Last Updated on December 15, 2020 by
Voxengo is a very well-known company that creates excellent free plugins And Marvel GEQ is no exception. Having a good EQ is essential for any mixing and mastering engineer. This is a linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer which you should definitely give a try. It comes with an “undo/redo” function which can be quite helpful. SlickEQ is one of the best free VST equalizers out there. It has three bands plus a high pass filter. While the mid band is a bell curve you get the choice between shelf and bell filter for the low and high band.
Every DAW comes with at least one EQ/Equalization plugin…
However, just having one might not cut it, especially sinceevery EQ plugin offers different features.
In this list I’m going to list the best 10 Free Equalizationplugins which should make a great addition to your arsenal.
Let’s get straight into it…
1. TDR Nova EQ by Tokyo Dawn Records (Windows, Mac)
Nova is a parallel dynamic EQ even though it looks a lotlike your traditional parametric EQ.
Best Free Graphic Eq Vst Download
Its four bands also include a full-featured dynamic sectioneach, which means that the EQ can cover a huge variety of applications…
This means that the Nova EQ’s capabilities extend far beyondwhat almost any other EQ can offer.
Having said that, one would imagine that the Nova EQ wouldbe very complex and hard to use, but in reality, its interface and layout arevery intuitive.
The interface provides an easy WYSIWYG drag and drop displaypaired with a classic “knob” interface which allows for quick and smooth accessto the various parameters that Nova EQ offers.
Not only this, but also comes with additional high-pass andlow-pass filter sections.
All in all, Nova EQ is very easy to recommend since it couldeasily be a premium plugin… but it’s actually free!
You can download it here.
Related: Here’s a list of the best Free Compression Plugins available.
2. ReaEQ by Cockos (Windows Only)
ReaEQ is part of the ReaPlugs VST FX Suite by Cockos.
Cockos is the company that created Reaper, one of the bestDAWs out there… and a pretty affordable one too.
This bundle not only includes the EQ but also a Compressor,Delay, Noise Reduction plugin, Gate and more…
All of these plugins are excellent, not just the EQ… so makesure to download this plugin suite since it’s awesome.
The ReaEQ plugin is an infinite Impulse response EQ that iscapable of unlimited bands.
The filter options are vast… from shelf, low-pass andHigh-pass filter, to band-pass and all-pass.
What I like so much about this plugin is that, just likewith NOVA EQ, it feels as if it should be a premium one… but it’s free.
You can download it here.
Related: Here’s a list of the best Free Orchestral VST Plugins available.
3. MEqualizer by Melda Production (Windows, Mac)
Melda Productions is a well-known company that createshigh-quality plugins, some of which are free.
MEqualizer is a great 6-band EQ that’s very easy to use andfeatures 7 filter types for each band, integrated tube saturation, andharmonics control.
This plugin also includes a spectrum analyzer for advancedvisualization.
Sadly, you can’t just download it on its own since it’s partof the MFreeFXBundle…
The good news is that you will have access to over 20 freehigh-quality plugins which are included in this bundle like;
MCompressor, MFlanger, MAutoPitch, MAutoPan, and manymore…
You can download it here.
If you’re looking for the best free VST plugins in the world, I have a list of 225 of them.
4. SonEQ by Sonimus (Windows, Mac)
SonEQ is free equalizer plugin that takes parts from somevintage gear and combines them in one free plugin.
SonEQ has 3 bands, bass, middle and treble and provides somegood control over them.
Also, SonEQ has a pre-amp section whith a bass boost whichcan be used to add warmth.
High-pass and Low-pass filters can also be found on this EQ.
SonEQ basically combines all the best qualities of theclassic hardware EQs and combines them all into one plugin.
Even though it’s super easy to use, and when compared toother EQs on this list it might seem a little on the simpler side, it’ssurprisingly capable of generating some fantastic sounds.
If you want to add some smooth saturation and warmth to yourmixes, SonEQ should definitely be considered.
