







Please note: There is an updated version of this post. Some of the plugins are different so you may still want to browse this older post as well.

You can find the newer post here:

The Best Free VST / AU Plugins 2015

We continue reviewing the best free audio plugins around (in my humble opinion). These plugins are all compatible with Mac and PC platforms. If you haven’t seen the first part yet, here is the link (I suggest you read the introduction):

The 25 Best Free VST / AU Plugins for PC and Mac in 2013 – Part 1

Let’s get busy.

17. Blue Cat’s Chorus

Blue Cat’s Chorus is a true bread and butter plugin – simple to use, does what it’s supposed to and sounds great. Despite the simple looks, it’s is capable of a versatile array of effects. It comes with a good batch of presets too which is always great for a plugin like this. I especially like the harmonic effects it can produce. They even have a collection of different skins up for download. It comes bundled with five other plugins. I’ve chosen the chorus to represent them, but the rest are good too (especially the flanger and phaser!).

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here

16. Brainworx BX_Cleansweep

The BX_Cleansweep v2 is a very useful plugin. It’s a hipass/lopass filter that is designed to go into every channel of your mix as the first plugin. It’s job is to eliminate any unwanted low/high frequencies in the mix. It’s a high quality plugin designed to tackle a precision job, and does it very well. You can be sure it won’t be creating any unwanted artifacts in the sound.

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here.









15. Klanghelm IVGI

IVGI is a distortion/saturation plugin that emulates the analog console sound. It reacts dynamically to input signal and models a lot of things like crosstalk. In my experience IVGI works best as a tool to add sublime character, used subtly across the mix. It can sound very good even on the master. A beautiful and well executed plugin!

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here

14. U-he Zebralette

Zebralette is the little brother of U-he’s premium workhorse synthesizer Zebra 2. It sounds lush. There aren’t a ton of presets, but almost all of the presets sound great and are highly usable. There’s lots to tweak too. Highly recommended.

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here

13. Native Instruments Reaktor 5 Player

Reaktor 5 Player is a great free introduction to this Native Instruments powerhouse. It comes with three Reaktor instruments, totaling more than 200 sounds. It’s also possible to expand it by lots of (paid) synthesizers and multi-effects. Reaktor is a modern classic and you should definitely take advantage of this free offering.

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here









12. Native Instruments Guitar Rig 5 Player



I love Guitar Rig. This free version offers 17 cabinet emulations plus 13 effects and sound modifiers. Guitar Rig is not only good for guitarists. You can use it on all kinds of things and it is possible to get very creative with it. Above all I like the sound quality.

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here

11. Native Instruments Kontakt 5 Player

Kontakt 5 Player is the no-frills version of one of the world’s best software instruments. It is offered with Kontakt Factory Selection which contains 50 top quality instruments. Editing capabilities are time-limited, but it’s worth the download for the sound libraries alone. It can also be expanded with 3rd party libraries as well as NI’s own expansions. This one is a no-brainer.

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here

10. Klanghelm DC1A

I just love simple concepts that are well executed. This lovely compressor definitely falls into that category.

The Klanghelm DC1A has no other controls but the input and output levels and a “relaxed” mode. You control the amount of compression by driving it harder from the input.

The more you drive it, the more saturation you introduce. The relaxed mode eases things up and reduces coloration.

And it sounds GREAT.

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here.

9. u-he Tyrell N6 V3

Tyrell N6 V3 is a great sounding, classic soft synth. There are a lot of freeware soft synths out there but very few can match what Tyrell N6 V3 has to offer in sound quality.

I love the depth and fullness which is especially apparent with bass sounds.

Tyrell N6 V3 comes packed with loads and loads of presets, too.

Features:

Classic, familiar user interface with extras

Smooth overdrive in the oscillator mixer

Filter output can be fed back into the mixer

Unison modes with voice-specific modulation source

Envelopes can be looped or triggered via LFO

Envelopes retrigger like classic hardware

Platform: Mac & PC, 32 bit and 64 bit.

Download here (yes – it’s in german – go to page 3 and scroll down and you will find the download links.)

Hope you enjoyed the post!

If you are finding value in these articles may I ask you to do 3 things:

1. Spend time learning to use these great plugins properly.

2. Consider sharing the articles in social media. It helps me out a lot and I thank you in advance.

3. Subscribe the mailing list so you won’t miss any future posts.

Continue to part 3 here.