9 Best Master Chain Plugins in 2025

Let’s tak about the best mastering chain plugins that you can find in 2025.

Mastering is like the final boss in a video game for music production. After sbest mastering chainpending hours and hours, even maybe days, trying to achieve the perfect mix, you arrive at the point where you somehow have to make it radio-ready, which is not always easy. That is a hard challenge, but it is much needed as mastering is that magic that makes your track sound just right on every system, from smartphones to headphones and speakers.

In order to achieve that balance, you need a good mastering chain plugin, which is an all-in-one tool to get the track ready and polish it to perfection, with its multiple processors like EQ, compression, and limiting, which are designed to work together seamlessly.

There are many options on the market today, from intuitive and beginner-friendly to more advanced professional ones for audio engineers to operate with. So, I have tested out a bunch of these plugins over the past weeks, and some really stood out in terms of their high functionality and success. They brilliantly helped me translate the sound across devices without overcomplicating things. So here are some of my top mastering chain choices. Here we go!

1. iZotope Ozone 11 Advanced

Known for its comprehensive set of tools, Ozone 11 Advanced is one of the mastering suites that became a staple in music production with its feature-packed design to the point that sometimes it is even overwhelming. But the new version has some game-changing updates that make it worth the buzz.

The first thing to talk about is the Clarity module, which I found to be a game-changer for dull mixes. It is kind of like cleaning and polishing a dusty window, which means getting rid of that harsh, over-processed edge of the sound. It successfully balances your frequencies toward the pink noise target and allows you to achieve brightness, attack, and release. I recommend being careful with the settings and not going overboard, as it is easy to lift the highs too much and leave the low end a bit neglected.

Another great feature I really like is Stem Focus, as it lets the user isolate specific parts of the mix, such as vocals, drums, and bass. You can apply processing without doing anything with the rest. Here, the unit acts like a magnifying glass for your master, which is great for cleaning up details or fixing issues that can require going back to the mix session. But, I would have liked to have the option to solo these stems, which the unit does not offer.

Waht I really find handy is the Upward Compression, as it brings quieter sections forward with minimal effort and delta listening mode across all modules for precise adjustments. The AI assistant is important, but I think it has plenty of room to improve, as there are overlaps between the modules.

Ozone 11’s interface has been refined to balance its powerful feature set with accessibility, offering a cleaner and more intuitive layout that’s easy to navigate even with its 18 modules. It has a great enhanced metering and delta listening system across all modules. With tools from dynamics EQs to vintage-inspired effects from modules such as Maximizer, Imager, and Stabilizer, it is a comprehensive mastering chain suite to make sure you have everything under your hood to craft your sound with confidence and creativity.

Although it is an expensive plugin, with everything it brings to the table, I think it is a great option for musicians with a budget.

Ozone 11 is available in VST3, A, U, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows users.

2. TDR SimuLathe REF

If you like vinyl mastering, you should take a look at SimuLathe REF, which puts the complexities of vinyl mastering in the workflow, something not many others dare to achieve. It gives you the option to translate your digital mixes to vinyl, simulating everything from groove spacing to inner groove distortion.

As you may know, vinyl mastering is not only about making the song sound good but making it work within the physical limitations of the medium. It gives all the vinyl character to the sound, like inner groove distortion, and it even checks mono compatibility in the low end.

For instance, the last tracks on an album sound a bit squashed in some cases, but this unit helps you catch that problem even before it becomes a problem by analyzing how the mix would go through a vinyl pressing. This way, it allows you to make smarter decisions during the production and mixing stages.

I gotta admit that the interface is really a breath of fresh hair as it transforms something highly technical to an accessible, straightforward level with visual cues that even producers who are completely new to the vinyl world can understand and work with. The unit feels like having an experienced vinyl-cutting engineer giving you pointers. I love that it gives you enough control to make your mix effective without offering an overwhelming amount of options.

I gotta say this is not a replacement for a skilled mastering engineer as it is more of a reality check for the mix, which allows you to learn the possibilities and necessary adjustments. If you want a little tip, you should use it to check the bass frequencies to know if they are mono and clean, as vinyls don’t play well with overly wide or muddy low ends.

To summarize, I can say that this mastering chain plugin is better for those aiming for vinyl releases than for every producer. It is a really handy tool to play between digital production and analog recording worlds, providing a better understanding of how your music would sound when it meets with the needle.

SimuLathe REF comes in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats for Windows and macOS users.

3. LANDR Mastering Plugin PRO

Another great AI-driven mastering plugin, LANDR Mastering Plugin PRO, allows you to hear the mix adjustments immediately with its real-time processing in your DAW. I think it comes in really handy with the great workflow as it skips the process of exporting tracks band-and-forth and uploads them for mastering. 

The first thing I noticed about the thin unit was its simplicity and flexibility with the three distinct styles: Warm, Balanced, and Open choices, which all aim for different genres and tones. Warm is for having that analog richness, and Open is more focused on clarity and presence, while Balanced sits in between both. 

