The 8 Best Filter Plugins For Better Mixes 2023

Filters have become an integral part of music production ever since they appeared in hardware form. From the classic analog goodness to the ultra-flexible modern filters, we cover eight of the best filter plugins you could buy in 2023 and five timeless free ones in this article.

Filters find their use during mixing and mastering, sound designing, and sometimes even audio recording. Let’s look into filters in more detail:

A filter is a plugin that removes a specific part(s) of your audio’s frequency spectrum in a way you specify. For example, a second-order high pass filter at 200Hz attenuates all the frequencies below 200Hz with a slope of 12dB per octave.

However, that’s not all a dedicated filter does. Some filter plugins have a specialized sound built into them – using saturation and slope shapes to emulate an analog filter is one of the most common types. Similarly, some offer gating and modulation features along with filters. These kinds of filters are one of the biggest timesavers, especially if you are producing electronic music.

To understand further, the regular EQ plugins we are familiar with are, in fact, collections of a variety of filters like a cut-off, notch, bandpass, and band-stop. However, when we talk about filters, we generally mean cut-offs and bandpasses with much more control, variety, and drastic manipulation.

The 8 Best Filter Plugins For Better Mixes 2023

1. FabFilter Volcano 3 

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Volcano 3 sports a complete overhaul over its previous iteration of this creative filter plugin with a fiery user interface, better filters, and even more flexibility.

First released back in 2005, this 2021 version of the Volcano filter plugin is filled to the brim with features. Despite its incredibly futuristic and digital user interface, the filter plugin boasts a vintage-style gritty and creamy sound. And if I’ve learned anything from reviewing FabFilter plugins, things are bound to get quite complicated as we dive in.

Let’s talk about the user interface. Volcano 3 features three main sections from top to bottom on its UI: the filter display, the controls, and the modulation section. The filter display resembles a parametric EQ and shows each filter you’ve added. Similarly, the filter controls let you change the settings for the selected filter. And lastly, the modulation section shows all the modulation sources that can generate highly creative results.

Key Features:

• Multiple Filters
  The filter display section is an interactive display that lets you add up to four analog-modeled, self-oscillating filters. You can effortlessly create a new filter by double-clicking on the frequency spectrum. Likewise, you can change the frequency and resonance of each filter using your mouse. And a small pop-up lets you change the filter shape and pan of each filter.
  Furthermore, you can add a low-cut or a high-cut filter by double-clicking on the left or right edge of the frequency spectrum. Changing the slope of the filters is as easy as scrolling your mouse wheel over the filter nodes. Similarly, other commands and shortcuts make working with Volcano 3 rapid and intuitive.
• Routing
  The middle section of this plugin holds the filter controls. And you’ll find the Routing controls on the left part of this section. Here, you can change how the filters are connected and the plugin’s channel mode. First, you can make any two filters connected in parallel or serial mode. And the routing mode button changes whether the filters are in stereo, dual-mono, or mid/side mode. In a mastering session, the mid/side mode is handy as a stereo imager.
• Grit and Style
  Each filter offers a drive knob that controls the input drive of the filter. You can increase it to make the filter grittier and saturated. Similarly, the Style button reveals a menu of eleven types of filters, each with a distinct flavor:
  • Classic
    The Classic style is the filter design from the FabFilter One synthesizer. It sounds smooth and responds rapidly to modulations.
  • Smooth
    As the name suggests, this style prioritizes smoothness. So, it’s ideal for creating filter sweeps that sound close to hardware sounds.
  • Raw
    This style generates a lot of overdriven sound and flavor. FabFilter recommends it to distort guitar sounds. And I recommend it to add some bite to a bass guitar.
  • Hard
    This style is slightly less distorted than the previous one. Still, it is rather feisty.
  • Hollow
    The Hollow style offers a moderate amount of distortion with a lot of low-end self-oscillation. Self-oscillation essentially means the filter generates a waveform similar to a sinewave when you increase the resonance high enough. It’s a trait found in analog filters, which was once undesirable but is now used creatively.
  • Extreme
    It adds the most amount of distortion. And it’s very unpredictable.
  • Gentle
    This style is the most common style of filters you’ll find. It’s ideal for general use cases.
  • Tube
    The name itself suggests a warmer, shaped sound. And I find it excellent on electric keyboard sounds like the Mark II, although FabFilter also recommends it for synths.
  • Metal
    The Metal style provides a rough, sharp sound. And it creates a type of ringing distortion.
  • Easy Going
    The Easy-Going style is the softer version of the Tube style.
  • Clean
    This one doesn’t add any saturation or clipping at all. So, it turns the filter into a digital design.

• Modulation
  First, you can add a delay of up to 50ms on each filter. This feature allows you to combine the sound with other filters parallelly and create the Haas, chorus, and flanging effects. However, you’ll need to modulate the filters to get creative and moving results.
  Volcano 3 offers five types of modulation sources, which can modulate just about any parameter on the interface. These sources include XLFO, envelope generator, envelope follower, MIDI, and XY controller. Let’s check out each in more detail:
  • XLFO
    The XLFO can generate custom waveforms that sync with your DAW’s BPM to create rhythmic or smooth movements. You can also use it as a traditional LFO. However, the fun starts when you turn it into a 16-step sequencer with a glide setting per step.
  • Envelope Generator
    This source generates a standard ADSR envelope. You can trigger this generator with a MIDI input or an audio signal. Furthermore, this audio signal can be an external side-chain input.
  • Envelope Follower
    The Envelope Follower source follows the audio signal’s loudness, whether it’s internal or external side-chain audio. You can customize the attack and release times of the modulator to change how fast it responds. And you can switch to a transient mode to make it react to fast transients like drum hits.
  • MIDI & XY Controller
    The MIDI modulation source lets you use any MIDI data like CC data as a modulation signal. It’s excellent for controlling the parameters using your MIDI keyboard or sequencing plugin. Similarly, the XY controller lets you control two parameters simultaneously using a virtual XY-pad. You can also use a virtual slider to control only one parameter.

