Last Updated on December 15, 2020.
When it comes to producinghigh-quality music, knowing how to deal with the stereo image of your song isessential.
I found a couple stereo imaging/expanderplugins which are awesome, and some of them are even free!
I'm using a lot Pro-L2 during mixing and could be nice have a Mono version of the plugin. Ableton Live, you know, doesn't have mono tracks. Stefano — Jan 10, 2018. Reply to this topic Go to the forum topic list. The main things to consider for a stereo widener plugin are: Algorithm (s) for Stereo Width (sometimes you have options) Bass Bypass option (to make sure you don’t widen the lows) Frequency band split (to shape stereo in different ranges) Visual Display of Stereo Field. Special Modulation FX for stereo effect. Basically, the plugin takes a mono input signal and generates a stereo output signal. This plugin can also work with multi-channel input signal, but in this case all channels get processed independently of each other like they are separate mono input signals, and then all resulting stereo signals get mixed together to produce a single stereo. These are the best free stereo widening VST plugins. The VST widener plugins in this will give you a wider mix. In this top 5, you'll find a stereo enhancer, panning plugin, tremolo, a chorus/delay, and (in my opinion) the best free stereo imaging plugin.
Let’s get started…
Best Commercial Stereo Imaging plugins
Here are four stereo enhancerplugins which I think are awesome, plus they are very affordable as well.
S1 Stereo Imager by Waves ($39.99)
Waves is probably the best-known company when it comes tohigh-quality plugins.
One of their more useful -and yet overlooked- plugins is theS1 Stereo Imager which is excellent for widening or narrowing the stereo image ofyour mixes, as well as correcting or enhancing stereo, or even a mid-sideimage.
Features
- Enhances stereo spatial effect.
- Remixing and rebalancing existing stereo mixesfor remastering.
- Retains mono compatibility.
- Avoids phasiness effects.
- No alterations of tonal quality; no unwantedadded effects.
- Simply brings out what is already there in thestereo mix.
You can find out more about the S1 Stereo Imager here.
Pro Q by FabFilter ($160)
Despite being an EQ plugin, thePRO Q also has a stereo imaging function which you can access by changing thechannel mode to mid-side.
This will allow you to EQ in a stereo fashion; If you putthe PRO Q on your output you can then, and in most cases should, cut the lowend on the side channel.
This will give you an increased perception of the low-end inthe mid channel, which is where the bass, and other instruments that live inthat low-end, should be.
It’s also very useful for creating room for other elementsof the mix that are in the middle and need to stand out more.
Simply cut the frequencies of that element on the side channelto make it pop out more in the middle.
This is seriously one of the best ways to give your mixes asense of space and making room for the important elements.
You can find out more about Pro Q here.
Doubler by Waves ($29)
Doubler is a simple yet powerful double-tracking plugin that allows you to add additional voicing to any track.
Additionally, you can control the placement of said tracksin a 90-degree stereo field.
This means that you can have individual control over thestereo placement, modulation, tuning, and gain of each single track, giving youloads of possibilities over the sound of them.
It can even work as a tremolo or chorus effect, depending onhow much or how little modulation and tuning you apply.
Features
- Double-tracking / chorus plugin
- Add shimmer and presence
- Create the ‘80s harmonizer and pitch detuneeffects
- Double vocal parts automatically
- Add flam-like effects to drums
Find out more about Doubler here.
Panpot by Goodhertz ($49)
This plugin was founded on the principles of how humansperceive different sound sources; that is, to identify the size, location, anddistance of a sound in space.
They manage to mimic these conditions by introducing threenew types of panning;
Delay, Spectral, and Phase.
Now, we all know how traditional panning works; we turn theknob left or right and it pans the source to either of the sides.
Panpot allows us to do much more “realistic” panning, if wewant to, or even create something completely “unrealistic”.
If you truly want to be able to take your panning skills toa new level, then Panpot is an absolute must.
Find out more about Panpot here.
Free Stereo Imaging Plugins
Despite being free, all of these plugins are excellent, andI mean excellent!
Make sure to check them out!
Ozone Imager 2 by iZotope
Like all other iZotope plugins, the Ozone Imager is a veryvisual plugin since it features a vectorscope which meters your stereo widthand allows you to literally see if the left and right channels are lining upproperly.
It also comes with the “Steorize” function which allows youto turn mono into stereo, with no need for reverb or doubling.
It can be used as a subtle enhancement or for creating afull blown-out phasing effect.
