Sometimes it's hard to sort through the thousands of free synth vsti plugins out there. Here are some free high quality synth vst instrument plugins that are. For example, the free Synth1 is a top plugin in our searches. On the other hand, you will also find presets for VST effect plugins, such as reverbs, compressors, equalizers etc. FL Studio’s native softsynths are covered too on our website. You will find free synth presets for VST instruments such as Harmor and Harmless, or the older Sytrus.
VST and AU plugins are used in digital music production, but what is it what is the history behind this? In this article, we dive deeper into all the topics that are related to VST and AU plugins and we close with the best list for 2019 VST and AU plugins!
So, to start off we have a closer look at the meaning of VST and AU plugins. VST stands for virtual studio technology and AU for audio units.
VST = the format for Windows/Linux computers
AU = the format for iOS computers
In this article, we’re mainly focussing on VST plugins, since it’s the same as AU but then for a different computer system and a different programming langue.
VST can be seen as audio plug-in software that functions as digital synths or effects in a DAW (digital audio workstation). In the world, there are thousands of plugins with a function such as needed effects for a guitar and others are more experimental or without a function at all (just for fun, like Fruity Dancer).
There are free VST plugins available and paid VST plugins, if they are free they are named as freeware.
VST is an additional function to a DAW, see it as an app you can install on your phone. With that application, you have more functions within the same phone.
There are a few different formats that indicate what kind of a VST it is.
Steinberg is nowadays mainly known as the company behind the DAW Cubase. They released the VST format in 1996 together with Steinberg Cubase 3.02. After the release, they updated a few times and VST 3.5.7 was released in March 2017.
The VST plugin standard is the plugin standard created by Steinberg. It allows developers to create VST plugins for other host applications like FL Studio and Ableton.
Not that much besides technical terms and the way it’s programmed. The main thing you should know that VST mainly for Windows devices and AU for iOS software programs.
Within plugin and computer world you probably heard of 64 and 32 bit. 64-bit and 32-bit can be used on more occasions then only within plugins, for example, the operating system you’re using can be in 32-bit or 64-bit.
Why do you want to run 64-bit software and plugins? With running 64-bit it’s easier to run applications in very large sessions such as a music project.
64-bit operating and plugins can use more memory that will result in fewer crashes within your DAW.
More info on 32-bit or 64-bit? Read this article by Izotope.
ModulAir by Full Bucket Music
Polyphonic software synthesizer available in VST and macOS (VST/AU). Build for low consuming CPU usage. Please not this plugin is still in beta.
Wider by Polyverse Music
Easily transform a mono track to a stereo image on a single audio track with the Wider plugin.
DeEss by Airwindows
One of the best Dessers we used so far.
Youlean Loudness Meter 2 by Youlean
This plugin has everything that you don't expect from a free plugin. You can even export the visual spectrum to PDF, PNG and SVG. Used for loudness range, dynamic range an true peak mesurments.
How to install fl studio reg key mac. Dragonfly Reverb by Michael Willis
An open source plugin for iOS and Windows with advanced reverb options.
LABS by Spitfire Audio
Multiple presets that can create wonderful sounds that you would not find in every synth. Sounds as strings, synth pads, choir, charango, electric piano, amplified cello quartet, drums and a soft piano but then all in a very smooth way.
Temper by Creative Intent
A state if the art distortion plugin that can add a warm and edge to a sound. Available for Windows and Mac OS X.
SSD 5 Free by Steven Slate Drums
A version on Steven Slate SSD drums for free! Experience the quality for yourself and only if you like it, you are able to upgrade it.
Vocal Doubler by iZotope
A wonderful plugin to double vocals immediately! Don't waste time on copy and past vocals to a new channel, but just use the effect with a great visualisation.
Flutterbird
An open source effect plugin for pitch and volume fluctuation into incoming audio.
Surge
Subtractive hybrid synth with expensive functions for Windows and Mac.
VeeSeeVSTRack
A great open source virtual euro rack modular system.
TAL – Elek7ro
Virtual analogue synth with some unique features like oscillator hard sync and frequency modulation.
Ample Sound – Ample Bass P LITE II
A great quality bass guitar plugin! Digital Fender Precision Bass sound within your own studio.
Tytel — Helm Synth
Helm brings visualisation of synthesis to a new level with an inbuilt step sequencer and 3 LFO's you have extensive options to play with!
Tunefish 4
A virtual analogue synthesizer available in VST and AU.
1. Serum VST/AU
Serum was the most popular synth in 2018 used all over the world!
Price: $189
2. Massive VST
Already very popular for many years developed by Native Instruments, for soundscaping and EDM productions.
Price: $149
3. Omnisphere 2
Very popular within the hip-hop scene and other genres.
Price: €399
Made for: Ableton, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Cubase, Reason and ProTools!
The best things in life are free – we round up powerful synth plugins that won’t cost you a thing…
There are hundreds, if not thousands of VSTs out there, all with different shapes, sounds and price tags. Luckily for those on a budget, there are just as many free alternatives but like their paid-for pals, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and end up with a hard drive full of instruments and FX that you never use. We’re here to help with our round up of the best free synths you can download right now that will give any VST – free or otherwise – a solid run for their money.
Togu Audio Line are legends in the plugin world, having created a host of great plugins both free and paid-for. Their Juno-60 chorus emulator (now available in pedal format) is a firm fave of ours, while the TAL-Sampler emulates classic 12-bit samplers with amazing results. Pick of the bunch though is their TAL Bassline synth, an SH-101 clone that’s capable of some powerful low end and raspy filter FX. Grab it here.
Yamaha’s DX-7 was the sound of the ’80s, its FM tones gleaming and glistening across ballads, pop records and electronic music. It’s not only for re-creating Whitney, artists like Derrick Carter and Legowelt swear by the DX and FM sound. Dexed is a DX-7 clone plugin that re-creates the classic sound as well as giving owners of the real thing the chance to store and edit their own patches before sending them to the synth. You don’t need to own the hardware to download though, so get stuck in and re-create the authentic sound of the ’80s. Download it here.
U-he’s reputation for quality synths is up there with the best. Their paid-for offerings Diva, Zebra and Repro have all received rave reviews for their huge sound and powerful sound design options. Now you can get in on the action for free with their synth plugin Tyrell N6. /fl-studio-mobile-free-2019-android.html. Starting out as a project with German synth company Amazona, Tyrell ended up as something of a Juno-60 clone with some extra features thrown in. It’ll rival any major poly synth, in everything but price. Pick it up here.
Synth1 from Ichiro Toda became was one of the first ultra-popular freeware synths and despite it’s primitive GUI, is still used today. It models Clavia’s famous Nord Lead 2, a staple synth in thousands of electronic music records and – like most free synths – is optimised for the lightest CPU load possible. A great all rounder for pads and leads. Download it now.
Native Instruments’ Prism is part of their Komplete package and was created inside their modular software builder Reaktor. Based around what NI call a ‘Modal Bank’, it uses multiple resonators and filters to create otherworldly sounds and FX. Cut down from the full version, Mikro Prism is definitely the most unique on our list and is a good entry point to both Reaktor and NI as a whole. Grab it here.
Declan McGlynn is DJ Mag's Digital Tech Editor. Follow him on Twitter here: @holmesprice
Copyright Thrust Publishing Ltd. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.djmag.com as the source.