Compatibility:

Volcano 3 is available for Windows Vista or higher 32-bit and 64-bit and macOS 10.12 or higher 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Summary:

If flexibility, modulation, and fast workflow are essential to your music production, Volcano 3 isn’t a plugin you want to miss out on. This awesome filter plugin provides just about every feature you could imagine on a filter plugin. Furthermore, it sounds super smooth and can emulate analog-style grit or modern transparency as you want. Its modulation features allow this filter to turn a boring saw pad into an exciting rhythm with a complex chorus effect single-handedly. And while the fairly steep price may make it seem pricey, the sheer power of this plugin makes it feel like a steal.

Related Reading:

Top 10 FabFilter Plugins For Mixing & Mastering 

2. SoundToys FilterFreak 2 (Analog Creative)

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Or Buy Here (Support Integraudio)

From silky-smooth filters to overdriven hardware saturation, give your audio the analog touch with this plugin.

FilterFreak 2 is a highly configurable resonant filter plug-in that combines the sounds of vintage filter units with modern versatility. It has two filter modules capable of performing low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and notch filtering. Furthermore, it also offers “pole” switches to control the filter slope steepness.

Similarly, there are plenty of modulation sources available in this plugin, and each offers in-depth editing to create customized sweeps, sci-fi laser effects, or gated riser effects. However, it’s worth noting that only one of the available modulators can be used simultaneously, and it affects the frequency parameter alone. Although, this ensures simplicity and quick results for sure.

Key Features:

• Analog Filters
  Each filter type in FilterFreak 2 has been carefully designed to sound and react like real, hardware analog filters. Sweeping around with the filter knob creates no unwanted artifacts, and you can select different pole values ranging from 2 to 8 in pairs. As a side note, if you aren’t familiar with the classic terminology, just multiply the pole value by six (because 1 pole equals 6dB/oct).
• Parallel or Serial
  You can set the filters routed in either parallel mode or serial mode. And since this is an analog emulation, you will hear distinct character changes when you switch between the modes, more than a typical filter plugin. This behavior is because there is an analog circuit emulation at the end of the plugin chain as well, so the generated sound becomes saturated to give a warmer sound. However, you can turn it off if you don’t want it.
• Rhythm Mode
  If you click on the white button on the fourth section of the plugin, you can switch to various modulators available in this plugin, and one of them is the Rhythm Mode. This mode is akin to a sophisticated LFO, but the real fun begins when you “Tweak” it to create custom rhythm patterns. It offers a grid-based curve editor, where you can create any kind of tempo-synced rhythm you want.
• Even More Modulators
  Other than the Rhythm Mode, five more modulator types are available in the plugin: LFO, Envelope, Random, Step, and ADSR. Filterfreak 2 does not accept sidechain input for either Envelope or ADSR; instead, you will be using the main audio input and a threshold for the ADSR. However, it does accept midi inputs for midi-triggering.

Compatibility:

FilterFreak 2 is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.10 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Summary:

This plugin is a perfect blend between simplicity and complexity. You cannot do insane routings and modulation, but you can quickly create exciting rhythm patterns and much-wanted effects such as wah-wah, sweeps, stereo-modulation, etc. In addition, it also offers tweaks inside its hardware emulation to change its character. However, it’s worth noting that this plugin is on the pricier side, so we suggest trying it out first before grabbing it.

Related Reading:

12 Best Soundtoys Plugins For Pro Mix

3. Polyverse Supermodal NEW*

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Or Buy Here (Support Integraudio)

Polyverse Supermodal is a dedicated filter based on a twin-filter engine; they operate in parallel and are very different.

Its great Modal filter alters your tracks, which imitates the sound of various resonant bodies. With a parallel state-variable filter and a large modulation system, a single audio input can be changed into a wide range of frequencies to make shimmering dramatic landscapes, pulsing beats, pads with harmonic motion, or anything else you can think of.

Key Features:

• Models
  It has 27 modes with different resonances, called Variants, and they are grouped into 9 filter models that emulate familiar objects, instruments, and sounds, as well as non-traditional sounds.
  They have fluid controls like a spherical control in the middle that shows all the patterns, which you can set using slider points.
• Input And Output
  You have controls that help us alter the Output and Input of the plugin and control that represents Wet/Dry. Along with Drive, all these controls can be locked using the lock button next to the slider.
• Filter Mode
  This filter that you can find in Supermodal is complemented by a variable filter equipped with 3 modes, a fixed flop of 24dB per octave, and an algorithm that handles saturation. These two filters (modal and standard) are arranged in parallel, so you can easily alter them together.
• Modulation
  Supermodal incorporates Polyverse’s Manipulator plugin’s modulation component, making it powerful.
  The 6 modulation sources—envelope follower, sequencer, ADSR envelope, randomizer, and MIDI input—can be assigned to the 4 modulation slots. The generators may cross-modulate and modulate most plugin parameters.
• Controls
  The plugin is divided into two parts: the top holds the main controls, and the bottom has 4 compartments, each holding 6 modifiers. All the controls on the small screen have an image that transforms with a parameter for a real-time visual impact.
  It can offer filters from HP to LP via BP, and once chosen, the filter frequency can be set. The plugin also holds Decay, Resonance, and a Drive control that looks like something from a spaceship.

Compatibility:
Polyverse Supermodal is available in VST, AAX, and AU formats (32-bit and 64-bit) for Windows 10,8,7 and macOS 10.12 – 10.15.

Summary:
Supermodal is a plugin that offers a very cool sound. It’s packaged nicely, and the experience of using it is satisfying, as you won’t have moments where you lack inspiration, so you’ll have plenty of hours of fun if you use it.

If you’re thinking of getting a plugin like this, this is a must-have because it won’t fail like other plugins because there’s not as much creativity in them.

4. Waves Metafilter

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Waves MetaFilter is a sound-shaping filter plugin with their Virtual Voltage technology for analog sound.

There is a single filter module in this plugin. And it is designed to deliver the warmth and fatness of classic analog filters while being paired with modern control and flexibility. You can modulate the filter’s cutoff, resonance, and delay time using three separate modulators.

