Best Plug-ins Under $50

For computer-based producers, plug-ins are an excellent way to bring the qualities of renowned studio equipment to the comfort of your DAW. You can get all the essentials, including effects, pitch correction, equalization, and mastering tools. Yet, with a tight budget, choosing the appropriate software to get the most bang for your buck can be a challenge. Reputable software consistently serves users with top-notch functionality and output, but sometimes, the price is too high. So, we set out to make the process easier. Considering the function quality, utility, and resource demands, we’ve constructed a list of the best plug-ins under $50. Whether you’re an emerging home-studio producer or a professional-level studio engineer, these plug-ins will ensure your workspace is equipped with the industry-grade functionality of mainstream tools at a fraction of the price.

Note: At Sweetwater, we know there’s no such thing as “best” when it comes to music gear. Every player and artist has unique tastes, which is what makes selecting gear so fun! The items on this list feature some of our favorite products from top manufacturers to help you start your buying journey! Explore these recommendations and dive into Sweetwater’s massive collection of gear on our online store. For personalized picks and expert advice, please contact our knowledgeable Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700!

Waves F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ Plug-inWaves CLA-76 Compressor/Limiter Plug-inWaves Abbey Road Studios J37 Tape Plug-inBaby Audio Super VHS Lo-fi Plug-inIK Multimedia T-RackS Classic Clipper Plug-inKlevgrand DAW Cassette Tape Deck Emulation Plug-inWaves Clarity Vx Noise Reduction Plug-inLANDR FX Voice Plug-inzplane Peel Spatial Spectral Isolator EQ

Waves F6 Floating-Band Dynamic EQ Plug-in

Shape the dynamics of any mix

The Waves F6 Floating-band Dynamic EQ plug-in is an essential tool for producers looking to shape up their sound frequencies in necessary increments. Best with vocals yet perfect for all other instruments, the F6 automizes the power of your EQ depending on the dynamics of your sound, allowing you to perfect problematic areas in your track without muddying up the entire mix. It also provides handy sidechain features, highpass and lowpass filters, and mid-side processing for exponentially advanced sonic constructions. When working with wide tonal changes in a recording, such as vocals or miked instruments, dynamics can greatly impact your overall tone — the F6 works with these movements to ensure your final product remains authentic and rich.

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Waves CLA-76 Compressor/Limiter Plug-in

Near-instant compression response 

As it’s based on one of the all-time most sought-after compressors, the Waves CLA-76 compressor/limiter plug-in injects breakneck compression speeds directly into any track. Its 50-microsecond attack speed makes it a formidable option for use with any instrument. However, it works exceptionally well with explosive sounds, such as drums or hard-hitting vocals. Like the real unit, the Waves CLA-76 provides powerful, all-buttons-in ratio functionality, giving you extra edge and texture wherever needed. Compression is an essential tool for projects of any genre — Waves’ CLA-76 conjures the charm of one of music history’s finest at a stunning price point.

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Waves Abbey Road Studios J37 Tape Plug-in

Adorn any mix with historic analog aflair

Abbey Road Studios is among the most famous recording studios in the world. Tucked deeply inside is a historic tape machine of equal fame. The Waves Abbey Road Studios J37 Tape plug-in is a carbon copy of the original unit, arming you with bias, wow, flutter, tape speed, and more controls to hone the best vintage tone for any track. You can use three separate tape formulas, each of which contains a dignified, renowned tone. Also included are sync, LP, and HP filter controls and onboard delay. With this affordable plug-in in your arsenal, mimicking the timeless sounds of the 1960s and 1970s tape-made hits is as easy as pie.

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Baby Audio Super VHS Lo-fi Plug-in

Taking tape to superb levels

The Baby Audio Super VHS Lo-fi plug-in offers much more than simple tape emulation. Five simple controls, including heat, wash, drift, static, and shape, allow you to dial in a crunchy, reverb-laden mix reminiscent of old-school tape machines. Additionally, the drift control applies a soft, wow-like vibrato to your track, enhancing dynamics and creating movement. Where this plug-in shines is the onboard “magic” button, which applies a dark chorus effect over everything, amounting to a lively, dreamy sound with all the nuance of yesteryear’s tape hits. While adamant lo-fi artists and indie singer/songwriters will find massive use from this plug-in, Super VHS is genuinely an effect that creators of all genres can benefit from.

