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tv
Free Plugin Tool Box
The Golden Age of Software Effects
Written by Ryan Earnhardt
www.CreativeSoundLab.tv

Free plugins have come a long way. Just ten years ago, a free
plugin was something you didn’t have much high expectations
for. However, I’ve recently seen a tape emulation plugin as being
voted above many paid plugins. I actually tried a few of these in
a blind test, and yeah... it sounds really good.

In order to qualify for my Free Plugin Tool Box, all the plugins had to work on both PC and
Mac, and be available as a free download on a long-term basis. No “Free for 3 days, then
$50”. Nope - Any of the plugins here need to be able to go into DAW projects and never
lock you out or go out of “Demo mode”. There were also a few plugins that were unstable,
and those I didn’t bother including.

Some of these plugins are crowd funded. This means the developer decided to give away
the product, and then allow people to make donations at various amounts. Patreon is a
great platform to support creators like AirWindows and Analog Obsession. If you can,
please support these creators. $1 a month can be more than enough to make a huge
difference in the creator's life.

Individual Track Color

Console Channel

Airwindows “Channel 964”

Ridiculously simple and ridiculously good. I

first heard Chris Johnson’s work on a plugin
that featured several developers. I knew that
the tab labeled as “Airwin” was a cut above

© 2021 Ryan Earnhardt - Creative Sound Lab - https://creativesoundlab.tv

the rest. Then I discovered the rest of his plugins, and have come to trust his plugins for
saturation and flavor roles. The Channel 964 sounds great, and is subtle. I see that as a
good thing. It’s not over the top and it’s meant to be layered throughout a mix. I’ve noticed
the SSL console setting (Left knob) to be great for pushing a kick drum to the front of a
mix. I mostly use it in the Neve Console setting for all of my tracks, as one of the first
plugins in the chain. https://www.patreon.com/airwindows

Tape Emulation

Airwindows “ToTape564”

This one is just amazing. Really nice on

drums. I like to push the “Softer” knob up to
about 60% but keep the “Louder” knob less
than half-way. Go easy on the “Fatter” knob,
as this adds a lot of low end. It’s very cool
sounding, and has a complex sound.
https://www.patreon.com/airwindows

Compressors
General Purpose

Jon V Audio “FirComp”

This is a really nice compressor that you can make do about anything you need it to. It was
recommended to me by a viewer on a live stream for brick wall limiting, but I’ve also
found it to be very capable on individual channels. It has only a few options for ratios, but I
find it’s a very good sounding compressor. The feel of the plugin is very good as well, with

© 2021 Ryan Earnhardt - Creative Sound Lab - https://creativesoundlab.tv

the contour of knobs and sliders giving you the results that you expect when you turn
them.

Cockos “ReaComp - Standalone”

A select few of the plugins from Cockos Reaper are available as a VST for other DAWs.

The ReaComp can give you sounds of a VCA (DBX, SSL) but also provide the flavor of a FET
compressor (1176). With the settings pictured below, you can get a
hard-to-make-it-sound-bad compressor that has an 1176 feel to it.

Change the “Detector input” to “Main Input” to act like a DBX VCA style compressor. Keep
the release times fast, and the attack times sort of fast.

A large knee size helps the compressor sound more musical and easier to find better
sounds.

Set the “Highpass” to 5000 Hz and the “Lowpass” to 20,000 Hz to create a de-esser; a tool
that is hard to find in free plugins.

Another nice feature is the ability to mix Wet/Dry. Afraid of over compressing? Add in
equal parts dry and wet, and you have a 50/50 mix.

I have the setting pictured below as my default setting for this plugin in my DAW.

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FET

AnalogObsession “Fetish”

Forgive the name, this is one cool compressor. Easy to use and loads of nice features. One
thing to note: The attack and release settings are opposite from the hardware. The
Wet/Dry mix is also a nice feature.

Clicking on the name “Analog Obsession” puts the plugging into oversampling mode.

Highpassing at 80 Hz and adding a boost using the MF knob on the left (+6 dB at 6.5k) will
create a Distressor style compressor.

Use “SLAM” to go into multi-buttons mode. This slows down the attack of the compressor,
which is great for vocals and kick drum. Remember, using an “All buttons In” mode on an
1176 does not have to be slammed. Feel free to use slower release times, and even 3 dB of
reduction. It simply gives you a different flavor, and the key thing to remember is that
slower attack time for vocals/kick.

Another interesting feature - The output doesn’t mute the output. Usually on the hardware,
turning the knob fully to the left will attenuate the level to infinity (Acting as a mute).

Opto

AnalogObsession “LALA”

You know it as soon as you see it. It’s an LA-2A! When you need it, you need it. Great
option to put after the Fetish for that 1176 > LA2A technique.

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VCA

AnalogObsession “Specomp”

There’s many options but for now, we will first cover the stereo bus VCA compressor that
everyone knows. This is a great option for that SSL bus compressor sound.