The filter section has low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, comb, and gain options. The gain option could be used to get gating, stuttering, and ducking effects when paired with the sequencer. It also offers sound design tools like a stereo enhancer, a saturator, and a resampler.

Key Features:

• Analog Sounds
  MetaFilter uses Waves’ Virtual Voltage technology to emulate analog hardware units. This feature gives the entire plugin a very earthy sound. The plugin also features a Drive parameter to add further to the analog vibe, which overdrives the filter unit to give saturation to your audio.
• 3 Modulators
  Meta Filter has an LFO, a step sequencer, and an envelope follower. The step sequencer can have up to 16 steps, as shown in the picture. And the envelope follower can either react to the main audio input or a sidechain input. Setting it to react to the main audio input is a great way to get a quick and easy “wah-wah” effect.
• A Delay Unit
  This filter plugin also sports a delay unit. It can be synced to your tempo or not, and you can also offset the right output channel to give it an enveloping sound. There’s an “Analog” button on the left side of the delay section, making the delay time parameter smoother. So, you can then automate it without artifacts. The Route button switches the delay from being routed before the filter or set in a feedback loop.

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:

Built around a multimode filter with extensive modulation possibilities, the MetaFilter is a convenient plugin that offers plenty of features to get great-sounding results quickly. Using a rhythmic audio clip with the comb filter set to follow the audio signal, for example, is a great way to get complex results with fewer tweaks.

Related Reading:

20 Best Waves Plugins For Mixing, Mastering & Producing

5. Rift Filter Lite

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Rift Filter Lite is a modern filter plugin for producers to shape and manipulate audio signals.

It includes various filter types and modes, such as high-pass, low-pass, band-pass, and notch filters. The plugin also features a comprehensive effects section, including distortion, EQ, and delay effects, allowing you to add more processing to your filtered sound. Its user-friendly interface provides visual feedback on the settings and adjustments, making navigating and using the plugin easy.

Key Features:

• Resonance & Drive control
  You can adjust the filters’ resonance, creating a unique sound and adding character to the audio. Further, its drive control feature allows you to add saturation to the audio, which can add warmth and harmonic distortion to the sound.
• LFO modulation
  The plugin includes an LFO (Low-Frequency Oscillator) modulation feature that allows you to create dynamic and evolving filter effects by adjusting the speed and depth of the modulation.
• Intuitive interface
  With a user-friendly interface, the filter is easy to navigate and use. Its interface includes visual representations of the filters and modulation settings, allowing quick and easy adjustments.
• Low CPU usage
  Designed to be lightweight and efficient, with low CPU usage, the plugin ensures smooth and responsive audio processing even on less powerful systems.

Compatibility:

The filter is available as a VST plugin for Windows, an Audio Unit plugin for macOS, and AAX plugin for Pro Tools users, making it compatible with most major digital audio workstations (DAWs). In terms of OS, it requires macOS 10.9 or higher or Windows 10.

Summary:

7. UVI Shade

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UVI Shade is a versatile equalizer/filter capable of advanced modulation and comb filtering.

This plugin goes well beyond the capabilities of traditional equalizers and filters. While we’ve listed it as a filter plugin, it is an EQ on steroids more accurately. Likewise, its drag-and-drop and intuitive workflow make it fast, effective, and superior to many existing products on the market.

Furthermore, it provides a giant collection of presets divided across seven factory categories. These include animated basics, animated complex, color, dynamic, filtering, moving FX, and utility. As you’d expect, the animated presets exploit Shade’s modulation capabilities, turning a simple synth sound into awe-inspiring patterns.

Key Features:

• Filter Types
  Shade has thirty-five types of filters available. These are divided into the following groups: low-pass, high-pass, notch, band-pass, high shelf, low shelf, peak, phaser, comb, and special. Each provides multiple options like resonant, multi-resonant, Sallen Key, and Xpander. Furthermore, among the regular filter types you find in most EQs, Shade provides three exceptional designs.
  Phaser filters let you create phasing effects when combined with modulation, and comb filters are for comb filtering. Moreover, the special category offers a tilt EQ and an Xpander filter, which itself has a whopping thirty-seven modes and three saturation types. The modes include various types of low-pass, high-pass, hybrid filters, etc.
• Modulation
  You can add an infinite number of modulators to the plugin’s dedicated modulator area. The modulation sources available are as follows: Envelope, Figure, Follower, LFO, Macro, MSEG, Random, Spread, and XY pad. Assigning a modulator is intuitive—right-click a parameter and select the desired modulator from the list. Similarly, another option is to drag the module’s label from the modulation section and drop it on the parameter you want.
  The Figure modulator lets you use a two-dimensional LFO represented as a circular shape with up to eight vertices and support for rotation. Similarly, the Follower modulator uses internal or external side-chain audio signals to modulate parameters. And MSEG lets you create custom envelopes on a node-based graph to form rhythmic patterns or smooth envelopes.
• Stereo Processing
  Each band in Shade provides multiple stereo processing modes: Stereo LR, Stereo MS, Left, Right, Mono/Mid, and Side. As a result, you can apply filters only to the side part of the audio to generate wide, immersive movements. Likewise, you can also use the comb filter to create pseudo-stereo effects in mono audio by filtering each side of the stereo channel separately. And if you’re mastering, target specific instruments using a mid or side mode or left or right channel mode.
• Comprehensive
  On top of the powerful yet user-friendly EQ and modulation features, Shade provides many other seemingly minor features that help you during music production. For example, it has a built-in limiter that prevents ear or equipment damage when you’re designing complex modulations and filter shapes. Furthermore, you can change the slope of the frequency spectrum analyzer. Likewise, you can copy the settings from one instance of Shade to another.

Compatibility:

UVI Shade is available for Windows 8 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

Shade covers pretty much every filtering and EQing need you might face in any stage of music production. It is a modern equalizer capable of both digital EQing and analog-style shapes and saturation.

Similarly, almost every band in this EQ can change its slope from as low as 6 dB/octave to a mind-boggling 2,000 dB/octave. Furthermore, its detailed modulator section helps you create intricate sounds that would otherwise require far too much work.

