Here are the best free mastering VST plugins online that you can use with FL Studio, Reason, Ableton Live, and other VST-supported DAW.
I’ve gathered the best mastering plugins here, complete with feature lists, images, and videos.
These free mastering plugins can help you achieve a more professional sound with your music projects. I have included mastering plugins that work for Windows and Mac.
Best Mastering VST Plugins
- Span
- Ozone Imager 2
- Loudmax
- Limiter 6
- TDR Nova
- ClipShifter
- W1limiter
- Barricade Pro
- Voxengo Elephant
- MV Meter
- Stereo Tool V3
- Marvel GEQ
- A1 Stereo Control
- IVGI
- SoftClipper
- FerricTDS
- mvMeter2
- Voxengo Marvel GEQ
- Sonimus SonEQ
- Bittersweet
There is a wide range of mastering plugins available on the market. They can be categorized into three main types:
- Equalizers – These are used to adjust frequencies in a song and make it sound better for playback on different devices.
- Dynamic Processors – These are used to control the volume and dynamics in a song, smoothing out any harsh sounds that may have been picked up during recording.
- Effects – These are used to add effects such as reverb, delay, distortion, and more to an audio track.
Want to discover new free VST plugins and instruments for your music production? Browse now!
Mastering plugins are often used in music production to improve the audio quality of a song.
The goal of mastering is to produce a recording with good volume, frequency response, and minimal noise. A mastering engineer typically uses compressors, limiters, equalizers, and level meters to achieve these goals.
Tutorial: How to Install VST Plugins | Free Online Mastering Software
Instructions: Click the links below to visit each mastering plugin. Look around each website for the download link or button. Do not install any suspicious software.
Span
SPAN is a free real-time fast Fourier transform audio spectrum analyzer AAX, AudioUnit, and mastering suite for professional sound and music production applications.
For the most part, it was derived from Voxengo GlissEQ dynamic parametric equalizer and reproduces its spectrum analysis functionality. Streamline the mastering process.
- Fast Fourier transform spectrum analyzer
- Stereo, mid-side, surround spectrum analyzer
- Stereo correlation meter
- Mastering Engineer Tools
- Customizable Spectrum Analyzer
- Frequency Spectrum Analyzer
- EQ to match a reference track
- K level meter
- RMS, peak level, and clipping detector
Span | PC & Mac
Ozone Imager 2
If you’re looking to give your mix extra polish, this is a perfect plugin. With its fluid visuals and three different vectorscope meters, you can easily control the width of any track.
Whether going for super-wide sounds or creating narrow, mono-like sources, this program can help you achieve the perfect mix.
You’re sure to love the results you get with this one—a great plugin for mastering engineers and audio mixers.
- Fluid, visually intuitive interface
- Three different vectorscope meters
- Easy control of stereo width
Ozone Imager 2 | PC & Mac
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Loudmax
LoudMax is a look-ahead brick wall loudness maximizer mastering tool with a clean and transparent sound.
It is designed to retain the original character of the music as much as possible, even at high compression levels.
- True Peak Limiting (Further information for ISP below)
- Supported Sample rates: 2kHz – 384kHz
- Look-Ahead and Attack Time: 1.25ms
- Release Time: Automatic – depending on the input signal
- No audible distortion
- Possible overdrive: 740dB
- Very low CPU usage
Loudmax | PC & Mac
Limiter 6
This is a more complex and versatile take on limiting. It offers more control than LoudMax, which can be helpful if your program material requires detailed tweaking.
Its five modules include RMS compressor, peak limiter, high-frequency limiter, clipper, and true peak limiter.
- 5 modules: Compressor, limiter, clipper, true peak limiter
- Mastering-grade signal processing
- Brickwall & soft limiting, variable timing
- M/S & multiband modes
- Optional 4x oversampling
- True inter-sample peaks (ISP) limit
- Analog-style metering
- 2 GUI options
- Tonal Balance Control
Limiter 6 | PC & Mac
TDR Nova
This is a parallel dynamic EQ that provides instant access to the frequency range in your music projects. It also contains some additional high-pass and low-pass filter sections to help you control the sound even further.
