Free Audio Plug-Ins – Joris Beers

latest update 10-12-2023

Useful Resources for Freeware Audio Plug-Ins

Significant Mention of Freeware Audio Producers

Index on Category

All mentioned Plug-Ins should work on Windows 64-bit and MacOS ARM 64-bit (Native/Universal)

Tested on HP Omen X with Windows 10 Pro and MacBook M1 Pro (16GB) with macOS Sonoma

Synthesizers
- Beatzille: little monster by u-he
- Cardinal (Virtual modular synthesizer plugin)
Samplers & Virtual Instruments
- UVI Workstation 3 by UVI
Kick & Drum Machines
Percussion Machines
Software Bundles
Filtering Effects
Dynamics Based Effects
Frequency Based Effects
Modulation Based Effects
Time Based Effects
Multipurpose Based Effects
Other Effects
- BreadSlicer by Audio Blast
- TAL-Vocoder by TAL Software
Chord & MIDI Plug-Ins
- Hypercyclic by Mucoder
- Tonespace by Mucoder
Mix & Mastering Effects
- YOULEAN LOUDNESS METER 2

Synthesizers

Beatzille: little monster by u-he

Based on: Frequency Modulation (FM), Phase Distortion (PD) and Fractal Resonance (FR)

https://u-he.com/products/beatzille/

https://audiotools.blog/beatzille-v1-0-2-vst-vst3-au-aax-win-mac-linux-free/

https://alfalinks.in/50346/beatzille-v1-0-2-vst-vst3-au-aax-win-mac-linux-free/

Index

Cardinal (Virtual modular synthesizer plugin)

Based on: Eurorack – Virtual modular synthesizer plugin

https://github.com/DISTRHO/Cardinal

https://cardinal.kx.studio

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Crystal (Subtractive + FM Synth)

Based on: Subtractive Synthesis and Frequency Modulation (FM) Synthesis

Windows 32/64-bit VSTi and Mac OSX 10.5 or later and host which supports Cocoa plugins

http://www.greenoak.com/crystal/dnld2.html

Index

dexed (FM Synth)

Based on: Frequency Modulation (FM) Synthesis modelled on the Yamaha DX7

Multi platform (OS X, Windows or Linux) and multi format (VST, AU, LV2)

http://asb2m10.github.io/dexed/

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Exakt Lite (FM Synth)

Based on: Frequency Modulation (FM) Synthesis

Windows (VST 2 and VST3) and Mac (AU, VST2 and VST3), 64 bit only

https://www.sonicbits.com/exakt-lite.html

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GR-8 by Phuturetone

https://phuturetone.com/

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Helm (Hybrid Synth)

Based on: Hybrid Synthesis

Helm is released as VST, AU, LV2 and standalone.

OS Requirements: Windows 7+, MacOS 10.7+, Ubuntu Trusty 14.04+, Debian Jessie+

https://tytel.org/helm/

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HY-Poly Free by HY Plugins (Subtractive Synth)

Based on: Subtractive and Polyphonic Synthesis

Windows(VST2/VST3, 32/64Bit) and Mac(VST2/VST3/AU, 64Bit)

https://hy-plugins.com/product/hy-poly/

Check Download and look for Free version

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Kairatune by Futucraft

https://futucraft.com/kairatune/

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kHs ONE by Kilohearts (Subtractive Synth)

Based on: Subtractive Synthesis

Discontinued, but support on Windows and MacOS

https://kilohearts.com/docs/download_and_installation#khs_one

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ModulAir by Full Bucket Music

Based on: Polyphonic Synthesis

Microsoft Windows (VST2/VST3/CLAP) and Apple macOS (VST2/VST3/AU/CLAP)

https://www.fullbucket.de/music/modulair.html

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Odin 2 by TheWaveWarden

Based on: Polyphonic Synthesis (24-voices)

Microsoft Windows (VST2/VST3/CLAP) and Apple macOS (VST2/VST3/AU/CLAP)

https://thewavewarden.com/pages/odin-2

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OS-251 by Onsen Audio

OS-251 is a pure digital lo-fi synthesizer plugin for Mac, Windows and Linux. Available in VST3, AU and LV2 plugin formats for free.