Overall, it’s excellent for editing, mixing, sound designing, mastering, and beyond. Considering the value Shade offers and its extremely reasonable price, I highly recommend this plugin.

Related Reading:

Top 4 Comb Filter & Resonator Plugins | Melda, Kilohearts, Tritik, UVI

8. Arturia Filter MINI

More Info & Price (Trial Available)
A renowned brand makes its version of an equally renowned instrument.

Arturia is one of the best plugin and virtual instrument developers active nowadays. When they make a virtual instrument rendition of a famous piece of gear, it usually gets awesome in the least. This is also true for Filter MINI, a faithful reproduction of the iconic Moog Model Mini.

Key Features:

• • Syncable LFO
    Filter MINI replicates the smallest details about the original hardware’s circuit, so you can expect to have syncable LFOs according to phase and adapted for multiple waveforms, aside from a cutoff and “Emphasis Modulation” controls.
  • Envelope
    The unique “Complex EnvelopeFollower” command is adapted for sensitivity control and modulation routing simultaneously, containing “Filter Cutoff,” “Emphasis,” and “LFO Rate Modulation” adjustments.
  • Step sequencer
    Plugin comes with a step sequencer to help you create new and innovative pattern. For example, it has a syncable step sequencer with a “Smooth” control and extended modulation routing possibilities (“Emphasis,” “Filter Cutoff,” and “LFO Rate Modulation” controls).
  • True Analog Emulation
    Arturia’s trademarked technology, entitled “True Analog Emulation,” is an immersive approach to nail the perfect nuances created by the original instrument covered, no matter which one. This awesome feature ensures every virtual instrument in their catalog sounds as natural and characteristic as its original counterpart, and Filter MINI includes this.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for mac OS 10.13 or higher and Windows 8.1 or higher, both 64-bit. It comes in VST, AAX, AU, and NKS plugin formats.

Summary:

Moog’s inspired Filter MINI is one of the best filter plugins available. With a built-in step sequencer and amount of features it comes with, this plugin can be used as a regular or creative filtering tool. 

The 5 Best FREE Filter Plugins 2023

1. Polyverse Filtron NEW*

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Polyverse Filtron is a free filter plugin that offers a 12 dB state-variable filter designed to seamlessly shift between various filter types, including lowcut, bandpass, and highcut.

It can even self-oscillate and produce interesting sound effects. It allows for Control Voltage (CV) sidechain modulation, with each channel in a stereo pair as a separate modulation source and optimized for audio rate modulation. Its dual-mode nonlinear drive offers warm, soft saturation and powerful overdrive, catering to various sonic needs.

Key Features:

Compatibility:

Polyverse Music released a free version of Filtron in various plugin formats, including VST, VST3, AU, and AAX, for both Windows and macOS.

Summary:

Polyverse Filtron has features like Control Voltage Sidechain Modulation, allowing parameter modulation through CV generators. Filtron’s internal saturator provides warm and soft saturation, and its output offers a powerful overdrive with both ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ modes.

The plugin’s intuitive interface includes MIDI learn options and customizable GUI scaling. With the ability to seamlessly integrate into your effects chain, Filtron is one of the best filter plugins.

2. Noiiz Filter By Noizz

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Simplicity at its best.

The Noiize Filter is a unique filter plugin designed to emulate analog filters. It has four types of filters: high-pass, low-pass, band-pass, and notch. However, the most interesting part we found in this plugin is its noise generator. The noise it generates is designed to mold with your input audio to create interesting effects.

Key Features:

• Analog Filters
  There are four types of filters and multiple flavors under each type to reach nine kinds of filters in this plugin. Each filter is designed to emulate the analog shape and character, so the ending result is warm and silky smooth.
• Noise
  The noise generator has a huge library of noises you can choose from. It includes unconventional noises like rain to highly-demanded ones like vinyl crackles. So, you could even use this plugin to get Lo-Fi sounds. There is a dedicated knob to control the noise level, so you could have it turned off or as loud as you need. Similarly, you can also change the pitch of the noise to create interesting “riser” effects.
• Drive
  Since the plugin is an analog emulation, some warm-sounding saturation is crucial as a cherry on top. And Noiize Filter delivers it by offering a convincing overdriven circuit that works with the filter resonance to give beautiful distortion.

Compatibility:

It is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, 64-bit. It comes in VST 2, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

We often need a simple filter plugin that does the job, and that’s when the Noiize Filter works best. You might also like its noise feature to add some background texture to your audio. However, it’s worth mentioning that despite being free, you need to become a free member of Noiize to download this plugin.

3. BPB Dirty Filter

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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.

4. HY-Filter3

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The free version of HY-Filter3 is a creative filter plugin with two unconventional kinds of filtering.

Instead of an individual cutoff or band filter, HY-Filter3 Free offers two types of filters, both of which use a mix of multiple filtering techniques. The plugin also has a saturator, offset for skewering the band, a three-band EQ, and an LFO modulator. Together, they form a powerful sound design tool.

Key Features:

• Type I: SVF
  The ‘state variable filter’ allows you to set a filter type between low-pass, band-pass, and high-pass as you want. For example, setting the dial somewhere between LP and BP will give you some high frequencies along with the full sound of the low-pass filter. This technique is incredibly useful to create a milder effect when it comes to filtering your audio.
• Type II: Reso
  The Reso type is based on the MAM RS3 Resonator. It uses a complex combination of three band-pass filters and an LFO modulator to give sweeping sound effects. There are three kinds of Reso filters to choose from in this plugin, and you can also set the band-pass filters to any frequencies you want.
• Modulation
  The HY-Filter2 Free has a single LFO modulator, which can modulate the filter frequency. There are multiple waveforms to choose from, and you can also sync the LFO to your DAW. Another thing worth noting is the Randomizer, which can either reset the displayed parameters or randomize their value to create interesting effects.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher 32-bit or 64-bit and macOS 10.11 or higher 64-bit.

