Just download these free VSTs, throw ’em in your DAW software and transport yourself away to synth heaven. Here’s the 7 best free synth VST plugins around. Dexed – FM Plugin Synth. Dexed is a superb frequency modulation synth. It’s closely modelled after the iconic Yamaha DX7.
- Best Free Mac Antivirus Reddit
- Best Free Bass Vst Mac
- Best Free Mac Antivirus 1029
- Best Free Compressor Vst Mac
These are the best free VST plugins you can download right now. What you’ll find below is a directory of high-quality freeware instruments and effects in VST plugin format for digital audio workstations on Windows and macOS.
Unlike some other websites with similar content, BPB only features freeware VST plugins that are 100% legal and safe to use. We highly respect the developers who spend time creating free music making tools, and we never host their software without permission.
To browse VST plugins based on their category, scroll down to the next section. You will find an up to date selection of the best free virtual instruments and effects for your DAW. Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions if you think that any part of our VST plugin directory should be improved.
Alternatively, you can browse through all the freeware music making tools (including software plugins, mobile apps, digital audio workstations, freeware audio editors, etc.) which have been featured in our news section by visiting the Free Software Archive on BPB. The archive will take you all the way back to 2009 when BPB was launched!
Free VST Plugin Directory
Host Applications
A selection of free audio editors, digital audio workstations, and other applications that host VST plugins:
- Audio Editing Software – Audio editing programs which can host VST plugins.
- Digital Audio Workstations – The best free DAW software.
- Free Mastering Software – Freely downloadable VST plugins for mastering.
- Free Video Editing Software – Edit your music videos for free.
- VST Host Applications – Directory of VST plugin hosts for music production and live performance.
VST Effects
Freeware effects in VST plugin format:
- Auto-Tune (Pitch Correction) – Free alternatives to Auto-Tune by Antares.
- Bitcrusher – An extensive collection of freeware bitcrushers.
- Chorus – A selection of the best free chorus effects.
- Compressor (Bus/Channel) – Compressor effects for bus and channel use.
- Compressor (Multiband) – A collection of multi-band compressor effects.
- Compressor (Sidechain) – A collection of compressor effects with side-chain input.
- Delay/Echo – Add depth to your mix with these excellent freeware delay effects.
- Distortion – Distort and saturate your audio with these freeware plugins.
- EQ (Graphic) – Free graphic equalizers in VST format.
- EQ (Linear-Phase) – Linear-phase equalizers in VST plugin format.
- EQ (Parametric) – Standard parametric equalizers for mixing and mastering purposes.
- Filter – A collection of filtering effects.
- Flanger (coming soon)
- Gate (Noise Gate) – Freeware VST plugins for removing noise from recordings.
- Granulator – A collection of granular effects to really mess up your audio.
- Guitar Amp – Large collection of virtual guitar amplifier VST plugins.
- Guitar Cab (coming soon)
- Limiter – Free limiter effects for mastering and mixing (although that’s mostly a no-no).
- Phaser – The best freeware phaser plugins in the world. Swoooosh!
- Reverb (Algorithmic) – Reverb VST plugins which rely on mathematical algorithms to simulate space.
- Reverb (Convolution) – Reverbs which use impulse responses.
- Saturation (Console/Tape/Tube) – Get a warmer sound using free saturation tools.
- Stereo Enhancer – Enhance the stereo separation in your mix with these freeware effects.
- Transient Shaper – Make the drums more prominent in a mix with these free transient shapers.
- Vocoder – Become the next Daft Punk with these free vocoder VST plugins.
VST Instruments
A selection of free virtual instruments in VST plugin format:
- Drum Machine/Synth – Instruments for synthesizing and sequencing drum sounds.
- Organ – A collection of free organ instruments in VSTi plugin format.
- Piano (Acoustic) (coming soon)
- Piano (Electric) – Virtual instruments which emulate electric keyboards.
- Sampler – The best freeware sampler instruments, with SFZ and SF2 format support.
- Sound Module/Workstation – A round-up of virtual instruments which function as romplers.
- SoundFont Player – If you’re feeling old school, load your old SF2 files with these free plugins.
- String Machine – A collection of string ensemble instruments. Jean Michel Jarre will love these!
