Looking for the best VST plugins for mixing?
In this article, we'll explore some of the top VST mixing plugins that can take your productions to the next level.
Having the right mixing tools can make all the difference, and there are many categories of mixing plugin, each fulfilling its own purpose.. From equaliser plugins that shape your tone to compression plugins that control dynamics, and reverb plugins that add space and depth, we'll cover it all.
Get ready to enhance your music mixing software with these top-notch audio plugins that are essential for any mixing and mastering workflow.
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Great EQ Plugins for Mixing
- Top Compressor Plugins for Mixing
- The Best Delay Plugins for Mix Engineers
- Perfect-Choice Channel Strip Plugins
- Multiband Plugins for Mixing Music
- Plugins for Mixing Vocals
- De-Esser Plugins for Better Mixing
- The Best Bus Processors
- Perfect Preamp and Saturation Plugins
- The Top Reverb VST Plugins
- Distortion Plugins for Mixing
- Amp Simulators for Mix Engineers
- The Best Tape Simulator Plugins
- The Top Stereo Plugins
- The Most Insightful Analyzer/Metering Plugins
- Four Especially Useful Utility VSTs
- The Best Enhancer Plugins
Great EQ Plugins for Mixing
EQ plugins adjust the frequency balance of audio, making it brighter or darker, removing unwanted frequencies, and shaping the sound. They're essential for any mixing or mastering workflow, allowing you to fine-tune your mix's tonal balance and fix any problem frequencies.
FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is a hugely full-featured EQ plugin that can go as deep as you could ever dream to. Its bands are flexible, offering per-band stereo options, a huge choice of types and slopes, and each band can operate as a dynamic EQ band with some quick tweaks. Pro-Q 3 also goes further with assistive functions like spectrum freezing, masking detection and easy band creation.
Tokyo Dawn TDR Nova GE is a solid – and usually cheaper – alternative to Pro-Q 3, offering some of its most essential features. Brainworx bx_hybrid V2 is an analogue-meets-digital EQ with bass and presence control that’ll make you smile. For those looking to go even more analogue, Universal Audio Pultec EQ Collection emulates some bona fide classic passive EQ units with true hardware quirkiness and sound.
Top Compressor Plugins for Mixing
Compressor plugins control the dynamic range of audio by reducing the volume of louder parts of a sound, resulting in a more consistent sound. They can be used to add punch to drums, tighten up bass, and bring vocals to the front of the mix.
sonible smart:comp 2 is a super smart AI powered compressor from artificial intelligence pioneers sonible. It’s a perfect mixing compressor as its algorithm is designed to give as clear a compression sound as possible. As with all sonible plugins, smart:comp 2 comes with a bank of profiles (i.e. instrument use cases) and will analyze your audio, automatically compressing it for the optimum result.
Universal Audio 1176 Classic Limiter Collection is a collection of the world’s most iconic hardware compressors in convenient software form; Brainworx bx_opto takes inspiration from other classic compressors such as Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, the elysia alpha compressor, or the Millennia TCL-2; and Arturia Comp TUBE-STA clones the Gates STA-Level.
The Best Delay Plugins for Mix Engineers
Delay plugins create rhythmic echoes of audio signals, adding depth and texture to a mix. They're useful for creating space, adding groove, and enhancing the sound of instruments like guitars and synths.
In the process of designing D16 Group Repeater, D16 teamed up with Slate Digital and took inspiration from 23 classic analogue units. This authentic vintage sound is perfect for rock mixes or for adding grit to electronic tracks.
Moogerfooger MF-104S Analog Delay from synth pioneers Moog is an emulation of the company’s classic 2000 analogue unit. On the other end of the spectrum, FabFilter Timeless is a totally modern delay with a gorgeous interface. Going back to classic emulations, Universal Audio Galaxy Tape Echo is dub head’s dream emulating the Roland RE-201 Space Delay.
Perfect-Choice Channel Strip Plugins
Channel strip plugins combine several tools, including EQ, compression, and gating, into one plugin for easy use in mixing. They're a convenient way to apply processing to individual channels, allowing for precise control over each element in your mix.