Summary:

The HY-Filter3 Free is a feature-rich freeware that lets you get interesting sounds in a short time. However, for simple filtering tasks such as removing a low-frequency hum, this plugin could be overkill. So instead, what it shines at is sculpting synth sounds to create sweeping soundscapes or distorted garble.

5. Phuturetone Philteroid

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Turn any boring sound into something interesting with this filter plus sonic modulator combo.

Philteroid is a dual resonant filter effect that sounds fantastic, especially on rhythmic sounds, paired with its AM, FM, and saturation features. There are five types of filters: low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, and all-pass. Add the modulations, and it can turn a basic sound into one with unique character and fascinating textures, in addition to pure filtering.

There isn’t a dedicated modulator to automate the filter section. However, almost every knob is automatable, so you can use your DAW’s envelopes or modulators to create impressive effects in no time. In addition, the filters are quite smooth-sounding even when paired with the input drive.

Key Features:

• Amplitube Modulation
  The AM feature can act on the internal audio generated by the filters. However, you can control how much AM is applied to your audio using the envelope follower with the sidechain feature. Similarly, you could also use external audio to apply AM on your main audio to create rich sounds. There are also ADSR envelopes and midi-triggering to further help you in targeting your AM.
• Frequency Modulation
  With the FM feature, filters can be synced in eleven preselected harmonic offsets in the filter frequencies and modulated internally by the generated audio. However, like with AM, you could also use external audio to apply FM. ADSR envelopes and midi-triggering are also available. Although, the midi input also acts as the FM note tracker.
• 12 inputs/outputs
  There are twelve input and output ports, but they aren’t filtered. Instead, they are used for routing and modulation. It’s worth noting the filters themselves are mono.

Compatibility:

Philteroid is available for Windows 7 or higher at 32-bit only. It comes in VST 2 format.

Summary:

Although the lack of a 64-bit version and the difficult interface makes it a bit of a miss, the amount of creative sounds you could create using this plugin and a couple of audio signals is incredible.  If you are looking for a quick and frugal way to get gritty-sounding AM and FM, you should give this plugin an honest try.

6. Audiomodern Filterstep

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Filterstep is a filter plugin designed for getting intricate rhythmic sounds.

There is a single filter in this plugin, and you can select from a high-pass, a band-pass, and a low-pass filter. The lower section is the sequencer that lets you create patterns for your filter’s frequency parameter. In contrast, the upper section lets you control the sequencer’s properties, direction, randomize the sequencer, and so on.

The first slider on the left lets you adjust the filter’s smoothness when changing the frequency with the sequencer. And the second one adjusts the range of the sequencer. Finally, the third one lets you adjust the filter’s resonance. There is a clean bypass button on the left that is automatable too.

Key Features:

• Sequencer
  The lower section of the plugin is an easy-to-use sequencer where you can adjust the value of the frequency using the steps. You could also use the dice button to randomize the sequencer and get complicated sounds. The sequencer lets you set the rate of playback, number of steps, and sync or not sync to your DAW. The key icon lets you keep certain steps locked while exploring random variations on the rest of the sequencer.
• Multi-Pattern
  At the bottom of the pattern, you’ll find a row of buttons labeled presets. Each can hold a new pattern for your sequencer, so switching the rhythm style in the middle of your song is as easy as changing the pattern. Once you modify your sequencer values, just click on an empty slot, and the new sequence gets stored in that slot.
• Infinite Generation
  Filterstep can create an infinite number of sequences. You can also tell it to generate a certain number of patterns and repeat itself. If you just want a textural background in your project, try using many regenerations to achieve unending texture variations.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.12 or higher, 32-bit and 64-bit. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and iOS formats.

Summary:

Filterstep is a great plugin to get rhythmic sounds. You could use it to achieve predictable rhythms like a gated synth pad and bass or get random sonic movements with the randomizer. We would highly recommend keeping this phenomenal plugin in your arsenal as it’s truly one-of-a-kind.

Bonus Plugins:

Tokyo Dawn Labs OD DeEdger (Minimal)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

OD DeEdger is an advanced audio plugin that removes harshness and unwanted resonance from your audio material.

Developed by Tokyo Dawn Labs, this plugin is ideal for mixing engineers, music producers, and sound designers looking to achieve a cleaner and smoother sound in their mixes. By intelligently identifying and reducing harsh frequencies, OD DeEdger preserves your audio’s natural tonal balance and character, making it an indispensable tool for various applications, from mixing and mastering to post-production and sound design.

Key Features:

• Dynamic Resonance Suppression
  DeEdger’s core functionality lies in its ability to dynamically suppress harsh resonances, providing a more natural and smooth sound without compromising the overall audio quality.
• Intuitive Controls
  Regarding controls, the plugin offers an easy-to-use interface with user-friendly controls for adjusting the threshold, range, and other parameters, making it simple for you to fine-tune the de-edging process to suit their needs.
• Transparent Processing
  Designed to be transparent and minimally invasive, the tool allows you to maintain the integrity of your original audio material while effectively reducing harshness and resonance.
• Frequency Focused
  The plugin allows you to target specific frequency ranges for de-edging, ensuring that only the problematic areas are treated, resulting in a more natural and balanced sound.
• Real-Time Analysis
  OD DeEdger provides real-time visual feedback, allowing you to monitor the de-edging process and make precise adjustments as needed.

Compatibility:

The plugin is available in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats, ensuring compatibility with various digital audio workstations (DAWs) and platforms.

Summary:

Cableguys FilterShaper 3 (Flexible Filter)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

With two powerful filters and an incredibly flexible modulation architecture, FilterShaper 3 is a strong contender among the modern options.

Each filter in this plugin has many types of filters you can choose. In addition, each filter has a drive, pan, and volume knob for even more flexibility. What’s more, almost all of these parameters are automatable. However, the biggest strength of this plugin is in the modulation department, which offers near-limitless flexibility.

Another thing worth mentioning is that the preset library is constantly being updated by a user-powered community, so creativity inspiration never runs out of this plugin. Similarly, enabling the external sidechain feature is yet another way to explore entirely new possibilities.

Key Features:

• Variety Of Filters
  There is a big list of filter types available for you to work with. There are two types of filtering characters: clean and Salen-Key. The latter is based on the 1955 design by R. P. Sallen and E. L. Key of MIT Lincoln Lab. The filters are neatly categorized based on their character and slope steepness, ranging from 6dB/oct to 24dB/oct.
• Filter Chain
  The two filters can be set to work in a serial chain or a parallel chain. With the parallel chain, you can easily get a multiband-style effect with many kinds of filters.
• Numerous Possibilities
  There is a circular button next to most of the parameter knobs in this plugin. Clicking on this button opens the particular parameter’s modulation section, containing two LFOs and one envelope follower. And on top of that, each LFO has its own speed and intensity control — each with its own LFO and envelope follower, again. So in total, you have 60 LFOs and 50 envelope followers, taking the sonic possibilities beyond imagination.
• Custom Envelope
  The envelope section of this plugin is fully editable. You can even open a larger view of the editor and design your envelope in meticulous detail. Furthermore, FilterShaper 3 comes with a square transformation tool to help you design your envelope curves even faster.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher 32-bit and 64-bit or macOS 10.8 or higher 64-bit. It comes in VST 2, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

FilterShaper 3 is an incredible frequency-sculpting plugin that can produce insanely complex modulation while keeping everything simple and understandable. All you have to do is load up some fantastic presets and try it out on various kinds of audio; you will find out why many favor this versatile beast.

Native Instruments Driver (Best Minimal)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

“Driver” is a filter, distortion, and modulation effect plugin by Native Instruments. 

It consists of great quality filters paid with distortion algorithms that can create extreme effects but also subtle effects. It also includes two modulation sources capable of producing dramatic textural shifts. As a result, it’s one of the most diverse and coolest filter plugins, with effects ranging from destruction to butter-smooth sweeps.

Key Features:

• Filter window
  The left half of the plugin is where you can adjust the input level and resonance and turn on sidechaining.  There are knobs like smooth (responsiveness of the envelope) and release (release time of the envelope follower) that you can use to shape the filter.
• Modulations
  You can do amplitude modulation and switch between oscillator and audio. You can also do frequency modulation and distortion modulation such that the sine and triangle wave sliders will control the modulation they apply on the frequency and distortion knobs.
• Versatility
  The range of effects on the plugin is diverse. It’s also easy to use and creates amazing movements and rhythmic patterns in your sounds.
• Flexibility
  The filter is switchable between a low pass and a notch filter. Lastly, you can adjust the filter frequency using the frequency knob.

Compatibility:

It’s a KOMPLETE effect available in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin formats and requires a minimum of macOS 10.15 or Windows 10 operating systems, Intel Core i5 or equivalent CPU, and 4 GB RAM.

Summary:

The plugin has an intuitive GUI with tweakable knobs and an attractive-looking interface, with well-laid-out sliders and knobs that map directly to the controllers. In addition, the presets in the plugin can help you get started with different types of effects.

Sixth Sample SSF Filter (Minimal, Yet Effective)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Filter modulation is the oldest trick in the book of electronic music, and it just got better.

Sixth Sample has kicked off to a great start with SSF, the brand’s first plugin that makes filters fun and straightforward. Essentially, it’s a plugin that provides multiple types of filters and a built-in modulator to create rhythmic patterns or engaging sweeps. You can use it as a riser effect, create a ducking effect on various instruments, or as a minimal filter to remove unwanted frequencies.

Key Features:

• Variety
  SSF employs eight types of filters. These include a low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, notch, low-shelf, high-shelf, peak, and all-pass/volume. Of course, you can change the cutoff frequency and resonance of most filter types, excluding the high/low-shelves and all-pass mode. Instead, the shelf filters let you control the gain, whereas the all-pass mode allows you to control the output volume. Similarly, the peak mode lets you control the resonance and the frequency boost volume like a parametric EQ.
• Modulation
  The most important feature of this plugin is modulation. It employs a built-in LFO and an envelope generator. The LFO modulates the cutoff frequency, and you can enable it by clicking on the Modulate button at the top left of the user interface. Below the Modulate button, you’ll find the Sync button that syncs the LFO to your DAW. Similarly, the Reverse mode changes the direction of the LFO.
  You’ll find two sliders labeled Min and Max in the Cutoff section. These control the range of the LFO. So, you can modulate between two specific frequencies effortlessly and make exciting changes using automation. Next, you’ll find the envelope controls, which control how the LFO behaves. For example, turning up the Sustain makes the LFO stick towards the Max end of the range (or Min, if Reverse is enabled) more and more. Similarly, the Curve knob changes the acceleration of the LFO.
• Random Mode
  You’ll find the Random Mode at the top left of the user interface. This mode creates randomized patterns, which change the LFO rate automatically. The pattern can be of the following lengths: one beat, two beats, one bar, and two bars. Next, clicking on the gear icon at the top right of the interface reveals a pop-up option, where you can select Random Rates.
  Random Rates are the LFO rates you want the randomizer to include. You could select only two of them or all six for maximum variation. Then, click on the Shuffle button, revealing two options: rate and skip. Releasing your mouse-click over Rate randomizes the LFO rate. Conversely, releasing your mouse click over the Skip option randomizes the Skip button next to Shuffle. This Skip button skips some of the rates in your randomizing pattern.
• Themes
  SSF comes with twenty different color themes that you can use to customize your experience. Based on their appearances, these are named Galaxy, Camo, Lush, Flamingo, Shadow, Navy, Ocean, Forest, etc. Try the SS for a light theme and the Coral theme for a darker design.

Compatibility:

SSF is available for Windows 8.1 or higher and macOS 10.0 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 3 and AU formats.

Summary:

If you are an electronic music producer or enjoy designing new sounds, SSF is a great filter plugin. It offers a comprehensive set of filters and an all-pass mode, ideal for creating side-chained ducking and other similar effects. Its built-in LFO can go as fast as 50 times a second, all the while remaining smooth and glitch-free. Similarly, the Swing knob lets you change the groove of the LFO and match your project. The only issue in SSF is the lack of filter slope options. Still, it’s an excellent all-rounder filter plugin that is very well-priced.

Related Reading:

Deelay by Integraudio & Sixth Sample – Free Delay VST/AU Plugin

Audiodamage Filterstation 2 (Creative & Minimal)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

Filterstation 2 is a simple dual-filter plugin with a dozen filter types each.

The plugin features a large graphical interface that displays the rendition of the two filters. On the graph, dragging the filter nodes left-and-right changes their frequencies, whereas moving them up and down changes their resonance. In addition, there is a chain-link icon between the two filters to link them together as well.

Below the graph, the first two sections are dedicated to deeper filter controls. The third section shows envelope controls to control the sidechain, and the fourth is, of course, an LFO modulator.

Key Features:

• Dual Filters
  Filterstation 2 has a total of two filters in the plugin. There are 11 filter types (+1 “none”) assignable to each. The filter types include 5 low-pass, 3 high-pass, 1 band-pass, 1 notch, and 1 peak filter. Several of the filters are emulations of hardware units, so they offer unique sounds. Unfortunately, you cannot change the slope steepness on any of the filters.
• Sidechain
  The plugin supports both internal and external sidechaining. The Envelope section controls how the sidechain detector reacts to the input. And the “Env Amount” in the filter sections controls how much the sidechain affects the filter frequency.
• A dedicated LFO
  There is a single LFO modulator that can control the frequency of either or both of the filters. There are 12 kinds of LFO shapes you can choose from. They involve the bread-and-butter sine, triangle, saw, pulse wave, etc., and “patterns,” which give rhythmic modulations.

Compatibility:

Filterstation 2 is available for Windows 8.1 or higher and macOS 10.12 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Summary:

If you are looking for a simplistic filter that gets the job done quickly, then Filterstation fits the bill. However, it is worth noting that you cannot change the slope steepness in this plugin. Then again, it makes up for the limitation by offering sidechain and LFO modulation for accomplishing the most demanded creative effects in the shortest time.

Tonsturm SPCTRL EQ (Modern Creative)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

SPCTRL EQ is the very definition of creative freedom when it comes to audio manipulation.

As the name suggests, SPCTRL EQ could be dubbed an EQ plugin instead of a filter plugin. However, it works with freeform vector curves and spectral FFT filters with a band resolution of up to 4096. Similarly, it also supports modulation, preset shapes, etc., for even quicker results.

The main graph view on the user interface is where you will be doing most of your editing. Once you enable the Transform Mode, the lower section will display parameters for scaling and shifting your filter curve. Moreover, you can also select your band resolution, and frequency artifact cleaner and use a set of master cutoff filters.

Key Features:

• Spectral Editing
  Instead of regular plugins where you can select a certain type of filter and frequency, SPCTRL EQ allows you to shape your filters very intuitively using a freely transformable node-based curve. For example, you could create a simple linear high-pass filter or a complex step-ladder filter to sound as peculiar as you want. The resizable GUI helps make the interface convenient to use as well.
• Curve Shape
  You can change the curvature between any two points/nodes using not one but two curve editors. People who are familiar with vector graphics software will be instantly familiar with the bezier curve shaping. This feature lets you have much more control over the curve and the slope of your filters.
• Shape Mode
  With the Shape Mode, you can create a resizable square transformation box around your curves and shape the filters intuitively. Then, you can move the selected curves anywhere in the spectrum and scale the size of the curves on any axis. Similarly, you can also duplicate a filter shape as many times as you want inside the transformation box. And you can skewer the shapes left and right, or change the curve symmetrically. Together, they offer an incredible amount of flexibility over reshaping your filters.
• Transform Mode
  The Transform Mode allows you to tweak the entire frequency curve in real-time. You can rescale the curve, shift it in the spectrum, and even skewer the shape. However, since you use knobs to control the transformation, resetting the parameters will undo any changes. Furthermore, you could also use the LFO modulators on the parameters to get creative with the sound.

Compatibility:

SPCTRL EQ is available for Windows 10 or higher and macOS 10.11 or higher, both at 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Summary:

This plugin is one of the most advanced filters ever created and offers an incredible amount of flexibility over the sound. What impressed us the most are the borrowed techniques from graphics designing to offer innovative ways to make the process intuitive and fun. We highly recommend you give this plugin a try.

SoundSpot FAT 2 (Most Minimal)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

With an update over the free FAT plugin, SoundSpot has unveiled a beautiful and versatile analog filter plugin.

Fat 2 is a simple-looking filter plugin with four types of filters and two modulators, each dedicated to the cutoff and resonance. The filters have been designed to emulate the sound of analog filters. And each of the modulators is an envelope with free-form node-based editing.

We liked its minimalistic user interface and the analog sound most of all. The intuitive modulators also help keep this plugin understandable even for a new user.

Key Features:

• 4 Filter Types
  The filter types in this plugin include low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and FX filters. Each type contains five flavors, so you have 20 filters in total. The first three types of filters are designed to sound like analog gears, whereas the FX filter combines multiple filter types to provide peculiar sounding effects with ease.
• Modulators
  Both the filter frequency and resonance have a modulator each. The modulator envelope has a vector curve, where you can add as many nodes as you need. Similarly, you can also enable snap-to-grid to time your curves perfectly. Changing the grid size also changes the playback rate, so you can easily create effects like side-chained ducking.
• Presets
  There are plenty of presets with complex modulations to boost your creativity. In addition, Fat 2 can have a longer envelope length like 4 bars, so those presets are very much useable as transitional pieces. The built-in preset manager also lets you create and save your own presets.

Compatibility:

Fat 2 is available for Windows 7 or higher 32-bit or 64-bit and macOS 10.12 or higher 64-bit. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Summary:

Fans of analog filters will be overjoyed to see so many filters to choose from in this plugin. We enjoyed the great sound, fantastic resizable UI, and the intuitive envelope editor. However, the plugin does seem overpriced for its functionality. So, waiting for a sale might be the right thing to do if you enjoy this one.

NoiseAsh Action Filter (Compact Yet Powerful)

More Info & Price (Trial Available)

With a user-friendly UI and rapid, deeply adjustable controls, Action Filter is designed to meet your demands whenever you reach for any type of filter.

The plugin has two filters set in a serial chain. The filters have over a dozen filter types each, and some of them are designed to emulate analog models. In addition, each filter can have a modulator to automate its frequency and resonance parameters.

The modulation option includes three kinds of modulators: a custom envelope, an LFO, and a step sequencer. Each modulator can be set to sync with your DAW or run freely. Finally, there’s a saturation stage at the end of the chain to give your audio a gritty tone.

Key Features:

• Multimode Filters
  Each of the two filters has 13 types. There are six low-pass filters, three high-pass filters, a band-pass, a notch, an all-pass, and a ring mod. Being a serial chain, you could use the two filters to get even more intricate sounds out of the plugin without spending much time.
• Advanced Modulation Engine
  Acton Filter has a modulator for each filter module, including an LFO with 5 waveforms, a custom envelope, and a 32-bar step sequencer for endless possibilities. In addition, the custom envelope editor can be zoomed in and supports mouse modifiers for easy editing.
• Analog Sound
  There is no denying that analog units have their own unique sounds. And while plenty of plugin developers have replicated the analog filter shapes, only a few include an emulation of a vintage saturation unit. Action Filter employs a warm, analog saturator at the end of the effect chain, which could be used to add some warmth to your audio or to cause sonic destruction.

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher 32-bit or 64-bit and macOS 10.9.5 or higher 64-bit. It comes in VST 2, AU, and AAX versions.

Summary:

Despite the simplistic look, Action Filter packs quite a punch, especially considering the price when it’s on sale. This plugin should be highly satisfying if you want both a warm, analog sound and digital modulation magic.

FAQ

What Does A Filter Do To Sound?

A filter manipulates the spectral quality of sound by boosting or attenuating specified frequencies. There are different types of filters, each with its specific function. However, every kind of filter certainly affects the volume/level of frequencies, usually the ones you specify.

Before we talk about the types of filters, let’s first discuss the various parts of the filters we talked about in the previous section:

What Is A Filter Frequency?
The filter frequency is the position in the frequency spectrum where the filter acts. In some cases, however, such as in a band-pass filter, it’s where the filter doesn’t act. The illustration shows a high-pass filter, and the specified frequency is 500Hz.

What Is Resonance In A Filter?
The resonance is also called the “Q-Factor.” It is essentially a volume gain at the filter frequency, which can be either positive or negative. It is used to control the tone of a filter to make it more or less obvious. The picture illustrates a raised resonance, which will make the sound sharper.

What Is The Slope Of A Filter?
The slope is the distance between a filter’s active and inactive parts in a frequency spectrum. The slope is measured using decibel per octave (dB/oct). A low slope value means the spectrum will be manipulated smoothly, whereas a steep/high slope value means a harsher and more noticeable manipulation. Just like your vehicle’s speed, a higher value means a faster change from inactive to active and vice versa.

Next, let’s talk about the primary types of filters:

What Is A High-Pass Filter?

A high-pass filter is a type of filter that allows only the sounds higher than the frequency specified to be audible while turning the lower frequencies down. It is also called a low-cut filter. It is often used on instruments other than the bass to create spectral space and lessen muddiness.

What Is A Low-Pass Filter?

A low-pass filter is a filter that removes the sounds higher than the specified frequency while letting through everything below it. Thus, it is also called a high-cut filter. It mostly finds its use to reduce harshness or create “riser” effects by automating its frequency parameter.

What Is A Band-Pass Filter?

A band-pass filter allows only the specified range of frequencies to pass through and turns the rest of the spectrum down. On such a filter, adjusting the resonance/Q-factor changes the width of the band. People often use it in conjunction with send tracks to apply effects in higher precision.

What Is A Notch Filter?

A notch or band-stop filter removes the assigned range of frequencies while leaving everything else untouched. We often use it with a high Q-factor to surgically remove hums and hisses in audio. However, using multiple instances and automating their frequency parameters is a famous technique in achieving creative synth sounds.

What Is A Low-Shelf Filter?

A low-shelf filter affects the volume of only those frequencies that are below the specified frequency. Producers often use it to boost or reduce the low end of a mix to shape the overall tone. However, you could also use it in place of a high-pass filter to make the effect milder.

What Is A High-Shelf Filter?

The filter that only affects the volume of the sounds above the frequency you specify is a high-shelf filter. Probably the most famous use it has seen is in improving audio clarity. Occasionally, though, you might employ it to subtly reduce harsh high frequencies while keeping the audio from ending up lackluster.

What is A Peaking/bell Filter?

A peaking filter is a filter that changes the volume targetting a specific frequency. The effect can be narrowed down to nearly a single frequency or kept wide and subtle. It’s better to strategically reduce the volume rather than increase it to prevent raising the noise-floor.

 

But for now, let’s have a look at the best filter plugins available today!

Conclusion

Filters play one of the most important roles in creating good mixes. Sure, modern equalizers are capable enough to replace the classic filters. But as we can see, modern filters offer far more than a universal EQ. Extensive modulations, impressive slope steepness, and sometimes even spectral editing features make filters a gateway to a new realm of sonic possibilities.

If you are interested in editing your frequency spectrum in meticulous detail or just getting the maximum freedom possible, the Tonsturm SPCTRL EQ is an unbeatable choice. Its curve-based spectral editing is unmatched by all.

Similarly, if you are a fan of analog hardware units, SoundSpot Audio Fat 2 and Waves MetaFilter are excellent choices, each with its original method of emulating hardware nuances. NoiseAsh Action Filter is a fresh, convenient option as well.

The freeware market also has a lot to offer – even if you own proprietary plugins, AudioModern Filterstep’s rhythm machine and Phuturetone Philteroid’s FM/AM are well worth checking out. Not to mention the dirty and gritty growls of the BPB Dirty Filter are unlike anything else available.

There is much you can explore. We hope this list proved helpful in helping you learn the basics of filters and deciding which ones you want to try out next.