The 60 Best Free

VST Plugins Of 2016

Throughout the year, we tirelessly searched the internet to bring you
the best free VST plugins out there.

Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins are the tools all music
producers need to produce and mix music in a DAW.

This roundup will give you everything you need: the best Bass VSTs,
VST Effects, VST Drums, VST Synths, some Very Strange Things,
Vocal Plugins and VSTs for extra Analog Warmth.

Simply put this list will have you covered to make your next banger.
Ready to dig in? Let’s go.

BASSLINE SYNTH VSTS

1. Steinberg – Model E
The Model E is a useful 3 oscillator bass station capable of pumping
out some nice lines.

Download Model E For Free

2. TAL – Elek7ro
The Tal Elek7ro synth-plug is good for pretty much everything.
Including making some nice full basses for your tracks.

Download Elek7ro For Free

3. Plogue – Sforzando TableWarp2

The TableWarp2 is part of Plogue’s Sforzando bundle. It’s a versatile
synth that gives you tons of classic sounds…

Download TableWarp2 For Free

4. NUSofting – Sinnah
The Sinnah is great. It can create cool noisy tones with its 3 channel
delay matrix and feedback sculpting.

Download Sinnah For Free

5. TAL – BassLine
The TAL-Bassline has a warm analog sound and ‘robust core‘ for all
your bass and acid needs.

Download TAL-Bassline For Free

6. U-He – Tyrell N6
The U-He TyrellN6 is a powerful overall plugin that will give you all
varieties of nice analog synth sounds.

Download TyrellN6 For Free

7. Ample Sound – Ample Bass P LITE II

The Ample Bass P Lite II is a nice electric bass plug perfect for some
groovier and more rock-centric bass sounds.

Download Ample Bass P Lite II For Free

8. LinPlug – Free Alpha 3

Free Alpha 3’s 2 oscillators are perfect for all sorts of nice basses and
the built-in presets are superb starting points for all types of bass and
more.

Download Free Alpha 3 For Free

9. Bruce Sutherland – JuceOPLVSTI

JuceOPLVSTI’s interface is a lot like a video game and is super easy
to use to get some superb basses, leads and pretty much any other
sound you need from an FM synth.

Download JuceOPLVSTI For Free

10. Synister – SYNISTER

Synister is one of the best looking and easiest to use synth plugins
I’ve ever seen. This 3 oscillator synth is perfect for making all types of
basslines.
Download Synister For Free

VST EFFECTS

11. Valhalla — Freq Echo

The Freq Echo is a frequency shifter with analog echo emulation. It

adds chorus, phasing and flanger effects.

Download Freq Echo For free.

12. Audio Damage — FuzzPlus3

Here’s the updated FuzzPlus distortion pedal emulation from Audio
Damage. Amazing on synths and drums for meaty, distorted effects.

Download FuzzPlus3 For Free.

13. MH Thump Percussive Subharmonic Synth

MH Thump adds low end to your track. It recreates that nice thump
you get on a vintage TR-808 drum machine.

Download MH Thump For Free.

14. Tritik — Krush Bit Crusher

Krush is a very elegant bit crusher. It creates that crunchy digital
bit reduction effect.

Download Krush For Free.

15. Mercuriall — TSC Overdrive

Meet the Mercuriall Tube Screamer 808—your new overdrive effect
plugin. Modelled after the Ibanez TS-808 pedal.

Download Mercuriall TSC For Free.

16. Pecheng — Tremolo

The Pecheneg is a tremolo effect. It gives you the power to create
rhythmic modulations with your sound.

Download Pecheng Tremolo For Free.

17. TAL — Chorus-LX

TAL’s stereo Chorus-LX is inspired by the Roland Juno-60 chorus. It’s
a simple but powerful tool.

Download TAL Chorus XL For Free.

18. TDR — Nova EQ

The TDR Nova is a four-band dynamic Equalizer (EQ). A true
workhorse.

Download TDR Nova For Free.

19. U-He — Protoverb 1.0

The Protoverb 1.0 by U-He is a different kind of reverb. It lets
you generate random settings and save the ones you like.

Download Protoverb 1.0 For Free.

