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It’s a selection with free virtual analog synths, organ emulations, epiano emulations, drum synth, bass synth, FM synth, emulation of Oberheim / NordLead / DX 7 synth, chip synth, guitar emulation. And here a list of 25 free synth plugins for Mac OS X: 1. This is a VST version of the Linn drum machine. This musical instrument was created in order for the author to get rid of the “Linn Drum Computer’s” inferiority complex. The T-Rex 606 is a rompler made from a Roland TR-606 drum machine VST. MiniSpillageFree Drum Synth. 3 synthesis algorithms, lots of sound. An AU plugin for Mac OS X.
Impakter by de la Mancha. With over 300 eclectic drum samples modelled after drum machines. Download the Best Free Audio Plugins. Synths, Reverbs, Compressors.and much more. Just click and download.
It’s been a while since I surveyed the market for free software synths, so I thought I’d give it go and see what’s new and what has stood the test of time. Some of these instruments were released as prototypes or were the early experiments of developers just entering the market.
Free stuff is not always actually free. Often you will follow a link only to find out that it’s a free “demo”. Aren’t all demos supposed to be free?? In other cases, free software is dangled like a carrot in order to get your email address or to entice you into buying other products, preset libraries, add-ons, etc.
Well, business is business, and I suppose everyone needs to make a buck. I really don’t mind spending a few dollars for some shareware now and again to support a budding developer. But it behooves even the most experienced consumer to proceed with caution when the word free is thrown around.
What follows are some awesome sounding instruments in no particular order that are indeed free with very few strings attached. And if you can stomach a little extra spam, some of these may prove valuable additions to your stockpile of synths.
1. TyrellN6 by u-he
- Virtual analog with classic architecture, plus extras.
- Two oscillators, noise, ring modulator.
- Two LFOs with eight waveforms that are host-syncable.
- Audio source mixer with authentic overdrive and filter feedback.
- Twin filter related to Diva (early model).
- Unison with up to eight voices.
- Analog-type ADSR envelopes, loopable or LFO-triggered.
- Small modulation matrix with depth modulation from a second source.
- Chorus effect with three modes.
- MIDI learn / unlearn for hardware control.
- Resizable UI from 70% to 200%.
- Skinnable UI.
- Over 580 factory presets.
This thing is responsive as hell and sounds sweet! I love the stained and grungy aesthetic of the interface. It’s really hard to believe it’s free. But it serves its purpose I suppose because it truly whets the appetite for more stuff from u-he.
2. Dexed
Dexed is an emulation of the classic FM synth: Yamaha DX7.
From the Github page:
“Dexed is a multi-platform, multi-format plugin synth that is closely modeled on the Yamaha DX7. Dexed is also a midi cartridge librarian/manager for the DX7. Do not expect this to be a perfect clone of a DX7 since this will take years in the open source world and multiple collaborators before getting there … Since Dexed is modeled on the DX7, the Yamaha DX7 Operating Manual can be used as a reference documentation.”
The interface is a little cluttered and is more functional than it is aesthetically pleasing, but there are a ton of sonic possibilities with this for those willing to dig in.
3. MiniSpillage
“MiniSpillage is a free professional quality drum synthesizer plugin featuring high-resolution 64-bit DSP processing.
MiniSpillage includes three exclusive drum synthesis algorithms along with distortion effects and resonant filters.”
- Bass Drum – Single oscillator bass drum synth with pitch sweep, internal FM and harmonic controls.
- Wood Drum – Flexible wooden drum model synthesizes natural and synthetic timbres from log drums to toms.
- Hi-Hat – Six oscillators closed and open hi-hat generator with a noise source and dual resonant filters.
This is a great free option for those that want to create their own drum sounds with modulation, filtering and distortion effects.
4. Crystal Synth by Green Oak
This is one is a bit frustrating and takes a while to get anything remotely usable. The interface is on the clunky side. But a little patience can be rewarding.
5. Lokomotiv
Drum Synthesizer Vst
Lokomotiv is an analog retro synthesizer that is impressive from the first launch. Its austere interface is surprisingly responsive and sounds immediately great.
Oscillator:
- Mathematically generated high definition Oscillator without using wavetable or interpolation.
- Silky smooth 9X detuned sawtooth wave.
- Pulse wave with self PWM.
