1. Get the 200 best free VST plugins ever made. From synth VSTs and drum VSTs to VST effects, this huge list has only the best of the best plugins.
2. ValhallaDSP’s ValhallaPlate is a plate reverb plugin, as the name suggests. Plate reverb is good for use with many different instruments as well as vocals, so that is why I have included it as being one of the best plugins. ValhallaPlate uses 12 different algorithms to emulate the sound of steel plate reverbs.
3. CamelCrusher is a free VST (!) featuring two different distortion tones (which can be used separately or blended together), a silky smooth low-pass filter and user-friendly compressor. All of these options combine to make CamelCrusher a go-to VST for all situations and a great place to get started with distortion on any project.
4. With so many plugins available, it can be challenging to sort the good from the bad. I’m going to provide you with an overview of 25 of the best VST plugins on the market to help point you in the right direction. This list contains some of the best sound design plugins, audio editing plugins, mixing plugins, and mastering plugins available.
5. The best free VST plugins 2020: must-have freeware synths, drum machines and effects By Si Truss ( Computer Music, Future Music, emusician ) 20 November 2020 Make music for nothing with our pick of the finest free sound makers and processors.

Wavosaur VST Speek VST Speek is a free vocal synthesis VST plugin for recreating the old skool robotic text to speech we all know and love. Choose a preset, type any text and hear it back in a classic robotic tone. Logically, the plugin is great for EDM genres, but because of all the features that this little VST somehow manages to hold, LFOTool is great for a lot of genres. It’s also very affordable and this should peak the interests of those that might want to start doing some exploring in the EDM realm.

Ever since the VST first made its way into the music production world, VST instruments dramatically increased the capabilities of DAWs.

It’s truly incredible how this technology that remains relatively unchanged from its first versions in the late 90s, continues to shape modern music production as we know.

There are 1000s of VST instruments on the market today, including some great free ones.

But freeware plugins can only take you so far. The top tone tools for music production are still commercial products that come with a price tag.

When it comes to paid synth plugins, knowing where to put your money is hard. Which is why LANDR now offers rent-to-own plugins—to bring you the tools you need at affordable prices.

With all the options out there, it doesn’t have to be scary or expensive if you’re able to pick the best synth plugin that’s right for your music production needs.

Let’s take a look at VST instruments that are responsible for iconic tracks and sounds you can’t get anywhere else.

Here’s the essential list of the best VST instruments and synth plugins

1. Lethal Audio
2. Spectrasonics Omnisphere
3. Xfer Serum
4. Native Instruments Massive
5. Native Instruments FM8
6. Arturia V Collection
7. Native Instruments Kontakt 6
8. Reveal Sound Spire
9. u-he Hive
10. REFX Nexus 2

Use this list to choose the best synth plugins from the cream of the crop.

1. Lethal Audio Lethal

Price: $199

Lethal by Lethal Audio is a ROM based powerhouse that includes thousands of sounds and presets and 24 genre-specific expansions.

It’s also the first rent-to-own plugin from LANDR…

We know, we know: we’re a bit biased. But we had to put it first on this list because we’ve been enjoying it so much in our own productions lately.

Lethal by Lethal Audio is a ROM based powerhouse that includes thousands of sounds and presets 24 genre-specific expansions.

This soft synth puts some of the most in-demand tones in modern production right at your fingertips with it’s easy to use preset browser.

From there’s plenty of room to sculpt them with effects and powerful synthesis features.

Plus its light enough on your processor that you can create an entire track using just Lethal.

If you’re looking for simplicity and great value, Lethal is the perfect synth for you.

2. Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Price: $499 USD

Spectrasonics Omnisphere is one of the biggest names in software synthesizers. This massively powerful instrument packs an almost overwhelming amount of functionality.

There’s so much going on under the hood in Omnisphere that it might be a little intimidating to new users.

But there’s a super helpful community around this synth to guide you on your journey—and plenty of resources available if you’re feeling stuck.

If all else fails you could get lost in the sheer number of presets and discover some incredible sounds without ever once needing to do any tweaking.

Omnisphere is a powerful experience!

Omnisphere is a powerful experience!

3. Xfer Serum

Price: $189 USD

Xfer Serum is usually next on the list of the most essential soft synths.

Serum is a wavetable synthesizer. Unlike the hardware synths of the past that rely on wavetable technology, Serum has no processing limitations—and it shows.

Serum’s wavetable tech is incredibly powerful. Even for simple waveforms, its expertly implemented wavetables sound ultra-clear and clean.

This gives the synth a crisp and clean sound that can be quite intense!

4. Native Instruments Massive

Price: $149 USD

Native Instruments’ Massive has been around since the early days of softsynths, but it’s an all-time favourite for a reason.

This synth is designed to make basses. Massive basses—and it works.