Lastly, you can control how wide or narrow every element ofthe mix is; Do you want to spread out a narrow-sounding synth? Ozone Imager cando that.
You can download it here.
Wider by Polyverse Music (Free)
This is a simple free plugin that widens your stereo signal…
The added benefit of Wider is that it does this withoutcausing phase issues when you listen to the mix in mono because any widenedsignal will always remain in phase.
It’s extremely easy to use because you can only control oneparameter; the width.
And that’s it!
It creates a much wider stereo feel and it doesn’t mess withthe phase at all!
Excellent plugin that I absolutely recommend!
You can download it here.
A1Stereo Control by Alex Hilton (Free)
Often times you’d want to give your mixes a wider andexpansive sound…
This is where A1Stereo Control comes in.
One issue does normally arise when doing this using otherplugins which is “widening the bass end”, since the bass should always be inthe center.
However, this plugin comes with the “Safe Bass” algorithmwhich centers everything below a user-configurable value.
This gives your tracks the solidity and definition you wantwhile preserving maximum transparency and sharpness.
Simply turn on “Safe Bass” and adjust the frequency ifneeded and that’s it… It’s really that simple.
You can download it here.
Conclusion
This is one of those cases where the premium plugins aren’t necessarilythat much better than the free ones.
I think most people will be more than happy with any of thefree stereo wideners I listed.
The only premium plugin I would absolutely recommend overall the others is Panpot.
I hope this information was useful.
Have a wonderful day!
Last Updated on July 20, 2021.
In this article, I will be going over the different VST plugins you should consider using for mastering. I will be covering whole mastering suites, EQs, Compressors, Limiters, Metering plugins, Saturation plugins, and a couple extras that you might find useful.
I will include premium plugins, as well as affordable and free ones, so there’s a little for everyone.
If you want to quickly jump to a specific section, then use these navigation links:
Top 5 Mastering Plugins
Now, before we jump into the list of plugins, I think there’s two things that you might want to think about, since this is where some mixing engineers tend to screw things up and it’s something that you should avoid!
Consider Hiring a Mastering Professional
Before you delve into the wonderful world of mastering you should consider one thing…..don’t! Mastering engineers exist for a reason and it isn’t because of lazy mixing engineers.
It’s a craft that takes years to perfect and for beginners who think they can learn mixing and mastering simultaneously, I suggest learning to crawl before you can run.
There is also an important detachment from your project that a mastering engineer offers. Let’s say you have spent months recording and mixing some local dudes’ debut of the decade. Through your all your sweat and labor, you have grown attached to the music, it’s become your baby and now you won’t do anything but coddle it!
This is where a mastering engineer comes in with a fresh and professional pair of ears and hears exactly how unbalanced your prized possession really is.
That is why, if you’re a musician, for example, it’s generally recommended to have separate mixing and mastering engineers working on your album, since they will be way more objective than you.
But the same concept applies if you’re the one mixing the album… A fresh set of ears never hurts!
Consider your Stock Plugins
let’s be honest, you’re probably going to experiment with mastering your own tracks; you’re an engineer, it’s in your nature!
When you do please begin with your stock DAW plug-ins, don’t rush to spend a fortune on the top-of-the-line mastering suites. A compressor, limiter, and an EQ are the essentials you need to dip your toes in.
You will not be able to download Bob Ludwig’s talent, mastering is an artform, not a plug-in effect, and you can achieve astounding results with what comes stock with your DAW.
Now, with that out of the way, let’s get into the list!
Best Mastering Suite Plugins
Mastering suites are essentially plugin bundles that come with everything you could ever need for mastering, be it as separate plugins or all in one.
1. Ozone ($99 – $499)
iZotope’s Ozone has become the golden standard of mastering suites, it’s the tool of choice for elite level producers like Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins) and Joe Chiccarelli (The Strokes, U2). The sheer amount of tools Ozone offers gives you literally everything you need and more for mastering.
The GUIs of Ozone’s plug-ins are modern and minimalistic, with a real straight to the point feel. It includes an EQ, maximizer, dynamic EQ, exciter, spectral shaper, dynamics module, and an imager, as well as vintage modules in its EQ, compressor, limiter, and tape saturation. Ozone also offers tons of helpful tools such as master assistant, which gives you tips on what processing is a good starting point for your audio.
iZotope offers three separate bundles in which you can gain access to these 64-bit VST2/VST3 plug-ins for Windows and Mac. Ozone Elements is priced at $129, Standard is currently on sale for $99, while Advanced will set you back $499.