The powerful multi-plugin mixing suite iZotope Neutron 4 has you totally covered when it comes to mixing. It also features Assistant View which uses AI to make mixing decisions for you. Mix Assistant will tonally adjust your tracks, saturate, compress and alter the stereo field to give you an optimum sound.
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Looking for an AI-powered channel strip?
Check out iZotope's Neutron 4 here.
Excite Audio Lifeline Console recreates the space and sound of real recording and mixing circuits, taking you out of the box and giving a great sound. Brainworx offers two more old school channel strips with bx_console SSL 4000 E and bx_console AMEK 9099 modelling a classic SSL and AMEK strip respectively.
Multiband Plugins for Mixing Music
Multiband plugins divide an audio signal into several frequency bands, allowing for more precise control over each frequency range. They're especially useful for fixing problem frequencies and adding clarity and definition to a mix.
Kilohearts Multipass builds on the “Snapin” design found in Kilohearts Phaseplant. Snapins are essentially mini plugins that can be hosted within Multipass and moved around in a modular manner. These Snapins can be arranged to affect different parts of the frequency spectrum in different ways.
FabFilter Pro-MB is a super-precise multiband processor focused on dynamics, with compression, expansion and gating on offer. Vengeance-Sound Multiband Sidechain 3 does what it says on the tin, allowing producers to sidechain different frequency bands separately. Stripping things back, Klevgrand Gaffel simply splits audio into different frequency bands. You can then use your own third party effects to process each band as you like.
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FabFilter Pro-MB -
Vengeance Sound Multiband Sidechain 3
Klevgrand Gaffel
Plugins for Mixing Vocals
Music producers can enhance vocal recordings with tools like EQ, compressors, and de-essers, which target sibilant sounds. These plugins help bring out the best in vocal performances and make them sit well in a mix.
As is typical for iZotope, iZotope VocalSynth 2 is on the cutting edge of vocal processing. Combining stompbox-style effects, biovox vocal processing to alter the characteristics of the human voice, and inter plugin communication with iZotope’s other plugins, VocalSynth 2 can be used to achieve classic old-school vocal effects, or to create the future of vocal performance.
Soundtoys Little AlterBoy has become a classic, already widely used by pro producers to pitchshift vocals across multiple genres. iZotope Nectar 3 Plus is designed to help vocals shine through in mixes, dynamics processing, EQing and de-essing. Antares Harmony Engine uses Antares pitchshifting technology to help singers craft harmonies without backing singers and Antares Auto-Tune EFX+ gives producers that Auto-Tune sound in a more affordable package..
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Soundtoys Little AlterBoy
iZotope Nectar 3 Plus
Antares Harmony Engine
De-Esser Plugins for Better Mixing
De-esser plugins target and reduce sibilance in vocal recordings, improving overall sound quality. They're particularly useful for removing harshness and improving the intelligibility of vocals.
Softube’s Weiss Deess takes algorithms from the hardware Weiss DS1-MK3, presenting them in the optimum way for the modern studio environment. Unlike many de-essers, the Weiss Deess features multiple bands for maximum control.
SSL DeEss de-esses with a fantastic workflow and FabFilter Pro-DS is a futuristic and totally transparent de-esser fit for the modern producer. Meanwhile, Klevgrand Esspresso is a modern, digital take on the toolset, letting you detect and treat separate bands.
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SSL DeEss
FabFilter Pro-DS
Klevgrand Esspresso
The Best Bus Processors
Bus processors apply processing to multiple audio channels at once, allowing for cohesive processing of grouped tracks like drums or vocals. They help create a sense of unity and cohesion in your mix.
Inspired by classic large-format console bus compressors of the 1980s, Softube Bus Processor is perfect for transparent or nicely flavoured gain control, and for glueing together mixes and sub mixes.
The hardware version of Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor is a staple of mastering suites around the world, and the plugin version has all the goodness of the original in digital form. To get the authentic sound of analog tubes and transistors, Soundtoys Decapitator is a strong choice. For specialised drum bus processing, turn to W.A. Production Put Me On Drums.
