When it comes to mixing music in the modern era, one of the first things that comes in mind is… plugins. Every DAW is equipped with a set of plugins for different all kinds of purposes, some better than others. Nevertheless, you are by no means limited to the plugins that come with your DAW. There are many free and paid VST plugins out there, ready to be discovered. In this article we will list our favourite VST plugins and plugin collections aimed for mixing.
FabFilter Pro-Q 3 (Paid)
FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is a professional-grade equalization (EQ) plugin developed by FabFilter. It is known for its transparent sound, powerful features, and intuitive interface. It is a popular choice among professional mix engineers and music producers, definitely one of the best options out there.
Features:
- High-quality, transparent sound
- Wide range of EQ modes, including standard, natural phase, and linear phase
- Ability to adjust the slope and shape of EQ bands
- Intuitive interface with real-time visual feedback
- Mid/side and surround sound support
iZotope Ozone 10 (Paid)
iZotope’s Ozone 10 Standard is a powerful mastering software that brings the latest advancements in audio technology to your fingertips. With its intelligent Master Assistant, you can easily capture the tone, width, and dynamics of chart-topping hits or your favorite reference files, making release-ready results more accessible than ever. The new Magnify Soft Clip feature for the Maximizer module allows you to boost loudness while preserving details, and the Recover Sides for Imager improves mono playback. You can even master while making music with full NKS support for MASCHINE or KOMPLETE KONTROL. iZotope’s Ozone 10 Standard is the perfect choice for music producers and audio engineers who want to achieve professional results with ease.
Features:
- AI-powered assistive audio tools to help you sculpt release-ready tracks
- Match the character of chart-topping hits and your favorite reference tracks
- New Recover Sides feature to improve mono playback
- New Magnify Soft Clip feature to boost loudness while preserving details
- Improved Master Assistant
Waves Plugins (Paid)
Waves Audio is a company that has been producing plugins for music production for over three decades. Their range of plugins includes both classic outboard processor emulations and modern production tools. Some of the most popular Waves plugins include the Waves SSL 4000 Collection for emulating the classic SSL 4000 mixing console, the Waves Abbey Road Collection for recreating the sound of the famous Abbey Road Studios, and the Waves Vocal Rider for automating vocal level adjustments in mixing.
Features:
- Wide range of mixing and mastering tools and effects
- High-quality sound and transparent processing
- Regularly updated with new plugins and improvements
- Includes a bundle of over 100 plugins at a discounted price
TDR Nova (Paid)
TDR Nova is a dynamic EQ plugin developed by Tokyo Dawn Records. It is known for its transparent sound and advanced features, including the ability to adjust the slope and shape of EQ bands in real-time, a built-in spectrum analyser, and equal loudness functionality. It transforms from a simple parametric EQ to a super-precise dynamic equalizer. Ideal for both newcomers as well as more experienced users.
Features:
- High-quality, transparent sound
- Advanced dynamic EQ capabilities, including the ability to adjust the slope and shape of EQ bands in real-time
- Wide range of EQ modes, including standard, natural phase, and linear phase
- Intuitive interface with real-time visual feedback
Voxengo Span (Free)
Voxengo Span is a free spectrum analyzer plugin (also comes in a paid version), which allows you to see the frequency spectrum of your audio in real-time. The plugin offers a wide range of settings, which allows for fine-tuning and precision when it comes to analyzing and shaping the frequency content of your audio signal. It is a popular choice among amateur and professional mix engineers and music producers.
Features:
- Real-time spectrum analysis of audio
- Wide range of customization options, including the ability to adjust the display range, resolution, and more
- Completely free to use
There were just a few plugins we think worth checking, if you are looking to improve your mixes. It is important however, to remember that having a vast collection of VST plugins for mixing is not always necessary. Quality over quantity should always be the mindset when building your toolkit. It is more important to have a select few plugins that you are proficient in using, rather than having a plethora of options and not knowing how to utilize them properly. With the right combination of plugins and the knowledge of how to use them effectively, you can achieve professional results in your mixing projects. It’s all about finding the right balance and making the most out of the tools you have at your disposal.