Its easy to use virtual-analog subtractive design will seem familiar and intuitive, even to new users.

Its extremely fat sound has defined a generation of producers and continues to be a great option for plugin synthesis.

Hot Tip: Massive has just received a significant update with NI Massive X.

Massive X is an entirely new synth plugin reimagined from the ground up to bring the classic VST into the modern era of music production. It just might end up being more legendary than the original!

5. Native Instruments FM8

Price: $149 USD

Native Instruments FM8 is another longtime favourite soft synth from the classic plugin manufacturer.

FM8 uses frequency modulation synthesis like the iconic Yamaha DX-7 that defined the sound of the 80s.

FM8 uses frequency modulation synthesis like the iconic Yamaha DX-7 that defined the sound of the 80s.

This method can seem complicated, but FM8 focuses on putting all the control you need at your fingertips.

Plus, FM8 takes FM synthesis much further than classic hardware.

All the delicate, crystalline bells and keys you might associate with FM are there, along with all kinds of inspiring new sounds and textures—FM is cool!

6. Arturia V Collection

Price: 499$

The Arturia V Collection is truly incredible because it gives you access to a library of legendary vintage synths.

It’s hard to express just how incredible it is that you can download and emulate genre-defining synths like the CS-80 or the ARP 2600.

Having access to a literal library of classic synths opens up your production capabilities to levels that producers of eras past could only dream about.

7. Native Instruments Kontakt 6

Price: $519

Kontakt 6 is a collection of sample-based instruments from Native Instruments.

It’s essentially a platform that plugs into your DAW and gives you access to its three Play Series synths, Retro Machines MK2 and its original Factory Library.

The Play Series synths come with three synth engines—Analog Dreams for classic analog-style synths, Ethereal Earth for atmospheric pads and Hybrid Keys for interesting Rhodes style sounds.

Retro Machines is Native Intstruments’ retro synth offering that gives access to 16 re-creations of classic vintage hardware.

And of course, the Factory Libary comes with 1000s of stock samples you can freely use in your tracks.

8. Reveal Sound Spire

Price: $189 USD

Reveal Sound Spire is a hybrid synthesizer that covers everything from analog modelling to “HardFM.”

Spire’s powerful unison modes allow for up to 9 unison voices per oscillator

And its internal effects system is like a built-in sound design tool, complete with its own LFOs and matrix slots.

Onboard mixing tools like EQ and compression make Spire a one-stop-shop for designing tones that work great in a mix.

9. u-he Hive

Price: €149 Euro

u-he Hive is a sleek and lightweight multipurpose synth with tons of functionality. Hive’s effective workflow can get you started creating great sounding patches right away.

It’s ability to support microtunings and unique mix of synthesis styles makes it unique and it’s extensive modulation matrix and function generators make it flexible.

But at heart Hive is a two oscillator subtractive synth. That means that even if you’re still getting comfortable with the basics of synthesis, there’s nothing here you can’t handle.

10. REFX Nexus2

Price: $249 USD

REFX Nexus2 is another ROM based plugin with an extensive library that’s fully loaded for EDM production.

Nexus has made its way into the studios of some pretty big names, but the sound quality speaks for itself.

Nexus has made its way into the studios of some pretty big names, but the sound quality speaks for itself.

Nexus is expandable via a huge amount of downloadable content and expansions on REFX for every style of music.

Synthetica

Synthesizer plugins are one of the most exciting parts of digital music production.

No matter what sound you’re chasing, there’s a soft synth out there that will help you get it.

These are the best synth plugins to check out next time you’re GAS-ing for a powerful new plugin to add to your arsenal.

In the world of digital music production, there’ a whole universe of VST plugins to choose from.

Most VSTs are really good at one thing, or suited for a specific genre. But there’s a select few out there that are total workhorses. How to install vst plugins in garageband.

They do a lot of things really well no matter what your project sounds like.

The VSTs on this list offer heaps of possibilities in a single plugin.

Whether you’re making sweeping ambient drones, experimental prog rock or wall-shaking techno, you’ll find yourself coming back to these plugins track after track—no matter what genre you’re working in.

Here’s our 7 favourite versatile VST plugins that belong in every production toolbox.

Massive by Native Instruments

Massive is (rightfully) described as a ‘sonic monster’.

It’s an unbeatable synthesizer for basslines and leads. There’s over 1300 presets to choose from and an easy-to-use browser that sorts presets by type and characteristics.

Even though Massive has become known as a popular VST for dubstep and EDM producers, one look through the enormous and diverse library of presets shows that this plugin can do a lot more than create wobble bass effects.

One look through the enormous and diverse library of presets shows that this plugin can do a lot.

Each preset has 8 customizable macro controls to allow you to dramatically change the sound of each preset, and if that wasn’t enough, you can also go in and alter any of the 3 oscillators or their filters and envelopes to further shape your sound. With so much room for customization, you can tweak almost any sound in the plugin to suit your personal preference and work across a variety of genres.

