Of course you could use pretty much any DAW for this, as most of them include similar plug-ins. By the way, if you want more podcasting tips, check out our guide to creating a podcast over on the Envato Blog. The 15 Best VST Plugins in the World Right Now (Including Free Ones) By James Russell The co-host of Appetite For Production podcast and a long-time reviewer of plugins and DAWs, James is available on Twitter if you strongly disagree with his choice of today’s best plugin instruments and effects! Working with virtual studio technology (VST) plugins is tremendously convenient, but a lot of the best VST plugins out there are very expensive. If you're looking to expand your library of VST instrument (VSTi) plugins, or tweak your mixes with some great effects or MIDI effects VST plugins, you can do it for free. In Pursuit Of The Best Free EQ Plugins. Equalization needs little introduction for anyone that is interested in sound. You can think of equalization as the scalpel of the sound world; it’s a staple of the audio engineer’s toolbox for good reason as nothing else is so readily capable of altering the tone quality of audio with such precision.

This plugin is perfect for inspiring sound design ideas. With multiple delay types on offer, a decent crop of presets, an interactive help guide and, most notably, gorgeous sound, this would be a must-have even if it wasn’t free! Best free EQ plugin. Ignite Amps PTEQ-X Mac/PC VST/AU/AAX. We have collected for you the top 25 VST plugins Mastering according to PluginBoutique. VST list navigation: Ozone 9 Elements BASSROOM Master Suite Elevate Mastering Bundle MasterMagic Weiss MM-1 Oxford Dynamics Ozone 9 Standard Monofilter BUTE Loudness Normaliser Stereo MasterCheck Ozone 9 Advanced MASTER Bundle Mastering Suite RX Loudness Control BUTE Loudness Suite Surround Focus Mini. Seriously Simple Podcasting. First up is Seriously Simple Podcasting – a user-friendly podcasting.

Stereo Tool

Stereo Tool is one of the most popular broadcast audio processors for FM and internet radio, and is our#1 top pick. It's available in several forms, including a VST plugin that brings world-class audio processingto Rocket Broadcaster.

Stereo Tool offers a comprehensive suite of effects that makes audio consistent, clear, and warm to listen to.It includes two multi-band compressors, stereo enhancement, bass enhancement, a fantastic graphical equalizer, automaticgain control, a noise gate, and much more. It also includes a unique 'declipper', which restores detail in recordingslost by tracks being recorded too loudly.

The free VST plugin version of Stereo Tool plays a short message ('This sound is processed by Stereo Tool') everycouple of hours, but this limitation can be removed by registering Stereo Tool for only €35.The registered version also unlocks the Advanced Clipper feature. For full licensing details, check out the Stereo Tool registration page.

DownloadDownload the Stereo Tool VST plugin here (Windows, free trial with limitations. 32-bit VST) Vst plugins premiere pro cc.

GranComp3 Free

GranComp3 is a relatively easy to use multiband compressor that helps smooth out theloudness of your broadcast. A multi-band compressor splits the bass, mid, and treble frequenciesof your audio, applies dynamic range compression to bring them all up the same volume level,and then mixes them back together. The result is a more balanced equalization, and usuallybrings out detail that can be lost while listening at lower volumes. (As a broadcaster, youwant to make sure your broadcast sounds good at any volume level, and on any set of speakers.)

To round out the package, GranComp3 also includes a peak limiter (to prevent clipping) and unique 'SonicFilters' that add saturation/character to your audio.

We recommend GranComp3 because it's free, and offers a simple set of presets for mastering. If you're new to VST plugins, compressors, or just want a quick way to enhance yourbroadcast's sound, this is a great plugin to try.

DownloadDownload GranComp3 here (Free, Windows) - Direct Download Link.

Other VSTs to Check Out

• Terry West Productions - Terry West has a great suite of combined equalizer and compressor plugins. Donationware
• JB Broadcast - Jeroen Breebart's multi-band compressor design for broadcast, with stereo sub-band processing. Free

Most podcasters and info spreaders are quick to talk about the gear they recommend — me included — for getting great audio.

We know all about the ATR2100 or other mics like the Shure SM58 because they get a lot of word of mouth, but even if you have great gear that’s only one part of the puzzle.

After you record your audio, you’ll need to edit and process it. That’s what we’re talking about today:

Ooooooooooooh yeah.

You’re probably wondering why even the most prolific podcasters and audio content producers don’t really talk about plugins. Frankly… there’s no commission with free plugins.

