The Best Plugins for Audio Production: Tools You Need in Your Arsenal

Whether you’re producing an audiobook, podcast, or voiceover project, the right plugins can make all the difference in making your voice sound professional, clear, and engaging.

The best part?

You don’t need a fancy studio setup to get great results, just a few solid plugins in your arsenal.

Let’s break down the must-have plugins for voice production, from EQ to noise reduction, that will help you level up your audio game.

1. EQ Plugins: Shape Your Voice

EQ is your go-to tool for carving out space in the frequency spectrum, boosting warmth, reducing harshness, and making sure your voice sounds balanced.

It’s the foundation for getting the tone of your voice just right.

How to do it: For a simple EQ, look for a parametric EQ that allows you to cut or boost frequencies with precision.

Focus on the low-mid range (250-500 Hz) to reduce muddiness, and maybe add a little boost around 2-5 kHz to bring out clarity.

Every voice is different, so adjust based on the tone of the recording.

Pro tip: Don’t overdo it; small changes go a long way.

2. De-Esser Plugins: Tame Sibilance

Sibilance is those sharp “S” and “shh” sounds that can be super harsh on the ears. While a little sibilance is normal, too much can be distracting for your listeners. A de-esser is a specialized tool to gently reduce those harsh high frequencies.

How to do it: Look for a de-esser that targets specific frequencies between 4-8 kHz, which is where sibilance usually lives. You want to reduce the harshness without making the voice sound muffled, so adjust the threshold and frequency range carefully. The goal is to make the sibilance less noticeable while keeping the rest of the voice intact.

3. Noise Reduction Plugins: Eliminate Background Noise

Unless you have a perfectly treated recording space, you’ll inevitably pick up some background noise, like hums, hisses, or clicks. Noise reduction plugins help clean up your audio and remove unwanted noise without compromising the voice.

How to do it: Use a noise reduction plugin to sample the unwanted noise (like the hum from an air conditioner) and remove it from the entire track. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much noise reduction can make your voice sound robotic or hollow. Focus on reducing the noise floor while maintaining the warmth and clarity of the voice.

4. Compressor Plugins: Keep Your Volume Consistent

Compression is key for leveling out the audio, especially when you have loud peaks and quiet moments in your recording. It helps maintain a consistent volume and prevents clipping.

How to do it: Look for a compressor with adjustable attack and release times. Set a low ratio (2:1 or 3:1) for gentle compression, and adjust the threshold so that only the loudest moments are being compressed. The goal is to smooth out the audio without squashing all the dynamics.

5. Reverb Plugins: Add a Little Space

Reverb is what gives your voice a sense of space. It helps make your voice sound like it’s in a room (instead of sounding like it’s been recorded in a closet). But too much reverb can make your voice sound distant or echoey, so it’s all about finding the right balance.

How to do it: Use a light reverb to add a little depth to the voice, but don’t go overboard. Too much reverb can muddy the clarity of the voice. A short room reverb or plate reverb works best for voice recordings, giving a subtle sense of space without becoming distracting.

These plugins are essential for making your voice recordings sound professional and polished. Whether you’re EQing to shape your tone, using a de-esser to smooth out sibilance, or cleaning up background noise with a reduction plugin, these tools will help you bring out the best in your voice.

Add these plugins to your audio toolkit, and you’ll be well on your way to creating top-tier audio that cuts through the noise.