Free music software: the best audio app and plug-in downloads on the net
Free music software
This is a constantly updated collection of free music software downloads - the best VST effects/instruments, other plug-ins and freeware apps on the net.
Assembled from three years of (almost) weekly round-ups, here you'll find everything from virtual synths, EQ, compression and distortion effects to playable desk fans and meowing instruments - all 100% free.
If you've got a new free music software release, make sure you let us know about it by emailing musicradar.pressreleases@futurenet.com with all the details. Or, if you spot any out-of-date links or lapsed freebies, just ask, and we’ll remove them.
Next: The latest round-up
The latest no-charge plugins
Saltline Liść Delay
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A delay effect that features pre- and post-effect filters. Each of the three delays can have its own dedicated filters, enabling you to create everything from subtle spatial effects to twisted glitch sounds.
Prysm Audio Monosc
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
The brainboxes among you will probably be able to deduce from the name that this is a single oscillator monophonic synth. It has a Unison mode (1 to 16 voices), a filter that offers four different types and - from the look of it - a very simple interface.
Xenobioz Kruudster
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A hybrid synth plugin that sports three oscillators, three LFOs, a Randomizer key, three ADSRs, a filter and more. Kruudster is said to be notable for its drawable low resolution waveforms.
NTS Audio Labs Scale Wizard
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Ever wanted to have all your keyboard playing corrected so that it sounds 'right'? That's what Scale Wizard is designed to do - it's a MIDI filter/corrector that enables you to play in any key, mode or scale using just the white keys. It can also be used as a chord/chord scales generator.
KX77FREE Kx-PolyM-CSE
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
An emulation of a vintage analogue polyphonic synth that comes with a CV/gate sequencer. It takes some inspiration from Yamaha's CS-70M and sports a 20*12 matrix and six VCOs with five selectable waveforms each.
Bserrano zXYs
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A simple X/Y pad controller plugin. You can assign up to eight parameters per axis using Control Change messages and then set the ranges for each.
Saltline/music-society.net CBW01
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A drum machine that offers four hit editors and an effects section. There are independent MIDI controls for each, plus 16 modulation slots that promise to provide greater dynamics when playing. You'll have to register for music-society.net if you want to download CBW01.
Crunchy effects, synthetic beats and more
Juno Ju-X Gimmick Graph
Platform/format: Mac/AU Download
Appropriately enough, given its name, Gimmick Graph promises a new synthesis method. Its oscillator hits upon its waveform by setting how many times to twist it in a cycle, dividing it up by scanning up and down, before finally allowing the player to determine the positions of the turning points. There's a graph on the website to explain the process, but you might be better off just giving the thing a try.
Klanghelm IVGI
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Put some "soft and subtle" saturation on your master buss or add "dense and dirty" distortion effects to individual tracks with this simple looking plugin. IVGI is said to react dynamically to the input signal and to deliver a lively, real and transparent sound.
Tek'it Audio Winkl
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
A foldback distortion unit that's unashamedly unsubtle - use it to make your sounds (particularly those of the bass and lead variety) scream. Operation is simple, being based around just Drive and Output Gain controls.
Third Harmonic Studios EXD-80
Platform/format: PC/VST, Download
A subtractive synthesis-based drum and percussion instrument. Eight modules cover the main rhythmic bases (kick, snare, hi-hats etc), and are said to produce sounds that range from classic drum machine emulations to "crazy, mangled glitch sounds". There are four stereo outputs, each of which has its own effects section.
A synth, a reverb/delay processor and a pitch bender
SonicXTC Deep-Mono
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Designed in the spirit of the classic '70s monosynths, this single-oscillator instrument promises to be easy to program - all of its parameters are displayed on the front panel. There are 70 presets, but the real fun may come in creating your own.
Saltline Drzewo Liść-verb
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A reverb/delay effect that's designed with simplicity in mind. Use it for everything from creating pad ambiences to textured beats. You can also throw a state-variable filter into the mix for additional creative opportunities.
Sonic Emblem Sonic BND
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
Sonic BND does realtime audio pitchbending with an LFO. There's a plus/minus 12 semitone range and six types of waveform, while the LFO rate can be synced to your current BPM.
