As promised, this follow-up to the 10 Best Free VST Plugins list (that is, just effects and processors) is all about synths.
Some of these synths are early projects from designers who have gone on to work for larger companies making some of the most high-profile VST instruments; others are passion projects from solo sonic adventurers who simply want to share their skills with the music-making community. And some are simply streamlined versions of commercial synths.
But what these VST synths have in common, other than price, is that they all have a fantastic sound and great tone-shaping features. You can load them up in your DAW right now and give any of them a spin in your next production. You won’t be disappointed!
Vember Audio Surge is probably the most powerful free VST synth on this list. Surge is open source which means you’re free to download the code and do whatever you want with it. It’s fantastic sounding digital synth that can cover all kinds of different sonic territory. Free Synth VST Plugin Preview Alpha 3 – PC / Mac LinPlug Virtual Instruments: Alpha 3 is the small brother of Alpha, but shares the same engine and having fewer features. It’s been around since mid 2000, therefore it is free of charge. Screenshot Type of plugin: VSTi What it does: This virtual analog synth was inspired by the Clavia Nord Lead 2 synthesizer. It's one of the most versatile free soft synths you'll find, and it's a great choice if you're looking to get started making retro music like synthwave without spending a bunch of money.
1. u-he TyrellN6
Similar design to the classic Roland Juno 60, and awesomely named after the rogue replicants in Blade Runner…
Available for PC and Mac. More info and download link here.
2. Green Oak Crystal
Created by Glenn Olander, who went on to design Spectrasonics Omnisphere and Stylus RMX. No slouch then…
Available for PC and Mac. More info and downloads here. There’s also an iPad/iPhone version, available here.
3. Togu Audio Line TAL-NoiseMaker
A great synth from the guys who brought us the TAL-Effects bundle I mentioned previously. Well worth a look.
Available for PC and Mac. More info and download here.
4. Ichiro Toda Synth1
This synth is modelled on the modern classic Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth… Nuff said really :)
Available for PC and Mac. More info (translated from the Japanese) and download here.
5. de la Mancha FMMF
This FM synth, with 4 operators, is especially good for pads and sound design-y noises and effects.
Available for Windows VST only. More info and download here.
6. Ohm Force Symtohm:Melohman Performer Edition
A slimmed-down version of the original Symptohm:Melohman, the only actual difference being that you’re limited to presets from the Symptohm sound library.
But there are 1200 sounds there, enough to keep anybody busy for a while…
Available for PC and Mac. More info and download here.
7. u-he Zebralette
Again, this synth is a slimmed-down version of a commercial soft synth – in this case, the u-he Zebra2. But the Zebralette is very popular in it’s own right, as it’s capable of making some pretty great sounds of it’s own.
Available for PC and Mac. More info and download here.
8. Tonebytes Bleep’
Recreating the legendary sound of the Commodore 64 SID sound chip, this synth is an absolute must for chiptune makers and anyone who’s into retro / 8-bit game style sounds and FX.
It’s available for Windows VST only I’m afraid. More info and download at tonebytes.com.
9. Kairatune
A bass and lead synth with an inspiring interface, designed specifically with EDM in mind.
Windows VST only. More info and download here.
10. E-MU Proteus VX
A free synth sound module from the legendary hardware sampler makers. It’s a slimmed-down version of their Emulator X3, and can load any sounds from the Emulator X library.
Windows VST only. More info and download here.
Which other free synths are you using that I might have missed? Leave a comment below, cheers!
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Synth VSTs are one of the most exciting things about being a producer today.
Powerful synthesis tools that used to cost thousands are now available in your DAW anytime, anywhere.
And the best part? Many of them are available as completely free plugins.
Software synthesizer plugins are great for everything from ambient pads to massive sub bass.
In this article I’ll break down the top 8 free synth VSTs for producing music in your DAW.
Let’s get started.
1. Digital Suburban Dexed
Dexed is a freeware FM synthesizer based on the legendary Yamaha DX7. It puts all the classic sounds and functions of the original synth in a modern package.
