VST or Virtual Studio Technology, are tools that allows users to access a variety of sounds in a digital audio workstation. These plug-ins can be used both for making new sounds and editing existing sounds. We will focus primarily on audio effect plug-ins, which are used to shape the sound of existing audio.

 1. PolyVerse Wider

The PolyVerse Wider plug-in gives the illusion of a stereo image from a mono signal, allowing up to a 200% increase in mono signal. It uses a diverse all-pass and comb filtering algorithm to produce a natural sounding stern image. It maintains full mono compatibility, meaning that widened signals will still remain in phase after being transferred back into mono.

 2. Klanghelm MJUC jr.

Next up is the Klanghelm MJUC jr. This compression filter is designed using dense compression characteristics from the early 1960s.  The plug-in uses three knobs for more harmonic customization, allowing control over the compression, make-up gain, and the time constants. The time constants control the attack and relate times of the unit, as well as the slew rate of the transformers and the timing of other parts in the circuitry. This controls the amount of saturation from the compressor.

3. Reaper

The Reaper plug-ins come with a large set of filters, including a compression filter, an EQ, delay, noise gate, a user-adjusted effect filter, and a reverb filter. They can be used with the Reaper DAWS and are also available for separate download for use with other audio workstations. Some Reaper plug-ins, like the TAL-NoiseMaker and Azurite, come with a large number of presets for those who prefer a simpler set-up. Azurite features a multi-voice chorus, OrilRiver simulates the reverberation of a small room and a great hall, and Blip2000 by Wok allows creation of matrix sequences that can be saved as separate VST plug-ins for later use.

4. Tokyo Dawn Records TDR Nova

The Tokyo Dawn Records TDR Nova is a parallel dynamic equalizer with a simple, easy-to-use user interface. This processor can control parametric EQ, dynamic EQ, frequency selective compression, multi-band compression, and Wideband compression. Frequency selective compression allows the addition of a compression filter to a selected frequency range. The plug-in comes with a preset manager, undo/redo, detailed documentation, and copy & paste, among other basic features that make the application easy to use.

 5. Tokyo Dawn Records VOS SlickEQ

Finally, the Tokyo Dawn Records VOS SlickEQ is a mixing/mastering equalizer with a modern user interface, designed for ease of use and musical flexibility. This equalizer is intuitive, user-friendly and efficient. It contains three and a half bands, each one of these containing a specific set of EQ curves and behaviors, arranged in a low-mid-high semi-parametric layout. There are five output stages – linear, silky, mellow, deep and toasted – and advanced saturation algorithms by VOS. Similarly to the Nova, and all Tokyo Dawn Records plug-ins, it comes with a preset manager, undo/redo, and copy & paste. It also features online help, editable labels, and several other features for ease of use.

Here is a video that gives a visual look at the features of these plug-ins:

5 FREE VST Plugins Everyone Needs!!