Best instrument VST Plugins, VST3, Audio Units Plugins (AU), AAX Plugins and Rack Extension Plugins - Page 11 of 104. Best Plugin Hosts 291 DAW Music Software 63 Beat Making & Loop Software 120 DJ Software 20 Music Notation Software 30. Sounds, Samples & Presets.
- Much of our music notation software supports both AU and VST plug-ins. This means you won't have to be limited when it comes to third-party instruments and effects, which we know might make all the difference to you! If time is of the essence, you can always choose an electronic download over the boxed version of the product.
- Notion will not convert audio tracks into notation. If you have a copy of Melodyne installed on your system, you can use it to convert your audio tracks to MIDI. Once converted, you can send the new instrument tracks containing MIDI data to Notion and it will be notated.
There’s never been a better time for independent DIY musicians to mix, master and produce their own tracks, to avoid expensive studio fees. You can download a seemingly endless supply of free VST plugins for music production to add to your digital audio workstation, whether that’s Logic Pro, Ableton, Pro Tools or any other easily-accessible music production software.
Here's a list of the very best. Try them out for yourself, it won't cost you a thing!
Free VST plugins for music production
If you’re looking for an awesome free effects plugin to give your track a boost when recording music at home, or a helpful tool to streamline your production, check out this comprehensive list and download the best free music production plugins for Mac or Windows from across the web.
Know of any great free plugins for music production not featured on this list?
Let us know in the comments section below!
Free creative effect plugins
If you're looking to give your tracks something extra, and make light work of creating unique sounds, take your pick from this collection of free creative effect plugins, sure to shake up your next production.
iZotope Vinyl
This fantastic free VST effect plugin allows you to mimic the dust, scratches, and warp of a worn record, as well as the electrical and mechanical sounds of the turntable it would be playing on. Download here.
Guitar Gadgets
Guitar Gadgets simulates a number of analog guitar pedals, including Delay Attack, Super Phazor, Crusher and more, and is perfect for using on electric guitars and guitar amp imitations. Download here.
Illformed Glitch
Glitch is an audio effect plugin which can play multiple effects simultaneously. It features a sequencer and a collection of great effects, as well as the ability to randomize - or ‘glitch’ - effects for some off-the-cuff inspiration. Download here.
Head Crusher
As the name suggests, the Head Crusher is not for the faint-hearted! But offers five different saturation modes to add something extra to a vocal track or make give your drums a heavier feel. Download here.
Ohm Force Frohmage
Frohmage by Ohm Force is a powerful filter with an easy-to-use interface, designed to provide warmth, dirt and many more unique effects more to produce a professional sound on any track. Download here.
Anarchy Rhythms
Anarchy Rhythms is a cross between drum machine and an audio effect. It takes an audio input and applies a customisable mix of modulation, filtering, feedback loops, oscillation and compression to create a unique sound. Download here.
Voxengo Oldskoolverb
One of the ultimate free reverb plugins, OldSkoolVerb offers a broad range of options, allowing users to create many types of reverb. It is best to be used with softer instruments like piano and vocal tracks. Download here.
CamelCrusher
CamelCrusher is a popular free multi-effects plugin, featuring two different distortion tones which can be mixed together to develop multiple textures and sounds. It’s perfect for a wide range of instruments including drums, guitars, and more. Download here.
Hysteresis
This glitch delay plugin can be used to create robotic-sounding abstract audio effects. It includes effects like delay, modulation and others, for processing percussion and much more. Download here.
Shattered Glass Audio Code Red
Inspired by the British consoles of the late 1960s, this plugin recreates the EQ and bold overdriven sounds of the Beatles, perfect for those nostalgic riffs. Download here.
Free plugin synths
To save you from sifting through the many, MANY free plugin synths across the internet, here are a few of the very best. Try them out and let us know what you think!
Tunefish 4
Tunefish 4 is a diverse free plugin synth with plenty of sound to play with. It has something for just about any situation, whether you're looking to create bass, leads, pads or anything else. Download here.
