Category: Plugin Sale Info

Free Plugins and Plugin Purchase Sites Overview

Hello! I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.

It seems like my posts about plugins are getting a lot of attention, so I’ve decided to compile a list of websites where you can find free plugins and purchase plugins at great prices.

Let’s dive in!

1. Audio Plugin Deals

    Click image to find out Audio Plugin Deals

    Audio Plugin Deals is a great site where you can find free plugins every month or so under their Free section. They also have time-limited deals in the Deals section, and discounted products are always available in The Shop.

    When you make a purchase, you earn Rewards points, which can be used for discounts on future purchases in The Shop. Just keep in mind that some items in The Shop have a minimum purchase requirement, even if you’re using points.

    2. Plugin Boutique

    Click image to find out Plugin Boutique

    At Plugin Boutique, you can almost always get a free plugin when you make a purchase. They also offer Virtual Cash, similar to Audio Plugin Deals’ Reward system, which can be used without restrictions on future purchases.

    If you spend over £50, you receive a token that can be exchanged for a sample pack from Plugin Boutique. They occasionally run exclusive free plugin offers, so signing up for their newsletter could bring some pleasant surprises.

    You can also find permanently free plugins in their Free section, though quality varies, so it’s worth testing them out.

    3. Audio Deluxe

    Click image to find out Audio Deluxe

    What sets Audio Deluxe apart from other sites is the regular availability of discount coupons, making prices even lower than they appear. You also earn points that can be used on future purchases.

    However, most of the free plugins offered here can be found on other sites, so there isn’t much of an advantage in that regard.

    4. every Plugin

    Click image to find out every Plugin

    As I’ve mentioned before, Every Plugin is one of the best places to buy Waves plugins at a lower price. They often have the best prices on Eastwest plugins too. If you’re planning to buy, it’s a good idea to compare prices here with other sites.

    The downside is that you need to sign up and log in to see the prices. Also, they don’t offer any free plugins.

    5. JRR Shop

    Click image to find out JRR Shop

    JRR Shop offers discounts on plugins and also sells hardware equipment. You can find free plugins under their Free Stuff section. They frequently have good deals, so it’s worth checking out if you’re looking for a specific plugin.

    6. W.A. Production

    Click image to find out W.A. Production

    W.A. Production mainly sells sample packs and MIDI files, but they occasionally offer free plugins and samples, making it a site worth knowing about.

    7. Blue Cat Audio

    Click image to find out Blue Cat Audio

    At Blue Cat Audio, if you go to the Download section and scroll down, you’ll find a Free Pack with all their free versions. The interface might not be the most attractive, but the plugins are solid. Although they primarily make their own plugins, I included them here as part of this list of free plugin sources.

    8. Don’t Crack

    Click image to find out Don’t Crack

    Don’t Crack is a well-named site with occasional good discounts. I remember getting a Flux Session pack at a very reasonable price last year. The site’s layout might feel a bit sparse, like JRR Shop, but you can find some great deals if you dig around.

    9. Plugin Discounts

    Click image to find out Plugin Discounts

    I haven’t used Plugin Discounts much, but like Every Plugin, you need to log in to see the prices.

    10. Bedroom Producers Blog

    Click image to find out Bedroom Producers Blog

    This is a large blog that regularly features free plugins and various discounts. They often curate good deals and organize them by time, and sometimes they offer exclusive discounts or free plugins. It’s a great site to check in on from time to time.

    11. Production Expert

    Click image to find out Production Expert

    Production Expert isn’t a plugin store, but it’s a great resource for news, discounts, and free plugin information. Signing up for their newsletter is a good way to stay updated on the latest deals and news.

    In addition to these, companies like Universal Audio frequently release free plugins these days, so it’s worth exploring and finding the ones that suit your needs.

    That’s all for today. See you in the next post!

    Cableguys FilterShaper XL Sale (Until 8/31)

    Hello! I’m Jooyoung Kim, a mixing engineer and music producer.

    Today, I wanted to share an exciting deal from one of my favorite companies, Cableguys, who are currently offering a discount on their FilterShaper XL plugin.

    As with my recent plugin reviews, I received an NFR (Not for Resale) code from Plugin Boutique for this product.

    Purchase FilterShaper XL at Plugin Boutique

    (If you purchase through the above link, I’ll earn a small commission, which greatly supports the blog!)

    Let’s dive in!

    FilterShaper Core in ShaperBox 3

    Cableguys is known for their best-selling product, ShaperBox.

    ShaperBox can inject an artificial groove into your instruments, and I found it so compelling that I purchased it myself before I even partnered with Plugin Boutique.

    Within ShaperBox, there’s a tool called FilterShaper Core. FilterShaper XL is essentially an enhanced version of FilterShaper Core, with additional parameters and features.

    Looking at the UI, you’ll notice it’s split into left and right sections. Both sides represent filters, and the central Routing button allows you to choose between serial or parallel connections.

