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Plugins To mark Plugin Week, here’s our pick of the most out-there sound design plugins you should grab now
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  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
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7 of the best free VST/AU creative effect plugins

News
By Computer Music ( Computer Music ) last updated 20 September 2022

Great processors that are inspiring rather than practical

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Go wild

Go wild

There’s nothing subtle about the sparkling selection of effects we’ve assembled here. These plugins aren’t meant to enhance, but rather to entrance; to ignite the spark of creativity into a conflagration. They exist to transform, transmogrify and transcend the ordinary. Some shake up your signals - others carry them aloft and away. We encourage you to give each and every one a go.

• The best free music software and plugins: DAWs, synths effects and more

For more on making music with freeware, check out the March 2015 issue of Computer Music (CM214), which is in sale now. Also be sure to browse our round-ups of the best free plugin synths and free mixing plugins.

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
Circular Labs Mobius

Circular Labs Mobius

Few things are more inspirational than a good sound-on-sound Frippertronics-style looper. Don’t confuse this with a loop-based sequencer like Acid - Mobius is all about building up layers in real time.

Download Circular Labs Mobius

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
iZotope Vinyl

iZotope Vinyl

This classic does just what the name suggests, imparting the character of a vinyl record to your tracks. Mac and Windows, but 32-bit only, alas.

Download iZotope Vinyl

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
MeldaProduction MfreqShifter

MeldaProduction MfreqShifter

Part of the outstanding MFreeEffectsBundle also featured in our round-up of mixing effects, this ultra-bizarre plugin allows you to twist your signals with a frequency shifting process not unlike that seen on the modular synthesisers of yore.

Not to be confused with a pitchshifter, a frequency shifter does not leave the relationship between the harmonics of your signal intact. Nasty!

Download MeldaProduction MfreqShifter

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
Anarchy Sound Software AnarchyEffects

Anarchy Sound Software AnarchyEffects

Anarchy offers a number of inspiring goodies at no cost. Check out this set of five timbre-twisting tools, including Convoluter, Corkscrew, HarmonicAdder, SpectralAutopan, and LengthSeperator.

Download Anarchy Sound Software AnarchyEffects

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
Illformed Glitch

Illformed Glitch

Glitch can transform a basic beat into something far more gripping and modern. It’s not just one effect, but many, and they can be sequenced in the step sequencer-like grid. Glitch 1.3 is included in a bundle called Old VST Plug-ins Pack from the Illformed site. This classic plugin will show up as dBlue Glitch in your VST folder.

This one’s Windows only, we’re afraid. To get a Mac or Linux version, you’ll have to pony up a few bucks.

Download Illformed Glitch

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
DestroyFX plugins

DestroyFX plugins

DestroyFX plugins have been around for yonks, but they’re still perfect whenever you need something that’ll bend and break your signals beyond recognition.

Download DestroyFX plugins

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Michael Ourednik Argotlunar

Michael Ourednik Argotlunar

The idea of granular processing has been around for decades, but it’s only become commonplace with the advent of desktop music production. Granular processors break a signal into tiny grains that can be played back out of order, out of time and otherwise manipulated. Michael Ourednik’s Argotlunar is a free granular processor.

Download Michael Ourednik Argotlunar

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
Computer Music
Computer Music
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Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.

Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects… image
Get over 70 FREE plugin instruments and effects…
…with the latest issue of Computer Music magazine
More Info
Read more
Plugins
To mark Plugin Week, here’s our pick of the most out-there sound design plugins you should grab now
Plugins
Our go-to plugins for adding flavour to our sounds
excite audio plugin
Excite Audio's Motion: Fractal plugin is a granular powerhouse for twisting, stretching and scattering sounds
Plugins Future owns
Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
synths
5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
waves free plguins
Waves makes 7 plugins available for free, including convolution reverb, FM synth and tube saturator
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