Hey everyone,

Hope you're enjoying this Spring weather! As you know, Kaizen Music Studio closed temporarily for April because: (scroll down for the free goodies & links)

1. I have long covid, and need to rest. Doctor's orders - gotta get better.
2. The Studio is getting an UPGRADE!!

My family & I are working on a new Studio space where local bands, artists & collaborators can come record & produce albums. All thanks to my Dad - his idea! He is out there right now wiring up the new Studio as I'm typing this <3

This is an incredibly exciting step, to have a new location to coach, record & work with other artists 24/7. It's going to take a while before it's ready, but I can't wait to get in there :) See you again in May - in the new Studio!!

SONGWRITING PROGRAM - Starting in June, I will be offering an intensive Songwriting program that will take you all the way from start to finish. Learn how to write great songs, record them, produce and take a song idea all the way through to demo & completion! If you're interested, fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/biQQCYAmZk2tb6fY6

Part of the Studio upgrade also involves updating all of the plugins, VSTs, software & hardware on my computer for upcoming music production projects. As a professional singer & songwriter, I prefer to produce & mix my own vocals before sending them out into the world. So that's what inspired the list below!

NOTE: check out https://www.patreon.com/anjikaizen for free downloads & songs before anyone else! Here's the next song I'm releasing with Clark May & Jory (J'Mar): https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/clarkmayandanjikaizen/love-like-you-feat-jmar

*10 Best FREE Plugins for Music Producers!*

Getting into music production is exciting, but lots of aspiring creatives get overwhelmed by costs. That’s why I made this guide of my favorite plugins that cost NOTHING. And they’re pro level quality! So you’re not missing out ;)

*plugins are external software you can use in your DAW to enhance your music*

1.Komplete Start - Native Instruments (Music Production Bundle) https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-start/ ^ A completely comprehensive music production bundle of instruments & FX with some INCREDIBLE sounds. Honestly, I can't believe this is free. Quote: “Whatever your sound, Komplete Start has you covered with standout synths, drumkits, organic instruments, creative sound design tools, professional audio processing plugins, and much more”^ 

2.LABS - SpitFire Audio (VST / Sound Library) https://labs.spitfireaudio.com/

^^^ the most comprehensive sound library of FREE VSTS & samples you will find anywhere!! All pro quality. If you need a great piano sound, choir, guitar, drums, synth, world instruments, strings (anything really) then check these guys out. Seriously you cannot go wrong with this plugin or any of their sounds.

3.Baby Audio - Freebies (Bundle of plugins) https://babyaud.io/freebies

^^^ this is a handful of simple, one-click style plugins, each with its own specialty. In this bundle you get a delay, reverb, compressor, chorus effect & pitch drifter, based off of their larger bestselling plugins. A great starter pack!

4.Fresh Air - Slate Digital (Highs processor) ​​https://slatedigital.com/fresh-air/

^^^ if you want to get vocals to sound more bright, fresh and to sit “on top” of the mix, then this is a fantastic plugin for you to check out. It can also be used on other instruments, and is just an all-around great plugin to have!

5.Vital - Synthesizer (create new sounds) https://vital.audio/

^^^ this is a free alternative to Serum or Massive (which are both expensive) as you can create your own sound designs on a completely customizable synthesizer. Touted as a “Spectral warping wavetable synth” this is how you can get those EDM, house, bass & electronic synths you need for your music! 

6.IK Multimedia - Free Software Bundles (T-Racks, Amplitude, etc) https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/index.php?R=INIT&FV=free-software-related-products&CV=Other%20Filter

^ the beautiful thing about IK multimedia, is they don’t just have ONE freeware bundle, but lots of them! Guitar amps, mixing & mastering plugins, bass & drums, VSTs, channel strips & more. All for free! And high quality.

7.Valhalla - Space Modulator (flanger, echo, reverb) https://valhalladsp.com/shop/modulation/valhalla-space-modulator/

Valhalla is FAMOUS for their incredible reverb plugins (shimmer, retro, etc) and it’s awesome they made this free plugin to try out some different FX! Give it a shot to make your guitars or vocals sound really spacey, flanged and far out.

8.Klanghelm - FreeWare Bundle (spring reverb, compressor, saturation, character comp) https://klanghelm.com/contents/freeware

^ I just discovered this brand of plugins this weekend as I was looking for a great, low budget saturation plugin. And they not only have one for free - but also lots of other great free plugins! Check it out.

9.Blue Cat Audio - FreeWare Plugins Pack (chorus, flanger, amp, gain, phaser, EQ)

https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Bundle_FreewarePack/

^ Do you need a good chorus effect or frequency analyser? Then Blue Cat Audio’s freeware bundle is perfect. I’m excited to play with these in the Studio!

10.iZotope - Free Plugins (Stere Imager, Vinyl, Vocal Doubler, Distortion, EQ, Reference) https://www.izotope.com/en/products/free-audio-plug-ins.html

^ I LOVE iZotope and use their music production bundle quite often at the Studio. However, it’s definitely a bit pricey - so here are a handful of FREE plugins by iZotope that you can use to get a feel for their software! All of these will add some character, life and energy to your mixes. 

11.BONUS - Wider by Polyverse (Stereo Widener / No Phase Issues) 

https://polyversemusic.com/products/wider/ - do you wish you had an easy way to widen your mono tracks and make your guitars bigger or just add more space in general to the mix? This is an incredible free plug-in that lets you widen in mono without phasing issues!

And... that's it!

These are my personal favorites! But, if you're looking for something else that’s not on this list or alternatives for different DAWs or CPU abilities... Here are 250 free plugins to get started with making your own music: https://blog.landr.com/best-free-vst-plugins/#bestfreeoverdriveandsaturationvsts

Thanks for being part of my Studio & online community!

~ Anji Kaizen

Studio Owner & Artist

Music: https://anjikaizen.com/

Studio: https://www.kaizenmusicstudio.com/