- Shape morphing sub-oscillator.
Filter:
- MG ladder modeling multimode filter featuring Zero Delay Feedback technology.
- Routable filter Drive (Pre/Post).
Modulator:
- Natural Curved ADSR Envelope generator.
- One-shot LFO which can be used as envelope.
Specification:
- 1X OSC (Saw+ Pulse) + One Sub OSC, Noise Generator.
- 1X multimode Filter with Drive.
- 1X LFO, 1X Envelope Generator.
- Eight polyphonic voices, Mono and Legato mode supported.
- 64 Factory presets included.
- Native 64-bit, Mac and Windows OS supported.
6. Digits from Extent of the Jam
This one sports a subdued color palette with beefy growls, preset chords and brass sounds. A bit of crackling when parameters are modified, but worth the time to download for sure.
7. Spitfire Audio – LABS
Not long ago, Spitfire Audio released an ongoing series of completely free instruments called LABS. These are very, very simple sampled instruments with just a handful of controls and they sound really, really good. So far the collection includes:
- Charango
- Electric Piano
- Amplified Electric Cello Quartet
- Drums
- Strings
- Soft Piano
If you’ve used any of the Spitfire Sample Libraries before, you know how well they’re recorded, and these instruments are no exception. While you won’t get the flexibility or deep sampled variety of a full-scale library, you will get a great sound that can be slightly varied to taste. While these are sampled instruments as opposed to synths, they’re free and so good that I felt they warranted inclusion.
8. TAL NoiseMaker
This is one my of favorite choices. The interface is accessible, clean and to the point and thick, beefy sounds are possible from the get-go. Really nice!
From the developer: “TAL NoiseMaker is an improved version of TAL-Elek7ro and has a completely new synth engine and a lot of improvements in sound and usability. The synth also includes a small effect section with a reverb, chorus and a simple bit crusher effect. A display shows the knob and slider values. This allows more control over the synth. A ring modulator and a syncable triangle are also part of this synth.”
TAL NoiseMaker includes new filter types and the self-resonating 6 dB low pass and notch filter. Its improved amplitude ADSR is very suitable for slow pads and for really fast envelopes. 128 factory presets included, 80 made by Frank “Xenox” Neumann.
Features:
- Three Oscillators. Osc 1, +/- 24 semitones, fine tune, phase control (saw, pulse, noise). Osc 2, +/- 24 semitones, fine tune, phase control (saw, rectangle, triangle, sine). Sub Osc (rectangle).
- Osc 1 PM for pulse waveform.
- Osc 2 FM controlled by Osc 1.
- Osc 1 & Osc 2 sync to sub osc (saw, pulse, rectangle, triangle (bipolar sync)).
- Adjustable master tune and transpose.
- Up to six voices.
- Portamento in mono and poly mode (off, auto, on).
- Ringmod modulates Osc 1 with Osc 2.
- Self resonating 4x oversampled filters (24 dB LP, 18 dB LP, 12 dB LP, 6 dB LP, 12 dB HP, 12 dB BP, Notch).
- Filter ADSR (negative and positive).
- Volume ADSR
- Routable ADSR, modulates Filter, Osc 1, Osc 2, PW, FM (negative and positive)
- Two LFO’s with different running modes: free, sync to host, triggered by note. Modulates filter, Osc 1, Osc 2, FM, PW, LFO rate, Panorama and Volume. Sine, Triangle, Saw Square, S&H, Noise. Positive and Negative modulation. Phase control.
- Adjustable Velocity-dependent control over volume filter contour and cutoff.
- Adjustable Pitch Wheel control over Cutoff and Pitch.
- One pole HP filter.
- Detune, detunes notes randomly.
- Juno chorus with different modes.
- A built-in reverb and delay.
- Adjustable filter drive.
- Bitcrusher affects Osc 1 and Osc 2. It’s a pre-filter stage effect.
- MIDI Learn for all knobs.
- Panic button.
- Easy to use, no hidden panels.
- 256 great presets (Presets by Frank “Xenox” Neumann, The Unshushable Coktor, Alexandra Sendy, TAL, Patrick Kunz).