Digital lo-fi sounds

OS-251 is a “JUNO” style digital subtractive synthesizer with a simple yet powerful DSP algorithm. Unlike other plugins that use analogue simulation, OS-251 uses digital algorithms to give warm, lo-fi sounds. The design of the oscillators and the selection of parameters were influenced by the JUNO-106, making it easier to express a thicker, chunkier sound.

The oscillator has alias noise (specific to digital signal processing) famous on classic samplers like E-mu SP-12 which adds lo-fi feeling to the sound. You can enjoy the powerful sound at modern sampling rates with your DAW.

https://onsenaudio.com/products/os251

https://github.com/utokusa/OS-251/releases/

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Pendulate by Eventide

Based on: Chaotic mono-synth that uses a brand new double-pendulum-oscillator

Microsoft Windows (VST2/VST3/CLAP) and Apple macOS (VST2/VST3/AU/CLAP)

https://www.eventideaudio.com/plug-ins/pendulate/

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Podolski by u-he

Based on: Virtual Analogue (VA) Synthesis (CPU-efficient)

https://u-he.com/products/podolski/

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Rand by Sampleson

Based on: Generative Synthesis

https://sampleson.com/rand-synthesizer.html

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Sinc Vereor, Virt Vereor by Noise Engineering

Based on: Modern Wavemorphing & Wavefolding Synthesis (based on Eurorack)

Microsoft Windows (VST2/VST3/CLAP) and Apple macOS (VST2/VST3/AU/CLAP)

https://noiseengineering.us/products/the-freequel-bundle-sinc-vereor-virt-vereor-ruina

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Surge XT (Hybrid Synth)

Based on: Subtractive Modern Hybrid Synthesis

Microsoft Windows (VST2/VST3/CLAP) and Apple macOS (VST2/VST3/AU/CLAP)

https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/

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TAL-NoiseMaker by TAL Software

Based on: Virtual Analog (VA) Synthesis

Windows: Windows 7 or higher (64 bit host)

OS X: 10.9 or higher (64 bit host). Universal Binary 2 with native Apple M1 support.

AAX: Pro Tools 10.3.6 or higher (64 bit).

LINUX: 64 bit / Ubuntu 20.4 or higher.

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

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Tyrell N6 by u-he

Based on: Virtual Analog (VA) Synthesis

Windows 64/32-bit and MacOS 64-bit

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

https://www.amazona.de/freeware-synthesizer-tyrell-n6-plugin-vst-au-win-mac/

https://www.amazona.de/wp-content/tyrell/Rauschwerk_Signature.zip

http://www.amazona.de/wp-content/tyrell/Tyrell_Patches_by_Kevin_Schroeder.zip

http://www.amazona.de/wp-content/tyrell/Tyrell_Patches_by_Kevin_Schroeder.rar

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VCV Rack 2 by VCV

Based on: Virtual EURO Rack

Windows 7+, macOS 10.9+, or Linux (such as Ubuntu 16.04+)

Free version is only desktop, there is not an AU/VST. This is only in the paid version!

https://vcvrack.com/Rack

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Vital (Wavetable Synth)

Based on: Spectral Warping Wavetable Synthesis

Windows: 10 and higher
MacOS: 10.12 and higher (Intel or Apple Silicon)
Ubuntu Linux 18.04 and above

https://vital.audio/#getvital

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VK-1 Viking Synthesizer

Based on: Classic Monophonic Analog Synthesis modelled on the Moog Voyager

VK-1 VST is a 64 bit VST2 plug-in compatible with macOS and Windows

https://blamsoft.com/vst/vk-1-viking-synthesizer/

Index

ZEBRALETTE by u-he

Based on: Spectral, Polyphonic and Waveform Synthesis

Windows 64-bit and MacOS 64-bit

https://u-he.com/products/zebralette/

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Samplers & Virtual Instruments

