Although it can be tempting to reach for expensive Synthesizers and Mixing Tools for your productions, the market for free VST plugins is huge and full of high-quality devices.

TDR Nova by Tokyo Dawn Labs is a Virtual Effect Audio Plugin for macOS and Windows. It functions as a VST Plugin, an Audio Units Plugin, a VST 3 Plugin and an AAX Plugin. VST, Audio-Unit or AAX compatible plugin host. Win XP SP2 or above. VST, Audio-Unit or AAX compatible plugin host. Mac OS X 10.6.8 or above.

• Nova is a parallel equalizer and a multiband compressor that can tackle and fix a wide range of applications when processing.It can feel a little bit daunting when using TDR due to its various knobs, but you should easily get familiar after experimenting with its features and besides, it is free 😉.
• “TDR NOVA is a parallel dynamic equalizer. Appearing in the familiar layout of a parametric equalizer, each band also includes a full featured dynamics section allowing the processor to cover an impressively wide range of applications.

In the list below are 6 Free VST Plugins that allow you to do essential sound-design for electronic music without having to spend a penny!

TDR Nova (Dynamic EQ)

TDR Nova is a dynamic EQ, it enables you to use the precision of a Parametric EQ but with the added ability to control the dynamics of each EQ band the same way you can using a Compressor. This can offer lots of flexibility, from taming harsh bass noises or processing drum transients. This includes more traditional uses such as a desser on a vocal. This plugin rivals products that cost hundreds, making it a no-brainer as a tool in your arsenal.

Roth-Air (Multi-Band Processor)

Roth-AIR is a device aimed at making it easier to add ‘shimmer’ and ‘presence’ to any sound. It does this through a combination of Multiband Compression and Saturation to bring out the high end of any sound. It works particularly well on Synths, Strings & Vocals but it has proven to be useful when used on Basses, Drums and More!

U-He Protoverb (Reverb)

U-He Protoverb is one of the more unusual plugins on this list. It is an experimental reverb effect that uses individual character combinations to simulate the air and resonances of a random room. This can create a unique sound that, despite being unforeseen, can achieve a space that is peculiar and compelling. Even though it only has a few controls on the interface, you can achieve a diverse range of reverb tones due to the unpredictability of the parameter values this plugin generates.

MeldaProduction MWaveFolder (Distortion)

MWaveFolder is a distortion VST that works remarkably on a vast array of sound sources. Using the drive parameter you can easily add subtle harmonics to any sound, or vice versa push the sound into total audio decimation! Using the Character, Symmetry & Non-Linearity knobs you can create complex, inharmonic frequencies which form strange growling bass sounds or add warmth to acoustic sounds like piano & guitar! This VST comes as part of a huge bundle of free effects called MFreeFXBundle which contains some of the best free effects on the market.

Voxengo Stereo Touch (Stereo Widener)

Stereo Touch by Voxengo is a very useful device that enhances the width and presence of sounds in your mix. It works by taking a monophonic signal and generating a stereo output, giving the impression of a double-tracked or surround recording. This works especially well on Synths, Vocals and more! Simple but effective.

Soda Devices Lith (Synthesizer)

Lith is an extremely capable synth that can produce a diverse palette of sounds. It is a Virtual Analogue Synthesizer which means it has been designed to emulate the behaviour of electronic circuitry and reproduce their tone. One of it’s most useful features is the random function, this generates a random synth patch which frequently yields complex and interesting textures and timbre. This is an amazing feature and can give you a great starting point for sound design, or easily create unique sounds with the press of one button!

The Concept

NOVA is a parallel dynamic equalizer. Appearing in the familiar layout of a parametric equalizer, the plugin also includes a full featured dynamics section enabling NOVA to cover an impressively wide range of applications. Be it a master lacking density, the drum bus asking for more crispiness, or a sibilance problem in your perfect take: NOVA has an elegant answer.
A user-friendly WYSIWYG drag and drop display paired with a classic “knob” interface gives quick and smooth access to the various parameters driving NOVA’s powerful signal processing. Elaborate equal loudness functions help finding the optimal setting without getting distracted by loudness differences.
Genisys software works. NOVA includes a total of four dynamic EQ bands, input highpass and lowpass filters adjustable from 6dB/Oct to 24dB/Oct, and an exotic W-Band. All bands feature high grade filters and independent dynamics processors with each being able to operate in linked, split, or various other configurations.
In practice, the processor covers a whole bucket of tasks:

• Parametricequalization
• Dynamicequalization
• Frequencyselective compression/expansion
• Multi-bandcompression
• Wideband compression

Of course, NOVA features all helpers and workflow enhancements you’ve come to expect in a TDR plugin: A preset manager, undo/redo, A/B, detailed documentation, copy & paste, and much more.

Signal Flow

With the exception of the input highpass and lowpass filters, NOVA’s processing structure is fully parallel. A parallel structure provokes interesting band interactions and can severely reduce the amount of side-effects produced by nonlinear operations (such the dynamics processors running within the various bands).
An important detail of NOVA’s concept is the W-Band (“wide-band”). It represents part of the signal that isn’t covered by the bands. Simply speaking, the more active bands, and the wider they are, the “smaller” the W-band signal becomes. Accordingly, with all bands disabled the W-Band contains the original input signal. Changing the gain of this band allows deforming the frequency magnitude in an unusual manner.
As visible in the graph below, each band contains its own dynamics processor listening to its own band’s input. However, this relation can be changed via the SPLIT and STICKY options explained in this manual.

Hands-on Nova

NOVA supports a wide range of functions; this chapter briefly addresses most of them and describes how they can be achieved quickly. The authors hope this chapter inspires the reader to dig deeper into NOVA’s technical documentation!
Note: For even more detailed control over processing please consider the enhanced GE Edition, available here.

Parametric Equalization

Standard parametric equalization is NOVA’s basic use-case. Its smooth sounding, yet precise filters can easily cover any equalization task. Each band ranges over an extremely wide FREQUENCY range from 10 Hz to 40 kHz (~12 octaves). All equalizer bands can be operated in hi-shelf/low-shelf or bell mode, with continuous control over Q and GAIN. This flexibility paired with the informative feedback from the main display make NOVA an exceptionally powerful equalizer.
In addition, any loudness change introduced by static equalization is compensated automatically.
Example for static equalization (the dynamics related controls are greyed-out because THRESHOLD is off):

Dynamic Equalization

NOVA’s equalizer bands can dynamically adjust GAIN in dependence of a sidechain signal. From a different perspective, NOVA can compress and/or expand arbitrary areas in the spectrum. This is an excellent tool to correct a boxy low-end sound, even out resonances in a recording or reduce excessive sibilance in a vocal part. In addition, NOVA’s expansive ratios are a great way to spice up a boring drum loop or an over-compressed stereo mix.
The preset “LF density” is a good example of dynamic equalization:

Hint: An external sidechain signal can also be fed into the plugin in order to drive the dynamics processors.

Multi-band Compression

NOVA can be operated much like a regularmulti-band-compressor. The following presets represent good starting point formulti-band dynamics processing:

• 2 Band Dyn
• 3 Band Dyn
• 4 Band Dyn

These presets have their FREQ and Q values preconfigured in such a manner that they fully cover the input bandwidth. This approximates the typical behavior expected from a crossover-based multi-band compressor. This approach is particularly well suited for a broadcast style compression often required when a dialog or stereo mix should remain audible in noisy environments. NOVA’s multiband capabilities can seriously increase the subjective loudness of a mix or make a lead vocal cut through a dense and busy mix.
Here’s an example for a 4 band multi-band compressor (note the flat threshold curve):

Wideband Compression

NOVA can also operate as a wideband compressor, with detailed control over frequency dependent behavior. For instance, bands can be excluded from wideband compression leaving their natural dynamic range untouched; this would keep the low-frequency region uncompressed for maximum impact, or prevent both high and low frequencies from being compressed to form a dynamic “smile” curve.
Have a closer look at the preset “1 Band Dyn” for a demonstration of NOVA’s wideband compression capabilities:

Wideband compression used in conjunction with additional split band compression allows to achieve a high density while still preserving the musical balance between bands. As a result, this can be used for anything between subtle leveling and punchy, creative compression effects.

Channel Strip

NOVA can also be used much like a conventional channel-strip: A compressor followed by an equalizer. This is basically just a mixture of the scenarios “PARAMETRIC EQUALIZATION” and “WIDEBAND COMPRESSION” highlighted above. But it works surprisingly well in the mixing stage.
Here’s quite a complex example. What we have here is wideband compression followed by boosts from band III and V, and another boost by band IV in “Sticky” mode (which means that band IV ignores W-Band dynamics).

Hint: And if this doesn’t suffice, you’re still free to activate any band’s own dynamics processor!

Main Display

The main display provides direct feedback and access to important audio parameters. Filter parameters can be directly manipulated via drag & drop and various mouse/key modifiers, and if needed, with the help of a real-time frequency analyzer. More details below.

