Best Free Synths 2019

VST plugins are virtual instruments and audio effects for your digital audio workstation.

There are literally hundreds of free VST plugins online nowadays, and finding good ones takes time. To help you focus on making music instead of testing audio plugins, we listed the best free VSTs for your music studio.

Scroll down to browse the VST plugins based on their category. Each category page features the best free virtual instruments and effects for a specific music production task. Welcome to the internet's most up-to-date directory of freeware VST plugins.

The categories are updated with the latest free plugins multiple times per year. Be sure to check back from time to time and keep your free VST plugin collection up to date!

Free VST Plugins Directory

This free synth sounds and behaves pretty much exactly like the original and is a must-have for every electronic producer. Deep, rich and yummy, and in our opinion best used for lead sounds and basses. Just beware that it might need some taming because of its' power – the sounds take up a lot of space in the mix. Ichiro Toda's Nord Lead 2 Red clone Synth1 is an easy to use and very versatile synth for making all sorts of sounds. This link will take you to a page that links to the synth and also a collection of 14,000 presets over 173 banks. Phuturetone's Phutura is based on the Alpha Juno. It can do basslines, pads, and leads, but most importantly DAT. If there is one free VST synth that you want to get yourself familiar with, it is the Synth1 by Ichiro Toda. This synthesizer is actually a favorite among many music producers, and is often the one that's most recommended. Synth1 is an analog modeled subtractive synthesizer. It's functions are modeled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth. What it does: OBXD is based on the venerated OB-X synth from Oberheim, but it isn't a direct copy. It does a pretty good job of imitating the kind of sound you'd expect to get out of the OB-X, but layers on a bunch of additional features. If you're looking for a free synth that can create Oberheim-ish sounds, this is the best you're going to get.

Free VST Effects

Freeware effects in VST plugin format:

• Autotune – Free alternatives to Antares Auto-Tune.
• Bitcrusher – An extensive collection of freeware bitcrushers.
• Chorus – A selection of the best free chorus effects.
• Compressor – Dynamic range compressor VST plugins.
• Compressor (Multiband) – A collection of multi-band compressor effects.
• Compressor (Sidechain) – A collection of compressor effects with sidechain input.
• Delay/Echo – Add depth to your mix with these excellent freeware delay effects.
• Distortion – Distort and saturate your audio with these freeware plugins.
• EQ (Graphic) – Free graphic equalizers in VST format.
• EQ (Linear-Phase) – Linear-phase equalizers in the VST plugin format.
• EQ (Parametric) – Standard parametric equalizers for mixing and mastering purposes.
• Filter – A collection of filtering effects.
• Flanger – Free flanger VST effects.
• Gate (Noise Gate) – Freeware VST plugins for removing noise from recordings.
• Granulator – A collection of granular effects to really mess up your audio.
• Guitar Amp – Large collection of virtual guitar amplifier VST plugins.
• Guitar Cab (coming soon)
• Limiter – Free limiter effects for mastering and mixing.
• Phaser – The best free phaser plugins.
• Reverb – Algorithmic reverb VST plugins.
• Reverb (Convolution) – Convolution reverb VSTs.
• Saturation (Console/Tape/Tube) – Get a warmer sound using free saturation tools.
• Stereo Enhancer – Enhance the stereo separation in your mix with these freeware effects.
• Transient Shaper – Make the drums more prominent in a mix with these free transient shapers.
• Vocoder – Become the next Daft Punk with these vocoder free VST plugins.

Free VST Instruments

A selection of free virtual instruments in VST plugin format:

• Drum Machine/Synth – Instruments for synthesizing and sequencing drum sounds.
• Organ – A collection of free organ instruments in VSTi plugin format.
• Piano (Acoustic) – Free VST plugins that emulate acoustic pianos.
• Piano (Electric) – Virtual instruments that emulate electric keyboards.
• Sampler – The best freeware VST plugins for audio samples.
• Sound Module/Workstation – A round-up of virtual instruments that function as romplers.
• SoundFont Player – If you're feeling old school, load your old SF2 files with these free plugins.
• String Machine – A collection of string ensemble instruments. Jean Michel Jarre will love these!
• Synthesizer – Best free synthesizer VST plugins.
• Synthesizer (Retro) – Emulated vintage synthesizers.

