194db Audio has launched Vox Aid Lite, a free vocal processing plugin for macOS and Home windows, designed to rapidly clear up vocal tone and assist vocals sit higher within the combine.
In plugin-land, the phrase “Lite” in a plugin’s title often suggests a stripped-down free model with a paid improve coming later. That is perhaps the case right here, however on the time of writing, 194db Audio has solely two plugins on its web site, each free.
There’s no official point out of a full Vox Aid model but, so for now, Vox Aid Lite stands by itself. Whether or not or not a extra feature-packed “Professional” model is coming later, we’ll simply have to attend and see.
The plugin retains vocal tone processing very simple. You get simply two knobs, each centered on subtractive vocal shaping fairly than boosting and enhancement.
The primary management, DE-BOXY, targets boxy low-mid buildup, the sort of muddiness you typically get from proximity impact or less-than-perfect room acoustics. As an alternative of boosting the highest finish to faux readability, Vox Aid Lite encourages you to take away the issue frequencies first, which is mostly a wiser and extra natural-sounding method for vocals.
I’m an enormous fan of that EQ philosophy, and in observe, this knob does a strong job of opening up vocals with out making them sound skinny.
The second management, DE-HARSHER, tames aggressive excessive frequencies. It smooths out harshness with out killing presence, which is usually the place easy de-essers or EQ cuts disintegrate.
The developer doesn’t clarify what’s occurring underneath the hood, so it’s unclear whether or not these are static EQ curves or one thing extra dynamic. Whereas testing, I couldn’t definitively inform if there was extra harmonic processing concerned, however what’s necessary is that the outcomes sound musical.
In my expertise, Vox Aid Lite does precisely what it guarantees: quick vocal tone cleanup. It’s not meant to switch an in depth EQ or surgical processor, however for fast outcomes, it really works effectively.
Curiously, at the moment has was an amazing day free of charge vocal instruments. We additionally lined Saint Mike DSP Vocal Acrobatics, a free vocal compressor centered on quick dynamics management. Pair that with Vox Aid Lite for tone shaping, and you have already got a powerful two-plugin vocal chain.
On prime of that, iZotope VEA is at present free with any buy at Plugin Boutique till January 4. VEA provides AI-powered vocal shaping, noise discount, and referencing, making this trio a surprisingly highly effective vocal setup at little to no value.
Vox Aid Lite is on the market now as a free obtain for Home windows 10 or later and macOS 11 Huge Sur or later, with VST3, AU, and AAX (macOS) plugin codecs supported.
BPB is supported by way of affiliate hyperlinks, which can earn us a fee at no additional value to you.
Obtain: Vox Aid Lite (FREE)
Extra:
Final Up to date on December 31, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
