Top 12 Audio Plugins For Podcasting 2024 (Paid & Free)

We picked the best VST plugins to make your podcast productions sound better.

Users may locate and share podcast episodes using podcast search engines. A podcast series often includes one or more regular hosts discussing a certain subject or current event. A podcast’s dialogues and material might be either meticulously prepared or entirely spontaneous.

Although unquestionably crucial to a great podcast, all of these factors pale in comparison to sound quality, which has the power to make or destroy a program.

A variety of elements influence the sound of a podcast. Audio processing and effects make a podcast sparkle, yet the fundamentals of sound production shouldn’t be disregarded because they are the basis of any outstanding recording.

They’re a tool that all seasoned podcasters will employ to some degree. The most popular and applicable ones for podcast production are examined here.

Now let’s take a look at the list:

Top 12 Audio VST Plugins For Podcasting 2024

1. Neverdie AUDIO Speachy (Vocal Channel Strip)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

A complete VST plugin for the human voice is called Speaky. Built with consideration for voiceovers, podcasting, content makers, and live streaming.

A complete VST plugin for the human voice is called Speaky. Carefully crafted for live streaming, podcasting, content producers, and voiceovers alike, it eliminates the majority of unnecessary parameters for quick and simple setup, even for those with little to no experience with sound engineering.

It has a full signal chain already set up in the right sequence without requiring any gain matching from the user. Many settings are pre-set for most circumstances and produce fantastic outcomes in their default forms.

Key Features:

• Interface Settings

Due to its dual-threshold construction, the one-knob compressor can tighten the sound and regulate strong peaks. Pleasant frequencies in the human voice can be enhanced by light harmonic saturation. The plugin has crucial capabilities for reducing and getting rid of often bothersome noises, sounds, and frequencies.

Built-in noise reduction immediately eliminates most background noise with a delay of under 10ms. A limiter guards the output volume and graphically alerts the user to any potential signal distortion.

Pre/post-equalization and stereo widening are two examples of advanced options that are, by default, concealed. It’s perfect for live scenarios because it has little CPU use and zeroes internal latency in real-time mode.

• Compressor

For voiceovers and narration that seem natural, use the TRANSPARENT style. For strong, faster-paced speech with a wide dynamic range, switch to the AGGRESSIVE style. This is especially useful while speaking live since it helps to avoid sudden high loudness spikes.

Drag the knob up and down to adjust the degree of compression, but as long as the input volume is kept in the sweet area, the default setting is pretty much perfect. Drag the buttons up and down to enhance your voice, then pay close attention to the difference.

Extreme settings may cause additional problems, such as loud bass or unpleasant upper frequencies, for which you may need to make module-level adjustments elsewhere.

• De-Noise and De-Plosive

Static, hum, and fan noise are common background noises that noise cancellation blocks. The noise reduction level is adjusted using the knob. The filtering function is altered using the smaller “style” button. Although it may not be sufficient to manage large noise sources, it is quite mild and non-destructive to your voice in its default mode.

The noise canceling becomes more forceful when the knob is turned up, but the music quality may start to suffer. Accidental air burst strength is decreased by de-plosive. For optimal effects, use it with strong compression and a lo-cut filter.

The module’s sensitivity may be changed using the button. Find a spot where the LED activity catches the plosives but not your voice by carefully zooming in and observing the LED activity.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in standalone mode and VST2, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

When used in a DAW or with VSTHost and VR connection, Speachy is an amazing tool for real-time/post-voice editing since it lets you use the top-notch noise gate without changing the sound of your original voice. The internal compressor has high power but is quiet, clear, and transparent.

The seductive low-end function provides your voice FM station’s bass, while the mid- and high-voice air settings provide signal quality and presence.

Related Readings:

Top 6 Plugins For Voice-Over & Dialogue Cleaning (Post Production)

2. Waves Clarity Vx Pro (Real-Time Noise Reduction for Voice)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

With this noise reduction plugin, you can get rid of the most complicated noises with the least amount of artifacts.

Clarity VX Pro is Waves Audio’s latest and most advanced noise reduction plugin that automatically cleans up vocals with the best quality and the least artifacts. This plugin uses neural networks to attenuate background noise and keep your primary signal intact.

Clarity VX Pro includes a smaller version, Clarity VX, which is more automatic and lighter on your CPU usage. This plugin is very adaptable to different situations and noises and can achieve extreme amounts of reduction seamlessly.

Key Features:

• Multiband noise reduction

Clarity VX Pro separates the spectrum into four frequency bands. You can adjust the amount of reduction and focus to apply with the plugin and reduce artifacts, allowing higher quality results.

• Neural Networks

You can choose one of the three neural network options to produce better results for different types of noise. These neural networks are the backbone of how this plugin works, as they behave in an intelligent way and can perform multiple noise reduction tasks at once in real-time.

• Ambiance keeping

You can set this plugin to remove background noise or preserve it and remove the voice, which is helpful if you need a specific ambient noise and people are talking in a language that doesn’t work with your scene.

• Fast results

Since this plugin works with an intelligent noise reduction algorithm, you can reduce a significant amount of RX time by trying to reduce background noise to just a couple of seconds, setting up Clarity’s parameters with even fewer artifacts.

• Clarity VX

Clarity VX Pro includes a smaller CPU-friendly version with limited controls, but it’s still able to produce results almost as good as the larger version. This addition lets you apply advanced noise reduction processing to your dialogs and get good results on the fly.

Compatibility:

Clarity VX Pro is available for Windows 10 or higher and macOS 10.13.6 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats

Summary:

Clarity VX Pro is an excellent tool for podcasters, film editors, and video editors. These are fast-paced environments where you’d likely need to clean up recordings on a regular basis.