Free VST Utilities

Best Free Synths 2019 Movies

Other useful freeware VST plugins:

• Arpeggiator – A collection of freeware arpeggiator VST plugins.
• Oscilloscope – Free oscilloscope tools.
• Spectrum Analyzer – Visualize your mix with these freeware spectrum analyzers.
• Step Sequencer – Sequence your virtual instruments with these freeware step sequencers.
  

Best Free Synths 2019 Release

VST Host Applications

A selection of free audio editors, digital audio workstations, and other applications that host VST plugins:

• Audio Editing Software – Audio editing programs that can host VST plugins.
• Beat Making Software – Make beats on your computer.
• Digital Audio Workstations – The best free DAW software.
• Free Recording Software – Record high-quality audio with these free tools.
• Mastering Software – Freely downloadable VST plugins for mastering.
• Music Production Software – The best free music-making tools for beginners.
• Video Editing Software – Edit your music videos for free.
• VST Host Applications – Directory of VST plugin hosts for music production and live performance.

Developer Archives

An archive of free VST plugins that are not supported anymore. These freeware plugins are hosted on BPB with the permission of their developers.

If you're a software developer interested in hosting your VST plugins on Bedroom Producers Blog's servers, feel free to get in touch!

What Are VST Plugins?

In case you've never used VST plugins before, chances are you're facing a question. What are VST plugins?

A VST plugin is a software-based audio effect or a virtual instrument intended for use in a host program that supports Virtual Studio Technology. Most digital audio workstations nowadays can load VST and VST3 plugins.

VST plugins are used to expand a virtual music studio, much like how hardware effects and instruments are utilized in a real studio. There are literally thousands of VST plugins available for free download on the web.

In fact, there are so many free VST plugins on the market that one can waste hours downloading and testing them instead of making music. For this reason, we have created the free VST directory to help music producers find the right tools more quickly.

The acronym VST stands for Virtual Studio Technology. Introduced by Steinberg in 1996, the Virtual Studio Technology and VST plugins made a massive impact on the way we produce music today. The technology allows music producers to expand their digital audio workstation with third-party audio effects and virtual instruments.

How To Use A VST Plugin?

Now you know what a VST plugin is. But how can you use VST plugins to make music?

You will need a VST plugin host. That is a software program capable of loading VST plugins.

Choosing the right audio software and learning to use it properly will ensure an efficient workflow when producing music. Therefore, make sure to familiarize yourself with the software available in your VST plugin folder. No one wants to use a complex plugin for the first time during a critical mixing session.

Step 1: VST Host

First of all, you need to choose the right VST host or digital audio workstation. The decision to use freeware or commercial music production software is up to you and your budget.

Best Free Synths

The first thing to keep in mind when choosing your DAW is the workflow. Is the interface intuitive? Does the control layout seem logical to you? Does the application provide all the recording and mixing features you'll require? And most importantly, can it host VST plugins?

The best free digital audio workstations right now are Tracktion 7 and Cakewalk by BandLab. Both applications can load VST plugins.

Step 2: Downloading Free VST plugins

Now that you've picked your DAW, you're all set to start building your collection of free VST plugins.

Always go for quality instead of quantity. The biggest mistake people make when discovering the world of free VST plugins is to download hundreds of VSTs and to hoard them on the hard drive. This is bad for your workflow, and it will slow down your productivity.

Imagine that your DAW is a real-world studio. Would you be able to make music in a room cluttered with hundreds of dusty instruments, effects, broken tapes, disconnected audio cables, and other gear that no one will ever use? You don't want such a mess in your virtual studio, either.

Stay organized when choosing your virtual instruments and effects. This page is a great place to start because we listed only the best freeware VST plugins in each category.

What you need is a small but versatile collection of audio software that will cover all of your music production needs.

Take the time to examine the plugins on offer and keep only the ones that you really need. Keep your mixing toolbox lightweight and efficient. Limit yourself to no more than three virtual compressors, equalizers, synthesizers, etc. Install only the tools that best suit your workflow and learn how to use them. Read the manuals, watch the video tutorials, and spend some time experimenting with your free VST plugins.

Step 3: Staying up to date

Finally, keep your plugins up to date. Developers often release updated versions of their freeware plugins, which include essential bug fixes and additional features. Keep an eye on our news section to stay informed about the latest updates of popular VST plugins. Also, consider subscribing to our email newsletter to receive the latest freeware news straight to your email inbox.

If you're looking for even more freeware plugins for your DAW, check out the massive database over at KVR Audio.

Updated on November 13th, 2020.