Best
Overall
Mixing Plugins
or Live use
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Overall: 9/10
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Best Feature: Comprehensive EQ and filter plug-in.
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best Reverb
Mixing Plugins
Cartridge for Z-DSP Sound designers
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Overall: 8/10
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Best Feature: A powerful DSP cartridge for Z-DSP Eurorack
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TedScore™: 8/10
Best Echo
Plugins
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Overall: 8/10
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Best Feature: Delay plug-in with a wide range of vintage-to-modern echo and delay sounds.
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TedScore™: 8/10
When I found the best mixing plugins, it felt like discovering a hidden map to help me navigate through the music-making process. These tools have completely transformed how I work, allowing me to shape my tracks accurately and creatively.
From EQs that adjust the different sounds to compressors that make the music more powerful, mixing plugins change how we hear music. They’re not just tools; they show off the unique sound of your music.
I’ve always leaned on FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ plugins, knowing that a great mix can turn a good track into a masterpiece.
Keep reading, and I’ll show you the most excellent new mixing plugins of the year. We’ll find the perfect ones and discuss how each plugin can improve your music.
Trust me, by the end, you’ll love these amazing tools as much as I do!
Brand Specific Plugin Highlights
There’s nothing quite like having the right toolkit at my fingertips. The following brands offer standout plugins that have carved a niche for themselves in music production.
FabFilter's Precision Engineering
FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ and Filter Plug-in
I’ve always enjoyed FabFilter’s Pro-Q 3 for its detailed and intuitive EQ work. It allows absolute control over my audio with up to 24 bands and a gorgeous spectrum analyzer.
FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ and Filter Plug-in
FEATURES: -Comprehensive EQ and filter plug-in.
-Dolby Atmos supports
intelligent per-band speaker selection.
-Improved EQ band menu with
Make Dynamic, Invert Gain, and more.
- You can choose between transparent Linear Phase mode or analog-like Natural Phase mode.
- Steep learning curve.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
FabFilter Pro-C 2 Compressor Plug-in
Pro-C 2’s flexibility and transparent sound are my go-to when I need dynamic range control. Its features like auto gain and advanced side-chain options make a difference.
FabFilter Pro-C 2 Compressor Plug-in
and mixing tasks
FEATURES: -Three different compressor styles.
-Program-dependent attack
and release curves.
-Zero-latency click-free
64-bit internal processing.
- Sample-accurate automation of all parameters.
- Extensive help file with interactive help hints.
- It may require a significant amount of processing power.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
FabFilter Pro-R2 Reverb Plug-in
Pro-R 2 from FabFilter gives my mixes space and depth without ever muddying the sound. It’s my secret weapon for natural-sounding reverb.
FabFilter Pro-R2 Reverb Plug-in
and Producers
FEATURES: -New algorithms, such as Modern,
Vintage, and Plate.
-Auto Gate and Ducking functions provide
detailed dynamics control.
- Real-time spectrum analyzer also visualizes decay time at different frequencies.
- Full-screen mode offers a large analyzer display and reverb Decay Rate EQ and Post EQ.
- The advanced controls may be challenging for new users.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
FabFilter Saturn 2 Saturation and Distortion Plug-in
Then there’s FabFilter Saturn 2, which is best at adding warmth and depth to my tracks with its multiband distortion capabilities.
FabFilter Saturn 2 Saturation and Distortion Plug-in
FEATURES: -Up to 6 bands of multiband processing
with optional linear phase processing.
-Multiband design with per-band options brings a unique
flavor to your music.
- Twenty-eight distortion styles — tube warmth, tape saturation, bit-crushing, and more.
- The plug-in's advanced processing may demand substantial CPU power.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Soundtoys Creative Suite
Soundtoys Effect Rack 5 Plug-in
Soundtoys offer a suite of effects that tickle my creative side whenever I use them.
Their plugins can transform a dull mix into a living, breathing soundscape. With its range of audio effect plugins, Soundtoys encourages me to experiment and find exciting new sounds.
Soundtoys Effect Rack 5 Plug-in
FEATURES: -Multi-effects system with
a cache of tried-and-true Soundtoys classics.
-Recycle control mixes your output into the plug-in's
input to create unique sounds.
- Save and recall effect chains effortlessly in different hosts.
- Carefully crafted presets make auditioning new ideas a piece of cake.
- None
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Universal Audio's Classic Collection
Universal Audio, or UAD, is like the classic cars of the plugin world—they never go out of style. Their emulation of vintage hardware brings warmth and character to my digital studio.
It’s the magic of analog without the hardware hassle.
Universal Audio Apollo x8p Heritage Edition 16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with UAD DSP
FEATURES: - UA 1176 Collection with three unique versions: Rev A, Rev E, and AE.
- Teletronix LA2A Classic Leveler Collection offers three historic versions
of the revered electro-optical tube processor.
- Pultec Passive EQ Collection and Fairchild Tube Limiter Collection.
- You’ll also receive the Realtime Analog Classics Plus bundle
- Higher Price Point
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Waves' Diverse Offerings
Waves plugins are like a Swiss Army knife for mix engineers; there’s a tool for every job.
Their H-Delay gives my tracks the rich, echoic pitter-patter that can only come from high-quality delay. Various bundles like the H-Series cater to specific needs, such as mixing drums, with a finesse that’s shaped countless hit records.
Waves H-Series Plug-in Bundle
FEATURES: -Plug-ins included in this bundle:
H-Reverb Hybrid reverb, H-Delay
Hybrid delay, H-EQ Hybrid equalizer, and H-Comp Hybrid compressor.
- Affordable
- None
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Essential Plugins for Mixing
In my mixing adventures, I’ve stumbled upon a few game-changers that have polished my tracks to shine. Let’s dive into the essential tools I swear by, each bringing magic to the mix!
Equalization Tools
I can’t emphasize enough how vital EQ is in my toolkit.
The FabFilter Pro-Q 3 is my go-to for its pristine sound quality and surgical precision.
It’s brimming with features like dynamic EQ bands and the ability to solo frequency bands to pinpoint issues.
Dynamic Range Compression
No mix can escape the need for good compression, and a solid compressor like the SSL G-Master Buss Compressor adds punch and glue to my tracks.
Its transparency and parallel compression capabilities make it a non-negotiable in my plugin folder.
Waves SSL G-Master Buss Compressor Plug-in
FEATURES:
-Developed under license from Solid State Logic.
- Includes presets from Grammy-winning mixer Chris Lord-Alge.
- May present a steep learning curve for users.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Delays and Echo Effects
When I want to add a sense of movement or thicken vocals, delay plugins come into play.
The EchoBoy from Soundtoys has a coveted spot on my effects list for its analog warmth and many echo styles that enhance my audio signals.
Soundtoys EchoBoy Analog Echo Plug-in
FEATURES:
-Delay plug-in with a wide range of
vintage-to-modern echo and delay sounds.
- Unique Rhythm Echo engine allows rhythmic manipulation of delay patterns.
- Up to 15 seconds of delay, gives you lots of creative potential when combined with the Rhythm Echo mode.
- It may not integrate seamlessly with all digital audio workstations.
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Saturation and Harmonic Enhancement
Saturation is my secret sauce for warmth and perceived loudness.
Plugins like Decapitator by Soundtoys offer subtle harmonic enhancement and blistering distortion, giving my sounds richness and character. Its analog models are particularly effective for diverse sonic experimentation.
Soundtoys Decapitator Analog Saturation Plug-in
FEATURES:
-Classic analog gear saturation emulator.
-5 different emulation modes.
- Mixing process control lets you blend in unaffected signal for extra clarity.
- Available in AAX, AU, and VST formats
- None
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Digital and Analog Modelling Plugins
I can’t help but adore the rich textures that analog equipment adds to a track. In the digital realm, magical tools replicate this warmth and character without the hefty hardware.