Scales
The horizontal axis describes FREQUENCY in a logarithmic scale.
The vertical axes describe GAIN in Decibel scale, whereby:

• The left scale relates to the overall frequency magnitude and gain reduction produced by the current setting (yellow curve and area).
• The right scale (blue) is used for the audio analyzer and threshold curves (blue line and area).

Curves
Depending on the current setting, up to four curves appear on the display:

• The yellow curve represents the effective frequency magnitude response of the processor.
• The darker yellow area represents the gain reduction (or expansion) generated by the various dynamics processors.
• The blue line represents threshold over frequency (blue scale).
• The blue area in the background shows the analyzer’s response (blue scale).

Band Handles
Most EQ parameters can be directly manipulated by dragging band-handles around or using their various modifiers. Here’s a full overview of the various handle types and their meanings:

Enabling/disabling bands

• Double click on an empty area to automatically select and enable the nearest disabled band (and move it to the current mouse position).
• Double click a band handle to deactivate it (note that inactive bands are hidden).

Selecting bands

• Click on band handle to select a band. The SHIFTmodifier allows selecting groups of bands.
• Over a blank area, click and drag to draw a selectionrectangle. All bands contained within the selection rectangle become selected.The selection rectangle also supports the SHIFT modifier to select/deselectwhole groups of bands.
• Click a blank area to select the W-BAND.
• If no band is selected, W-BAND becomes selected.

Controlling audio parameters with band handles

• Click and drag a handle to adjust GAIN and FREQUENCY of selected band(s). Note that certain handles are restricted to one axis: The W-BAND handle can only adjust GAIN (vertically) and the HP/ LP filter handles can only adjust FREQUENCY (horizontally).
• Move the mouse-wheel over a band to adjust its Q.
• Right click a handle to cycle through filter SHAPES (shelf, bell).
• Use ALT + click to reset GAIN of selected band(s) to zero dB.
• Use SHIFT + ALT + click to fully reset all parameters of selected band(s) to default.

Band Solo
Press CTRL + SHIFT (CMD + SHIFT on a mac) to activate the solo mode for the selected bands. This mode allows previewing the effect of single bands (or groups).

Spectrum Analyzer Source

Band Selection/Activation Row

This section features the main band selection/activation buttons. The top button row indicates the selection state. Use SHIFT + click on the band selection buttons to select multiple bands. Note that only active bands can be selected.
The second row of “ON” buttons allows to enable/disable bands.
The button labeled “ORDER BY FREQ” becomes active as soon a band’s FREQUENCY is higher than the previous band. Clicking the button re-orders all band settings by FREQUENCY.
EL BYPASS (equal loudness bypass) activates a click free, latency and loudness compensated bypass.
GR DELTA (gain reduction difference) allows to “solo” the changes all dynamics processors are currently providing. This control is greyed out when no dynamics processor is running.

EQ Band Details

This view appears as soon as one or more bands are selected, and gives control over every parameter relevant to the selected band(s). If more than one band is selected, any changes made with the help of the details view will affect the entire group in an absolute manner. That is, turning the GAIN knob with a multiple selection with set the same GAIN value for all selected bands.
Note: The display’s band handles work differently! They affect groups in a relative manner (where the change is same for all bands).

Filter Shape
Low-shelf, Bell and High-shelf.
Q
Steepness of the selected filter shape. Low values produce large and smooth transitions, while higher values result in much narrower/steeper responses.
Frequency
The center/corner frequency of the selected band(s). Freely adjustable between 10 Hz and 40 kHz.
Hint: Use the convenient “ORDER BY FREQ” function (p.14) to reorder the bands in the familiar ascending sequence.
Gain
Controls filter gain of the selected filter shape over +/- 12 dB. Gain is applied after (dynamics) detection. A yellow circular meter indicates the amount of gain reduction applied to the current band.
Threshold (button)
Enables dynamics processing for selected band(s).
Hint: ALT + click activates the STICKY mode. This forces the band to ignore W-Band compression.
Threshold (knob)
Controls the onset of compression/expansion of selected band(s). A blue circular meter indicates the level of the sidechain signal.
Split (button)
If pressed, the select band will use its own fully independent dynamics processor, which in turn listens to the band’s own bandwidth; it includes independent control over RATIO and timing.