Decent Sampler

https://www.decentsamples.com/product/decent-sampler-plugin/

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LABS by Spitfire Audio

https://labs.spitfireaudio.com/

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Sforzando by Ploque

Sforzando is a free, highly SFZ 2.0 compliant sample player

https://www.plogue.com/products/sforzando.html

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Soundpaint

https://soundpaint.com/pages/free-engine-v2

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UVI Workstation 3 by UVI

https://www.uvi.net/uvi-workstation.html#download

Index

Kick & Drum Machines

Chow Kick by Chowdhury DSP

https://chowdsp.com/products.html

Index

Essential Kick by KSHMR

https://www.dharmaworldwide.com/plug-ins/kshmr-essentials/

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SUB Analog Drums by Sampleson

https://sampleson.com/SUB-free-analog-drums.html

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Percussion Machines

EXC!TE Cymbal & Snare Drum

Our free cymbal plugin features ultra-realistic sound through physical modeling. Use MIDI notes to trigger the in-built exciter and change tip hardness and bell intensity parameters. For added realism the MIDI triggered values can be adjusted with a probability curve. The exciter feeds into a waveguide resonator algorithm which lets you change tuning, decay and damping.

Our free snare drum plugin features ultra-realistic sound through physical modeling. Use MIDI notes to trigger the in-built exciter and change tip hardness and rimshot parameters. For added realism the MIDI triggered values can be adjusted with a bell shaped probability curve. The exciter feeds into a waveguide resonator algorithm which lets you change drumhead tuning, snares tension and hit position.

https://www.chair.audio/product-category/software/plug-in-software/

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MTPOWERDrumKit 2 by MANDA Audio

https://www.powerdrumkit.com/download76187.php

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SSD5.5 Free by Steven Slate Audio

https://my.stevenslateaudio.com/product/ssd5-free

Download Steven Slate Audio Installer, register and install Free versions

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Trigger 2 Free by Steven Slate Audio

https://my.stevenslateaudio.com/product/trigger-2-free

Download Steven Slate Audio Installer, register and install Free versions

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Software Bundles

Blue Cat’s Freeware Plug-ins Pack II [Bundle]

https://www.bluecataudio.com/Products/Bundle_FreewarePack/

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Kilohearts Essentials

https://kilohearts.com/products/kilohearts_essentials

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Komplete Start by Native Instruments

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-start/

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Filtering Effects

Types defined/Family Members:

Graphic equalisation, Parametric equalisation, Semiparametric equalisation, Band-stop equalisation, Linear phase equalisation, Dynamic equalisation, Auto Filter, Wah-wah, Auto-wah, Crossover

Blindfold EQ by AudioThing

https://www.audiothing.net/effects/blindfold-eq/

Index

ColourEQ by DDMF

https://ddmf.eu/freeware/

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RS-W2395C by Fuse Audio Labs

https://fuseaudiolabs.com/#/pages/product?id=300965965

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SonEQ by Sonimus

https://sonimus.com/products/soneq

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TDR Nova by Tokyo Dawn Records

https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova/

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Dynamics Based Effects

Types defined/Family Members:

Compressor, Limiter, Expander, Noise gate, De-esser, Saturnation, Fuzz, Overdrive, Distortion, Exciter, enhancer, embellisher