Subtractive and additive synths and a free effects bundle
Creatorum Genius Lab Imago
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Designed for creating rhythmic pads and basses, this 3-oscillator synth sports two filters, amp and filter envelopes, delay, EQ and a flanger. There's also a 32-step sequencer and, if you're feeling lucky, you can randomise all parameters with a single button press.
Mildon Studios HUE-X + M4GIQ Plugin Bundle
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Two freebies in one bundle. HUE-X is an EQ that's designed for people who like to experiment with sound, giving you ten descriptively named faders to tweak. M4GIQ, meanwhile, is a multi-effect that enables you to apply gain, panning and delay to each frequency band, so you can spread frequencies across the stereo image.
Tonebytes Harmonaut
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This ad-supported instrument is based on additive synthesis technology and comes with four waveform types and 32 harmonics that can be drawn with your mouse. You can also adjust the attack, decay, sustain and release for each harmonic, while a low-pass/high-pass filter, an LFO and chorus can be called into play, too.
TA Programming SubSonic
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Billed as "the synth that takes you back," SubSonic is a subtractive instrument that promises to give you a vintage sound. Among its tools are three oscillators, a graphical ADSR envelope, a multimode filter and reverb, delay, chorus, flanger and warper modules.
De-esser, filter, stereo expander and synth plugins
Sleepy-Time DSP Lisp
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This level-independent sibilance processor is said to be a new type of de-esser that offers automatic sibilance detection. It does this by tracking the amplitude and pitch of its input in real time - set the reduction amount and Lisp will work on eliminating those unwanted 'ss', 'the', and 'ch' sounds.
Saltline Drzewo Liść-step
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A simple state-variable filter (low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, band reject) that enables you to control the cutoff frequency via either the 16-step sequencer or the LFO. Modulated filter patterns are easy to create, so we're told.
HASound Spring 212
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST Download
If you're mixing music for systems that have stereo speakers in close proximity - boomboxes, for example - HASound thinks that this stereo expander plugin will help you to add a bit of width.
Xenobioz Funxion
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A hybrid 3-oscillator synth that comes with user-definable functions for waveforms and distortion. Other features include three LFOs, three ADSRs, a randomizer, a multimode filter and two delay units.
11 new releases to get your teeth into
Nikolozi Easy MIDI Free
Platform/format: Mac Download
Ever wanted to turn your Mac's QWERTY keyboard into a MIDI controller? This enables you to do precisely that - we imagine that it could be particularly useful for mobile musicians using laptops. With an appropriate MIDI interface you can even use it to control iOS apps.
Rob Papen RP Dock
Platform/format: Mac Download
If you own several Rob Papen synths and want to use them outside of your DAW (as part of a live performance, for example) this standalone Mac-only host could be what you're looking for. It can host RP effects as well, and also boasts audio recording/playback and a MIDI In.
TDR Feedback Compressor II
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
Designed specifically for bus compression but suitable for mixing tasks as well, this plugin analyses the output signal and promises highly musical compression and the ability to handle complex signals with ease. Rather than attempting to emulate any classic hardware, it's proudly digital.
Nick Crow Lab Wagner Sharp
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
This tube guitar preamp emulation certainly looks like a real piece of hardware, and it may well sound like one, too. There are two channels and a stereo mode to handle double tracking, with each channel only being activated when a signal is present in order to preserve CPU power.
Qirex Audio Qirex Player 2.0
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This free SFZ player has been given a bit of a revamp - it now sports a nifty new interface. There's also an automatic volume limiter, improved audio processing and several bug fixes.
Mzuther traKmeter
Platform/format: PC, Linux/VST Download
A loudness meter that helps you to correctly set your tracking and mixing levels. Specifically, it's designed for gain staging, and so gives you both average and peak level meters. If you're unsure what all of this means, you'll be pleased to know that traKmeter comes with plenty of documentation.
B. Serrano Dionysos
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A 16-voice polyphonic synth that utilises subtractive, FM and additive techniques. It may be free, but it's certainly feature-packed, offering filters, envelopes, LFOs, a 32-step sequencer and plenty of modulation possibilities.
TSE Audio TSE808
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
This appears to be an emulation of Ibanez's Tube Screamer, and is designed to be used before your amp simulation to give you a tighter low end and add a bit of boost to lead parts.
Guitar Amp 2 Free Edition
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Get yourself a free rack of guitar gear: this plugin includes two amplifiers for guitar and bass plus effects and a tuner. This second version promises improved performance and various other fixes.
