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• Vocal Effect Plugins
• Best Vst Vocal Plugins 2020
• Best Vocal Processing Plugin Vst
• Free Vocal Plugins For Windows
• Best Free Vocal Vst Plugins 2020
• Best Vst Vocal Plugins

Autotune has become ubiquitous across many modern genres of music – it’s certainly not confined to just pop music anymore. Popularised by Daft Punk, The Black Eyed Peas, Chris Brown, Rihanna and even Cher, autotune has become a vital component of modern record production.

Autotune is both a corrective and creative tool. While many vocalists would prefer for their voice to be autotuned naturally, we’re all familiar with the over-the-top autotune tone of many pop vocalists. Whatever your opinion is of autotune, it’s come along way over the last 10 or so years and is here to stay. Also, the fact is, autotune has so many practical uses that apply not just to vocals but other acoustic sources, too.

If you want to experiment with autotune and implement it as in your music software arsenal, then there are several excellent free autotune plugins available for you to download today.

Many are feature-rich and will offer great scope and functionality for trying out autotuning on vocals and other instruments. We think you’ll be surprised.

Now you know which the 12 best VST plugins for professional vocal mixing are. Simply owning the best plugins doesn't make your mix sound professional. You need to know how to use them. It's like buying a Ferrari two days after you get your driving license. You could drive the car alright, but could you compete with the world's best on. Best Vocal Synth VSTs Plugin For 2020. Have you ever wondered how Peter Frampton and other musicians have been able to create an electronic-sounding vocal? The answer is often a vocal synth effect. This effect lets you transform regular vocals into electronic sounds. The best vocal synth VST plugins allow you much creative freedom. Waves Vocal bundle is the ultimate vocal toolkit, made up of 6 powerful plugins, including Waves Tune for pitch correction and transformation, and DeBreath, which removes unwanted breath sounds—automatically. Waves concentrate on top sound quality and ease of use rather then snazzy features. Check on Sweetwater: Waves Vocal Bundle 11.

Before moving onto the list, let’s briefly cover how an autotune works and what sort of results you can expect.

We have collected for you the top 43 VST plugins Vocal Processing according to PluginBoutique. VST list navigation: Nectar Elements VocalSynth 2 Little AlterBoy Auto-Key Vocal Compressor VoxDoubler Mic Mod EFX Auto-Tune EFX+ MUnison SA-2 Dialog Processor Native Dehumaniser Simple Monsters Antares Auto-Tune Pro Nectar 3 MUTATOR Evo Auto-Tune Artist Dehumaniser 2 VocALign Pro 4 Revoice Pro 4. My approach to vocals changes based on genre, based on what sound I want — and I experiment with plugins and gear all the time. But there are some plugins I keep coming back to that one would see in a lot of my mixes. FabFilter Pro-DS. FabFilter Pro-DS is easily my go-to de-esser. If you check many music production and audio engineering forums, the question as to what Waves plugins are best for vocals always arise To settle this once and for all, and to make it easier for those that want to know, we’ve put together a buying guide to instruct you on the best choice to make among Waves Audio’s massive collection. I recently wrote a guide on the best free vocal effects VST plugin, which is good if you are not planning to spend much on music production plugins, however, as soon as you want more customization or intuitive interface, you’ll find yourself contemplating on which good and affordable vocal effect plugin to buy, and that is why I created this guide.

The Modern Era of Autotune

Autotune is a valuable component of any producer or mix engineer’s VSTs and plugins. The days are gone where artists were scrutinised for their use of autotune and artists such as T-Pain have shaken the view that autotuned artists aren’t skilled vocalists.

Obviously, particular styles of creative autotune aren’t everyone’s cup of tea but autotune has uses outside of vocal pitch correction – they can also be used on synth patches, acoustic instruments, drums and almost any other sound with varying degrees of effectiveness. Many engineers might use autotune to alter the pitch of a few bum-notes that stick out in a guitar solo, for example.

It’s worth experimenting with autotune on both vocals and acoustic instruments as it can allow you to tighten the tonality of your performances.

What Makes an Autotune?

Most autotunes are designed for the voice’s frequency range but they’ll work on other acoustic sources like guitars with varying results.

Most autotunes are simply designed for minor pitch correction. They usually feature transparent audio engines which attempt to effect the voice in the least way possible for more natural results.

Contrastingly, some autotunes produce very overt and obvious changes that can help you create digitised vocals or pitch-shifting FX on other acoustic or electronic sources. For example, you could take a monotonal vocal and pitch it around for all manner of dramatic autotuned effects.

This autotune style is more commonly used in trap, hip-hop, rap and other electronic genres.

How and When to Use an Autotune Plugin

It’s rare that you’d use an autotune harshly on a whole track and instead, you’d most likely use it to address small problematic areas of a recorded waveform. Depending on your vocal, though, you could set-and-forget an autotune to tighten up elements of a whole vocal part. Experimentation is the key here.

Sometimes, you’ll be able to draw in the notes you want to correct to on a piano roll and pitch a sound around with formant control, other assorted fx and MIDI input control.

The problem is, autotune plugins have never really had a reputation for being cheap. Plugins like Melodyne can set you back hundreds of dollars. Whilst their high price is testament to how powerful they are, you can achieve professional results with free VST autotune plugins.

Here, we have 7 of the best free VST plugins available to download today.

1. MAuto Pitch

MeldaProduction has an illustrious history with the support of artists like Deadmau5. They’ve built a completely free and well-featured autotune plug-in and it really is a powerful bit of free kit.

The plug-in concentrates on the basics featuring depth, speed and detune controls. Still, it’s more fully featured than most autotunes on this list and with a modern interface, it’s definitely one of those plugins that makes you think “wow, it’s cool that I didn’t have to pay for this!” /vst-plugin-tal-reverb-3.html.

MAuto Pitch has all of an autotune’s traditional controls. Depth essentially controls the depth of the effect – so the level of how much effect the plug-in has on the entire sound. Detune can be used to nudge the pitch up and down for fine tuning.

The speed knob is particularly important and this controls the speed of the autotune effect. Often, singer can hit the note but can’t sustain it. In this situation, it’s best to choose a slower speed so the autotune effect pulls in when the singer’s note begins to wander off.

For a more overt T-Pain-esque style tone, a quick speed setting is necessary so the autotune is immediately noticeable.

This awesome plugin also contains a lot of extra features like the width setting which can widen and stereoize your vocal. Finally, the formant setting can alter the pitch of your vocal in a way which makes it sound more masculine and deep or higher and feminine.

This autotune is equipped with a visual detector which provides a graphical interpretation of incoming notes. It’s all pretty sophisticated but it’s certainly not difficult to use!

2. GSnap

You only have to glance at this autotune to tell that it features a bit of an old-school interface by today’s standards.

Still, at the time it was a real groundbreaker and holds its own against all of the most expensive big boys and newer kids on the block.

This plugin’s MIDI functionality is superb. This means you can use a MIDI keyboard to play in the notes which you need to hit with the vocal part. You can then use this MIDI information to tune the vocal part.

GSnap’s interface is easy to use and the left-hand graphic will display your note’s pitch in red and the corrected version in green. This enables you to fine tune the corrected notes based on the information displayed.

Effects additional to your usual autotune effects include vibrato which is speed adjustable. This will add a fluttering effect to your vocal part. Other functions include a gate setting which can be used to control if the plugin effects just quiet or loud parts of a vocal part. For example, you could only autotune a loud chorus and choose to leave a quieter, more intimate verse unaffected.

Overall, GSnap is a finely crafted autotune tool which is capable of transparent results. Extra features like vibrato can really liven up a flat vocal sound.

3. Graillon 2

This recently released autotune looks a little different to most on this list. It has a greater number of quirky settings and fx and a rather futuristic-come-retro design.

