Top 14 Best FREE EQ Plugins?
EQ (Equalizer)
EQ, also known as “Equalizer”, is an extremely important tool that is crucial to every music producer. Basically, it’s a tool for boosting or cutting bass, mid or high frequencies to a tone.
Our ears can sense a wide frequency spectrum, ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. EQing is similar to sculpting in that it ensures that the sounds have their own frequency pockets, allowing them to cut through the mix without overlapping. It’s the method of adjusting the frequency components of an audio signal’s harmony.
Best FREE EQ Plugin in 2021!
There are a variety of free EQ plugins available, some of which are fairly strong and flexible, and capable of producing fantastic EQ effects that are comparable to Commercial EQ Plugins.
Here we have listed “Top 14 Best FREE EQ Plugins” in 2021, which will provide you with fantastic, professional EQ functionality. Almost all plugins are compatible with Windows & Mac OS. Also, keep in mind that, this list is in No Particular Order.
1. "Frequalizer" by Foleys Finest
The first plugin in our list of 14 best free EQ plugins is the Frequalizer by Foleys Finest. This is the basis of our upcoming Frequalizer.
It features frequency response plots, six filters. You can choose a variety of filter types, including Shelf, Peak and Notch filters. Also, you are able to Solo & Mute each filter.
The Frequalizer features 6 individual frequency bands with each 11 different filter types. The Frequalizer features an analyzer, that will show the frequencies in the signal before entering the filters and when leaving out of the filter.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 8.1 – newer
- Support: VST3 | AAX (64bit)
- MAC: OSX 10.11 – newer
- Support: VST3 | Audio Unit | AAX (64bit)
2. "Rare" by Analog Obsession & BPB
As our 2nd best free EQ plugin, we should definitely look at the latest Pultec emulation by Analog Obsesion & BPB, which has been released last month in Feb 2021.
Analog Obsession released the Rare “BPB Edition” passive equalizer plugin with a new oversampling feature and macOS Big Sur compatibility. Analog Obsession’s design features an optional pre-EQ gain stage. You can use it to saturate the signal before it hits the EQ circuit.
Click the Analog Obsession logo to engage internal oversampling (the logo will turn red). This will remove the aliasing artefacts at the cost of a somewhat higher CPU hit.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7, Win 8.1 – Win 10
- Support: VST | VST3 (64bit)
- MAC: OSX 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 (64bit)
3. "Nova" by Tokyo Dawn Labs
NOVA is a parallel dynamic equalizer. Appearing in the familiar layout of a parametric equalizer, each band also includes a full-featured dynamics section allowing the processor to cover an impressively wide range of applications.
It’s one of the best free EQ plugins out there. With its four dynamic EQ bands and additional high-pass and low-pass filter sections, NOVA can meet the most exotic demand. Intuitive equal loudness functions help to find the optimal setting without getting distracted by loudness differences.
Compatibility:
- WIN: XP SP2 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 | AAX (32 & 64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 | AAX (64bit)
4. "BritChannel" by Analog Obsession
Analog Obsession has announced the release of BritBundle, a free bundle pack of three VST/AU plugins for Windows and macOS.
BritBundle consists of BritChannel, a classic British equalizer & preamp with mic/line option, Britpressor – classic British compressor/limiter, and BritPre, a classic British Mic/Line Preamp with lowpass and highpass filters.
The “BritChannel” is a classic type 73 analogue preamp simulator/channel strip.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 (64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 (64bit)
5. "Blindfold EQ" by Audio Thing
The 5th best free EQ plugin in our list is the Blindfold EQ by Audio Thing. It is a freeware EQ plugin inspired by a quote by Matt Wallace from the book Recording Unhinged by Sylvia Massy.
It has 4 bands (LowShelf, LowMid, HighMid, HighShelf), but each knob is blind. There are no indicators or numbers to show frequency values, gain values or Q values.
You need to use your ears not your eyes.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 (64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.7 – macOS 10.15
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 (64bit)
6. "MERICA (v2)" by Analog Obsession
While ago, Analog Obsession has released the MERICA v2, the upgraded version of Merica. The freeware plug-in is an emulation of the API 550A console equalizer.
As such, it features high and low shelving bands and a peaking mid-band with proportional Q. All three bands offer five selectable frequencies. There’s also a constant HP and LP filter, as well as an output level control.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 (64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 (64bit)
7. "Luftikus" by lkjb
Luftikus is a digital adaptation of an analogue EQ with fixed half-octave bands and an additional high-frequency boost. As an improvement to the hardware, it allows deeper cuts and supports a keep-gain mode where overall gain changes are avoided.