- Synthesizer (Emulation) – Plugins which emulate hardware analog and digital synthesizers.
- Synthesizer (FM) – Synthesizers based on frequency modulation.
- Synthesizer (Modular) (coming soon)
- Synthesizer (Subtractive/VA) – Synthesizers based on subtractive synthesis.
Utilities
Other useful freeware VST plugins:
- Arpeggiator – A collection of freeware arpeggiator VST plugins.
- Oscilloscope – Free oscilloscope tools.
- Spectrum Analyzer – Visualize your mix with these freeware spectrum analyzers.
- Step Sequencer – Sequence your virtual instruments with these freeware step sequencers.
Free VST Plugin Awards
For quick access to the best VST plugins from each year, check out the articles listed below:
Developer Archives
An archive of freeware VST plugins which are not supported anymore. These plugins are hosted on BPB with permission of their developers.
If you’re a software developer interested in hosting your VST plugins on Bedroom Producers Blog’s server, feel free to get in touch!
What Are VST Plugins?
In case you’ve never used VST plugins before, here’s a brief introduction. The acronym VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology. It is a special kind of software interface which allows the user to load 3rd party audio effects and virtual instruments as plugins inside a VST compatible DAW program (Digital Audio Workstation). The technology was first introduced by Steinberg back in 1996 and has made a massive impact on the way we make music today.
Best Free Mac Antivirus Reddit
A VST plugin is a software effect or a virtual instrument intended for use in a host program which supports Virtual Studio Technology, as most digital audio workstations do nowadays. It allows us to expand our software studio with plugins, the same way we would use hardware effects and instruments in a real studio. There are literally thousands of VST plugins available for free download and use, as well as several quite powerful freeware host applications which can be used to create music with virtual instruments and effects.
Building Your VST Plugin Collection
Your computer is the central part of your digital music production studio. Assuming that you’re happy with your hardware setup, the next task is to install the software which will allow you to record and produce music in the best way possible. Choosing the right audio software and learning how to use it properly will ensure an efficient workflow when producing music. The last thing you want to happen is to have a plugin crash while you’re working on a mix, or to use a complex plugin for the first time during a critical mixing session.
Step 1: The DAW
The first step when building your software studio is to choose the right digital audio workstation for you. Whether you decide to use free software or a commercial program is up to you (and your budget), but I suggest you try the demo versions of all VST hosts which you find interesting before making the final decision. The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing your DAW is the workflow. Do you find the application intuitive? Does the user interface seem logical to you? Does the application provide all the recording and mixing features you’ll need during your music production endeavors?
If you’re looking for a freeware DAW to get started, take a look at the free digital audio workstations article. You will find that our preferred choices at the moment are Tracktion 5 and Sonar Platinum, both of which are capable of hosting third-party VST plugins. Again, our advice is to install several digital audio workstations and try them out for a few days before deciding on which one to keep.
Step 2: Choosing the right VST plugins
Now that you’ve picked your DAW, you’re all set to start building your collection of VST plugins. Remember to always go for quality instead of quantity. The biggest mistake people make when discovering VST technology and the world of freeware plugins is to download hundreds of freebies and to hoard them on the hard drive. This is bad for your workflow and productivity. Imagine all the clutter and chaos in a real-world studio stacked with hundreds of hardware instruments and effects that no one will ever use. You don’t want such a mess in your virtual studio, either.
Instead, be patient when choosing your virtual instruments and effects. This page is a great place to start, as we’ve listed only the best freeware VST plugins in each category.
What you need is a small but mighty collection of audio software which will cover all of your music production needs. Take the time to examine the plugins on offer and keep only the ones that you really need. Keep your mixing toolbox lightweight and efficient. Limit yourself to no more than three virtual compressors, equalizers, synthesizers, etc. Install only the tools which best suit your workflow and learn how to use them. Read the manuals, watch the video tutorials, and spend some time experimenting with your freeware VST plugins.
Step 3: Staying up to date
Also, keep your plugins up to date. Developers often release updated versions of their freeware plugins, which include essential bug fixes and additional features. Keep an eye on our news section to stay informed about the latest updates of popular VST plugins. Consider subscribing to our email newsletter to receive the latest freeware news straight to your email inbox.
