Equalizers or EQs are among the most used effects for audio mixing, along with compressors.
Indeed, knowing how to set an EQ is absolutely essential for mixing a track.
There are many types, from the most transparent to the most vintage. Thus, while some plugins do not add any particular character and are only meant for simple equalization, others try to simulate the sound characteristics of analog equipment.
Of course, there are many paid plugins.
But there are also free ones. And in the free category, there is of course a mix of good and less good.
So, to help you in your search, I have compiled my favorite free equalization plugins in this list along with their corresponding download links.
Happy discovering, and feel free to let me know what you think in the comments! 🙂
1. MEqualizer
Developer: MeldaProductions
Format: VST, VST3, AU, and AAX (32 and 64 bits)
If you’re looking for a simple yet graphical free equalizer with enough options, I recommend checking out MEqualizer.
Indeed, it gives you access to 6 perfectly adjustable equalization bands, as well as a number of options such as parallel mixing or adding interesting saturation for a more colored effect.
You can also make comparisons between several equalizations to see which one works best.
The plugin is therefore very functional and quite user-friendly for beginners as it is visual and easy to handle.
Note, however, the presence of a banner at the bottom of the plugin inviting you to purchase the paid version: it has no impact on the use of the effect, but it is not very aesthetic.
► Click here to download MEqualizer
2. Nova
Developer: Tokyo Dawn Records
Format: VST, AU, AAX (32 and 64 bits)
It is impossible to make a list of free EQs without including Nova from Tokyo Dawn Records, although it is not just an equalizer. Indeed, the plugin is somewhat multifunctional and also acts, notably, as a multiband compressor (I use it regularly for that, by the way).
However, it excellently fulfills its role as a 4-band EQ (+ high-pass and low-pass filter) thanks to a clear interface that will suit both beginners and professionals.
It is very versatile and can be used for precise corrections as well as broad equalizations on buses or during mastering.
By default, the frequency spectrum visualization is disabled to encourage you to listen to the sound rather than analyze it visually, but you can activate it by clicking the “Analyzer” button at the top of the plugin window.
In short, a real professional tool, but free. Note that there is a paid version, the “Gentleman Edition,” which gives access to two additional frequency bands.
3. RS-W2395C
Developer: Fuse Audio Labs
Format: VST, VST3, AU, and AAX (32 and 64 bits on Windows, 64 bits only on Mac)
Fuse Audio Labs is a brand I really appreciate for its paid plugins, but it also offers excellent free plugins.
RS-W2395C is a Baxandall type equalizer that allows you to control the bass and treble musically, with an equally effective dedicated midrange equalization band.
In addition, there is an analog saturation simulation that will work very well to give a bit of a lofi touch to your productions, for example.
The plugin is not complex to use given the number of settings, but there are still a few specifics to keep in mind — so I recommend taking a look at my video/tutorial below to master it well 😉
► Click here to download RS-W2395C
4. ReaEQ
Developer: Cockos (like the DAW Reaper)
Format: VST (32 and 64 bits)
It’s impossible to make this list without mentioning ReaEQ — even if the design is… non-existent.
Indeed, behind this rather improbable interface lies a powerful and particularly efficient plugin.
Many settings are available. Of course, you will find the classic frequency, gain, and bandwidth controls.
But it is also possible to add
Four EQ models are included: American, British, German, and Soviet, all offering a slightly different coloration. Five saturation models at the output stage are also selectable, from the most subtle to the most pronounced.
Finally, SlickEQ includes automatic gain compensation, which allows for equalization while maintaining a constant volume, to avoid being influenced in choices by changes in sound level. You either love it or hate it, but it must be admitted that it’s an interesting and rare feature in free plugins.
Not bad for a free plugin, right?
► Click here to download SlickEQ
7. Coffee The PUn
Developer: Acustica Audio
Format: VST, VST3, AAX, AU (64 bits only)
Coffee The PUn is a rather original free equalizer: it features Pultec-style controls, allowing for the creation of complex equalization curves by boosting and cutting the same frequency, but it also simulates germanium saturation.
In other words, this is a plugin with a lot of character: it may not be useful for all your tracks, but for example, on a kick drum, it can really transform your recordings to give them color.
Note, however, that the convolution technology used by Acustica Audio on their plugins means that Coffee The PUn is quite heavy (about 800 MB), and it significantly taxes the processor. So, it’s best to avoid it on less powerful computers.
To download it, you need to go through the brand’s installer (link below), which also provides access to several other free equalizers.
► Click here to download Coffee The PUn
8. BootEQ mkIII
Developer: Variety of Sound
Format: VST (32 bits and 64 bits, Windows only)
This plugin is a bit older but is still very nice and relevant, as it combines in one interface:
- a tube pre-amplification system that can adopt different colorations and with built-in “opto” type compression;
- a semi-parametric equalizer like a console strip, efficient and easy to use, as it has fairly limited controls.
I used it regularly in the past because it has a really pleasant sound: it’s hard to make it sound bad, it’s really musical.
The only downside is that it is unfortunately only available for Windows, like all the (excellent) plugins from Variety of Sound.
► Click here to download BootEQ mkIII
9. Luftikus
Developer: lkjb
Format: VST, VST3, AU (32 and 64 bits)
Luftikus is a relatively unknown plugin but can really be interesting to have in your toolkit.
