Finding a good collection of audio plugins without spending money is always a welcome discovery for music producers. RiverFlux Audio Relic offers an interesting option, bringing together 12 analog-inspired plugins designed for mixing and mastering.
The collection covers three essential areas of audio processing: compression, equalization, and tape saturation. Instead of relying on a single all-in-one plugin, Relic provides individual processors that you can use to build your own signal chains inside your DAW.
12 Plugins in One Collection
Relic includes five compressors, five equalizers, and two tape machines. Each plugin focuses on a particular type of processing, giving users different options for shaping their sound.
Compressors
The compressor section includes Optical, Tube Optical, VCA, FET, and Stereo Vari-Mu models. These represent different approaches to dynamic control.
Optical compression can be useful for smoother level control, while FET-style compression is often associated with a more aggressive response. VCA compressors are commonly used for precise dynamic control, and Vari-Mu designs are known for their smooth compression characteristics.
Having these options in one collection makes it easier to experiment with different compression styles on vocals, drums, bass, and instrument buses.
Equalizers
Relic also includes five equalizers: Preamp EQ, Proportional-Q EQ, 10-Band Graphic EQ, Program EQ, and Mid-Range EQ.
Each type offers a different approach to frequency shaping. Depending on the design, you can use them to adjust tonal balance, control specific frequency ranges, or add character to individual tracks.
For mixing engineers, this variety can be useful when a single conventional equalizer does not provide the workflow or tonal response they want.
Tape Machines
The collection is completed by two tape machine plugins, designed around multitrack tape and mastering tape workflows.
Tape-style processing is often used to introduce harmonic saturation, soften transients, and change the overall texture of a recording. The results depend on the model, settings, input level, and source material.
These plugins are worth exploring on drums, bass, guitars, and even the mix bus. However, subtle settings are usually a good starting point, especially when the goal is to preserve clarity while adding character.
Features and Workflow
Beyond the individual processors, Relic includes several practical features for everyday production work.
The collection offers preset browsing, A/B comparison, Delta listening, and oversampling options on supported plugins. These features help users compare settings, monitor the effect of processing, and evaluate changes more carefully.
Delta listening is particularly useful when you want to hear what a processor is changing rather than relying entirely on the processed sound. Oversampling can also help reduce certain digital artifacts during nonlinear processing, although it may increase CPU usage.
The analog-inspired interfaces give the plugins a familiar studio-hardware appearance. Still, the real value lies in how each processor behaves and whether it works well with your source material.
Is RiverFlux Audio Relic Worth Trying?
One of the biggest attractions of Relic is its price. The collection is offered for free, making it accessible to beginners, home studio owners, and experienced producers who want to expand their plugin collection.
For users working in DAWs such as Cubase, the combination of compressors, equalizers, and tape processors provides plenty of room for experimentation. You can build a drum processing chain, shape the tone of a bass track, control vocal dynamics, or experiment with tape saturation on a mix bus.
Of course, having an analog-style interface does not automatically mean a plugin sounds identical to its hardware inspiration. The actual sound, CPU performance, and usability are worth evaluating through your own listening tests.
Final Thoughts
RiverFlux Audio Relic is an interesting free plugin collection for producers who enjoy experimenting with analog-inspired processing. With 12 individual tools covering compression, equalization, and tape, it offers a practical starting point for different mixing and mastering workflows.
If you are looking to expand your plugin collection without increasing your budget, Relic deserves a closer look.
You can visit the official RiverFlux Audio website to explore the collection and check the latest compatibility information.
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