It provides pretty intuitive controls for its EQ, saturation, compression, loudness, and more sections, which is great for beginners as the plugin is ideal for finetuning your master without needing a deep background in music production. For me, real-time processing is the shining star, allowing for a quicker and easier workflow for tweaks on the fly. This way, you can also hear the impact of the tweaks immediately, which really helps the process.

I have to admit that the visual feedback is another highlight with its spectral display of the frequency balance changes between the original mix and the mastered version. This is great for identifying problematic areas quickly. 

That said, if you want control over your master or if you have a complex, highly detailed project, this might not be the best option, and I would not recommend it as a replacement for a professional mastering engineer. 

Mastering Plugin Pro is a good tool for quick, polished masters for amateur and semi-pro producers with its easy workflow and its ability to preview high-quality masters without leaving your DAW.

Landr Mastering Plugin Pro comes in AAX, AU (Mac only), and VST3 formats for Windows 10 or higher and MacOS X 10.14 or higher.

4. Waves TG Mastering Chain by Abbey Road

Created by the collaboration of Waves and Abbey Road and modeled after the iconic EMI TG12310 Transfer Console, TG Mastering is a mastering chain plugin bringing the vintage charm of analog mastering to your DAW. If you are after the retro warmth, punchiness, and character, this plugin has a lot to offer, especially for genres like rock, pop, and jazz.

The first thing I want to mention here is the modular design, which is all arrangeable, including Input, Tone, Limiter, Filter, and Output. My favorite module is the Tone module, which has a 4-band EQ with fixed frequencies and filter shapes, which are pretty subtle but effective. I really like it to use for final tonal balancing to add air to vocals or tame harsh midrange tones.

I also enjoyed using the Limiter module as it brings the iconic Zener diode vintage saturation and modern, clean compression options, providing you with great flexibility depending on the vibe you want. It is adaptable to use with coloration or transparency, with adjustable timing, sidechain filters, and parallel compression, which give you precise control to shape your master while protecting the musicality.

That being said, I gotta admit it has some disadvantages, such as the interface being a little clunky, especially when switching between linked and unliked channel controls. Also, producers who want a more modern transparent sound for electronic and experimental styles should look elsewhere.

For those who want the touch of Abbey Road charm in their masters, this plugin nails the analog authenticity perfectly.

TG Mastering Chain by Abbey Road comes in AAX, AU (Mac only), and VST3 formats for Windows 10 or higher and macOS 12 or higher.

Also featured in the best Waves plugins for mastering.

5. Brainworx bx_masterdesk PRO

Some plugins find that sweet spot between simplicity and depth. One of those is bx_masterdesk PRO, an accessible yet powerful mastering solution that gives you pro-level control without overwhelming you with complex tools. It offers polished results quickly with its smart layout and intuitive interface, offering good depth to fine-tune your mix.

I think the plugin’s soul here is the combination of dynamic processors and EQ tools. The Glue and Clipper modules were really great, in my opinion, as the Glue gives that smooth cohesion with the VCA compressor, while Clipper tames peaks beautifully and boosts the overall level.

What I also highly appreciated in bx_masterdesk PRO was The Resonance Filters section, as they provide fully sweepable notch filters for all frequency ranges, allowing you to use the clean-up feature with much more precision. I gotta say that these features sit early in the chain so that the mix gets prepared before hitting the compressor and limiter stations.

The compressor section is great with four selectable ratios and a soft knee for a pretty organic-sounding gain reduction, even with higher settings. The limiter resembles the bx_limiter True Peak, one of my favorite limiter plugins, with its detailed control over dynamics and responsiveness. Finally, I also enjoyed using the metering to monitor the details of the mix, from dynamic ranges to RMS.

I think this plugin stands out with its great design and is suitable for novice and advanced users. Beginners can use its intuitive and straightforward design and workflow, while experienced producers can get deeper with more controls to create more nuanced results. So, it does not matter if you are polishing a demo or crafting a pro release; this tool has the flexibility to get the job done successfully.

bx_masterdesk PRO is available in AAX, AU (Mac only), VST2, and VST3 formats for Windows 10 or higher and macOS 12 or higher.

6. United Plugins MasterMind

Combining essential tools in a straightforward interface, MasterMind has a streamlined approach, offering a way to enhance and polish your mixes without diving into complex settings. It has pretty simplified controls, such as the one-knob Optimizer, to add details and depth to your sound with a combination of spectral shaping and dynamic processing instead of stacking traditional EQs and compressors.

What I enjoy about this plugin is the minimality-effectiveness ratio. For instance, the EQ section is really simplistic but gets the job done effectively with its two shelving bands inspired by classic analog designs. It comes with a variable tube-style saturation, which I found to be great for adding subtle warmth and character to the mix. 

I think the Match EQ function works great as it helps you align your mix frequency spectrum with another. So, using it with a reference track is a great option, but I gotta say you may need subtle adjustments from time to time in order to get the most natural results.