Noise reduction is often a common need, and more often than not, it can be pretty hard to achieve if you don’t have the experience. This plugin solves that problem and quickly gives good results by playing around with the settings.

Related Readings:

Top 6 Noise Reduction Plugins (And 3 Best Free Tools)

3. Waves WLM Plus (Loudness Metering)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

WLM Plus solves the problem of measuring and adapting loudness levels for different platforms.

WLM Plus is an all-in-one solution for measuring, metering, and correcting loudness for all different platforms. It has a level warning feature, extended short-term, long-term, and peak readings, and is fully compliant with all EBU, ITU, and ATSC specs.

Waves developed this plugin to make it easier for content creators and post-production houses to match the specifications for final audio deliverables in films, TV, games, and broadcast quickly, efficiently, and accurately.

Key Features:

• True peak limiter

WLM Plus adds a true peak limiter which threshold is automatically set depending on the standard and target while you’re working on to prevent momentary peaks from clipping your mix.

• Automation warning

This plugin can show you automation when the short-term loudness is running below or above the minimum or maximum values. This is helpful because you get an exact time reference of when it occurs so that you can easily reach and correct it.

• Unders/overs display

With this metering plugin, you can also monitor how often the short-term loudness goes below or above the specified minimum and maximum values from inside the plugin without any automation. This is the better option if you have a slow computer.

• Smart trim

WLM has a trim function that suggests you an amount of gain reduction needed to trim to meet the standard you’re working on based on the loudness analysis performed by the plugin, the standard, and preferred parameters. If you click on the trim button, it’ll automatically trim your mix to its suggestion. 

• Up to the standards

The WLM Plus meter is fully compliant with the current ITU, EBU, and ATSC standards for broadcast, games, films, and movie trailers and gives you precise and comprehensive monitoring of each parameter within these standards. 

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows 10 or higher and macOS 10.13.6 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Summary:

WLM Plus is an excellent solution to loudness metering because it’s convenient, easy to use, and has a bunch of presets to help you get started.

In addition, its True Peak limiter is crystal-clean, which is a fantastic feature of this plugin since it’s entirely transparent and doesn’t over-compress your signal or alter the sound of your mix.

Related Readings:

Top 5 Audio Metering Plugins (LUFS, RMS, LRA, True Peak)

4. McDSP NR800 Noise Reduction Processor Native v7 (Noise Reduction 2)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

NR800 by McDSP is a real-time noise-reduction plugin for audio enhancement, editing, and live sound reinforcement. 

The company claims that the plugin doesn’t add artifacts to the audio while doing the noise reduction, as it operates with different band filters, which can be set to slopes up to 36 dB/octave. The plugin provides several noise reduction modes, from mild to extreme, to scale the noise from 100% to 0%.

Key Features:

• Zero latency algorithms

The 8-band plugin doesn’t give any latency issues and is highly precise with noise profiling. However, when used correctly, it doesn’t remove unnecessary sounds or filter away any high-end or high mids clarity from them.

• Focused noise reduction

The mechanism used by the plugin is accurate and does a good job in noise reduction, with High Pass and Low Pass pre-filtering. The snap gain and snap threshold help with efficient and faster setup time.

Compatibility:

The plugin is available in AAX (DSP and Native), VST3, and AU plugin formats and requires a minimum of macOS 10.13 and Windows 7 operating systems.

Summary:

The NR800 has a classic mixer-style interface with sliders for each band, with mute and solo buttons. It allows you to customize noise reduction with bias modes, noise reduction range, and response controls. With the faders, you can adjust the noise reduction amount and detection threshold.

5. FabFilter Pro-L2 (Limiter)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

FabFilter’s Pro-L 2 is a versatile tool suited for all music genres for either mixing, mastering, or podcasting.

Each of the plugin’s styles offers different transparency and punch levels. You can go from clear-sounding to extreme pump just by changing the algorithm. Additionally, the advanced controls allow the necessary fine-tuning to avoid any artifacts.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Level Display

Here, you can visualize how your audio’s being processed. It’s great to help you decide which attack and release values to use.

• Limiting Styles

The eight algorithms available make limiting highly straightforward. They are program-dependent, which means they’ll adapt to the input signal while still preserving their character.

• Lookahead

This knob will help shape the limiter’s attack. Lower values can cause a clipping effect, while higher values will generate superb gain reduction.

• Channel Linking

If you want to process each track independently in a stereo file, you can do so by unlinking the channels. This will make the limiter work as two separate units instead of being a single limiter for both channels.

• Unity Gain Output

By clicking the “1:1” button at the output menu in the lower bar, you’ll activate the Unity Gain function. This will lower the output volume by the same amount that you raise the input gain, keeping the resulting sound always at the same level. It’s great to help you hear and fine-tune the limiting without the extra volume.

• Surround Mode

You can go up to 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos, and the interface will automatically adapt to the extra channels.

• Presets

The Pro-L2’s selection of built-in presets offers limiting options for most musical genres in comprehensible categories.

Character & Sound:

FabFilter’s Pro-L2 can add some character to your sound, especially in the Punchy and Aggressive algorithms. Otherwise, the plugin sounds clear and artifact-free. Moreover, the up to 32x oversampling eliminates distortion and aliasing, while the True Peak technology avoids digital clipping.

When it comes to professional transparency, this is one of the more advanced plugins in the market.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows XP and higher and macOS 10.8 or newer in VST, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary: 

The Pro-L2 is a professional-grade limiting solution for every mixing and mastering engineer. The extensive metering section lets you hear and tailor your sound to your needs. The different display modes are a bit distracting, but nothing that you can’t turn off. Overall this is a go-to limiter for every occasion.

