Virtual instruments are software emulations of traditional instruments or hardware electronic musical instruments.
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An infinite series of free software instruments, made by musicians and sampling experts in London, for anyone, anywhere. Presented in our own plug-in, they are easy to use, and compatible with any DAW. And in case you missed it — they're all free.
An infinite series of free software instruments, made by musicians and sampling experts in London, for anyone, anywhere. Presented in our own plug-in, they are easy to use, and compatible with any DAW. And in case you missed it — they're all free. Kontakt’s huge collection of virtual instruments and effects is the gold standard when. Sound Magic’s Piano One is modelled on the sonically stunning Yamaha C7 Concert. Download the Best Free Audio Plugins. Synths, Reverbs, Compressors.and much more. Just click and download. Browse our ever growing library of free VST plugins to use in your productions. GŌN – Free Metering Plugin For PC & Mac. Layers is a free orchestral VST instrument, and an easy way to add orchestral.
There is a staggering range of virtual instruments available nowadays, covering multi-timbral rompler modules to dedicated emulations of guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, and more.
Some of these VSTi plugins (as they’re also called) are free. So in this article we’ll take a look at some of the best free virtual instruments you can download today. Many of which are pro worthy.
Find more great gear here:
Intro: About Virtual Instruments
The benefits of virtual instruments are fairly obvious. They take up much less space than their hardware equivalents, they don’t overheat, and many of them have virtually unlimited polyphony. They are also much easier to edit and they almost never break down.
Here we run down some of the most intriguing virtual instruments currently available. Although some purists may scoff at the idea of these replacing their well-loved guitars or keyboards, there is no denying that they provide a surprising range of great sounds at a price that even professional musicians will appreciate.
Best Free VSTi Plugins
The List
The Roundup
Native Instruments’ Kontakt Player is arguably the Don of all free virtual instrument plug-ins. Based on the company’s own hugely successful Kontakt sampler, Kontakt Player effectively hosts all sample-based instruments developed for its more fully-featured big brother.
The compatibility goes the other way as well. All free instruments developed specifically for Kontakt Player will load up and play in the full version of Kontakt. Between the two, there is a staggering assortment of free and paid instruments, all boasting of the trademark Native Instrument quality.
To get budget-savvy musicians and producers started, NI offers a free Kontakt Factory Selection consisting of 50 premium instruments. Some of these are slightly cut-down versions of the instruments developed for Kontakt, while some are full versions developed specifically for Kontakt Player.
While Kontakt Player focuses mainly on standard instrument libraries, Native Instruments’ Reaktor Player is geared more towards the synthesis side of things.
Demonstration
Reaktor is of course the full-blown modular synthesis environment that gives users unparalleled and unlimited opportunity to design virtually any type of synthesizer, sequencer, or signal processor they could think of from scratch. With Reaktor Player, users are able to play back a wide variety of instruments and effects developed in and for Reaktor, with a more modest set of editing capabilities.
As with Kontakt Player, there is a huge range of ready-made instruments available for use in Reaktor Player. NI even offers two free devices to get you started: the Blocks Wired pre-patched modular synth and the Mikro Prism synthesizer.
Reaktor Player obviously doesn’t come close to providing the depth of power and customizability offered by the full version of Reaktor. Nevertheless, it is a good introduction to modular synthesis. Furthermore, the availability of hundreds of Reaktor instruments cover a board range of sound-crafting options.
Ample Guitar M Lite is the free version of Ample Sounds’ popular AGM guitar simulator. Emulating the warm, rich tones of the Martin D-41 acoustic guitar, Ample Guitar M Lite is now on its second version.
For the price of a free download, you get an enhanced set of features that now match the capabilities of the full version. The note range now spans E1 – C5, and the plug-in now works as a standalone instrument. Even if you do opt to use the instrument in your DAW, multiple instances will take up much less resources than before, and they will load up faster as well.
Demonstration
As you may have guessed from the name, Ample Bass P Lite is Ample Sound’s free bass guitar sample player plug-in. A cut-down version of the full Ample Bass P II component of the company’s Bass Series product line, this plug-in has fewer samples and fewer round robin variations than the full version. It also has a smaller note range than the paid product, covering D1 to F4. Nevertheless, the Ample Bass P Lite does a good job of cranking out the distinctive tones of the Fender Precision Bass, which it models.