If you’re looking for even more freeware plugins for your DAW, check out the colossal database over at KVR Audio.
Updated on June 12th, 2019.
When it comes to VST synths, there are a multitude of VSTs scattered about on the internet. Whilst some of them are paid, most are absolutely free. Naturally, you would be thinking the best Synth VST plugins are the ones that you’re gonna have to buy. However, there are some hidden gems out there that are totally free.
They can do it all: from sneaky ambient chimes, gigantic wall rattling lines to warm chords that put you in a daze of sonic slumber. Since finding these elusive free synth VSTs is downright painstaking, we have compiled a list of the best synth VST plugins that are absolutely free!
You can download and install them all you want with reckless abandon or throw ‘em in your DAW for some great sounding mixes. What’s more, this list will help eliminate a lot of trial and error for you. So, are you ready to find out the best synth vst plugins and teleport yourself away to synth haven? Without further ado, let’s get started.
Note If you want more free VSTs for synth (that are not included here), as well as free VSTs for guitar, drums and other instruments, you can check out our ultimate list of the 50 Best Free VST Plugins.
1) FireBird 2 by Tone2
Boasting a very intuitive and easy-to-use interface, FireBird 2 is a subtractive synthesizer with over 437 preset sounds. This swish synth is loaded with 38 types of filters including comb-filtering, EQ, low-pass filters, FM and AM modulation and Vocal filters that can add lush symphonic layers to your mix. Besides, you can also choose custom skins to go along with your DAW.
FireBird 2 is based on a wide range of standard waves, such as saw, pulse, trumpets, organs, pads and pianos that are modified by special algorithms. All in all, FireBird 2’s appeal encompasses multiple genres spanning power metal, trap hop, avant-garde, you name it.
2) SYNTH1
2) SYNTH1
Regarded by many as one of the best synth VST plugins of all time, SYNTH1 is hosted on Geocities Japan. It features 2 beautiful oscillators, which can be modulated via modulation, FM, ring, and synchronized envelopes. Plus, you can sculpt some breathtaking wavy synth hooks, and add distortion for effects by using 4 types of filters.
Synth1 also proffers legato mode as well as portamento for interesting slides useful in writing notes. Snag it!
3) Alter Ego by Plogue
A one-of-a-kind vocal synth, Alter Ego mashes vocoder-style synthesis with text-to-speech. Simply type in any phrase into the WORDS section, and Alter Ego will lucidly sing/speak them out for you.
This synth is a beast when it comes to sculpting a powerful sound design for the fine timbres of voice and also boasts polyphonic credentials useful for playing chords. You can also skim through Anime-inspired presets if you want to fiddle around with your tonality.
4) Tyrell N6 by u-he
Exercise physiology articles pdf template. CiteScore values are based on citation counts in a given year (e.g. .:1.04 ℹ CiteScore:2018: 1.040CiteScore measures the average citations received per document published in this title. 2012 – 14), divided by the number of documents in these three previous years (e.g. The Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness is the official peer-reviewed journal of The Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness (SCSEPF), the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China (HKPFA), and the Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science (HKASMSS). 2015) to documents published in three previous calendar years (e.g.
Originally planned as a hardware synth, Tyrell N6 is a nifty subtractive synthesizer with a massive aural potential. It comes loaded with two LFOs and envelopes that can put some premium synth VSTs to shame.
And, oh you can also revel in an abundant heap of snazzy presets that can render booming bass beats and rich synth harmonies to your mix!
5) Datsounds OBXD
Withouta doubt one of the best synth VST plugins amongst the current crop, Datsounds’ OBXD plugin is a remarkable emulation of Oberheim’s legendary OBXa and OBX synths. If you are a fan of beefy analogue tones of yore, you might as well want to take OBXD for a sonic spin.
6) Sinnah by NUSofting
Despite having only one oscillator, Sinnah rides high on a unique delay matrix with multiple configurations, which makes it one of the best synth VST plugins on our list. To be honest, its single oscillator is powerful enough to comprise 5 waveshapes and allows enough leverage for sculpting the harmonics of each waveshape.
What’s more, the delay matrix boasts configurations spanning highly randomized resonators, and a “triple chorus” per voice. All together, Sinnah is great for lush sounding leads, pads and chorus effects.