It is obviously inspired by the famous EQ4 from Maag Audio, adopting a similar design and reproducing the “air” control that pleasantly boosts the highs between 2.5 and 40 kHz.
Not at all dedicated to surgical equalization, it’s a musical plugin to use for softening your tracks. In particular, I find it quite effective on vocals and on drums to give more clarity without making the sound aggressive.
It should be tested urgently, especially for the right knob on the plugin window, which specifically targets the highs.
► Click here to download Luftikus (via KVR)
10. PTEq-X
Developer: Ignite Amps
Format: VST, VST3, AU (32 and 64 bits)
Ah! Ignite Amps. One of my favorite brands when it comes to free plugins..
As one might expect from looking at the interface, this is a Pultec EQP-1A equalizer emulation coupled with a simulation of the HLF-3C and MEQ-5 modules from the same brand.
Perhaps not as good as its paid alternatives sold by other developers, but still offering a very respectable sound, PTEq-X is mainly dedicated to wide and musical equalizations.
If you’re looking for a transparent plugin, look elsewhere: this one is unsurprisingly colored, with a subtle and pleasant vintage character. It is therefore ideal for giving an analog feel to your tracks, for example by placing it on the mix bus or even using it for mastering.
But above all, you can use it to add punch to your kicks and percussion by using the “Boost” and “Atten” buttons of the low-frequency band together.
A must-have if you don’t already have a Pultec simulation in your arsenal.
► Click here to download PTEq-X
11. BaxterEQ
Developer: Variety of Sound
Format: VST (32 bits and 64 bits, Windows only)
This effect is inspired by the famous BAX EQ from Dangerous Music using so-called “Baxandall” equalization curves, named after their creator.
BaxterEQ is a mastering dedicated equalizer. You can certainly use it on buses, but it will not adapt to individual track use. Indeed, it only allows for wide equalizations that will only be useful at the scale of a complete mix.
While the highs are well controlled, I have a slight preference for the low-frequency part of this effect. Indeed, the lows are boosted in a very musical way, and it feels like they gain in cohesion and clarity.
Note that the plugin can operate in stereo (different left/right equalization) or in Mid/Side mode.
A plugin of equivalent quality to the paid alternative available at Plugin Alliance.
► Click here to download BaxterEQ
12. Warmy-EP1A Tube EQ
Developer: Kiive Audio
Format: VST3, AU, AAX
A bit special is this plugin from Kiive Audio.
Indeed, while it looks like a Pultec equalizer, it is actually a simulation of a clone of a Pultec.
That is to say, instead of simulating the original machine, Kiive Audio chose to simulate the cloned version offered by Warm Audio.
Well, why not: it certainly has a different sound, so at least this plugin has the advantage of being a bit original. And above all, I find that for a free plugin it sounds pretty good.
Like the version from Ignite Amps we discussed earlier, the Warmy EP1A allows you to boost and cut the same frequencies to perform the famous “Pultec” techniques and, typically, add density to the bottom of your mix without making it muddy.
In addition, it comes with about twenty presets and especially a 16x oversampling, to maximize sound quality and avoid aliasing.
► Click here to download Warmy-EP1A Tube EQ
13. Blindfold EQ
Developer: AudioThing
Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP (64 bits only)
A very original plugin this Blindfold EQ.
Inspired by a quote from a book by Sylvia Massy, this free equalizer is indeed quite standard in terms of settings… but it has no indication of anything.
There is a band for lows, one for low-mids, one for high-mids, one for highs… but there are no indications of frequencies or gain values.
It’s up to you to use your ears and only those to determine the right setting.
The exercise is particularly interesting, even if it can be confusing.
For beginners, it’s really something to try — for example, in addition to a few weeks of training with ProfesseurEQ, the free tool developed by Projet Home Studio to help you learn to recognize frequencies.
► Click here to download Blindfold EQ
14. Voxengo Marvel GEQ
Developer: Voxengo
Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX (32 and 64 bits)
Another free equalizer that might interest you: the Marvel GEQ from Voxengo, which produces a large number of plugins, most of good quality.
The interface is a bit classic, with 16 adjustable frequency bands represented by parametric equalizer type sliders.
Except that this free effect has a particularity: it is a linear phase equalizer. In other words, without phase rotation phenomena, which can be very useful in specific (but also quite rare) situations.
Keep it handy if you don’t have this type of EQ!
► Click here to download Voxengo Marvel GEQ
15. (and 16, 17, 18…) The Analog Obsession Equalizers
Developer: Analog Obssesion
Format: VST, VST3, AU (64 bits only; and AAX for some plugins)
Did I save the best for last?
It’s possible, because even if not all the plugins from Analog Obsession are perfect, one must recognize that in terms of free plugins, it’s a publisher that hits very hard.
Note that, even though it’s free, you can support the developer via their Patreon.
In short, Analog Obsession offers a large number of free equalization plugins, generally inspired by analog hardware: SSQ which is an SSL console type EQ, BlendEQ which allows mixing two different analog simulations, MaxBax for Baxandall type equalization, Rare for Pultec type equalization… the choice is more than wide!
Definitely worth testing if you have the time to dive into the long list of the brand’s plugins.
► Click here to get all these plugins from the official site
Looking for more plugins?
Check out my article dedicated to all free plugins… 🙂