can catch it on sale.
Pro Plugin: UAD Pultec EQP-1A
The UAD Pultec EQP-1A is the industry standard software Pultec. UAD spared no expense in creating the perfect Pultec for your DAW.
SSL Channel EQ
SSL console strips did a lot to inform our idea of what a modern EQ is.
SSL console strips did a lot to inform our idea of what a modern EQ is.
Classic features we’re familiar with today like integrated high/low-pass filters and variable Q were popularized by these consoles.
The SSL consoles are famous for their incredibly powerful filters.
The sharp high/low-pass filters, precise frequency ranges and extremely narrow Q options make this a EQ a first choice for surgical suturing and dramatic tonal changes. Their character is precise but aggressive.
Best SSL EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Smacklabs Logic Channel
Smacklabs Logic Channel is a good entry-level SSL EQ. This free plugin models the entire SSL channel strip, so you can try out the classic SSL-style compressor and gate/expander while you’re at it.
Cheap Plugin: Slate FG-S
The Slate FG-S comes bundled with their very affordable VMR channel strip collection. The FG-S packs all the features and sound of the aggressive, surgical SSL channel EQ.
Pro Plugin: SSL Native Channel Strip
SSL recently jumped into the software game with its own line of plugins—including an in-house version of their classic console channel strip. Why not go straight to the source?
API-style EQ
Experienced engineers often refer to API as the “American” sound in contrast to the “British” Neve tone.
They’re two sides of the same classic console coin.
If you’re a fan of music from the 60’s and 70’s, there’s a good chance some of your favourite records were recorded one of these desks.
The classic API EQ comes in a three band (550a) or four-band (550b) flavour.
The bands don’t have individual Q controls, but the EQ is designed so that the Q becomes progressively sharper as you apply more extreme cuts or boosts.
It’s intuitive and keeps you from worrying too much about the Q setting.
API-style EQ splits the difference between surgical and sculpting. Mild settings can be very transparent, while extreme cuts or boosts can be dramatic and vibey.
Best API EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Bee-Happy 550
Bee-Happy 500 is a free API-style plugin for those looking to start with classic 70’s console EQ.
Cheap Plugin: Sly-Fi Axis
Sly-Fi Axis is part of the UBK family of products that includes the innovative Kush Audio hardware and software. This EQ is an API on steroids that’s meant to exaggerate the analog colouration of the original.
Pro Plugin: Waves 550a & 550b
Waves 550a and 550b are fantastic native emulations of the API EQ. These are great-sounding and versatile plugins to get the API sound on your tracks.
Neve-style EQ
Neve consoles are the world’s most prized vintage recording equipment.
From the early sixties until the mid-eighties, Neve Electronics produced consoles legendary for their warm, musical sound.
The preamp section of the Neve console strip often gets the most attention, but the EQ is a big part of the Neve sound.
Neve EQs are another great option for broad, smooth cuts and boosts with lots of character.
Neve EQs are another great option for broad, smooth cuts and boosts with lots of character.
There are several different flavours of Neve EQ from the various revisions of the console, but they mostly share the same architecture with a high-pass filter, two or three parametric mid bands and one fixed high band.
The fixed 12 kHz high band found on the Neve 1073 EQ is famous for its ability to add air to vocals, drum rooms and overheads.
Best Neve EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Smacklabs SL84 Console EQ
Smacklabs SL84 Console EQ will give you a taste of the Neve EQ sound for free. It’s accurately modelled using IR technology.
Cheap Plugin: Sonimus Burnley 73
Sonimus Burnley 73 is super economical way to get the sound of a 1073 on to your tracks.
Pro Plugin: UAD Neve 1073
The UAD Neve 1073 is a tremendously accurate emulation of the classic 1073 preamp and EQ. It’s incredibly smooth and musical with tone that screams Neve.
Digital EQ
We all drool over the analog EQ beauties. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t extremely useful and creative tools that don’t have anything in common with the classics.
Digital EQ is essential for any DAW. It’s the most precise tool in your EQ tool box.
Reach for digital EQ when you want to make changes without colouring your sound at all. In the right hands, digital EQ can be powerful, flexible and utterly undetectable.
Reach for digital EQ when you want to make changes without colouring your sound at all.
It’s a first choice for “problem solving” duties like notching out room resonances.
Best Digital EQ VSTs
Free Plugin: Your built-in DAW EQ
Most DAWs come bundled with a capable digital EQ. We’re talking about stock DAW plugins like Ableton EQ Eight, Logic Channel EQ, and Avid EQIII. These are all effective entry points into digital EQ.