    Pan, Mix, and Volume controls are likely familiar to most of you, so I’ll skip explaining those..:)

    Now, let’s explore the filters!

    If you’ve used filters before, this should feel intuitive. Even if you’re less experienced, you’ll probably grasp the basics of Cutoff (which determines the frequency at which the sound is attenuated), Pan, and Volume.

    The Drive control allows you to choose between Pre and Post settings. Adding Drive enhances harmonics and can act somewhat like a compressor as the sound level increases and then decreases at a certain point.

    Resonance, as shown in the image above, determines the amount of emphasis around the cutoff frequency.

    Filter 2 off, Filter 1 with Drive 0, Resonance 0, Res. Drive 0, Volume 0, Cutoff Frequency at maximum (21.1kHz)
    Res. Drive at 50%
    HARD button enabled with Res. Drive at 0

    The Res. Drive below Resonance applies Drive specifically to the resonance band, creating harmonics and adding compression. The HARD button intensifies these effects.

    Also, by clicking the text right below the Filter Power button, you can select the type of filter you want to use. That’s pretty much everything about the filter window!

    Now, let’s move on to the lower section.

    In the bottom section, you can draw automations for each filter’s parameters, allowing them to repeat automatically. You can create points by double-clicking with the mouse and drag them to shape the automation. Various cursor tools on the left can make this easier, and you can also start with presets available at the top.

    Using both LFO 1 and LFO 2 (located at the top left), you can modulate LFO values like this. The thin blue line in the background represents the LFO that will modulate the parameter.

    The Pan and Volume controls in the center manage the panning and volume of the master output. You can also adjust the amount of LFO modulation by clicking the settings button on the Amount knob in the bottom left corner.

    Lastly, the Envelope Follower in the bottom right lets you change the intensity of the LFO based on the input signal. You can also set the LFO’s LFO in the same section, giving you more control.

    It may seem complex at first, but it’s very intuitive once you start using it.

    If you’d like to hear how it works, check out the demo video by Cableguys.

    This sale is valid until the end of the month.

    This plugin is versatile and can be creatively used in any genre, whether you’re into acoustic music, rock, dubstep, D&B, K-Pop, or anything in between. I highly recommend it to all music producers.

    Purchase FilterShaper XL at Plugin Boutique

    (If you purchase through the above link, I’ll earn a small commission, which greatly supports the blog!)

    I primarily use acoustic instruments, and with a bit of tweaking—using a minimal Mix value—you can add a tight groove to your instruments that would be impossible to achieve with just human performance.

    Having at least one or two plugins like this is essential, in my opinion. If I had to recommend just two, I’d go with this one and Volume Shaper. If your budget allows, picking up ShaperBox 3 during a sale would also be a satisfying purchase.

    Also, if you buy any plugins from Plugin Boutique this month, you’ll receive either Softube’s VCA Comp or Imagine Audio’s K7D delay for free.

    If you don’t have a dbx160-style compressor, I’d recommend the VCA Comp. If you need a versatile delay for guitars, electric pianos, or analog delay, go for the K7D.

    See you in the next post!

    Output Movement Rhythm Engine 50% Off (Until 8/16)

    Hello, I’m mixing engineer and music producer Jooyoung Kim.

    Today, I’m excited to introduce you to Output’s Movement plugin, a tool designed for creating dynamic rhythms.

    As with my previous posts on Output products, this plugin was provided by Plugin Boutique under Not for Resale conditions, enabling me to write this review.

    Purchase Output Movement at Plugin Boutique

    (Purchasing through this link gives me a small commission, which greatly helps in running this blog.)

    Let’s dive right in!

    If you’re seeing this plugin for the first time, it might seem a bit overwhelming. To summarize the concept of Movement:

    1. It separates sounds in parallel,
    2. Modulates various parameters through signals like Step Sequencers, LFOs, and Sidechain,
    3. And then combines the sounds back together.

    This plugin is particularly specialized in rhythmic modulation, which is why it’s marketed as a Powerful Rhythm Engine.

    Now, let’s break down its features one by one.

    First, you’ll notice Engine A and B on either side, where you can adjust each engine’s volume and pan values. Above the engines is the rhythm section responsible for modulation. Let’s start from there.

    The rhythm section allows you to choose between Step, LFO, and Sidechain.

    When Step is selected, you can create up to 32 steps.

    You can manually create steps, generate them randomly, or choose from presets. You can adjust the shape and swing of the steps, and determine how often the steps change through the Rate setting.

    LFOs work similarly. You choose a shape from the shape presets, select the starting phase, and use the Chaos function to set the amplitude randomly, which creates a unique sound that is both unpredictable yet rhythmic.

    Sidechain is exactly what it sounds like! You can use external audio signals as triggers for modulation.

    By placing the rhythm section’s number buttons on a knob, you can modulate that knob according to the selected rhythm value. Right-clicking on the knob allows you to access a modulation window where you can adjust how much it modulates based on the x-y axis movement.

