best freeware effects, especially equalizer

[anselmoso]

hi altogether,

i'm a beginner when it comes to mixing and mastering.
i already use several freeware vst plugins for mixing, the compressor and de-esser from digitalfishphones for example..
now i'm looking for a good freeware equalizer. i just read that many cheap equalizers produce unwanted noise and don't sound as good as their commercial counterparts.

so which freeware equalizer would you suggest / do you use and know it's producing great sound?

any other suggestions for every day mixing plugins like compressor, limiter, reverb, delay would be great as well!
because there are so many freeware plugins and for me as beginner there's no way to know which one sounds best / better than the others......

thanks in advance,
anselmoso

[zeoy]

The whole Classic series from Kjaerhus ( http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/ ) is worth checking.

[Kerrydan]

If you want a great freeware eq for making those "surgical" cuts to sounds, one track at a time, I highly recommend Magnus of SmartElectronix's NyquistEQ. There's a 5-band version, and a 3-band version. Personally, I prefer the three bands.

The biggest thing the plugin has going for it, IMHO, is that it helps you rely on your ears more. The plugin does have lines to help indicate where frequencies are... but no numbers.

-K

[mauseoleum]

Yes, NyquistEq is nice. If your host allows you to flip to non-gui, you can actually readout frequency/q and other eq-modes.

[JackDark]

Here's the best freeware mix/master VSTs IMHO:

http://jackdark.proboards39.com/index.c ... 1106143952

[anselmoso]

thanks for so many answers this far!
i will try out all of your suggestions!

if there are some more i should know - just let me know:-)

greetings,
anselmoso

[scuzzphut]

I think the LFX1310 from Luxonix is a must-have plugin, in that it can cover a few different effects competently.

In terms of dynamics and EQ. my plugin list comprises

EQ
CM SpinEQ (not free, but free with the Computer Music magazine)
LPGEQ

Dynamics
C3 Multiband compressor - must have
George Yohngs W1 Limiter - a recent find - very useful.
Classic Compressor (because it has useful presets that will give you a good start)
Stardust - for mastering
Supercamelphat - I couldn't live without this! I won it in a KvR monthly song competition - Basslines and drums both go through it regularly.

These are my opinions.

[IIRs]

<cough>

It has no competition at the price..