Among the impressive amount of free effect plugins on the market, clippers — that is, plugins that apply a clipping effect — are not very common.
In fact, this is also true for paid plugins.
However, they are extremely useful effects (not to be confused with limiters, by the way) that allow you to control peaks on tracks, track busses, or even on the master.
That said, there are still a few rare gems, some free clippers that do the job very well (even if they are not always very pretty).
Here are my suggestions on the subject. Happy downloading! 🙂
1. KClip Zero
Developer: Kazrog
Formats: VST, AU, AAX (64-bit only)
Kazrog may not be a very well-known brand in the Francophone world, but it is a brand I have followed for many years, especially for their work on guitar amp simulations.
KClip Zero is actually a lighter version of their more comprehensive plugin KClip (multiband clipper), which is available for around thirty euros at the time of writing this article and has been praised by critics since its release.
That said, the free version is already more than sufficient for home studio use, or even professional: by clipping your masters or tracks with this tool, you will easily gain loudness and be able to control the slightly harsh transients of your mix.
Without a doubt, the first one to test from the entire list developed in this article.
► Click here to download KClip Zero
2. Initial Clipper
Developer: Initial Audio
Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit only)
The Initial Clipper from Initial Audio, a free soft clipping plugin, is an interesting tool for music producers.
Thanks to its soft clipping algorithm, it gradually attenuates peaks, providing a more balanced sound.
Moreover, the plugin’s rather elegant interface includes a peak display that offers instant visibility on the adjustments made.
In addition to its clipping function, Initial Clipper offers an additional saturation option. This function allows you to add harmonic or non-harmonic saturation to the audio signal, thus bringing density and warmth to the sound. However, be careful not to overdo it.
Finally, to meet the needs of users in a mastering context, Initial Clipper also integrates a Loudness Units relative to Full Scale (LUFS) indicator, compliant with industry standards. This indicator will allow you to monitor the sound level of your mix in real-time, providing precise control over audio dynamics.
► Click here to download Initial Clipper
3. Gclip
Developer: GVST
Formats: VST, .SO (Windows, MacOS, Linux)
It’s hard to get more basic than the GClip from VST, another free clipper that is nevertheless perfectly suited for music production or audio in general.
This basic yet effective plugin allows you to clip peaks abruptly or gently, as there is a “Softness” setting to soften the clipping.
The simplistic graphical visualization helps adjust the clipping level according to the source material, and you can also enable oversampling to reduce aliasing.
► Click here to download Gclip
4. Limiter n°6
Developer: vladg
Format: VST, AU (32 and 64 bits)
If you have browsed my lists of free plugins, you have probably already come across the famous Limiter n°6 by vladg, which is a bit dated but is still a very good plugin.
And the fact is that it contains several modules, such as a compressor, two limiters, and… a clipper!
The clipper does its job very well and comes with a number of options:
- Knee to manage soft clipping;
- Oversampling;
- Mid/side mode;
- Multiband mode (for potentially more transparent clipping).
Be careful, as it is dated, it will probably not be compatible with all MacOS systems.
► Click here to download Limiter n°6
5. Free Clip 2
Developer: Venn Audio
Format: VST3, AU, AAX
Last option on this list of free clippers: Free Clip 2 by Venn Audio.
We are looking at a truly effective plugin but at the same time quite simple: a clipping amount adjustment, a ceiling adjustment, an oversampling adjustment… and that’s about it.
About that, because you can still choose different clipping algorithms, for a different impact on your mixes. A rather rare feature that deserves to be noted (and tested).
A good plugin, moreover resizable despite not being very aesthetic.
► Click here to download Free Clip (included in the brand’s Free Suite)
Need more plugins?
If you need other things besides clippers: