Mixing vocals is one of the most important jobs in music production. To do it well you’ll need a handful of quality plugins.

But if you’re on a tight budget you’re probably looking for the best free vocal plugins that won’t break the bank.

GET PITCHPROOF FOR FREE:OUT MTHG ON SOCIAL MEDIA!Patreon: http. “Pitchproof is an audio plug-in that can shift the pitch of the input. The effect is meant to combine old styles of pitch shifting with the quality you expect from modern plug-ins. The result is this pitch “pedal” simulation that has most of what is great about guitar harmonizer pedals, and still.

Luckily there are plenty of vocal mixing plugins you can download at no cost from generous developers.

Vocal processing is a delicate task that requires a few different plugin types for a polished sound.

Marvel GEQ is my favorite equalizer plugin for free. Voxango implements many features to this free plugin. It’s not just a VST plugin but it supports VST, RTAS, and Audio unit algorithms. This means you can use it with any major DAW for Windows and Mac. Marvel GEQ equalizer is a 16-band linear phase graphic equalizer.

In this article I’ll walk through each one, explain why it’s important and recommend the best options to download for free.

For widening/thickening, or making choir like voices, you can use: chorus, voice multiplier, voice doubler, stereo wideners. For radical changes or special FX, you can use harmonizer / pitch changing, genre changer, pitch correction / autotune. Here’s a top 5 of free VST effects for changing the voice. Make one instrument sound like many musicians at once, create harmonies, widen or enhance recordings, add bass drum sub-harmonics and much more. That's MHarmonizerMB, a pitch-shifting and multi-voice harmonizing plugin.

Here is the essential guide to free plugins for vocals.

1. Vocal tuning plugins

Vocal pitch correction has become an important part of modern vocal production. Before you even start mixing you might need to use this plugin type to refine your vocals and get the right sound.

Whether you’re after subtle performance enhancement or dramatic T-Pain effects, it’s worth having a good vocal tuner in your plugin folder.

Here are some free options to consider:

Auburn Sounds Graillon

Auburn Sounds Graillon is a live vocal changer that can transform vocal timbre and create robotic hard tuning sounds.

The free tier gives you access to a stripped down version of the paid plugin with pitch shifting and pitch correction.

Melda MAutoPitch

Melda MAutoPitch is another automated pitch correction option with a simple interface. This one is capable of some more subtle effects as well as classic hard tuning.

Voloco

Voloco is probably the simplest vocal tuning plugin out there. Choose the key, scale and tuning type and adjust the intensity with the correction amount.

Hot tip: Vocal pitch correction is one of the few plugin types without a full-featured free alternative. If you can stretch your budget slightly, Auto-Tune Access is the cheapest version of Auto-Tune ever.

2. Vocal EQ plugins

Once you start working on balancing the vocal in your mix you’ll need a good equalizer plugin.

This is the plugin type you’ll use to clean up issues and sculpt the frequency balance so your vocal sounds more pleasing in the mix.

But pro vocal chains often include more than one EQ. That’s why I’ve listed a few options that each play different roles in a mix:

TDR Nova

TDR Nova is a sophisticated digital-style EQ for surgical sculpting and problem solving.

This type of EQ might appear first in your vocal effects chain if there are any frequency issues that need to be resolved before other mixing tasks.

If you need to clean up excessive low end, reduce resonances or soften clicks and artifacts, TDR Nova is a perfect choice.

Ignite Amps PTeq-X

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ignite Amps PTeq-x is an analog style EQ based on the analog Pultec EQP-1A hardware.

This legendary vintage equalizer is many engineer’s first choice for vocal sculpting. Its gentle and musical curves are perfect for adding character, sparkle, or midrange cut.

Hot tip: Vocal EQ plugins are often used in different positions in the signal chain. Character EQ like the PT-EQx should go after any dynamics processing you choose to do—more on that in the next section!

Analog Obsession Britchannel

Another classic processor many pro engineers use on vocals is the legendary EQ found in Neve mixing consoles.