My site is currently too young to have any real affiliate marketing yet, so I’m happy to talk about it!

Here’s the rundown:

Picture above (left) is the AIR Kill EQ which is a 3-band eq, and (right) the Channel Strip EQ which is a parametric eq.

3-band equalizers

You probably recognize the 3-band interface of the Air Kill EQ. It has the typical Low – Mid – High options that you’re used to seeing on a mixing board. When you turn up one of these knobs — also called pots which is short for potentiometer… the more you know — you increase that specific sound. When you turn the knob down it also turns down that sound… simple enough, right? With the 3-band EQ these groups of frequencies or bands are fixed, and cannot be spread out or focused unless they have a sweep which this 3-band EQ happens to have.

So if you want less low frequency in your sound you are able to lower it by turning down the low knob. If you want more clarity you are able to turn up the high knob. It’s very straight forward.

Parametric equalizers

You might be familiar with the layout of a parametric equalizer if you’ve ever played around in Garageband or other editing softwares. When using this type of EQ you are able to grab a specific point and drag it around the frequency spectrum. This allows you to select a specific frequency you want to manipulate. You can then either focus in on it, or broaden your selection by manipulating your Q — that’s a bit tough to understand in writing, so just play with it when you can. You’ll hear the difference. The Channel Strip plugin allows you to manipulate 4 different frequency points including a low frequency (LF), low mid frequency (LMF), high mid frequency (HMF), and a high frequency (HF) along with two filters.

More often than not, I will use a parametric equalizer because I love the visual representation and the extra precision.

Dyn3 Expander / Gate Pictured Above

Simplified, gates get rid of unwanted noise such as breathing, or spit smacks by clamping down — closing — when you aren’t speaking. The gate determines what is considered unwanted sound with the threshold. If the audio is quieter than the set threshold, the gate remains closed preventing any audio from passing.

This is the #1 tool I rely on for cleaning up audio when producing voiceover.

Garageband, Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, and many other softwares have this tool built in. Trust me, the gate is your friend.

For Further Learning: Audio Gates & Expanders Explained

Dyn3 Compressor / Limiter Picture Above

Compressors work to decrease your audio’s dynamic range. Why does that matter? When you’re producing audio for broadcast you want a smaller — compressed — amount of volume fluctuation, so that your listener doesn’t have to mess with their volume.

Have you ever watched a movie where all of the sudden the music comes in and you struggle to hear the dialogue? That’s a great example of too much dynamic range, and not enough compression. By keeping your audio in a tight pocket you enable your listener to hear your voice at all times whether you speak softly or are shouting.

Speaking of shouting, the compressor also helps prevent audio from reaching 0 dB and peaking. In this case, the threshold determines when to start compressing the audio. As soon as the volume is over the threshold the compressor applies its ratio. In the picture above, the ratio is 3.0:1. That means for every 3 decibels (dB) that the audio goes over the threshold, only 1 decibel will actually pass. Pretty neat, right!

For Further Learning: Compression 101: How to Use a Compressor (I apologize ahead of time… this dude’s like… really dry.)

Maxim Limiter Pictured Above

A limiter is essentially a compressor on steroids. As soon as the audio goes over the threshold it is boosted up to the ceiling or specific output that is set — that’s insanely reductive, but we’ll count it. Violin vst plugin fl studio. This is used to tighten up your dynamics even more, and can really sound like crap if you overdo it. This is definitely a process that shows its price tag. Waves makes some amazing limiters, but the stock ones that come with most softwares can’t be pushed very hard without causing distortion. Note: Audacity calls their limiter a leveler.

For Further Learning: A Beginner’s Introduction to Limiters by Mo Volans – Mo is awesomely thorough in this article!

Normalize Pictured Above

You always need to normalize your audio as a final step. All it does — when the peak setting is selected — is maximize your volume based on the loudest point in your recording. Looking at the picture above, if you move the level to the left, you set the deciBels to a lower level. So if you were to set it -1 dB, then the loudest point in your audio will be -1 dB. It’s incredibly simple, but extremely powerful for adding that last little bit of polish to your audio.

These 5 plugins more than any others are the nuts and bolts of great voiceover and podcast audio. If you master them, you will deliver industry standard high quality audio every time. Plus, you will only get better with practice, and experience!

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In the meantime, drop me a comment below and share which plugins you use to knock your audio out of the park.

Till next time,

Cheers

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