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IK Multimedia T-RackS Classic Clipper Plug-in

Keep hot signals out of the mix

Completing a track and finding an instance of clipped audio can be devastating. Luckily, the IK Multimedia T-RackS Classic Clipper plug-in naturally tames your peaks at a low price. Its ultra-accurate digital processing makes it sound more authentic than standard limiter tools, and it’s capable of working standalone within T-RackS CS, making integration into your current setup an absolute breeze. You get common gain, shape, and output controls and a convenient bypass switch for on/off mix comparisons. Every producer has encountered a project that needs a little trimming around the edges — the T-RackS Classic Clipper makes the process efficient and easy.

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Klevgrand DAW Cassette Tape Deck Emulation Plug-in

Inject ’80s tape tone into any mix

There’s nothing quite like the warm lo-fi sound of an audio cassette tape. To that end, the Klevgrand DAW Cassette tape deck emulation plug-in is a gold standard for many producers at Sweetwater. The intensity of this analog-like effect is entirely up to you. It explores the nuances of traditional tape-deck playback, such as variable motor- and head-quality settings. You can even go as far as adjusting the tilt of the tape head and back-panel EQ controls. Believe us when we say this plug-in sounds like the real deal — from extremely subtle feedback hum to intense, decades-old deck wow and flutter effects, this DAW Cassette Tape Deck plug-in fits the bill in complete authenticity.

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Waves Clarity Vx Noise Reduction Plug-in

Clear the air of unwanted transients 

If you’re recording vocals in a home studio environment, then chances are there’s at least one instance of background noise you’d like to eliminate. That’s where the Waves Clarity Vx noise reduction plug-in comes in handy. This single-knob interface easily demolishes hiss, hum, computer noise, and more to provide noiseless vocals without intruding on clarity. Courtesy of Wave Neural Networks AI-based technology, you’ll have several neutral network options, as well as mono and stereo components to match the specifics of your mix’s audial needs. Best of all, the Clarity Vx’s processing delivers artifact-free results, keeping all other instances of your sound virtually bypassed except when it’s needed. Vocals are among the trickiest parts of a track to pin down, but the process is a cinch with the Clarity Vx noise reduction plug-in.

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LANDR FX Voice Plug-in

One simple control, endless vocal potential

Speaking of vocals, the LANDR FX Voice plug-in is a must-have for producers looking to amplify the impact of spoken sound in their projects. Packed with 46 ready-to-go presets, including “Rap God” and “Pop Diva,” you’ll have enough room to explore several effects for any vocal track. A single effects knob generates a blend of input and output audio, so you can dial in the right amount of sonic manipulation without going overboard. Also available are built-in reverb and distortion, so there’s no need to look around for any third-party effects when efficiency is critical. The next time you need to add a bit of flair to the human elements of your mix, consider the easy route with the FX Voice.

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zplane Peel Spatial Spectral Isolator EQ

The key to deep sonic manipulation

When dealing with EQ, there’s more than simply dialing a few frequencies up and down. With transients and wash in the mix, finding a product that can tap into every dimension of your sound is important. The zplane Peel spatial spectral isolator EQ does that with ease, arming you with a simple isolation GUI to pin down your target frequency. It’s a great option for producers looking to cut down or amp up the prominence of specific instruments, vocals, or reverberations without disturbing the rest of the mix. Its reasonable price and intuitive appearance make Peel spatial spectral isolator an excellent option for emerging producers looking to refine their equalization skills.

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Browse Every Affordable Plug-in Option at Sweetwater!

Did any of these plug-ins hit the mark? If so, then go ahead and give it a try! If not, then that’s okay — many more budget-friendly options are available here at Sweetwater! Experimentation reaps wild rewards, so don’t be afraid to browse our entire range to find the perfect plug-in pick for your studio! If you need any other recommendations or support or want to talk gear, then feel free to call one of our excellent Sweetwater Sales Engineers at (800) 222-4700 — they’re happy to help!
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