Analog Obsession Britchannel brings a 1073-style channel to your DAW, complete with preamp gain modelling for extra sweet character.

3. Vocal compressor plugins

Compression is the next essential task in vocal mixing.

It means controlling the dynamics of the vocal so it sits nicely in the mix even during quiet passages.

It’s a big subject in music production so head over to our in-depth guide if you don’t have a handle on it yet.

Every compressor plugin has a unique character. Trying to list them all would take too long.

But to get you started, here are some favorites for vocal duties you can download for free:

Hot tip: Vocal compression is often done in stages in a process called serial compression. This means using one compressor after another to act on different parts of the signal or introduce different qualities. The compressors listed here can work on their own or together in series.

Analog Obsession FETish

You can never go wrong with the classic sound of an 1176 FET compressor. One of the most popular dynamics processors of all time, the 1176 is fast, punchy and perfect for controlling the aggressive transients in an active vocal performance.

You can never go wrong with the classic sound of an 1176 FET compressor.

Analog Obsession FETish is another great plugin take on this sound that’s available for free.

Analog Obsession LA-LA

If there’s one compressor style that’s most known for vocals, it’s the optical LA-2A compressor.

This is the buttery smooth vintage compressor powered by photocell and tube gain stages. It’s known for its gradual attack time and gentle release that beautifully compliment a great vocal.

Once again, Analog Obsession offers a compelling take on the LA-2A that you can download for free. But with so many excellent plugins in their bundle, consider supporting them if you download them all!

Hot tip:Subscribe to the LANDR Newsletter to get all the best free plugins updates in your inbox.

4. Vocal saturation plugins

Sometimes a vocal needs something a little extra to sit properly in a mix. In those cases, saturation is another tool in your vocal mixing toolbox to consider.

This plugin type adds gentle harmonic distortion that can wake up midrange frequencies and make a sound pop in the mix.

Hot tip: Saturation is a strong effect that many producers blend in gently on a bus. Try this if you need another layer of control over your vocal saturation

Sometimes a vocal needs something a little extra to sit properly in a mix. In those cases, saturation is another tool in your vocal mixing toolbox to consider.

Here are some great free saturation plugins to consider:

Klanghelm IVGI

Klanghelm is a respected plugin manufacturer that offers stripped-down versions of their flagship plugins for free.

IVGI is a single mode from their SDRR multi-saturator.

It adds a satisfying layer of harmonic distortion that can bring a dull vocal forward in the mix

Softube Saturation Knob

Sometimes a plugin doesn’t need to be complicated to be helpful in a mix.

That’s the case with the single parameter Softube Saturation Knob. Simply crank it up to add smooth saturation and punch.

5. Vocal de-esser plugins

De-essers are a plugin type with a very specific job in vocal mixing. They reduce the distracting effect of the ‘S’ syllable in a singer’s performance.

Certain vocalists and singing styles can create a sharp sibilance sound in combination with certain microphones.

De-esser plugins are how you reduce it. In essence, a de-esser is a compressor that only acts on a narrow range of the frequency spectrum where the sibilance occurs.

De-essers should be placed after any gain reduction or frequency boosting processors that add to the negative effects of sibilance.

Techivation T-De-Esser

Techivation is T-De-Esser is a straightforward free de-esser plugin that gets the job done.

Simply select a frequency range, set sharpness and intensity and dial in the amount of effect you need to smooth out your vocals.

Hot tip: Most DAWs come bundled with a perfectly good de-esser for cleaning up vocals. Try your native plugin bundle before rushing to download a free de-esser.

6. Vocal widener plugins

Once you’ve gotten your vocals to sit in your mix, you’ll want to start working with creative effects to make them stand out.

These vocal effects are typically used in parallel on an aux return channel for a subtle blend.

One of the most satisfying send effects on vocals is chorusing, detuning or doubling.

These plugins thicken the vocal sound and make them seem wider in the stereo field.