Related Readings:

Top 6 Limiter & Maximizer Plugins For Precise Mastering & Mixing

6. Waves CLA-2A (Compressor/Limiter)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Another great product from the CLA line that boasts character and fidelity to the vintage sound.

Chris Lord-Alge has had an iconic partnership with Waves Audio Ltd. for quite some time now, offering great products that are equally great renditions of the original hardware units.

Their responsiveness and sound character are often similar to what they aim to reproduce, ranging from equalizers to compressors and beyond.

Key Features:

• Vintage inspired

The CLA-2A plugin is inspired by the Teletronix tube compressor made in the early 1960s. The original unit was hand-wired, and this is a hard aspect to reproduce digitally because it solely depends on components within the circuit.

To overcome this, Waves included some analog elements inside this plugin’s algorithms, such as “Total Harmonic Distortion,” “Variable Release Times,” “Hum,” and “T4,” which reproduces the original optical component inside the compressor.

• Peak reduction

The dedicated “Peak Reduction” knob tailors the proper amount of compression in your signal, set in a range from zero to 100 (0.01 steps) and with an initial value of 46.00. However, the scale is not linear as the original compressor, thus offering a bit more compression than its precursor in some cases.

• HiFreq

The small “HiFreq” button is responsible for adding gain to the amplifier voltage, but only for frequencies above the 1kHz mark. If set to a flat position, the plugin will provide equal peak reduction in the circuit for all frequencies.

If you move away significantly from the flat position, the compressor will become less active in the lower frequencies, resulting in a more lightweight overall compression.

• Analog selection

External interferences, such as floor noises or electrical hums specific to the electric current that the compressor unit would be plugged in, can also affect the final sound result. This seeks to mimic how their power supplies would behave in different environments, independent of any parameters included within.

You can turn it off to get the effect running undisturbed, but there are also “50Hz” and “60 Hz” selections that will bring up that “vintage mojo” from the old units.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.15.7, 11.6.5, and 12.4 (64-bit only) and Windows 10 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in VST, VST3, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

The CLA products line from Waves is famous for the intrinsic recreations of great hardware used extensively in recording studios, but not only in the early days of music production. As these equipment turn out to be very responsive even in modern genres, they’re still used by great professionals such as Chris Lord-Alge himself.

CLA-2A Compressor is another good example of this hard work, with exquisite responsiveness in every subtle dynamic range, with the added possibility to set the frequency range upon which the effect will act. It’s as straightforward as possible, and the included might make it sound excellent with any audio input you may want to use.

7. Waves C6

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Aptly named for its six bands, the Waves C6 is a trusted classic from a long-standing name.

This multiband compressor is excellent for both precision sound manipulation and broad shaping. Its low latency performance makes it great as a de-esser for live use as well. The uniqueness of this plugin is that it has four crossover bands and two dynamic EQ-like floating bands.

These two floating bands could be used for pinpoint-accurate editing, making this plugin highly versatile in any use case.

Key Features:

• Four Crossover Bands + Two Floating Bands

The four crossover bands function as a regular multiband compressor that we are all familiar with by now, whereas the two floating bands are essentially two Dynamic EQ bands. So, instead of covering a range of frequencies, those two are used to work on a single frequency with variable Q-factor/resonance. The bands have no variable crossover slope steepness. However, each band does have a solo button for easy listening.

• Multiple Processing Modes

Each band can be set to function as a compressor or an expander.

• External Sidechain

This plugin also supports sidechaining, which is handy for dynamically cleaning up your sound only when needed.

• Master Parameter Controls

On the left side of the plugin, you will find a list of the parameters you can control per band. The enlisted labels for the parameters double as the master parameter controls. That means if you tweak a parameter using one of the labels here, it will modify the parameter for each band as well.

• Intuitive GUI

Since the twelfth version of the Waves plugins release, you can now resize the GUI freely. The clean layout of the parameters, the handy spectral view, and the resizeable interface together make for a comfortable experience, indeed.

Compatibility:

The Waves C6 is available for Windows 10 64-bit and macOS 10.13.6 or later. It’s available in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Summary:

This plugin is one of the most versatile plugins when it comes to multiband compression. While it is limited in some aspects, they are overcome by its innovative inclusion of floating bands. If you are looking for your first multiband compressor that offers a lot of value, we think it’s worth considering while the plugin is on sale.

Related Readings:

Top 7 Multiband Compressor Plugins (And 4 FREE Plugins)

8. FabFilter Pro-Q 3 (High-End EQ)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

The third and latest version of this powerful EQ now includes dynamic control.

Fab Filter’s Pro Q series has been almost a must-have for engineers at all levels for years. These EQs are perfectly transparent, easy to use, and have different display modes for the spectrogram (pre/post-processing).

Still, most importantly, they are the most versatile EQs out there in the market because of their infinite frequency bands, zero latency mode, linear phase processing, fully adjustable parameters, etc.

Now you can control dynamics to specific frequencies, whether you’re boosting and want to control the signal or dipping a particular frequency that’s disturbing you. These fab filter EQs are almost a worldwide standard, mainly because their RTA is very graphic, which is very helpful for those who are just getting started.

This new version of Fab Filter’s Pro Q has a couple of additions that we will talk about, so stay tuned.

Key Features:

• New EQ filters:

Unlike the past versions, Fab Filter Pro Q 3 brings new filters on our equalizers, such as a tilted shelf and a flat tilt. In addition, you can apply and change these filters directly from the box outside of the frequency band, which is a great plus to the previous versions.

• Optimized UI:

The new Fab Filter lets you choose whether you want to use the EQ for stereo, mid/sides, and left/right processing on the go. Create a new band and select whichever processing mode you’re interested in using, differently from the older versions, where this option was almost hidden.

Additionally, they’ve added a brick wall slope that’s surprisingly transparent and very useful for mixing situations.