Its intuitive equal loudness function ensures that your audio sounds are balanced.
This plugin is a free alternative to the Elevate Mastering Bundle by Eventide Audio, the Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain Plugin by Waves, and the Lurssen Mastering Console by IK Multimedia—a helpful plugin for mastering engineers.
- Intuitive equal loudness function
- Additional high-pass and low-pass filter sections
- Parallel dynamic EQ
TDR Nova | PC & Mac
ClipShifter
ClipShifter is a wave-shaping audio plugin that functions like a clipping-style limiter. It offers controls for Clip Shape (hard to soft) and harmonics so that you can be in control of the sound.
This is one of my favorite VST plugins for audio clipping.
- Waveshaping plugin
- Functions like a clipping-style limiter
- Mastering Engineer Tools
- Controls for clip shape and harmonics
- Low CPU usage
ClipShifter | PC & Mac
Related: 35 Best Free Mixing VST Plugins
W1limiter
George Yohng programmed the plugin. With its simple interface and powerful sound, the plugin is perfect for beginners and pros, making it one of the best free mastering plugins.
- Simple interface
- Powerful controls
- Maximum loudness without sacrificing quality
W1Limiter | PC
Barricade Pro
If you’re looking to master your audio, Barricade Pro is your limiter. It operates in four domains simultaneously: Waveform limiting, Envelope limiting, Loudness limiting, and Correlation limiting.
The interface is straightforward, so you can get to work quickly and efficiently.
- Easy-to-use interface
- 4 limiter types
Barricade Pro | PC
Voxengo Elephant
This mastering limiter is a powerful tool to help you achieve great quality in your music. It features a variety of limiter modes, including headroom estimation, EBU R128, and K-system metering.
It also has a built-in linear-phase oversampling and DC offset filter. In addition, it has a high-quality bit-depth converter with optional noise-shaping.
- A variety of limiter modes
- Built-in linear-phase oversampling
- High-quality bit depth converter
- Optional noise shaping
Voxengo Elephant | PC & Mac
MV Meter
MV Meter is a multivariable meter that includes RMS, EBUR128, VU, and PPM measurements.
- Analog-style VU & PPM meter emulation
- Measurement modes: PEAK, RMS, EBU R128, VU, PPM
- Multi-channel metering: Stereo, L/R, Mid, Side
- Precise, sizable live meters
- Adjustable pre-gain for gain matching
- 64-bit internal processing
- Mastering Engineer Tools
- 5 Meter themes
- GUI scales up to 400% for 4K displays
MV Meter | PC
Stereo Tool V3
StereoTool offers ultra-precise control of input gain and individual pan for left and right channels.
These mastering tools are great alternatives to the Lurssen Mastering Console by IK Multimedia, Elevate Mastering Bundle by Eventide Audio, and the Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain Plugin by Waves.
- Up to 8 channels Input/Output
- 64-bit internal floating-point processing
- Sampling rate up to 384 kHz
- AU/VST/AAX/AAX AudioSuite
Stereo Tool V3 | PC & Mac
Marvel GEQ
Marvel GEQ allows audio engineers and musicians to apply quick EQ shape adjustments to audio tracks and full mixes.
The linear-phase filtering offered by Marvel GEQ is suitable for equalization tasks where high-quality and excellent sonic characters are made.
- Track graphic equalizer
- Voice streaming equalizer mastering chain
- Free mastering graphic equalizer
- Stereo, mid-side, 5.1 surround equalizer
- Transparent graphic equalizer
GEQ | PC & Mac
A1 Stereo Control
This stereo wideness expander/limiter helps center all bass frequencies, making it perfect for mastering. It features a linear phase, a resizable GUI, and no latency.
- Stereo wideness expander/limiter
- Helps to center all bass frequencies
- Resizable GUI
- No latency
- Phase Flip feature
- Add to the mastering chain
- Swap L-R feature
- All parameters are automatable
A1StereoControl | PC & Mac
IVGI
IVGI can deliver very soft and subtle saturation that feels at home on the master bus.