Here some nice free options:

Acon Digital Multiply

Acon Digital Multiply is a great free chorus plugin that’s perfect for adding swirling stereo modulation to a vocal track.

Add up to 6 voices of chorus and shape the sound with the onboard EQ to get the ideal vocal modulation.

Izotope Vocal Doubler

Vocal doubling has a long history in music production. It’s a natural way of thickening the vocal sound by recording additional takes on top of a lead vocal.

The modulation comes from the natural imperfections in the singer’s overdubs, but you can get a similar effect with plugins like Izotope Vocal Doubler.

Plus, it’s faster than singing your parts again!

7. Vocal delay plugins

Next up are your ambience effects. These are the processors that give your vocals a sense of space and dimension in the mix.

Delay is a type of spatial effect you’ll hear in most vocal mixes. It’s the echoing repeats that fade into the background behind the main vocal.

Hot tip: Even if you can’t distinctly hear the effect of a vocal delay plugin in the mix, subtle repeats contribute nicely to the ambience and often make the vocal blend better into the texture.

ValhallaDSP FreqEcho

ValhallaDSP FreqEcho is a simple but powerful delay plugin that can do more than you might think from it’s simple UI.

The frequency control lets you take it from pristine digital repeats to lo-fi filtered madness at the touch of a dial.

TAL Dub-II

TAL Dub-2 is a retro-style delay that models the stylish dirty delays from old-school dub reggae.

With powerful controls for saturation and modulation, you can build any analog-style delay you can imagine.

8. Vocal reverb plugins

Finally, reverb is essential in any vocal mix. This is the effect that simulates the reflections from rigid surfaces that situate a sound in its physical environment.

The quality of the reverberation gives your brain clues about where the sound takes place.

For example, a long diffuse reverb might evoke a large concert hall while a short, ringy decay could be a tiled bathroom.

That’s why producers take pains to choose the perfect vocal reverb plugin for the mix.

Here are a few plugins to help you do it for free:

Dragonfly Reverbs

The Dragonfly bundle of free reverb plugins covers all the important styles of reverb for your mix.

From rooms and early reflections to sumptuous plates and halls, the Dragonfly suite has a smooth, sophisticated sound that’s quite impressive for a free plugin.

OrilRiver

OrilRiver is another favorite when it comes to free reverb effects.

The latest version is updated to work on Mac and PC and delivers great sound with minimal CPU load.

TAL Reverb-2

TAL Reverb-2 is a classic reverb with a dreamy, enveloping sound.

If you need a larger than life reverb with lush diffusion, this is a great free option.

Freedom of choice

There are plenty of different approaches when it comes to mixing vocals. But most of them require plugins from a handful of these categories.

Whether you’re looking to build an entire vocal chain or just try something new, there’s a plugin on this list to help you get the sound you need.

Now that you’ve downloaded a few great free plugins, get back to your DAW and keep mixing.

Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may get a commission at zero cost to you.

I guess you would have to agree with me that the best way to polish your vocal recording or a vocal sample is to sprinkle some effects, just like the way you would sprinkle a reasonable amount of ingredients on your food. If done right, it sounds delicious right, yum yum 😉

Vocal effects are no exception to the ingredient perspective, you need to add a reasonable amount of effects to make them sound lively, and enjoyable to the listeners.

Don’t get me wrong, I ain’t saying you should stack effects upon effects on your vocal samples, too much of everything is bad. That said, let us look at the best free awesome VST effects plugin in the music production scene.

Let’s ride on…

Page Contents

• 5.) g200kg – KeroVee
• 10.) MGF – TimeWarp

1.) AegeanMusic – PitchProof

If you haven’t heard of PitchProof, then, you are definitely missing out, this is like the secret tool I use on Vocals but it wasn’t even developed for Vocal, it was actually designed to work on monophonic signals such as guitar solos, but I’ll give you a tip on how I have been using it:

You don’t want to apply it in realtime, what you should do instead is to first select the key of the harmony, then you turn the Blend knob all the way to the right; wet e.g:

Export the vocal result, add whatever effects plugins you gat on your toolbox (vocal, flangers, etc) to spice up the pitched vocal, and then stack it on top of the original vocal. Boom, you have something unique!