A1StereoControl by Alex Hilton

https://a1audio.alexhilton.net/downloads

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A1TriggerGate by Alex Hilton

https://a1audio.alexhilton.net/downloads

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ATKStereoLimiter by Audio Tool Kit

http://www.audio-tk.com/atk-stereo-limiter/

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Basslane by Tone Projects

https://www.toneprojects.com/basslane.html

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Bitter Sweet (Transient Designer) by Flux

https://www.flux.audio/project/bittersweet-freeware/

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BPB Dirty Filter by Bedroom Producers Blog

https://bedroomproducersblog.com/free-vst-plugins/bpb-dirty-filter/

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BPB Dirty LA by Bedroom Producers Blog

https://bedroomproducersblog.com/free-vst-plugins/bpb-dirty-la/

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BPB Saturator by Bedroom Producers Blog

https://bedroomproducersblog.com/free-vst-plugins/bpb-saturator/

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bx_subfilter by Plugin Alliance

https://www.plugin-alliance.com/en/products/bx_subfilter.html

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DC1A by Klanghelm

https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/DC1A.php

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DR DRIVE by Audiority

Dr Drive is an analog simulation of a modern overdrive inspired by the Horizon Devices® Precision Drive™.

https://www.audiority.com/shop/dr-drive/

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EasyLimiter – Free by SaschArt Audio Plugins

https://vst.saschart.com/easylimiter_peaks_attenuation

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Fresh Air by Slate Digital

https://slatedigital.com/fresh-air/

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Frontier by d16 Group

https://d16.pl/frontier

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GSatPlus by TBProAudio

https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/gsatplus

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HAMMER by Vidar-audio

https://vidaraudio.gumroad.com/l/hammer?layout=profile

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IVGI by Klanghelm

https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/IVGI.php

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Krush by Tritik

https://www.tritik.com/product/krush/

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L12X Solid State Amplifier by Audiority

L12X is an analog simulation inspired by the Marshall® Lead 12™ solid state amplifier of the late ‘80s.

https://www.audiority.com/shop/l12x-solid-state-amplifier/

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MH Thump by Metric Halo

https://mhsecure.com/metric_halo/products/software/thump.html

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MJUC JR. by Klanghelm

https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/MJUCjr.php

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OTT by Xfer Records (Multiband Up/Down Compressor)

https://xferrecords.com/freeware

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Overheat by Sampleson

https://sampleson.com/overheat.html

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pajSoil EiS by Pajzur

PajSoil EiS is the light version of pajSoil “unrestricted compressor”. Although it is light it still has key features from classic pajSoil, like negative ratio, zero attack and release times, feedback compression, look ahead slider or side chain filters. It’s high quality and versatile audio compressor with all features that modern compressor should have, but with lighter GUI and less CPU load.

PajSoil EiS like its bigger brother was designed especially for creative, experimental and exaggerated compression.

https://pajczur.com/product/pajsoil-eis/

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Pancake 2 by Cableguys

https://www.cableguys.com/pancake

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phi-L Audio Tube Preamp by DDMF

https://ddmf.eu/freeware/

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PreFET by Accentize

PreFET is a Machine-Learning based transistor pre-amp emulation which was designed using the same concept as PreTube. The included artificial neural network has learnt to precisely imitate the transistor pre-amp stage of a 70s tabletop cassette recorder. Depending on the Drive-Setting PreFET can colour your sounds from subtle analogue saturation to heavy overdrive.

https://www.accentize.com/prefet/

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Regressif by Inear Display

Regressif is an audio plugin focused on sound degradation. Combining a multimode filter with distortion, samplerate reduction and bitcrushing effects, it can turn the most innocent sound into a wall of digital noise. Two LFO modules and an additional LFO mixer can then be brought into the mix to further mutilate your audio.

These functions are wrapped in a clean and easy to use interface where the modulations can be assigned by dragging patch chords. In addition to the factory presets, Regressif also integrates a randomizer for instant inspiration.

https://ineardisplay.com/plugins/regressif/

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Renegade by Auburn Sounds

https://www.auburnsounds.com/products/Renegate.html

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Roughrider3 by Audio Damage

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

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Ruina by Noise Engineering

https://noiseengineering.us/products/the-freequel-bundle-sinc-vereor-virt-vereor-ruina

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Saturation Knob by Softube

https://www.softube.com/saturationknob

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TapeCassette2 by Caelum Audio