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Softube Bus Comrpessor
Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
Soundtoys Decapitator
Perfect Preamp and Saturation Plugins
Preamp and saturation plugins add harmonic distortion to audio, mimicking the warmth of analogue gear and giving audio a vintage feel. They're great for adding character and vibe to your mix.
The Moogerfooger MF-109S Saturator adds warmth, distortion and crunch at the input drive stage. The MF-109S is versatile, allowing smooth compression as easily as dynamic overdrive. It sounds great on any instrument, adding that crunch and saturation that producers crave.
Newfangled Audio Saturate lifts the Spectral Clipper algorithm from the popular Elevate Mastering Limiter to give lovely warmth. On the flipside, AudioThing Valves is designed to model the analogue saturation of authentic tubes. Back to the 21st century, Brainworx Saturator V2 is a multiband saturator that gives you the precision and control that only digital can offer.
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Moogerfooger
Newfangled Audio Saturate
Audiothing Valves
The Top Reverb VST Plugins
Reverb plugins simulate the sound of different rooms and spaces, adding a sense of depth and atmosphere to a mix. They're essential for creating a realistic and immersive soundstage and are particularly useful for vocals, drums, and acoustic instruments.
The Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb has been a studio staple since its release in 1978. Now it can be a staple of your studio too with Universal Audio Lexicon 224 Digital Reverb emulation. This plugin version of the classic reverb unit uses the exact algorithms and control processor code from the original hardware.
Eventide Blackhole is a modern take on digital reverb, allowing producers to model non-existent – even impossible – spaces. BABY Audio Crystalline follows the tradition of the classic algorithmic reverbs but adds new features and higher fidelity thanks to modern computer power. Taking algorithmic reverb that one step further, Zynaptiq ADAPTIVERB uses AI to make reverb decisions giving pretty awesome results.
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Eventide Blackhole
Baby Audio Crystalline
Zynaptiq ADAPTIVERB
Distortion Plugins for Mixing
Distortion plugins add grit and aggression to audio, creating a distorted sound that can be used creatively in music production. They're a staple in genres like rock and metal and can add edge and attitude to any mix.
With physical modelling and advanced morphing filters, Minimal Audio Rift 2.0 is more than your average distortion plugin. It also employs multiband processing and drawable LFOs for extra control. If that isn’t enough to get you to check it out, it also has dark mode!
Output Thermal’s XY pad provides expressive control over your distortion sound. Emulating Thermionic Culture’s Culture Vulture, Arturia Dist Tube-Culture is a fearsome tube amp simulation. Another emulation, the Brainworx bx_greenscreamer captures the brutality of the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer in plugin form.
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Minimal Audio Rift 2.0
Output Thermal
Arturia Dist TUBE-CULTURE
Looking for more distortion inspiration?
Check out our deeper guide to the best distortions around here.
Amp Simulators for Mix Engineers
Amp simulator plugins emulate the sound of guitar amplifiers and their associated stompboxes, cabinet and rack effects,, allowing guitarists to achieve a variety of tones without the need for expensive gear. They're an essential tool for any guitarist recording at home or in a project studio.
Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 Pro is an amp emulation machine. Use it to get the sound of classic tube amplifiers, or even use the built in Amp Match to clone your own amplifiers. As an extra bonus, Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 Pro also comes with nine reverbs.
Klevgrand Stark approaches amp simulation in a modular way with Amplifier, Cabinet, Room, and Pedalboard units. Softube Amp Room emulates the sound of high-end amps miked up in high-end studios. Modelling just the one amp, Brainworx bx_megadual is a top notch Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier simulation.
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The Best Tape Simulator Plugins
Tape simulator plugins emulate the sound of analog tape, adding warmth, saturation, and subtle compression to audio. They're great for adding a vintage feel to your mix and can help ‘glue’ elements together.
Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder brings the studio warmth of the original Studer A800 Multichannel Tape Recorder – which made its name on tracks for the likes of Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty, A Tribe Called Quest, and Jeff Buckley – to your DAW. To create this emulation, UA painstakingly modelled Allen Sides' A800 at Ocean Way Studios
Based on an old Japanese portable tape recorder, AudioThing Reels has a distinctive lo-fi analogue sound. u-he Satin is a bona fide classic sounding tape emulation with a few modern features like EQ, FX and tape ‘goodness’ controls. To create BABY Audio TAIP, BABY Audio trained a neural network on thousands of dry and processed recordings to perfectly capture the effects of tape saturation.