Cheap Plugin: Voxengo PrimeEQ
Voxengo PrimeEQ is a robust, well-designed digital EQ from a respected company. Look no further if you’re after a nice workhorse digital EQ.
Pro Plugin: Fabfilter ProQ 2
Fabfilter ProQ 2 is the most technologically advanced EQ on this list. The raw power of this EQ is staggering—it’s a singular feat of DSP engineering. Listing all its incredibly powerful features would take far too long, let’s just say this a top-tier professional EQ!
Great Equalizer
There’s a whole world of EQ out there.
It’s such a fundamental tool that engineers will always have strong opinions about it. And that means that designers will always be creating new and better versions.
Wading through that water is daunting and exciting at the same time.
But now that you know a little bit about the types of EQ, go head try some of the plugins on this list. You’ll find out which EQ works best for you!
Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may get a commission at zero cost to you.
An equalizer is a tool that is used to change the balance of different frequency bands in an audio signal. Equalizers are used to correct or attenuate unwanted sounds (rumble sounds, or a low hum from a guitar amplifier, etc).
The most common use of equalization is using it to adjust the frequency balance of individual instruments and or voice to fit individual elements within the overall frequency spectrum of the mix.
If there is one thing you should learn before using an EQ, it should be selecting good samples or instruments right off the bat, this way, you won’t need to fight with the eq, and thus eqing would be a breeze.
Having said that, let’s go over the best EQ VST plugins I have ever come across, starting with…
1.) MAutoDynamicEQ by MeldaProduction
When we are talking of Dynamics processors, we are majorly referring to compressors, and or expanders, which on its own dynamically manipulates the overall level of audio material, and an equalizer is a tool that is used to change the balance of different frequency bands in an audio signal.
What if we combine both together? Well, that is what MAutoDynamicEQ is all about, it bridges the gap between a Dynamic processor and an equalizer, it is a plugin for manipulating the spectral character, and can also react to input levels, now that we know that, let’s get to know some of its major features…
MAutoDynamicEQ doesn’t just support the ability to work on multiple bands, it also has a separate level processor, so, you can say this plugin is a band and a dynamic processor. All the settings for the band are on the Band Settings window, which is displayed by right-clicking the band number on the equalization graph or on the band list. /dfx-vst-plugins.html.
It also supports Automatic equalization, it would automatically equalize your recording if off course the recording isn’t too bad right from the start. The way it does this is to first analyze your recording, this can be started by pressing the playback and pressing the Analyse target button, you then get a source or predefine analysis by using the load button; what you want the end result to sound like and you finally click equalize, and it is as simple as that.
The automatic equalization is powered by Melda Production’s Filter Adaption technology a.k.a MFA , the good thing about this is that it can perform your equalization for you based on an analysis of your recording, another recording, or even your own ‘drawn-in’ spectral content!
►Key Features:
- The most advanced user interface on the market – stylable, resizable, GPU accelerated
- Unique visualization engine with classic meters and time graphs
- exceptionally versatile modulators
- Adjustable oscillator shape technology
- 4 multiparameters
- M/S, single-channel, up to 8 channels surround processing…
- Smart randomization
- Automatic gain compensation (AGC)
- Safety limiter
- Adjustable up-sampling 1x-16x
- MIDI controllers with MIDI learn
- Very fast, optimized for SSE/SSE2/SSE3 processors
- Global preset management and online preset exchange
- Supports VST, VST3, AU, and AAX interfaces on Windows & Mac, both 32-bit and 64-bit
- No dongle nor internet access is required for activation
- Free-for-life updates
►System Requirements:
Windows
- Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
- VST / VST3 / AAX compatible host (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support
Always use 32-bit plugins in 32-bit hosts or 64-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts!
64-bit plugins can’t work in 32-bit hosts even if the operating system is 64-bit. Do NOT use 32-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts. They would have to be bridged and can become slow and unstable.
Mac OS X
- Mac OS X (10.7 and newer, 32-bit or 64-bit)
- VST / VST3 / AU / AAX compatible host (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support
2.) T-Bone by Boz Digital Labs
T-Bone is a slant EQ by Boz, and if you know what slant EQ is, then you should know that they are built to automatically boosts one end of the frequency spectrum while attenuating the other end.