Manda Audio’s MT Power Drum Kit is a free drum sampler that has a fairly wide selection of acoustic drum kit sounds. Great care has been taken to record and process the original samples, giving users a range of high-quality drum sounds perfectly suited for pop, rock, and even metal.
Those who wish to process their drum sounds with their own plug-ins might not appreciate the fact that the MT Power Drum’s sounds are already processed. Nevertheless, EQ and compression were applied quite tastefully, and the sounds should fit in well in most mixes.
Demonstration
Togu Audio Line has garnered quite a bit of acclaim for its excellent line of synthesizers and effects processors, a number of which are free. NoiseMaker is one of these, and it compares favorably to the company’s own paid emulation of the Roland Juno 106 analog synth, the TAL-U-NO-LX.
The NoiseMaker incorporates some of TAL’s more popular effects processors on board. There is the Juno-derived chorus with two modes for starters, along with a reverb, a delay, and a bitcrusher, all of which exist as free standalone plug-ins.
DistroCore’s DC Bazz::Murda is a bass and kick synthesizer that is capable of a surprisingly wide array of sounds. Although aggressive and distorted industrial sounds are its forte, it can be dialed back for more subdued tones as well. Even so, this is one plug-in that was obviously designed to get as loud and nasty as possible. For some users, that could be a good thing!
Top Pick
Native Instruments’ Kontakt Player and Reaktor Player are a couple of the best free virtual instruments that you can get, without a doubt. They provide a superb one-two punch that simply can’t be beat.
Between the two, you pretty much have all your bases covered, whether you need bread-and-butter rompler sounds, exotic World Music libraries, or synthetic sounds ranging from vintage to cutting-edge.
Given the wide range of sounds they cover and the trademark NI quality, these two are neck-and-neck as our top picks for best virtual instrument plug-ins.
Disclosure: When you buy through our links, we may get a commission at zero cost to you.
“My audio sample sounds dry” – I’ll add a reverb effect to make it wet (sound roomy) a little!
That was a joke, I can bet you have come across several effects in your software applications (DAW) such as reverb, delay, compression, distortion, and other various effects.
But! Why do we use audio effects in the first place?
To answer that question, I’ll ask you a simple question. How would your meal taste without any ingredients?
Tasteless right! Yh, sure, it’s still eatable but it lacks flavor. Let’s transition back to the old question, why do we use audio effects?
Audio effects are software devices (ingredients) that manipulates an audio signal to a specific taste, it can make a dry audio signal sound wet, it can help in controlling the gains of an uncompressed sound (proper leveling of peaks), it can make a dull audio sample sound lively, and it can also be misused (think of adding too many/too little salt to your meal).
Since we know the importance of using audio effects, I would be recommending some of the best free VST effects plugins.
It doesn’t make any sense to randomly list the effects, so I decided to categorize each and every effect, all compressor vst effect plugin would be under the Compressor Vst category, reverb vst effects plugin would be under Reverb Vst category, you get the idea.
Page Contents
- Compressor Free VST/AU/AAX Plugin
- Reverb Free VST/AU/AAX Plugin
- Delay Free VST/AU/AAX Plugin
- EQ Free VST/AU/AAX Plugin
Let’s get cracking…
Compressor Free VST/AU/AAX Plugin
Compression is an effect or an audio processing tool that is used to control the overall Dynamics of an audio signal or an audio portion.
Some of the best free compressor plugins are…
1.) Audiofb – SeteChave Compressor
SeteChave is the first compressor on our list and is designed with characteristics close to the “pumping” effect. It can be used for parallel compressing and it is really intuitive with minimal knobs, so, you will quickly get a hold of this one.
Features:
- Input – Input signal gain control from -12db to + 12db
- Att – Attack spanning from 1.2ms to 500ms
- Rel – Release ranging from 20ms to 5s
- Threshold – with decibel range from 0db to -36db
- Ratio – Compression ratio, ranging from 1: 1 to 200: 1
- Knee – Curve gives compression, which varies between values 1 and 5 Output – Output signal gain control from -12db to + 12db.
