Best Free Software for Making Music

Ash · Dec 21, 2015

SBAudio Qontrolr VST/VST3 Plug-In x86 x64 For Windows

Qontrolr is a quality control plug-in. It features clipping distortion, decimation, fuzz, and static effects. It is intended to be used to create a lo-fi effect on either an entire track or a single instrument.
Download
Product page
More plugins at SBAudio

Ash · Dec 23, 2015

u-he Protoverb 1.0 for Mac & Win VST, AU & AAX
Protoverb is an experimental reverb based on the idea of a "room simulator".

Download Protoverb 1.0 Mac (AAX, AU & VST2)
Download Protoverb 1.0 Win (AAX & VST2)

More infos: U-he Protoverb

thantrax · Dec 29, 2015

Top 50 FREE VST 2015

Effects

TDR Nova ( VST/AU/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Limited-Z ( VST/AU/RTAS/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Sanford Reverb ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Code Red Free ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

MJUC jr. ( VST/AU/RTAS/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

A1TriggerGate ( VST/AU/RTAS/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

FuzzPlus 3 ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

CL36 ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Gravel ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

EQ1A ( VST/AU/RTAS/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Marauder ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

MBitFun ( VST/AU/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Defacer ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

The Canary ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

OverToner ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Svep ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

HY-Delay ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Bob Perry Gate ( VST | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

TAL-Reverb-4 ( VST/AU/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Qontrolr ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Instruments

Grace ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Alter/Ego ( VST/AU/RTAS | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Helm ( VST/AU/AAX | Win/Mac/Linux | 32-bit & 64-bit )

PG8X ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Charlatan 2.0 ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Eclipsis ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Cybermath ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Aegis ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Kern ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Marazmator ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

JuceOPLVSTi ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Quad Zamp ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Drumper 1 ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Anubis 2 ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Nero ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Ample Guitar M Lite II ( VST/AU/RTAS/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

XM2 ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

4 Tune ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

SUPER-7 ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Genobazz R Mono ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Utilities/MIDI

4U Blind Test ( VST/AU/RTAS/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

MiGiC ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Chordz ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Pecheneg Tremolo ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

dpMeter ( VST/AU/RTAS | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Muteomatic ( VST/AU/RTAS/AAX | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Haa5 ( VST/AU | Win/Mac | 32-bit & 64-bit )

DeHarsh ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

fx_cutter ( VST | Win | 32-bit )

Doppler Dome ( VST | Win | 32-bit & 64-bit )

Source

mild pump milk · Dec 29, 2015

Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Ultrasonic Filter
It filters highs above 20 kHz for sample-rates 88.2 and higher. Useful for aliasing reduction, which appears when using effects with non-linear distortions (saturators, exciters, compressors...) at high sample-rates. Less ultrasonic stuff, much warmer audible frequency range. Can be used after each FX instances on inserts, busses, sends, master-bus.

rs-met engineers filter
A lot of filter-types and filter controllers. Extremely high quality.

some other rs-met free stuff

vladg/sound
variety of sound
tokyo dawn labs
klanghelm mjuc jr.
reaplugs vst
Sonimus SonEQ
Sonalksis FreeG
some free stuff of Plugin Alliance, Voxengo, ToneBoosters, Noisebud, Togu Audio Line, Steinberg, DDMF, Blue Cat Audio, FLUX...

Last edited: Dec 29, 2015

superliquidsunshine · Dec 29, 2015

From Tokyo Dawn Labs about the Ultrasonic Filter...

I experimented with the Ultrasonic filter on a just-for-fun master at 96kHz. I had about 10 plugins in a chain (all producing harmonic distortion of various degrees, mainly Acustica Audio Aqua and Nebula instances) and smashed into Voxengo Elephant ridiculously hot (limiting up to 8dB at best). I inserted Ultrasonic filter first in the chain and then after (and thus before) each and every plugin, including after elephant (so actually after the limiting.. just before final dither). The difference is ASTONISHING!! It is so ridiculously obvious and much better with the filters than without. A truly mind-blowing “WTF???!!” experience for me. It basically removed a lot of problems I’ve identified in mixes and previous masters that had heavy processing with a lot of harmonics.. mainly that nasty build up of “ringing” around 2.3 to 4kHz area. It also cleared out the congested mids and lower mids.

This is a game changer for me. I will not do any more high resolution mastering without this filtering. Period. Heck, I will never mix at high resolution again without this plugin inserted all over the place

theDingus · Dec 30, 2015

TBProAudio releases sTilt, a linear phase filter which tilts the audio spectrum around a given center frequency.