The Stereo Width control is another highlight to take control for adjusting the spatial feel of the mix and a limiter with adjustable saturation for final level adjustments. I also liked the limiter as it is just like the plugin itself: simple but effective. But, I recommend using it with a loudness meter so that you can avoid overloading the signal, as this is important for songs in streaming platforms.

I think what sets this unit apart is that it can make an already good mix sound richer and more polished without getting too deep with controls. I would use it for quick level adjustments and tonal balance, and I believe it can be the replacement for a full mastering suite in that sense, as it is an intuitive and reliable option. However, for more control, depth, and advanced use, it is not the best plugin.

MasterMind comes in VST, VST3, AU (Mac only), and AAX formats for Windows 8, 10, 11, and macOS 10.10 Yosemite and higher.

7. IK Multimedia Lurssen Mastering Console

Lurssen Mastering Console is another mastering chain plugin that comes with the goal of simplifying the mastering process without sacrificing the quality of results. It is a good plugin for those who are after a streamlined solution with a VST modeled after the signal chain of the famous Lurssenj Mastering Studio, which offers great sound with minimal tweaking.

For me, the star of the show here is the high-quality presets for a wide variety of genres from EDM to Hard Rock, which are crafted with the studio’s trial and error with years of experience. The modeled versions of high-end gear are present in the signal chain, like the tube and solid-state EQs, limiters, de-essers, and compressors, to provide a warm and balanced mix with minimal input. 

Another standout feature is the Push knob, which allows you to adjust the intensity of the processing across all EQ bands at the same time, while the De-Esser adds the final touch by taming the high-frequency harshness added by the tube limiter.

While it is an effective plugin, some might find this one too simple as it does not feature individual compressor or limiter settings, and the EQ bands are fixed, which is pretty limiting, especially for advanced producers who work with experimental or highly specific genres.

I would recommend using the Lurssen Mastering Console for genres like acoustic and traditional music styles as well as whenever you need quick results, as it is really successful at creating cohesive and natural masters with its built-in glue that creates a cohesive mix. 

For quick and good results, it is a decent plugin to have in your collection. It is especially effective for users who prioritize consistency and efficiency.

Lurssen Mastering Console is available in VST2, VST3, AAX, and AU (Mac only) formats for Windows 7 or newer and macOS 10.7 or newer.

8. Slate Digital FG X 1

If you are a producer working in pop, rock, or metal genres, check out FG X, a powerhouse mastering tool with its unique approach to loudness without losing dynamics. I like the plugin’s ability to preserve punch and clarity while boosting the volume. As the standout feature, Intelligent Transient Preservation (ITP) enhances and retains transient detail even at high loudness levels, which is perfect for energetic mixes.

The FG X features two main sections: a transparent compressor and a level processor. The compressor is better used for subtle dynamic balancing instead of adding color to the tone, making it ready for the FG level section, where the magic happens. 

With intuitive controls like Lo Punch and Details, the FG level section allows you to emphasize kick drums, snares, and acoustic transients without making the mix muddy. The Constant Gain monitoring comes in handy as it gives great A-B comparisons to hear the difference the settings create.

One thing to be careful is that this is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It is ideal for transient-heavy energetic genres, but it struggles with material dominated by sustained low-end sounds, as it adds distortion when pushed too far. I also gotta say that it is a CPU-heavy plugin.

I found the unit to be great in terms of its ability to preserve the mix’s natural dynamics while achieving competitive loudness levels, making it a standout choice for modern mastering workflows. For high-energy genres, it is a green light, without a doubt!

FG X comes in AAX, VST2, VST3, and AU (Mac only) formats for Mac and Windows.

9. IK Multimedia One

As a favorite of mine, One is the mastering processor of the famous mixing and mastering suite Tracks 6 by IK Multimedia, which combines essential mastering tools like EQ, compression, harmonic enhancement, bass shaping, and limiting in one single module. It offers an accessible way to enhance, polish, and finalize the mixes without drowning in the wild sea of complex parameters.

The intuitive controls like AIR to add the sparkle to the high-end, BODY to enhance the low-end for a fuller sound, FOCUS for controlling the mid-range for increased clarity, and PUSH for compression and dynamic adjustments. Finally, there is the WIDTH control for tweaking the stereo image along with the VOLUME control for boosting loudness without distortion. So, with this simple design, the plugin is highly intuitive and easy to use.

This plugin is great for enhancing the mixes easily without losing musicality or balance. When used alone, it does not give high control over your sound and is better used for quick and easy mixes, but when it is part of the comprehensive T-Racks mixing and mastering suite, you can get all the control over your mix. 

Otherwise, I recommend it for fast and effective results for finalizing a demo, touching up a release, or for quick masters of any kind with a simple format.

One is available in VST3, AAX, and AU (Mac only) formats for Windows 10 or newer and macOS 10.15 or newer.

What Should Be in My Mastering Chain?

A standard mastering chain should have EQ for tonal balance, compression for dynamics, a limiter for loudness, and optional stereo imaging, saturation, and metering for more detailed control.