• Dynamic EQ:

They’ve added a new way of processing that’s entirely new to this plugin: the dynamics control on the EQ. This new feature is perfect in several contexts for mixing and mastering, and it’s perfectly there sitting around the gain knob.

• Collisional frequency marks:

Fab Filter includes a visualization of possible areas where frequencies are potentially high. This is used to ease up finding the troubling areas of the spectrum to fix them. Keep in mind that this is not an intelligent feature, so I wouldn’t recommend you to run and try to fix something whenever you see the mark, but to use it as a reference to spot possible issues that you’re looking to address.

• Sidechain and EQ match:

Fab Filter added a new way to use the sidechain capabilities of this eq. Typically, you’d use this feature to match a reference track’s tone and spectrum balance, contrasting both tracks’ spectrum and manually matching them. Still, now, Pro Q 3 takes you there automatically with AI assistance.

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 10, supports macOS 10.10 or higher, runs on 64 bit and 32 bit systems, and comes in VST, VST3,  AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Fab Filter Pro Q 3 is an improvement of both of its predecessors. This EQ has been very well known for its transparency and versatility, and it keeps getting better with each release. This latest plugin version came out in 2018 and is still one of the best equalizers to use regularly.

One thing that you can appreciate from Fab Filter is that they continuously improve their plugins to optimize your performance and, obviously, your workflow. Use Pro Q3 if you want transparency and accuracy, as this is probably the best tool to use when you need precision.

9. Waves Playlist Rider (Auto-Leveler)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

This plugin automatically balances the volume of multiple audio signals to a selected target.

Playlist Rider is a hands-off solution for content creators, podcasters, live streamers, DJs, and engineers to achieve high-standard quality audio without any effort. You only need to set it up and let it do its thing while focusing on other essential aspects of your work.

Key Features:

• Easy start

Playlist Rider is as simple as it gets with its intuitive graphic user interface. You can just set up your target level, input sensitivity, and attack time and you’re good to go.

• Dynamic range preservation

This plugin automatically levels the volume of the existing sound sources to match them to your target without any compression or limiting to preserve the dynamic range of your mix in real-time.

• Tonal Character

Playlist Rider can match the different sound sources to a pink noise tonal curve to smooth out tonal differences between elements of your mix. This function can improve the consistency of the overall balance.

• Good for live sound engineers

Its automatic capabilities and lookahead functionality can spare you from using compression in some instances and help you avoid feedback while keeping your levels smoothly. You can use it on subgroups, monitor mixes, or your main mix.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows 10 or higher and macOS 10.13.6 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Summary:

Playlist Rider is an efficient piece of software that will take considerable weight off your back by automatically leveling your audio source to the target of your preference.

Playlist Rider also works on live sound engineering cases because you often want to avoid using more compression for your tracks to avoid feedback and maintain some dynamic range.

Since this plugin doesn’t compress but levels the volume of different sources at a time, it’s a relief during the performance, helping you achieve cleaner results.

Related Readings:

Top 11 Plugins For Mixing Vocals (For Home Studio)

10. Waves WNS Noise Suppression (Noise Reduction 3)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

WNS Noise Suppressor is another excellent product developed by Waves. Waves products are a synonym of good quality.

WNS Noise Suppressor is a plugin to reduce noise from any vocal recording. As with every plugin from the family, WNS performs nicely and smoothly. It works in real-time with zero latency. You can use it with any vocal source, but it is ideal for dialog, narration, voiceovers, and broadcasting.

Its design is very similar to its little brother, Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor, but the power of WNS is superior. NS1 comes with only one fader: the threshold, the minimum volume before noise reduction. WNS, though, includes a set of frequency filters.

Audio engineers can identify the noise frequencies and isolate the noise from those frequencies exclusively using said filters. Similarly, while NS1 employs an attenuation bar to visualize the reduced noise, WNS shows the reduction in a spectral display, emphasizing the frequencies affected by the plugin.

Key Features:

• Hardware Power in a Small Software

Every audio professional knows that hardware boxes are unbeatable at the time of processing audio. But Waves WNS Noise Suppressor performs equal to or even better than hardware processors. For sure, it is more affordable.

• Zero Artifacts

With this plugin, you don’t need to worry about glitches or audible artifacts. You will have zero latency, zero artifacts, and zero errors. So, you can focus on your work and let the plugin will do the rest.

• Exclusive “Suggest” Feature

Apart from its six adjustable bands, large graphic display, and dynamic range selection (broad or narrow bands), it features a cutting-edge algorithm called “Suggest.” WNS analyzes the signal noise and its relationship with the active signal and automatically adjusts all the plugin parameters. Later it suggests the engineer the most probable frequencies where the noise is present.

Compatibility:

Waves WNS Noise Suppressor is available for Windows 10 or higher (64-bit only) and macOS 10.13 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Waves WNS Noise Suppressor will not let you down. It is robust and well-designed. It has automatic processing and customizable parameters. It comes in broad (NS1) and multiple narrow bands (WNS). It is intuitive, and you can trust it. 

Related Readings:

6 Best Audio Restoration Plugins & Software 

11. Waves Vocal Rider (Real Time Leveler)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Waves Vocal Rider plugin allows you to keep the dynamics of your tracks without squeezing them with compression.

It’s perfectly normal for any vocal performance to have an inconsistent dynamic where certain words and phrases are on a different level from others. The task of mixers is to make the vocals sit well in the mixes. In analog days, professionals adjusted levels with faders manually to make a track more consistent.

Now we can do it thanks to automation in DAW, but it takes a lot of time and specific skills. The good news is that Waves has created a special plugin for us that will handle this task automatically.