20. CableGuys — PanCake 2

The PanCake 2 is most flexible panning effect you’ll ever find. It lets
you manually draw the curves of your panning modulation.

Download PanCake 2 For Free.

VST DRUMS

21. Mx Project — T.Rex 606

The T.REX 606 is a compact rompler modelled after the iconic Roland
TR-606 drum machine.

Download the T.REX For Free.

22. Wavosaur — DjinnDrum

The Djinndrum has you set for all that classic sound that the iconic
Linn LM-1 drum machine packs in.

Download the Djinndrum For Free.

23. Studio Linked — Drum Pro

Drum Pro has 20 built in drum kits, 12 pads and global effects, what
more do you need from a drum machine plugin?

Download Drum Pro For Free.

24. Real Drum Samples — Line Of Legends

This plugin boasts 47 high quality samples, 8 individual output
channels, and punch, release & attack knobs for some serious
tweakage.

Download Line of Legends For Free.

25. Sean Pandy — Drums Multi

If you’re looking for a heavier metal-style drum sound on your mix, this
VST will definitely give you it.

Download the Sean Pandy Drums Mutli For Free.

26. Teragon Audio — KickMaker

The KickMaker is a plugin built for crafting the perfect kick. So what’re
you waiting for? Get kickin’.

Download the Kick Maker For Free.

27. BeatSkillz — Beat Factory Drums

Beat Factory Drums is easy to use, sounds great, and packs a serious
punch.

Download Beat Factory Drums For Free.

28. MT Power — Drum Kit 2

The MT Power Drum Kit 2 has a top notch drum sounds that cut
through any mix AND a fully pre-programmed groove library.

Download MT Power Drum Kit 2 For Free.

29. Dub Turbo — DrumTroop

The DrumTROOP drum machine is big both in its sound and what it
offers. It’s a “weapon of mass production.”

Download DrumTROOP For Free.

30. Sample Science — Vintage Drum Elements

Vintage Drum Elements has a nice, warm analogue sound that
vintage drum machines have.

Download Vintage Drum Elements For Free.

VST SYNTHS

31. Dexed – FM Plugin Synth

Dexed is a frequency modulation synth, the perfect FM VST plugin.
It’s closely modelled after the iconic Yamaha DX7.

Download Dexed For Free.

32. Audjoo — Helix

The download of Helix is a ‘trial’ but it’s fully functional. It gives you
‘soaring leads, solid basses and glimmering pads.’

Download Helix For Free.

33. Martinic — Combo Model F

Combo Model F is perfect for when you need a fun little organ sound.

Download Combo Model F For Free.

34. Synth1
SYNTH1 is hosted on Geocities Japan. So get ready to take a walk
down memory lane.

Download Synth1 For Free.

35. Brain Control — TuneFish 4 Synth

Tunefish 4 is a versatile free VST synth that can create just about
anything: pads, leads, bass or any other tasty sound your track needs.

Download TuneFish 4 For Free.

36. Muon — Tau Bassline

The Muon Tau Bassline is modelled after the Roland 303. This small
but powerful VST synth gives you that sweet sweet 303 bass we all
know and love.

Download Muon Tau For Free.

SOME VERY STRANGE THINGS

37. U-He —Triple Cheese Synth

U-he makes cheesy infinitely fun with this ridiculous comb-filter synth.

Download Triple Cheese For Free.

38. Ohm Force — SymptOhm PE

Any instrument that has a preset called ‘Dirty Maurice’ instantly caught
our attention. And it didn’t disappoint when we started playing with it.

Download SymptOhm PE For Free.

39. MDSP Smart Electronix — Livecut Beat Chopper

LiveCut is a beat chopper that runs on some less-than-normal logic.
Make some freaky loops!

Download Livecut For Free.

40. Tytel — Helm Synth

Helm is a synth VST. But you can run it anywhere, change the source
code and generally modify the crap out of it.

Download Helm For Free.

41. Alan Vista Plugins

We had to put Alan Vista Plugins on this list. But we couldn’t decide
on just one. So we picked all of them.

Download all Alan Vista plugins For Free.

42. Darwin Arts — Trilobite

Apply the basic laws of Darwin evolution to grow your synth patches
over time with the Trilobite.

Download Trilobite For Free.

