Top 10 Free EQ Plugins 2021. Kiive Audio Warmy EP1A Tube EQ Review. More Info & Download. Aptly named, this plugin sounds warm, smooth and adds sparkling high frequencies on instruments and vocals. The Warmy EP1A EQ is an emulation of the notorious Pultec EQP-1a vintage equalizer. SonEQ is a free equalizer plugin that takes parts from some vintage gear and combines them in one. Scroll down and click on the Download button. Download the Best Free Audio Plugins. Synths, Reverbs, Compressors.and much more. Just click and download. Starting at $3/m. Expert Equalizer + Spatial Audio. Access to all features. 1 Device License per every $1 spent. Dedicated Support. More Perks planned in future.
Last Updated on September 7, 2021.
Every DAW comes with at least one EQ/Equalization plugin, however, just having one might not cut it, especially since every EQ plugin offers different features and sonic characteristics.
In this article, I will be listing the EQ plugins that I consider to be the best for both mixing and mastering, including parametric-, Dynamic-, Graphic EQs, and more.
Here are the 5 that I consider to be the best, just note that there will be a lot more free EQs on this list:
Now let’s get into the entire list!
1. TDR Nova EQ by Tokyo Dawn Records (Windows, Mac)
Nova is a parallel dynamic EQ that offers four bands which also include a fully-featured dynamic section each, and this means that the EQ can cover a huge variety of applications.
It may look intimidating and hard to use at first, but in reality, its interface and layout are quite intuitive and easy to navigate, which is why it’s easy to recommend even for beginners.
The interface provides an easy drag and drop display paired with a classic “knob” interface which allows for quick and smooth access to the various parameters that Nova EQ offers.
Additionally, it also comes with an additional high-pass and low-pass filter sections.
All in all, Nova EQ is very easy to recommend since it could easily be a premium plugin.
Of course, if you want something more powerful then you might want to consider upgrading to the Fabfilter Pro-Q EQ plugin. While it may be a paid plugin, it’s a night and day difference.
You can download it here.
Related: Here’s a list of the best Free Compression Plugins available.
2. ReaEQ by Cockos (Windows Only)
ReaEQ is part of the ReaPlugs VST FX Suite by Cockos, which is the company that created Reaper, one of the best DAWs out there… and a pretty affordable one too.
This bundle not only includes the EQ but also a Compressor, Delay, Noise Reduction plugin, Gate and more.
All of these plugins are excellent, not just the EQ, so make sure to get all of the!
The ReaEQ plugin is an infinite Impulse response EQ that iscapable of unlimited bands.
The filter options are vast; from shelf, low-pass and High-pass filter, to band-pass and all-pass.
What I like so much about this plugin is that, just like with NOVA EQ, it feels as if it should be a premium EQ, but it’s free.
You can download it here.
Related: Here’s a list of the best Free Orchestral VST Plugins available.
3. MEqualizer by Melda Production (Windows, Mac)
Melda Productions is a well-known company that createshigh-quality plugins, some of which are free.
The MEqualizer is a great 6-band EQ that’s very easy to use and features 7 filter types for each band, integrated tube saturation, and harmonics control.
This plugin also includes a spectrum analyzer for advancedvisualization.
Sadly, you can’t just download it on its own since it’s part of the MFreeFXBundle, but the good news is that you will have access to over 20 free high-quality plugins which are included in this bundle like;
The MCompressor, MFlanger, MAutoPitch, MAutoPan, and many more.
All the free plugins that Melda Productions have to offer tend to have more features than most other freeware plugins, and in general they will be enough for most situations.
The only con about their free plugins is that they come with a display ad on the bottom, but you truly are getting a fantastic set of plugins for free.
If you like Melda Production and want to try another EQ that they have to offer (more built-in features and better overall), then check out the MEqualizerLP.
You can download it here.
If you’re looking for the best free VST plugins in the world, I have a list of 225 of them.
4. SonEQ by Sonimus (Windows, Mac)
SonEQ is free equalizer plugin that takes parts from somevintage gear and combines them in one free plugin.
SonEQ has 3 bands, bass, middle and treble and provides somegood control over them.
Also, SonEQ has a pre-amp section with a bass boost which can be used to add warmth to your tracks.
High-pass and Low-pass filters can also be found on this EQ.