Vocal Rider is a reasonably straightforward plugin that will help you optimize your vocal level. In simple words, it will make quiet phrases louder and loud ones softer and wonderfully help you keep the dynamics.

And it will be much more organic than simply squeezing vocals with compression. Just put this plugin in the chain between the EQ and the compressor, and it does its magic.

Key Features:

• Set Your Target Level

You will see the Target slider at the top of the plugin window. It will compensate any level above or below a particular target. Thanks to it, you will adjust the appropriate level that Vocal Rider will give you.

• Range Slider

Another essential part of the plugin setup is the Range Sliders, which you will see on the left. High and low boundaries will keep the main fader in a particular range.

• Adjust The Attack

The plugin has two attack modes – Fast and Slow. Fast mode will give you a more consistent sound, and Slow – a more natural one. It will determine how fast the fader will respond to vocal dynamics.

• Vocal Sensitivity Control

Use the Sensitivity knob to adjust some threshold for the plugin. It will give it an idea of where the vocal signal is and what background noise level is worth eliminating. The Ride and Idle indicators on the left will help you set this up.

• Optimization In Relation To The Music

Another fantastic feature is automatically adjusting the vocal level to other vocals or music in general. To do this, you need to create a bus of other instruments or vocal tracks and put it in the side chain to the plugin. After that, you only need to set the plugin’s basic settings to your liking, and you’re done.

Compatibility:

The plugin is available for Windows 10 or higher and macOS 10.14.6 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST/3, AU, AAX and Audiosuite formats.

Summary:

Vocal Rider is an excellent plugin from Waves that will make your life much easier and allow you to optimize the dynamics of your vocal tracks. Thanks to it, you won’t spend a lot of time in your DAW and manually tune the automation – the software will do everything for you automatically.

The plugin has simple enough settings to choose the most appropriate level of optimization.

12. Waves DeBreath (Breath Remover)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

DeBreath detects breath segments and separates them from the signal using a special template matching algorithm.

The rest of the signal may then be used without being impacted by breathing control. DeBreath can help you save time and mental energy by automatically detecting and removing breath. This frees you up to be more innovative and productive.

DeBreath enables you to add ambient tone where breaths have been deleted or muted and set the degree of gain reduction applied to recognize one’s breaths, preventing artificial track gaps. In addition, you may divide the audio into the vocal and breathing tracks for greater control.

Key Features:

• Detection

Breathing Limit DeBreath maintains a database of breath patterns, or definitions, of what constitutes a breath to identify breaths more precisely. The breath graph shows the similarity between the input audio signal and the breathing database template.

The scale ranges from 1 to 100, and the greater the value, the more probable that a breath will occur. If your breathing threshold is extremely high, only the safest matches will be recorded as breaths. Threshold Energy Here, the energy of an audio event is evaluated. The likelihood of it being a breath increases if the event energy is below the threshold.

• Graph

The Breath graph keeps track of a five-second breath rating factor history to measure how well the received sound matches breathing library descriptions. Determine your breathing threshold using the chart below. A five-second history of the overall energy of incoming audio is shown on the Energy graph.

This graph will rapidly prove to be helpful for assessing the voice’s relative energy about the breath.

To set an energy threshold, use the Energy chart. The Energy graph, which utilizes the same scale, sits adjacent to the Energy Threshold control slider. The energy threshold control is shown as a horizontal line across the histogram plot in addition to the breathing threshold control.

• Room Tone

Room Tone substitutes a little quantity of white noise for diminished or attenuated breathing. Removing any extra holes makes the rail’s breath-elimination process much more natural. When engaged, the camera tone will fade in and out like how breaths fade. White noise levels are graded by the amount of attenuation and have a maximum level of -80dB.

• Fades

You may set the time a breath takes to move from the voice to the breath route using DeBreath. Or, to put it another way, how quickly does a breath go from full level to the designated reduction factor?

The disappearance period from the voice pathway is equal to the fade-in on the breath pathway since a detected breath is not deleted but rather transferred from the voice channel to the respiratory tract. Like DeBreath, Fade-in calculates how long it will take for the voice way’s drive gain to be restored when it stops recognizing breaths.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in standalone mode and VST2, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

Even when it disrupts a flawless performance, singers persist in breathing! You can truly steal their breath away with DeBreath. A special algorithm used by DeBreath automatically recognizes and divides a vocal performance into two independent tracks: voice-only and breath-only.

You may now decide how much breath your vocal recording should have and how it should be handled. You may add room tone even if breaths have been omitted or diminished. You, therefore, have a wide range of alternatives with this plugin when you wish to adjust your breathing.

The 5 Best Free Plugins For Podcast 2024

1. TDR VOS SlickEQ

More Info & Download

A mixing and mastering equalizer with unmatched simplicity of use, musical versatility, and sound quality is TDR VOS SlickEQ.

The mixing/mastering equalizer TDR VOS SlickEQ is made for simplicity of use, musical versatility, and crystal-clear sound. Four separate EQ modes, each representing a collection of predetermined EQ curves and behaviors, are accessible quickly and intuitively using three filter bands in traditional semi-parametric architecture.

In addition, SlickEQ provides a switchable EQ nonlinearity and an output stage with several saturation patterns to warm up the material with more harmonic content. Instead of blatant distortion, these alternatives are aimed to offer subtle and intriguing textures. The purpose of the effect is to impart the common mojo seen in high-quality analog audio equipment.

Key Features:

• EQ Model

The center drop-down menu allows users to choose from four EQ model curves and behaviors, and the prev/next buttons let users cycle among them. Depending on the model chosen, the interface’s backdrop color varies.

Models reflect a particular set of EQ behaviors and curves, each of which imparts a distinct musical “feel.” The various names and colors make the patterns easier to remember and recognize.