Features:

adjustable slope from -6dB/Oct to +6dB/Oct

adjustable center frequency

3 quality modes: eco, high, max

linear/zero phase filter design

switchable clip protection

sample exact A/B comparison

large and easy to use GUI

System Requirements:

Windows XP or newer

Mac OS X 10.5 or newer

Win: 32/64 Bit VST, 32/64 Bit VST3, 32 Bit RTAS

OS X: 32/64 Bit VST, 32/64 Bit VST3, 32/64 Bit AU, 32 Bit RTAS

Tested with: Cockos Reaper, Steinberg Cubase/Nuendo/Wavelab 6/7/8, FL Studio 12.x

sTilt is available for FREE

Update to 1.0.1: PDC fix, should fix latency issues in Cubase
Update to 1.1.0: Added unit autogain
Update to 1.2.0: Added Quality Eco and Medium, Low is now really low quality

sTilt V1.2.0 Win Setup | Manual - Win XP Sp3+, 32/64Bit DAW
sTilt V1.2.0 OSX Setup | Manual - OSX 10.5+, 32/64Bit DAW

More INFO: TBProAudio | sTilt

Last edited: Dec 30, 2015

Jay Weed · Jan 4, 2016

old school shred said: ↑

If you want to see what has come out recently in the way of free vst's this guys site archives them in a monthly format and he presents them on a quick to scroll and read page so its easier to check things out. The link above is for December of 2014 here is the current list of monthly archives.

Another site that does this is the bedroom producers blog and he creates an ongoing list of new releases but he takes several pages to do so and if you're in a hurry to check the new releases to see if you missed anything his format is for sure a lot slower to browse through but he may be more thorough in finding stuff nobody else has. categorized VST and VSTI etc News on latest releases

MY TOP FAVORITE FREE VSTI that I have not seen mentioned yet or links provided to directly

Many of these will take J Bridge to work but another option could be to rewire to reaper with the synth loaded in reaper since the bridging in Reaper is better than what I enjoy in my main DAW.
Charlatan http://www.blaukraut.info/
Lokomotiv http://www.kvraudio.com/product/lokomotiv-by-archetype-instruments
Mausynth http://rinki.net/pekka/mausynth/
Tube Ohm Antitranspirant and M Phasewave http://www.tubeohm.com/TubeOhm/Products.html
Mono/Fury, Ragnarok, Deputy, Nabla http://www.fullbucket.com/music/vst.html
OBXD https://obxd.wordpress.com/
skins for lots of synths at flavors of lime http://flavoursoflime.blogspot.com/ Especially needed for oatmeal and voyager
Oatmeal http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=133930 the official oatmeal site is down but this thread has a few download links for oatmeal.
PG8X https://sites.google.com/site/mlvst0/ Martin is working on upgrading to version 2 and a thread at KVR has a link to the beta if your interested. Add delay and reverb to this baby and you are getting a commercial quality vsti. http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=310856&start=1185 scroll down to look for a drop box link to the latest beta that is mentioned in this thread.
Prodigious ( based on a moog prodigy and my favorite free lead synth to shred on ) and Poly 2106 plus a ton of fx is hosted for the now defunct synthscience here http://www.vst4free.com/index.php?dev=Synthescience&l=10
Voyager http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?id=383 also hosted there as well and it rocks be sure to look around for some extra banks online this synth is commercial quality just like several mentioned here.
Enzyme Lite version http://www.humanoidsoundsystems.com/
M THEORY ETC by UGO http://www.ugoaudio.com/index.php/vst-plugins
________________________________________

For FX go here and view the list of vst's that KVR recommends for their one synth competition and if you do want to compete and participate in this competition you are only allowed to use free FX or those that come with your daw. They limit the choice of synth to one synth and every month they see who gets the most votes and award prizes to the winner who writes the most popular composition.https://sites.google.com/site/kvrosc/recommended-plugins

Tape Stop http://www.vstplanet.com/News/14/Tape-Stop-VST-free-effect-plug-in.htm
________________________________________
TOOLS and the use of good safe practices to prevent yourself from having computer problems.

Note: It sometimes makes sense to avoid certain free synths and FX since you won't have to go to the trouble to uninstall the lite versions of synths you might later on be able to get full commercial versions of. I would avoid these free synths to save you the trouble of having to uninstall them later on unless you just want their lite versions. Now if you read below there is an exception if you can use REVO to install them.

These might be synths you would want to try normally that I personally would avoid because I would want the full version and not have to deal with the problem of uninstalling them :Sampletank FREE, The free stuff from Native Instruments, Synthmaster player, AAS Swatches, XILS LAB Poly KB II CM and XILS 3 CM/ BE, Dune BE/ CM, Aalto BE/ CM (magware) ALSO STW REFLEX free it is cool but I looked around and found its big brother the pro version at you know where so try it out if you want, its an awesome delay but now I personally will need to uninstall the free version to put the pro version on my system< Better safe than sorry. Another free vsti is the older version of GSI VB3 called Organized Trio but I know where to get the full version free so not wise to do that either.

