The Best Free Plug-ins: A list of great gear that won’t cost you a thing
Approximate reading time: 39 Seconds
Free plug-ins – what’s not to like? There are dozens – hundreds, actually – of great software tools out there that won’t cost you a dime. We’ve put together lists of great free plug-ins you can download now. And we’re not talking b-stock from years ago – these are recent modules covered in our rolling weekly coverage of the latest free plug-in releases. They include synths, EQs, compressors, guitar amp sims and weird and wonderful sound-mangling stuff…
Please note: downloading some of these may require you to do something to get them, like register with a company, leave your email address or similar. One or two might have been time-limited at the time of writing and no longer available. Now delve in to our list of the latest free plug-ins!
02 Aug 2020 in Studio
This week's collection of the best free plug-ins features four free effects, an emulation of the Synsonics drum synth and a kick drum enhancer. Here's SuperflyDSP, Synsonics-V and Essentials Kick.
Best free plug-ins this week: Dragonfly Reverb 3.2, Yumbu and Freq 2
26 Jul 2020 in Studio
This week's collection of free plug-ins features the latest version of a very popular free reverb plug-in. We've also got a drum sampler and an EQ. Here's Dragonfly Reverb 3.2, Yumbu and Freq 2.
Best free plug-ins this week: CHOW Tape Model, 2B Clipped and Psyscope
19 Jul 2020 in Studio
This week, check out a free tape simulation plug-in that began as a class project! We've also got distortion and a colourful 4-channel oscilloscope. Here's CHOW Tape Model, 2B Clipped and Psyscope.
Best free plug-ins this week: Wave Destroyer, V-Dist Classic and Ideal
12 Jul 2020 in Studio
This week's collection of free plug-ins gives you a choice of two distortion effects. We've also got an experimental drum and percussion synth. Here's Wave Destroyer, V-Dist Classic and Ideal.
Best free plug-ins this week: Nils K1v, JP-ME-1 and Universe
05 Jul 2020 in Studio
Two unique synths and an 80s-style reverb – that sums up this week's collection of the best free plug-ins. Check out K1v, JP-ME-1 and Universe!
Best free plug-ins this week: TwoRuleFilter, FetDrive, ValhallaSpaceModulator
28 Jun 2020 in Studio
This week's roundup of the best free plug-ins brings us a filter with lots of rhythmic glitching and a FET-based saturator. Also, the wonderful Valhalla Space Modulator is now free for everyone!
Best free plug-ins this week: BANG!, EQ Curve Analyzer and Abandoned Synths
21 Jun 2020 in Studio
This week's collection of free plug-ins includes a drum synthesizer, an EQ analyzer and two synths that sound great despite not being finished. Here's BANG!, EQ Curve Analyzer and Abandoned Synths.
Best free plug-ins this week: Sphere, FetSnap and L4Reverb
14 Jun 2020 in Studio
This week's collection of the best free plug-ins features two unconventional reverbs and a transient enhancer based on a famous FET compressor. Check out Sphere, FetSnap and L4Reverb!
Best free plug-ins this week: Ton Geraet 1, BAFEX Studio and Tape Cassette 2
07 Jun 2020 in Studio
It's a great week for free plug-ins! Not only has the wonderfully twisted Ton-Geraet 1 synthesizer just become freeware. We've also got a bundle of no less than free 40 plug-ins.
Best free plug-ins this week: Denoiser, Stringya 2 and LoudMax
31 May 2020 in Studio
This week's collection of free plug-ins brings us an automatable de-noising tool, a transparent brickwall limiter and a virtual string ensemble. Introducing Denoiser, LoudMax and Stringya 2.
Best free plug-ins this week: Schroeder, Hanon B70 and Lattice Reverb
24 May 2020 in Studio
An iconic tonewheel organ and not one, but two unusual reverbs: That's this week's collection of the best free plug-ins. Check out Schroeder, Hanon B70 and Lattice Reverb.
Best free plug-ins this week: Elsita-V, Exakt Lite and Scratchknott
17 May 2020 in Studio
This week's collection of free plug-ins features a rare Soviet drum synth, an FM synth and a plug-in that lets you scratch any audio file. Check out Elsita-V, Exakt Lite and Scratchknott!
Best free plug-ins this week: LightPadSynth, TruPressor and TUBA
10 May 2020 in Studio
This week's roundup of the best free plug-ins includes a unique synth, a one-knob compressor and a tube preamp. Stock your plug-in folder with LightPadSynth, TruPressor and TUBA.
Best free plug-ins this week: Doremi, Tonedeluxe V2 and Prebox
03 May 2020 in
A synth, a guitar amp and not one, but eleven preamps: that's this week's collection of the best free plug-ins. Spend your Sunday with Doremi, Tonedeluxe V2 and Prebox!
Best free plug-ins this week: LALA, Blanka and RealSpread 64
26 Apr 2020 in Studio
This week's collection of the best free plug-ins features a very famous compressor, an exciter and a stereo widener. Introducing LALA, Blanka and RealSpread 64.
Best free plug-ins this week: CollaB3, Squeezer and Modul 8
12 Apr 2020 in Studio
The Easter Sunday edition of our list of the best free plug-ins includes an extra special treat: a full-blown Hammond B3 emulation! Also included: a compressor and a dual-LFO chorus.