These are the best free EQ VST plugins for mixing and mastering. For more free software, return to our VST plugins page.
Equalizers, compressors, and reverb effects are vital to every audio engineer’s toolkit. If you feel your digital audio workstation’s stock EQ lacks quality, try substituting it with one of the free equalizers listed in this article.
An EQ allows you to shape and balance the frequency content of individual tracks and the overall mix. By amplifying or attenuating specific frequency ranges, EQs can highlight or de-emphasize certain instruments, remove unwanted noise, fix clashing frequencies, and achieve a more harmonious mix.
Equalizer plugins come in many shapes and sizes, including parametric, graphic, semi-parametric, dynamic, and linear-phase designs. Each type offers unique characteristics and uses, and choosing the best one depends on your current project.
Some EQ plugins include a spectrum analyzer and sonogram to help you visually identify the problem frequencies. However, it’s always best to listen to your ears and rely on critical listening instead of visual aids whenever possible.
Best FREE EQ Plugins in 2024
- TDR Nova
- TDR VOS SlickEQ
- MEqualizer
- iZotope Ozone 11 Mastering EQ
- Cockos ReaEQ
- lkjb QRange
- lkjb Luftikus
- Blue Cat Triple EQ
- Fuse Audio RS-W2395C
- PTEq-X
- Rare “BPB Edition”
- Warmy EP1A Tube EQ V2
- Sonimus SonEQ
- Voxengo Marvel GEQ
- EQ560
- Blindfold EQ
- DDMF ColourEQ
- SplineEQ
1. TDR Nova
TDR Nova stands out as the GOAT among free EQ plugins. This versatile freeware equalizer effortlessly tackles various tasks, from tracking to mastering.
One of TDR Nova’s standout qualities is its adaptability. It seamlessly transitions from a standard parametric EQ to a precise dynamic EQ, multi-band compressor, and even a de-esser.
While the advanced features are easily accessible on the front panel, they remain unobtrusive when using Nova as a straightforward parametric EQ.
TDR Nova is my go-to EQ. It delivers reliable, transparent sound quality while providing all the necessary EQ features for my mixing and mastering endeavors.
I also use it in my sound design work. The frequency spectrum of multi-layered cinematic sounds like braams and impacts can be hard to tame, and that’s where Nova’s dynamics section comes in handy.
Additionally, this plugin offers a preset manager, undo/redo functionality, copy/pasting parameter values, and other convenient features to enhance your workflow.
So, if you’re looking for a workhorse EQ that can handle all mixing and mastering tasks, this incredible free parallel dynamic equalizer will do the trick.
If you only want a single free EQ VST, download TDR Nova.
2. TDR VOS SlickEQ
TDR VOS SlickEQ is a user-friendly mixing and mastering equalizer with exceptional sound quality. It offers three bands of EQ control (low, mid, and high) and four different EQ modes to shape your audio in unique ways.
SlickEQ is the result of a collaboration with Variety of Sound and Tokyo Dawn Labs. These two legendary freeware plugin developers joined forces to create arguably one of the best free equalizers right now.
One of my favorite SlickEQ features is the “Auto Gain Compensation” mode. It maintains a consistent volume while the user adjusts the equalization and saturation.
This allows me to accurately hear the impact of the applied EQ changes without worrying about volume fluctuations. Our ears perceive louder as better, so having the EQ plugin automatically compensate for the volume helps me make correct decisions when mixing.
SlickEQ also includes four different EQ curve shapes. The provided American, British, German, and Soviet modes each have different sonic characteristics, making SlickEQ a four-in-one plugin.
The equalizer is fully transparent by default, but you can optionally apply non-linear behavior to color the sound. It is easy to fine-tune the harmonic content and perceived warmth using the subtle but great-sounding output saturation stage.
When using SlickEQ on the master channel, I consistently rely on the German mastering preset as my starting point. It adds a pleasing touch to the mix without sounding overwhelming.
3. MEqualizer
MEqualizer is a feature-rich 6-band equalizer plugin that you can download for free as part of MeldaProduction’s freeware bundle. It provides seven filter types per band and a smooth real-time frequency spectrum display in the background, convenient for music producers who like visual feedback.
It also offers some interesting sound coloring features inspired by analog EQ hardware but implemented with a contemporary twist.
