Best Free Podcasting Eq Vst
Blue Cat’s Triple EQ is definitely one of the best free equalizer plugins you’ll ever find. This completely free equalizer is a 3-band semi-parametric equalizer that includes a low shelf filter, a high shelf filter and a boost/cut peak filter. I tested the tone matching capabilities of these plugins tonight, and I must say, it's pretty disappointing. I think, they're great VST EQ plugins, but for tone matching, they're quite limited. I like Melda productions mfreeformEQ and Voxengo CurveEQ, but they're not free (although the demo of CurveEQ is actually sufficient to do what we need).
Most podcasters and info spreaders are quick to talk about the gear they recommend — me included — for getting great audio.
Free Vst Graphic Eq
We know all about the ATR2100 or other mics like the Shure SM58 because they get a lot of word of mouth, but even if you have great gear that’s only one part of the puzzle.
After you record your audio, you’ll need to edit and process it. That’s what we’re talking about today:
Ooooooooooooh yeah.
You’re probably wondering why even the most prolific podcasters and audio content producers don’t really talk about plugins. Frankly… there’s no commission with free plugins.
My site is currently too young to have any real affiliate marketing yet, so I’m happy to talk about it!
Here’s the rundown:
Picture above (left) is the AIR Kill EQ which is a 3-band eq, and (right) the Channel Strip EQ which is a parametric eq.
3-band equalizers
You probably recognize the 3-band interface of the Air Kill EQ. It has the typical Low – Mid – High options that you’re used to seeing on a mixing board. When you turn up one of these knobs — also called pots which is short for potentiometer… the more you know — you increase that specific sound. When you turn the knob down it also turns down that sound… simple enough, right? With the 3-band EQ these groups of frequencies or bands are fixed, and cannot be spread out or focused unless they have a sweep which this 3-band EQ happens to have.
So if you want less low frequency in your sound you are able to lower it by turning down the low knob. If you want more clarity you are able to turn up the high knob. It’s very straight forward.
Parametric equalizers
You might be familiar with the layout of a parametric equalizer if you’ve ever played around in Garageband or other editing softwares. When using this type of EQ you are able to grab a specific point and drag it around the frequency spectrum. This allows you to select a specific frequency you want to manipulate. You can then either focus in on it, or broaden your selection by manipulating your Q — that’s a bit tough to understand in writing, so just play with it when you can. You’ll hear the difference. The Channel Strip plugin allows you to manipulate 4 different frequency points including a low frequency (LF), low mid frequency (LMF), high mid frequency (HMF), and a high frequency (HF) along with two filters.
More often than not, I will use a parametric equalizer because I love the visual representation and the extra precision.
Dyn3 Expander / Gate Pictured Above
Simplified, gates get rid of unwanted noise such as breathing, or spit smacks by clamping down — closing — when you aren’t speaking. The gate determines what is considered unwanted sound with the threshold. If the audio is quieter than the set threshold, the gate remains closed preventing any audio from passing.
This is the #1 tool I rely on for cleaning up audio when producing voiceover.
Garageband, Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, and many other softwares have this tool built in. Trust me, the gate is your friend.
For Further Learning: Audio Gates & Expanders Explained
Dyn3 Compressor / Limiter Picture Above
Compressors work to decrease your audio’s dynamic range. Why does that matter? When you’re producing audio for broadcast you want a smaller — compressed — amount of volume fluctuation, so that your listener doesn’t have to mess with their volume.
Have you ever watched a movie where all of the sudden the music comes in and you struggle to hear the dialogue? That’s a great example of too much dynamic range, and not enough compression. By keeping your audio in a tight pocket you enable your listener to hear your voice at all times whether you speak softly or are shouting.
Speaking of shouting, the compressor also helps prevent audio from reaching 0 dB and peaking. In this case, the threshold determines when to start compressing the audio. As soon as the volume is over the threshold the compressor applies its ratio. In the picture above, the ratio is 3.0:1. That means for every 3 decibels (dB) that the audio goes over the threshold, only 1 decibel will actually pass. Pretty neat, right!
For Further Learning: Compression 101: How to Use a Compressor (I apologize ahead of time… this dude’s like… really dry.)
Maxim Limiter Pictured Above
A limiter is essentially a compressor on steroids. As soon as the audio goes over the threshold it is boosted up to the ceiling or specific output that is set — that’s insanely reductive, but we’ll count it. This is used to tighten up your dynamics even more, and can really sound like crap if you overdo it. This is definitely a process that shows its price tag. Waves makes some amazing limiters, but the stock ones that come with most softwares can’t be pushed very hard without causing distortion. Note: Audacity calls their limiter a leveler.
For Further Learning: A Beginner’s Introduction to Limiters by Mo Volans – Mo is awesomely thorough in this article!
Normalize Pictured Above
You always need to normalize your audio as a final step. All it does — when the peak setting is selected — is maximize your volume based on the loudest point in your recording. Looking at the picture above, if you move the level to the left, you set the deciBels to a lower level. So if you were to set it -1 dB, then the loudest point in your audio will be -1 dB. It’s incredibly simple, but extremely powerful for adding that last little bit of polish to your audio.