You can download it here.
Looking for free guitar VST plugins? Here are the 15 best ones.
5. Marvel GEQ by Voxengo (Windows, Mac)
Marvel GEQ is a linear-phase 16-band graphic EQ whichsupports up to 8 input/output channels for professional streaming and sound andmusic production applications.
The beauty of the Marvel GEQ plugin is that it allows forsome extremely quick EQ adjustments, both to single audio tracks as well asentire mixes.
It’s very intuitive to use since you only have the 16-bandsand that’s it…
Lastly, if you don’t like the color of the plugin, you canchange it to other variants which are included.
You can download it here.
Interested in free Synth vst plugins? Here’s an entire post on that topic.
6. Triple EQ by Blue Cat (Windows, Mac)
The free Triple EQ is a 3-band semi parametric EQ and is a veryversatile plugin since it features a wide range of gain (+/-40dB per band) andbandwidth (.01 to 5octave).
This allows you to create any filter shape.
The three filters are linked together so that when youchange the center frequency or the bandwidth, the parameters of the threefilters are modified accordingly: you can control the entire equalizercharacteristics with a single mouse click.
The graph shows the frequency response of the plug-in, sothat you can exactly know how your signal is processed.
Triple EQ also offers a dual channels version, withindependent left/right or mid/side equalization capabilities, and thesechannels can even be linked together allowing you to transform this plugin intoa frequency-dependent panner.
Lastly, you can control the whole plugin through MIDI orautomation.
You can download it here.
Interested in free reverb VST plugins? Here’s a post about the 15 best ones.
7. Nova-67P EQ by vladg/sound (Windows, Mac)
Nova-67P is a parallel parametric equalizer plugincombined with a compressor which can optionally operate in frequency dependentand split-band modes.
In this case the plugin operates as a parallel dynamicequalizer.
The interface isn’t as visually appealing as some otherplugins on this list…
But it’s definitely a very powerful plugin.
You can download it here.
Looking for free Delay VSTs? Here’s a post I wrote about the best ones.
8. SlickEQ by Tokyo Dawn Labs and Variety of Sound (Windows, Mac)
SlickEQ is a collaborative project by Variety of Sound and Tokyo Dawn Labs.
It’s a plugin designed mainly for mixing and mastering thatfocuses on ease of use and musical flexibility.
Three (and a half) filter-bands arranged in a classicLow/Mid/High semi-parametric layout offer fast and intuitive access to fourdistinct EQ modes, each representing a set of distinct EQ curves and behaviors.
Included is an automatic gain compensation tool which willadjust the perceived loudness during EQ operations.
One cool feature is the SlickEQ allows you to exclusivelyprocess either the stereo sum or stereo difference (i.e. “stereo width”)without additional sum/difference encoding.
It offers an output stage with 4 different saturation models which are meant to add warmth and subtle textures.
Now, you can also get the SlickEQ Gentlemen’s Edition, which is the premium version of this plugin, that comes with some extra EQ and saturation models, plus some extra features like a Low-Pass filter and a tilt EQ.
You can download it here.
9. Pushtec 5+1A EQ by Leftover Lasagne (Windows Only)
Even though I don’t like the interface of the Pushtec 5+1A,I have to admit that it works quite well!
It’s a free 6-band mid-range EQ plugin which comes with adecent number of presets.
I found it a bit confusing at first, but I think that thisis only because I’m not used to the layout.
Note: It also comes with a Winamp plugin version.
You can download it here.
10. ParisEQ by Matt Craig (Windows Only)
The Paris VST EQ is a very simple and straight forward 4-band stereo parametric VST equalizer plugin that features the same algorithm as the E-mu/Ensoniq Paris system.
It offers the same musicality and quirkiness as the original including soft-limiting, grungy distortion ability, and resonant behavior under certain conditions.
Previously only accessible to those who owned the Paris custom DSP hardware, this unique EQ is now available to all PC DAW users.