Emulating Analog Warmth
I’ve noticed that saturators are my go-to for injecting that sought-after analog warmth into digital sound. They simulate the pleasing harmonic distortion that classic gear imparts.
Softube and UAD stand out with their meticulous approach to modeling. Their plugins give digital tracks a depth and vibe delightfully indistinguishable from authentic analog sound.
Hybrid Plugin Solutions
Hybrid plugin solutions offer the best of both worlds.
We’re discussing digital plugins that combine analog modeling with versatile digital control.
The modular channel strip plugin by Brainworx is a fine example on my list.
It combines analog emulations with digital precision in a way that makes mixers like me grin.
Selecting the Right Plugin for Your Needs
When looking for the perfect mixing plugin, I constantly consider a number of vital considerations. It’s about picking the ace that fits into my audio chess game like a glove.
Considering DAW Compatibility
First, I ensure the plugin I’m eyeing plays nicely with my DAW. It’s a bit like a dance partner; if we’re stepping on each other’s toes, it won’t work.
Balancing Quality and Budget
A good kit doesn’t always cost a bomb, but sometimes you’ve got to fork out a bit to get the top drawer stuff. I juggle my pennies and penchant for quality, looking for that sweet spot where cost and caliber coalesce.
Expanding Your Toolkit with Free Plugins
I always search for stellar free mixing plugins that punch well above their weight. They’re like the secret sauce, adding that extra zest to my mixes without pinching the purse strings.
I find a few high-level methods that can dramatically uplift your blend. Get ready to inject some craftiness into your tracks!
Advanced Mixing Techniques
Sidechain Compression
Sidechain compression is a bit of a secret sauce in my mixes. It’s brilliant for creating that pulsing effect, especially in electronic music.
When the kick hits, I duck the volume of competing elements like a bass, which clears headspace and adds punch.
Automation in Mixing
Now, let’s chat about automation. It’s my go-to for keeping listeners on their toes because it allows me to dynamically vary the dynamics within a track.
I often play with the volume, panning, and effects parameters over time to let each section breathe its own unique life.
Using Reference Tracks
I’m fond of this neat trick: using reference tracks. They’re a reliable compass for achieving a tonal balance on par with the pros.
I meticulously compare my mix to well-produced songs, ensuring I navigate a well-balanced spectral shape.
Answer
Stereo Widening Techniques
In the mixing process, understanding the frequency spectrum is crucial for balancing the various elements within a mix.
When it comes to stereo widening, it’s like adding dimensions to a painting. I often use stereo-spread plugins to give my mix a sense of spaciousness without sounding unnatural.
It’s all about giving each element its place in the stereo field, creating a lush soundscape. Utilizing stereo imaging tools can help create a comprehensive and immersive stereo image, enhancing the spatial depth of the mix.
When mastering plugins, preserving the natural dynamics and ensuring the frequency range is well-balanced, especially when working with vocal sound, is essential.
A well-structured mixing workflow allows careful attention to detail in managing the frequency spectrum and stereo imaging, resulting in a polished and cohesive mix.
Best Mixing Plugins
Rundown
Exploring mixing plugins is like a treasure hunt in the audio world. Whether I’m looking for the versatility of a bundle like FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ, this plugin is my go-to tool.
I need more time-based effects processors; they give my tracks extra dimension.
Reverb and delay are my secret sauce for depth and atmosphere. Of course, I’m always looking for new tools to spice up my mixes, but I repeatedly return to these stalwarts.
Every mixer’s toolkit should be as unique as its sound. So, while I’ve shared my favorites, finding the ones that resonate with you is essential.
Get your hands on these plugins and play around; it’s the best way to discover how they can elevate your audio game.
Remember, the best mixing plugin is the one that fits your workflow and helps you achieve your sonic vision. I’m keen to hear about the wonders you uncover, so don’t be shy—drop a line about what works for you, and let’s keep this conversation groovy!
There’s more…
Check out this article on the Best Digital Mixers for comprehensive insights into top digital mixing consoles catering to audio production needs.