7) ComBear Compressor
A very dynamic Parallel Compression effect plugin, ComBear mimes Dada Life’s famous Sausage Fattener and is a must have synth in your arsenal if you are an EDM producer. It brings a quintessential “EDM” feel to drums, synth, and vocals and has the ability to make your track sound mega.
8) Riviera VST Plugin
Released by NuSpace Audio, the Rivera VST Plugin brings to the table a hybrid reverb effect especially for Windows users. To be more precise , Riviera is a nifty hybrid algorithmic-convolution reverb plugin that can model specular acoustic reflections. A must have for ethereal reverb fiends.
9) OSL Chorus Free Chorus Plugin
Based on the chorus effect module of the Roland Juno 60 hardware synthesizer, OSL chorus is available for both 32 and 64-bit hosts on Windows and Mac systems. If you are a fan of soaring, euphoric choruses that reverberate in your head long after the song comes to a closure, this is your go to weapon of mass sonic destruction. And yeah, it sounds equally mesmerizing on guitar, bass, and other instruments.
10) VK-1 Viking Synthesizer Plugin
10) VK-1 Viking Synthesizer Plugin
Originally launched as a replica of the Moog Voyager in the form of a rack extension for Propellerhead Reason dwellers, The VK-1 Viking is armed with three adjustable wave oscillators that render an authentic classic analogue synth experience. It also offers zero delay with feedback filters for improved resonance. Plus, it can be used on all DAWs. Woot, woot!
11) VCV Rack Open-source virtual synth
If you want to satiate your eurorack gear pangs without getting lost in the hardware maze, VCV Rack is a surefireexciting virtual synth. This open-source VST opens a window of opportunity to tweak around and immerse yourself in its vibrant patch cables for hours on end.
12) Martin Lüders’ PG-8X 2.0
This free synth VST emulates the sound of the classic Roland JX-8P with up to 12 voice polyphony and two DCO’s with Noise, Saw, Pulse and Square shapes. What’s more, all the parameters are MIDI mappable with MIDI learning.
All in all, it is one of the best synth VST plugins for 80s style bass patches, and analogue pads thanks to a marvellous sounding chorus module.
13) Full Bucket Music FB-3300
Following the success of FB-3100, Full Bucket Music has propped the FB-3300 on the lines of the mighty Polyphonic Korg PS 3300. Carefully built for low CPU consumption, the FB-3000 boasts three independent polyphonic synthesizer blocks, classic two-pole low-pass filters and band-limited oscillators for groovy synth symphonies.
14) DC Bazz::Murda
If you are a fan of killer kicks and booming bass drums, chances are, DC Bazz::Murda is the best synth VST for you. Although it suits a gamut of genres, it’s best suited for creating custom kicks thanks to three oscillators and a stack of modulation options. A must have for those deep Hip-Hop/Trap-Hop kicks, and layered DnB drums.
15) PolyGAS
PolyGAS is a formidable polyphonic synth VST that can spit out digital tones thanks to a plethora of samples that are supported in WAV and AIFF formats with up to 32 voice polyphony.
The scope for tweaking options is mega as you can add time delay modulation effects, amplitude non-linear distortions, add over 18 envelopes, reverbs, filters, et al.
16) Arminator by Krakli Software
Touted as a CS 80 emulator and perhaps the best one thus far at cloning that, Krakli Arminator is an interesting free little synth loaded with a stack of sound design options and an impressive GUI that help deliver archetypal 80s synth vibes.
What’s more, Arminator comes loaded with 128 default patches. Further, since it is pretty lightweight, your CPU won’t be overclocked.
17) Crystal by GreenOak
Banking on it’s modulation controls that offer over 90 parameters, delays, tempo sync, multi-stage envelopes, and inbuilt effects (for chorus, filters, echoes, flanger), Crystal has everything a production nerd needs from a robust synth VST.
It is equally resourceful for someone learning the nuances of sound designing. Moreover, you can also use automation on MIDI controls.
18) MiniMogueVA by Voltkitchen
MiniMogue VA is a powerhouse for creating electronic bass music, funk style music, and generating the notorious sub-bass omnipresent in groovy dubstep wobbles.
