Free plugins are one of the best things about being a producer in 2022. Quality music production tools have never been more accessible for the average musician. But with more freeware plugins showing up on the scene every day, knowing which ones are worth your time isn’t easy. That’s why we’re bringing you our top picks for the most useful and creative free music software every month.
In this edition, compressor favorites, transient shapers and more.
This month’s free plugin roundup is heavy on the dynamics processors.
But that’s OK—if you’re like me you can’t resist a new way to add stylish squash to your sound.
Even so, our free plugins this month go beyond traditional compression into transient shaping, multiband techniques and hybrid compression/expansion.
Let’s get started!
Acustica is known for its intensive approach to hardware modeling.
Despite some users reporting their technology is tough on your computer, the results speak for themselves.
Their Tan compressor was an early favorite in the free plugin world. It offered convincing emulation of a famous VCA compressor design.
Perfect for adding weight and glue to buses and full mixes, Tan 2 promises an improvement on everything that made the original great.
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Sometimes traditional compression or expansion isn’t enough to give you the control you need when it comes to dynamics.
Multiband compression can seem confusing if you’re just getting started with dynamics processing.
Luckily Auburn Sounds Lens aims to solve some of the issues that make it challenging to use for those more comfortable with traditional compression.
Instead of setting complicated crossover points and compression characteristics for each individual band, Lens handles up to 64 individual companders behind the scenes.
Simply focus on the familiar controls to dial in increased clarity and punch.
Delay lines were the technological breakthrough that kickstarted the digital effects revolution in the 70s.
Delay lines were the technological breakthrough that kickstarted the digital effects revolution in the 70s.
But they’re still a source of inspiration for creative manufacturers to build new variations on classic effects.
Higher HZ HZ Multiplier gives you up to six pannable delay taps with modulation, filtering, feedback and spread controls.
Used together you can create various combinations of delay, reverb, unison, flanger or chorus—or something that blurs the line between each!
Sometimes traditional compression or expansion isn’t enough to give you the control you need when it comes to dynamics.
Luckily, there’s a third option that lies somewhere in between called transient shaping.
It uses a simplified set of parameters to control the intensity of the sound’s attack or sustain.
This type of processing is especially useful on percussive material since it can dramatically reshape the the track’s envelope.
TRAX is Analog Obsession’s excellent take on the well-known transient designer format with simple controls for attack and sustain.
If you’ve been following the top recommended free plugins, you’ve probably seen a few mentions of Xfer OTT.
It replicates a signal chain common in electronic production that combines two different styles of multiband compression.
The technique creates a powerfully punchy sound by both attenuating the peaks and amplifying the troughs across three frequency bands.
Sixth Sample Crammit takes that formula and expands on it, adding harmonics and saturation for an even more satisfying sound.
Free is the best price
Keeping up with every single free plugin takes a lot of effort. Check back in with LANDR to get an easy digest of the best new releases you need in your plugin folder.
If you’ve made it through this article you’ll know about some great new plugins you can download for free to get inspired.