But Dexed makes classic 6 operator FM synthesis much easier to understand and program than it ever was with hardware.
This great free synth VST is perfect for percussive sounds like tines and mallets as well as icy pads or aggressive distorted basses.
2. Matt Tytel Helm
Synthesis is hard to understand even when you have real hardware synthesizer in front of you. It can be even more difficult when you’re working with an abstract software plugin.
That’s why Matt Tytel’s Helm is such a great synth VST.
Helm is a great sounding, two oscillator subtractive synth that’s dead easy for beginners to use.
It’s well laid out with a logical interface and helpful graphics that let you understand every aspect of basic subtractive synthesis.
Helm is perfect If you’re just getting started and need an easy synth to learn on.
3. u-He Tyrell N6
u-He Tyrell N6 is a stylish synth with bold analog sound and simple workflow.
It features a great preset library and modulation matrix as well as handy extras like unison mode, loopable envelopes and built in overdrive.
Overall, Tyrell N6 is a quality freeware synth that any producer can use to make great sounds.
4. DiscoDSP OB-Xd
Speaking of analog sound, DiscoDSP’s OB-Xd models one of the most sought-after instruments in analog synth history—the Oberheim OB-X.
This completely free plugin gives you access to the lush sound of the OB-X in your DAW.
From enveloping analog pads to deep basses and searing leads, the OB-Xd is an inspiring free synth to add to your plugin folder.
5. TAL Noisemaker
TAL’s excellent Noisemaker synth proves that VSTs don’t need to be complicated to work well in a track.
TAL’s excellent Noisemaker synth proves that VSTs don’t need to be complicated to work well in a track.
This straightforward synth has a powerful sound and compact, lightweight interface.
It contains a unique visual envelope editor and handy onboard effects including bitcrusher and TAL’s emulation of the Juno 60/106 chorus effect.
6. Vember Audio Surge
Vember Audio Surge is probably the most powerful free VST synth on this list.
Surge is open source which means you’re free to download the code and do whatever you want with it.
It’s fantastic sounding digital synth that can cover all kinds of different sonic territory.
Its highly flexible architecture includes wavetable oscillators, two filters with eight different modes each and routing options for frequency modulation.
If you’re looking to get lost in the possibilities of sound design, Surge is the best way to do it for free.
7. VCV Rack
Free Synth Pad Vst Tutorial
This next one is a little different, but it’s so exciting that it had to make it to this list.
VCV Rack is a standalone synth program that models nearly every module available for the Eurorack format.
That’s right—those enormous racks of modular gear that creative producers spend thousands of dollars collecting.
VCV Rack lets you create your own dream modular rig right on your desktop. You can even create patches authentically with virtual cables to get the real modular experience.
Integrating it with your DAW is a bit trickier—but using the plugin in standalone mode is just as fun for creating inspiring patches.
Every musician should try using VCV Rack to see what modular is all about.
Every musician should try using VCV Rack to see what modular is all about.
8. ML PG8X
The 80s are a popular decade for free synth plugin builders. This retro-leaning synth from developer Martin Lüders models the classic Roland JX-8p.
The JX-8p polysynth was one of the most popular keyboards of the time for a reason. It’s classic presets made it onto hundreds of recordings from the golden age of synth pop.
The ML PG-8X plugin version gives you all the vintage mojo of the original for free. It’s a nice analog-style polysynth with a unique retro character.
Pair it up with Dexed for authentic 80s stacked synth textures!
Free Synth Pad Vst Plugin
Free to play
You don’t need tons of expensive gear to make a great track. Free synth plugins prove that there’s plenty of capable tools out there to make music that sounds good on a shoestring budget.
Free Synth Pad Vst
Whether you’re looking for classic vintage tones, deep sound design tools or you just want to choose a good synth to get started, there’s a VST on this list to inspire you.
Free Synth Pad Vst Keyboard
Now that you have some great new synths in your plugin folder, get back to your DAW and keep creating.