It features 3 crafty oscillators with tuning control and fine-tuning sliders. Also, you can turn the third oscillator into LFO with dedicated modulation knobs. There are more goodies in store: you can drown in some massive chorus, delay effects and use MIDI learning as well.
It features 3 crafty oscillators with tuning control and fine-tuning sliders. Also, you can turn the third oscillator into LFO with dedicated modulation knobs. There are more goodies in store: you can drown in some massive chorus, delay effects and use MIDI learning as well.
19) Proteus VX by E-MU Systems
Based on a vintage hardware synthesizer called Proteus 2500, the Proteus VX boasts the same sounds and factory bank as the original version. Apart from 54 eclectic filters, including the likes of flangers, vocal filters, and multi-pole resonant filters, the Proteus VX also features “High Voice Polyphony,” which is dependent upon the power of your system.
Another amazing aspect is that you can expect a pro-level audio quality from this free synth since it proffers 24-bit 192kHz high quality audio playback.
20) 44S by GTG
A rather peculiar plugin, 44S can be harnessed to sculpt interesting and pleasing distortions in resonance. It also has the ability to filter modulation, track the LFO with the keyboard and features pulse with modulation.
21) Superwave P8 by Superwave
Remotely modeled off the Roland JP 8000, Superwave P8 is considered one of the best synth VST plugins on the freeware market. You can craft some sick electronic music, house, trance, new age, or even pop boppers thanks to this plugin.
The novelty factor lies in the pads that provide a layer of richness and thickness to the mix. You get to avail 64 high quality presets, portamento controls, up to 8 notes of polyphonic operation, which can all be controlled via MIDI CC control with “learning” capability.
22) TAL-NoiseMaker by TOGU Audio Line
22) TAL-NoiseMaker by TOGU Audio Line
One of the redeeming factors about TAL-NoiseMaker is that everything is laid out clearly in terms of controls, thus designing a sound sphere becomes a cinch. All knobs can be learned through MIDI and can also be automated inside your DAW.
It comes loaded with 128 factory presets, 3 Oscillators, which can each be individually programmed for frequency/phase modulation, or to generate pulse, noise, sawtooth, sine, square, triangle, or rectangle waves. Overall, TAL-NoiseMaker is an incredible synth with chock full of features that deliver on all fronts.
23) Futucraft Kairatune
Aimed primarily at electronic-music composers, Kairatune delivers a tight, aggro-fuelled sound that will gel well with stripped-down dance mixes. The preset-management system allows you to search by category and then select your presets swiftly.
Even though there are a bewildering number of controls on display, the values are shown by discernible dial-type indicators. All in all, Kairatune stands among the best synth VST plugins out there.
24) U-He Triple Cheese – Comb-filter Synth
After first appearing over a decade ago, Triple Cheese is a comb-filter based synth that has matured rapidly after constant updates over the years. Flanked by more than a dozen banks, Triple Cheese is one of best synth VST plugins for those who like having loads of percussion effects and some ethereal delays in their mix.
25) Archetype Instruments Locamotiv
Another dance-type synth for EDM boppers, Locamotiv sports a dark skin but brings forth a mashup meaty basses and phantasmic leads that are super clean and meant for the modern electronic music producer.
26) Fathom Mono by Seaweed Audio
26) Fathom Mono by Seaweed Audio
For a monophonic synthesizer, the Fathom Mono packs quite a bit of a punch with a full-fledged synthesis engine. The modular and clean design compliments the workflow as well. You can patch up to 20 components in real-time. It also features 5 oscillator modules, 30 varied filters that can be easily handled by your CPU.
Although limited to monophonic leads, bass, and sound effects, Fathom Mono opens the pandora’s box when it comes to sound design possibilities.
27) Hermann Seib’s Wave Simulator
Wave Simulator emulates the big ol’ wavetable synths, PPG Wave 2.2 and 2.3, with flawless panache. Thanks to its sweepable wavetables and analogue-style filters, all the charisma and grunge of the original is present in full effect.
28) Siegfried Kullmann SQ8L
Classic wavetable synthesizer, Ensoniq’s SQ‑80, has been seamlessly recreated in the form of SQ8L which is a pure replica by all means. With a swanky menu-driven interface as the original, you can pump through sampled waveforms via a traditional analogue signal path for getting those retro 80s atmospherics.