Ignite Amps TSB-1 Tyrant Screamer
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
Another overdrive plugin that's inspired by a particular green hardware model from yesteryear, this one promises additional features that make it suitable for use on extremely down-tuned guitars.
Torn Sub Behemoth
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A free bassline synth based on additive synthesis. There are four oscillators, and it's designed to create a powerful and punchy bass sound that can be used straight away.
PanCake 2, Flan-W and Filta Crunch 2
CableGuys PanCake 2
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU, RTAS Download
This creative tool enables you to create complex pan modulations and gives you the ability to draw your own waveforms. The LFO can be set to free-run or sync to host, and version 2 adds a precise left/right channel volume display, LFO triggering via MIDI, a dry/wet control and a redesigned interface.
Wok Flan-W
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This classic flanger effect has a stomp-style interface but is suitable for use on more than guitar parts. You can adjust the speed, depth and feedback of the effect.
SonicXTC Filta Crunch 2
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
We first encountered Filta Crunch in 2012: it recreates the popular studio insert effects chain of filter (a Moog-style one, in this case), tube amp and waveshaper. Version 2 brings added presence, an improved filter and waveshaper enhancements.
Freeware synths and effects
Xenobioz Kruud
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
We covered the beta version of this synth back in 2011, but version 1.0 has finally been released and adds an improved GUI with a new waveform editor. There are also new menus and lower CPU usage on user waveforms.
Synthscience.com effects
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Synthscience.com has not only redesigned its website recently, but also expanded its range of effects processors with a whopping 18 new plug-ins. You can choose from modulation, distortion/lo-fi, dynamics, filter/EQ and delay/reverb processors, so dive in and explore.
TSE Audio TSE X50
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
TSE's latest emulation is of a famous US guitar amp that's been used on a lot of metal records. There were actually two very similar versions of said amp, so you get two separate channels. If you like the plug-in, consider giving the developer a donation.
Xen-Arts XenFont
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A two-oscillator SF2 SoundFont/subtractive synthesis instrument that features full controller MIDI Pitch Microtuning, meaning that you can use it to experiment with alternative intonation systems. Load in your samples and put them through the synth engine to create new timbres.
Signal processors, a synth and a sample processor
Variety Of Sound TesslaPro mkII
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This transient aware signal saturator now has an expandable 'colour model' architecture and includes five different models. Three of these are console-styled and the other two emulate a tube stage and tape warmth.
TSE Audio B.O.D. 2.0
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
If you want to give your bass some dirt, this emulation of a well-known overdrive processing box could do the trick. This revised version sports a new interface, a low/high quality switch, improved op-amp modelling and dynamic saturation.
Mastrcode Music T-Force Alpha Plus
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This advanced version of T-Force Alpha TS has all the features of the aforementioned synth but also adds new synthesis options (there are both subtractive and FM options), revised oscillators, new mod envelopes and an integrated sidechaining effect.
Plogue sforzando
Platform/format: PC, Mac/AU, VST Download
This lean-looking SFZ 2.0 sample player has just one instrument slot, no fancy interface and no effects or mixer. What it can do, though, is play back files in this royalty-free format, while SF2, DLS and Acidized WAV files that are dropped in will be converted to it.
Phase distortion synths, a sampler and two delays
Solcito Musica BabyTron
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Just missing the deadline for the KVR Developer Challenge 2012, this analogue-style and phase distortion virtual synth is a cutdown version of Solcito Musica's SuperTron. It gives you just one oscillator, one envelope and one filter to work with, and the interface hides knobs that aren't currently needed.
Extent of the Jam Digits 1.3
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST Download
A significant update to this phase distortion synth that adds a full editor GUI and has much lower CPU usage. The synth was inspired by Casio's CZ series and can produce pads, glitchy sounds, basses, sweeps, leads and more. A Linux version is now available, too.
CWI Technology TX16Wx 2.0
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST Download
We told you about the first version of this free sampler in 2011; version 2.0 adds a raft of new features including a redesigned and resizable interface, unlimited undo/redo, a built-in file browser, a drag-n-drop workflow, automatic keyboard mapping of recorded samples and more.