Find out more about Ozone by iZotope here.
2. Brainworx bx_masterdesk ($299)
Brainworx owner Dirk Ulrich created bx_masterdesk with the desire for an analog styled and simple to use mastering one-stop-shop. He has done an excellent job, offering an extremely compact and beginner friendly mastering tool.
Masterdesk has a hardware style GUI with bulky pots for you to pinch. It offers a compressor, de-esser, EQ, resonance filters, and M/S processing. Masterdesk’s strong point is its simplicity, it doesn’t take much learning for you to polish a mix ‘till it’s proper.
Brainworx bx_masterdesk is available as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Mac and Windows. This masterful desk will cost you $299 (right now it’s on sale for 1/4 the price).
Find out more about Brainworx bx_masterdesk here.
3. Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain ($42)
Waves partnered up with Abbey Road Studios to create an emulation of the legendary EMI TG12410, which has been used on everything from Dark Side of the Moon to In Utero. This plug-in will suit those who need warm vintage vibes with a fully flexible signal flow.
TG Mastering Chain’s interface stays true to its analog predecessor. It features 5 modules: input, tone, compressor/limiter, filter, and V.A.L spread. All these modules are rearrangeable, offering the flexibility modern mastering requires. The sound quality for TG Mastering Chain is incredible considering how moderately priced it is.
Waves have made their plug-in available as a 64-bit VST3 for Windows and Mac. A walk down Abbey Road has a price tag of $42.
Find out more about Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain here.
4. FabFilter Mastering Bundle ($499)
FabFilter Mastering Bundle offers a collection of some of the most modern minded mastering plug-ins out today. Although lacking in tools when compared to Ozone, you should take note of FabFilter’s offering for one simple reason; these plug-ins sound phenomenal!
All FabFilter’s plug-ins have a glossy look to them, offering vibrant visualizations of your work. It features a Pro-L 2 true peak limiter, a Pro-C 2 compressor, a Pro-Q 3 EQ, and a Pro-MB multi-band compressor and expander. They all offer an unrivalled versatility, adapting to any task you throw at them, no matter how broad or how surgical.
FabFilter’s bundle of mastering plug-ins are available as 32/64-bit VST/VST3s for Windows and as 64-bit VST/VST3s for Mac. You can master like the masters for $499.
Find out more about the FabFilter Mastering Bundle here.
5. Noiz-Lab LE Mastering Bundle (Free)
Noiz-Lab LE Mastering Bundle is a free set of plug-ins which were created by J.D. Young to supplement his Home Studio Mastering book, a manual which aims to demystify mastering for all. These are fantastic plug-ins, so even if you don’t choose to take a page out of J.D.’s book you should still pop them in your plug-in folder.
All of Noiz-Lab LE Mastering Bundle’s GUIs have a present-day vibe to them. It offers an EQ, compressor, limiter, monomizer, and a convolver (basically a reverb). Everything about this bundle has been designed with beginners in mind, from its ease of use and extensive literary demonstrations to its non-existent price tag.
The plug-ins in the Noiz-Lab LE Mastering Bundle come as 32/64-bit VST/VST3s for Windows and Mac.
Find out more about the Noiz-Lab LE Mastering Bundle here.
Best EQ plugins for Mastering
EQ’s are integral to the mastering process. Here I will list a premium EQ as well as an affordable one, and lastly a free EQ. However, no one said that mastering using free plugins can’t work, so here’s a link to an article I wrote about the best free EQ plugins available.
6. Chandler Limited Curve Bender ($299)
Softube’s Chandler Limited Curve Bender is based on classic EMI hardware such as the TG12345 and has received the stamp of approval from Chandler Limited founder Wade Goeke. If you need a premium EQ with vintage charm, Softube have you covered.
Curve Bender’s interface is a photorealistic emulation of the hardware. It’s a 4-band EQ which offers you the ability to stereo link, affect each channel individually, or process M/S. Besides the incredibly nuanced processing it offers, a bonus feature is that it contains presets from producers such as Tony Maserati (Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige) and Howard Willing (Smashing Pumpkins, 2pac).
Chandler Limited Curve Bender comes as a 64-bit VST/VST3 for Mac and Windows. You can get ahead of the curve for $299.
Find out more about the Chandler Limited Curve Bender here.