Below its rather funky surface, this is a powerful autotune device. The correction module is the main component and by inserting this in an audio track and switching this on, you can get pretty good results for slightly out-of-tune tracks almost immediately. Inertia works as a speed control, controlling how quickly the autotune acts on a signal. The smooth control can help slow or quicken the transition between one note to another.

Some of the Graillon 2’s funky settings include the bitcrusher which can distort a voice with digital distortion that varies from subtle to outrageous. It’s pretty cool that Auburn decided to throw this into a free autotune plugin.

You can create some fascinating results with this free autotune that range from wispy digitised tones to full-on bitcrushed robotic voices. You can pitch shift to different pitches and octaves and alter the formant controls to change the tone of a vocal or instrument track.

Overall, this plugin really rocks! It has a sleek and modern interface and extra settings that might surprise you for a free plugin.

4. KeroVee

Japan audio company g200kg developed this autotune back in 2010. Today, it holds its own as a highly effective and fully functional free autotune VST.

This plugin has no flashy fx and its interface is more functional than attractive. Beneath its industrial-looking skin lies an ultra-intelligent autotune that can is capable of ultra-precise tunng.

The interface displays graphical info about a sound, including what it started as and what its autotuned version looks like. You can select the relative note which you want the plugin to tune to and with the calib setting you can adjust the overall pitch of your recording.

With many fine tuning controls including formant control, the KeroVee offers an array of more in-depth options than most other free autotunes. It has a unique nuance setting which can allow you to leave natural variations in a singers’ voice like vibrato.

This plugin doesn’t have flashy FX banks or many advanced controls but what it lacks in functionality it makes up for in precision. It’s clear that most of the programming work has gone into making a transparent-sounding autotune that can naturally tighten a vocal.

5. X42 Autotune

This plugin sports a rather inauspicious early-2000s looking interface but it’s very capable of fixing slightly out of tune vocals without much hassle.

It works via resampling and therefore, it’s not possible to transpose audio and harshly affect its pitch. This also means that you can’t alter a sound’s formants. Still, this plugin is designed for easily fixing a vocal part and that’s ultimately what it excels at.

Unique to this plugin is its bias and offset features which both give you the ability to retain some natural characteristics in your recorded voice. Bias keeps a note natural if the singer deliberately alters the pitch of its sustain and offset adjusts how far a vocalist can stray from inputted notes before the plugin kicks in.

With its MIDI input, you can assign the notes you want to correct your vocal to with your keyboard.

This plugin is one of the most dated in the list but with MIDI and audio sidechain inputs and a host of extra features, it definitely brings some of the best functionality to the autotunes in this list.

6. Autotalent

Autotalent’s interface will put many off from the get-go but it was originally manufactured by the wonderfully talented engineer Tom Baran before being reprogrammed for VST/AU by Oli Larkin – this honestly is one of the best autotune VSTs in the world.

Scraping below the surface of this industrious-looking plugin reveals its wealth of features. You can use it for anything ranging from light tuning and correction to full-blown robotic mashes and chiptune-style effects.

When setting this plugin up, you want to exclude notes in the scale with a “-1” and leave notes that you want to correct to with a “0”. Once you’ve found your way round its basic effects, it’s easy to start experimenting with its advanced settings and FX.

The LFO section of this plugin can generate some incredible sounding effects and combined with its vibrato control, you can really add life to a vocal performance or acoustic instrument.

Further than that, you can use its LFO feature to generate bit-mashed or chiptune effects.

With lots of extra controls including formant controls, this plugin offers a really high-level of corrective and creative effects. If you can get below its rather crude surface, it can serve you for almost any auto-tuning and pitch shifting purpose.

7. AAS Autotune

This autotune has no GUI! That means it has no interface at all. Yep, you’re right in thinking that you just set this on a track and leave it – it’s invisible.

Manufactured a while ago by Arguru, this autotune pushes sounds pretty hard to get that T-Pain or Chris Brown style autotune.

Since you just set it and forget it, this plugin is very simple to use and sometimes it’s just right. It’s always worth trying out if you want a digitised hip-hop, trap or other EDM-driven vocal sound.