Note: You don’t have to always push it all through the wet side as this might cause artifacts, just experiment and stick with what works for you.

You can even export more vocal, and maybe this time, you can try by reducing the detune knob, anyways, experiment until you get your preferred test.

That said, let’s look at some of the features of PitchProof:

The Blend control knob would let you adjust the level of pitch shift, while the Pitch drop-down menu lets you select pitches like +7 or -7, or harmonies which are intelligent pitch-shift effects.

Moreover, there are also some options at the bottom of the PitchProof plugin which give you the option to switch between stereo and mono; mono could save your CPU, while the stereo option could cause a resource hog if used on multiple inserts.

Transient Fix can be switch on or off to spice things up a little!

2.) Auburn Sounds – Graillon

This is an autotune VST plugins designed and developed by Auburnsounds. This plugin is superb in the way it handles pitch correction.

It not only supports pitch correction but supports the generation of throat sounds, making octave sounds, enriching, and enhancing vocal expressiveness.

Also, there is a pitch shift parameter that transposes vocals up and down in octaves and semitones.

Features:

• Pitch Shifter cleanly transposes a voice up and down and has been optimized for voice.
• Pitch Correction module brings an immediate robotic sound, while the Bitcrusher addition softly adds sparkles to the mix.
• Freemium

System Requirements

• Available as VST, VST2, AAX, and Audio Unit plugin for macOS and Windows platform.

Download Graillion Auto-Tune Plugin

3.) JHudStudio – Vocal King

Vocal King helps glue the vocal in a mix, and it comes preloaded cool parameters, that could help in customizing the audio signal of a vocal track.

The Pres Compressor knob helps in bringing out the clarity of a vocal, so, by turning up the gain of the Pres Comp brings out the presence in the vocal along with giving it a smooth compression. On the other hand, the Low cut, Tighten, and the Bass knob compliment the Pres Comp in taking out muddy frequencies without the vocal sounding too thin.

I also love playing with the Crispy knob as it sprinkles some sparkles to the audio signal.

Features:

• Help vocals to stand out in a mix by giving them amazing presence, clarity, and compression. Can easily work on any other content.
• Acts like are preamp giving the signal a strong boost.
• Easy to use interface for fast results.
• Easy to read meters
• Very CPU efficient compared to other types of plugins.
• It can be used on many other audio sources as well.

System Requirements

• Vocal King supports MAC/Windows/32bit/64bit/VST2/VST3/AU. Supports MAC OS X 10.7 / Windows 7 and higher. Older systems may not work.

4.) Sonic Anomaly – Vola

Vola is a Voice Optimized Leveling Amplifier made for broadcast voice dynamics processing, it also works with different kinds of audio material, like drums, percussive instrument, and synth pads.

This fantastic tool is solely for cleaning up sound files but can be used for extreme compression effects as well.

Features

• Real-time Visual Metering for changes in dynamics
• Upwards & downwards compression, each separately adjustable.
• Stats Display and more compression settings

Download Vola Vst (Windows)

Download Vola Jsfx (Windows and Mac)

Free Vocal Harmonizer Plugin Mac

5.) g200kg – KeroVee

This is a pitch correction VST plugin tool and has strengthened to support natural pitch correction.

This tool is handy and can perform different and various types of voice effects, for example, a conversion of the male voice to a female voice and vice versa.

KeroVee comes bundled with useful parameters for the effectiveness of the auto-tuning process, Parameter includes:

• Scale Button: This is for specifying the scale you want to tune. Setting a wrong scale would result in an awful result, in a simple sentence, Know your scale before you go into this one
• TuneSpeed: This will allow you to set the speed of correcting the pitch.
• Nuance: This is one of the best and lovely parameters, you can use this to set a fine vibrato of the original sound, use this to create all sorts of weird effects.
• Amount: Set to zero (0) if you want no correction, setting to 100 will result in full correction of the pitch
• and many more parameters like Transpose option, master volume, etc.