7. AirEQ Premium ($69)
L2 Mono Vst
Eiosis released AirEQ 15 years ago, it has since blossomed from an underwhelming equalizer into one of best you will find for a moderate price. AirEQ offers highly tweakable parameters and a cleanly corrigible sound that is perfect for your frequency’s finality.
AirEQ’s interface offers precise visualizations, as well as an overwhelming number of nobs to twist. It’s a 9-band EQ containing parameters named after the 4 elements. Earth = low-end, Air = high-end, and for resonance response, water = transparent and fire = punchy.
AirEQ comes as a 32/64-bit VST2/VST3 for Windows and Mac. A breath of fresh air will set you back $69.
Find out more about AirEQ here.
8. TDR VOS SlickEQ (Free)
For those looking for a sleek new EQ but life’s hard and the bills are due, fear not! TDR VOS SlickEQ is a mastering EQ that won’t cost a dime. This is a beginner friendly EQ that offers a sound quality that simply can’t be found for free anywhere else.
SlickEQ’s interface is minimalistic, with just 6 pots on offer to control its 3 bands. Its skin changes color depending on what behavior model you have it set on: American, British, German, and Soviet all offer unique response characteristics. It also includes 5 calibratable output models: linear, silky, mellow, deep, and funky all offer different flavors of harmonic distortion.
SlickEQ is available as a 32/64-bit VST2/VST3 for Windows and as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Mac.
Find out more about the TDR VOS SlickEQ here.
Best Compressor plugins for Mastering
I will only be listing three plugins here, but if you want to check out my other articles about compressor VSTs (premium and free compressors), then by all means do so.
9. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor ($299)
Shadow Hills was founded by unsung audio genius Peter Reardon, his Mastering Compressor is a lauded piece of hardware which has been used on songs from Foo Fighters, Beck, and Green Day, among countless others. Brainworx have created a plug-in emulation which truly captures the essence of the original; this is the crème de la crème of mastering compression!
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor’s GUI has a military feel to it. It can be used either as a stereo or dual mono compressor. Mastering Compressor offers both optical and discrete sections for two-stage compression. You can also choose between 3 different output transformer modes: nickel for high-end sheen, iron for midrange oomph, and steel for low-end harmonic distortion.
Mastering Compressor is available as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Mac and Windows. Hills can be alive with the sound of music for $299 (currently on sale at half the price).
Find out more about the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor here.
10. SSL-G Master Buss Compressor ($30)
Next up, we have an emulation by Waves of the master buss compression section of the SSL 4000 G. Not a ton of features on offer from this one but this compressor is extremely beginner friendly, offering a great cohesive squeeze at a fair price-tag.
SSL-G Master Bus Compressor’s interface is an emulation of the hardware, with 6 dials offering you control over its parameters, plus a VU meter in view. There is a variable fade-in/fade-out control, as well as an analogue switch which creates a pleasant harmonic distortion.
SSL-G Master Bus Compressor comes as a 64-bit VST3 for Windows and Mac. A rock-solid state of compression will only cost you $30.
Find out more about the SSL-G Master Buss Compressor here.
11. TDR Kotelnikov (Free)
Kotelnikov was named after Soviet Union engineer Vladmir Kotelnikov in honor of his influential sampling theorem. Keeping his intuitive spirit in mind, TDR offer a free transparent style compressor designed specifically for mastering.
Kotelnikov’s GUI is vibrant with large pots and a prominent meter. Its crest factor control enables you to calibrate the compressor’s reaction to peak and RMS signals. Kotelnikov also includes an oversampled signal mode, which is completely bit transparent and doesn’t attenuate the original. This is a clean sounding compressor, perfect for those who are not in search of digital “analog warmth”.
Kotelnikov comes as a 32/64-bit VST2/VST3 for Windows and as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Mac.
Find out more about the TDR Kotelnikov here.
Best Limiter plugins for Mastering
Limiters will help you win the loudness war and add some punch to your music while you do so.
On a related note, here’s my article about the best Free & Paid Limiter VSTs.
12. Pro L-2 ($199)
FabFilter’s Pro L-2 is a true peak limiter with an unrivaled balance of transparency and power. It’s won countless awards from audio publications; you’ll be hard pressed to find a limiter that maximizes your audio’s potential as much as Pro L-2.
Pro L-2’S interface is glossy and modern, with large waveform visualizations and metering on offer. K-system as well as LUFS metering helps you to comply with all loudness standards. 8 different limiting algorithms are made available: transparent, punchy, dynamic, all-round, aggressive, modern, bus, and safe all offer different spices of dynamic delight.