It’s extremely lightweight, easy to use (obviously) and it provides results – what more can you ask for?

Conclusion

So there we have 7 of today’s best free autotune plugins – if you were thinking you probably needed to fork out $$$ for an expensive autotune plugin then hopefully you’re relieved!

Autotune is here to stay and we all know it! Of course, not every genre needs autotuned vocals but it’s generally agreed amongst even veteran engineers that most vocal parts benefit from just a bit of autotune tightening.

Autotune can be used creatively as well as correctively. Autotune can help you fatten up a vocal sound, improving its impact, sustain and vibrato. Because of the power autotune can bring to a vocal, we’re used to hearing strongly autotuned vocals in many tracks across genres of EDM, hip-hop and pop music but though many engineers wouldn’t like to admit it, it’s used lightly in jazz, blues and even classical music.

Autotune has become an important component of the mixing process and therefore, you may as well embrace the change and equip your DAW with some of these awesome free autotune plugins!

Let’s get your vocals under control with the best vocal compressor plugin software.

As each compressor plugin software is different, and there are myriads out there to choose from, we’ll keep it simple, and take a look at 5 of best best choices out there…

All of which were researched and recommended by the best.

Quick answer: Softube Tube-Tech CL 1B is the favorite, but if you’re looking for something less costly, take a look at the FabFilter Pro-C2 as perhaps the most popular option out there.

However, picking off a couple isn’t good enough, compressors differ based on character and style.

So let’s take a closer look 🙂

Find more great gear here:

EQ Plugins for Vocals, Top Waves Audio Plugins, Tape Emulation Plugins,Vocal Microphones

Vocal Compression Guide

What is a Compressor?

Compressors are a bit of a controversial plugin in some ways, as to many it is mystery how it works… and even more of a mystery as to what it can do for them.

This is especially true when it comes to vocal compression.

But as simply put as possible, a compressor compresses dynamic range. So that means that above a set volume (threshold), the compressor will limit the amount of volume increase going out the back end (output) compared to what is coming in the front end (Input).

Given that basic function (compressing and audio signal’s dynamic range), you can imagine the vistas of creative potential open to producers. Imaginative engineers realized you could use them creatively to re-shape the transient shape of sounds. Presto! Compression algorithms became secret sauce.

Hence many fancy named compression techniques, such as of side-chaining, parallel compression, etc., are now used. But not just in a technical way, but as if the compressor was itself a musical instrument.

However, we are on the topic of vocal compressor plugins. So, keeping that in mind, there are a few features that every good compressor should have. Let’s find out.

Features to look for & How to choose

If you follow forum discussions, you will find a lot of opinions about the various types of processors out there. Each producer has their favorite because, given time and experience, one compressor can be somewhat like another.

All compressors will should have these:

• Threshold – which determines the level your audio signal must be before the compressor can reduce its volume.
• Ratio – determines the level of compression that will be applied to the audio signal once the loudness threshold is reached.
• Attack – how fast or slow the compressor will be activated to reduce loudness.
• Release – how fast or slow the compressor will be deactivated to return the audio signal to is original level.
• Knee – smooths out the ratio so that there isn’t a sudden change in dynamics.
• Make-Up Gain – used to “make-up” the amount of gain that has been lost from all that amplitude attenuation.
• Output – allows you to increase or decrease the sound coming out of the compressor to a desired level.

For a more detailed explanation of each, read thisreal funny exposition of audio compression in music production.

Beside these featured listed, a compressor may function slightly differently, or offer some additional features that make them useful for whatever purpose you want to use it for… in this case, mixing and recording vocals.

Character and Vanilla

There are “Character” units, and “Vanilla” units. Like the name suggests, a good character compressor will add some depth and personality to your vocals. A vanilla compressor will get the job done without you know it was even in the room, like a good butler.

Other than that, another thing to look for in a compressor is versatility. That and the ability to get the results you want reasonably quickly.

Sometimes those things will conflict a bit. That is why we choose a plugin which fits our needs the best.

