Multiband compression is often regarded as somewhat of a dark art of mixing. The basic concepts of multiband compression are pretty easy to grasp, and the whole process can be very rewarding when used properly… but it takes lots of skill and experience to really become really good at it. If you need a kick-start with multi-band compression, I suggest you read this great SOS article by Paul White & Hugh Robjohns.
And whether you’re already good at it, or are just looking for some free tools to learn on, here is a list of the best freeware multiband compression plugins.
Follow the links for screenshots & download info:
- 5ORCERY by platinumears (Windows)
- Broadcast by Jeroen Breebaart (Windows)
- C3 Multi Band Compressor by slim slow slider (Mac, Windows)
- COMP4 by Plektron (Windows)
- GMulti by GVST (Windows)
- L3V3LL3R-X3 by platinumears (Windows)
- Lightweight Multiband Compressor by C. Budde (Windows)
- MJMultibandCompressor by Magnus (Windows)
- Multiband by mda (Mac, Windows)
- OTT by Xfer Records (Mac, Windows)
- ReaXcomp by Cockos (Windows)
- Stardust by Arguru Software (Windows)
- T-SLEDGE by Sweetboy (Windows)
My favorite one from this list is ReaXcomp, a great freeware multiband compressor and part of the Cockos Reaplugs bundle. There’s no limit for the number of bands, and the large number of per-band controls makes this one of the best free multiband dynamics processors available.
Broadcast is a freeware multiband compressor VST developed by Jeroen Breebaart. It combines several concepts from Jeroen’s previous plugins, including the dynamics processing from the PC-2 compressor, spatial processing from OmniSone, and brickwall limiting from Barricade in a multi-band fashion.
C3 Multi Band Compressor is a freeware multiband compressor VST plugin developed and released by slim slow slider. Note that the same code was used in Fruity Multiband Compressor which comes bundled with FL Studio by Image-Line. Decent plugin, although it acts quirky in some hosts – make sure you give it a proper test on your machine before any serious use.
Lightweight Multiband Compressor is a freeware multiband compressor VST plugin by Christian Budde. It is based on Budde’s lightweight compressor algorithm and a set of Linkwitz-Riley filters.
MJMultibandCompressor is a freeware four-band multiband compressor VST plugin developed by Magnus. It uses the host program’s default GUI, but an alternative custom skin made by V’ger is available for download here.
Multiband is a freeware multiband compressor VST plugin by mda. It uses the host’s GUI, which means that there are no input/compression meters available. For tips on using Multiband by mda, click here.
Have fun mixing your tunes with these freeware multiband compressors and please don’t forget to share this page with your friends (you can do that easily by using the buttons below). Spread the word about BPB and help us grow!
10 Comments
Jesus
onHi! I need a multiband sidechain compressor, there is a freeware multiband sidechain compressor available?
Stepaan
onYou might try this:
https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/plugins/nova67p
Pedro
onQuadraCom could be another candidate for this list.
client6
onA lot of these links go nowhere. Any updated recommendations?
Jay
onI actually had to just type in L3V3L3R X3 free download” to find a working link. You may have to do the same for most of them. Since there free I’m sure something should come up..
imbalon
onNowwhere links usually can be fixed by waybackmachine site. https://archive.org/web/
I use it and it works
imbalon
onBut anyway. This list needs update. I’m looking for win64 plugs, not so super oldish.
I found nice free GMulti (The best of free multicomp for me for now).
Also OTT is famous.
Convergence-Demo looks good but it doesn’t have solo or bypass knobs.
Any other free win64 multicomps?
Chaitanya Bhagwat
onTDR Nova is a blatant omission in this list
Josie
onSomeone mentioned OTT but also, the reaper reaplugs ReaXComp is fantastic
Josie
onim dumb, yall wrote it at the top. still though, I think they both deserve an in depth description