Everyone loves the sound of a great preamp. But which are the top preamp plugins? We show you below the best preamp VST plugins in both free and paid format.
Pre X7 Preamp by Audiority (Paid)
Pre X7 is an analog modelled preamplifier based on an iconic vintage tube unit primarily designed for bass guitar and that we modified to make it work with several audio sources.
Both input and output 12AX7 tube models are calculated in real-time, bringing you all the subtle non-linearities that will make each instance of this plugin unique without phase issues. A high-pass filter followed by a Tone control lets you shape the input signal before the output tubes. Furthermore, we included a brickwall clipping limiter to help you retain the distortion on extreme settings.
Features
- Real-time 12AX7 tube models
- 4 steps Low Cut (pre or post input tube)
- Input/Output Linking
- Baxandall tone control
- Boost, Pad and Phase switches
- Brickwall clipping limiter
[ Click here to buy + more info ]
Front DAW Preamp by United Plugins (Paid)
The digital world with its clarity and accuracy sometimes lacks some of the vibe from the old times. This is why English producer and remixer Greg Brimson approached United with his idea for a dream plugin. ‘Create a front door for every recording, and call it Front DAW. So that every track would have a true analogue input.’ Thanks to him you can turn your DAW Mixer into a real Analogue Console.
Every Track Different with VARM
Take advantage of United Plugins’ Variable Analogue Random Modeling technology. VARM is technology based on knowledge of chaotic behaviour and randomness of the analogue world. Thanks to VARM, each plugin instance acts slightly different. VARM models randomness of the subtle differences of the values of the electrical parts – exactly as is the case in the real electrical units and real console channels.
Three Types of Saturation
BR/US/GE buttons represent three types of analogue circuits you may choose from. BR represents classic fat British consoles, US stands for legendary punchy American style input. Switching to GE will give you velvet sounding colourful vintage German tube console.
The Mojo
Turning the Mojo knob lets you decide the amount of saturation your tracks get. The effect is rather subtle and gentle because Front DAW is intended to be used on many tracks simultaneously.
Saturate Every Track
Thanks to advanced modelling technology, Front DAW is very CPU-friendly. It is designed to be used on every single track of your mix (if desired).
Hassle-Free Software Protection
No iLok, no dongle or internet access is required for activation. This software uses licence files to activate your software. You can freely use the purchased software on all your computers as long as you are the user.
Realistic 3D Yet Flexible GUI
The photorealistic graphic user interface of the plugin gives you the feeling you are touching the real hardware. You can always drag the arrow in the bottom right corner to change its size – make it smaller to save the valuable screen space, or enlarge it to make it easier to use.
15-Days Unlimited Trial Version for Free
All the descriptions are nothing compared to putting hands on the plugin yourself. No saving limits. No noises. No boundaries. Engage the plugin in your project and fully exploit its powers for two weeks.
64-bit Audio Quality at ANY Sampling Rate
The plugin provides the maximum audio quality you can get. It uses internal 64-bit audio processing and can handle any sampling rate. 192 kHz or even higher.
Smart Bypass
The intelligent way this plugin manages bypassing ensures that you don’t get any clicks or harmful noises when automating the parameter.
[ Click here to buy + more info ]
Pre TridA Preamp by Arturia (Paid)
One of the most prized, rare, and exclusive channel strips ever made has been reborn in your DAW.
Features
- Comprehensive set of presets
- State-of-the-art TAE® analog modelling
- 1 & 2 Channels Plugin Versions
Virtual Recreation of Rare and Prized Classic Preamp
- 40 dB virtual continuous input gain
- +/- 24 dB Output trim level
Complete Switchable EQ Section:
- Include bypass & phase Inversion switch
3 Switchable Low Pass Filters:
- Cut frequency at 9kHz, 12kHz and 15kHz
- -12 dB/oct slope
- distinct filter cut combinations with unusual curves when 2 or 3 filters are combined.
High Shelf Filter:
- +/- 15dB gain
- 4 selectable frequencies : 8kHz, 10kHz, 12kHz, 15kHz
High Midrange Bell Filter:
- +/- 15dB gain
- 4 selectable frequencies : 3kHz, 5kHz, 7kHz, 9kHz
Low Midrange Bell Filter:
- +/- 15dB gain
- 4 selectable frequencies : 250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz
Low Shelf Filter:
- +/- 15dB gain
- 4 selectable frequencies : 50Hz, 80Hz, 100Hz, 150Hz
High Pass Filter:
- Cut frequency at 25Hz, 50Hz and 100Hz
- -18dB/oct. Slope
- distinct filter cut combinations with unusual curves when 2 or 3 filters are combined
3 Stereo Modes:
- Stereo Link
- Dual Mono Channels
- Mid/side (M/S) encoding-decoding for advanced stereo processing
Output Analog VU Meter:
- 3 calibrations mode (-18dBFs, -12dBS, -8 dBFs)
- Analog clipping LED indicator
[ Click here to buy + more info ]
Pre V76 Preamp by Arturia (Paid)
The sound that defined 60s pop music, rediscovered as a plugin for your virtual studio.
Features
- Comprehensive set of presets
- State-of-the-art TAE® analog modelling
- 1 & 2 Channels Plugin Versions
Virtual Recreation of Vintage German Valve Preamp:
- 73 dB virtual continuous input gain
- +/- 24 dB Output trim level
Germanium EQ & Filter Section Emulation:
- Include bypass & phase Inversion switch
High Tone Filter:
- High Shelf band
- +/- 10dB gain
- 5kHz fixed frequency
Low Tone Filter:
- Low Shelf band
- +/- 10dB gain
- 100Hz fixed frequency
High Pass Filter:
- Cut frequency at 80Hz, 300Hz and 80+300Hz for steeper slope
3 Stereo Modes:
- Stereo Link
- Dual Mono Channels
- Mid/side (M/S) encoding-decoding for advanced stereo processing
Vintage Glowing Output Meter:
- 3 sensibility mode (-18dBFs, -12dBS, -8 dBFs)
- Analog clipping indicated by bright red colour
[ Click here to buy + more info ]
Pre 1973 Preamp by Arturia (Paid)
The iconic vintage sound of the world’s best studios, perfectly recreated for the modern producer.
Features
- Comprehensive set of presets
- State-of-the-art TAE® analog modeling
- 1 & 2 channels plugin versions
Virtual Recreation of Famed Classic British Preamp:
- 60 dB virtual continuous input gain
- 2 type of output transformers
- +/- 24 dB Output trim level
Complete switchable EQ section:
- Include bypass & phase Inversion switch
High Shelf Filter:
- +/- 18dB gain
- Fixed frequency of 12kHz
Midrange Bell Filter:
- +/- 18 dB gain
- Continuous frequency range from 360Hz to 7.2kHz
Low Shelf Filter:
- +/- 18dB gain
- Continuous frequency range from 35Hz to 220Hz
High Pass Filter:
- -18dB/oct. Slope
- Continuous frequency range from 50Hz to 300Hz
3 Stereo Modes:
- Stereo Link
- Dual Mono Channels
- Mid/side (M/S) encoding-decoding for advanced stereo processing
Output Analog VU meter:
- 3 calibrations mode (-18dBFs, -12dBS, -8 dBFs)
- Analog clipping LED indicator
[ Click here to buy + more info ]
PreFET Preamp by Accentize (Free)
PreFET is a Machine-Learning based transistor pre-amp emulation which was designed using the same concept as PreTube. The included artificial neural network has learnt to precisely imitate the transistor pre-amp stage of a 70s tabletop cassette recorder. Depending on the Drive-Setting PreFET can colour your sounds from subtle analogue saturation to heavy overdrive.
[ Click here to download + more info ]
SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio (Free)
SGA1566 brings the authentic tone of a single channel vintage all tube mic preamplifier. The whole circuit is simulated in real time using the high performance circuit simulator to recreate every nuance of the preamp circuit, from subtle coloration to overdrive and distortion.
Use SGA1566 to add warmth to a track, as a saturation compressor, or to add “dirt” with tube overdrive.
Features
- Authentic analog sound through real-time high-performance circuit simulation.
- Two-band active Baxandall EQ that can be placed either before or after the preamp.
- Up to 4x oversampling.
- Mono or stereo processing mode.
[ Click here to download + more info ]
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