Yo beatmakers, listen up.
You ever listen to your mix and feel like your lead vocals are just… flat? Like they’re sitting on top of the beat instead of vibing with it? It’s a common struggle. You try to slap on a standard room reverb, but it gets muddy fast. You need that metallic, shimmering tail that only a plate can deliver, but hardware units cost a fortune and most emulations chew up your CPU.
Well, stop stressing the small stuff because I found the fix. Today we’re looking at epicPLATE mkII, and trust me, this plugin brings the sauce without costing you a dime.
Why epicPLATE mkII is a Game-Changer for Your Mix & Workflow
This isn’t just another generic reverb plugin. The devs really cooked with this one, capturing that fast, consistent buildup that vintage plates are legendary for. Here is why you need this in your plugin folder immediately:
- Instant Vibe: It recreates that classic plate tonality that makes vocals sound expensive and snares sound massive.
- The Glue Factor: Because of its unique diffusion algorithm, this reverb sits perfectly in the mix. It doesn’t fight for frequency space; it just wraps your sounds in a warm blanket.
- A Massive Glow-Up: This is the mkII version, which means they overhauled the engine for higher-quality processing and finally added VST3 support.
- Slick Workflow: The new user interface is clean and intuitive. You aren’t menu-diving; you’re dialing in the sound and moving on.
- Delay’s Best Friend: The raw data mentions this specifically—the diffusion on this unit makes it the perfect companion to run after your delay throws. It smooths out the echoes without washing them out.
⚡ Pro Producer Tip: The Snare Splash
Want that 80s pop snap or that modern trap snare splash? Put epicPLATE on a return track. High-pass the input signal around 400Hz to 600Hz before it hits the reverb. This keeps your kick drum and low-mids clean while letting the plate shimmer on the top end of the snare. It adds width without killing your headroom.
Tech Specs (Keep it Light)
- Platform: Windows (WiN)
- Format: VST3 (Finally!)
- Size: A tiny 20 MB download.
- CPU Load: Very efficient compared to convolution reverbs.
The Verdict
If you are looking for that distinct, bright, and dense reverb tail, epicPLATE mkII is a no-brainer download. It covers everything from subtle depth to long, ambient washes. The update to version 2.0 brings it into the modern era with a UI that actually looks good and sound quality that rivals paid plugins.
It slaps on drums, it makes vocals shine, and it’s free. Go grab it.
epicPLATEmkII-v2.0.1 ( 19 MB )
Let me know in the comments how this sits in your latest project! Do you prefer using plates on your lead vocals or your snare drums? Let’s talk shop below! 👇
We’re audio producers and sound designers with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Our team has lived through the entire evolution of digital audio production.
Our mission? To filter out the junk and bring you only the studio-ready free VSTs that actually compete with paid gear. We do the digging so you can focus on creating.
