Starting in music production can be exhilarating yet challenging, especially when deciding which tools to invest in first. To help you begin your journey smoothly, here’s a list of top 10 beginner-friendly plugins that cover a range of essentials, from EQs and compressors to synths and effects. Each one brings unique features, user-friendly interfaces, and accessible price points that make them perfect for producers at the start of their musical careers.
Want to learn how to produce banging tracks? Become an All-Access Member today.
Serum by Xfer Records
Category: Synthesizer
Serum is one of the most celebrated synth plugins, and for a good reason. Known for its highly visual interface, Serum allows producers to create a vast array of sounds, from lush pads and plucks to gritty basses. Its intuitive design is beginner-friendly, making it easy to understand synthesis basics while creating professional-sounding patches. With high-quality waveforms and a user-friendly wavetable editor, Serum makes sound design accessible, even for those just starting out.
Why beginners love it: Serum's drag-and-drop modulation and accessible visual feedback make it easy to experiment and see how changes affect the sound, which is invaluable for those learning synthesis.
FabFilter Pro-Q 3
Category: Equalizer (EQ)
Equalization is an essential aspect of any production, and FabFilter Pro-Q 3 offers a clean, dynamic EQ experience. It’s designed to make EQing straightforward with its highly visual interface, which lets you see the frequency spectrum in real-time and make precise adjustments. Pro-Q 3 also offers features like mid/side processing and dynamic EQ bands, giving beginners a powerful yet accessible tool to shape their mixes.
Why beginners love it: With its interactive frequency analyzer and straightforward interface, Pro-Q 3 is an invaluable tool for understanding EQ and learning how to carve out space in a mix.
Valhalla Supermassive
Category: Reverb & Delay
Valhalla Supermassive combines both reverb and delay in one plugin, ideal for creating epic soundscapes or subtle atmospheric effects. Its presets are easy to navigate and cover a variety of uses, from simple room reverbs to expansive echoes and delay effects. This plugin’s simplicity and versatility make it easy to experiment with adding depth and dimension to any track.
Why beginners love it: Supermassive is free, and it offers a simple interface with powerful results, allowing new producers to explore reverb and delay without getting overwhelmed.
iZotope Neutron Elements
Category: Mixing Suite
For beginners, understanding the different components of a mix can be challenging. Neutron Elements by iZotope is a user-friendly suite that offers an EQ, compressor, exciter, and transient shaper in a single plugin. It also includes AI-powered features to suggest initial settings, making it easier for new producers to get started with mixing.
Why beginners love it: The AI-based Assistant mode helps beginners quickly understand which frequencies and dynamics need adjustment, speeding up the learning curve for effective mixing.
Addictive Drums 2
Category: Drum VST
Drums are often a core element in most genres, and Addictive Drums 2 provides a beginner-friendly interface for creating realistic, professional-sounding drum parts. It includes a wide range of presets, kits, and effects, so you can start making solid drum tracks right away. The built-in MIDI loops are a bonus, giving beginners an easy way to quickly build realistic drum grooves.
Why beginners love it: Addictive Drums 2’s straightforward layout and drag-and-drop MIDI options make it an excellent tool for crafting drum parts without the need for advanced programming skills.
RC-20 Retro Color
Category: Creative FX / Sound Shaping
RC-20 Retro Color is a fantastic plugin for adding warmth, grit, and character to sounds. It offers six different modules (such as noise, wobble, and distortion) that can be easily tweaked to create anything from subtle vintage warmth to heavy lo-fi effects. This plugin is perfect for adding a unique touch to any track and is especially popular in genres like hip-hop and lo-fi.
Why beginners love it: With straightforward controls and presets, RC-20 makes it easy for beginners to experiment with different textures and add an analog vibe to their tracks.
Waves CLA-2A Compressor
Category: Compressor
Waves CLA-2A is an emulation of the legendary LA-2A optical compressor, known for its smooth and transparent compression. With only a few controls, it’s easy for beginners to dial in a professional sound, whether taming vocals or adding weight to basses and drums. Its simple interface and musical compression style make it a staple for producers of all levels.
Why beginners love it: The CLA-2A’s simplicity makes compression feel less intimidating, allowing beginners to focus on making their tracks sound polished without diving into complex settings.
Native Instruments Kontakt Player
Category: Sampler and Virtual Instrument Player
Kontakt Player offers a free version of Native Instruments’ flagship sampler. This plugin allows beginners to access a vast library of sampled instruments, from pianos and orchestral strings to exotic ethnic sounds. The included library gives new producers access to high-quality sounds that can be used right out of the box or customized further within the plugin.
Why beginners love it: Kontakt Player’s free library offers excellent sounds, providing a solid foundation for beginners to explore different genres and instrument types without needing an extensive sample library.
MeldaProduction MFreeFX Bundle
Category: Effects Bundle
The MFreeFX Bundle by MeldaProduction offers a suite of effects including EQs, compressors, reverb, delay, and more—all in one package. This bundle provides an impressive array of free tools for sound shaping and effects. With intuitive interfaces and a variety of processing options, it’s a versatile toolkit that beginners can experiment with as they develop their own unique sound.
Why beginners love it: MFreeFX’s wide variety of tools in one free package is ideal for exploring different effects without making an upfront investment, making it easier for beginners to try out different sound treatments.
Ozone Elements by iZotope
Category: Mastering Suite
Mastering can be daunting for beginners, but Ozone Elements simplifies the process by combining EQ, compression, and stereo imaging tools in one easy-to-use plugin. It also includes AI-driven mastering, which analyzes your mix and suggests optimal settings, helping new producers understand how to make their final track sound balanced and polished.
Why beginners love it: Ozone Elements’ AI-driven mastering assistant gives beginners a solid starting point for mastering their tracks, making it easier to produce quality final mixes without advanced mastering knowledge.
Final Thoughts
These plugins offer a range of tools that can take a beginner's music production skills to new heights. Whether you’re learning synthesis, building a drum groove, or mastering a track, having the right plugins can make the experience more enjoyable and the results more polished. Experimenting with each of these plugins will help you develop a well-rounded understanding of sound design, mixing, and mastering essentials, laying the groundwork for even more advanced production down the line. Remember, the key is to start small, focus on a few plugins, and master them over time.
Each plugin on this list offers something valuable to new producers, ensuring that your toolkit covers the essentials without overwhelming you with too many options.