    You can choose up to six FX to apply. I analyzed Comp, EQ, and Distortion in particular.

    Comp

    The above images show the frequency response and harmonic distortion with Warmth set to 0, while the ones below show the same with Warmth increased.

    With Warmth at 0, it functions as a clean digital compressor. With Warmth added, the high frequencies are slightly rolled off, and the sound becomes more saturated.

    Distortion

    The Distortion effect includes High Pass and Low Pass Filters as basic parameters, so the extreme lows and highs are filtered out. The upper images show Crunch at 0, while the lower images show it at a medium setting. This effect can add strong saturation!

    EQ

    The EQ offers three types: Parametric, Shelving, and High/Low Pass.

    Interestingly, this EQ still affects the sound even if Gain1 and Gain2 are set to the center. This applies to both Parametric and Shelving EQs, so keep this in mind when adjusting.

    The EQ also tends to boost the extreme high frequencies.

    When flattening the frequency response and examining the phase, you’ll notice some unique characteristics.

    I’ll skip the details of the remaining FX as they are more straightforward.

    Finally, the button at the bottom left of the plugin reduces the processing load, easing the burden on your CPU. It doesn’t affect the sound but reduces the amount of movement in the plugin’s UI, making it less taxing on your system.

    Check out Output’s official trailer to see how it works and hear what it sounds like.

    You might think this plugin is only useful for electronic music, K-Pop, or hip-hop, but it can actually be applied across various genres. The Sidechain function, in particular, offers some exciting possibilities.

    Output’s products are on sale at Plugin Boutique until August 16th, so if you’re curious about other plugins, it’s worth checking them out.

    Purchase Output Movement at Plugin Boutique

    (Purchasing through this link gives me a small commission, which greatly helps in running this blog.)

    When you purchase a plugin from Plugin Boutique, you’ll also receive a free plugin. This month’s free plugins are Softube’s VCA Compressor or Imagine Audio’s K7D Delay.

    If you don’t have a dbx160-style compressor, I’d recommend the VCA Compressor. If you want to apply delay to a variety of sources, K7D is a great choice.

    See you in the next post~:)

    Output Thermal Distortion Plugin FX 49% Off (Until 8/16)

    Hello everyone, I’m mixing engineer and music producer Jooyoung Kim.

    Today, following my previous post on the Portal plugin and its discount, I’m excited to introduce Output’s Thermal plugin.

    buy output thermal plugin at plugin boutique

    (Purchasing through this link will give me a small commission, which greatly helps in running this blog.)

    As mentioned in the previous post, Plugin Boutique has provided the plugin under Not for Resale conditions, allowing me to write this review.

    Let’s get started!

    Thermal is one of Output’s flagship effect plugins, specializing in various types of distortion. Its basic UI is similar to that of Portal.

    Opening the settings panel, you’ll find two Macros on the right and two LFOs labeled as MOD, allowing modulation of parameters with four values.

    On the left, you can select the area to adjust through Stages, enabling you to control three different frequency ranges separately.

    Does this remind you of anything? If you’ve used many plugins, Fabfilter’s Saturn might come to mind.

    Unlike Saturn, which is for coloring with Tube or Tape settings, Thermal lets you choose from 19 ways to distort the waveform.

    You can adjust how it transforms through parameters like Drive, Shape Depth, and Frequency. The Clip function provides a clipping effect, and you can control Feedback Time and amount.

    There are nine effects, similar to Portal, applied only to the selected Stage.

    Width and Tone are also applied per Stage.

    The Modulation section works like a synthesizer’s LFO. Clicking the + button and assigning it to a parameter creates a small circle that you can adjust up and down to control the amount of modulation.

    In the lower right section, you can adjust Macros with the mouse, apply the overall effect, or tweak EQ/Compression in the master section.

    These parameters can also be modulated using Macros or LFOs.

    This kind of plugin is great when you want intense saturation or when basic distortion isn’t enough, and you want to experiment with sound transformation.

    Using automation, you can alter the XY Macros with your mouse to break away from monotonous sounds.

    It’s challenging to describe these transformations in words, so check out the official Plugin Boutique video above to hear it in action.

    I started with just an acoustic guitar, but as I continued making music, I began exploring plugins like this.

    Though it might be too bold for mixing external projects, it can be a valuable tool to add edge to your compositions and arrangements.

    I believe this is one of the best discounts ever offered. Output plugins are 50% off until August 16th, so it’s worth considering.

    buy output thermal plugin at plugin boutique

    (Purchasing through this link will give me a small commission, which greatly helps in running this blog.)

    Additionally, when you purchase a plugin from Plugin Boutique, you get a free plugin.

    This month, you can choose between:

    The VCA Compressor, a recreation of the dbx160 by Softube, or

    The K7D Delay by Imagine Audio.

    If you don’t have a dbx160-style plugin, I recommend the VCA Compressor. For those who need a versatile delay for instruments and mixing, the K7D Delay is a great choice.

    See you in the next post~:)