Ichiro Toda Synth1
Modelled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth, this plugin features a range of great tools, including 4 types of filters, tempo delay, 128 presets and much, much more. Download here.
u-he Tyrell N6
This incredible synth plugin is a truly powerful concept and offers plenty of great possibilities for your next track. And unbelievably, it’s available completely free, so check it out for yourself. Download here.
HELM
Helm not only features everything you could ever need from a synth plugin, but also runs pretty much anywhere and is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Download here.
Siegfried Kulmann SQ8L
The SQ8L by Siegfried Kulmann features 3 lo-fi oscillators for each of its 8 voices, plus a wide range of other great features, and can produce lots of diverse and interesting sounds. Download here.
Free mixing effect plugins
So you're ready to get to work with your mixer, but you're looking for some extra inspiration to bring the best out of your track? Here are some of the best free mixing effect plugins for all of the creative DIY sound engineers out there.
Klanghelm IVGI
IVGI not only provides very soft and subtle saturation effect, but is also able to produce a very dense and dirty sound with unmistakable distortion effects. Download here.
TDR Nova
NOVA is a parallel dynamic equalizer with the well-known format of a parametric equalizer. Each band also offers a thorough dynamics section, which means the processor can cover a wide range of applications. Download here.
Softtube Saturation Knob
This free Saturation Knob plugin is a modeled output distortion that can be used to fatten up bass lines, add harmonics and shimmer to vocal tracks, or simply kick your drum loop up a notch. Download here.
MeldaProduction MFreeEffectsBundle
This effects bundle from Melda Productions contains 30 different audio effects and is completely free. Alternatively, you can pay to upgrade to the professional version for even more options. Download here.
Sonimus SonEQ
SonEQ is a digital equalizer that combines the best parts of some vintage gear in one great package. It has a 3 bands equalizer, 2 filters and a pre-amp section. Download here.
Luxonix LFX-1310
LFX-1310 is a multi-effector with 24 algorithms and 3 serial slots to play around with. Every unique algorithm on this free plugin offers an exciting new effect. Download here.
Free plugin tools
Creating a great track isn't all about adding effects. It's about being in control of your sound and getting the most out of your software. These free plugin tools and utilities can help you produce the perfect mix. Download them now and see for yourself!
Beyerdynamic Virtual Studio
This incredible free plugin tool simulates a selection of real speaker systems in different environments, so you can see what you track sounds like in a host of venues, from big concert hall to intimate stages, without even being there! Download here.
Vocal Vst Plugins Free Downloads
Circular Labs Mobius
Mobius is free software used for the real-time design of audio loops. Basically, it has 8 synchronized stereo loopers that can be used in any combination with extensive MIDI and computer keyboard control. Loops created can then be easily saved and loaded. Download here.
Voxengo Span
Buy Vst Plugins
SPAN is a free real-time audio spectrum analyzer for music and audio production applications, featuring a wide range of powerful tools, compatible with just about every DAW out there. Download here.
Blue Cat Audio Gain Suite
Blue Cat’s Gain Suite offers a number of gain utilities, so you can control the levels of one or more tracks in real time, alongside a collection of other unique and exciting features. Download here.
There are hundreds of free VST plugins for music production available across the internet. These are just a selection of our favourites!
If you enjoyed using any of these plugins, make sure to share this list with your friends, or if you know of any great free effects or plugin tools not featured here, then please let us know in the comments!
Music notation software are computer programs that are used to create and print sheet music. Also known as 'score writers'. You can use the Syntheway Software VST Plug-ins in notation programs that supports VST technology like Sibelius or Finale among others.
