Polarity-MEQ is a free spectral matching plugin that lets you match your audio to a reference track with just a few clicks! This week’s round-up of free plugins also brings you a free granular sampler and a cool lo-fi effect for vocals and speech.
Free Plugins of the Week
Polarity Productions Polarity-MEQ: Free Spectral Matching Plugin
Just a few weeks after Polarity-Glue, the developer is back with yet another excellent free plugin. Polarity-MEQ is their take on a matching EQ – but with a few tricks up its sleeve and a lot more control than many competitors.
Unlike a run-of-the-mill match EQ, Polarity-MEQ analyzes not only the frequency content but also the dynamics and stereo information of your mix, and compares it to a reference track. You can also use the sidechain input to capture the reference. A handy browser lets you build your own library of reference tracks for future, ahem, reference.
The plugin then allows you to bring your audio closer to the reference by adjusting the Global and Match amounts. You can also apply frequency-dependent dynamics to transfer the learned dynamics of the reference to your track. And thanks to independent mid/side matching, the center and stereo information are processed independently, so you stay in full control of the stereo image.
Furthermore, Polarity-MEQ also offers a sidechain Carve function that lets you make space in a mix for a competing track. That’s a lot of useful functionality, especially for a free plugin!
Polarity-MEQ is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2, and standalone formats.
FRCTL Audio GRNi Lite: Free Granular Sampler
GRNi Lite by FRCTL Audio is the free version of the developer’s paid GRNi plugin ($44.99). While it doesn’t offer nearly as many features as the full version, the freebie is still a fun little granular sampler that lets you turn your samples into something completely different.
Start by dropping any sample into the plugin. It instantly becomes playable on your keyboard. You can then choose the root note and define the region of the sample you’d like to use. The controls are rather bare-bones, but you get control over the Density (how many grains are extracted) and Size (the length of each grain). That’s enough to turn a simple sample into something unique or even completely unexpected.
GRNi Lite is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux in VST3, CLAP and AU formats.
Luxora Audio Lega Effect: Instant Lo-Fi Voices
Lega Effect by Luxora Audio is your one-stop shop for lo-fi, vintage-style effects for vocals and speech. It simulates a wide variety of devices, from telephones and answering machines to various kinds of radio transmission, old speakers, televisions, and tape to various enclosed spaces. Unlike some similar plugins, Lega Effect uses complete chains of effects rather than just EQ to simulate the various devices. 100 presets are included.
You can then tweak the effect to your liking by modifying the EQ curve and adjusting the intensity. A handy analyzer is also included, so you can see what’s happening.
Lega Effect is available for macOS and Windows in VST3, AU, and AAX formats.
You’ll find many more free plugins like Polarity-MEQ, GRNi Lite, and Lega Effect in our archive!
The post Polarity-MEQ, GRNi Lite, Lega Effect: Free Plugins of the Week appeared first on gearnews.com.