Yuroun Sound Design YSD-dELAY
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A tempo-synced stereo delay plug-in that sports two state-variable filters (one for each channel), two LFOs, a waveshaper and 3-band EQ. 30 presets are included to get you started.
Jamie.B Audio Delay
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
It's pretty simple, but this delay plug-in looks like it's designed just to do a job with the minimum of fuss. There are Delay, Decay, Pre-Gain and Post-Gain sliders, and the results you can get from it are said to be "smooth and elegant".
Chorus, compressor, trance gate and techno plug-ins
Togu Audio Line TAL-Chorus-LX
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
This new chorus module is lifted from TAL's TAL-U-NO-LX and promises to bring the characteristics of the chorus from Roland's Juno-60. There are two different modes, a Dry/Wet control and Volume and Stereo Width knobs.
Mastrcode Music T-Force Trance Gate
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A trance gate that's triggered by an envelope-controlled 32-step sequencer. Each step has its own panning and velocity controls, while there's also a filter and dual delay and reverb effects.
NTS Audio Labs Techno-X
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Designed to help you to create techno loops, this standalone and plug-in software comes with 756 kicks, 231 hats and 470 claps and snares. One click can instantly generate 100 loops, apparently, while you can sidechain your kick, add swing and make use of filters.
Hypercube Softwares Universal Patch Finder
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
If you've ever struggled to locate a REX/WAV/AIFF file or Kontakt patch, this utility may be of some help. It enables you to organise the aforementioned files using 20 tags – files that you then search for and locate can be previewed in sync with your VST host.
Xfer Records OTT
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
OTT is designed to give you the 'multiband upwards/downwards compressor' setting that's used by many dubstep and electro producers. Depth and Time controls sit alongside the usual Input and Output gain dials.
Sound makers and shapers
Kotkas Paax Pro
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
There's always been a free version of the Paax software sampler, but now the full-on Pro version is available for nothing as well. This has many of the features you'd expect from a full-on commercial sampler, including 256 simultaneous voices, a multi-mode filter, advanced timestretching and pitchshifting and much more.
Notam Radium
Platform: PC, Mac, Linux Download
Inspired by trackers but supposedly with fewer limitations, Radium is billed as a music editor and promises a "novel interface". You can use an unlimited number of tracks and automate the likes of tempo, velocity and sound effects.
Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Feedback Compressor
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
It seems that there are now almost as many free compressors out there as there are chargeable ones, this one being the latest example. This is an RMS-based dynamic range compressor that's designed for summing/bus use and, refreshingly, it's "proudly digital" rather than any kind of analogue emulation.
Syncersoft Analog Warp
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A warping and morphing effect that's "designed to deliver the clear, penetrating sounds favoured by live musicians". It's said to have uses for producers who work in all manner of different genres, though the LFO section was put in with dubstep folk very much in mind.
SonicXTC Tonic Juice
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Another effects-chain-in-one-plug-in from SonicXTC. This one comes with a chorus that can be used to help background tones to sit better in a mix, a flanger to give harmonically rich sounds more presence, and an envelope follower to provide more tonal interest and movement.
Distorque Vitamin C
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
The Orange Squeezer guitar compressor gets the emulation treatment here, though there are also additional controls for extra tweaking. Famed for its "smooth squish and sustain" the original '70s hardware was used by the likes of Mark Knopfler and Jeff Baxter.
SonicXTC Liquid Delay
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This processor enables you to modulate a delayed stereo signal with a flanger and filter (plus a filter LFO). Designed for experimentation, it's designed for producers of all kinds of electronic music.
Browse and download
Back after an unscheduled mid-summer break, our free music software round-up is once again on hand to point you in the direction of the latest gratis effects and instruments.
If you've got a new free music software release, make sure you let us know about it by emailing musicradar.pressreleases@futurenet.com with all the details.
Solicto Musica SuperTron
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
The info for this one's all in Spanish, but from what we can gather, it's a two-oscillator virtual analogue synth that comes with various typical features and something called the Step Modulator. If you want to find out more, perhaps your best bet is to check out the demo video.
SonicXTC Filta Crunch
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Filta Crunch recreates the popular studio insert effects chain of filter (a Moog-style one, in this case), tube amp and waveshaper. It can be used to "beef up kicks, add sizzle to a snare, or just add a bit of distortion to allow a vocal to cut through a mix". The waveshaper, meanwhile, promises to give the plug-in an extra dimension.
