In this latest addition to our VST Plugin Directory, I tried to cover the best freeware parametric equalizer VST plugins. In case your favorite free parametric EQ isn’t included in the list, please suggest it in the comments section below.
Note that there is a separate article covering freeware graphic equalizer VST plugins. If you’d like to learn more about different types of equalizers check out this great article by Ethan Winer. And here’s one of my favorite EQ tutorials.
Follow the links for more info:
- AQ1 by Audiocation Audio Akademie (Windows)
- BootEQ mkII by Variety Of Sound (Windows)
- ColourEQ by DDMF (Mac, Windows)
- Dust Equalizer by Signaldust (Windows)
- EasyQ by rs-met (Windows)
- Electri-Q (posihfopit edition) by AiXcoustic Creations (Windows)
- Equilibre by AudioTeknikk (Windows)
- Fnequalizer by Oceanturtle (Windows)
- free Queue by VESCO|FX (Mac, Windows)
- Gloria by 1982art (Windows)
- IIEQ by DDMF (Windows)
- MEqualizer by MeldaProduction (Mac, Windows)
- N6 Paragraphic Equalizer by RAZ Audio (Windows)
- NCL Phase EQ by Matthew Lindsay (Windows)
- NyquistEq by Magnus (Mac, Windows)
- Paris EQ by Matt Creig (Windows)
- PQ33 by J1000 (Windows)
- PTEq-1a by Ignite Amps (Mac, Windows)
- PushTec 5+1A by leftoverlasagne (Windows)
- ReaEQ by Cockos (Windows)
- SlickEQ by TDR/VOS (Mac, Windows)
- SonEQ by Sonimus (Mac, Windows)
My favorite three picks from the list would be SonEQ for creative purposes, ReaEQ for high precision tasks, and EasyQ for all-around use. I also like BootEQ a lot, it’s great for coloring, and IIEQ which is another fantastic plugin and slowly becoming my next go-to EQ.
Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed the article and added some useful new EQ plugins for your home studio. Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and support BPB by sharing links to this article on your blog, social networks, or your favorite forums. Happy mixing!
30 Comments
Luciano
onIndeed, they are all great but, I’m sataying with SonEq and Electric-Q. There are a few ones that aren’t listed in your post, like http://rekkerd.org/matthew-lindsay-ncl-phase-eq/ and http://www.wwaym.com/nweq.html .Anyways thanks for this excelent post!
bedroomproducers
onnice suggestion, i’ve completely forgotten about NCL Phase EQ. added it to the list, thanks!
Some more suggestions:
Phoenix in Flight Solid4010 and ThrillerEQ – http://phoenixinflightaudio.blogspot.com/
Antress Modern Console EQ / Black Dragon / Deep Purple – http://antress.er-webs.com/
Sir Elliot Brass Instrument EQ HD – http://sirelliot.wordpress.com/2010/09/24/sir-elliot-brass-instrument-equaliser-hd/
bedroomproducers
oncheers ronie, i’ve added Solid4010 to the list and will check out your other suggestions.
Piler
onI think the Solid4010 is very very far from the SSL sound.
Robert
onWWAYM NWEQ is really nice! A bit heavy on the cpu, but its very precise and crafty.
zigula
onElectri-Q is really great, “must try” for every freeware guerilla !
Alex
onmy favorite is MEqualizer by MeldaProduction
Barril
onIIEQ is my all purpose EQ for everyday tasks. Amazing plugin! Also, SonEQ is great for that extra low end on kicks and basses.
bob
onEq22 / RoughDraftAudio
Coded eq with tube saturation, 2x internall oversampling, adaptive transient system manegment and warm sounding.
http://www.roughdraftaudio.com
bedroom producers blog
onhi bob, thanks for the suggestion. EQ22 is already featured here:
https://bedroomproducersblog.com/2011/05/11/bpb-freeware-studio-best-free-graphic-equalizer-vst-plugins/
michael
onElectric-Q, despite of being theoretically the best, is actually the buggiest vst I’ve ever used in my life, so buggy it gave me eternal nightmares. Like the piece of shit would automatically reset itself in every damn project I’ve used it in, after reloading that project, regardless of everything.
I dunno, perhaps the problem could of been related to something else, but it’s the only vst that has ever pulled that type of horror on me, ever.
I had to uninstall it.
Zeljko
onPushtec 5+1A, another great one :)
http://www.leftoverlasagne.com/leftoverlasagne/plug-ins.html
Zeljko
onPushtec 5+1A, another great one and light on CPU :)
http://www.leftoverlasagne.com/leftoverlasagne/plug-ins.html
Zeljko
onMaag-a-like ikjb – Luftikus is missing.
Tomislav Zlatic
onCheers Zeljko, I’ll include Luftikus in the next update of this article (in a day or two).
Jeff
onYes, the Luftikus should be here. Compares quite well to the Maag Eq4
willie
onthanks bro.. luv this site.. ausome free pluggins
Joe
onAnother EQ that should be on the list is the free Mellowmuse EQ1a. Very nice, clean, 6 band EQ.
http://www.mellowmuse.com/EQ1A.html
Joe
onWoops its actually 5 bands. Hi/Lo shelf, 2 peak EQs and an HPF
makeingcool
onIf you want to free download the alternative to Foobar2000 for Mac andindows to play MP3, MP4, AAC, CD Audio, WMA, Vorbis, Opus, FLAC, etc and convert between any audio formats.I suggest Avdshare Video Converter
Terry
onHow about SplineEQ by Photosounder? It is pretty amazing from what I can tell. I just installed it (free version) and am impressed. It has 4 nodes you can move around and has a unique (to me at least) way to adjust the curve. Adjustable from +or- 60db. I had never heard of such a thing! It’s a linear phase EQ. There’s a paid version with 60 adjustable nodes also. I’m gonna check out some of the ones listed here, but SplineEQ will be hard to beat. Even has a nice active background that follows the music. Super easy to use.
Tomislav Zlatic
onIt is very good, indeed. I think it’s more suitable for our list of linear-phase EQs, though (already included there).
tgirl~amy
onif you want the ultimate freeware mastering suite i highly suggest
Variety of sound and dead duck softwares stuff these plugins working together is one heck of a combo and it works great for EDM
joe
onThe VESCO one is no longer free FYI
Joe
onFor reaper users REEQ is the best free parametric EQ BY FAR. Its got most of the features of PRO-Q3.
https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=213501
I love Slick EQ but the 3 band layout makes it more useful as a tone shaping eq than a traditional parametric EQ which I would use for more surgical purposes.
Helman Frow
onTDR Nova is also fantastic.
rajkumarbajikar
oni want get this free vst