Ratio
Controls dynamics ratio of selected band(s).
Note: If SPLIT mode is disabled, RATIO uses the W-Band RATIO control (indicated by a grey knob/rectangle).
Note: NOVA has an implicit, ratio dependent “knee”. The knee is particularly smooth at low ratio and gradually sharpens as ratio increases.
Attack
Controls the reaction speed of the selected band(s) dynamics processor.
Note: If SPLIT mode is disabled, ATTACK uses the W-Band ATTACK control (indicated by a grey rectangle).
Release
Controls the recovery speed of the selected band(s) dynamics processor.
Note: If SPLIT mode is disabled, RELEASE uses the W-Band RELEASE control (indicated by a grey rectangle).

W-Band Details

The W-Band detail view appears when no other band is selected. It gives access to all W-Band parameters and also includes a small overview of the signal path.
Gain
Controls gain of the W-Band path over +/- 12 dB. Note that the W-Band signal varies depending on filter settings; it does not represent overall gain (use the OUT GAIN control instead). A yellow circular meter indicates the amount of gain reduction applied to the W-Band path.
Threshold (button)
Activates dynamics processing for selected band(s).
Threshold (knob)
Controls the onset of compression/expansion of selected band(s). A blue circular meter indicates the level of the sidechain signal.
Ratio
Controls the dynamics ratio of selected band(s).
Note: NOVA has an implicit, ratio dependent “knee”. The knee is particularly smooth at low ratio and gradually sharpens as ratio increases.
Attack
Controls the reaction speed of the W-Band dynamics processor.
Release
Controls the recovery speed of the W-Band dynamics processor.

Input/Output Controls

Highpass Filter

Lowpass Filter

Dry Mix

Output Gain

Toolbar

Undo/Redo

Preset Management

A/B Control

Display On/Off

Process-Quality

Process-Target

Sidechain Input

Tdr Nova Vst Download

External Sidechain VST 2 / REAPER

1. In REAPER, send any “key” signal to the source track’s channel 3 and 4.
2. Select “EXT SC” in NOVA’s toolbar.

Note: In order to work, plugin host must support multi-input plugins. Sadly, only few s support multiple plugin inputs. Reaper is probably the most popular example.

Tdr Nova Vst Mac

External Sidechain in AU / Logic

Tdr Nova Vst Free Download

1. In Logic’splugin window, assign a bus to operate as a sidechain signal.
2. Select “EXTSC” in NOVA’s toolbar.

External Sidechain in AAX / ProTools

1. In Pro Tools’ plugin window, assign a bus to operate as a sidechain signal.
2. Select “EXT SC” in NOVA’s toolbar.

Note: AAX sidechains are always mono.

Tdr Kotelnikov

Help

Settings

Slider allows for changing the behavior of knobs and control points in response to the mouse. Under Continuous Drag,knob and controller movement relies on mouse speed when Velocity is enabled. When Linear is enabled, knob and controller movement is proportional to mouse movement. Drag Sensitivity sets the linear sensitivity of the knob and controller movement further.
Plug-in controls, knobs, and control points can be adjusted using Left-click & drag (Continuous) and Right-click & drag (Stepped) by default. Mouse Configuration swaps the Continuous and Stepped behaviors between the left and right mouse buttons when selecting Invert Left/Right Buttons. Note that the default stepped values can be customized via the product configuration file. See “Local data” below for instructions on how to access this file.
Graphics allows for changing the interface size to a fixed percentage value between 100%, 125% and 150%.
Processing shows the plug-in latency and sample rate details. Highest quality rendering enables the option to always render at the highest Processing Quality, no matter what type is enabled in the Toolbar. See the “Processing Quality” subchapter for more details on these modes.
Registration offers access to offline and online product registration options. See the “Product Registration” chapter for more information.

Local Data allows for exporting and importing user preferences, presets, and keys, to and from other systems. Local data can also be deleted for all Tokyo Dawn Labs plug-ins using the Trash Can button.
In addition, the Folder button opens the Tokyo Dawn Labs local data folder containing all configuration files and keys. Note that these operations affect all TDR plug-ins, and not just TDR Nova.
Updates allows to Check for updates and to Download latest version. Automatic Lookups can be enabled to Check for updates (once per day).
Help contains Documentation and Support links.
About shows the version number, build date, format, credits, and other information.

Nova Gentleman’s Edition Upgrade

Context Menus

Standard Context Menu

Extended Context Menu

Mouse Control Behavior

All controls within the plugin feature acceleration. Fast movements of the mouse make large changes and slow, small movements allow for fine tuning of settings. Alternatively, it is possible to revert the knob behavior back to a linear mode. Open the settings dialog to access these options.
Press either Alt-click or Double-click a control to reset to its default value.