REVO RELATED INFO.
Now if you install these free versions you might want to use revo uninstaller to install them as it will then keep a log of every file that program installed including the registry keys that the program places in your registry and then when you do want to uninstall it REVO will be able to get it all easily and accurately so no hidden file will be left behind to cause you trouble when you do get around to installing a non legit version of the more robust full version that would otherwise cost you a load of cash.

You can always use tracer in REVO to trace a new re-install to discover the places the installer puts files but to me using revo to install sounds like a good thing to do. A sand box program like sandboxie might make sense as well to protect your computer from viruses and spyware if you are worried a lot about that. I think our favorite place to shop around the net for software is fairly well trouble free in that regard though, at least it will be if we are all careful and work to keep it that way
(KNOCK ON WOOD)

Short article on how to use Revo.It includes a link to revo as well

HOST FILE RELATED RESOURCES
Then I will also use some tools to help me manage my host file which I will share the link to because it is freeware. http://www.abelhadigital.com/hostsman more host file related goodness

FIREWALL RELATED STUFF
And then I will use my windows firewall extension to create new rules for any and all exe files that wish to try to call home and I can either do that manually or just set the firewall to routinely block files that try to communicate with servers like automatic updates and when they try to call home make windows firewall block it and ask me what to do, I can then wither allow it or choose to block it and whatever I do creates a rule to block or approve any communiques that are made by that exe etc.

For manual method to block an exe file go here. video 1 on youtube video 2 on youtube

FREE Software that extends the functionality of windows firewall to block and then notify you of exe's that are trying to call home.

cool page with solutions to lots of computer problems and tools to prevent problems. Another similar site
Click to expand...

Good advice on doing the things we need to do to protect our systems. Just got me a new one and getting back into things again after taking off most of last year from playing and recording.

I had microcenter build mine out for me and all they charged was $129 to build it and install the OS, I just bought the parts and gave them to them to build it, of course I bought most of the parts from them anyway. I put everything in a cooler master cube style case. A desktop is way more powerful than a laptop if you go for 6 core intel processors and 32 gigs of ram.

2 things we need in a desk top: 1. It has hand grips like a marshall cabinet so its a lot easier to carry around, and 2. hot swappable drive bays in the front for doing quick swaps of hard drives.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...j4YN2W7Df_NEaAim88P8HAQ&is=REG&ap=y&A=details

Jay Weed · Jan 4, 2016

this is capable of doing on the run by pink floyd guys. Here is the toot on that

http://kx77free.free.fr/English-page.html
here is the site to download it from. Of course he has many others you can use as well.

thantrax · Jan 13, 2016

HY-Plugins HY-Lofi Distortion

bit quantizer + waveshaper + filter (More info here)

Description:

Quantizer:
2 quantize modes available
Mode1 = normal mode
Mode2 = in this mode, quantize error appears at higher frequency
Quality = quantize quality(you can reduce or increase quantize error)
Bit Knob = bit depth value

Drive:
Drive Knob = drive amount
Shaping menu = there are 3 waveshape modes(“–” is bypass)

Filter:
HP = cutoff frequency of highpass
LP = cutoff frequency of lowpass

Output:
Vol = output volume

thantrax · Jan 24, 2016

LVLMeter 1.1 by lsraudio.com

LVLMeter is a VU meter plugin for VST, AU and RTAS hosts on Mac and Windows.

Stereo

Vintage VU-meters

0dB VU calibration from -24dBFS to 0 dBFS

32 bits and 64 bits versions

Peaks marker

DDL link (log-in required)

Ash · Jan 30, 2016

HY-Plugins Hy-Filter
Filter effect VST plug-in for Windows (32- and 64-bit)

4 filter modes:

SVF: state variable filter. (LP, BP, HP).

Formant: formant filter.

Telephone: telephone line filter.

Comb: comb filter.

HY-Filter 32/64
Product page

Ash · Jan 30, 2016

Chokehold.net Sean Pandy Drums
Drum rompler plugin with Kick, Snare, 4 Toms - and a Sub Blower that will do exactly as its name suggests.

VST/AU plugin formats for Windows and Mac OS based hosts.

More details: Chokehold.net

thantrax · Feb 2, 2016

sugaraudio.de Oscarizor v1.0 Free

„This oscillator has already helped us many times in our DAW projects to exactly adjust our compressors and transient controllers.” – Sugar Audio

Oscarizor, a freeware oscilloscope (32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU plugin format for Windows & Mac OS) plugin for DAW. A commercial Pro version of the plugin is also available, offering more features and multi-channel support.