43. Wavosaur — VST Speek

This spell-and-speak plugin reads back anything you type into it. All in
a tweakable voice capable of some pretty strange sounds.

Download the Mac version of Wavosaur For Free.

Download the Windows version of Wavosaur For Free.

44. Piz — Harsh Digital Nose

If a shape could make a sound, what would it sound like? Draw
shapes, lines, or pictures right inside this plugin to see what they
sound like.

Download Harsh Digital Nose For Free.

VOCAL VST PLUGINS

45. TDR — Proximity

The Tokyo Dawn Proximity lets you change the mic placement AFTER
you record. Useful and pretty cool!

Download Proximity For Free.

46. Acon Digital — Multiply Chorus

Vocals need some color. Acon Digital’s Multiply Chorus will thicken up
your sound.

Download Multiply For Free.

46. Melda — MAutoPitch

Auto-tune is the vocal mixer’s secret weapon. MAutoPitch is one of
the best auto-tune plugins around.

Download MAutoPitch For Free.

47. Voxengo — OldSkoolVerb Auto-Tune

OldSkoolVerb has got you covered in terms of vocal reverb. Create
the perfect sonic space in your mix.

Download OldSkoolVerb for Free.

48. Klanghelm — DC1A Compressor

The DC1A is a nifty character compressor. It has you covered “from
smooth levelling to heavy pumping.”

Download the DC1A2 For Free.

49. Alex Hilton — A1 Trigger Gate

Using a step-style sequencer the A1 Trigger Gate packs in a boat load
of cool effects.

Download the A1 Trigger Gate For Free.

50. Glitch Machines — Hystheresis

This delay plugin creates “robotic artifacts and abstract music
malfunctions.” Count me in.

Download Hysteresis For Free.

51. Acustica — Ochre EQ

The Ochre from Acustica is super useful. It’s perfect for sculpting out
the best vocals you can.

Download Ochre For Free.

53. Fine Cut Bodies — La Petite Excite

Exciter plugins add subtle harmonics for some extra sonic-excitement
in the high range. Throw this one on your vocal track.

Download La Petite Excite for Free

ANALOG WARMTH PLUGINS

54. Shattered Glass Audio — SGA1566 Tube Preamp

Use the SGA 1566 as a saturation compressor to boost the warmth of
your track. Or add a bit of grit with the tube overdrive.

Download the SGA 1566 For Free.

55. TDR — Slick EQ

The TDR Slick EQ is a sleek easy-to-use three-band EQ that gives
you amazing sound—like all Tokyo Dawn Records plugins.

Download the TDR SlickEQ For Free.

56. Shattered Glass Audio — Ace Amp

This amp plugin has simple controls and doesn’t eat up your CPU.

Download the Ace For Free.

57. Vladg — Molot Compressor

Vladg’s Molot is a compressor with character. It will give your sound
interesting color.

Download Molot For Free.

58. Voxengo — Tube Amp

Voxengo’s Tube Amp gives you warm overdrive, fuzzy distortion and
everything in between.

Download Voxengo Tube Amp For Free.

59. Klanghelm — MJUC Jr. Compressor

Klanghelm’s MJUC jr. compressor is simple and elegant. Use it for
smooth compression or a heavier pumping effect.

Download the MJUC jr. For Free.

60. Tone Boosters — TB Reelbus Tape Emulator

The TB ReelBus simulates everything that’s great about a tape
machine: warm saturation, tape hiss, wow and flutter and more.

Download the TB ReelBus For Free (the demo version works great).

Bonus: Softube — Saturation Knob

Had to add the Softube at the last second cause it’s just so sweet.
Dave Pensado loves it too.

This Saturation Knob is one the best free analog emulation plugins out
there. Grab this bonus plug and go!

Download the Softube Saturation Knob For Free.

GOTTA CATCH’EM ALL

Now that you got all these free VST plugins, time to hit the studio!

Download the entire collection and experiment.

Record better vocals or a stellar synth line. Get freaky with Very
Strange Things or stay classy with classic effects.
No more excuse for not finishing that track!

Leticia Trandafir

Leticia is a DJ and music maker with a love for 303 basslines and
hangouts at the library. Content Creator at LANDR.