These 5 plugins more than any others are the nuts and bolts of great voiceover and podcast audio. If you master them, you will deliver industry standard high quality audio every time. Plus, you will only get better with practice, and experience!
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In the meantime, drop me a comment below and share which plugins you use to knock your audio out of the park.
Till next time,
/bigcat-free-vst.html. Cheers
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Looking for a reliable and FREE EQ for video editing? There are loads of excellent options out there and we’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best on the market right now.
On the hunt for an EQ but got no money to spend? Fear not, there are loads of free, professional-standard equalizers available, and we’ve rounded up six of the best to help you choose the one for you.
An equalizer (or EQ) plugin is a piece of software which allows you to control volume levels of specific frequencies. It’s an essential bit of kit for achieving pro audio in your videos as certain frequencies can have different uses, certain desirable or undesirable characteristics.
For example, muddy voice recording can often be remedied by cutting midrange frequencies and boosting highs, and issues such as vibrations picked up by your microphone can be banished with a simple high-pass filter.
So EQs are essential for your workflow, and luckily there are loads of great ones available for free!
If you're looking for a more advanced option and you’re happy to invest a bit of money then it might be worth checking out our article on the 5 best EQs for video makers on the market right now.
We’re starting this list with a bang. Tokyo Dawn Records’ TDR Nova is a fully featured parallel EQ which can hold its own up against many a paid-for plugin. What’s more, it can also double up as a compressor meaning this gem of a VST could be a one-stop-shop for all your audio for video processing needs.
TDR Nova is the only EQ on this list which boasts a dynamic EQ. This means that the amount frequencies are cut or boosted by can vary depending on how loud those frequencies are moment to moment. This is really useful if you’ve got some rogue frequency spikes tampering with your otherwise perfect audio.
The dynamic EQ also features wideband compression meaning that it compresses all frequencies equally – ie it’s a regular old compressor. For those not in the know, a compressor reduces the volume of audio when it crosses a certain threshold. This is really useful for smoothing out clips that have a lot of dynamic range, making your recordings more consistent.
Another little hack: you can use the dynamic EQ as a deesser by sticking a node where sibilance occurs (around 6k-7kHz). Of course you’ll get better results with a dedicated bit of kit such as the ERA De-Esser.
TDR Nova is a real powerhouse and would make a great addition to anyone’s workflow. However, if that dynamic EQ sounds a bit confusing then maybe the next EQ in our list would suit you better.
Triple EQ from Blue Cat Audio is the perfect option for anyone intimidated by the world of sound. With only three bands, this handy plugin offers everything you need to tame your audio without getting out of your depth with loads of powerful but superfluous features.
Yeah 12 bands, AI assisted curves and dynamic nodes are great and everything, but sometimes all you need is a simple EQ to just get the job done. If you haven’t got the time to learn your way around another piece of software then this is the EQ for you.
The second offering from Tokyo Dawn Records in our list, SlickEQ is a classic three band EQ with some interesting creative options.
So far on the list we’ve only showcased digital EQs. These are great for cold and precise sound shaping allowing you to carve out frequencies accurately. SlickEQ, on the other hand, models old school hardware EQs with four different modes: American, British, German and Soviet. It also offers four different saturation modes which can warm up your sound, adding character.
Because of this, and the fact that SlickEQ doesn’t have a spectral analyser (a visual representation of the frequency adjustments you’re making), it could be a good idea to have SlickEQ in your arsenal to add flavour to your sound, and a different EQ for more precise sound sculpting.
Best Free Parametric Eq Vst
That being said, if you can live without a spectral analyser then SlickEQ is just as capable as any other equalizer when it comes to mixing audio and could easily be your only EQ.
MEqualizer from MeldaProduction is a solid six-band equalizer that offers great flexibility and control when it comes to taming rogue frequencies. It comes as part of the MFreeFXBundle, an impressive collection of totally free audio plugins.
Free Eq Vsts
However, many of the audio units in the bundle are aimed at musicians rather than video creators, so the entire collection may just use up valuable space on your hard drive if you have no plans to use them. However, this may be a price worth paying as MEqualizer is the only six band EQ on this list making it one of the most precise in our round-up, second only to the 12 band lkjb QRange. And of course, you can always delete the unwanted VSTs.
DDMF ColourEQ
Interestingly ColourEQ wasn’t always freeware. Originally DDMF were selling it for $29, so it’s not just another throwaway freebie.
Finally – a nice touch, though of course not essential – the colour of the GUI can be tailored to your personal preference, perhaps explaining DDMF’s naming decision.
Weighing in with a whopping 12 bands, the Ikjb QRange certainly wins when it comes to node numbers.
Each band can operate as a bell, shelf or cut, offering you levels of control that can’t be matched by any other EQ on this list.
That means that, if you’re a perfectionist seaking to dial in on that perfect sound, this EQ may be exactly what you need. However, as a video maker who just wants to tweak a voiceover without too much hassle, then 12 bands is most likely too many and you’re probably better off with a more restrained equalizer from this list.
If none of these options grabbed you then be sure to check out our round up of the best paid for EQs.