Tape Cassette 2 is an audio plugin that emulates the warmth, noise and character of old tape cassettes. Following up from our well received Tape Cassette

https://www.caelumaudio.com/CaelumAudio/?Page=TapeCassette2

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TDR Molotok by Tokyo Dawn Records

https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-molotok/

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Tube Saturator Vintage by Wave Arts

https://wavearts.com/products/plugins/tube-saturator-vintage/

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Upstereo by Quik Quak Audio

https://www.quikquak.com/Prod_UpStereo.html

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Warmy EP1A v2 by Kiive Audio

https://www.kiiveaudio.com/plugins/Warmy-EP1A-V2-p320123815

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Wider by Polyverse Music

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

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Frequency Based Effects

Types defined/Family Members:

Vibrato, Transposer, Octave up/down, Pitch shifter, Harmoniser, Autotune

Doppler Dome by Aegean Music

Doppler Dome is a free audio plug-in based on the Doppler effect. Explained simply, the Doppler effect is something that happens to sound when the listener and the sound source are getting closer together or farther appart. For example, a car sound when you are in the car might have a particular frequency, but the frequency will be lower if the car is moving away from you, and will be like a record played at a lower speed. If the car passes right by you it will be high as it gets closer and then low as it gets farther. Doppler dome lets you adjust the amount of the pitch effect as well as pan and volume based on distance.Note that just as sound takes time to get to the listener the output may be slightly delayed based on distance and Pitch Scale, and that any pitch shift is a tempo shift as well.

https://aegeanmusic.com/doppler-dome-Specs

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FLUXMINI2 by Caelum Audio

Flux Mini 2 is an audio effect that adds life, character and dynamism to your tracks. The customisable graph creates a shape which can be used to modulate filter cutoff, filter resonance, amplitude and mix.

https://www.caelumaudio.com/CaelumAudio/?Page=FluxMini2

Index

TAL-Filter-2 by TAL Software

https://tal-software.com/products/tal-filter

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PITCHPROOF by Aegean Music

Pitchproof is a free audio plug-in that can shift the pitch of the input. The effect is meant to combine old styles of pitch shifting with the quality you expect from modern plug-ins. The result is this pitch “pedal” simulation that has most of what is great about guitar harmonizer pedals, and still preserves the signal’s integrity.

https://aegeanmusic.com/pitchproof-Specs

Index

Modulation Based Effects

Types defined/Family Members:

Flanger, Phaser, Chorus, Rotary, univibe, rotovibe, Ring modulation

Chow Phaser by Chowdhury DSP

https://chowdsp.com/products.html

Index

DR PHASE by Audiority

Dr Phase is an analog simulation of the epochal MXR® Phase 90™ phaser pedal introduced in the early 70s and used by countless musicians. Dr Phase will add movement and character to any instrument. Try it with guitar, bass, synths… even on drums!

https://www.audiority.com/shop/dr-phase/

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Multiply by Acon Digital

https://acondigital.com/downloads

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Valhalla Space Modulator by Valhalla DSP

https://valhalladsp.com/shop/modulation/valhalla-space-modulator/

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Time Based Effects

Types defined/Family Members:

Analogue reverb, Digital reverb, Convolution reverb, Delay, Slapback, Doubler, Pan delay, Echo

Chow Tape Model by Chowdhury DSP

https://chowdsp.com/products.html

Index

Deelay by Sixth Sample

https://sixthsample.com/deelay/

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Invisible Verb Pro by Aurora

“Aurora DSP, Kohle Audio Kult and Eve Audio present the most transparent sounding reverb plugin ever. After months of research we present a completely reflection free reverb that adds zero color to your dry tracks! It sounds so clean and neutral that you won’t even hear it! Enjoy a new high end Reverb! Enjoy INVISIBLEVERB PRO!”

https://auroradsp.com/download-files

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Lagrange by UrsaDSP

Unique Granular Delay

A unique stereo delay system producing other worldly echoes using granular techniques, where each grain is from a different point in the delay buffer. V1.0 Now Apple silicon native.

https://ursadsp.com/

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Protoverb: prototype reverb by u-he

