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Analog VU MeterBefore we go over the 3 best free VU meter plugins every producer should use during the mixing and mastering stages, let’s find out what VU meters are, where they are coming from, and why you need one in your music studio. If you can’t afford one, you can always use the free VU meter plugins below! What Does “VU” Mean In Audio?“VU” stands for volume units. It’s been with radio broadcast equipment since the early 1940s.You’ve probably seen it a million times in the movies and TV shows but didn’t know that was the hardware VU meter. Why Use VU Meter and VU Meter Plugins?A lot of the time music producers will only monitor the audio peaks to prevent listeners from flinching.What they forget about is that humans are not computers and we hear loudness differently.For instance, our ears only feel the average sound level, not the peaks.And unlike a peak meter that monitors for top volume spikes, VU meter and VU meter plugins show you the so-called average volume.
Free VST downloads: 1984 (Analog synth by Pianovintage) - 44 S (Analog synth by GTG) - 80-vox (Yamaha CS-80 emulation by KBplugs) - Alice-1377 (Soviet synth emulation by SyncerSoft) - Alpha (Alpha Juno 1 emulation by EFM) - Arminator (Yamaha CS80 emulation by Krakli) - Arppe2600va (Modular monosynth by Glen Stegner) - Axx II (ARP Axxe emulation by EFM) - b6 (Andromeda A6 emulation.
The goal of Waves VU meter plugin is to assist you in achieving optimal sound levels, enough headroom, and a cleaner mix.As mentioned earlier in the article, Waves VU meter helps you to not only monitor the loudest moments of your track a.k.a. Peaks, but also average out the overall audio levels by imitating the way our ears work.You can expect smooth performance and fantastic response from this free Waves VU meter that was designed to clean your mixes up from the muddiness and congestion.As you already know, the VU meter VST can be used on individual tracks and master busses.Everything depends on which stage of the mixing session you are at right now.Does Waves VU meter plugin works on both Mac and PC?Yes, Waves VU meter works on PC and Mac and comes in VST, AU, and AAX formats. MvMeter2 Free VU Meter Plugin. MvMeter2 VU Meter PluginThis free VU meter plugin offers outstanding performance. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.
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In our How to Mix Music guide we talked about why mixing dynamic sounds is a tough egg to crack. Vocals are super dynamic so they’re trickier to mix.
But you don’t have to pull your hair out every time you hit the mixing board to get the perfect vocal.
There’s a dizzying amount of audio effects plugins out there. That’s why we did the digging so you don’t have to.
Here’s 9 plugins that will help you get your vocals and beats fitting together like peas and carrots.
1. Vladg and Tokyo Dawn Proximity
Ever recorded an entire vocal only to realize you had the mic in the wrong spot? No sweat.
The Vladg and Tokyo Dawn Proximity lets you change the mic placement AFTER you record. Pretty useful and pretty cool.
2. Acon Digital Multiply Chorus
Vocals need some color. That’s where a chorus plugin comes in.
Acon Digital’s Multiply Chorus will thicken up your sound. It’s a whole bunch of tiny delays (we’re talking milliseconds) that fill out your vocals to liven them up a bit.
3. Melda MAutoPitch Auto-Tune
Auto-tune’s origins are pretty strange. But there’s no denying that it’s an invaluable tool for producers dealing with vocals.
Auto-tune is the vocal mixer’s secret weapon. MAutoPitch is one of the best auto-tune plugins around. It fixes pitch, corrects sour notes, and even gives you that iconic T-pain/Cher effect if you want it.
This one comes in a free plugin bundle with all sorts of fun mixing toys.
4. Voxengo OldSkoolVerb
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Reverb for vocals is essential. Reverb takes your vocals out of the room you recorded them in, and allows you to make your own sound space.
OldSkoolVerb has got you covered no matter what your needs are. From huge halls to a tiny closet, it gives you all the options to create the perfect sonic space in your mix.
5. Klanghelm DC1A
The DC1A is a nifty little character compressor by Klanghelm. It uses sophisticated compression settings and an easy 2 knob setup that has you covered “from smooth levelling to heavy pumping.”
Be sure to check out their absolutely EPIC demo video.
6. Alex Hilton A1 Trigger Gate
If you’re wondering how far you can push your vocal track this plugin will do a great job letting you know.
Using a step-style sequencer the A1 Trigger Gate packs in a boat load of cool effects. It’s good for all sorts of stuff. So grab it and start experimenting.
7. Glitch Machines Hysteresis
Just like any other part of a mix, vocals are a great place to experiment. The effects on Hysteresis definitely deliver a whole bundle of experimentation.
This delay plugin creates “robotic artifacts and abstract music malfunctions.” Count me in.
![Reddit free vst plugins for fl studio Reddit free vst plugins for fl studio](/uploads/1/2/6/9/126963748/289709260.jpg)
8. Acustica Ochre EQ
All good mixing needs a keen sense of EQ early on. Vocals are no exception.
That’s why the Ochre from Acustica is so useful. It’s perfect for sculpting out the best vocals you can.
9. Fine Cut Bodies La Petite Excite
Exciter plugins add subtle harmonics to your vocal track for some extra sonic-excitement in the high range.
The free La Petite Excite from Fine Cut Bodies (you just have to signup to get it) is a great plug to try out.
Throw it on your vocal and enhance it to your liking with some subtle harmonic distortion.
Go make that perfect vocal
Vocals are tricky to mix. But with these handy plugin tools it doesn’t have to be so tough. Grab ’em all, hit the studio and get cracking on that perfect vocal track.
And don’t forget to let us know your favourite plugins for mixing and mastering vocals. We wanna know all your tips and tricks too. :)
Get all of the LANDR-approved free VST plugin collection:
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