In my testing, I’ve found that the knee all the way up works best. Then use a fast release,
and medium fast attack. No auto release on this one, but I found the setting in the picture
below to work well for most things. Look to compress about 2 - 4 dB. They also have an
expanded feature version, but I didn’t think it had the magic that the Specomp had.

Vari Mu - STA-level

Klanghelm “MJUC Jr”

The dead giveaway on this one that point it to the STA-level is the time constants of fast,
slow, and auto. Great for slower speed vocal and bass guitar. Has a noticeable color to it
when you put it on several tracks.

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EQ
Utility EQ / Parametric EQ

Cockos “ReaEQ - Standalone”

A really nice tool to have, as most of the free plugins don’t have a nice option for a utility
EQ. Great for finding annoying snare ring, or high passing. This EQ also shows you the
phase shift, which is incredibly cool. Not a common feature on even paid EQs.

The EQ starts out with 4 bands, but you can add as many as you’d like. I took the picture
with 7 bands to make the point.

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The picture above also shows the basic functions of High Pass, Notch, Band, and Shelf.
What’s not to like here? A great tool for sure!

Flavor EQs

AnalogObsession “BritChannel”

This company is killing it. Just so many cool options.

Pictured left is the “ChannelV” which is a really nice collection of Neve inspired tools. You
can overdrive the signal in 3 different places, plus shape the signal with EQ in the preamp
section as a bonus. For kick drum, the 100Hz boost in the preamp section has been a
favorite, and then I use the EQ to shape the mids. You can layer the compression, just like a
33609 with it’s two layers of compression then limiting. And a De-esser. Man, what a
helpful tool to have in the tool kit.

Pictured right is the familiar looking 1073 Neve style EQ.

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AnalogObsession “SSQ”

I’ve found this EQ to be easy to use, and give me most of what I need as I mix. All the
familiar frequencies of the SSL EQ are here.

The filters sound great for cleaning up the low end. Not too aggressive and it does the job
well. Nice sound in the lows and mids. Very flexible high boost / shelf.

Fuse Audio Labs “W2395c”

This is a nice gem from Fuse Audio,

that gives you some unique EQ
tones. The low end boost is nice,
and very nice mid EQ for guitars.

A nice feature is the Drive, where

you can dial in how much flavor you
would like.

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IKJB “Luftikus”

Some folks love the Maag EQ and the “Air Band” that is associated with the sound. It’s a
broad strokes type EQ. Almost like a pultec, but with simple boosts/cuts.

I always find the frequencies a bit strange, but when in use, it just seems to work to help
shape the sound. Just like a Pultec, the numbers don’t really mean much. Worth checking
out!

AnalogObsession “N492NE”

I can’t say that many would know the sound of the real hardware, but in my testing I found
this to be a great sounding EQ for most things. I used it on stereo bus, and drum bus. This
EQ is known for it’s rich and complex low end, and buttery mids.

I’d say this is one of the better plugins in the entire offering from AnalogObsession. It just
sounds special and has a character to it.

© 2021 Ryan Earnhardt - Creative Sound Lab - https://creativesoundlab.tv

Effects
Reverb

Denis Tihanov “Oril River”

The Oril River is a highlight for reverbs. Great at creating spaces that are large or small,
and it has a non-muddy quality to it. Very nice for vocal reverbs, snare, and many other
things. I’m still exploring this one, but so far I really like it.

© 2021 Ryan Earnhardt - Creative Sound Lab - https://creativesoundlab.tv

Michael Willis “DragonflyRoomReverb”

This is actually a collection of 3 different reverbs (Room, Hall, Plate) and they each sound
good. They are really nice for a warm reverb sound, such as warm vocal rooms when you
need to subtly blend the vocal into the track.

Valhalla “Supermassive”

Home to $50 reverb plugins that have become the standard, Valhalla has three plugins
that are free. They each are worth checking out!

If you need a reverb, the Supermassive is fairly versatile. Perhaps not the most standard
reverb sounds, but you get a plugin from an experienced developer that is very well put
together. That is to say, it’s easy to use, and has a wide range of sounds that are sound
great.

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Modulation

Chorus

Valhalla “Supermassive”

This plugin is capable of some really creative

sounds that take the mix up a notch. On the right is
a setting I found useful for thickening up a lead
vocal.

Also note that there are several modes, so it’s not

just one effect...more like eight unique effects!

AirWindows “ADT64”

I read this to be similar to the Waves ADT Abby Road plugin, in which modulation was used
to simulate a doubled vocal. On the right is my preferred setting for lead vocal. The trick is
to use the effect without something noticing it.

Again, with AirWindows a super simple user interface, and yes...this is how it actually
looks. Just a few knobs. But it’s sounds great!

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CableGuys “PanCake 2”

Forget automating a complex synth part, just let an envelope based looper pan it for you.

Conclusion
There are some amazing plugins out there, and really no excuse to not make music.

That’s it for Edition 1, and there will be more added to this guide for future editions.

© 2021 Ryan Earnhardt - Creative Sound Lab - https://creativesoundlab.tv