Pro L-2 is available as a 32/64-bit VST/VST3 for Windows and as a 64-bit VST/VST3 for Mac. The damage on a well to do L-2 is $199.
Find out more about the FabFilter Pro L-2 here.
13. L2 Ultramaximizer ($36)
Waves’ L2 Ulramaximizer has been on the market for more than a hot minute but is still competing with the best limiter plug-ins out there due to the exciting colorations it produces, along with the sheer affordability Waves products are known and loved for.
L2’s interface could do with a bit of a revamping; it has a somewhat outdated feel to it. Feature wise, Waves keep it simple while still giving you everything you need. It includes a linkable threshold and output ceiling, a release control, as well as an attenuation meter. The stand-out feature of the L2 Ultramaximizer is its sound itself; when things start to get loud your dynamics become clutched by a cheerfully present grip.
L2 Ultramaximizer comes as a 64-bit VST3 for Mac and Windows. Ultramax lets your wallet relax at the fair price of $36.
Find out more about the L2 Ultramaximizer here.
14. Unlimited (Free)
Sonic Anomaly’s Unlimited is a free mastering limiter, it was designed with the film industry in mind but could work equally as well gluing an album together. It’s a transparent style limiter that lets you get as loud as a lout without leaving a trace of distortion.
Unlimited’s GUI has a futuristic vibe to it, with faders plus big and bold meters. RMS, peak, and LUFS meters are given for your glance. Unlimited comes with 3 different response modes: classic, film, and true peak. Filmmakers will appreciate Unlimited’s ability to process in up to 5.1 surround sound.
We send our best condolences to Mac users, Unlimited is only available as a 32/64-bit VST for Windows.
Find out more about the Sonic Anomaly’s Unlimited plugin here.
Best Metering plugins for Mastering
15. Brainworx bx_meter ($19-99)
Although ears will always do the bulk work while mastering, having good meters is as crucial as having any EQ. Brainworx_bx meter quite simply offers a clearer picture of your signal’s level than any stock or budget meters provide.
Brainworx bx_meter’s GUI is thoughtfully large, there will be no eye squinting like DAW meters require. Peak, RMS, and dynamic range indicators can all be used to monitor signals in linkable stereo or M/S mode. Brainworx bx_meter offers the ability to optimize metering to K-12, K-14, and K-20, as well as weighting filters of A-weighting, C-weighting, and K-weighting.
Brainworx bx_meter is available as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Windows and Mac. A meter that hits the mark costs $99 (On sale for $19 right now)
Find out more about Brainworx bx_meter here.
16. VUMT Deluxe ($26)
Klanghelm have developed a meter which will suit the mastering of both the most modern-minded midi mapper as well as any vintage Vox-amped vagabond.
VUMT Deluxe’s interface is extremely customizable, allowing you to resize it, choose between 8 skin colors, and label it. You can switch between 6 metering types: VU, RMS, DIN, BBC, Nordic, and EBU. VUMT Deluxe is more than just a meter; it offers high and low-pass filters, a dynamic EQ, and frequency dependent stereo narrowing.
VUMT deluxe comes as a 64-bit VST/VST3 for Mac and Windows. The value of a view of your volume units is $26.
Find out more about the VUMT Deluxe here.
17. Youlean Loudness Meter (Free)
Julijan Nikolic created Youlean Loudness Meter in response to his frustration at the expensive price-tags placed on loudness metering plug-ins. It has since gone on to be one of the most widely used free metering tools for mastering, offering you everything you need to prepare your sounds for the big stream.
Loudness Meter’s GUI is fully resizable, offering 8 types of meter readings and a large graph. Short term, integrated, momentary max, and short-term max LUFS readings are all available. Also on offer are loudness range, dynamic range, and average dynamics LU readings, plus a true peak max indicator.
Youlean Loudness Meter is available as a 32/64-bit VST2/VST3 for Windows and as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Mac.
Find out more about the Youlean Loudness Meter here.
Best Saturation plugins for Mastering
18. Black Box Analog Design HG-2MS ($249)
Brainworx have developed an emulation of Black Box Analog Design’s HG-2 with the welcome addition of mid/side processing. This plug-in has been applauded by engineers such as Dave Pensado (Mary J. Blige, Beyonce) and Micheal Brauer (John Mayer, Coldplay) for giving the master buss a distinctly charming crunch.