Even though Massive shines for window-shattering basslines, it also has a huge selection of beautiful soundscapes and pads for those softer passages, making it one of the most versatile and widely used VSTs on the market.

NI Massive: $149 USD

Serum by Xfer Records

What makes this synth really special is the ability to import your own recorded audio or outside samples—making the possibilities truly endless and versatile for any project.

Serum is a 2 oscillator wavetable synthesizer with fully user-editable wavetables. What makes this synth really special is the ability to import your own recorded audio or outside samples—making the possibilities truly endless and versatile for any project.
Serum also features a Remap Mode, which allows for you to draw your own wavetables and customize the presets or your own imported audio.

The effect rack also includes 10 different modules making this synth even more useful than most synth VSTs.

Xfer Records Serum: $189 USD

Decapitator by Soundtoys

When it comes to saturation effect plugins, Decapitator shows up in a ton of top lists—And for good reason…

With 5 different analogue saturation models, Decapitator lets you create subtle, extreme, or anywhere-in-between hardware-modelled saturation.

With 5 different analogue saturation models, Decapitator lets you create subtle, extreme, or anywhere-in-between hardware-modelled saturation.

Decapitator’s tone control allows you to shape your sound how you want it, and it’s mix control allows you to blend in dry signal without the need to use routing and sub-mixes.

The flexibility of this VST makes it the perfect choice for adding character to every instrument in your mix, no matter what those instruments might be.

Soundtoys Decapitator: $199 USD

Toraverb by D16 Group

When the engineers at D16 Group set out to create Toraverb, they wanted to make a reverb VST that was unlike any other. Marketed as a ‘concept algorithm reverb’, Toraverb has easily accessible parameters for creating your own type of reverb—forget your classic room, hall, etc.

Toraverb has two independent, single band parametric equalizers, one for early and one for late EQ reflections—a feature that allows for full user control.

Toraverb sounds lovely when used on pads, synths, and guitars, but also adds depth to rhythmic patterns.

Because the sound shaping in Toraverb is so flexible and high-quality, it’s useful on any component in your track — it sounds lovely when used on pads, synths, and guitars, but also adds depth to rhythmic patterns.

D16 Group Toraverb: $39 USD

CamelCrusher by Camel Audio

CamelCrusher is a free VST (!) featuring two different distortion tones (which can be used separately or blended together), a silky smooth low-pass filter and user-friendly compressor. All of these options combine to make CamelCrusher a go-to VST for all situations and a great place to get started with distortion on any project.

CamelCrusher will beef up any component of your track—but where it really shines is on drums of all types. The infamous ‘Phat Mode’ ensures your kick will cut through even the most heavily-distorted basslines.

CamelCrusher will beef up any component of your track—but where it really shines is on drums of all types.

Unfortunately the company that created CamelCrusher, Camel Audio, does not exist anymore, but CamelCrusher is still available for free here.

Camel Audio’s Camel Crusher: Free!

Movement by Output

Movement features over 300 presets and allows you input any sound, instrument, or track—making it the swiss-army knife for effects.

Other highlights of the plugin include analogue modelled effects, 76 modulation knobs, and state-of-the-art sidechain modulation which allows you to modulate up to 38 parameters using a single input source.

Movement features over 300 presets and allows you input any sound, instrument, or track—making it the swiss-army knife for effects.

Movement also allows you to adjust your sound in realtime using Movement’s XY macro pad, which lets you to control up to 152 parameters at the same time.

These features and more let you completely transform any instrument or track, making it an invaluable tool for any producer.

Output Movement: $149 USD

MXXX by Melda Productions

MXXX is pricey but worth it…

It gives you every Melda Productions effect (all 94!) in a simple, user-friendly interface. Echo, reverb, delay, distortion, compression, saturation, flanger—I mean everything.

This VST has more than 70 processors and over 500 active presets, each with their own set of processors and controls allowing you to completely customize and create new sounds.

This VST has more than 70 processors and over 500 active presets, each with their own set of processors and controls.

An especially impressive feature of this VST is the automatic routing matrix: Insert any of the FX processors and the VST will do the routing for you by putting inputs and outputs in the most probable locations. This of course is fully editable, but is definitely a nice feature.

The folks over at Melda Productions really put together the complete package with MXXX that is sure to please everyone.

Melda Productions MXXX: $1218 USD

Ready for Anything

With an overwhelming selection of VSTs available on the market, it can be hard to know where to even start.

Best Free Vst Plugins Of All Time

By choosing VSTs that can do a lot for you you’ll get the most bang for your buck.

Best Free Vst Plugin

Having a small but solid collection of plugins that can adapt to different tracks, instruments and genres will help you have an effective workflow as a producer, and your RAM will probably thank you too.