12 of the best free EQs and filters
EQs and filters can be used at both ends of the mixing realm, from subtle nudges to enhance certain frequencies to dramatic filter sweeps to create great riffs, beats and breakdowns. Here are 12 killer freebies
01 AUDIOTHING BLINDFOLD EQ MAC/PC/, 32/64-BIT
We just love the philosophy behind this EQ, inspired by a quote from Matt Wallace in Sylvia Massy’s book Recording Unhinged that says, “if you have no idea of what frequency you are boosting or cutting, it doesn’t matter what the number is. It matters how it sounds”. So there are no numbers on AudioThing’s Blindfold UI; just use your ears… audiothing.net
02 AUDIOTHING VALVE FILTER CM
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
It’s the second Audiothing EQ plugin in two, er, plugins, but whereas the last is brilliant as it forces you to use your ears, this is brilliant because it has our logo on it. Oh and it can sound damn good too. The valve stage is designed to sound like a Telefunken ECC83 Tube (so gets very driven) while the filter has a Moogstyle low-pass design. Put it together and you have EQ ‘moider’*… (*sorry, younger readers) audiothing.com
03 IGNITE AMPS PTEQ-X
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
Ignite Amps’ PTEq-X doesn’t just recreate one classic Pultec piece of hardware but three, along with, Ignite say, “some circuit improvements and additional features to increase its versatility”. It takes on the original MEQ-5, HL3C and PEQ-1A Pultec hardware, accurately capturing the character of the overall Pultec sound with some aplomb. There are nicely controlled, beefy lows and filled out highs, and some say – us included – that this might well be the best plugin out there that doesn’t cost you a penny (the Plugin Suite aside, of course). Check out the tutorial on the previous page on how to achieve ‘the Pultec trick’. igniteamps.com
04 DDMF COLOUREQ
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
After the excitement of our opening salvos, this looks like a slight lull in proceedings – DDMF ColourEQ is not emulating hardware, nor telling you to break the rules. But it does deliver a no-nonsense sound and approach, meaning that it could quite possibly be the one EQ you turn to the most, just to get things done without any fuss and bother along the way. The very definition of ‘workhorse’, then… ddmf.eu/freeware
05 OVERTONE DSP AF2-10 CM MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
This EQ from the Plugin Suite has four bands of analogue-style EQ plus nine filter types, all delivering a fantastic sound. It’s very easy to use with a simple mouse-click-drag-and-drop approach, with right-clicking per EQ node to select filter types. A great, and very usable, filter and a first to download on your freeware journey. overtonedsp.co.uk
06 BRAINWORX BX_ SUBFILTER
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
brainworx make great plugins, of that there is no doubt. They are a company that work to model the very components the original hardware was made of, so when they release a freebie… well grab it. You’ll have to register at Plugin Alliance to get this but it’s worth it. Subfilter features tools especially for refining sub-100Hz frequencies, and with controls for Tight Punch, Low End and Resonance could well be the best free plugin out there when it comes to controlling your bottom end. plugin-alliance.com
07 2ND SENSE AUDIO 2S EQUALIZER
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
We like any plugin where the developer says “we believe everyone can use it without learning”, and 2S Equalizer certainly looks to fulfil that brief. It’s a parametric EQ with simple Gain, Q and Cutoff controls that will have you shaping your sound with precision in no time. Just what it says on the tin. 2ndsenseaudio.com
08 FUSE AUDIO LABS NEO CLASSIC BAXANDALL EQ RS-W2395C
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
Boasting one of the longest names in freeware land, this EQ better do the job. Luckily it does live up to its name, with a great and pronounced mid range, a high shelf that enables precise control of percussive sounds, and a low end that allows you to take control over those sub frequencies. It enhances whatever you need but in a super natural way. (That’s ‘super natural’ rather than ‘supernatural’, by the way.) fuseaudiolabs.de
09 LKJB QRANGE
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
A simple, but very nice-looking and usable linear phase EQ, with 12 bands so you can get some very precise EQ going, pretty easily. It might be a workhorse EQ but it’s certainly a ‘workhorse’ you’ll want to get out of the stable on a regular basis. lkjbdsp.wordpress.com/qrange/
10 HOFA 4U+ DYNAMIC TILTEQ
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
Tilt EQs offer exactly what you might think, where the frequency range tilts like a boat at sea, offering a pleasing lift and reduction. TiltEQ adds dynamic features, the ability to process bass and treble separately and routing for stereo, mid, side, left and right processing. hofa-plugins.de
11 ACUSTICA AUDIO PINK CM
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
A freebie to (almost) finish. Acustica have some great plugins in the Suite but are updating their registration process as we speak, so stick with us for updates! acustica-audio.com
12 SONIMUS SONEQ
MAC/PC, 32/64-BIT
With some of the best bits borrowed from the world’s most classic EQs, SonEQ has the feel of a Manley or Pultec. And with great controls over low end, Drive and Gain, you can get the sound you are after too. It’s almost like you’re sitting right there in front of the good old Bakelite hardware… sonimus.com