Top Ten Vst Plugins 2018
The world of free VST plugins is huge and can be a bit overwhelming. You can download and install them all, but which ones are really worth downloading?
- The only thing really missing, in my opinion, is extra effects and an arpeggiator. But you can always use separate plugins for that, DAW-included or purchased. All in all, a great, easy and powerful synth for electronic music production. See Article: Top 10 VST/AU Plugin Synths (2020) 4.
- SimpleSide is a volume automation plugin developed by Armando Montanez.
- Top 20 Free Vst Plugins (Ultimate Collection 2018). Or Virtual Studio Technology, resembles a chronicle studio inside your PC.
- If you’re looking for a VST that can act as your whole arsenal of reverb plugins, and you don’t care about the price, then check out Audio Ease Altiverb 7. You have a plethora of music spaces, vintage reverb gear, experimental responses, stage positionings, musical gates and delays, and brightness and chaos controls to mess around with.
Best VST Plugins 2018 December 6, 2018 December 18, 2018 Raz Klinghoffer Audio, Music Production VST Plugins It’s been a while since I posted about my top VST Plugins (my last post was 2015), so I think it’s time I update my list. VST (Virtual Studio Technology) is a software plug-in format developed by Steinberg. These plug-ins generally come in one of three types: instruments, audio processors, or midi processors. They are among the most ubiquitous plug-in formats, and are what most people refer to when the term “software plug-in” is discussed.
I have used many free plugins over the past years and decided to post my personal favorites. They are in a random order so make sure you check them all.
TDR Nova
TDR Nova: Free EQ VST
TDR Nova is a parallel dynamic equalizer with an easy to use interface. The analyzer shows you exactly what your changes are doing. Besides the 4 bands it also has a low pass filter, a high pass filter and you can apply compression on each band separately or on the total output.
Tokyo Dawn Records also provides a paid version called the Gentleman’s Edition with more bands and more options. The free version already offers a lot and is definitely a must have.
A1StereoControl
The A1StereoControl plugin allows you to expand or limit the stereo width of your single mixer channels or the master output. The plugin has a clear and clean interface so even starting producers can work with this plugin with ease.
The Safe Bass mode deserves a special notification. In this mode all the bass frequencies below an adjustable frequency are set to mono. This makes it an ideal plugin for mastering tracks that you want to use in clubs.
Brainworx Cleansweep V2
Brainworx Cleansweep v2 Free Filter VST
The Cleansweep V2 of Brainworx is a nice plugin to clean up your mix. Every song needs its filters and the Cleansweep is one of the best free filter plugins out there. It allows you to set the knobs exactly how you want with your mouse wheel or you can just type in the exact value you want.
So, if you are looking for a great and free filter plugin, search no more.
Flux BitterSweet V3
Transient designers are very commonly used plugins for drums. The BitterSweet V3 plugin of Flux is one of the best free transient designers you will find. To amplify the transients amplitude turn the big knob to bitter. If you want to decrease the transients amplitude simply turn it to the sweet side.
The plugin has three different processing modes.
* Main: using a regular stereo signal scheme for the processing.
Best Professional Vst Plugins
* Center: processing the Mid channel only, very efficient for snare and kick drums.
* Stereo: processing the Side channel only, very efficient for panned rhythmic/transient instruments.
Sonimus SonEQ
Sonimus Free EQ VST
The Sonimus SonEQ is the second EQ of this list. This one is a three band EQ, low mid and high. And it has a high pass and low pass filter. It also has a pre-amp section with a bass booster.
The input, output and drive knobs give you some nice saturation control. A higher level of the input control provides more saturation while the output control can be used to compensate the output level.
Izotope Vinyl
There are many vinyl type plugins but iZotope’s Vinyl is my favorite. It can give your tracks that vinyl feel you are looking for. Especially useful if you want to create some old school Hip Hop tracks.
Download this free plugin and play with the slides and knobs to see what kind of feel you can create for your track. You will not be disappointed!
Illformed TapeStop
Illformed Tapestop Free VST
Illformed is providing their older plugins as a package for free. This package includes Glitch 1.3, Crusher, Stretch and TapeStop. TapeStop being my favorite one.
This plugin gives you a tape stop effect to apply on a single source or the master output. You can adjust the stopping speed with the slowdown knob and when the trigger knob gets above 0.50 it will trigger the tape stop. A nice plugin to have some fun with and to generate some crazy sounds!
Ohm Force Frohmage
Ohm Force’s Frohmage is not just a lowpass filter. It combines filtering with some other great features like distortion and delay. This way you can make some amazing filter sweeps but also heavily distort the sounds. Applying delay on each band will give you the opportunity to create some unique phaser effects.
Download this plugin at the Ohm Force website to see what it can do for your productions.
Camel Audio CamelCrusher
Camel Audio CamelCrusher Free Filter VST Free vst eq with presets.
One of the best free plugins is the Camel Audio CamelCrusher. It provides three easy to use effects that can be blended together to suit your desires. The distortion has two types that can be mixed together. The filter is a warm souding lowpass filter and the compressor lets you phatten your sounds with just one knob.
If you download this plugin there are presets included but you can also adjust the settings yourself or simply hit the randomize button.