System Requirements

• A compatible host program that supports the VST formats

6.) Martin Eastwood – Duet

Have you heard those natural double effects in some tracks! Do you wonder how those are created? I guess yes 😉

Let me introduce to you – Duet, a double-tracking effect designed to enhance your audio sample be it vocal or even instruments, Duet is well capable of sparkling them up. The way Duet work is by pitch-shifting both the left and right inputs individually using a novel synchronous overlap and add technique, allowing pitch to be manipulated in real-time while still maintaining the time duration of the audio.

One thing I love about Duet is the way it can accurately create the illusion of multi-voices and adds varied texture to the mix. Experiment with Duet to see how it works.

Note: This is only available for Window

7.) MaxSynths – DSP-2

DSP-2 is designed with an intelligent Dynamic Processor, a 4-band equalizer fixed on vocal key frequencies, a saturator, and a room emulator based on the Schroeder reverberator. DSP is super simple to use and can serve basically all your vocal processing needs, again, experiment and keep experimenting to get the best settings that would soothe your need.

Features:

• Intelligent Dynamic Processor (IDP).
• 4 different automatic operative modes.
• Selectable compression ratio.
• Saturator with three different operation modes.
• EQ fixed on vocal key frequencies.
• Room emulator based on the Schroeder reverb model.
• Transparent increment of the perceived volume level.
• High precision input/output VU-meter.
• Low CPU usage.

8.) Distorque – Azurite

Azurite is a vocal effect by Distorque which is built for multi-voice chorus with a focus on rich sounds and versatile controls.

According To Distorque:

My goal in designing it was to make as flexible a chorus as possible without losing great tones and ease of use. The result is an effect that will be handy for producers, guitarists, and glitch lovers alike.

One of the great features of this plugin is the way you can create multiple simultaneous voices. Each of these voices can be further customized with their own delay line that is modulated by a separate LFO. Adding multiple voices leads to a thicker, smoother, and less wobbly tone. It also makes vivid stereo spreading possible with a mono signal.

The voice control helps you to choose how many voices you want for the chorus, e.g one, two, four, or eight.

Features:

• Stereo or mono operation.
• Colour control emulates vintage analog choruses.
• 2 band EQ.
• LFO tempo sync.
• Feedback control allows for flanger sounds.
• 27 built-in presets.
• Delay time from 0.2ms to 200ms.
• 7 LFO shapes: Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Ramp, Exponential, Inverse Exponential, and Random.
• Spread control for a stereo widening of a mono signal.
• Control randomizer.
• Other controls: Depth, Speed, Wet Mix, Output, Separation, Dry Delay.

Note: This is only available for Window

Download Azurite Win 32 VST / Win 64 VST

9.) TerryWest – EasyVox

EasyVox contains a bunch of tool for vocal processing, such as:

• Dynamic mono vocal compressor/limiter/enhancer
• Three bands equalizer
• Autogain and Pre-Limiter
• Auto Noisegate
• Auto Band-off
• Three EQ models
• Fine EQ option
• EQ activity/bypass LEDs
• Low-Mid-Hicut
• Vocal Doubler effect
• Pre in/Post out gain
• In/out/reduction meters

Donate To The Developer, It helps him to build more exciting plugins

Note: This is only available for Window

10.) MGF – TimeWarp

Last on our list is Timewarp by MGF, which is a vibrato effect with 2 LFOs which can pan the pitch modulation amount for a stereo effect.

Features:

• Sine, Triangle, Saw and random waves with control over the shape and smoothing.
• Optional 4x upsampling and a smooth modulation algorithm ensure clean sound with minimal aliasing. Normal quality
• saves CPU and sounds brighter but less silky.
• 2 different interpolation algorithms are available (ALG).
• Fast modulation settings possible and encouraged

Free Harmonizer Plugin Mac Download

That is it, Good luck and have fun with music!

Vocal Harmonizer Plugin Free