Using this Eqing technique is useful for brightening or darkening your tracks very quickly, also, it is an awesome tool for changing the tone of your track without changing the overall level, which isn’t the case in traditional EQ plugins where when boosting a certain frequency, the overall sound gets louder, so, by using this plugin, you can ensure you are using the right tool for the right job.
Another stuff I find really interesting is the fact that it comes bundled with a coupled of good features, e.g, you have a high pass filter with resonance control, low pass filter with resonance.
Additionally, it features a Boom and Harsh Control which lets you control the level of harshness when boosting the levels in a certain frequency.
►System Requirements:
Available Formats
- Windows (32/64): VST2, VST3, RTAS, AAX Native
- Mac (32/64): AU, VST2, VST3, RTAS, AAX Native
3.) KickBox by SoundSpot
If you are into modern music genres e.g Progressive House, Electro, etc, then you know the importance of kick drum, in fact, they are the backbone of many modern music and they can either kill or make your music sound great.
A well-mixed kick drum has a warm sounding low end, doesn’t conflict with the rest of the mix, which is what Kickbox by soundspot is made for, they focus on simplifying the mixing process for any modern kick drum.
The KickBox is modeled after analogue filters and separates the relevant frequency ranges in a very transparent way. KickBox can help you get your kicks sounding extremely tight in a matter of just a few clicks.
The good thing about this plugin is that it works smoothly on both mono and stereo tracks, and the EQ section of the KickBox has been stepped to target the most common areas of the frequency spectrum, allowing you to achieve precise balanced adjustments in a matter of a few clicks.
Each band has a frequency and db control and can be operated with a simple click. This allows you to run through the values without looking at the plugin, so you can trust your ears and not your eyes.
It also features a built-in compressor that has been designed with a completely unique algorithm that has been designed to get your kick drums sounding punchy and clear.
And the most important part of the plugin to me is the presets, you can use the presets as the foundation of whatever you want to achieve, and you tweak it to your tastes, enjoy.
►Key Features:
- Fast and intuitive workflow.
- Analog modeled filters.
- Suited for electronic and acoustic kick drums.
- Extremely light on CPU and RAM.
►System Requirements:
- macOS (Catalina not supported) and Windows
- VST
- VST3
- AU
- AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher)
- RAM: 8 GB RAM or more is recommended. Plus at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation.
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 or newer.
- Licensing: Internet access for activating the licence key. Please ensure any outgoing connection blockers are deactivated.
- Sample Rates: Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
4.) FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ
Fabfilter isn’t new to the game, and their product are one of the best in the music production industry.
Pro-Q 3 offers everything that a demanding engineer could wish for: top quality linear phase operation in addition to the zero latency and unique Natural Phase modes, Mid/Side processing, variable stereo placement of EQ bands, an intelligent solo feature, optional Auto Gain, and a built-in, fully customizable spectrum analyzer
I really dig the design of the Pro-Q 3, it helps you achieve your sound in the quickest way possible. Via the large interactive EQ display, you can create bands where you need them, enable dynamic EQ for any band, and select and edit multiple bands at once.
►Key features:
- Highest possible sound quality
- Up to 24 EQ bands
- Optional Dynamic EQ mode for all bands (Bell and Shelf shapes), using any slope setting and with perfect analog matching
- Operates in zero latency mode, linear phase mode with adjustable latency, or the unique Natural Phase mode
- Flat Tilt filter shape, a flat tilting correction curve over the whole audible frequency spectrum
- Spectrum Grab: just grab and adjust a peak in the real-time spectrum analyzer right away!
- Different interface sizes and additional Full-Screen mode
- Filter shapes: Bell, Notch, High/Low Shelf, High/Low Cut, Band Pass, Tilt Shelf, Flat Tilt
- Universal filter slope support for all filter types, up to 96 dB/oct
- EQ Match feature to automatically match the spectrum of another Pro-Q 3 instance or an external signal
- Built-in spectrum analyzer with Pre-EQ, Post-EQ and external spectrum visualization, adjustable range, speed, resolution, tilt, freeze, and collision detection
- Auto Gain and Gain Scale
- Optional piano roll display to quantize EQ frequencies to musical notes
- Different display ranges: 3 dB and 6 dB ranges for mastering, 12 dB and 30 dB for mixing
- Intelligent solo mode makes it easy to find problem frequencies and hear the effect of a band
- Phase Invert option to change polarity
- Large output level meter with peak level readout
- Extreme CPU optimization: Pro-Q 3 uses very little CPU and memory, so you can use hundreds of instances in a session
- GPU-powered graphics acceleration
- Double-click text entry of parameter values
- Supports common Pro Tools hardware control surfaces
- Smart Parameter Interpolation
- Sample-accurate automation of all parameters
- Extensive help file with interactive help hints
- Available in VST, VST3, Audio Units, AAX Native, and AudioSuite formats (all both 64-bit and 32-bit)
►System Requirement:
Windows
- 64-bit: Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista
- 32-bit: Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP
- VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools
macOS:
- OS X 10.8 or higher (64-bit only)
- AU or VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools
- Intel processor
5.) TDR Nova GE by Tokyo Dawn Labs
This is similar to Tokyo Dawn Labs SlickEQ, but NOVA GE is more powerful, it is not only a parallel dynamic equalizer but a includes a flexible dynamics processing options allowing the coverage of an impressively wide range of applications.