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

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Space Lite by Cymatics

https://cymatics.fm/products/space-lite-plugin

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TAL-Reverb-4 by TAL Software

https://tal-software.com/products/tal-r everb-4

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Valhalla Freq Echo by Valhalla DSP

https://valhalladsp.com/shop/delay/valhalla-freq-echo/

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Valhalla Super Massive by Valhalla DSP

https://valhalladsp.com/shop/reverb/valhalla-supermassive/

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Reverberate by Acon Digital

https://acondigital.com/downloads

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VREV-666 by Fuse Audio Labs

https://fuseaudiolabs.com/#/pages/product?id=301009892

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Multipurpose Based Effects

Types defined/Family Members:

Complex multipurpose FX, Sequencer, Gate sequencer, Rythmic Filtering, Audio Gates, Panning/Filtering

FILTERSTEP by Audio Modern

https://audiomodern.com/shop/plugins/filterstep/

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GATELAB by Audio Modern

https://audiomodern.com/shop/plugins/gatelab/

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Glitch Machines Fracture

https://glitchmachines.com/products/fracture/

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Glitch Machines Hysteresis

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

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Panflow by Audio Modern

https://audiomodern.com/shop/plugins/panflow

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Other Effects

Types defined/Family Members:

Fuzz&Wah, Octafuzz, Shimmer, Tremolo, Declicker, Decrackler, Denoiser, Debuzzer, Looper, Time stretching, Resampling, Spatialisation, Vocoder

BreadSlicer by Audio Blast

https://www.audioblast.me/breadslicer/

Index

TAL-Vocoder by TAL-Software

https://tal-software.com/products/tal-vocoder

Index

Chord & MIDI Plug-Ins

Types defined/Family Members:

Chord Generator, Chord Tooling, Music Theory, MIDI Generator, MIDI Tooling, MIDI Interfacing

Hypercyclic by Mucoder

LFO-driven, midi-mangling arpeggiator

https://www.mucoder.net/en/hypercyclic

Index

Tonespace by Mucoder

chord generator and visualizer

https://www.mucoder.net/en/tonespace#download

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Mix & Mastering Effects

Types defined/Family Members:

Mastering Compressor, Mastering Equalizer, Mastering Limiter, Brickwall Limiter, Monitoring & Mix Tools

FenrIR (Impulse Loader) by Aurora

https://auroradsp.com/download-files

Index

HPL2 Processor – Perfect Headphone Sound by NovoNotes

The Vectorscope compensates for this limitation in the level meter and allows you to instantly understand the localization of the sound source. Use it to check the localization of the sound source.

https://novo-notes.com/hpl2-processor

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Isol8 by TBProdAudio – Mix Monitoring Tool

https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/isol8

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LoudMax – Look-Ahead Brickwall Loudness Maximizer

https://loudmax.blogspot.com

https://pluginguru.net/loudmax-for-mac/

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mvMeter2 by TBPro Audio

https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/mvmeter2

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Oscilloscope by Socalabs

https://socalabs.com/analysis/oscilloscope/

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dpMeter5 by TBPro Audio

https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/dpmeter

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SPARTA (Spatial Audio Real-Time Applications)

Spatial Audio Real-Time Applications (SPARTA). A collection of VST audio plug-ins for spatial audio production, reproduction and visualisation. Developed using JUCE and the Spatial_Audio_Framework

https://github.com/leomccormack/SPARTA/releases

Index

Stereotool by Flux Audio

https://www.flux.audio/project/stereo-tool-freeware/

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TDR Kotelnikov – Mastering Compressor

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

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TDR VOS SlickEQ – Mixing/Mastering Equalizer

https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-vos-slickeq/

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Voxengo SPAN – Fast Fourier transform spectrum analyzer

https://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

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Wave Breaker – True-Peak Stereo Limiter

https://pressplay-music.com/wave-breaker/

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YOULEAN LOUDNESS METER 2

https://youlean.co/download-youlean-loudness-meter/

Index

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