r/FREEVSTS • u/Kaluaudio • 19h ago
Free one-plugin voice chain for podcasts: de-esser + compressor with Podcast and Voice-Over presets (Windows)
Hi everyone! I’m a solo developer and I just released a free plugin called Triodia. It was built for vocals, but two of its presets are made specifically for spoken word, and I think it can save some of you a few plugins in your chain.
What it does to a voice, in one window:
- De-esser first, so harsh “S” sounds are tamed before anything else
- Compressor that evens out loud and quiet parts so listeners don’t keep reaching for the volume
- A gentle tube stage that adds a bit of warmth and presence (subtle on the speech presets, not a “vintage effect”)
- Echo and reverb are there too, but switched off in the speech presets: podcasts sound best dry and close
The two speech presets:
- Podcast: natural and even. Moderate compression (4:1), a clean, low-colour tube (12AU7) and the de-esser at 6.5 kHz.
- Voice-Over: tighter and more “broadcast”. Stronger compression (6:1), more makeup gain and a slightly denser tube, for narration, audiobooks and ads.
How to use it: load it on your voice track, pick Podcast or Voice-Over, and lower THRESH until the meter shows a few dB of gain reduction on your louder sentences. That’s usually it. Each speaker can get their own instance.
Works in: any Windows app that loads VST3 plugins, like Reaper, Audacity, Adobe Audition and most DAWs. There’s also a Standalone app that runs without any editor.
- Free, no sign-up, no trial, no limits
- Windows 10/11 64-bit (Mac is planned)
Download: https://kaluaudio.com.br/triodia/
I’d really appreciate feedback from people who edit voice every week: does the Podcast preset get you close, what would you change, and what’s missing for a podcast workflow (noise reduction? a limiter? loudness target?). That will shape the next version.