The free version of Oscarizor, although limited in terms of available features when compared to the Pro version, is actually a fully functional and very usable freeware oscilloscope plugin in its own right. It doesn’t come with an annoying nag screen, nor does it feature any other aggressive limitations like noise bursts, timeouts, and such.

DDL links WIN | MAC

Source

Last edited: Feb 2, 2016

Ash · Feb 6, 2016

DeeSpeaker Monitor Simulator / VST & AU plug-in

DeeSpeaker is a plugin which simulates near-field speaker that are placed at an angle of 45 degrees to 1m destination with a headphone.

DeeSpeaker synthesizes the sound as it is generated from real monitor speaker in a good settings, as well as the reflections sounds in studio, by advanced filter processing and phase processing.

Latest version is 1.0.0.
For Windows (ZIP 32bit/64bit)
For MacOSX (ZIP 32bit/64bit)
For Audio Unit (ZIP 32bit/64bit)
Download the manual(PDF) English

Dotec Audio

Ash · Feb 10, 2016

Prime Studio Charly Summing Amp Plugin
A classic summing amp heavily modified and customized to their specifications by one of Europe’s leading gear gurus. Meticulously measured now available in the digital domain too. Add air, punch and sticky glue to flavor your tracks with analog warmth and character just using one big knob.

32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU plugin format for Windows & Mac OS

email subscription required (at the bottom of the site)
Prime Studio

Ash · Feb 17, 2016

Adam Szabo Phazor
plugin for both 32 and 64-bit on MAC and PC.

Phazor emulates the phaser effect found in the Virus synthesizers, which help make its characteristic sound. Every control has been carefully adjusted. It has selectable 1 to 6 stage all-pass filters controlled by an LFO, with spread and feedback controls.

Adam Szabo | Phazor

Ash · Feb 19, 2016

Ignite Amps PTEq-X Vintage Tube Equalizer
32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU plugin format for Windows & Mac OS

It is a vintage tube program equalizer, combining 3 passive EQs, carefully emulated through advanced filtering and tube simulation algorithms. PTEq-X is the evolution of the Ignite Amps previously released PTEq-1a plug-in.

Win VST 32 bit | Win VST 64 bit
Mac AU Universal | Mac VST Universal

Ignite Amps | PTEq-X

thantrax · Feb 22, 2016

Voxengo SPAN v2.10

More info here (+ DDL links)

thantrax · Mar 1, 2016

HY-Plugins HY-Phaser Free

It is a phaser effect plugin; some of parameters can be controlled by envelope follower for windows (32 & 64-bit).

DDL links 32-bit | 64-bit & info

Oysters · Mar 9, 2016

Here is a good temporary one-
Get UVI Digital Synsations for free until March 13th 2016 :-D
Use this link, add to cart, then use the code FREEDS at checkout.
Digital Synsations normally retails for $199 pre tax.

Similar Threads - Best Free Software	Forum	Date
Best of Black November & 5 FREEbies \| Music Software Sales November 2022 – Deal Compressor Show	Software News	Nov 20, 2022
KOALA Sampler (Windows Alpha) : Best free standalone software sampler	Software	Mar 6, 2022
BEST OF BLACK FREE DAY FREE \| Sample Libraries, Sample Packs, VSTS, Kontakt Instruments	Software News	Nov 17, 2024
BEST OF BLACK FREE DAY FREE \| Sample Libraries, Sample Packs, VSTS, Kontakt Instruments	Software News	Nov 10, 2024
I made a list of the best free unconventional and weird plugins	Software	Feb 8, 2024

Best Free Software for Making Music

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

thantrax Audiosexual

mild pump milk Russian Milk Drunkard

superliquidsunshine Guest

theDingus Audiosexual

Jay Weed Ultrasonic

Jay Weed Ultrasonic

thantrax Audiosexual

thantrax Audiosexual

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

thantrax Audiosexual

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

thantrax Audiosexual

thantrax Audiosexual

Oysters Audiosexual

PROFESSIONAL AUDIO LOVERS

Best Free Software for Making Music

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

thantrax Audiosexual

mild pump milk Russian Milk Drunkard

superliquidsunshine Guest

theDingus Audiosexual

Jay Weed Ultrasonic

Jay Weed Ultrasonic

thantrax Audiosexual

thantrax Audiosexual

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

thantrax Audiosexual

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

Ash Rock Star

thantrax Audiosexual

thantrax Audiosexual

Oysters Audiosexual

Useful Searches