29) Dexed
Best Free Bass Vst Mac
Dexed is one of the most renowned synth VSTs at the moment, after all, it proffers free emulation of the classic Yamaha synth, DX7. For starters, you can harness the power of over 144 DAW automatable DX7 parameters and a gamut of patches.
For those not in the loop, it is also a MIDI cartridge manager for the DX7 hardware synth. So, you can use Dexed as a patch editor for the real DX7 synth! Definitely worth a shot for those interested in FM synthesis!
30) Sonigen Modular – Sonigen
30) Sonigen Modular – Sonigen
For those of you looking for a fully modular synth VST with great sound quality, look no further than Sonigen Modular. With 28 individual modules, either of which can be connected to form a preset or patch, adding synth layers is surely going to be a treat.
You can also use an array of exhaustive usable presets. There is also a nifty “WaveMaker” feature with an FFT display that lets you load, edit, and save your very own wavetables and waveforms. However, tweaking the presets can be a royal pain in the bum.
31) HISE
HISE is a through and through hybrid synth/sampler that can seamlessly provide a turn-key programming environment for creating your own VST, AAX, and AU plugins and iOS instruments, provided you spend some time on it. Of course, it can be used as a plugin as well.
32) u-he Repro Alpha
A fairly standard-issue synth with basic modulation, two oscillators and a swanky filter, Repro Alpha is the prototype to u-he’s full-blown Repro-1 synth. Repro Alpha can come in handy for your musical endeavours big time if only you are willing to dig deeper.
SEE ALSO: Best Free Music Players for Android
33) NUSofting Noisetar
If you believe that truncating noise is the best way to make your mix sound clear and compact, you might as well want to give Noisestar a try and change your mind. It is in fact, a slick plugin that promulgates adding the right amount of noise into your mix, albeit slyly.
Best Free Mac Antivirus 1029
Remember, noise is a subtle part of most beautiful sounds – from the sharp shock of a pick striking a string to the breathy burst preceding a flute’s pitch – all comprise noise, beautiful noise.
34) Helm by Matt Tytel
One of the best synth VST plugins out there, you can change Helm’s source code and tweak it the way you want. Moreover, this polyphonic synth can be run from anywhere inside your DAW. Besides a nifty step sequencer and a robust modulation system with live feedback, Helm boasts 7 filter types with keytracking and Oscillator feedback and saturation for waveshaping. Get on it!
35) Martinic Combo Model F
If you are a fan of organ synth sounds of the 70s, you are in for a treat. Now, you can easily derive a gamut of nostalgic synth sounds with a hint of modern flair thanks to Martinic Combo Model F.
36) Synister
Synister is an easy-to-use synthesizer that comes with a built in virtual keyboard for dialling in sick tones that can forge an ethereal atmosphere in your mix. Pretty sinister!
37) Brain Control Tunefish 4
A versatile and free synth VST, Tunefish 4 is your go-to weapon for adding a rich layer of tasty leads, pads, and bass over your track. An out and out must have in your arsenal I’d say.
38) Digits 2
Now recreate that 80’s aural synth magic with a dash of warm pads, screaming leads, and dirty bass, all thrown in for a good measure into your mix thanks to Digits 2.
39) Acoustica Nightlife
Budding EDM, dance, and trance beatmaker’s can revel in Acoustica Nightlife which is one of the best synth VST plugins for sculpting a hypnotic soundscape that reverberates in the ears even after a song’s over!
40) Audjoo Helix
Don’t be dismayed by the official website’s message that says Helix is up for grabs for a limited period. The good part is, it remains fully functional after the trial period is over. Hence, adding deep bass grooves and synth melodies to your mix is still a feasible endeavour with Helix. Worth a snag!
Bonus Synth
A VST instrument sampler recorded via the legendary Korg MS-20 synth, Anamogue AS-20 is a useful addition for those seeking to emulate the tone of Korg MS-20.
And…that’s a wrap! Did you like our roundup of the best Synth VST plugins that are free? Sound off in the comments.
SEE ALSO: Best Audio Recording Software
Best Free Compressor Vst Mac
SEE ALSO: Best Center Channel Speakers