Flandersh Tech has released Lushtraq, a free 4-band multiband compressor and saturator plugin for Windows.
Built with Flowstone (formerly SynthMaker), Lushtraq is a Windows-exclusive tool available as a 64-bit VST3 plugin. While it’s a shame MacOS users are left out, this one is definitely worth checking out if you’re on a Windows system.
Multitrack compressors tend to get unnecessarily complicated, so I liked how Lushtraq keeps things simple. It’s the perfect first pick if you’re new to multiband compression.
Here’s a quick guide to multiband compression (not related to Lushtraq, but still a worthwile watch).
Lushtraq divides the frequency spectrum into four named bands—Punchy, Warm, Forward, and Bright—each focused on a specific tonal range. The naming is intuitive and helps you understand what each band is doing at a glance (you can also identify each band’s “technical name” at the bottom of the GUI).
You can tweak the crossover points using the Low, Mid, and High knobs on the right, with a handy little real-time spectrum display showing you exactly where the action is happening.
Each band has its own compressor, a volume meter, and an optional tape-style saturation mode. There’s also a per-band external sidechain input, which opens up some useful routing options to make your multiband compression more transparent.
For example, you can sidechain just the mids or lows on a bassline to avoid that telltale pumping you get from full-range compression.
One feature I didn’t expect to see in a freeware plugin—especially from an indie developer—is an AI-powered “Smart Mode.” It lets you apply loudness presets tailored to different music genres.
I’m still on the fence about how usable AI really is in music production in its current state. In the vast majority of cases, it still feels like more of a gimmick than a genuinely helpful addition to a plugin.
Still, it’s interesting to see it pop up more often in the freeware scene. Even if it doesn’t revolutionize your workflow, it might give you a decent starting point for fine-tuning a mix.
The GUI is one of Lushtraq’s highlights. It’s clean, minimal, and easy to navigate despite packing over 20 controls onto a single panel. The neutral color scheme is easy on the eyes, and I had no trouble finding my way around after loading the plugin in Studio One.
Lushtraq is available as a VST3 plugin for 64-bit Windows hosts. You can download it directly from KVR Audio (linked below), no registration required.
Download: Lushtraq (Windows)
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Last Updated on May 12, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
