Are you looking for alternatives to the ones offered by your DAW at the Gain Staging of your mix? We have compiled a list of the Top 5 Gain Staging & VU Metter Plugins for 2023, both free and paid.
Gain staging refers to the practice of ensuring that the audio is set to the following processor in the chain at the correct level to minimize noise. You can achieve the finest sound for your recording by staging via your analog and digital devices. It’s vital to understand that “optimal” in this context refers to volume levels that are loud enough to mask a recording’s inherent noise without being too loud to immediately produce distortion when they contact the following processor in a chain.
In 1939, Bell Telephone created the VU Meter in association with CBS and NBC. It was the standard up to the introduction of digital and is intended to indicate the volume of the audio signal. However, they are still employed in modern machinery, and you may naturally find them on vintage consoles.
We switched from measuring level in volume units to dB Full Scale after the advent of DAWs. In contrast to the VU meters, the DAW meters are full-scale meters that genuinely reflect a separate level. The primary distinction is that a VU meter displays an instrument’s average volume as opposed to our DAW’s full-scale meters, which display an instrument’s volume moment by moment.
What are the finest possibilities for 2023, then? Let’s find out together.
Top 5 Gain Staging & VU Metter Plugins 2023
1. Process Audio Decibel (Metering Toolkit With VU Meters)
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
The flexible tool Process Audio Decibel, which also functions on your phone or tablet, provides you with a very effective metering system.
Decibel is a versatile measuring platform used as a plugin or independent program. Additionally, it has a unique audio driver that enables you to pass any program’s audio to the standalone application, guaranteeing almost complete compatibility with all production tools. Markings on the semicircle indicate goal and peak levels, while quantitative monitoring systems in the screen’s center give integrated current, TrueDyn, and real max levels.
Decibel would be considered a very good metering system if it were the only thing it could handle. But Decibel has something much wiser up its sleeve: the meter panels you design with Decibel can be transferred to a mobile device for display, whether a phone or tablet running iOS or Android. This frees up your computer’s screen so you can focus on recording and editing.
Key Features:
- Multiple Meters
The plugin offers a variety of views and may hold numerous counters in a single instance. Most of them are aesthetically pleasing but typical examples of their kind, such as authentic frequency analyzers, VU meters, and max level meters in the bar and point styles. The reading from the Numeric Box, which you may use to display a numerical reading from numerous measurement sources, is less prevalent. - Super Meter
The Super Meter is, without a doubt, the most remarkable and inventive of Decibel’s indicators. A single, bold, semi-circular readout visualizes several LUFS volume readings. The semicircle’s bands display the combined and quick LUFS readings. The accompanying “TrueDyn” value, a dynamic range measurement generated from LUFS readings, is highlighted by additional indicators. - User Interface
Decibel alone determines which meters show and how they appear. However, even after closing and restarting the plugin and the app, You will have no trouble initiating the connection between Decibel and Decibel Display. Layout creation can be a little challenging, but it’s not hard, and once you’ve achieved the desired appearance, you can store it as a preset.
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.10 or higher (64-bit only) and Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only) and als is running iOS or Android. It runs in standalone mode and VST2, AAX, and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
Decibel is unquestionably a great measuring platform, however, there is potential for enhancement in the form of more measurement possibilities.
The Super Meter is great, the aesthetics are clever and lovely, and being able to view your meters on a portable device easily is a game-changer. Process Audio has produced a work of art.
Related Reading:
Top 5 Audio Metering Plugins (LUFS, RMS, LRA, True Peak)
2. Klanghelm VUMT Deluxe (Advanced Gain Staging /VU Meter)
More Info & Price – Deluxe or Normal (Trial Available For Both)
It is an analog-style VU and PPM meter ballistics-emulating metering plugin. There are options for counter and ballistic calibration, and the plugin also functions in a separate K-System calibrated RMS mode.
Klanghelm VUMT Deluxe provides a wealth of information about what you’re hearing and aids in your efforts to optimize every aspect of your pay structure, from the recording to the finish of mastering. The Klanghelm VUMT also has the appearance and feel of a superb set of VU or PPM meters.
Key Features:
- PPM Meters
The level reaching the preamp will fluctuate when you increase the input gain and lower the output, but the level hitting the converters and reading on the VUMT won’t change. When a signal is distorted, its dynamics are reduced, which causes the peak values to decrease and the average value to rise. After adjusting the volume, listen and adjust the preamp’s position until you hear what you want. - User Interface
You may resize GUI, and you can choose from 6 GUI dimensions. You have the option to choose your skin type, making it possible to narrow your search to anybody. Furthermore, you can hide all orders while only affiancing accounts.
This application also exists in a standalone version. For the independent version to advance levels, physical contact is required. Therefore, if you want to use it with a media player, you may do so with the aid of a virtual audio cable. - Meters
More meters are included in the deluxe VAUMT version than the basic version. VU Metering RMS Metering Nordic (Type I), DIN (Type I), BBC (Type IIa), and EBU are all included in this (Type IIb). There are several possibilities available in it. - Channel Tools
You may weight all the curves using each channel’s frequency weighting in RMS mode. As a result, for each channel, there are choices such as Mute, Polarity Reverse, and Monitor Section, where you may choose whether to monitor only the Left, Right, Mid, or Side channels or to reverse the Left and Right channels’ polarity - Additional Panel
An additional panel with extra signal processing facilities can be concealed from the GUI when not required. With varying steepness of HighPass and LowPass filters. A signal band dynamic EQ with adjustable filter types for de-essing or removing resonances. Each skin in the VUMT Deluxe edition features an extra contrasting meter-GUI with Mono Maker for restricting the stereo picture below a specific frequency.
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:
VUMT is a dependable analog-style VU metering plugin for tracking, mixing, and mastering applications. I’ve used VUMT for a long time, so I was eager to learn about the most recent upgrade and see what the Deluxe version offered. It’s a plugin that provides real-time measures for a reasonable price, and it will undoubtedly be helpful to you when mixing.
Related Reading:
Top 6 Spectrum Analyzer VST Plugins – Spectral Analysis
3. Waves VU Meter (Classic VU)
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
Utilize the industry-standard Waves VU Meter when mixing and tracking in your DAW to help you get the best levels, headroom, and a crisper mix.
Current standard and free combine infrequently, but the Waves VU Meter plugin guarantees it. Here are all of the Waves’ specifics. Across various musical genres and platforms, VU meters have been a tried-and-true industry standard for decades, assisting engineers in establishing correct recording and mixing levels with adequate Headroom and well-balanced gain.
Key Features:
- Headroom Adjustment
You can adjust the VU meter’s calibration to the DAW’s reference level. 0 dB VU will be measured per foot. Consequently, space and digital clipping will be present. Click and swipe vertically over the little up/down arrows to pick it up and lower the Headroom setting. Double-clicking the current amount will also take you directly to the free space settings. - Meter Scales
The reference level of the signal when the Reference Trim is correctly adjusted is shown by 0 dB on the full scale, which uses dB units. The volume units on the bottom scale represent the signal intensity as a percentage. - Controls and Displays
We may choose Display Size, Reference Adjustment, and Graphic Delay Adjustment from the top menu. Like all traditional VU meters, the measuring portion has three parts: a Clip Indicator, a dB Scale, and a VU Scale.
In the mono component, we have a VU Meter; in stereo, there are obviously two meters. They provide small, medium, and big display sizes. And even if separate buses have varying latencies, meters can be delayed so that they seem synchronized in time.
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:
The plugin Waves VU Meter is beneficial and appreciated. Younger mixers learning to incorporate an appropriate gain stage into their sessions may find the VU meter plugin greatly helpful.
They will be able to grasp why their recordings are distorted in ways that are difficult to comprehend with only a DAW meter, for example. In addition, it will help us keep track of our levels while providing a feeling of familiarity for seasoned veterans.
Related Reading:
20 Best Waves Plugins For Mixing, Mastering & Producing
4. TBProAudio mvMeter 2 (VU 2)
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
mvMeter2, a multi-variable meter that supports RMS, EBUR128, VU, and PPM measurement, is made available by TBProAudio.
The mvMeter2 metering plugin from TBProAudio has a vintage VU meter-like appearance. Numerous measurement modalities and practical workflow factors are included. The plugin may be downloaded free at tb-software.com and is offered for Windows and OSX.
Key Features:
- Top Side
The reference level is located in the top left corner and is helpful if you desire a specific volume range, such as -14 dB. In addition, you may pause the counter’s visual response right there next to it.
There is a preset menu with several helpful options in the middle of the top bar. They make adjusting the final mastering limiter quite simple. The RMS standard is also very helpful if you aren’t aiming for a precise loudness range. - Visual Features
You may alter the plugin’s skin just below the top bar, in the top left corner, which is a fantastic choice even if it does not affect the sound. You only need to select the skin once, thanks to the efforts of the team at TBProAudio, who made sure that it didn’t alter as presets loaded. You can alter the FPS, but the default setting works great. - Metering
You can observe such motions in the primary, or measuring, part. You may change the size of the GUI using the drop-down menu, which is once more located in the upper left corner and should be more than sufficient for most users. You can view the left and right or middle and side signals in the upper right corner of the left display.
The current and maximum values of the meter are still displayed in the bottom corners of both VU meters, which is also very helpful. There are numerous buttons to control the output volume or reveal and conceal various features, but I’m confident you’ll figure it out on your own.
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 useful tool for checking your loudness is mvMeter2. You only need a few clicks to set it up because it already has Bob Katz’s K-System defaults, and you can utilize all the various measurement modes and other settings anytime you have a particular arrangement in mind.
Related Reading:
Top 17 Utility VST Plugins For Your Projects
5. PSP TripleMeter (VU Metter Collection)
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
The addition of an RMS counter is the most evident way that TripleMeter, the follow-up to PSP’s pair of analog measurement plugins, 2Meters, improves on its predecessor.
The PSP TripleMeter package is the replacement for the PSP 2Meters set. It supports three different meters. Meters, with distinct elements like calibration and shared functions like adjustment faders, filters, and a label strip.
They wanted to provide you with various audio measuring tools to choose from while processing audio. For example, a signal’s volume units’ VU measurements may now be checked and compared to peak indications or RMS values with just one click.
Key Features:
- Meter Reference Levels
The meter’s reference levels and hold durations may be calibrated. Set up each instance of the meter to operate in session mode, for instance, by connecting to several tracks in your mix or separately. - Processing Options
You may change the gain and high/low pass filtering for each plug-in using the processing settings available for each meter. Tag strips are another option to help you remember the various components in your mix. - Interface
If you are a beginner, this retro UI may initially seem a little overwhelming. But that’s not how it is! A Reference level is at the top and a Process level with a corresponding fader to its right. In addition, a Hi-pass filter and a Low pass filter are provided for the two stereo VU Meters, which are very helpful for making rapid adjustments.
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 an effective instrument. The TripleMeter features back panel adjustments for ballistics, reference levels, and hold and fall times while maintaining the originals’ excellent, flawlessly responsive metering.
Related Reading:
Top 9 PSP Audioware Plugins For Music Production
4 Best Free Gain Staging / VU Meter Plugins 2023
1. Sleepy-Time DSP StereoChannel
StereoChannel is a stereo tool and VU meter with basic console channel controls.
Recently, Sleepy-Time DSP’s Dustin Ralston declared that he has ceased working on new VST plugins. The freeware VST plugins produced by this company have been among the greatest ever, therefore, this is bad news for the music production industry. The Sleepy-Time DSP plugins have a stunning aesthetic and are performance-oriented.
Key Features:
- Mono/Stereo capabilities
High-quality metering tools Mono and Stereo Channels include standard console channel controls. Using these two freeware programs for VU-meter simulation, balancing, gain management, and stereo phase correlation measurement, you may quickly and effectively establish accurate gain staging in your audio projects. - Interface
Two VU meters that may display stereo or mono sound are located at the top of the plugin. This plugin is helpful since it also allows us to alter the track’s polarity. Additionally, embedded within the home page are balanced choices. Finally, a stereo exchange button is seen to the right of the Nominal Level, which is also present. Additional parameters for this plugin include Led hold, Fade Law, and Phase Timing.
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:
Put your DAW’s level meters on the master output and monitor the appropriate channel using the solo knob instead of the level meters. You will be astounded by the outcomes, which will alter how you mix. Also, using this as a reference will give you more dB for mastering.
2. PreSonus VU Meter
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
PreSonus stated that all digital audio workstations may now use Studio One’s extra plugins. Included in this is the no-cost VU Meter plugin.
The VU Meter plugin provides the best of both worlds for signal-measuring needs: peak meters in the form of LED segments and analog VU meters with clip indications. Peak counters are best for tracking peak signal levels, whereas VU meters display the signal’s overall level. Therefore, you may get a more detailed representation of your signal by referring to both the average and peak levels.
Key Features:
- Sensitivity
Adjusts the speed of the VU meter’s needles while keeping an eye out for variations in signal strength. Lower settings provide a broader depiction of the output signal level since the needles move more slowly. Higher settings cause the needles to respond more quickly, providing a more in-depth look at how the signal level varies over time. - Scale
Establishes the digital signal level (in dBFS) that, on VU meters. The two scales are comparable when set to 0. For instance, the VU meter shows 0 dB VU for an input level of 0 dBFS. However, the scale is now adjusted to 6. This VU now equals -6 dBFS, and so forth. You can adjust the meter to fit your preferred space by doing so. - Correlation
This meter displays the stereo signal’s phase relationship. The divergence between the left and right signals increases as the counter gets closer to zero, and if your signal is added to mono later, it might suffer from phase cancellation effects. A correlation value is typically the goal when attempting to avoid phase issues when summing mono.
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’s a useful plugin. However, additional controls are desired, and VU meters are responsive. Undoubtedly, the fact that it’s free will attract a lot of users and make the gain stage as dynamic as possible.
3. Blue Cat’s Gain Suite
Blue Cat’s Gain Suite is a straightforward plug-in that accomplishes more than you may initially expect, and it repeatedly demonstrates why it is essential.
This plug-in suite is a collection of gain tools that let you instantly adjust the loudness of one or more audio tracks. These plug-ins’ unique qualities are what make them interesting. For example, they have sophisticated MIDI control automation capabilities. Also, you can fully customize all response curves.
Key Features:
- Analysis tools
This plug-in suite is a collection of gain tools that let you instantly adjust the loudness of one or more audio tracks. These plug-ins’ unique qualities are what make them interesting.
Wherever it is in the signal chain, these plug-ins provide you the ability to remotely control and automate the intensity of each audio channel. - Mid/Side processing
In some circumstances, the more popular Mid/Side registration is preferred over the conventional Left/Right registration. You may find several tutorials on this method by searching for “mid-record.” We won’t go into great depth here; instead, I’d want to clarify how and why mid-side processing occurs.
You end up with Mid/Side channels due to your recording, though. to the audio stream’s traditional Left/Right channels. The Side channel includes restoring, while the Mid channel contains the signal in the middle of the stereo mix. The Mid channel is sometimes referred to as “Mono” and the Side channel as “Stereo.” - Gain Controls
Unsurprisingly, the dual version has two instructions. They have independent left and right channel controls in normal mode. Consider the screenshot, though. The labels for the two controls are Gain (Mid) and Gain (Side). This is a result of the Mid/Side button above being pressed.
When using this mode, the input will be transformed from stereo to M/S on input and back to stereo on output. Instead of left and right, mid and side levels can be changed in this mode. This is useful for managing a track’s stereo width.
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 if the most crucial feature is absent—the inability to link mono instances with dual instances—it is still a valuable strategy and can work well for many combinations.
4. UnplugRed VU
A free plugin that mimics the VU Meter is called UnplugRed VU. It is an excellent plugin with good RMS metering.
We’re all accustomed to checking the built-in volume meters in our DAWs, but a traditional VU meter may occasionally give you a more accurate idea of how your sound is doing.
This straightforward yet efficient plugin has a top-notch LED light, stereo and mono modes, a customizable interface, and stunning visuals. It uses real RMS measurement with a personalized ballistic simulation of the meter.
Key Features:
- Interface
Scaling the UI is simple. A traditional VU meter displays the peak level using peak led, and you may find conventional meters in the main interface. - True RMS metering
This plugin has RMS metering, stereo (dual), and mono (single) modes, with customizable reaction speeds. Also, it features an adjustable nominal operation level (NoL).
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:
The needle might overshoot, thanks to this plugin’s excessive realism. When it comes to the counter-ballistic model, it is accurate, but if you’re looking for an accurate VU meter, you should look elsewhere.
It’s wonderful that the peak led only functions if the signal is stronger than 0dBFS rather than 0dBVU and that it doesn’t tax your CPU.
Bonus:
Sonimus Satson CS (Gain Staging / Channel Strip)
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
Console multichannel plug-ins, which simulate the EQ and compression found on well-known hardware editing platforms, have been around for a while.
Sonimus, makers of top-notch EQ, workstation, and compressing emulations, has unveiled a new modular channel strip plug-in featuring virtual racks.
Only three phases “preamp” gain stage, a compressor, and an Inductance, are offered in the first iteration, but the rack can hold multiples of each in any combination.
Key Features:
- Input Preamp
The input “preamp” has a gain fader, a switch to offset the gain so that it only applies increasing quantities of driving, and quality factor low – and high filters with variable center frequencies. Two knobs control the saturation properties: Saturation is activated by In, and Fat significantly amplifies the action. As a result, the gain stage is really clean when the saturation is off. Several different saturation effects are available, ranging from exceedingly sharp to subtly warming. - Compressor
A “colored” compressor module increases harmonics when the gain reduction increases. It differs greatly from Sonimus’ TuCo compressor, though. The new compressor features calibrated gain, attack, and release settings in addition to three preset ratios, unlike the TuCo, which is based on a variable mu tube circuit and has rather “ qualitative controls.” In addition, a side-chain filter rises, allowing the detecting circuit to only react to high frequencies like cymbals and disregard not only drum and bass but even a voice if you wish. - Eq Module
The EQ module is comparable to Sonimus’ StonEQ 4k, a very accurate imitation of an equalizer akin to SSL. There is no Drive control, unlike StonEQ 4k, but considering the saturation and distortion present in the first two modules, I see no need to add any more. You may also convert the low and high bands to rack mode, and all four EQ bands have changeable Q bell curve gains.
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:
Watson had amazing audio quality and consumed little CPU power. Up to 16x upsampling is possible and can assist in eradicating blurriness at relatively high distortion levels.
Depending on the oversampling level, oversampling also contributes to delay between samples, although Satson normally introduces none. Overall, Sonimus has produced yet another outstanding product.
Related Reading:
Top 7 Channel Strip Plugins (And 3 Best Free Plugins)
Conclusion
At the end of the day, we can claim that our gain staging and VU Meter top are extremely comprehensive. Although these capabilities are typically included within your DAW, it is still a good idea to utilize independent ones to guarantee accurate readings.
It should be kept in mind that, in addition to everything else, Gain Staging is the most crucial component of your mix when you wish to perform Top Down Mixing. If you don’t do this, your mix will be severely distorted in the end, and even when you add reverb or delay, they serve to muffle the sound further.
Readings that you may like:
Other Plugin Roundups:
Genre Focused:
Top 10 EDM Plugins (And 10 Best FREE Plugins For EDM)
Top 10 Plugins For TRAP Beats (And 5 Best FREE Trap Plugins)
20 Best Plugins For Rock Musicians (+ 6 FREE Plugins)
Top 14 Trance Plugins (Uplifting, Tech, Progressive, Vocal, Dream, Hard)
Top 10 GOA & PsyTrance Plugins (Best Psychedelic Trance Tools)
Top 7 Plugins For Dubstep (With 10 Best FREE Effects & Synths)
Top 20 Synthwave Plugins (+ 11 Best FREE Plugins)
Top 15 Plugins For Techno, House, Electro, Tech House, UK Garage
Top 6 Plugins For Latin Music (And 4 FREE Tools)
Top 12 Plugins For Hip-Hop (+ Best Kontakt Libraries)
Top 7 Plugins For Game & Film Scoring (+ 6 Best Kontakt Libraries)
Top 10 R&B And Pop Music Plugins & KONTAKT Libraries
30 Best Free Plugins For DnB, EDM, IDM & Experimental Music
EQ Plugins
Top 12 Free EQ Plugins For Precise Mixing & Mastering
Top 9 Mid/Side EQ Plugins For Mixing & Mastering (+ 2 Free Tools)
Top 7 Graphic EQ Plugins (With 3 Best Free EQs)
Top 7 EQ Plugins For Mastering In | And Best FREE Mastering EQs
Top 6 Passive EQ Plugins (Klevgrand, SPL, UAD, Waves, IK Multimedia)
Top 11 Plugins For Making Metal (Best Guitars, Drums & Effects)
Metering:
Top 5 Audio Metering Plugins (LUFS, RMS, LRA, True Peak)
Top 6 Spectrum Analyzer Plugins – Spectral Analysis Tools
Top 6 Oscilloscope Plugins To See The Waveforms
Top 5 Key Detection Plugins & Software (+ Best FREE App)
Kontakt Libraries
20 Best Kontakt Libraries For All Categories (Synths, Drums, Vocals)
Top 7 Drum Libraries For KONTAKT (And 4 Freebies)
Top 7 Trap Music Kontakt Libraries (And Best Lo-Fi Kontakt Library)
Top 7 Metal & Rock Kontakt Libraries (Best Guitars & Drums)
Top 10 Guitar Libraries For Kontakt (Acoustic, Electric, Bass & Freebies)
Top 7 Trailer Scoring Plugins & Kontakt Libraries
20 Best Free KONTAKT Libraries For Various Instruments
Top 9 Piano Kontakt Sample Libraries (And 5 Best Free Pianos)
Top 10 Percussion KONTAKT Libraries (And 3 Freebies)
Top 7 Kontakt Libraries For Horror & Thriller Scoring (No VSTs)
Audio Restoration, Calibration & Utility:
Top 6 Noise Reduction Plugins (And 3 Best Free Tools)
6 Best Audio Restoration Plugins & Software
Top 7 Phase Alignment Plugins To Fix Your Bass & Drums
Top 10 Room Calibration & Headphones/Speakers Correction Plugins
Instrument Plugins:
Top 6 Vocoder Plugins (Effects & Synths + FREE Vocoder)
11 Best Rhodes VST Plugins (AND 5 Free Rhodes Plugins)
Top 12 Randomizer Plugins Including FREE Plugins
Top 6 Kick Drum Plugins (Best Kick Designer Tools)
Top 12 Woodwind Plugins (And KONTAKT Libraries)
Top 10 Double Bass Plugins (Best Upright Basses)
Top 5 Strings VST Plugins (AND 4 Best Free Instruments)
Top 6 Sampler Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Plugins)
Top 6 Classical Guitar Plugins & Kontakt Libraries (And FREE Guitars)
Top 12 Sub Plugins (Best 808 & Bass Tools For Massive Low End)
Top 10 Plugins On PluginBoutique (And 7 Best Free Plugins)
Top 11 Plugins On Plugin Alliance
Top 7 Acoustic Guitar Plugins (And 4 Best Kontakt Libraries)
9 Best Bass Guitar Plugins (And 2 Best Freebies)
Top 6 Electric Guitar Plugins (Best PAID & FREE Picks)
Top 10 Arpeggiator VST Plugins (Best Synths, MIDI Effects & Tools)
Top 10 Modular Synth Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Plugins)
Top 6 Choir Plugins & Sample Libraries (And 3 Best Free Plugins)
11 Best Percussion & Drum VST Plugins (And FREE Plugins)
Top 8 Piano Plugins (Best Sounding Pianos & 5 FREE Piano Plugins)
Top 6 Organ Plugins Ever Made (And 3 Best Free Organs)
Top 14 VST Plugins For Beginners (And 9 FREE Plugins)
Top 9 Drum Machine Plugins (And Groovebox Plugins)
4 Best Banjo Plugins (Best Banjo Instruments)
The 5 Best Ukulele Plugins & Kontakt Libraries
Top 13 Synth Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Synths Plugins)
Top 13 Sequencer Plugins (Synth, MIDI & Step Sequencers)
The 10 Best Multi-Effect Plugins (And 3 Best Free Plugins)
Top 12 Plugin Bundles For Musicians (Synths, Mixing & Mastering)
Processing & Sound Design:
8 Best Lo-Fi Plugins (PAID & FREE)
Top 11 Plugins For Mixing Vocals (For Home Studio)
Top 12 Saturation Plugins (Best Mixing & Mastering Tools)
Top 6 Pitch Shifter Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Pitch Shifters)
Top 6 Chorus VST Plugins For Musicians (And 3 FREE Plugins)
Top 6 Limiter Plugins For Precise Mastering & Mixing
The 8 Best Filter Plugins For Precise Cuts & Boosts (+ 5 Free Filters)
6 Best Autotune Plugins To Improve & Enhance Your Vocals
Top 10 Transient Shaper Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)
Top 7 Enhancer Plugins (For Bass, Drums, Vocals & Harmonics)
Top 6 Flanger Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Flanger Emulators)
Top 7 Phaser Plugins (And 3 Best FREE Phasers)
Top 10 Plugins For Mixing Drums (And 3 Best Free Plugins)
Top 7 Bitcrusher Plugins (And 4 Best FREE Bitcrushers + 3 Bonuses)
Top 6 Plugins For Voice-Over & Dialogue Cleaning (Post Production)
Top 10 Stereo Imaging Plugins (Best Old & Modern Picks)
Top 5 Multiband Limiter Plugins
Top 7 De-Esser Plugins For Better Vocals (And 4 FREE Plugins)
Top 7 Clipper Plugins (Best Limiter Alternatives)
Top 6 Chord Generator Plugins That Inspire Melodies (+ FREE Tools)
7 Best Exciter Plugins For Mixing & Mastering
Top 7 Channel Strip Plugins (And 2 Best Free Plugins)
Top 11 Distortion Plugins (And 4 Top Free Plugins)
Top 5 Comb Filter & Resonator Plugins | Melda, Kilohearts, Tritik
The 7 Best Vibrato VST Plugins | Audec, Audiority, Melda
The 7 Best Tremolo Plugins | Eventide, Melda, SoundToys, Kuassa…
The 7 Best Harmonizer Plugins | Eventide, Melda, Aegean Music
7 Best Sidechain Plugins (VST, AU, AAX) | Xfer, Cableguys..
Top 10 Noise Gate Plugins (And 6 FREE Free Gate Tools)
The 6 Best Ring Modulator VST Plugins | KiloHearts, Melda
7 Best Autopan VST Plugins | CableGuys, Melda, Waves, Soundtoys
The 6 Best Frequency Shifter VST Plugins
Top 11 Granulizer Plugins For Future Sound Design
29 Best Sound Design VST Plugins
Compressor Plugins
Top 11 Free Compressor Plugins (VCA, Vari-Mu, FET, Digital)
Top 7 Multiband Compressor Plugins (And 4 FREE Plugins)
Top 5 Diode-Bridge Compressor Plugins
Top 6 Mastering Chain Plugins: Complete VST Solutions
The 7 Best VCA Compressor Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)
Top 11 Mastering Compressor Plugins (And 2 FREE Plugins)
Top 10 Opto Compressor Plugins For Transparent Sound
The 7 Best Vari-Mu Compressor Plugins (And 2 Best FREE Tools)
Reverb & Delay Plugins:
Top 12 Reverb Plugins (And 5 FREE Reverb Plugins)
The 6 Best Spring Reverb VST Plugins | AudioThing, GSi, u-he, Eventide
Top 12 Delay Plugins For Music Production In (VST, AU, AAX)
Top 10 FREE Delay Plugins (VST, AU, AAX)
The 10 Best Convolution Reverb Plugins
Amps & Preamps:
Top 10 Guitar Amp Plugins (And 5 Best FREE Simulators)
Top 10 Bass Amp Plugins (And 5 Best Free Simulators)
Top 9 Preamp Plugins (For Vocals, Guitars & More!) + Free Preamps
Other Recommended Gear:
Top 12 NearField Studio Monitors On Any Budget
Top 10 Midfield Studio Monitors For Home Recording
Best Biggest Studio Monitors (FarField Monitors)
Top 10 Guitar Pickups for Low Tunings
Top 10 Analog Compressors For Mixing & Mastering (On Any Budget)
Top 12 USB Audio Interfaces Under 150$, 200$, 300$ 400$ (Any Budget)
Top 12 Hardware Equalizers (Analog EQs For Mixing & Mastering)
Top 6 Analog Hardware Limiters
Top 6 Solid State Bass Amps (On Any Budget)
Top 6 Ribbon Mics On Any Budget (For Vocals, Drums & Guitars)
Top 6 Cheap Dynamic Mics For Vocals Under 50$, 100$, 200$ & 300$
Top 6 Chorus Guitar Pedals (On Any Budget)
6 Best 61-Key MIDI Keyboards (On Any Budget)
9 Best 49-Key MIDI Keyboards Under 100$ & 200$
Top 5 Best 25 Key MIDI Keyboards (On Any Budget)
Top 12 Acoustic Drums (Best Kits/Sets On Any Budget)
Guitar/Amp Focused:
Can I Put Nylon Strings on a Steel-string Guitar?
Do Electric Guitars Sound Good Unplugged?
Buying Your First Guitar: 2 Things To Know
Are Tube Amps Worth It? (Tube vs Solid-State Amps)
How Often Does A Guitar Need a Setup?
Can I Play Classical Guitar On A Steel-String Guitar?
How often guitar necks need reset?
Can You Play Two Guitars Through One Amp?
Can a 6 String Bass Be Tuned Like A Guitar?
Can I leave My Guitar Tuned Down a Step? Yes, But Is It Safe?
Should I Learn 4, 5 Or 6 String Bass Guitar & Why?
How To Know If your Guitar Amp Is Broken?
How To Fix Distorted Bass Guitar Sound?
Do Fender Guitars Appreciate In Value?
Should You Put Stickers On A Bass Guitar?
How Acoustic And Electric Guitars Are Made?
Is Electric Guitar Too Loud for an Apartment?
Does a Preamp Improve Sound Quality?
If I Learn Acoustic Guitar Can I Play Electric Guitar?
How Many Hours A Day Should You Practice Bass Guitar?
Do I need an AMP/DAC To Run Bookshelf Speakers?
How to Record Electric Guitar Into Logic Pro X?
Do headphones get worse with age?
DAW Related:
Best DAWs For Musicians Available (With FREE DAWs)
What’s The Most CPU Efficient DAW? – 5 DAWs Compared
How To Make Music Without Using A DAW?
Pro Tools Guide: How To Use AutoTune & Pitch Correction?
Ableton Review: Is It Worth The Money? (Cons & Pros)
Logic Pro X Review: Is It Worth It? (Cons & Pros)
How To Use Auto-tune & Pitch Correction In Cubase?
How To Fix Ableton Crackling, Crashing & Freezing? Step By Step
Plugin Related:
What Are Audio Plugins? Different Types of Plugins Explained
What Are The Best Tools To Develop VST Plugins & How Are They Made?
Cost of Developing Audio VST Plugin: Several Factors (With Table)
VST, VST, AU and AAX – What’s The Difference? Plugin Formats Explained
Complete Guide To Noise Gate – What It Is, What It Does & How To Use It?
How To Clip My Drums? Here Is How & Audio Teasers (Before/After)
Complete Guide To Limiter: How To Use It (+ Best Plugins & Analog Limiters)
Mixing With Reverb: How To Add Life To Your Mixes
Linear Phase vs Minimum Phase EQ – Full Guide
Difference Between LUFS, RMS & True Peak Loudness Meters
How And When To Use Algorithmic And Convolution Reverb In Your Mix?
Difference Between Active EQ, Passive EQ and Dynamic EQ
Headphones & Studio Monitors:
Do headphones get worse with age?
Monitors vs Studio Headphones For Mixing & Mastering
Top 10 Room Calibration & Headphones/Speakers Correction Plugins
Are Noise-Canceling Headphones Good For Music Production?
Can Headphones Break in Cold Weather?
Why do headphones & cables get sticky?
Can Wearing Headphones Cause Hair Loss?
How Do I know If My Studio Monitor Is Blown?
Side Effects Of Sleeping With Your Headphones On
Do You Need Music Amplifier For Studio Monitors or Studio Headphones?
Do Headphones or Earphones Damage Your Brain?
Can Headphones or Earphones cause Deafness or Toothache?
FarField, MidField & NearField Monitors – Their Uses, Pros & Cons
MIDI & Synths:
Should I Buy A MIDI Keyboard Or Synth? (Are Synths Worth It Anymore?)
Why Is Audio Gear So Expensive? (Especially Synths)
Top 12 Synth Brands – Analog, Digital & Modular Synth Manufacturers
11 Tips How To Choose MIDI Keyboard
Should I Buy MIDI Controller Or Keyboard? Cons, Pros & Tips
Death metal enthusiast here. I am a Romanian musician and producer with over 13 years of experience in the music industry. I’ve experienced all types of Metal up until now, playing Melodic Death Metal, Brutal Death Metal, and Black Metal with different bands. Learning by doing is my base principle, which is why I’ve been drawn to sound design from an early age. Read more…