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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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It’s the end of the month, and your bank account is empty…
Oops.
And as much as you might feel like buying that new Waves plugin…
(You’ve had your eye on it for months, right?)
It’s probably not a good idea.
But if you’re still looking to expand your plugin library, don’t worry.
Sometimes, the best things in life are free…
Here are 7 of my favorite free plugins. Each of them offers something new and unique (no boring EQs or compressors). Download them all to extend your sonic palette and ultimately, craft better-sounding tracks.
And if you’re looking to dive deeper, I also put together a list of five plugins I use on every mix. If you’re wondering which plugins I recommend, download the list below to make sure you’ve got my top tools for the job.
1. iZotope Neutrino
Neutrino is the baby brother of Neutron—iZotope’s newest channel-strip plugin. While Neutron has a number of innovative features, Neutrino spins off the best of them.
Neutrino tames undesirable resonances caused by poor room acoustics, cheap gear, and heavy-handed processing. iZotope calls the effect “spectral shaping,” and it can sound similar to gentle, low-ratio multiband compression. This can make tracks sound smoother and more polished—like sanding the rough edges off a freshly cut piece of wood. I find Neutrino particularly useful on electric guitar tracks, which often have lots of harsh resonances.
2. Voxengo SPAN
People say “don’t mix with your eyes.”
Meh.
The truth?
Tools that provide visual feedback, when used properly, can help you make better mixing decisions.
A spectrum analyzer is one of these tools. It plots the frequencies of sounds out on a graph, which allows you to “see” what tracks are comprised of.
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SPAN is my favorite spectrum analyzer. You can control the ballistics and response of its graph, which makes it flexible enough for a wide variety of tasks. You can even route multiple tracks into SPAN and compare their frequency content.
(P.S. Voxengo has a few other free VST plugins. They’re worth checking out too, but SPAN is my favorite.)
3. Brainworx bx_solo
Bx_solo is a no-frills, stereo-imaging plugin. While it’s the least sexy of this bunch, it can still be pretty useful.
I like to add bx_solo to my mix bus. While I rarely push the stereo width past 100%, collapsing it to zero is an easy way to check for mono compatibility. The mid and side solo buttons are also useful. It’s great to have this one around—you never know when you might need it!
4. HOFA 4U Project Time
Mixing is a race against time.
The more time you spend on a mix, the more attached you become to what it sounds like. This makes it progressively harder to make good mixing decisions. Given enough time, even the worst mix will start to sound decent.
This is one reason I recommend mixing quickly and impulsively. You’ll get to the finish line faster, retain more objectivity, and ultimately, craft better mixes.
The first step towards more efficient mixing is to track how much time you spend doing it. Without this information, it’s easy to get lost in a black hole of endless tweaking.
Project Time makes this easy. Add it to a track, and it will start counting. The timer automatically stops when you close the session, and starts when you open it up again.
Keep an eye on Project Time, and you’ll train yourself to mix faster and more efficiently. It’s also an invaluable tool if you bill by the hour!
5. MeldaProduction MFreeFXBundle
MeldaProduction makes some great plugins. They’ve earned the praise of many notable engineers, including mastering guru Ian Shepard.
The MFreeFXBundle contains 30 free VST plugins. They range from workhorse tools like a compressor and EQ, to less common effects like a ring modulator, flanger, and oscilloscope.
If you’re looking to fill some holes in your plugin library, this is a great place to start.
6. Flux BitterSweet
BitterSweet is among the best transient shapers out there. It can produce results on par with studio mainstays like SPL’s Transient Designer and Waves’ Trans-X.
This simple plugin can achieve a wide variety of effects. Turn the knob to the right to add punch to drums, enhance the pluck of an acoustic guitar, or boost the consonants in a vocal performance. Turn the knob to the left to soften tracks and push them back in the soundstage.
7. iZotope Vinyl
Sometimes a little crackle is a good thing.
Vinyl will make tracks sound like they’re being played on a turntable. You can vary the intensity of the effect by controlling the volume of different types of noise, the degree of wear and tear, and the decade your sound is from. The results range from subtle filtering to Edison phonograph.
This plugin is great for special effects, like filtering down a vocal or making an intro sound tiny.
Moving Beyond Free Plugins: My Favorite Plugins
I hope these 7 free plugins help you craft tracks that sound fresh and unique.
If you’re looking to dive deeper, I also put together a list of 5 plugins I use on every mix. If you’re wondering which plugins I recommend, download the list below to make sure you’ve got my top tools for the job.
Before you go—what’s your favorite free VST plugin? Share your pick in the comment section below. Black friday free vst plugins.
Bonus: 3 More Free Plugins for Mixing
Free Vst For Reason
3 Free Plugins I Use in Every Mix
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It’s the end of the month, and your bank account is empty… …again. Oops. And as much as you might feel like buying that new Waves plugin… (You’ve had your eye on it for months, right?) It’s probably not a good idea. But if you're still looking to expand your plugin library, don't worry. Sometimes,
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