Specification Requirements:
- Windows: Minimum of Win 8.1
- Mac OSX: Minimum of 10.10
- Supports Only 64bits of this format: VST/VST3/AAX/AU
Download (Requires Free Registration): SeteChave Compressor
2.) TDR Nova
Nova is a parallel equalizer and a multiband compressor that can tackle and fix a wide range of applications when processing. It can feel a little bit daunting when using TDR due to its various knobs, but you should easily get familiar after experimenting with its features and besides, it is free 😉
TDR NOVA is useful and works with all kinds of audio material, be it a drum bus asking for more crispiness, or a sibilance issue with your sounds, Nova got your back!
A simple UI design, drag and drop display with a classic “Knob” interface given quick and smooth access to the various parameters driving NOVA’s powerful processing capabilities.
The most interesting thing about this tool is that it has a rare feature you would find in Nova is that it allow users to copy and paste presets, and a lot of more great feature.
Features:
- Parametric equalization
- Dynamic equalization
- Frequency selective compression
- Multi-band compression
- Wideband compression.
Specification Requirement:
- Compatible with Windows ( Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 and later versions) and macOS X 10.7 and above
- Win 32bit formats: VST2/AAX
- Win 64bits formats: VST2/VST3/AAX
- Mac OSx 64bits formats: VST2/VST3/AU/AAX
Download TDR NOVA
3.) T-Chain
I can’t even believe this is free (well, partially!)
T-Chain as it names sounds, it is a chain of different plugins or a channel strip plugin that is designed for modularity, users can arrange different sound modules within the signal path, you get the idea!.
For example, you might decide to use it as a single Eq or a compressor module and if you so wish, you can arrange different sound modules such as a free EQ, Compressor, Gate, and Splitter (for splitting the signal into two distinct paths), one of the most exciting features about this free plugin, is that the module can be rearranged, added, and deleted by drag-and-drop, this way, your life can be easier rearranging your signal chain.
I should mention some modules aren’t free but getting a free Eq, compressor, gate, and splitter is more than enough for so many use cases.
Features:
- Free and Paid modules, with the ability to demo any module at any time
- Customizable spectrum analyzer and waveform display
- Full-featured preset management system with searchable filter and text-based importing/exporting
- Multiple plugin interface size (compact, small, medium, and large)
- A/B Comparison feature for the entire plugin, and for individual modules
Specification Requirement:
- Available on Mac and PC; in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats; and 32- and 64-bit architecture
Download Mac: T-Chain for Mac
Download PC: T-Chain for Win
4.) TDR Kotelnikov
TDR Kotelnikov is a plugin by tokyodawn, the maker of TDR Nova.
Kotelnikov is a wideband dynamics compressor that is designed with high fidelity dynamic range control with deep musical flexibility. Their Nova plugin is a combo of Eq and Compressor while Kotelnikov is built solely for dynamic processing and has an on par features such as a proven control scheme, individual release control for peak and RMS content, an intuitive user interface, and powerful, state of the art, high-precision algorithms.
This plugin is suited when used as bus compression and or a master channel, if you try throwing many instances of Kotelnikov on your mixer inserts, you’ll eat your CPU up!
Features:
- 64bit multi-rate processing structure for highest accuracy
- “Delta” oversampled signal path (bit transparent at 0dB gain reduction)
- Super fast, yet natural sounding compression
- Flexible sidechain highpass filter
- Advanced stereo linking options optimized for the stereo bus
- Delta preview mode previews the difference between the compressed and original signal
- Latency compensated, click-free bypass (i.e. processing never interrupted)
- Advance User interface rescaling (100%, 125%, 150%)
Specification Requirement:
- Compatible with Windows ( Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 and later versions) and macOS X 10.7 and above
- Win 32bit formats: VST2/AAX
- Win 64bits formats: VST2/VST3/AAX
- Mac OSx 64bits formats: VST2/VST3/AU/AAX
Download Mac: TDR Kotelnikov
5.) Multiband Compressor – OTT
OTT is based on a popular Ableton compressor presets and are redesigned has a three-band compressor that can either be used as an Upward or Downward compressor.
