Best Free Adobe Audition Plugins for Noise Reduction and RestorationNoise reduction and audio restoration are essential tasks for podcasters, video editors, musicians, and sound designers. Adobe Audition includes powerful built-in tools, but free third‑party plugins can expand capabilities, simplify workflows, and sometimes match paid tools in quality. This guide walks you through the best free plugins for noise reduction and restoration that work well with Adobe Audition, explains what each does, and offers practical tips for getting the cleanest results.
Why use third‑party plugins with Adobe Audition?
Adobe Audition’s native effects (Noise Reduction, Adaptive Noise Reduction, DeReverb, Spectral Frequency Display) are excellent, but third‑party plugins can:
- Provide specialized algorithms for hum removal, broadband noise reduction, or transient preservation.
- Offer different interfaces and controls that may be faster for specific problems.
- Add complementary tools (e.g., spectral repair, click/pop removal) that slot into a restorative workflow.
All plugins below are available free (at least for basic versions) and compatible with Audition via VST or VST3 wrappers. Always download from official developer pages and verify plugin format compatibility with your Audition version.
Top free plugins for noise reduction & restoration
1) iZotope RX Elements (free / trial periods & promotion availability)
- What it is: A cut‑down, entry‑level bundle from iZotope’s RX suite focused on core restoration tasks.
- Key modules: Voice De‑noise, Declip, De‑hum, and a spectral editor (limits vary by promo).
- Strengths: Industry‑leading algorithms for dialogue/hum removal and clipping repair; intuitive controls.
- Limitations: Full RX features are in paid editions; Elements availability often depends on promotions (watch for free giveaways).
- Use case: Quick corrective passes on dialogue and podcasts where hum or clipping is present.
2) Acon Digital Restoration Suite (components sometimes free or low‑cost)
- What it is: A set of dedicated restoration tools historically available in free editions (check current licensing).
- Key modules: DeNoise, DeHum, DeClick — focused single‑purpose processors.
- Strengths: Clean sound, lightweight CPU usage, transparent results when tuned carefully.
- Limitations: Feature set less extensive than premium suites.
- Use case: Fast, single‑purpose cleanup (e.g., removing constant hum or clicks).
3) Voxengo Span + Voxengo DeftComp (for diagnostic + subtle dynamics)
- What they are: Span is a real‑time spectrum analyzer; DeftComp is a dynamics plugin (not restoration per se).
- Key modules: Span offers visual spectral detail to locate noise; DeftComp can help control dynamics that make noise more audible.
- Strengths: Spectrum analysis helps target frequency bands for surgical reductions; low CPU cost.
- Limitations: Not automatic denoisers — used as diagnostic and supportive tools.
- Use case: Identify noise frequencies, then apply targeted EQ or noise reduction in Audition guided by Span.
4) MeldaProduction MFreeFXBundle (includes MNoiseGenerator, MAutoEqualizer, MUnify)
- What it is: A comprehensive free bundle with many modules; Melda’s restoration tools are flexible.
- Key modules: MNoiseGenerator (useful for creating matching noise profiles), MAutoEqualizer (surgical EQ), MCompressor (dynamics), MReverb (cleanup testing).
- Strengths: Huge toolbox for creative and corrective tasks; modifiable UI and high quality for free.
- Limitations: Some advanced features gated behind paid upgrades; many modules can be overwhelming initially.
- Use case: Building noise profiles, shaping spectral content, and preparing material for Audition’s more targeted restoration.
5) Klanghelm DC1A / FreeCL (dynamics & saturation helpers)
- What it is: Free compressors and saturation plugins that can help control background noise audibility.
- Key modules: DC1A is a simple compressor; FreeCL includes clean limiting.
- Strengths: Extremely easy to use and musical; help reduce perceived noise by controlling dynamic range.
- Limitations: Not dedicated denoisers; used as part of a broader workflow.
- Use case: Tame vocal dynamics so noise floor becomes less intrusive after restoration.