HG-2MS’ interface offers futuristic looking pots and LEDs. There are 4 tube emulations: fully tweakable pentode and triode 6U8As, plus two 12AX7s for parallel saturation. HG-2MS also includes bandpass filters and a calibratable high-frequency response. This plug-in has a lot going on parameter wise, luckily it comes with pre-sets from Josh Gudwin (Justin Bieber,Dua Lipa) and Eric Racy (Black Box Analog Design founder), among several others.
Black Box Analog Design HG-2MS comes as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Mac and Windows. A warm box of black will set you back $250.
Find out more about Black Box Analog Design HG-2MS here.
19. J37 Tape ($36)
Studer’s first ever multi-track tape machine was the J37, it created the lovely saturation sounds on classic albums such as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Waves and Abbey Road Studios have teamed up to create an accurate emulation with an affordable price.
J37 Tape’s GUI keeps the vintage reel-to-reel look. You can adjust the wow, flutter, bias, and speed of the tape machine. J37 also offers 3 different eras of EMI tape: 888 (early 60s), 811 (mid 60s), and 815 (early 70s).
J37 Tape is available as a 64-bit VST3 for Windows and Mac. Top notch tape that won’t make your wallet gape costs $36.
Find out more about J37 Tape here.
20. IVGI (Free)
Klanghelm’s IVGI is the little brother of their SDRR plug-in, thankfully it’s not been living in the shadow of its older sibling. IVGI is one of the most fantastic free saturation plug-ins you will find on the market today.
IVGI’s interface has a hardware vibe, with old school pots and a VU meter on display. An asymmetric knob allows you to choose between a compressed or a more transparent saturation. IVGI also offers you a frequency response knob and a relaxed algorithm switch.
IVGI comes as a 64-bit VST/VST3 for Mac and Windows.
Find out more about IVGI here.
Additional Plugins useful for Mastering
Here are three different plugins which aren’t strictly necessary but which should help you out achieve a better sounding end result.
21. Ozone Imager 2 (Free)
For those looking to play around with the stereo field, iZotope have a fantastic plug-in available that doesn’t cost a cent. Throw Imager on your master buss, dial in a tasteful amount of width, and tell me it doesn’t leave your track with a beefier bravado! It’s the perfect brush for painting your stereo canvas.
Ozone Imager’s GUI has an excellent balance of minimalistic controls and artistic visualizations. Width control allows you to stretch your stereo signals like Armstrong or keep them as narrow as an arrow. Stereoize allows you to transform a mono signal into stereo without the use of reverb.
Ozone Imager is available as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Windows and Mac.
Find out more about Ozone Imager 2 here.
22. Oxford Inflator ($156)
Oxford Inflator is Sonnox’s bestselling plug-in for a reason. Inflator uses psychoacoustic hocus pocus to increase the perceived loudness of your audio without using compression, it can also be used to create some fantastically pleasant harmonic distortion.
Inflator’s GUI includes 3 meters, 3 buttons, and 4 faders. The faders on offer are input, output, effect amount, and curve. Also made available is a clip button (essentially a 0dB hard limiter), a band split switch, and a bypass switch.
Oxford Inflator comes as a 32/64-bit VST2/VST3 for Mac and Windows and requires an iLok account before installation. Thankfully, its price hasn’t been inflated, it can currently be found for a discounted price of $156.
Find out more about the Oxford Inflator here.
23. Metric AB ($39-199)
The importance of reference tracks when learning to master cannot be overstated, ADAPTR Audio have a plug-in tailored exclusively to this need. Metric AB is a highly organized setup that will improve the workflow of your most critical listening sessions.
Metric AB’s interface offers up stylish meters: peak, RMS, and LUFS are all within view. This plug-in can load up to 16 tracks to compare, but Metric AB is not just a track switcher. Spectrum, dynamics, correlation, stereo image, and overall loudness of different songs can be contrasted using its crystal-clear graphing system. You can really dig in and study the final touches placed on your favorite music!
Metric AB is available as a 64-bit VST2/VST3 for Windows and Mac. Completely crucial comparisons cost $199 (Currently on sale for $39.99)
Find out more about Metric AB here.
Conclusion
I personally love finding free plugins and using those until I absolutely have to upgrade, which in many cases isn’t really necessary.
L2 Mono Vst Free Download
My recommendation is to only buy a VST plugin if you really need to, since the free alternatives that are out there, as well as your stock plugins, will get you a lot farther than you think!
I hope this information was useful!
L2 Mono Vst Free Download
Have a wonderful day!