Download OTT
6.) Beatskillz – Max1
I might be biased in this review but personally, this is one of the best auto-compressor plugins out there. Max 1 will automatically analyze the ratio depending on the audio source and compress accordingly.
If you feel itchy about using an auto compressor tool, you are as well covered, Max1 comes with the default compressor knobs (Threshold, Attack, Gain, and the likes). In addition to this, it also comes bundled with a soft clip switch so you can clip anything that goes past 0dB, this way, you can save extra effort using a Limiter.
Features:
- Auto-Compressor with “intelligent” and variable release time and ratio settings.
- Control your peaks very easily or increase the energy and levels of your track or mix effortlessly.
- The Plugin has accurate metering for both L/R input and output channels as well as Gain Gain Reduction Metering.
- Great Presets to get you started on all types of material and also save your own presets.
- When compressing a lot, just use the “Attack” knob to dial back the punch easily. Use the soft limit to make your track loud effortlessly and transparently.
- Never Lose “Bass” when maximizing your mix or sounds, retain the character of your sounds with this transparent dynamics processor.
- Easy Effortless Compression and Energy Maximization.
Download: Win 32 VST / Win 64 VST / Mac OSX VST / Mac AU
Note: You might be asked to provide a serial key, just input your email and if you don’t get one by email, click not today
7.) Dead Duck Free Effects Bundle (25 VST audio effect plugins)
This is a bundled effect plugin by Dead duck. It contains 25 original VST audio effect plugins covering everything from essential mixing tools such as EQ, compression, and limiting to creative sound-shaping tools such as delays, modulation effects, and reverb:
- AutoFilter: A resonant 4-pole low-pass filter with a built-in LFO modulator.
- AutoPan: An auto-panning modulation effect with optional tempo-sync and width control.
- BitCrusher: A bit-crusher effect for lo-fi distortion.
- Channel: A multi-function channel-strip plugin featuring gate, compressor, equalizer, limiter, filters and gain controls with comprehensive input, output, and gain-reduction metering.
- Chorus: A stereo chorus effect with optional tempo-sync.
- Compressor: A peak compressor with optional external side-chain input.
- DeEsser: A de-esser for reducing sibilance and other unwanted high-frequency sounds.
- Delay: A stereo delay featuring independent left and right channels with optional stereo linking and tempo-sync.
- DJEQ: A three-band ‘DJ-style’ equalizer.
- DualFilter: A high-pass and low-pass filter combination with full-range cutoff frequencies and resonance.
- Equalizer: A four-band parametric equalizer with switchable low- and high-shelf bands.
- Expander: A downward expander with optional external side-chain input.
- Filter: A multi-mode filter including low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and band-stop responses from 12 to 48 dB/octave.
- Flanger: A stereo flanger with optional tempo-sync.
- Gate: A noise-gate with optional external side-chain input.
- Limiter: A ‘soft’ limiter with optional hard-clipper.
- MonoDelay: A mono-delay with optional ‘ping-pong’ stereo output and tempo-sync.
- Overdrive: An overdrive distortion effect.
- Phaser: A stereo, multi-stage phaser with optional tempo-sync.
- Reverb: An efficient algorithmic reverb with pre-delay and input filtering.
- RingMod: A ring-modulation effect.
- SigGen: A signal-generator with sine, pink noise, and white noise outputs.
- TiltEQ: A tilt-equalizer for adjusting high/low-frequency balance.
- Tremolo: A volume-modulation effect with optional tempo-sync.
- Utility: A multi-function mixing utility.
Download: Dead Duck Free Effects Bundle
Reverb Free VST/AU/AAX Plugin
Reverb is the simulation of the sound of space. This space could be your bathroom, a small room, a concert hall, a chamber, and so on.
It can be used to create all sorts of effects but it can easily be misused too, basically reverb effects can be used to…
- To create depth in a mix; pushing elements further back in a mix
- To glue elements within a track together
- and many more.
Let’s see some of the best free reverb plugins…
8.) Voxengo – OldSkoolVerb
Voxengo plugins have been my best and ready to go plugin for my music production toolbox.
OldSkoolVerbemulates the classic stereo verb algorithm and produces a crystal clear spatial image that blends well with an audio file.