Best Compressor VST Plugins for Vocals

Softube Tube-Tech CL-1B

Price & Demos @ Plugin Boutique

Softube is a great name in overdrive DSP and this FET emulation has many, many fans. This one is of an optical unit. A high-ticket opto unit that many love for its “musicality,” but may be out of some user’s budget.

Feature wise it’s a lot like the popular CLA-76 from Waves that we mention below, but the source unit has a unique behavior that made them a top choice. The optical method is prone to being softer and gentler to vocals, while still being able to lay down the law when necessary.

It is all about the secret DSP sauce of how nothing is really linear. Add 2db of Gain and suddenly your sound is different. Changing one knob is like changing five knobs on a “clean” compressor. Over time you can get a sense of what is going on. Until then…

You tend to start out wiggling the vaguely labelled knobs and suddenly something great appears in the murk. This is character processing at its best, and if the unit sounds good then you can’t beat it.

The only downside to nitpick at is that if you’re a control freak you can also find it frustrating, since you can’t so much “control” this unit but rather “guide” it like an air traffic controller guiding a Boeing 747 onto land.

That said, it’s good to give up some control, especially if you know there were some experts at the wheel behind this thing, and the results are often solid.

If this is the path for you then close your doors to the world and make this the only device you use for everything. Just like they did back in 1965. It is part of your “sound.”

Demonstration

Waves CLA-76

Price & Demos @ Waves Audio

Waves have been around for a very long time and for much of it as the top name in the game. Their plugins used to be really expensive. Nowadays if you catch them on sale they are cheap as chips. And general pretty good value for that.

The CLA-76 comes in two guises (blue & black) and both are emulations of versions of a classic 60’s Compressor/Limiter. People still pay big coin for hardware versions of these things for “modern” recordings.

Feature wise, these units don’t have a lot on offer. Input, Output, speed the Ratio Curve operates, and then a section of Ratio pre-sets. Sounds dull, I know, but in-practice they can be great.

CLA-76 has a pretty fast Attack, meaning there isn’t too much time between a loud transient arriving and the compression goblins leaping into action. Great for drums as you can really flatten them to add thickness, edge and size.

And for vocals? Depends on who you are. Some like the CLA-76 for vocals for that very same reason. Merciless attack times, the ability to really crunch those pop vocals. Others don’t. But some producers, like Chris Lord-Alge, swear by them for the “the sound.”

Another thing to watch out for is that these units add saturation which changes the “weight” of the sound with wee bits of distortion overtones (and some undertones too). This means the units respond very nicely to being hit hard.

Demonstration

Softube FET Compressor

Price & Demos @ Plugin Boutique

More Softube, more emulation. Everyone loves a bit of bounty hunter scum. Or so it would seem with another 1176 emulation. This one looks more like a 70’s Hi Fi than the original though.

Price-wise, when it’s not on sale, it costs more than the Waves unit mentioned. So it’s a good idea to take a look to see if you’re lucky.

However, FET has more features. Softube added some more modern features (along with improving the flow of the knobs) so you can parallel process and alter what parts of the signal trigger the processing goblins. This is doable with some effort in your DAW with the CLA-76, but far easier in the FET.

Again, some people love it on vocals, as it can really rough them up add some punch where needed. Many think the parameter additions make this a better bet there. Just keep in mind that some have noticed that the FET can slide into distortion if you aren’t paying attention.

This is a character effect (processor to be accurate). So be aware that, while you can use it on everything, including vocals, you may find that you’d want to slap this bad boy onto different things in different places.

Demonstration

Softube Summit Audio TLA-100 Compressor

Price & Demos @ Plugin Boutique

Another minimalistic blast from the past. The Summit Audio units got popular in the 80’s, particularly for vocals.

The reason this style of unit works so well for vocals is that it tends to be kind. Besides the Tube-Tech, the other compressors so far have tended to be rough and rowdy (which has its charm) but the TLA-100 is smoother and less noticeable as it goes about its work.

“Smooth”, “controlled”, and “softening” are common adjectives applied to the TLA-100. Softube added a few extra features including a separate saturation section so you can control how tubular it all gets.