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Audiothing Reels
Baby Audio TAIP
u-he Satin
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Want a deeper guide into Tape plugins?
Check out our guide here.
The Top Stereo Plugins
Stereo plugins manipulate the stereo image of audio, allowing for precise control over the width and placement of sounds. They're essential for creating separation and dimension in a mix and are particularly useful for instruments like synths and guitars.
Using the energy of a particular sound, Sound Particles Energy Panner alters the stereo feel and dynamic depth of your source sound. In real terms this means you can create movement on hi-hats based on their transients, synth leads on their attack, and risers as they build. It’s a unique and powerful stereo tool.
Leapwing Audio StageOne can widen your stereo field, give perceived depth, or make mono sources sound stereo. Plugin Boutique StereoSavage 2 combines tried-and-tested studio techniques with emulations of modern and classic tools that will bring your mix to life. For quick and easy single knob stereo alterations, DJ Swivel Spread is a great option.
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Plugin Boutique StereoSavage 2
DJ Swivel Sprea
Leapwing Audio StageOne
The Most Insightful Analyzer/Metering Plugins
Analyzer and metering plugins provide visual feedback on the level, frequency, and dynamic range of audio, allowing for precise monitoring and control over the mix. They're essential for ensuring a balanced and professional-sounding mix and can help identify problem areas that need attention.
iZotope Insight 2 is a powerful audio analysis tool which is just as at home in a recording studio as it is in Hollywood post production suites. Use it to detect any mix problems using real-time analysis. Use it to check loudness, levels, intelligibility, phase, frequency content, and more.
Brainworx bx_meter is a visual audio analysis tool designed to give you a greater understanding of your mixes. Mastering The Mix LEVELS is all about getting your music sounding best in the places people actually listen to it: streaming services, YouTube, CDs and more. If you like your analysers to look beautiful whilst giving you all the information you need, Excite Audio Vision 4X is a powerful and gorgeous choice.
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iZotope Insight 2
Mastering the Mix LEVELS
Excite Audio VISION 4X
Four Especially Useful Utility VSTs
Utility plugins perform essential functions like gain control, phase correction, and level matching. They're used to fix common problems in a mix and ensure that all tracks are working together effectively, making them an essential tool for any mixing engineer.
Excite Audio KSHMR Chain is a game-changing utility tool which allows you to copy and paste plugin chains between tracks and control them from within the plugin. This is a huge workflow step up from having to copy and paste individual plugins and tweaking parameters on a plugin-by-plugin basis.
Frustrated by a particular plugin type not running in your DAW? Stagecraft Universal Plug solves this problem for you letting any plugin run in any DAW. Blue Cat’s Remote Control gives you the power to control several MIDI devices or plugins from one interface. Packed with twelve different signal modification units, Nugen Audio SigMod opens new possibilities in your DAW.
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Blue Cats Remote Control
Stagecraft Universal Plug-in
Excite Audio KSHMR Chain
The Best Enhancer Plugins
Enhancer plugins boost the perceived volume, clarity, and depth of audio, making it sound bigger and more present. They're particularly useful for adding energy and excitement to a mix and can help dull tracks cut through the mix.
Wavesfactory Spectre adds harmonic content to a channel, adding colour and life. It’s a multiband enhancer with 10 saturation algorithms that can barring dull tracks back to life and make mixes sound great on smaller speakers.
Brainworx bx_subsynth is the “Holy Grail For Bass Fanatics”, beefing up your low end no end. Inspired by the famous Dolby A Trick technique, AudioThing Type A dynamically increases the top end of your signal without adding any distortion. Designed specifically to make your drums sound great, Audified DW Drum Enhancer houses several EQs, compressors and saturation models, and has been made in collaboration with the expert manufacturers at Drum Workshop.
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Brainworx bx_subsynth
Audiothing Type A
Audified Drum Enhancer
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