• Controls

The filter network’s smooth nonlinearity is turned on using the EQ SAT button. As a result, “musical” levels of harmonic distortion are produced, which only impacts the EQ boosts. The high pass filter frequency controls an 18 dB/octave Butterworth filter.

Turning the knob all the way counterclockwise will turn off the filter.
The control will be marked as disabled by being grayed out. The low-band portion provides Bell-shaped and low-shelf control over the low-frequency range. Use the buttons at the section’s bottom to choose the right form. The chosen filter shape’s center frequency is controlled by frequency.

Gain determines how much boost or cut is delivered to the chosen frequency range. The ringer’s center frequency is controlled by frequency. Gain determines how much will rise or decrease.

• Models

American style has moderate slopes and is a traditional design. Design with a proportional Q. British has a small drop and a little steeper curve with better grip. A proportional Q design with significant boost and cut operation variations.

Special “tilt” shelf filters made in Germany have broad linear transitions and little boost/cut. Ideally suited for mastery or remedial activities. An exclusive inversely proportional curve known as a Soviet has more smooth curves as gain rises.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in standalone mode and VST2, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

It is a fantastic plugin focused on old-school knob-workflows. Its unique models and settings helped my music gain more depth and personality. I can achieve the exact sound I want for my audio recording thanks to various choices. I could delay low frequencies about higher frequencies and get remarkable results since the low band provides access to an adjustable phase lag.

Working with the sound in the TDR VOS SlickEQ GE plugin was a great delight. If you enjoy the look and feel of old-school equalizers with knobs, this plugin has taken the best elements from older devices and applied them to contemporary ones. As a result, your tracks will be richer and deeper, and your sound processing activities will improve with many settings and different modes and models.

Related Reading:

Top 12 Free EQ Plugins For Precise Mixing & Mastering

2. TDR Nova

More Info & Download

TDR’s Nova is a dynamic equalizer that will be very helpful for mastering.

In simple words, dynamic EQ is a mixture of EQ and compressor that allows you to influence the dynamics of the frequency spectrum. These tools are quite popular in mastering because you can affect individual regions by making them softer. Now we’ll show you a plugin that can do that.

In general, this software looks like an ordinary equalizer. You get four bands here. But the best part starts when you turn on the dynamic section. Here you have all the settings you need to make the compressor and EQ work the way you want it to. Let’s break down the functionality in more detail.

Key Features:

• 4-Band EQ

You will have four EQ bands that can move across the frequency spectrum. In addition, there are even two separate High and Low Pass Filters with the necessary settings. As for the range itself, from here from 10 hertz to 40 kilohertz. By the way, the paid version of this plugin has more bands.

• Listen To a Band In Solo

In addition, the plugin has a great feature that allows you to listen to a certain band in a solo. Enable this mode by pressing the Band Solo button. It will be especially helpful if you are a beginner and want to practice hearing frequencies.

• Enable The Threshold

Clicking the Threshold button turns on the dynamic section of the plugin. It means that you can compress certain bands of the frequency spectrum. Generally, there is a Threshold, Ratio, and Attack and Release settings.

• Gain Compensation

If you make more EQ moves, you will get a boost in the volume. The plugin has a separate EQ Gain button to help balance the output when you do this. It will happen automatically. A pretty handy feature, isn’t it?

• Choose The Mode

It is noteworthy that this plugin can work in different modes. For example, you get Mono, Stereo, Sum, Diff, Left, Right, and Dual Mono options. As for Sum and Diff, they are the middle and sides.

Compatibility:

TDR Nova is available for Windows XP or higher (both 32 and 64-bit) and macOS 10.9 or higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

TDR’s Nova is a wonderfully functional dynamic equalizer that can be your to-go mastering tool. It has only four bands, but that’s often all you’ll need, especially if you are a beginner. Overall, you get full control over the dynamics of the frequency spectrum thanks to the built-in compressor.

3. TDR Kotelnikov

More Info & Download

Designed to be as transparent as possible, this mastering compressor is on par with most paid plugins.

Kotelnikov is the first on our list that doesn’t attempt to sound like any hardware unit. Instead, it is proudly digital, using the fast computing capability of computers to deliver the smoothest sounding compressor in the freeware market and beyond.

It employs an innovative mix of peak and RMS compression that lets it preserve the timbre and punch of the original audio. Furthermore, it also features extensive stereo processing options and oversampling to make the plugin that much more suitable for mastering.

Key Features:

• High-Pass Filter

The Low Freq Relax section features a high-pass filter that can vary from 25 Hz to 500 Hz. Further, it offers four steepness slopes: 0 dB/oct, 3 dB/oct, 6 dB/oct, and 12 dB/oct. The first one turns off the filter, whereas the last one is the steepest and useful for avoiding low frequencies completely.

• Stereo Sensitivity

Despite what the name would lead you to believe, this knob doesn’t enable individual compression of each stereo channel. Instead, it is for controlling the stereo link of the detector. So, 0% means it only detects the mono signal, whereas 100% means it will follow the channel (left/right) with the louder audio.

• Peak/RMS Threshold

The Threshold knob controls the RMS threshold value. So, you will have to dial in a fair amount to start compression. On the flip side, the Peak Crest knob sets the peak threshold relative to the RMS threshold. It can be positive or negative, where a positive value increases the peak threshold over the RMS threshold. Thus, the peak compressor becomes less sensitive.

• Stereo Processing

The drop-down menu labeled “Stereo” in a default preset lets you select from six modes of stereo processing: Mono, Stereo, Sum, Diff, Left, and Right. Just to clarify, Sum and Diff are mid and side signals.