This reverb tool comes bundled with various sets of parameters permitting a user to achieve different reverb styles ranging from room reverb to hall reverb to plate reverb.
“The Voxengo OldSkoolVerb is best used for a non-percussive and soft-attack sound like vocals, piano and pad sounds”.
Specification Requirement:
- Compatible with Windows ( Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and later versions) and macOS (10.7 and later releases, Intel processor-based)
- VST/AAX supports
- Compatible with 32 and 64 bit on Windows and Mac Os
- Supports 2 GHz dual-core or faster processor
- 2GB RAM or higher
Download OldSkoolVerb
8.) Smart Electronix – Ambience
A friend recommended Ambience too me a few years back, and the moment I tested it, I was literally blown away.
One of my favorite features of Ambience is the hold parameter which smartly freezes the reverb tail until the button is released. You can use this for creating a reverse reverb effect, special effect and you can even automate the knobs.
Ambience is a donationware plugin. You get a nag screen with no limitation, and if you love the plugin, you can donate to the developer.’
Download: Win 32 VST / Mac OSX VST
9.) Anwida Soft – DX Reverb Light
This is the light version of the original DX Reverb. The light version contains only one simplified algorithm of the 11 available algorithms in the full version, even with the limitation, DX Reverb Light can be handy for a quick reverb effect.
Download: Win 32 VST / Win 64 VST / Mac OSX VST / Mac AU
10.) Signaldust – Abstract Chamber
I don’t know if you ever notice undesirable reverb effect when used for longer reverb sounds, it sounds frustrating some times, with Abstract Chamber you can create a longer modulated reverbs whole also maintaining a natural yet abstract spatial impression.
It only supports VST
Download Abstract Chamber
11.) TAL-Reverb III
TAL-Reverb 3 is designed to be used as a stereo plate plug-in, which is the replacement of its predecessor (TAL-Reverb-II). This new edition has several improvements such as an optimized GUI and some changes in the reverb algorithm.
Additionally, TAL-Reverb 3 has a simple EQ section, a meter display and shows actual slider values.
Features:
- Plate reverb sound.
- One simple room size control.
- Pre-delay up to one second.
- EQ section (12dB cut, low shelf filter at 1000Hz, high shelf filter at 200Hz).
- Stereo width control (from full stereo to mono).
- Stereo input mode (mono or stereo input).
- Displays the slider value of the active fader.
- A meter shows the output volume.
- 10 factory presets.
Specification Requirements:
- Windows: Windows XP or higher (32 / 64 bit)
- OSX: OSX 10.7 or higher (32 / 64 bit).
- AAX: Pro Tools 10.3.6 or higher
Download: Windows / Mac
Delay Free VST/AU/AAX Plugin
Delay is an audio effect that records an input audio signal to a medium and then plays it back after a period of time or after the time you specify.
Some of the free delay plugins are…
12.) Proximity
Proximity is easy to use delay plugin based on several psycho-acoustic models. The idea is to give mixing engineers a reliable tool for manipulating the depth of several sound sources in a straight forward and convincing manner.
It is available in both 32 and 64-bits versions for Windows and Mac OS X in VST & AU format.
Native Instruments Free Vst Plugins
Download: Windows / Mac
13.) Adam Monroe’s Delay
Adam Monroe’s Delay is a free delay VST/AU/ AAX plugin. It features traditional delay parameters such as time and feedback, as well as high/low-pass filtering and synchronized ping-pong panning.
It supports both 32 and 64-bit version:
Download: Win VST / Win AAX / Mac VST / Mac AU
EQ Free VST/AU/AAX Plugin
14.) TAL-USE
TAL-USE (Ultra Simple Eq) is especially designed after some tilt eq’s from the ’70s.
Free Vst Instruments Mac
This type of eq allows adjusting the audio material without changing the character of a sound to much.
It’s an easy way, to make an audio signal sound darker or brighter with only one knob. The bass lift knob is a special addition that boosts or attenuates bass frequencies below 300Hz.
Free Vst Plugins For Mac
Requirements:
Free Vst Plugins Downloads
- Windows XP or higher (32 / 64 bit)
- OSX 10.6 and < 10.10 (32 bit Host).
Download: Win 32 VST / OSX 32 VST / OSX 32 AU
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