Free software
ABassC, a text-based scorewriter for PalmOS and PocketPC, usingABC Notation
ABC Convert-A-Matic, a text-based scorewriter web application usingABC Notation
ABC Explorer, a text-based scorewriter usingABC Notation
abcjs, which includes an editor and engraver forABC Notationin Javascript
abcm2ps, a text-based scorewriter usingABC Notation
abctab2ps, a text-based scorewriter extendingABC Notationto include Spanish, French, and German lute/guitar tabulature
Canorus, a WYSIWIG scorewriter created byNoteEditusers after that product was abandoned by its creator
Denemo, a scorewriter primarily providing a front-end forLilyPond
EasyABC, a text-based scorewriter usingABC Notation
Five Line Skink, a Java text-based scorewriter usingABC Notation
Frescobaldi, aGUIfront-end forLilyPondonLinux
GNU LilyPond, a text-based scorewriter
Impro-Visor, a GUI- and text-based scorewriter for constructing lead sheets and jazz solos on Linux,Mac OS X, andWindows
MC Musiceditor, a script based scorewriter for Windows
muse2ps, a command-line scorewriter which convertsMuseDatainto PostScript.
MuseScore, aWYSIWYGscorewriter for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X
MusiXTeX, a set of macros and fonts that allow music typesetting inTeX
Musink Lite, a scorewriter for Windows
NoteEdit, a KDE scorewriter
Rosegarden, a scorewriter for Linux
PMW, or 'Philip's Music Writer', a text-based scorewriter originally written for Acorn RiscOS (released as a commercial program called Philip's Music Scribe or PMS[1]in the 1990s), later ported to POSIX and licensed under the GNU GPL
Zap's abc, a scorewriter for Android devices, usingABC Notation
Proprietary
Microsoft Windows
Crescendomusic notation software fromNCH Software
Cubase Score V1-5 (first run on version numbers)
Cubase SX
Cubase V4-6 (second run on version numbers)
Finaleplus the following lite versions: Allegro, PrintMusic, NotePad, Songwriter
Guitar Pro(primarily for guitars and bands, but also notates other instruments)
Harmony Assistant, plus the lite version Melody Assistant, with ability to sing lyrics in various languages via Virtual Singer addon
MagicScore Maestroplus the following lite versions: MagicScore Classic, School, Note and unique Music Notation for MS Word, and some freeware versions.
MusicEase, notates standard music, shaped notes and tablature; transposes and imports abc music.
Music Construction Set(obsolete; was also forApple II,Atari 400, andCommodore 64)
C-Labs Notator Logic (before it was bought by Apple)
Overtureplus lite version Score Writer.
PriMus, plus FreewarePriMus Free
Rhapsody
Sibelius, plus lite versions Sibelius First, Sibelius Student, Sibelius Instrument Teacher Edition, G7
SmartScore Pro(music scanning and scorewriting. Lite versions: SmartScore Songbook, MIDI, Piano and Guitar Editions)
TabTraxDrum, Guitar and Piano notation software and text tab importer, converter
Mac OS
ConcertWare(obsolete)
Cubase Score V1-5 (first run of version numbers)
Cubase SX
Cubase V4-6 (second run of version numbers)
Finalenotation program, plus lite versions: Finale Notepad, Notepad Plus, Songwriter, PrintMusic, Allegro
Harmony Assistant, plus the lite version Melody Assistant, with ability to sing lyrics in various languages via Virtual Singer addon
Logic Pro,Logic Express(successor to Notator and Notator Logic)
Mosaic(Mac OS 9 only)
MusicEase, notates standard music, shaped notes and tablature; transposes and imports abc music.
Opus 1 Music
Overtureplus lite version Score Writer.
Rhapsody(Mac OS 9 only)
Sibelius, plus lite versions Sibelius First, Sibelius Student, Sibelius Instrument Teacher Edition, G7
SmartScore Pro(music-scanning and music-scoring. Lesser versions: SmartScore Songbook, MIDI, Piano and Guitar Editions)
Online
Noteflight, GUI score editor for web browsers
Scorio, aHTMLbasedWYSIWYGscorewriter for web browsers and acommunityto share music notation
Other
Bank Street Music Writer(Atari 8-bit, Apple II, Commodore 64 and DOS)
Cubase Score V1-2 (Atari ST)
Deluxe Music Construction Set(Commodore Amiga)
MusicPrinter Plus(DOS)
C-Labs Notator V1-3 (Atari ST)
Pro-24 V2-3 (Atari ST - somewhat limited but was able to be used for entry and printing)
SCORE(DOS – once a leading publishing program)