MEqualizer’s standout features include the ability to add harmonics to individual bands, visualize notes on the frequency graph, and easily control parallel EQing with the Dry/Wet mix knob. The note visualization feature can be useful when you’re learning how to EQ, as it makes the frequency values seem less abstract and more practical.
I love MEqualizer’s ability to function in both M/S and L/R equalizer modes. It is a combination that’s hard to find in other freeware equalizers.
I also enjoy the integrated tube saturation and auto-gain compensation, which are great options to have in the early stages of mixing a project.
While MEqualizer boasts user-friendly functionality, the interface may initially present a slight learning curve. The overlapping control parameters and visual aids can make it challenging to discern between them. However, MEqualizer is easy to use once you figure out the control layout.
4. Ozone 11 Mastering EQ
iZotope Ozone 11 Mastering EQ plugin is part of the updated Komplete Start bundle from Native Instruments.
It is a powerful EQ tool from iZotope’s well-known Ozone all-in-one mastering suite. The plugin can be used both for mastering and mixing individual tracks.
Ozone 11 Mastering EQ includes advanced features like Transient/Sustain mode, allowing users to apply EQ separately to the sound’s transient and sustain portions. I love using this option for adding warmth to certain parts of the signal without affecting others, such as brightening a snare’s transient while keeping the body soft.
Another cool feature is the Delta function, which allows you to hear the difference between processed and unprocessed audio and use Gain Match to avoid volume bias. The interface also lets you manipulate phase shifting per node in Digital mode.
However, despite these advanced features, the plugin is surprisingly beginner-friendly. It offers intelligent audio analysis and suggestions for beginners while also providing optional in-depth controls for experts.
You don’t have to use the advanced features if you simply want to fix a channel in your mix. The interface keeps the advanced functionality out of the way unless you really need it.
Ozone 11 EQ is available in AAX, AU, and VST3 formats for 64-bit Windows and macOS users. The plugin is part of Komplete Start’s free collection of instruments and effects.
5. ReaEQ
ReaEQ is an exceptional parametric EQ plugin that is lightweight, transparent, and highly precise. It can be downloaded for free as part of the ReaPlugs VST FX suite by Cockos.
One of ReaEQ’s standout features is its virtually infinite flexibility. The plugin offers unlimited bands and an extensive range of filter types per band. These include shelf EQ, band EQ, low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, all-pass, and notch-pass filters.
If you’re looking for a surgically precise and transparent parametric equalizer, ReaEQ is one of the best options available for free. It is also lightweight, allowing you to run multiple instances simultaneously without straining your CPU.
The interface doesn’t look fancy, but it is very user-friendly. It provides easy mouse controls and modifiers for editing the bandwidth of points in the graph, which significantly speeds up the mixing workflow.
ReaEQ also offers frequency and phase response displays, along with a note and octave display for frequencies, enhancing the overall user experience.
Because of its CPU efficiency and ease of use, I use ReaEQ as the main EQ on my portable DAW. It’s also my go-to EQ when mastering individual audio files while working on sample packs.
The unlimited bands and precise controls are extremely handy when removing unwanted frequencies and resonances from rendered WAV files.
6. lkjb QRange
lkjb QRange is an advanced IIR linear phase EQ plugin. It features twelve sortable bands that can work as peak, shelf, and cut filters.
The equalizer is highly flexible, offering adjustable cut filter steepness, Stereo/Left/Right/Mid/Side routing per band, global gain for loudness adjustments, and a freely resizable user interface. It also has a latency-free minimal phase mode and a gain match feature.
QRange’s frequency analyzer can display the pre- and post-EQ frequency spectrum in real time. The analyzer’s range can be fine-tuned, which is great if you need to customize it for a specific use case.
The plugin’s main drawbacks are its high CPU load and latency. The latency is quite noticeable in default settings, but this can be remedied by turning on the latency-free mode.
On the other hand, QRange’s main advantage is its outstanding sound quality. It sounds very musical, even at high gain boosts in the upper-frequency range.
I often use QRange to add air and sweetness to percussion sounds. It’s incredible how it can boost the desired frequency range by 10 dB or more without noticing unpleasant sonic artifacts.
