Best EQ Plugins for Mixing & Mastering (Free & Paid)
- Plugins
- Kobe Cooper
- April 1, 2023
Equalizers are essential tools for achieving a balanced and polished sound in your music. They allow you to boost or cut specific frequencies in your mix, making it possible to remove unwanted noise or enhance specific elements of your music.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the best EQ plugins for mixing and mastering, including both paid and free options.
Top EQ Plugins
| Plugin | Link |
|---|---|
| FabFilter Pro-Q3 | Check Price |
| Universal Audio Pultec EQP-1A | Check Price |
| Sonnox Oxford EQ | Check Price |
| Softube Tube-Tech PE 1C | Check Price |
| Brainworx bx_digital V3 | Check Price |
| Sonnox Claro | Check Price |
| Eventide SplitEQ | Check Price |
| TDR VOS SlickEQ GE | Check Price |
| Chandler Curve Bender | Check Price |
| Warmy EP1A Tube EQ V2 | Free |
| EQ1A Equalizer | Free |
FabFilter Pro-Q3
One of the most popular EQ plugins on the market, FabFilter Pro-Q3 offers a wide range of features and capabilities that make it an excellent choice for mixing and mastering.
With its intuitive interface and powerful filtering capabilities, it allows you to precisely shape your audio in any way you see fit. Some of its standout features include dynamic EQ, mid/side processing, and a spectrum analyzer.
Universal Audio Pultec EQP-1A
The Universal Audio Pultec EQP-1A is a vintage-style equalizer that is perfect for adding warmth and character to your mixes. It features a simple user interface with two bands of frequency adjustment and a high-pass filter.
Sonnox Oxford EQ
The Sonnox Oxford EQ is a precise and transparent equalizer that offers excellent sound quality. It allows you to adjust up to five bands of frequency and offers a variety of filter types, including high and low-pass filters, notch filters, and shelf filters.
Softube Tube-Tech PE 1C
The Softube Tube-Tech PE 1C is a classic analog-style equalizer that offers a warm sound. It features a simple user interface with one band of frequency adjustment and a high-pass filter.
Brainworx bx_digital V3
The Brainworx bx_digital V3 is a versatile and powerful EQ plugin that offers a range of advanced features. It includes a 12-band EQ with linear phase mode, M/S processing, dynamic EQ, and a range of other features.
The bx_digital V3 is known for its transparent sound and precise tonal control.
Sonnox Claro
The Sonnox Claro is a high-end EQ plugin designed specifically for mastering. It features a transparent and natural sound, with a range of advanced features such as mid/side processing, dynamic EQ, and an EQ match feature.
The Claro is a great choice for mastering engineers who demand the highest quality sound.
Eventide SplitEQ
The Eventide SplitEQ is a unique EQ plugin that allows you to adjust the stereo image of your mix. It features a 12-band EQ with linear phase mode, mid/side processing, and a range of other features.
The SplitEQ is great for mastering engineers who want to fine-tune the stereo image of their mix.
Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR VOS SlickEQ GE
The Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR VOS SlickEQ GE is a versatile EQ plugin that offers a range of advanced features. It includes a 4-band EQ with a range of filter types, M/S processing, dynamic EQ, and a range of other features.
The SlickEQ GE is known for its transparent and musical sound.
Softube Chandler Curve Bender Mastering EQ
The Softube Chandler Limited® Curve Bender Mastering EQ is an emulation of the classic EMI TG12345 console EQ.
It features a warm and colorful sound, with a range of advanced features such as mid/side processing, dynamic EQ, and a range of other features. The Curve Bender is a great choice for producers who want to add some vintage character to their mix.
Warmy EP1A Tube EQ V2
This plugin is based on a modern take of the classic Pultec EQs, so you’re getting a classic with a modern twist.
The Warmy EP1A Tube EQ V2 has undergone a complete remodel, including all-new DSP! And it’s completely free.
EQ1A Equalizer
The EQ1A is a top-notch equalizer that offers an ultra-smooth, analogue-style sound with minimal phase colouration.
Its impressive features include a high pass filter with variable Q, frequency sweepable low and high shelf filters, and sweepable low and high peak filters with variable Q.
In conclusion, there are many great EQ plugins available for mastering and mixing. Each of the plugins listed above has its own unique set of features and characteristics that can help you fine-tune the tonal balance of your mix, correct problematic frequencies, and add character and color to your sound.
While there are many EQ plugins available on the market, the ones listed above are among the best of the best. They have been developed by some of the top names in the industry and have been tested and proven by mastering engineers all over the world.
In addition to the EQ plugins mentioned above, don’t forget to check out our related articles:
👉 Best Mastering Plugins
👉 Best UAD Plugins
👉 Best Fabfilter Plugins