It is capable of very dense and dirty distortion effects to spice up single tracks.
IVGI | PC & Mac
SoftClipper Mastering VST
ClipShifter is a wave-shaping free audio mastering VST plugin that functions like a clipping-style limiter and can be used at all mixing stages, from distorting basses and drums to maximizing mix buses and warming up mixes.
- Clipping limiter: Soft to hard distortion control
- Clip Shape & Harmonics: Customizable sound control
- Efficient CPU usage for many instances
- Standard LVC-Audio metering: Easy level monitoring
- Scalable waveform history: Threshold editing for clipping
- Loudness Metering
- 3-band crossover (paid): Precise crossover control
- Independent frequency clipping
SoftClipper | PC & Mac
FerricTDS
Inspired by the smooth dynamic shaping capabilities of some high-end reel-to-reel tape recorders, the Ferrics TDS tape dynamics simulator – simulates three of the most distinctive and much-appreciated sonic effects generated by these devices: dynamics, saturation, and limiting.
- Performs gentle audio dynamic treatments.
- Master difficulty in handling audio material.
- Adds extra harmonics and saturation effects.
- Controls outgoing audio peaks.
FerricTDS | PC
mvMeter2
This is the successor to mvMeter in the VST plugin line. You can enjoy the classic analog behavior of VU and PPM meters with this program. There are multiple measurement modes: PEAK, RMS, EBU R128, VU, and PPM.
You can also take advantage of the multi-channel metering: stereo, left, right, mid, side. The reference level for all meter modes is adjustable. This program also has preset management. You can manage and recall your presets with ease.
- Analog style VU and PPM meters
- Multiple measurement modes
- Multi-channel metering
- Adjustable reference level
- Preset management
mvMeter2 | PC & Mac
Voxengo Marvel GEQ
Voxengo Marvel GEQ is a free linear-phase 16-band graphic equalizer. It offers internal channel routing capabilities and supports mid/side processing. With this tool, you can easily make EQ adjustments to your audio files.
You can surely improve the quality of your audio files with the help of this amazing free plugin. It is one of the best free mastering plugins available and is a must-have for any music producer.
- 16-band linear-phase graphic equalizer
- Internal channel routing capabilities
- Supports mid/side processing
- EQ adjustments can be made with ease
Voxengo Marvel GEQ | PC & Mac
Sonimus SonEQ
SonEQ is a free equalizer plugin that takes parts from some vintage gear and combines them in one.
With 3 band Equalizer, Low, Mid, High, and 2 Musical Filters, High-Pass and Low-Pass, you can easily control the tone of your tracks.
The preamp stage with a bass booster also lets you easily boost your mix’s low end.
- 3 Band Equalizer
- 2 Musical Filters
- Tonal Balance Control
- Preamp stage with bass booster
Sonimus SonEQ | PC & Mac
Bittersweet
This is an acclaimed transient processor that can be used on up to 8 channels of input/output. It offers a variety of controls, including Output Gain and Link to Output Gain.
These two controls work together to provide you with great-sounding results.
The plugin is one of the best free mastering tools available and is a must-have for record producers. You’re sure to get great results with this transient processor.
- 8 channels of input/output
- Output Gain and Link to Output Gain controls
- Great audio results
Bittersweet | PC & AU
After Mastering Compressor
After is a mastering processor VST plugin.
- Bypass
- Clarity effect
- Punch & Body EQ
- 40K Aero enhancer
- Monoizer
- Output Gain
After | PC
TDR Kotelnikov
TDR Kotelnikov is a wideband dynamics processor that is the perfect mastering VST. The 64bit multi-rate processing structure ensures the highest accuracy. While the delta oversampled signal path provides super-fast yet natural-sounding compression.
The crest factor-based control scheme offers independent release controls for peak and RMS events.
Along with a flexible sidechain highpass filter, it also has advanced stereo linking options optimized for the stereo bus.