7. lkjb Luftikus
lkjb Luftikus is an outstanding free EQ VST plugin that captures the warmth of vintage analog equalizers. It resembles the renowned Maag EQ4 plugin, a high-end offering from Plugin Alliance ($229).
The open-source Luftikus features fixed half-octave bands, a high-frequency boost, and the capability to make deep cuts without altering the overall gain.
The unique “Keep-Gain” allows users to make EQ decisions based on the frequency response instead of perceived volume. I love this feature as it helps me avoid falsely detecting increased loudness as an EQ improvement.
Luftikus is particularly useful for enhancing detail and clarity in the top end. It preserves the top-end frequency structure, boosting the target area of the spectrum without causing harshness, artifacts, or nasal resonance.
The plugin’s simplicity and straightforward, user-friendly interface invite you to easily engage and explore its features. You don’t have to be an EQ expert to get the most out of Luftikus. It’s one of those highly intuitive plugins that both beginners and mixing professionals can put to good use.
When I compared Luftikus to the Maag EQ4, the curves aligned almost exactly, with the Luftikus offering slightly more air boost at the max setting.
So, look no further if you want professional-quality results with a free EQ plugin.
Luftikus offers some additional workflow enhancement features, like the double-click-to-reset knobs and a mastering mode that makes the knobs “stepped” to simplify decision-making. It is one of the best free equalizer plugins at the moment.
8. Blue Cat’s Triple EQ
Blue Cat’s Triple EQ is my go-to compact equalizer plugin for simple mixing tasks and minor corrections. I use it as the first plugin in the chain on instrument tracks when recording a new project.
As a user-friendly 3-band semi-parametric EQ, it’s incredibly easy to navigate, offering a low-shelf filter, high-shelf filter, and boost/cut peak filter.
What I appreciate most about Triple EQ is its remarkable simplicity and WYSIWYG design. The real-time graph showcasing the computed frequency response gives me a precise overview of the sounds I’m working on.
Other standout features include the rather extreme ±40 dB range on each band, automatic gain compensation, and zero-latency processing. The latter makes Triple EQ perfect for tracking during a recording session.
The ‘Smooth Update Mechanism’ is another brilliant feature. I can tweak parameters in real time without getting annoying ‘click’ noises and similar artifacts.
The included random preset generator is a surprising feature because equalizers are typically there to add order to our mixes instead of chaos. However, randomization can be handy when using Triple EQ for sound design. I use it to create drones, atmospheres, and other types of sounds where I can be more creative.
Blue Cat’s freeware equalizer has become essential to my mixing toolkit because of its compact design and straightforward features. With only three EQ bands, it effortlessly handles minor adjustments and corrections, allowing for speedy frequency balance tuning.
9. RS-W2395c
RS-W2395c is a free Baxandall equalizer plugin developed by Fuse Audio Labs in collaboration with Roger Schult. It combines the vintage charm of a classic 1950s Baxandall EQ with today’s state-of-the-art plugin technology.
With its uniquely musical vintage character, the W2395c excels at honing the midrange and applying broader tonal sculpting to bass and treble areas of the frequency spectrum.
I’ve found its high-shelf filter particularly useful for enhancing percussive sounds and for adjusting the tonality of instruments and vocals. Its low band offers a clear, tight control of subfrequencies, making it an indispensable tool for balancing the tone of kick drums and bass guitars.
W2395c’s simplicity is another one of its strengths. However, it still offers some degree of flexibility, letting you switch the low band from 80 to 110 Hz and the highs from 2 to 5 kHz.
The semi-parametric mids have three different Q factors, providing enough variety for surgical or broad sound shaping of the midrange. I absolutely love the Drive control—it adds a pleasing grittiness to the EQ’s otherwise immaculate tonal character.
Being free makes the W2395c even more exceptional. It breathes life into anything from dynamic vocals to dull-sounding guitars and does an excellent job on the mix bus. It truly is a hidden gem in the world of free EQ VSTs.
10. PTEq-X
PTEq-X by Ignite Amps is a free emulation of the legendary Pultec EQs. It captures all the nuances of vintage passive program equalizers and enhances them with modern-day convenience and functionality.
This free EQ VST plugin comprises three separate equalizer modules: the MQ5 mid-range equalizer, the PEQ1A two-band equalizer, and the HL3C filter module.
