It’s true, there aren’t many De-Essers plugins.
There are a few paid ones that are excellent. But when it comes to free plugins, it becomes much harder to find something good. In comparison, compressors are much more numerous.
That said, some free De-Essers stand out — and those are the ones I’ve selected for this somewhat short article. 🙂
Happy downloading!
1. T-De-Esser
Developer: Techivation
Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Techivation isn’t a very well-known brand yet, but it’s starting to become a bit visible, especially thanks to the various free plugins it has made available… including, as you guessed, a de-esser.
While this is somewhat of a teaser version to buy the more complete plugin, this free version of T-De-Esser is already very usable as is — and especially very easy to handle: you choose the frequency band where sibilance occurs, adjust the amount of effect, and that’s it.
(Well, you can also modify the intensity and precision of the effect via two other buttons, but it remains quite simple).
A nice and free de-esser to try out :)!
► Click here to download T-De-Esser
2. Lisp
Developer: Sleepy-Time DSP
Format: VST, VST3 (32 and 64 bits)
Another very good free De-Eser: Lisp from Sleepy-Time DSP, a now inactive developer but whose very serious plugins are still available.
Lisp combines a band-pass filter system and transient detection to effectively reduce sibilance phenomena, and importantly, without needing to set a threshold: in fact, the effect will work regardless of the input signal level.
Depending on your experience with De-Essers, two modes are available:
- An “auto” mode that will automatically detect frequencies related to sibilance;
- A “manual” mode, more comprehensive, that will allow you to select the exact targeted frequencies.
In addition, there are several settings such as the attack and release of the detection circuit, or the possibility to process the signal in stereo or mid/side. In short, a concentrate of features in a seemingly simplistic interface!
3. Spitfish
Developer: Digital Fish Phones
Format: VST (32 bits and PC only)
Without a doubt one of the best free De-Essers you can find today.
Moreover, it’s probably not by chance that the developer of this plugin now works at U-He, one of the most famous VST instrument publishers.
Spitfish is, I find, extremely easy to use. There is a “Sense” button to adjust sensitivity and a “Depth” button to adjust the amount of attenuation that will be applied to sibilant letters.
Additionally, a number of other easily accessible and very useful features are integrated:
- Listening to the sound attenuated by the De-Eser;
- Stereo processing;
- Adjusting the central frequency of the effect between 4 and 12 kHz.
The only downside is that Spitfish is only available in 32-bit format. This means that if your DAW is 64-bit, you will need to use software like jBridge to use it.
► Click here to download Spitfish (via Wayback Machine)
4. Tonmann DeEsser
Developer: Tonmann
Format: VST (32 bits only)
Finally, we must not forget the Tonmann DeEsser, a bit less known than the previous ones but it performs quite well.
Unfortunately only available in 32-bit VST format, it can independently process the channels of a stereo signal or work in mono. Selectable “Wideband” and “Lowpass” reduction modes are available to control the character of the algorithm.
As usual, the central frequency of the effect can be adjusted, but it is worth noting an interesting feature of “Look Ahead,” which ensures a better prediction of sibilant consonants or syllables. A listen option is also integrated, allowing you to hear the signal that has been attenuated.
A good plugin that definitely deserves its place on this list!
► Click here to download Tonmann DeEsser
Need more free plugins?
Take a look without delay at all my lists of free plugins! 🙂