• Oversampling

It’s worth noting that this plugin employs oversampling at all times. It offers two processing quality modes: Eco and Precise. Eco utilizes an internal frequency bandwidth of 100 kHz, whereas Precise uses 200 kHz of bandwidth. Interestingly, though, it only oversamples the detected audio, leaving the rest of the audio completely untouched.

Compatibility:

Kotelnikov is available for Windows XP or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX.

Summary:

The amount of features this plugin offers is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Even with the long list of features we’ve enlisted, our article barely even scratches the surface of its platter of versatility. We highly recommend giving this plugin an honest try, even if you own many paid compressors.

Related Readings:

Top 11 Free Compressor Plugins (VCA, Vari-Mu, FET, Digital)

2. BPB Dirty Filter

More Info & Download

Utilize the BPB Dirty Filter to provide subtle color or crush the audio into fragments.

Bedroom Producers Blog’s BPB Dirty Filter is a freeware plugin with two cutoff filters and replicated analog tube circuits. For the creative sound designers, though, as good as the filters themselves are, the dirty distortion it offers is what opens a world of sonic explorations.

Key Features:

• Versatile

It is a great utility for cleaning up your audio, as it combines a high-pass and a low-pass filter. Both filters feature a frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz with selectable filter slopes. The plugin also has a Mix knob and an output volume control for easy gain staging in your DAW.

• It Plays Dirty

BPB Dirty Filter is a transparent filter plugin when the Drive knob is set to zero. It’s ideal for reducing high-frequency noise or removing low-frequency hum in this mode.

However, when the Drive knob is turned up, BPB Dirty Filter becomes one of the harshest distortion plugins available. This tube distortion is probably what you will want this plugin the most for. Just select a range of frequencies and crank up the drive.

• Lightweight

The BPB Dirty Filter barely makes any impact on a moderately powerful CPU, so you will have no problem loading as many of this plugin as you need. We recommend trying its distortion out on multiple frequency ranges and setting the Mix knob to taste.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows and macOS at both 32-bit and 64-bit. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

While any old EQ will let you dial in a couple of cutoff filters, the BPB Dirty Filter offers a slope steepness as high as 48dB/oct, which is difficult to come by in regular stock plugins. Similarly, the tube distortion has its unique character and deserves a try from anyone interested in sound designing.

Related Readings:

The 8 Best Filter Plugins For Precise Cuts & Boosts (+ 5 Free Filters)

5. AudioThing FilterJam

More Info & Download

A multi-band resonant filter called Filterjam produces odd filtered noises that resemble ring mods. Depending on the mode chosen, the input signal is divided into 4 bands, which are then added together or multiplied.

Filterjam is amazing since it’s not simply another monotonous filter effect with a few common filter types and little to offer. Contrarily, the most recent version of Audiothing has several new capabilities that make it a useful sound-distortion tool for musicians and sound designers who want to play with slightly off-putting sounds.

Under the hood, there is a lot of modulation, which produces ring mod effects that, depending on your perspective, sound especially beautiful or nasty when combined with some screaming resonance.

Key Features:

• Control Scheme

A cut knob, a resonance knob, gain and mix controls, and a 4-way mode switch makes up the straightforward control layout. Filterjam divides the incoming audio stream into four frequency bands at the input.

Use the mode switch to select how these four frequency bands will be added together or multiplied before they enter the filter input.

• Modes

Distinct modes provide entirely different auditory effects, ranging from Mode 1’s very clean and delicate filtering to Mode 4’s aural destruction in the form of an acid spill over an audio interface.

• Mix Control

Given that more aggressive modes will undoubtedly sound much better when used sparingly, the inbuilt mix control is a terrific method to ensure that Filterjam always behaves.

• Patch Manager 

Notably, Filterjam also comes with a patch manager, a bypass switch, and a patch randomizer. These features are always welcome, especially with proper design tools like this. On my computer, CPU use for a filter plugin averages approximately 2%.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in standalone mode and VST2, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

A fantastic plugin! I cherish resonance filters. Use Filter Jam on a send channel before a large reverb while being sure to restrict the output. Ensure that everything is completely soaked. Enjoy by connecting the mode wheel to the frequency parameter.

6. Reaper Plugins

More Info & Download

As we usually say, we strongly advise using the original DAWS plugins since they include a number of fundamental features and more that, because they are based on the primary engine, operate much better with DAW. So, today we’re going to provide you with some excellent voice and other plugins that you may use with Reaper.

Key Features:

• Noise

Reduction ReaFir is a dynamic plugin with several uses that virtually defies categorization or description. It has several uses, including EQ, Compressor, Noise Gate, and more. In this example, you’ll see how it may be applied to noise reduction.

An otherwise excellent music may require a noise reduction plugin if it includes distracting background noise.
This could sound like an air conditioner, a hiss, or another noise.

You may utilize ReaFir to take such noises out of your songs instantly. To achieve this, you must first locate a section of the track where the actual unwanted noise you captured was recorded.

• Compression

A limiter can be compared to a ceiling; it prevents a signal’s loudness from going over a predetermined level. It’s frequently preferable to utilize a compressor on individual tracks instead of limiting them because it can be harsh.

Consider it this way: A compressor may be eased much more gradually than a basic limiter, which breaks abruptly and brutally. Nevertheless, it can be useful to see what the restriction can do to a record when contrasted with the effects of a fountain compressor.

• Equalization

ReaEQ is an equalizer used to emphasize or de-emphasize particular frequencies, as the name implies. You can help the range of frequencies that the microphone has picked up by using this plugin, though. Let’s now examine bandwidth.

ReaEQ uses octaves to measure bandwidth. With a narrow bandwidth setting, only a tiny portion of the frequency spectrum will see an increase or decrease in sound. Working on a much wider side of the spectrum is what a wide setting signifies.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in standalone mode and VST2, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

You might uncover more straightforward alternatives as you experiment further. Additionally, it offers De-essing, Panning, reverb, and many other features, making their collection of standard plugins useful and high-quality.