It’s an emulation of the legendry “Maag EQ4″ Hardware, and frankly one of the best free EQ plugin you can go for.
It has 5 fixed bands and an adjustable High-Shelf band. It also features the Mastering, analogue modes and Keep-Gain option to avoid drastic overall gain changes when EQing.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 (64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 (64bit)
8. "EQ1A" by mellowmuse
EQ1A is a super smooth, analogue style equalizer, with minimal phase colouration. 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 available for each filter section for increased flexibility.
The interface takes it’s inspiration from classic outboard EQs, with all controls in easy reach. The CPU efficient design allows high instance counts, making it a versatile EQ for all tasks.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 10 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 | AAX (64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 | AAX (64bit)
9. "DD Channel" by Dead Duck Software
The DD Channel channel-strip plugin combines a Gate, Compressor, Equalizer and Limiter with clean-up Filters, Input and Output Gain Control and Level Metering to provide a single plugin for a variety of mixing duties.
The Gate/Compressor/EQ are processed in the order determined by the ‘G-C-E’ switches; each switch allows the EQ to be applied before or after the gate and compressor stages.
This is a SSL Channel Strip type plugin and for sure is one of the best free EQ plugin in our list. This EQ is also available in their FREE bundle, which contain 26 different plugins.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7 – Above
- Support: VST (32 & 64 bit)
- MAC: Not Supported
10. "SSQ" by Analog Obsession
The 10st free EQ plugin in our list is another SSL E series EQ type emulation by Analog Obsession.
Famous line-amp re-designed and added to SSQ. Brown Knob is the sound of early-’80s E Type consoles, with 15dB cut/boost and musical response. Versatile 4 band channel EQ with fully parametric LMF and HMF and HPF/LPF. And finally oversampling for better processing.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 (64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 (64bit)
11. "VOS SlickEQ" by Tokyo Dawn Labs
TDR VOS SlickEQ is a Mixing/Mastering EQ designed for ease of use, musical flexibility and impeccable sound.
This free plugin has three (and a half) filter-bands arranged in a classic Low/Mid/High semi-parametric layout offer fast and intuitive access to four distinct EQ modes, each representing a set of distinct EQ curves and behaviors. An elaborate auto gain option automatically compensates for changes of perceived loudness during EQ operation.
It has four distinct EQ models: “American”, “British”, “German” and “Soviet” with optional non-linearity, and five output stages: “Linear”, “Silky”, “Mellow”, “Deep” and “Toasted”.
Compatibility:
- WIN: XP SP2 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 | AAX (32 & 64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 | AAX (64bit)
12. "QRange" by lkjb
lkjb QRange is a IIR linear phase free EQ plugin with a variety of features, such as 12 adjustable bands.
Each band can be used as peak, shelf and cut filter. Cut filters are available with 12, 24, and 48 dB/oct steepness. Stereo/Left/Right/Mid/Side routing per band. Global gain for loudness adjustments. Resizable user interface and Gain Match.
The analyzer can be set to analyze Pre-EQ and Post-EQ signal applying the same routings that are available per band.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 (64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 (64bit)
13. "PTEq-X" by Ignite Amps
PTEq-X is a digital emulation of 3 famous vintage passive program equalizers. This free EQ plugin is one of the best free Pultec emulations out there.
It has been developed to have all the characteristics of the original hardware, plus some circuit improvements and additional features to increase its versatility.
Every single component on the signal path of the real analog circuit has been taken into account and modeled in the best possible way to match the original sound, keeping an eye on CPU performance and real-time playability at the same time. This free EQ plugin is one of the best alternatives to the paid versions.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win 7 – newer
- Support: VST | VST3 (64bit)
- MAC: OS X 10.9 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | VST3 (64bit)
14. "Overtone GEQ" by Voxengo
The last free EQ in our list is the Graphic EQ type from Voxengo called “Overtone GEQ”.
It is a 7-band harmonic (overtone) graphic equalizer. Overtone GEQ offers extensive internal channel routing capabilities, and supports mid/side channel processing.
This free EQ also applies harmonic enhancement: it uses 7 harmonic enhancement modules, one for each EQ band. This generates a complex harmonic coloration you will probably like a lot.
Compatibility:
- WIN: Win XP – newer
- Support: VST | AAX (32 & 64bit)
- MAC: OS 10.5 – newer
- Support: Audio Unit | VST | AAX (32 & 64bit)
- RTAS compatibility is available by using the FXpansion VST-RTAS adapter.
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