SonEQ basically takes all the best qualities of the classic hardware EQs and combines them into one plugin.
Now, even though it’s super easy to use, and when compared to other EQs on this list it might seem a little on the simpler side, it’s surprisingly capable at shaping the sound.
If you want to add some smooth saturation and warmth to your mixes, SonEQ should definitely be considered.
If you want a similar feel but with a bit more oomph behind it, then check out Pro EQ by Minimal System Group.
Free Eq Vst Plugin Mac
You can download it here.
Looking for free guitar VST plugins? Here are the 15 best ones.
5. Marvel GEQ by Voxengo (Windows, Mac)
Marvel GEQ is a linear-phase 16-band graphic EQ that supports up to 8 input/output channels for professional streaming-, sound- and music production applications.
The beauty of the Marvel GEQ plugin is that it allows forsome extremely quick EQ adjustments, both to single audio tracks as well asentire mixes.
It’s very intuitive to use since you only have the 16-bands and that’s it.
Lastly, if you don’t like the way the interface of this plugin looks, you can change the color of it to a couple different ones that already come built-in.
You can download it here.
Interested in free Synth vst plugins? Here’s an entire post on that topic.
6. Triple EQ by Blue Cat (Windows, Mac)
Triple EQ is a 3-band semi parametric EQ and is a very versatile plugin since it features a wide range of gain (+/-40dB per band) and bandwidth (.01 to 5octave).
The three filters are linked together so that when youchange the center frequency or the bandwidth, the parameters of the threefilters are modified accordingly: you can control the entire equalizercharacteristics with a single mouse click.
The graph shows the frequency response of the plug-in, so that you can exactly know how your signal is being processed.
Triple EQ also offers a dual channel version with independent left/right or mid/side equalization capabilities, and these channels can even be linked together allowing you to transform this plugin into a frequency-dependent panner.
Lastly, you can control the whole plugin through MIDI orautomation.
You can download it here.
Interested in free reverb VST plugins? Here’s a post about the 15 best ones.
7. Nova-67P EQ by vladg/sound (Windows, Mac)
Nova-67P is a parallel parametric equalizer plugin combined with a compressor that can optionally operate in frequency dependent and split-band modes, operating in this case as a parallel dynamic equalizer.
The interface isn’t as visually appealing as some other plugins on this list, but it’s definitely a very powerful EQ.
You can download it here.
Looking for free Delay VSTs? Here’s a post I wrote about the best ones.
8. SlickEQ by Tokyo Dawn Labs and Variety of Sound (Windows, Mac)
SlickEQ is a collaborative project by Variety of Sound and Tokyo Dawn Labs.
It’s a plugin designed mainly for mixing and mastering thatfocuses on ease of use and musical flexibility.
Three (and a half) filter-bands arranged in a classicLow/Mid/High semi-parametric layout offer fast and intuitive access to fourdistinct EQ modes, each representing a set of distinct EQ curves and behaviors.
Included is an automatic gain compensation tool which willadjust the perceived loudness during EQ operations.
One cool feature is that SlickEQ allows you to exclusively process either the stereo sum or stereo difference (i.e. “stereo width”) without additional sum/difference encoding.
It also offers an output stage with 4 different saturation models that are meant to add warmth and subtle textures.
Now, you can also get the SlickEQ Gentlemen’s Edition, which is the premium version of this plugin, that comes with some extra EQ and saturation models, plus some extra features like a Low-Pass filter and a tilt EQ.
You can download it here.
9. Pushtec 5+1A EQ by Leftover Lasagne (Windows Only)
The Pushtec 5.1A is a free 6-band mid-range EQ plugin that is based on the circuit of two analog vintage EQs and it comes with a decent number of presets, and although I don’t like the interface at all, I have to admit that it does work quite well.
I found it a bit confusing at first, but I think that this is only because I’m not used to the layout.
Note: It also comes with a Winamp plugin version.
You can download it here.
10. ParisEQ by Matt Craig (Windows Only)
The ParisEQ is a very simple and straight forward 4-band stereo parametric VST equalizer plugin that features the same algorithm as the E-mu/Ensoniq Paris system.
It offers the same musicality and quirkiness as the original including soft-limiting, grungy distortion ability, and resonant behavior under certain conditions.
Previously only accessible to those who owned the Paris custom DSP hardware, this unique EQ is now available to all PC DAW users.