PTEq-X’s unique triode stage analog modeling across four different tube types adds a layer of warmth and depth to your mix that is unmatched in other free EQs. It replicates the classic tube saturation associated with analog gear, providing an extra layer of harmonics that can be useful in the mixing stage.
The two-band PEQ1A module lets you perform the Pultec push/pull trick, an excellent way to focus the low end while making it more prominent in the mix. Perfect for use on the drum bus!
In my personal experience, PTEq-X gets you as close as possible to the classic Pultec equalizer sound without spending hundreds of dollars on a hardware EQ. It is a must-have for any audio engineer on a budget.
Whether you’re looking for a vintage-style EQ for tracking, mixing, or mastering, the PTEq-X provides a level of control and quality that’s hard to believe is free.
11. Rare “BPB Edition”
Rare “BPB Edition” is a special version of Analog Obsession’s free Pultec EQ plugin, created exclusively for the Bedroom Producers Blog. It offers 4X saturation and a few other workflow enhancements not found in the original plugin.
Drawing inspiration from the legendary Pultec hardware, this passive equalizer introduces modern features that make it more convenient for a modern DAW.
The optional pre-EQ gain stage is a notable addition, allowing you to saturate the signal before it enters the EQ circuit. With dedicated Boost and Attenuation controls for each EQ frequency band, you can shape your sound with surgical precision.
The included oversampling feature ensures impeccable audio quality, although it slightly increases CPU load. You can engage oversampling by clicking the Analog Obsession logo on the GUI.
12. Warmy EP1A Tube EQ V2
Warmy EP1A Tube EQ V2 is a free plugin with smooth EQ curves and a warm tube sound. It is the freeware counterpart of the popular Waves EQP-1A plugin.
Compared to Waves EQP-1A, this free EQ VST sounds more transparent at lower gain settings. Tube saturation becomes more prominent when the input is overdriving. It also offers up to 16X oversampling, which isn’t available in the Waves plugin.
Its core feature set includes low and high-frequency boost and cut controls, bandwidth shaping, input and output gain adjustment, and a mix control for parallel processing with minimal effort.
The plugin also offers an EQ bypass control for isolating the tube saturation and Undo/Redo controls, which can be useful when reverting to the previous setting.
The latest version of Warmy EP1A Tube EQ improved its accuracy in emulating the original hardware model. I absolutely love its analog-style sound, which works incredibly well for adding character to dull recordings.
13. SonEQ
SonEQ is a user-friendly freeware equalizer that merges the features of old-school EQs in one neat package. It offers low-, mid-, and high-frequency band controls and a special pre-amp section to fine-tune your sound. It also features high and low pass filters, handy for cleaning up unwanted noise and hum from the signal.
I’m a big fan of SonEQ’s saturation algorithm, which flawlessly captures the warm, fuzzy tones reminiscent of vintage tube amps. Its intensity is exceptionally flexible, allowing me to add a subtle touch of warmth or crank up the distortion for a more pronounced effect.
During the early 2010s, SonEQ stood out as one of the best analog-inspired freeware EQ plugins, gaining a solid reputation for its exceptional musical sound.
While other plugins may have surpassed its popularity, the simulated analog circuitry in SonEQ continues to deliver outstanding audio quality that I truly appreciate.
SonEQ also offers a unique feature called the “WOOW” control. It’s an all-pass filter, which creates a subtle sense of depth and spaciousness when applied to the audio signal.
SonEQ helps add character to bass guitars, snare, and kick drums, but it can handle much more. Yes, getting the frequencies right might take a bit of practice, but it’s well worth it for the rich, musical sound you can get with it.
14. Marvel GEQ
Marvel GEQ is an outstanding linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer plugin by Voxengo. I’ve found it invaluable, especially for mastering and applying subtle tonal balancing to the final mix.
This free graphic EQ allows you to manipulate 16 frequency bands, offering a +/- 12 dB gain range per band. It also offers multi-channel operation with up to 8 in/out channel pairs.
One of Marvel GEQ’s standout features is the freehand drawing mode. It lets you sketch the desired EQ curve directly onto the interface, making it easy to fix the tonal balance quickly. It offers creativity and precision that is hard to find in other graphic EQ plugins.