ToneBytes Lo-Fizer
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Ten lo-fi effects devices are supplied in this rack-style plug-in and you can combine up to four of them at a time. This being the case, you should be able to create a wide range of effects, and all - we're assured - with just a few clicks.
Tok-Tok Fratzoor and Distel
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A couple of freebies that are designed to help you to create monosynth basslines. Fratzoor is an analogue-style step sequencer that comes with randomizers for pitch, velocity and trigger. Distel was originally created as the test synth for Fratzoor, but the developer believes that it turned out well enough to be released.
SonicXTC Liquid Verb
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Not just a reverb, but an emulation of the modulated reverb that you'll find in high-end studios. So it's reverb that's been seasoned with the likes of chorus, tremolo, vibrato or flanging.
Featuring a free FXpansion compressor
Easytoolz Easy-Q-Delay
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A stereo delay plug-in that has two separate delay lines for left and right. You can adjust parameters for these separately, and you'll also find a couple of LFOs. There are 16 patches to show off what the effect can do.
Wok Superfake
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This effect promises to make any saw wave sound like Roland's classic Supersaw. It does this by way of its six detuned voices, which can be spread across the stereo field. The amount of detuning can be adjusted. Although Superfake is free, you can pay €9 to remove the nagscreen that pops up when you open it.
Ignite Amps SHB-1
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
Although the SHB-1 is a software recreation of the hardware bass amp of the same name, it was actually built before the 'real' model so that the player who commissioned it - Federico Fulceri - could take it for a test drive. It's billed as an "Extreme Bass Head" so expect plenty of grunt.
Tok-Tok Neuser
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
An experimental synth that was created with SynthMakerCM, the version of SynthMaker that's supplied on our sister magazine Computer Music's cover disc. Waveforms can be drawn onto the oscillator and you can create a filter-modulated sound with a few clicks and knob turns.
FXpansion DCAM FreeComp
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
A nice bonus when FXpansion launched the DCAM Dynamics bundle recently was the release of DCAM FreeComp, a free circuit-modelled compression unit. It models a classic console bus compressor and is designed to gel subgroups and complete mixes together while enhancing punch and definition.
discoDSP NightShine
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
discoDSP has been in the plug-in business for ten years, and to celebrate, it's offering this peak compressor for free. It's a single-band device based on the Alesis 3630; the plug-in had been discontinued, but this re-release comes with a new GUI.
A compressor and limiter special
Variety Of Sound Density mkIII
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Already nominated in our poll to find the best free VST plug-ins in the world today, this compressor has had some "deep optimisations" made to its engine which should be particularly useful in mastering situations. The transient response has been improved, and audio is rendered "like a three-dimensional image".
Vladg/Sound Limiter No6
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
A modular limiter that's designed for mastering. There are five modules: an RMS compressor, a peak limiter, a high-frequency limiter, a clipper, and a true peak limiter. The plug-in can do both brickwall and soft limiting and sports M/S and multiband modes.
RobotPlanet BattleComp Vintage
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
There's no proper interface for this one (so its look will depend on the host you're using) but BattleComp Vintage is said to be a smooth compressor with an EQ and a high-pass filter on its internal sidechain, plus a soft clipping circuit at the output stage to control peaks.
Synths and effects
Wok Bassimo
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Released last week to coincide with World Music Day, this 'easy analogue synth' has a standard virtual analogue design and can be used for both bass and lead sounds. You can turn the volume knob up to 11 for some extra dirt.
DDMF ColourEQ
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
Not just another EQ, we're told, but one that sounds unlike any other. The five bands of super-parametric peaking filters are responsible for this uniqueness, apparently - you have one more parameter on top of the standard gain/width/frequency to influence the curve shape.
Syncersoft Bass Landscapes
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
Previously featured in one of our paid plug-in round-ups, this bass boosting plug-in can now be yours for nothing. You can use the low-mid boost to help sit your bass or kickdrum in the mix and turn on tube emulation for a vintage feel.
HG Fortune Altair-4 B and X-WoF 4
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
HG Fortune has made a couple of its instruments free. Altair-4 B Pro is a slightly reworked version of the Altair-4 sci-fi sounds lab, while X-Wof 4 Pro is an 8-part algorithmic music system.