You can download it here.
11. Mellowmuse EQ1A (Windows, Mac)
EQ1A is a super simple yet smooth analog style equalizer, with minimal sound coloration.
It features a high pass filter with variable Q, frequency sweepable low and high shelf filters, and sweepable low and high peak filters with variable Q.
A bypass switch is available for each filter section for increased flexibility.
If you are a beginner who wants to learn the basics of EQ, then the EQ1A might be a good plugin to get you started.
You can download it here.
12. lkjb TinyQ (Windows, Mac)
Yes, the name is a mouthful, but if you’re looking for simplicity, then TinyQ is for you.
It features 4 EQ bands from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, two of them switchable between peak and shelf, as well as hi- and lo-cut with orders between 6 and 48 dB/octave.
It even comes with an analyzer, but this one is disabled by default, since the whole idea behind this plugin is to reduce CPU usage.
All in all, a pretty lightweight yet powerful Tiny EQ.
You can download it here.
How to learn EQ?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with just going by ear, in fact that’s how lots of people learned.
However, if you want to fast-track your progress and learn EQ as efficiently as possible, here’s a link to an online course which is pretty damn awesome… It’s also affordable too.
- EQ Fundamentals.
Make sure to check it out!
Conclusion
All of the free EQ plugins on this list are great.
I absolutely love ReaEQ and all of the plugins that comeincluded in that effects bundle…
But no matter which one you choose you should be gettinggreat results.
I hope this information was useful!
Have a wonderful day!
So, after covering the best free parametric EQs a few weeks ago, now it’s time to find and list the best freeware graphic equalizers in VST plugin format. I don’t use graphic EQs too often, so creating this list was a bit harder than usual.
To provide you with more choices, I’ve included my favorite freeware graphic equalizers, and also the ones I’ve noticed being mentioned more often on music production forums like KVR and Gearslutz. As always, you’re welcome to suggest your favorite free graphic eq in the comments section below, in case I’ve missed it.
Follow the links for screenshots & download info:
10EQ by Phoenixinflight (Windows)- 30-Band Graphic EQ by Mildon Studios (Windows)
- Aqualizer by RJProjectst (Windows)
- Classic EQ by Kjaerhus (Windows)
- CS12M by Terry West (Windows)
- EQ18 by David Ross (Windows)
- EQ22 by RoughDraftAudio (Windows)
- Eq31 by Habib (Windows)
- Free Ranger by SPL (Mac, Windows)
- KarmaFX Equalizer by KarmaFX (Windows)
- Linear Phase Graphic EQ by slim slow slider (Windows)
- Marvel GEQ by Voxengo (Mac, Windows)
Marvel GEQ is my favorite freeware graphic equalizer, offering nice sound coloration, several different modes (including M/S), and great stability.
Classic EQ is another one I must recommend, it’s a nice lightweight graphic EQ, and can also be used for creating some nice stereo effects.
Free Ranger offers only four bands (40Hz, 150Hz, 1.8kHz, and 16kHz), but I’ve read some nice comments about it, so you can’t go wrong if you download and test it in your setup.
EQ22 is also often praised on forums, it’s a rather old plugin but people seem to like it’s sound alot.
CS12m offers HP and LP filters together with the twelve EQ bands, which makes it usable as an all-in-one channel equalizer for those who like using graphic EQs.
Best Free Graphic Eq Vst Plugin
Aqualizer was featured in Music Tech Magazine (although being featured on BPB is way cooler, right?) and it’s source code is also available for download, so it may be interesting for those of you who are into programming.
10EQ is a nice graphic equalizer based on API 560. Many thanks to bpb reader oscar for reminding me of it!
Best Free Graphic Eq Vst Free
Can’t say much about other plugins in the list, as I haven’t tested all of them yet. If you’ve tried some of the other plugins, you’re welcome to leave your impressions/suggestions in the comments section below. Happy mixing!