The Best Free Plugins for Music Production
Amazing plugins at the cost of nothing.
If you’re looking for the best free plugins, chances are you have no money or refuse to spend any. There’s nothing wrong with this, especially if you’re only now getting into the music production world. To help make your search more convenient, here are some of the best plugins that cost a whopping zero dollars.
Virtual Instruments
1. LABS
Spitfire Audio’s LABS is by far one of the most versatile free virtual instrument plugins out there right now. It has over 50 sound sources ranging from vintage keys to arctic swells. Despite the bare number of features within each sound, the variety and number of sounds make up for it.
2. Decent Sampler
Not only is the plugin free, but it also comes with many free preset packs created by well-known artists such as Venus Theory and David Hilowitz. As a bonus, If you are interested in making some of these sample presets, you can dabble in the world of pack creation by using Decent Sampler’s free tools to create your own pack.
3. Pianobook
Although not technically a plugin in its own right, Piano Book still has a place here. That’s because of its innate compatibility with several other plugins and its wide array of sample presets. You can choose sounds that range from piano, guitar, strings, and pads that can be used on different sound engines like Decent Sampler and Kontakt free of charge.
4. Komplete Start
Created by Native Instruments, Komplete Start is an instrument plugin that introduces you to NI’s vast capabilities. The plugin has six instruments and six effects, each with its uses and tones. As mentioned before, this plugin is also compatible with Piano Book, as Kontakt is one of the engines used in Komplete Start.
5. Vital
Vital is a spectral warping wavetable synth; this entails stretching, shifting, smearing, and skewering your harmonics to explore new soundscapes. You can automate different synth parameters, use up to 3 wavetables, and control your usual effects within the free edition of the synthesizer.
6. Surge XT
Surge XT is a free, open-source hybrid synth that, similarly to Vital, allows you to create many different synth patches with relative ease. It comes with filters, effects, and a step sequencer, which can create stabby basslines or euphoric space pads. Additionally, an edge it has over Vital is its super light on the CPU.
Effects
7. TDR Kotelnikov
By far my favorite free compressor of all time. Despite its free price tag, it is still more feature-rich than any compressor that comes with the powerhouse DAW known as FL Studio. It has a rich sound and is much more than a free compressor probably should, most notable being its low-frequency relax and stereo sensitivity.
8. Origin
Origin is a lo-fi effects plugin created by Cymatics and is excellent for those looking to up their chill game with a simple plugin that can do the job for free. It has more presets than you can imagine and can craft unique textures and atmospheres that are perfect for that retro vinyl feel.
9. Valhalla Supermassive
If you’ve been in the music production game for any time, then there’s a chance you already know all about Valhalla. Mainly because, even though it’s a free reverb and delay plugin, it can still do a lot. You can create mind-boggling pads or your basic room reverb with the click of a button, choose from a variety of presets, and even change modes.
With all these options, you don’t need to instantly pull out the wallet when you want to get started with music. Even if you have the money to spend, it could be highly beneficial to begin by looking at these free tools before anything else.
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