6) Airwindows Plugins (open source; many useful small tools)
- What it is: A large collection of free, low‑latency plugins by Chris Johnson (Airwindows) with minimal GUIs.
- Key modules: Various, including noise gating, smoothing and subtle spectral tools.
- Strengths: Very transparent processing, many unique algorithmic approaches, small CPU footprint.
- Limitations: Nonstandard interfaces and sparse documentation; steep learning curve for some.
- Use case: Niche corrective tweaks and creative restoration approaches when standard tools introduce artifacts.
7) ReaPlugs (ReaEQ, ReaFIR) from Cockos (makers of REAPER)
- What it is: A set of versatile, free plugins including a powerful FFT-based processor, ReaFIR.
- Key modules: ReaFIR (subtract mode) is excellent for spectral noise reduction by building noise profiles and subtracting them; ReaEQ for surgical cuts.
- Strengths: ReaFIR’s subtractive FFT works similarly to pricey spectral denoisers when used carefully; very flexible and precise.
- Limitations: Requires careful setup (noise profiling, smoothing) to avoid artifacts; GUI is utilitarian.
- Use case: Broadband noise issues (air conditioner, hiss) where you can confidently capture a noise profile and subtract it.
Workflow suggestions: How to combine Audition + free plugins for best results
- Analyze first
- Use a spectrum analyzer (Voxengo Span, Audition’s Spectral Frequency) to find dominant noise frequencies.
- Reduce hum and tonal noise
- Apply dedicated hum removal (Acon DeHum, iZotope De‑hum, or ReaFIR to subtract narrowband tones).
- Broadband noise reduction
- Use ReaFIR in subtract mode or iZotope Voice De‑noise (Elements) for broadband hiss. Work at lower reduction amounts and multiple passes rather than an aggressive single pass.
- Clicks, pops, and clipping
- Use Audition’s DeClicker/DeClip tools or iZotope’s Declip module to repair transient issues.
- Surgical EQ
- Use ReaEQ or Audition’s parametric EQ to notch problematic frequencies identified earlier.
- Dynamics and gating
- Apply gentle compression (Klanghelm DC1A) and a noise gate to reduce background between phrases without cutting natural reverb.
- Final spectral repair
- Use Audition’s Spectral Frequency Display for manual painting/removal of remaining artifacts.
- Monitor at multiple levels
- Check results at conversational level and lowered gain to ensure no hidden artifacts reappear.
Practical tips to avoid artifacts
- Start with conservative settings; multiple gentle passes preserve natural timbre.
- Always capture a noise profile from a silent section of the recording when using profile‑based tools.
- Use high FFT sizes for better frequency resolution in spectral subtractive tools — at the cost of latency and smear.
- Crossfade edits and use spectral fade tools to avoid abrupt changes.
- Keep an unprocessed backup or use non‑destructive sessions so you can A/B and revert.
Installation & compatibility notes
- Audition supports VST2 and VST3 plugins. Place DLL/VST3 files in your system’s plugin folders and scan them in Audition’s Effects > Audio Plug‑in Manager.
- Some free tools (ReaPlugs, MeldaProduction) use installer packages that place plugins automatically.
- Check plugin bitness (32 vs 64 bit) and your Audition version; use 64‑bit plugins with modern Audition installations.
- On macOS, use AU/VST versions as provided and allow necessary permissions in Security & Privacy if required.
Summary recommendation
- For an all‑round, user‑friendly cleanup: try iZotope RX Elements when available (free promos) alongside Audition’s native tools.
- For powerful free spectral subtraction: ReaFIR (ReaPlugs) is a standout when used carefully.
- For diagnostics and surgical EQ: Voxengo Span + ReaEQ or Melda’s MAutoEqualizer.
- Combine multiple lightweight tools rather than one heavy-handed processor: analysis → hum removal → broadband denoise → surgical EQ → dynamics → final spectral repair.
If you want, I can:
- Suggest exact parameter starting points for a typical podcast vocal (sample rate/FFT sizes/gain reduction amounts).
- Create a step‑by‑step Audition session template (effect chain order and settings) you can paste into your workflow.
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