Top 10 Audio Plugins for Podcast Production

Audio plugins are invaluable when it comes to producing professional podcast audio because they can fix many audio problems as well as enhance your audio quality so it sounds tremendous.

I’ve made 10 categories, each a different plugin type, and have chosen my top plugin in each category.

Be aware that most if not all major DAWs have built in processors like the ones I mention below, and some of them can be very good quality, so be aware that most of the plugins I mention below are definitely not “necessary” for the average podcaster.

*Also please be aware that I’ve chosen these plugins out of the many plugins I’ve actually used personally, which is only a small fraction of all the plugins in existence. Be sure to do your own research before purchasing any plugins, which includes trying the plugin for free which most plugin companies allow you to do.

Note: In many cases my top pick in each category happens to be a relatively expensive plugin. In those cases I also include a few less expensive plugins that are also extremely good quality.

Category 1: Cleanup and Repair

iZotope RX – a suite of plugins for audio cleanup and repair containing modules like Voice De-noise, De-reverb, De-plosive, De-ess, Mouth De-click, EQ, Leveler, Loudness, De-clip, De-hum, De-click, Breath Control, De-bleed and more.

Category 2: Channel Strip

A channel strip is a single plugin that contains many different processors within it like EQ, compression, etc.

Scheps Omni Channel (Waves) – This is the plugin I usually recommend getting first because it’s not expensive, it’s high quality and it contains EQ, filters, compression, gate/expander, saturation, TWO de-essers!, and a limiter.

A bit more expensive options: SSL E Channel (Waves), Neutron (iZotope)

A lot more expensive option: Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC

Category 3: Vocal Rider (Waves)

The Vocal Rider plugin from Waves gets its own category because it is INCREDIBLY handy for podcast production. It automatically rides the volume of dynamic participants to ensure that their really loud parts are brought down a bit and their really quiet parts are brought up in volume. Works great on people who trail off at the end of sentences and then suddenly get REALLY loud. This plugin usually ends up being the 2nd plugin I recommend people buy, after the Scheps mentioned above.

Category 4: EQ

Pro-Q 3 (Fabfilter) – a great EQ with many amazing features. It’s not cheap but it’s outstanding.

Alternative: smart:EQ 2 (sonible)

Less expensive option: F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ (Waves)

Category 5: Compressor

Aquamarine 4 (Acustica) – an amazing expensive dual stage compressor that has been phenomenal for me.

Some less expensive good alternatives I like: CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter (Waves), True Dynamics (Kazrog), CLA-76 (Waves)

Category 6: Multiband compressor

Pro-MB (Fabfilter) – a great sounding plugin extremely handy in some situations.

Much less expensive alternative: C6 (Waves)

Note: Multiband compressors are also included in Ozone (iZotope) and Neutron (iZotope).

Category 7: Limiter

Pro-L 2 (Fabfilter) – another amazing Fabfilter plugin that sounds great and has amazing UI like all Fabfilter plugins.

Less expensive alternatives: L2 (Waves), CLA-2A Compressor / Limiter (Waves)

Also note the Maximizer module in Ozone (iZotope)

Oxford Limiter V3 (Sonnox) – this is one that I’ve been looking forward to trying out, but never get around to it. I guess in general I just haven’t been in the mood to try any new plugins, maybe because I already own and like sooooo maaannyyy plugins.

Category 8: De-esser

soothe2 (oeksound) – intelligent taming of resonances, sibilance and more.

Amazing alternative: Pro-DS (Fabfilter)

Less expensive options: DeEsser (Waves), Manny Marroquin Triple D (Waves)

Category 9: Saturation (Tape, Tube, Transformer)

Saturation plugins add subtle harmonic distortion to emulate the sound of old analog gear including tubes, analog tape, transformers, etc. Saturation adds some kind of character and warmth to recordings.

Saturn 2 (Fabfilter) – this is not supposed to be a Fabfilter commercial, but Saturn 2 has lots of different types of saturation and there are many cool sounding presets.

Also note the Saturation module in Scheps Omni Channel (Waves).

Black Box Analog Design HG-2 (Plugin Alliance) – another one I really want to try soon, and trying this one would probably be a lot more fun than trying the Oxford Limiter V3 mentioned above.

Category 10: Mastering

Mastering refers to the last bit of processing you can use on your final “mix” to make it louder and with more consistent volume and tone, etc.

Ozone (iZotope) – a suite of mastering plugins.

Another one I’ve tried and liked is the Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain (Waves).

BONUS Category 11: Specialty Plugins (Exciter, Transient Shaper, Intelligent EQ, Multi-Effects including reverb, delay, chorus, flange, filters, distortion, etc.)

By specialty plugins I mean: Exciter, Transient Shaper, Intelligent EQ, Multi-Effects including reverb, delay, chorus, flange, filters, distortion, etc.

Just a bunch of cool plugins I’ve enjoyed using from time to time. BTW these are ABSOLUTELY NOT NECESSARY for podcast production so DO NOT BUY any of these. Unless you really know what you’re doing.

Aphex Vintage Exciter (Waves)

Exciter module in Ozone (iZotope)

Oxford Inflator (Sonnox)

Gullfoss (Soundtheory) – Intelligent EQ

spiff (oeksound) – transient shaper

Transient Shaper module in Neutron (iZotope)

Timeless 2 (Fabfilter) – multi-effects plugin containing reverb, delay, chorus, flange, filters, distortion and lots more.

I’m really interested to know:

Which amazing plugins are you loving these days? Seriously, I’m always expanding my knowledge and would love to know which plugins are your favorites. Comment below.