The Parallel options seems slightly unusual as that effect is normally used with more brutal compressors but we won’t complain that it is there.

This compressor isn’t a jack of all trades. But if you want a character unit to supplement your core compression, or you want to choose one unit to live with then this could be it. I may just suggest that it could see you struggle with less controlled singers like Rappers.

If you ever feel the need to lay down the law in your vocal mix, refer to the other units mentioned. But for singer-songwriter tracks, this is great.

Demonstration

FabFilter Pro-C2 Compressor

Price & Demos @ Plugin Boutique

This fellow is the real odd one out here. Not because it’s the best or the worst, but because it’s not a character unit. Pro-C2 is all about modern, practical, versatility, and clean.

This is the modern jack of all trades, cover every piece of ground, device that many of us bedroom boys love. Why buy and learn 78 devices when you can get one?

It is also simply the go-to plugin for all your compressing duties on every track, not just vocals. So it is well worth it.

You get a lot of modes targeted at most of the common things you will want to do with a compressor. For instance, its vocal mode helps you to bring vocals to the front of the mix. A nice little addition to a plugin.

Analog, Classic & Optical style modes are also on the list. But honestly, it is doubted that they can really compete with the dedicated units mentioned above. Think of it as leaning a bit that way.

Upside? This is the only unit here to offer control over the Knee of the compression critters. Boggling if you don’t get it but super useful if you do. Especially when it comes to vocal mixing.

Also, if you ever needed to learn how to use a compressor for mixing vocals, you’ll probably find about as many engineers on Youtube showing you how to mix vocals via the FabFilter Pro-C2 than any other one mentioned. You probably think of it as the ‘Fruity Loops’ of compressors.

Also, rather than being stuck in an old-hardware frame of mind the interface is visually informative and very adjustable to suit your task or preferences. You can even pop it full screen on an unreasonable large Retina display!

Demonstration

Waves Audio V-Comp

Price & Demos @ Waves Audio

Waves V-Comp rides on the vintage Neve’2254’s classic sound with its super-responsive dynamics processor.

It has all the typical compressor controls and its interface is intuitive and easy to use. The V-Comp also features a De-Esser switch which functions like a high-frequency side-chain to smoothen harsh high frequencies in the mix. This is a nifty feature that can be turned on and off with a single switch. Also included is a limiter that can be used independently.

While some user reviews do not seem convinced of the V-Comp’s emulation of the actual 2254 machine, many are satisfied with its silky smooth compression. V-Comp lends a unique ‘analog-ish’ color to the entire mix, which we believe to be a commendable feat in itself.

Its vintage-style squashing of the transients is also convincing. There is a bit of warmth in the processed signal which can be further shaped by the De-Esser and the limiter functions.

Vocal Effect Plugins

Needless to say, the V-Comp is a good option for those who want the most out of their buck, especially if you’re going for an easy-to-use plugin that fits most styles of sound.

Waves CLA-2A

Price & Demos @ Waves Audio

The CLA-2A is modeled after the legendary Teletronix LA-2A, a tube-based compressor from the 1960s. The Teletronix LA-2A is prized for its electro-luminescent optical attenuator. The Waves CLA-2A emulates this frequency-dependent action for smooth gain reduction.

Producers love the multi-stage release and the CLA-2A’s quick response, both of which add character to the mix. It seems that most producers use the CLA-2A for leveling purposes, particularly for bass sounds. But it has also proven itself as a competent vocal compressor as well.

Included when buying the CLA-2A are presets made by Grammy-winning mix engineer Chris-Lord-Alge, a side-chain frequency filter, and a limiter mode.

The CLA-2A does not have a lot of tricks, but its historic sound and simplicity makes up most of its charm. It has more than you would ever expect from a product of its price point.

Waves CLA-3A

Price & Demos @ Waves Audio

Best Vst Vocal Plugins 2020

Based on the original 1969 solid-state compressor, the Waves CLA-3A boasts a transparent compression curve. This ensures a fast response from attack to release, a perfect tool for high-tempo music.