9. Thump by Metric Halo
Thump is a unique audio processor that allows you to synthesize low-frequency audio to add low end to a track or generate another sound entirely. Thump looks at the pitch and dynamics of its audio input and uses this information to control its oscillators. You can add low end to drums, augment a bass or even create synthetic drones.
Thump is ideal for beefing up a kick drum, adding low end to percussive tracks, recreating classic drum synth sounds and more. You can use Thump’s envelope driven, percussive sub-harmonic synth for the following things (among others):
- Build low-octave support for bass drum, tom, snare and other percussive tracks.
- Create kettle drum sounds from regular drum tracks.
- Recreate the sounds of classic drum synths like the TR-808.
The effect of Thump is similar to generating a sine wave or other waveform on a gated track that is side-chained to a transient on another track such as a kick. But Thump allows more control, two oscillators that can be changed on the fly and more pitch specific envelope control. If you like kicks that are thick as hell and challenge the range of human hearing, you will like Thump a lot.
NOTE: the instrument requires a transient input to be activated so you would use it like an insert rather than a standalone synth.
10. Synth 1 by Daichi Laboratory
While the interface is a bit nasty and pixelated, Synth 1 by Ichiro Toda is modeled after the Nord Lead 2 Red Synth and sounds decent. It doesn’t take long to get a few usable sounds and the onboard arpeggiator is great for experimenting. (Manual)
11. PG-8X by Martin Lüder
“The PG-8X is a virtual synthesizer, inspired by the Roland JX-8P with the PG-800 programmer. The synth architecture is a standard 2-oscillator -> Filter -> VCA design. These elements can be modulated by a common LFO and one of two envelopes. The PG-8X is patch compatible with the JX-8P and can read and write JX-8P Sysex data”. (Manual)
Conclusion
While these instruments may not be the best things in life — they are free. And it has been my experience that there is something to be learned from every piece of software, as there is from all types of music. Experimentation and exploration yield untold rewards for the adventurous, and freeware is a great place to start your journey or a means to unshackle yourself, at least temporarily, from the financial constraints that plague us all.
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Check out my other articles, reviews, interviews and my video tutorial series, Synthesis 101 available exclusively on The Pro Audio Files.
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Free Drum Synth Machines
It’s been a while since I surveyed the market for free software synths, so I thought I’d give it go and see what’s new and what has stood the test of time. Some of these instruments were released as prototypes or were the early experiments of developers just entering the market. Free stuff is not al
3 FREE Max for Live Devices
Drum Machine Synth Vst Free
Download three free Max for Live Devices from Phil Mantione.
A new year, new free VST plugins for you guys! Here’s our list of the best free VST/AU plugins launched in 2019. If you’re looking for effects or virtual instruments and the budget is limited, this list will be perfect for you. You’ll even be amazed by how much these plugins can offer you, completely free of charge. Keep in mind that the list is in a continuous update, so save the page link and come back for other new free plugins later. Let’s get started!
The Best Free Audio Plugins for OS X with Video Demos. AudioUnit (AU), RTA, VSTSynths, Reverbs, Compressorsand much more. Just listen, watch and download! Best Free Synthesizer Plugins For PC & Mac (VST/AU) (May 2019 Updated) May 31, 2019 SYNTH ANATOMY Free Plugins/ iOS, Software 6 Here is the SYNTH ANATOMY list of the best free Synthesizer plugins for PC & Mac ranging from virtual analog, FM, percussive to modular synthesis concepts!
BASSTARD – Free EQ VST Plugin
Acustica Audio has released in March 2019 the
Link: Basstard
FREEAMP – Free Saturation VST Plugin
FreeAMP “One-knob love” is a free saturation plugin developed by Klevgränd and available for Windows and Mac in VST, AU and AAX plugin format. In fact this is the lighter version based of a selection of algorithms of the REAMP audio gear modeling plugin which is available for $35,99. With some limitation, FreAmp can still do a great job for you mixes, adding saturation where you need and it’s great for drums or other percussion tracks.
Link: FreeAmp
X-EIGHT LITE – Free Drum VST Plugin
Another release we’re proud of is X-Eight Lite, the free version of X-Eight, a drum machine available in our online store in VST, AU format for Windows and MAC. The “Lite” version includes 80 presets from over 1,000 which are included in the commercial version. This virtual bass machine is capable of delivering the deepest and craziest basses, specially designed and needed for modern music production.
Link: X-Eight Lite (find the link below after the product description)
CONVOLOGY XT – Free Convultion VST Plugin
Convology XT Plugin is another freeware release of 2019 coming from Impulse Record. It is a free zero latency convulsion reverb plugin available for Windows and MAC in VST, AU, and AAX plugin format. Beside zero latency, it features “Scale” functions of Stretch and Decay, EQ, PreDelay, Stereo 3D Chorusing that can emulate early DSP gear of applied directly to instruments and vocals. Also, it has Reverse, Stereo Width from Mono to “Outside your speakers” and more cool features. It’s
Link: Convology XT
KOMPLETE START – Free VST Bundle
Native Instruments releases KOMPLETE START, a free collection of 15 pro-grade synths and sampled instruments, plus effects, loops, and samples extracted from their commercial Komplete bundle. It includes 6 virtual instruments, 9 sample-based instruments, 2 effects and over 1,500 music loops, plus their free Kontakt and Reaktor. If you want to get this free suite of plugins you need to go to Native Instruments website and register an account, then download the Native Access license manager.
Link: Komplete Start
FRONTIER – Free Limiter VST Plugin
Frontier is a free self-adaptive versatile limiter VST, AU plugin for Windows and MAC. Frontier is a great audio tool for almost any studio situation. You can use it on individual tracks, bus or even on the
Link: Frontier
DEFIANT WT – Free Synth VST Plugin
OceanSwift brings their Defiant WT, a free virtual subtractive wavetable software synthesizer with a clever user interface design, unique modulation and much more. You can use its included wavetables or import your own wavetables. In order to download this synth free
Link: Defiant WT
CORRELOMETER – Free Multi-Band Meter VST Plugin
Voxengo
Link: Correlometer
TAL Reverb 4 – Free Reverb VST Plugin
TAL-Reverb-4 from TAL Sofware is a
Link: TAL-Reverb
Rare – Free EQ VST Plugin
Rare is another great freeware VST released in 2019 that emulates the original circuit of analog transformers and tubes from analog equalizers. The interface is very nice designed just like a real analog unit, it features bandwidth knob, boost, frequencies knobs for highs and lows, independent output and more. It’s completely free so try it in your mixes for great results.
Link: Rare
Rare – Free Compressor VST Plugin
If you liked the Rare VST above, then YALA is another plugin developed by Analog Obsession that deserves your attention.
Free Vst Plugins Downloads
Yala is also a free vst plugin that emulates the original circuit of a Variable-Mu Limiting Amplifier unit. It can give awesome warm results on vocals and basses but you can use it everywhere in your mix.
Link: Yala
Cheeze Machine 2 – Free Synthesizer VST Plugin
Mac Vst Plugins Crack
Free Drum Synthesizer
Whoever is older in the field of music production may have used the first version of the Cheeze Machine plugin 12 years ago when it was released. This synthesizer became very popular in a short time, with thousands of producers asking for an update. So, 2getheraudio is launching in early 2019 Cheeze Machine 2 with a completely shifted design, a new reverb, vintage ensemble, chorus, vibrato effect, and many other improvements. Do not waste your time and download this synth plugin completely free, I can definitely say it is a must-have.
Link: Cheeze Machine 2
ToneZ – Free Synthesizer Plugin
ToneZ is a new free synthesizer plugin available in VST and AU format (Windows & MAC) created especially for EDM music producers. It includes 4 oscillators with 12 waveforms, morphing, 1-8 voices, detune and stereo width control. The synth also includes 4 envelopes, modulation matrix, and 2 filters, 2 LFOs, 6 built-in effects such as Distortion, Equalizer, Chorus, Delay, Reverb, Compressor. Keeping in mind that it’s a free plugin, it offers many cool features, just download it and try it.
Link: ToneZ
QRange – Free Linear-Phase EQ Plugin
Free Drum Machine App Mac
kjb has released QRange, a freeware IIR linear-phase equalizer available in VST & VST3 plugin format for both PC and Mac. So this is a 12-band linear-phase Equalizer great for different mastering quests. With a resizable user interface and the real-time spectrum analyzer, this plugin is very easy to use. Each band can be used as peak, shelf or a cut filter. Cut filters are available with 12, 24 and 48 dB/oct steepness.
Link: QRange