- 64bit multi-rate processing structure
- Delta oversampled signal path
- Crest factor-based control scheme
- Independent release controls for peak and RMS events
- Flexible sidechain highpass filter
- Advanced stereo imaging options
TDR Kotelnikov | PC & Mac
Nova-67P
Nova-67P is a parallel parametric equalizer plugin combined with a compressor. It’s the perfect mastering VST plugin for mixing, as it offers 5 bands of parallel equalization, with each band having its auto-gain knob.
In addition, there are optional high-pass and low-pass filters. The compression is full-band frequency-dependent and/or split-band. There’s also side-chain filtering and pre-emphasis.
- 5 bands of parallel equalization
- Auto-gain knobs for each band
- Optional high-pass and low-pass filters
- Full-band frequency-dependent compression
- Split-band compression
- Frequency Spectrum Analyzer
- Side-chain filtering
- Pre-emphasis
- Real-time spectrum analysis
- External side-chain support
Nova-67P | PC
dpMeter5
This is a precise digital audio multi-channel meter that can help you adjust your audio levels. Its adjustable pre-gain, loudness offset mode, and free GUI scaling can help you make sure your audio is always sounding its best.
Its preset management system lets you save and recall your settings for easy use.
- Precise digital audiometer
- Adjustable pre-gain
- Loudness offset mode
- Free GUI scaling
- Preset management system
dpMeter5 | PC & Mac
ISOL8
This advanced mix monitoring tool lets you solo/mute each frequency band individually. It allows you to understand better how each frequency affects your mix.
The output level can be adjusted, and the dim loudness function is a great way to keep things under control. Keyboard control is also available, and the multi-channel split lets you see how each channel affects your mix.
The large and easy-to-use GUI is a great way to start this program. The free GUI scaling is also a great feature that lets you get the most out of your screen real estate.
- Advanced mix monitoring tool
- Solo/mute each frequency band individually
- The output level can be adjusted
- Loudness dim function
- Keyboard control
- Multi-channel split
ISOL8 | PC & Mac
Konsol
Konsol is a 3-band mixing console bus perfect for beginners and experienced alike. With its easy-to-use interface, you can achieve great-sounding mixes with just a few clicks. It also offers a bus option and 2-band shelf EQ, making it the perfect tool for any music.
- 3-band mixing console
- Bus option
- 2-band shelf EQ
Konsol | PC & Mac
Frontier
Frontier is one of the best plugins available online, with a straightforward and clean graphical interface. The plugin has excellent sound quality with a transparent mixing/mastering limiter that can tame the loudest amplitude peaks.
It also has a sound shaper to give your audio some extra character.
- Transparent mixing/mastering limiter
- Powerful audio shaper
Frontier | PC & Mac
CS12M Master
This plugin has a GUI design with 12 graphic bands. It includes 3-band quick eq, adjustable high-end low-high exciters, magnetic tape saturator, lowpass/highpass filters, crosstalk emulation (2 models), and 22 presets. This plugin is a great choice for those who want a powerful yet simple-to-use mastering VST plugin.
- GUI design with 12 graphic bands
- 3-bands quick eq
- Adjustable high-end low-high exciters
- Magnetic tape saturator
- Lopass/hipass filters
- Crosstalk emulation (2 models)
- 22 presets??
CS12M Master | PC
DeeSpeaker
DeeSpeaker simulates near-field speakers placed at an angle of 45 degrees to 1m destinations with a headphone. DeeSpeaker synthesizes the sound as it is generated from an accurate monitor speaking in a good setting and the reflections sound in the studio by advanced filter processing and phase processing.
DeeSpeaker | PC & Mac
dpMeter
dpMeter is a precise digital audio multi-channel meter including RMS, EBUR128, and TruePeak (intersample) measurement.
- Click-free 64-bit internal processing.
- Multi-channel metering
- RMS: integrated, momentary, peak, and true peak.
- EBU R128: integrated, momentary, short-term, true pack, and loudness range.
- True Peak measurement
- Continuous/synced measurement
- Loudness Metering
- Record metering results as automation data.