Moreover, it packs a subtle harmonic distortion for some added spice. This works best for bass, as it brings out a unique kink from the sound. Nonetheless, the CLA-3A infuses this edge to your vocals without ruining the signal.

Like the CLA-2A, it uses an optical attenuator for gain reduction. The algorithms behind the compression are program dependent. This means that it is hard to say how a particular setting would change the quality of the sound. This unwieldiness is expected out of any ‘vintage-style’ compressor and is what makes it fun to use.

The CLA-3A’s interface is fairly simple. It has a Peak Reduction knob for controlling the desired compression, and a Gain knob for adjusting the levels after compression.

Overall, the CLA-3A can be used for a wide variety of applications. But its magic is most potent on bass, vocals, and guitars.

Best Vocal Processing Plugin Vst

Waves Renaissance Vox

Price & Demos @ Waves Audio

None other than Drake’s producer Noah “40” Shebib has praised this plugin as “one of the most important plugins ever made.” These high words of praise are only equaled by the Waves Renaissance Vox’s packed features.

What the R-Vox lacks in visual appeal, it makes up for in its ‘under the hood’ bag of tricks. It deploys an entire array of expansion, compression, and limiting gadgetry, most of which happens by way automation. Dub vst free.

But despite the complex tech behind R-Vox’s processing chain, users are only given three controllable parameters, which are expander and compressor thresholds and output attenuation. Needless to say, producers who want more control over the attack and release times may find the Renaissance Vox too wild of a beast to tame.

Nevertheless, this plugin’s ‘plug-and-play’ philosophy helps producers focus on other mixing aspects by automating the gritty details. And it does this to excellent effect. An instance of R-Vox instantly puts your signal into the front and center of the mix. It adds weight to any signal, which can help for weak-sounding vocals to stand out.

Another added bonus is its relatively small CPU footprint. You can chuck in multiple instances of the plugin without putting a strain on your machine.

Final Thoughts

What to do?

The Tube-Tech CL 1B unit is the favorite by far. But being a high-ticket item, you may want to consider the other four units mentioned if you’re on a tighter budget.

Then, you can decide if you want to commit to a path, like owning one unit that you use for everything, or having a couple that fits diverging tastes. In the latter case you won’t have one unit that you have to “fight with” to submit to every path that comes across your DAW.

If you’re thinking a character unit, then it really comes down to what appeals to you mostly. Namely:

Waves CLA-76, Softube FET and Summit Audio TLA-100.

Waves CLA-76 and Softube FET may suit people who mix harder and louder (as most of us have to these days), and whose vocalists need more discipline. Submitting to the Summit Audio TLA-100 could be perfect for the folksier amongst us.

But if dollars are the deciding factor, then check if Waves is having one of their many sales right now go grab it!

But for the vanilla producer/engineer, the FabFilter Pro-C2 has so many possibilities. Not only in the “I can’t believe it’s not butter” processing, but in dramatic or effect processing that makes it hard to pass by.

Free Vocal Plugins For Windows

If you want just one compressor and don’t mind the vanilla, FabFilter Pro-C2 is the one ring to rule them all.

The Tube-Tech CL1B, when powered up with the Collection Upgrade, proves itself to be a very competent product. While definitely among the most expensive in the list, its versatility and its added features make it worth every buck.

But one cannot also ignore the CLA-2A and CLA-3A, as these are also very powerful compressors. What makes them interesting are their unique vintage features. If you’re looking for something that would help you develop your personal sound, these two products might suit you the best.

Best Free Vocal Vst Plugins 2020

Of course, one could never go wrong with the Renaissance Vox. While also learning more towards the pricier side, the simplicity and the sheer power of this plugin makes it an awesome choice for newbies and vets alike.

Best Vst Vocal Plugins

On the other end of the spectrum is the FabFilter Pro-C2 which is as simple and vanilla as you can get. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense compressor that does its job, the FabFilter is an ax that will never fail you when you need it the most.