Sadly, it’s only available to Windows users.
You can download it here.
11. Mellowmuse EQ1A (Windows, Mac)
EQ1A is a super simple yet smooth analog style equalizer, with minimal sound coloration.
It features a high pass filter with variable Q, frequency sweepable low and high shelf filters, and sweepable low and high peak filters with variable Q.
A bypass switch is also available for each filter section for increased flexibility.
If you are a beginner who wants to learn the basics of EQ, then the EQ1A might be a good plugin to get you started.
You can download it here.
12. lkjb TinyQ (Windows, Mac)
Yes, the name is a mouthful, but if you’re looking for simplicity, then TinyQ is for you.
It features 4 EQ bands from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, two of them switchable between peak and shelf, as well as hi- and low-cut with orders between 6 and 48 dB/octave.
It even comes with an analyzer, but this one is disabled by default because the whole idea behind this plugin is to reduce CPU usage.
All in all, a pretty lightweight yet powerful Tiny EQ plugin.
You can download it here.
And last but not least, if simplicity is your thing, then you don’t want to miss this one…
13. STEQ by Analog Obsession (Windows, Mac)
STEQ is based on a small format console EQ from a well known tape machine brand.
This is a very simple and easy to use EQ that will add some coloration to your sound, and it features a variable frequency (150Hz – 7kHz) on the mid band and a fixed “broad” high (10kHz) & low (80Hz) shelf.
The latest version comes included with an Optical Compressor and a Master Meter.
Like I mentioned, if you want simplicity, then you can’t go wrong with STEQ.
You can Download it here.
14. Spline EQ by Photosounder (Windows, Mac)
SplineEQ is a linear phase equalizer plugin designed to be simple and flexible which allows you to create filters using Bézier splines or curves.
It also offers a better sound quality than the more common minimum phase equalizers by not affecting the phase of sound, only the intensity of frequencies, which makes it easier to achieve good sounding results.
Essentially, you can design whatever curve you want without having to choose a specific filter type, however, in the free version you only get to use 4 out of the 60 bands that SplineEQ has to offer, making it much less versatile.
If your regular EQ can’t do what you want, maybe try out SplieEQ since it’s quite different.
Lastly, if you ever want to be able to take advantage of the full 60 bands, then the upgrade will cost you about $30.
You can download it here.
15. Moss Equalizer by Stone Voices (Windows Only)
As you can see from my artistic drawing, Moss EQ allows you to use a load of bands, 265 in fact, and this lets you really tailor the sound as you want it.
At first I thought that in order to create curved splines I would have to actually create the curve myself using multiple bands, but you can click on the “Spline Curves” switch and this will make the transition from one band to the other smooth and curved.
Moss EQ is an absolutely fantastic tool for anyone in need of an EQ that lets you dial in the settings with as much precision as possible.
You can download it here.
16. MQ57 by J1000 (Windows only)
MQ57 is parametric equalizer mainly designed for mastering which is also quite easy to use since you only have access to a couple different parameters, so the learning curve is pretty mild.
The main difference from other EQs is that MQ57 has all controls and functions optimized for mastering needs – it has relatively wide Q factors that focus on overall balance rather than narrow cuts and boosts, moderate gain ranges for fine-tuning and low and high-cut filters that tame spectrum extremes.
Throw it onto your mix bus and see how you like it, it may help you achieve a better and well-rounded mix!
Sadly, it’s only available for Windows 32-bit.
You can download it here.
Honorable Mentions
- PTEq-X: Modelled after classic EQ Hardware.
- BASIQ: Very simple 3-band EQ.
- Rare: Rare is a vintage Pultec tube EQ emulation.
How to learn EQ?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with just going by ear, in fact that’s how lots of people learned.
However, if you want to fast-track your progress and learn EQ as efficiently as possible, here’s a link to an online course which is pretty damn awesome… It’s also affordable too.
- EQ Fundamentals.
Make sure to check it out!
Eq Plugin
Conclusion
All of the free EQ plugins on this list are great.
Free Mac Vst Plugins
I absolutely love ReaEQ and all of the plugins that comeincluded in that effects bundle…
But no matter which one you choose you should be gettinggreat results.
Free Eq Plugin Mac Free
I hope this information was useful!
Best Free Eq Plugin Mac
Have a wonderful day!