- Large and accurate live meters.
dpMeter | PC & Mac
easyLimiter
easyLimiter is a limiter designed for easy mastering. Made based on research in the field of wave attenuation of high peak that creates problems audition: rattles, crackling, distortions, and other unwanted sounds.
- Clear and smooth audio
- Big volume with no unwanted sounds.
- Continuous sound and very close to the original line.
- Extremely low resources, unique in the area of audio limiters.
- Look Ahead: detection of peaks is made before sound playing, this results in a very little delay and has no importance in the mastering process. This feature detects all peaks in time can be limited.
- Attack attenuation envelope. This feature makes continuous sound and is very close to the original line.
- Release attenuation envelope. This feature improves the continuous line of the sound.
- The Stereo link combines attenuation with stereo balance.
- Left and right attenuation with memory storing.
easyLimiter | PC & Mac
Toned
Toned is a specialized tone-shaping plugin with analog modeling. It allows you to delay and phase compensated mix control and adjust input and output metering with peak and loudness meters.
It also has an internal 64-bit precision with a 2x fixed oversampling rate. The knob controllers have fine- and superfine- control, and there is also a built-in A-B comparison. You can make very precise adjustments to the tone of your tracks.
- Analog modeling
- Fine and superfine control knob controllers
- A-B comparison
- 64-bit precision with 2x fixed oversampling rate
- Delay and phase compensated mix control
- Input and output metering with peak and loudness meters
Toned | PC & Mac
MQ57
MQ57 is a parametric equalizer designed for mastering. It has seven parametric minimum-phase filters per channel. Five of them are peak filters, and two are shelf filters.
With a specialized balance and tilt control, MQ57 is perfect for subtle equalization tasks.
- 7 parametric minimum-phase filters per channel
- 5 peak filters
- 2 shelf filters
- High-pass and low-pass filters
- Zero-latency
- Low CPU consumption
MQ57 | PC
MAnalyzer
This advanced spectral analyzer and sonogram can help you perfect your music. It features smoothing, normalization, super-resolution, prefiltering, and reharmonization to make your music sound its best.
It also provides a peak meter and EBU R128 and ITU-R BS 1770-3 compliant loudness meter to help you keep your music sounding loud and clear.
- Advanced spectral analyzer and sonogram
- Smoothing, normalization, super-resolution, prefiltering and deharmonization
- Peak meter
- Loudness meter
MAnalyzer | PC & Mac
Voxengo Overtone GEQ
If you’re looking to add richness and harmonic overtones to your audio material, the Voxengo Overtone GEQ is a great option.
This free 7-band graphic equalizer features internal channel routing capabilities and supports mid/side processing. With its EQ shape adjustments and overtone controls, you can easily add depth and dimension to your tracks.
- 7-band graphic equalizer
- Internal channel routing
- Supports mid/side processing
- EQ shape adjustments
- Overtone controls
Voxengo Overtone GEQ | PC & Mac
What Are Mastering VST Plugins?
Mastering plugins are audio plugins that you can use to help master a song or album. There are many different types of mastering plugins, including audio clipping tools, EQs, meters, and more.
Some focus on specific aspects, such as compression and limiting, while others offer a more comprehensive range of effects, such as reverb and delay.
These mastering plugins offer all the tools necessary for applying compression, dynamic processing, and maximizing the loudness of individual tracks or an entire stereo mix.
These essential tools come in handy for a mastering engineer or music producer across different genres, allowing complete control over the overall sound of their own mixes.
With these powerful plugins, you can achieve professional results and a natural sound that is suitable for all music genres. Mastering plugins are great for any producer or engineer involved in mixing and mastering.
These handy plugins offer various tools to help achieve the desired sound for different genres, adding warmth and extra harmonics to the audio signal.
One of the main benefits of using a mastering plugin is the ability to apply compression and dynamic equalization to control the dynamic range and frequency balance of the mix.
This ensures that the final product has consistent loudness levels and a cohesive sound across various formats. Multiband compressors and compressor limiters are also powerful plugins that come in handy during the mixing process, allowing for more precise control over the audio signal.
I hope you enjoy these free mastering VST plugins, which are the best mastering software available online for free.
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