Be it a master lacking density, muddy mixes, the drum bus asking for more crispiness, snare looking for smark, or a sibilance problem in your perfect take: NOVA is your ultimate goto plugin.
It includes a total of six dynamic EQ bands, each with independent dynamics processing ranging from downward compression over upward compression, upward expansion, up to downward expansion (including gating).
In addition, NOVA GE features an advanced “Smart Operation” panel, which offers a unique way of automating and orchestrating the plugin for spectral matching, resonance removal, and much more.
►System Requirements:
Plugin Equalizer Vst Free
Windows
- Win XP SP2 or above
- VST 32-bit / 64-bit
- AAX 64-bit
Mac
- Mac OS X 10.6.8 or above
- VST, AU, AAX 32-bit / 64-bit
6.) Equalize 2 by Acon Digital
Free Eq Vst Plugin
/free-vst-for-fl-studio-9.html. Acon Digital Equalize is yet another parametric equalizer plug-in that isn’t only easy to use but also offers great flexibility in your mixing workflow.
What this equalizer does better is featuring an adjustable frequency, gain, and bandwidths, on top of this, you can also filter slope for each band. The filter slope can be set anywhere from 3 dB to ultra-sharp 120 dB per octave.
One of the things I love about this plugin is the way you can operate it. It features as a zero-latency plug-in when using the minimum phase mode or you can choose to preserve the phase relationships in the linear phase mode.
If you’ve ever used Fabfilter Equalizer, then I’ll say the user interface is somewhat similar to Acon Digital Equalizer, the band parameters can be adjusted using handles directly in the graphical representation of the frequency response, including bandwidths and filter slopes.
Best Professional Vst Plugins
A flexible real-time analyzer lets you monitor every aspect of the processing. You can easily switch between full, mid, side, left or right channel processing for each band, and Equalize automatically routes the audio signal internally to ensure the best results and lowest possible latency.
►Key Features:
- Available as VST, VST3, or AAX plug-ins on PC (Windows)
- Available as VST, VST3, AAX, or AU plug-ins on Apple Macintosh (OS X)
- Native 32 bit or 64-bit versions of all plug-ins are available
- Supports sampling rates up to 96 kHz
- Supports multi-channel formats such as 5.1 and 7.1 surround
- Up to twelve equalizer bands
- Eight different band filter types (low cut, low shelf, peak, tilt, bandpass, notch, high shelf, and high cut)
- Band frequency, gain, bandwidth, resonance, and filter slope is freely adjustable for each band
- Three different filter modes, minimum phase, linear phase, or the novel mixed phase
- Adjustable latency and pre-ringing time in mixed-phase mode
- Zero-latency in minimum phase mode
- Channel mode (mid, side, left, right, or full processing) can be set independently for each band
- Multiple selections of bands
- Resizable graphical user interface
- Solo and bypass modes
- Optional automatic make-up gain
- Optional gain to bandwidth linking
- Two spectrum analyzers that can analyze the input or output signal from the mid, side, left, or right channel
- Graphical visualization of the equalizer frequency response
- Preset manager and a large number of factory presets
- Save, load, and categorize user presets
►System Requirements
PC Version (Windows)
- A Pentium IV or higher
- Minimum 256 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)
- Windows 10, 8 or 7
- A host application that is compatible with VST, VST3, or AAX (Pro Tools 10.3.5 or higher)
Macintosh Version (OS X)
- 64 bit Intel CPU
- OS X 10.7 or later
- A host application that is compatible with AU, VST, VST3, or AAX (Pro Tools 10.3.5 or higher