Utility

There are several free Utility plugins available, and any one of those has its own advantages and disadvantages.

What makes Venn Audios's Utility plugin unique are the features of not only pan and gain stage each stereo channel individually, but also have volume controls for the mid and side. A huge thing if you're mixing a lot.

Another special ones are the clipping options (due to Venn Audio is known for its soft and hard clipping plugins - Check out FreeClip), the HP and LP Filters, the PAD button and for me the "Dual Mono" option in which you have the ability to adjust the exact point of the stereo signal to be converted to mono by using the "Pre mono balance" knob.

Now it also has some disadvantages.

1. The gain controls for stereo as well as left and right channels go only down to -35db. Of course, I could use the stereo knob and the left and right sliders in conjunction or use the PAD button to completely get rid of the signal but that is however bad if I'm using it by automation and f.e. need a continous fade out of the signal. Why not just letting it go to -infinity or at least -60db like the mid and side volume sliders?

2. No control for the PAN law after which the PAN algorithm is working (just like in every DAW's own mixer). I prefer MUtility by MeldaProduction for offering this.

3. Values can not be typed in. The parameters can be used only by click & drag or automation.

Another thing annoying me much is not providing enough information about the inner working and any explanation about the parameter. No manual, no tips, nothing. Yes, most of the parameters are self-explanatory but do some of them work in conjunction with each other, if yes which and in which order does the signal pass through the plugin's sections?

But great plugin nonetheless, really worth using it frequently.