The plugin also features flexible internal channel routing, mid/side processing, and a swift 9-millisecond processing latency, making it suitable for tracking.
With a user-friendly interface that supports Retina and HighDPI displays, Marvel GEQ’s aesthetics are as clean and smooth as its performance. If you’re looking for a free mastering EQ, Marvel GEQ should be on your list.
15. EQ560
EQ560 is a faithful digital emulation of the 1967 classic API 560 10-Band graphic equalizer. Its low CPU usage and extremely small memory footprint make it perfect for use on multiple channels across the mix without any performance drop.
The distinct ‘Proportional Q’ feature intuitively widens the filter bandwidth at lower boost/cut levels and narrows it at higher settings. This makes for a unique and musical EQ curve resembling vintage equalizers.
What impresses me most about EQ560 is its versatility.
Whether I’m enhancing the crunch of a gritty bass synth, refining the top end of a vocal, or reducing boominess in an acoustic guitar track, the EQ560 steps up to the task. This ‘can’t-go-wrong’ characteristic makes EQ560 a favorite of mine for quickly fixing clashing frequencies in a busy mix.
Though it could benefit from a gain knob for more comfortable gain staging, the pros unquestionably outweigh the cons. Its simplicity, usability, and exceptional sound make it one of the best free EQs on the market.
16. Blindfold EQ
Blindfold EQ by AudioThing is a free EQ VST plugin that doesn’t display frequency labels. It discards the conventional user interface conventions, forcing you to rely on your ears instead of visuals.
With its four essential bands – low shelf, low mid, high mid, and high shelf filter – you can control the tonal balance without any frequency, gain, or Q indicators.
The Soft Clip function manages peaks in a uniquely musical way, avoiding hard clipping. Meanwhile, the ‘Analog’ button introduces saturation and a subtle high-frequency roll-off, starting around 12 kHz.
Blindfold EQ is equal parts an EQ plugin and an ear training tool. It offers a novel approach to mixing that can help you focus on the sound itself and teach you to trust your ears.
17. ColourEQ
ColourEQ offers an innovative “super-parametric” equalizer design based on a unique, higher-order filtering scheme.
Contrary to what its name might suggest, ColourEQ is a fairly transparent equalizer. The ‘colour’ doesn’t refer to sound coloration but to the customizable GUI palette.
What sets this plugin apart is its two distinctive filter types per band: Type A and Type B. Type A offers a smooth, rounded curve, perfect for gentle frequency boosts, while Type B features a double-peak filter, providing surgical precision for treating specific frequencies.
What’s truly remarkable is the sonic purity and musicality achieved by ColourEQ; it cuts through the digital harshness typical in other EQs, instead delivering a warm, “creamy” timbre that’s hard to come by in an EQ plugin.
The icing on the cake is its relatively low CPU usage, ensuring a smooth performance even when using multiple instances.
18. SplineEQ
SplineEQ is a unique linear phase equalizer I’ve enjoyed using in my mastering and sound design projects.
Unlike minimum phase EQs, SplineEQ preserves the phase of your sound, which makes your mix sound cleaner and more natural.
One of SplineEQ’s standout features is the spline-based filter design, where you can simply shape the EQ curve by placing points. This gives you a ton of flexibility without choosing from predefined filter types.
Even though the free version limits you to four bands per plugin instance, you can load multiple instances if needed. The full version offers up to 60 bands for detailed frequency adjustments.
I also love the visual feedback it provides, with a responsive frequency analyzer that shows before-and-after results, helping me make precise changes.
How many EQ plugins do you need?
The truth is, you don’t need more than one equalizer to mix a song. All equalizers offer similar functionality with some notable, but not essential, differences.
You could pick one free EQ plugin and use it in all your projects. No one would notice, except for you, because the quality of your mix depends on your mixing skills, not the features of your equalization plugin.
However, having multiple EQ VST plugins available in our DAW is beneficial for some.
But why?
Having the option to switch things up during a tedious project keeps things fresh and might help you finish the job faster.
Just like switching to a different keyboard helps me continue typing, using different equalizers during a long mixing session helps me focus and continue working even after I get tired.
For more freeware plugins and instruments, return to our Free VST Plugins page.