Bonuses:

1. Waves Clarity Vx

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

The Clarity Vx functions similarly to the OneKnob line. You can pick between two alternative algorithms.

Clarity Vx brings back music you previously dismissed as being too loud, including old recordings, subpar productions, hissy recordings, out-of-focus recordings, and many other issues. Innovative method for removing background noise from the conversation and vocal tracks.

As a result, your voice will sound astonishingly unaltered no matter how clean you make it. Furthermore, you may control how much noise you wish to remove with the push of a button.

Key Features:

• Main Knob

Initially, turn the primary control knob. Clear the area of any noise. If you’re content, you’re finished. Crank the knob counterclockwise until you achieve the desired sound if you want to reintroduce some noise or restore a few vocal edges.

• Neural Network

The focus of the denoising operation depends on the neural network you deploy. Depending on how he was taught, a neural network has distinct biases. Others are trained to hold back more of the secondary speech.

Finally, some neural networks concentrate primarily on the primary voice closer microphone while decreasing the atmosphere/severe sounds. For descriptions, go to the tooltip for the Neural Network Selector.

• Analysis

The same analytical data is used to process both channels in a single mode. Compared to Double mode, Single mode uses a lot less CPU. Double Use this setting when the left and right channels are noticeably distinct, such as when a voice or an environment is highly different.

Dual mode examines and processes the left and right channels individually. Each channel’s processing is more precise, but more CPU is needed. You might need to utilize the width control to customize the stereo picture further.

• Reset Button

A rapid and significant shift in the noise profile, a speaker change that happens quickly, or an abrupt loud noise can all cause the network to lose focus or decrease quality.

The neural network may be restored via network reset without losing parameters. You can automate this command. When playing ends, Clarity Vx immediately resets itself. No changes are made to your settings.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in standalone mode and VST2, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

Occasionally, studio science and music combine to produce effects that resemble a magic trick! Clarity Vx is the PERFECT tool for recording issues that either appear hard to resolve or will take hours to resolve.

For example, you may now instantly turn up interference, noise, and my particular enemy, room sound on a voice. As a mixer, the recorded sound gets worse and worse; this great tool will help us produce amazing creations more quickly.

2. Waves Greg Wells VoiceCentric

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

As close to a one-button solution as you can get is the Greg Wells VoiceCentric Plug-in. Once more, the user interface is quite straightforward.

I’m not sure how frequently people ask us how to make a vocal sound more “manufactured,” but it must happen frequently. The new Greg Wells VoiceCentric Plug-in is as near to a one-knob solution as you can get, albeit often it’s a subtle blend of EQ, compression, reverb, and sometimes additional dust.

But, again, the user interface is almost breathtakingly straightforward. Three smaller knobs govern how much delay, doubler, and reverb are applied, along with a huge Intensity knob that determines how strong the primary “made” effect is. The only control you have over these effects, similar to PianoCentric, is the volume because they are essentially preset.

Key Features:

• Intensity

With more severe settings sounding brighter and more “in your face,” intensity alters several factors to boost the core processing’s emotional strength. The three effect level controls can be adjusted further once you’ve found a setting that enhances the timbre of your voice.

• Effects

The delay appears to have been equalized to let it sit comfortably behind the vocals, and the reverb adds the perfect amount of “wetness” without seeming to get in the way. But, again, these effects are tastefully set to give a professional outcome with little effort.

• Doubler

Once more, the doubler is reminiscent of the Waves Real ADT plug-in and succeeds in producing a convincing double-tracked sound by including delay and variable pitch/time shift levels. While it thickens the voice somewhat at lesser levels, John Lennon-style treatment is achieved at maximum settings.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in standalone mode and VST2, AAX, and AU plugin formats.

Summary:

Instead of the three or four plug-ins that were initially used on those tracks, I used this plug-in on several tracks that I had already mixed, and I must say that the results were extremely positive.

The processing effectively brings out the voices, and the selection of effects is excellent. For example, if you like additional reverb, you can easily add your own using a different plug-in. Although I favored settings in the middle of the volume slider, the higher levels can potentially provide aesthetically sound effects if you prefer more aggressive voice styles.

These plug-ins may be “instant pleasure,” but they are by no means ordinary toys. They genuinely provide excellent products with little effort, and I appreciated dealing with them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we can state that these picks largely satisfy all of your post-production audio demands when you launch a podcast channel.

However, we strongly advise considering the need for an audio treatment of the room where you record the sound when you start a podcast since this option gives a lot higher quality when mixing the recorded vocal tracks.

However, we advise you to look at the plugins the DAW provides. Sometimes having everything on hand and functioning well is advantageous and can save time. We may state that most DAWs have plugins in their libraries that can do these plugins’ functions perfectly.

That’s why I listed a few uses that the Reaper DAW’s standard plugins may be used for. These standard plugins are simple, practical, and accurate in adjusting your vocal recording.

We had all-in-one alternatives like the Waves Greg Wells VoiceCentric and Waves Clarity Vx, where the magic occurred with the turn of a single knob. It is impressive that a plugin can determine what settings to make when you apply it using such a strong engine.

I might also include Waves DeBreath, a tool I also use for music production and which performs superbly. I can say that it works well with the Shure Sm7b and eliminates any unnecessary noise.

I have also included various EQ plugins since applying an equalization correction to your recordings during the initial phase is crucial. TDR VOS SlickEQ and the well-known Pro-Q 3, which is a transparent and extremely user-friendly plugin, are both available. Real Time Leveler plugin Waves Vocal Rider compresses and levels your audio recordings. Because it only has one knob, beginners will find it to be incredibly simple to use.