Sanford Reverb
Of course the list is not complete without a reverb plugin. And this is easily one of the best free plugins you can find, the Sanford Reverb. It is out there since 2009, but free since 2015.
This plugin comes with great presets but feel free to play with the knobs for some amazing results. When I started using this plugin I especially loved the early reflections and freeze mode. With these two features you can create your own unique reverbs for all kinds of purposes and genres. Definitely check out the website of Leslie Sanford for this plugin.
Note: This reverb plugin is also featured in our list of 5 best free reverb plugins!
Time to update your producer toolkit.
There’s no shortage of innovative VST plugins out there right now. The hardest part is picking from the thousands of available ones.
Don’t worry, we got your back. We’ve hand-picked a selection of plugins to make it easier for you. Oh, and they’re free!
The theme of this selection is effects – they’ll give your mix that extra crunch, oomph or whah.
Here are 10 free VST effects plugins that’ll add flavour to your sound:
1. Best free echo VST: Valhalla Freq Echo
The Freq Echo is a frequency shifter with analog echo emulation. My personal favourite.
It adds chorus, phasing and flanger effects. Go ahead and create some wild glissandos and runaway echos.
It’s great for dub and psychedelic effects. Use it for beefing up basslines.
If you’re a fan of electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire you’ll love it.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU in 32 and 64-bit, AAX 64-bit, RTAS).
Download it here.
2. Best free fuzz VST: FuzzPlus3
Here’s the updated FuzzPlus distortion VST pedal emulation from Audio Damage.
The central knob is the fuzz distortion. There’s also a Korg MS-20 style low-pass filter. And you can feedback the signal for some extra juice.
Amazing on synths and drums for meaty, distorted effects.
Use the presets or save your own.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/VST3/AU 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
3. Best free EQ VST: MH Thump
MH Thump adds low end to your track. It recreates that nice thump you get on a vintage TR-808 drum machine.
It’s an audio processor that analyzes an audio input – say your drum track. Then it synthesizes a low frequency signal to add some body.
There are two independent oscillators and many knobs for fine-tuned control.
Go ahead and beef up those beats!
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit)
Download it here.
4. Best free bitcrusher VST: Krush
Krush is a very interesting bit crusher VST.
It creates that crunchy digital bit reduction effect. But it can also imitate a warmer analog effect with the drive and resonant filter.
If there can be such a thing: the Krush is a very elegant bit crusher.
The Dry and Wet faders allow you to play with how much of original signal and the effect you want.
The modulations can be free form or synced to a rate of your choice. Save and recall presets easily.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit)
Download it here.
5. Best free overdrive VST: Mercuriall Tube Screamer 808
Meet the Mercuriall Tube Screamer 808 – your new overdrive VST effect plugin.
It’s modeled after the holy grail of tube screamers: the Ibanez TS-808 pedal.
Make your guitar sounds grungier. Flip between the TS-808 and MOD modes with the metal switch.
MOD will give you a slightly darker sound.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
6. Best free tremolo VST: Pecheneg Tremolo
The Pecheneg is a tremolo VST effect. It gives you the power to create rhythmic modulations with your sound.
The Tempo section allows you to play the frequency either by selecting a Note or a Frequency.
Just like when you use LFOs, the Pecheneg Tremolo allows you to change the wave shape.
This effect will improve the groove of your track. It’ll give life to your synth or bassline.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU 32 and 64-bit)
Download it here.
7. Best free chorus VST: TAL Chorus -LX
TAL‘s stereo Chorus-LX is inspired by the Roland Juno-60 chorus. It’s a simple but powerful chorus VST.
It has two different modes (I and II) that you can use separately or together.
Select how much of the effect you want with the Wet/Dry knob.
Use it to give some grit and body to your bass or synth line.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
8. Best free EQ VST: TDR Nova
The TDR Nova is a four-band dynamic Equalizer (EQ). A true workhorse.
It allows you to make a drum track crisper or boost certain frequencies as needed.
Any producer needs a bread and butter EQ VST. This is the one.
It has a built-in spectrum analyzer for precise EQing.
It’s also got a preset manager, A/B comparison, undo/redo functions and more.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
9. Best free reverb VST: Protoverb 1.0
The Protoverb 1.0 by U-He is a different kind of reverb VST.
The coolest thing about the Protoverb is that you can generate random settings and save the ones you like.
The spirit of this plugin is trial and error – we like that. It encourages users to share their favourite settings from a button on the plugin.
Compatible with Mac OS, Windows and Linux (VST/VST2/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
10. Best free panning VST: PanCake 2
Last but not least: the most flexible panning VST effect you’ll ever find.
PanCake 2 lets you manually draw the curves of your panning modulation. You can also generate one randomly.
It’s easy to use and very visual. The LFO in the PanCake 2 can be synced to your DAW.
Pan your sounds sharply for dramatic effects. Pan them smoothly for subtle variations.
Compatible with Mac OS or Windows (VST/AU in 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
Spice up your mix
Top Ten Vst Plugins 2018 Free
A mix can go from bland to grand with the right effects.
/serum-vst-3-day-free-ytial.html. The good news is that you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars for that.
We’ve selected 10 VST effects plugin that we know you’ll love.
Grab all ten and try them out. Tell us what you think of them in the comment section!
Top Rated Vst Plugins
And check out other VST plugins we recommend: