50+ Surprisingly High Quality Free Plugins/VSTs (2019)

(above is a table of contents to help you navigate this list)

(below each plugin is a link to the free download)

Are you looking for places to download free plugins?

Finding heaps of garbage?

I fully know the struggle, its extremely tiring downloading plugins just to decide they are useless.

After years of this routine, I decided to just curate a list of actually high quality plugins that many people swear by.

I can’t guarantee you will love everything on this list but I can say that these are plugins that are loved widely by the music community (and not just because they’re free).

Whether you’re a multi-millionaire, multi-platinum “super producer” or literally just getting your toes wet and still living with your mum making beats in the basement, this list should have something relevant for everyone.

(most, if not ALL these plugins will work on any DAW.

Cubase, Ableton, Logic, Pro Tools, Reason, FlStudio, etc

they will operate as either a VST, AAX, RTAS, & AU)

Synths:

PG-8X

The pg-8x is an 80s style virtual synth designed to emulate the iconic Roland JX-8P.

It’s extremely useful for adding a touch of the 80’s to your production.

It works well across any genre but finds itself most comfortable in the synth-wave realm of music.

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/pg-8x-by-ml-vst)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Surge

Surge is a subtractive hybrid synthesizer with tons of modulation options.

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/surge-by-vember-audio)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES | LINUX: YES

U-He’s Tyrell N6

Originally meant to be a hardware synth, Tyrell N6 is the “compact, sporty” version of what the designers dreamed of.

I personally use this synth quite often for various purposes.

Its also great for any level of music producer because it comes loaded with almost 600 presets.

(https://u-he.com/products/tyrelln6/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES | LINUX: YES

U-He’s Triple Cheese

Another free synth from U-He; cheese, cheese, cheese, & comb filters.

Triple Cheese doesn’t use any “classic” synthesis methods.

Instead, it uses various series of comb filters to produce and alter sounds.

Go full on ’80s with this synth or go beautiful and lush.

This cheesy beast is quite capable.

(https://u-he.com/products/triplecheese/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES | LINUX: YES

FreeAlpha by LinPlug

A classic subtractive synthesizer.

An oldie that seems to have stood the test of time.

It even comes with a few drum presets.

(http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?id=2290)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

TAL Bassline

TAL Bassline is a virtual analog bass synth, a fantastic free go-to for warm acidy low end.

(https://tal-software.com/products/tal-bassline)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES (no osx 64bit support)

Voyager by Arguru

A 4 oscillator subtractive synth.

The Voyager is packed full of beautiful sound but wrapped inside an ugly interface.

Don’t let its looks deceive you.

(http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?id=383)

Compatibility: MAC: NO | PC: YES

Ample Guitar MII lite

One of my favorite free virtual instruments of all time.

Ample Guitar is designed to emulate a Martin D-41 acoustic guitar, this plugin is convincingly good.

(https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/1-Instruments/64-Virtual-Instrument/4520-Ample-Guitar-M-Lite-II)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Digital Suburban’s Dexed

Another go-to of mine, Dexed models the legendary Yamaha DX-7.

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/dexed-by-digital-suburban)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES | LINUX: YES

Green Oak Software’s Crystal

An absolute classic, Crystal has proven itself timeless in the world of freeware.

Crystal is a semi-modular synth combining both subtractive and FM synthesis.

When I use this virtual instrument, it is a breeze to build beautiful pads or just interesting ambient soundscapes.

(Bonus, Crystal is also available on iOS. not free)

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/crystal-by-green-oak)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Matt Tytel’s Helm

Helm is an extremely capable subtractive based synthesizer.

It stands out from the rest of the plug-ins on this list simply because it is 100% open source.

(https://tytel.org/helm/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES | LINUX: YES

TAL Noisemaker

I’ve personally used this plugin for years now.

It has always found a use for itself.

The TAL Noisemaker comes loaded with effects, including its own Juno style chorus.

This synth is an easy versatile go-to and its 250+ presets make it even easier.

(https://tal-software.com/products/tal-noisemaker)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Reverbs:

EpicVerb by Variety of Sound

A fantastic choice for a free reverb.

EpicVerb has all of the parameters you’d expect from a paid plugin with plenty of options for good presets.

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/epicverb_by_variety_of_sound)]

Compatibility: MAC: NO | PC: YES

TAL Reverb 4

TAL Reverb 4 is another go-to of mine.

It embodies the vintage sound of the common plate reverbs of the 80s.

(https://tal-software.com/products/tal-reverb-4)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

U-He Protoverb

Yet another freebie from U-He!

Protoverb is a prototype reverb based on the reflections of a room.

Most reverbs would never build a plugin like this, but this plugin is unique.

U-He calls it “researchware” because you’re able to share the strings of texts that is the preset you have come up with.

Mess around with the “random” function, or dial in your perfect reverb and share it with the developers!

(https://u-he.com/products/protoverb/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES | LINUX: YES

Chorus:

Acon Digital’s – Multiply

Multiply is a versatile chorus effect combined with a phase randomizing filter to avoid unpleasant effects.

(https://acondigital.com/products/multiply/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

BlueCats Chorus

An extremely capable chorus useful for extreme widening or just a simple doubling effect.

BlueCats Chorus can handle a ton all for free!

(https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Product_Chorus/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Modulation:

MTremolo by MeldaSoftware

A powerful free tremolo plugin.

MTremolo can satisfy your basic tremolo needs or it can create the most interesting unique volume automation with an optional tempo-synced option.

Another top pick for myself, MTremolo almost always proves useful.

(A demo of some of the capabilities of MTremolo shown on the MTremoloMB version)

(https://www.meldaproduction.com/MTremolo)

Compatibility: MAC: YES |PC: YES

Frohmage

A multi-band resonant filter with built-in distortion and unique phasing effects!

This cheesy looking plugin has some serious capability

(https://www.ohmforce.com/ViewProduct.do?p=Frohmage)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

iZotope Vinyl

“The Ultimate Lo-Fi Weapon”

iZotope Vinyl is an industry favorite.

Throw your audio into the past with this easy to use vintage emulation plugin

(https://www.izotope.com/en/products/vinyl.html)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Atom by SineVibes

A unique filter with a focus on movement and tempo-based modulation

(no demo video at this time, there is demo audio on their download page)

(https://www.sinevibes.com/atom/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: NO

MVibrato by MeldaSoftware

One of my absolute favorite plugins ever.

Mvibrato is much more than you could ever want from a vibrato plugin.

Get that beautiful de-tune warble for your lo-fi production or any other style!

(https://www.meldaproduction.com/MVibrato)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES | LINUX: POSSIBLE

Distortion:

CamelCrusher

Another industry favorite!

CamelCrusher has been around for a long time and the company is now owned by Apple! (Yes, that Apple)

Add a touch of color to your track, or full on brain fizzling distortion.

(https://www.audiopluginsforfree.com/camelcrusher/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Audio Damage Fuzzplus 3

A huge community favorite, add a touch of fuzz or get crazy with this distortion plugin!

Extremely suitable for guitars or anything you want to add some grit to.

(https://www.audiodamage.com/pages/free-downloads)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Saturation:

FerricTDS

With Dynamics, Saturation & Limiting FerricTDS aims to replicate high end reel to reel tape recorders.

(https://www.pluginboutique.com/products/364)

Compatibility: MAC: NO |PC: YES

TubeAmp by Voxengo



Add a bit of analog color to any track with this saturation plugin. I find it quite handy for bass channels.

(https://www.voxengo.com/product/tubeamp/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio

The SGA1566 brings you some of the most authentic stereo analog tube mic pre-amplifiers.

Perfect for bass and adding a depth of grit and warmth to any track you’d like.

(http://shatteredglassaudio.com/product/104)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

MSaturator by MeldaSoftware

Another personal favorite of mine.

MSaturator provides a tube-like warmth and as much or as little harmonic distortion as you want.

(https://www.meldaproduction.com/MSaturator)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Limiters:

Limiter No 6

A very high quality limiter with mastering capabilities.

(https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/9-Limiter/338-Limiter-No6)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Frontier self adaptive limiter

Another extremely capable limiter suitable across your entire production, from one track to your entire master bus.

(https://d16.pl/frontier)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

LoudMax

LoudMax is a look-ahead Brick Wall loudness maximizer.

LoudMax has recently been updated days within writing this post.

(https://loudmax.blogspot.com/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES | LINUX: YES

Compressors:

AdHd Leveling Tool

AdHd Leveling Tool is perfect for vocals. This thing rarely ever disappoints.

This compressor is designed to emulate classic tube leveling amplifiers.

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/leveling-tool-by-adhd-audio-tools)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

TDR Kotelnikov by Tokyo Dawn

A flexible wide band dynamics processor suitable for mastering that makes no attempt to emulate any pre-existing analog gear.

The Kotelnikov has found its way on my drum bus many times.

(https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-kotelnikov/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Rough Rider 1 & 2 by Audio Damage

Rough Rider is a fantastic compressor emulating a bit of vintage warmth, or full on nuclear compression.

Choose from either versions or try both!

(Rough Rider 2 is also available as a free download for iOS)

2: (https://www.audiodamage.com/pages/free-downloads)

1: (https://www.audiopluginsforfree.com/rough-rider/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

OTT by Xfer

OTT comes from Steve Duda & Deadmau5’s Xfer directly.

Embraced and adored by the electronic producer community, OTT is your above average upwards/downwards multi-band compressor.

(https://xferrecords.com/freeware/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Panning:

Pancake2 by Cableguys

A heavy hitter for a free panning plugin.

Sync your panning to the bpm of your project or draw your own custom modulation.

Pancake2 sounds great, is extremely helpful & its visuals are beautiful.

(http://www.cableguys.com/pancake.html)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Filters:

BX CleanSweep Brainworx

A simple yet effect high-pass/low-pass filter. Easy to use and of very reliable quality. Useful in any mix.

(https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_cleansweep_v2.html)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Delays:

Hysteresis by Glitchmachine

Hysteresis is a beast.

Calling it a simple delay plugin would be an understatement.

(https://glitchmachines.com/products/hysteresis/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Bionic Delay by The Interruptor

Bionic Delay is an analog style delay with tape saturation, wow, flutter, low and high pass filtering.

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/bionicdelay-by-the-interruptor)

Compatibility: MAC: NO| PC: YES

Boids Delay by ToneCarver

The Boids Delay is an absolute beauty.

This delay is completely capable and powerful, it even includes an insane granular function.

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/boids-by-tonecarver)

Compatibility: MAC: NO| PC: YES

TempoDelay by Voxengo

I love this plugin.

TempoDelay is a delay plugin that utilizes tempo.

Obviously, right?

Well, not only that, this plugin also features filter and tremolo sections with separate controls for each stereo channel.

(https://www.voxengo.com/product/tempodelay/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Stereo widener:

Polyverse’s Wider

Polyverse / Infected Mushroom bring you a completely mono-compatible stereo widening plugin

(Wider is now also free on iOS)

(https://polyversemusic.com/products/wider/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

iZotope’s Ozone Imager

Another industry heavy-hitter, widen or narrow your mix to extremes with the Ozone Imager.

Imager boasts low CPU usage and you can even monitor your phase correlation directly in the plugin.

(https://www.izotope.com/en/products/ozone-imager.html)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

StereoTool by Flux

StereoTool is a beautifully visual tool to control your stereo image precisely.

(https://www.kvraudio.com/product/stereo-tool-v3-by-flux)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

BX_Solo by Brainworx

Monitor mid-side and add stereo width to your track with this easy to use plugin!

(https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_solo.html)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Dimension Expander by Xfer

Dimension Expander is a simple 80’s inspired spatial expander with an interesting 4-voice chorus effect.

(https://xferrecords.com/freeware/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Equalizers:

TDR Nova by Tokyo Dawn

A fantastic free dynamic parallel equalizer, Nova supports mid/side processing as well.

(https://www.audiopluginsforfree.com/tdr-nova/)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Tuning (Autotune):

MAutoPitch by Melda

MAutoPitch is possibly the highest quality free “autotune” plugin available today.

Besides tuning your vocals or any other mono-phonic sound, MAutoPitch also features stereo expansion and formant shifting.

(hopefully by now you have seen Melda’s GIANT free bundle on their website)

(https://www.meldaproduction.com/MAutoPitch)

Compatibility: MAC: YES | PC: YES

Metering:

YouLean Loudness Meter

This plugin is an absolute must have freebie if you’re without a metering plugin that measure LUFs.

Easily monitor the loudness of your master channel.

Get a professional sounding mixed and mastered song meant for streaming platforms and/or TV & Film for free!

(video also displays features of the paid version)

(https://youlean.co/youlean-loudness-meter/)

Conclusion:

Well, there is our list of 50+ surprisingly high quality free plugins in 2019.

I hope that you found some value in this post.

I’m sure there are many that you already have downloaded.

But hopefully, you now have a handful of new ones for your collection!

There are many more quality options that we will be sure to add in the future.

I’d love to curate the “perfect” list of freebies for you guys.

But for now, these are some of the top free plugins for music production at the moment.

Thanks for reading

Please feel free to leave a comment if you have an absolute gem that you think might not be so obvious.

Make sure to share this post with any of your fellow musician friends who could use some free high quality plugins!