LM Official Curated List of Best Free VST Effects Plugins

[LinkedMusicians]

LinkedMusicians has what is arguably the most extensive curated list of the best free sample libraries anywhere on the web (based on digging through the first 100 Google results and checking with multiple AI tools). It’s taken 3 years to make it what it is, and it’s regularly updated, sometimes multiple times each week, so it is constantly growing. Let’s do a similar list for free VST plugin effects — that’s right, our entire community pitching in. Please comment below, sharing your favorite effect or effects, and explain why it’s one of your favorites (along with a link). Agree or disagree with any effect on this list? Make your voice heard, and share why. Let’s make this the best resource of great free VST plugin effects on the web!

This list will be regularly updated. Note that this list only contains plugins that are always free, not temporarily free for a promotional period.

Updated Feb 14, 2026.

Effects Bundles

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Kilohearts Essentials	Various	3 band EQ, bitcrusher, channel mixer, chorus, clipper, comb filer, compressor, delay, distortion, dual delay, dynamics, ensemble, filter, flanger, formant filter, frequency shifter, gain, gate, Haas, ladder filter, limiter, nonlinear filter, phase distortion, phaser, pitch shifter, reonanator, reverbm reverser, ring mod, shaper, stereo, tape stop, trance gate, transient shaper	Download
Melda Productions – MFreeFX Bundle	Various	38 effect plugins.	Download
T-racks 6 Intro	Various	Contains Classic Comp, the Classic EQ and the Master Match X lite version.	Download
Plugin Alliance – Starter Bundle	Various	Contains 19 mixing and mastering plugins.	Download
Dear Reality Plugins	Various	Dear Reality plugins are top notch, formerly paid high end plugins that have been discontinued after the company was acquired by the Sennheiser Group. Plugins encompass spatializers, reverbs, a re-synthesizer and mixing.	Download
Waves Free Plugin Pack	Various	Includes 9 plug-ins including FX and instruments.	Download
Toneboosters Legacy Pack	Various	TrackEssentials and BusTools (v3) plug-ins	Download
Native Instruments Komplete Start	Various	Includes 8 effects from Native Instruments and iZotope.	Download
KarmaFX Plugin Pack	Various	Includes a filter plugin, a tempo controlled delay, a 31 band graphic equalizer, and a reverb.	Download
BlueCat Freeware Pack II	Various	Includes an amp simulator, a single and dual-channel equalizer, a gain suite, a spectrum analyzer and a network audio/MIDI receiver tool.	Download
Reaper ReaPlugs	Various	Includes two compressors, a delay, an EQ, an FFT-based dynamics processor, a gate, and more.	Download
Slate Virtual Mix Rack Free	Various	Includes three mixing and coloration effects, a compressor, a trimmer, and a saturator.	Download

 

Analyzers

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
TDR Prism	Frequency Analyzer		Download
Voxengo SPAN	Real-time Spectrum Analyzer		Download
Blue Cat FreqAnalyst	Spectrum Analyzer		Download
MeldaProduction MAnalyzer	Spectrum Analyzer	A spectrum analyzer with peak detection, adjustable FFT size and various metering options. Part of free bundle.	Download
HOFA 4U+ DynamicTiltEQ	Spectrum Analyzer	A spectrum analyzer combined with a tilt equalizer.	Download
SIR Audio Tools Spectrum Analyzer	Spectrum Analyzer	A spectrum analyzer that includes a mode based on bandpass filters as well as FFT.	Download
Vengeance-Sound Scope	Spectrum Analyzer		Download
Blue Cat StereoScope Multi	Spectrum Analyzer	A spectrum analyzer with phase correlation metering and mid/side analysis capabilities.	Download
Voxengo Marvel GEQ	Graphic EQ with a Spectrum Analyzer	A graphic equalizer plugin with a spectrum analyzer.	Download

Bitcrusher

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Tritik Krush	Bit Crusher	Bit Crusher & Filter	Download
TAL-Bitcrusher	Bit Crusher		Download
Denise Audio My Crush	Bit Crusher		Download

Channel Strip

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Analog Obsession Atone		Features an A-Type EQ, Filters and 436 style compressor.	Download
Analog Obsession FrankCS		Features selectable preamp and compressor.	Download
Analog Obsession Chanev		Features mic preamp, de-esser, line-amp, 4 band equalizer, compressor, limiter and tape saturation.	Download

Chorus

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
TAL-Chorus-LX	Chorus	Emulation of the classic Juno-60 chorus, lush and wide sound.	Download
Kilohearts Chorus	Chorus	Simple, effective chorus for thickening and widening sounds.	Download
Azurite	Chorus	Multi-voice chorus with extensive controls for deep modulation effects.	Download
Acon Digital Multiply	Chorus	Phase-randomizing chorus.	Download
Baby Audio Magic Switch	Chrous	Based on the legendary Juno chorus.	Download
Blue Cat Chorus	Chorus	Vintage chorus.	Download

Compressor / Limiter

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
TDR Kotelnikov	Compressor	Transparent, high-quality mastering compressor with precise controls.	Download
TDR Molotok	Compressor	Vintage style compressor (inspired by vintage compressors, but not modeled after a specific one).	Download
MCompressor (Melda)	Compressor	Versatile compressor with custom shapes and envelope controls.	Download
RoughRider3	Compressor	Punchy, characterful compressor ideal for drums and tracks needing energy.	Download
LoudMax	Limiter	Clean, transparent brickwall limiter for maximizing loudness.	Download
Limiter No6	Limiter	Advanced mastering limiter with multiple stages and meters.	Download
George Yohng W1 Limiter	Limiter	Pro-grade limiter	Download
Analog Obsession FETish	FET Compressor	A classic 1176 FET compressor.	Download
Analog Obsession LA-LA	Optical Compressor	Based on the classic LA-2A optical compressor.	Download
ZL Compressor	Dynamic Range Compressor		Download
Klive Audio XTMax	Compressor	Inspired by Empirical Labs ISTRESSOR.	Download
Xfer Records OTT	Multiband Compressor	Uses both upward and downward compression.	Download
Analog Obsession Comper	Multi-Mode Serial Compression	Two compressors in series.	Download
Klanghelm MJUC Compressor	Variable Tube Compressor		Download
Klanghelm DC1A	Character Compressor		Download
Minimal Audio Squash	OTT-Style Compressor		Download
Woodstock Audio Waveform Compressor	VCA Compressor	High-res dynamic visualizer and VCA/Optical modes.	Download

Delay

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Baby Comeback	Delay	Easy-to-use delay with four styles and built-in ducker for clean mixes.	Download
Deelay	Delay	Feature-rich delay with sync, ping-pong, and creative modulation options.	Download
Valhalla Supermassive	Delay	Also functions as a versatile delay with unique feedback and modulation.	Download
HY-Delay4 Free	Delay	Flexible delay with filter, modulation, and multiple delay modes.	Download
NastyDLA mkII	Delay	Vintage-style delay with tape and BBD emulation, warm analog sound.	Download
ValhallaDSP FreqEcho	Delay	Delay plugin with filter	Download
TAL Dub-2	Delay	A retro style delay.	Download
Sonimus Delayson	Delay	A vintage analog delay.	Download
Harrison 3D Delay	Stereo Delay	You need to sign up for their email, but you can easily cancel immediately after receiving the free plugin.	Download

Distortion / Saturation / Lo-Fi

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Wave Arts Tube Saturator Vintage	Tube Saturation	While this sounds great, it is CPU-intensive.	Download
FerricTDS mkII	Tape Saturation	Analog tape dynamics simulator for warmth and subtle saturation.	Download
Sampleson Overheat	Tube Saturation	Analog-modeled saturation	Download
Caelum Audio Tape Cassette 2	Tape saturation	Cassette tape emulation.	Download
Klangheim IVGI	Saturation and Distortion	Distortion effects.	Download
Softube Saturation Knob	Saturation		Download
Techivation T-Saturator	Saturation	Smart level-independent saturation.	Download
Slate Digital Heatwave	Saturation		Download
PreBox by Analog Obsession	Saturation	Pre Amp.	Download
Voxengo Tube Amp	Saturation		Download
Tuba by Analog Obsession	Saturation	Emulates tube-based channel strips.	Download
Steq by Analog Obsession	Saturation	Combines equalization, compression, and distortion.	Download
PREDD by Analog Obsession	Saturation	Pre amp.	Download
Izotope Vinyl	Lofi	Various types of lofi effects.	Download
Denise Audio Bad Tape 1	Tape saturation	(Note: the link used is for PiB because the developer requires a subscription to get the plugin free.)	Download
23Tape	Tape Saturation		Download
GSat Plus	Tube Saturation		Download

Doubler

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
SoliderSound (a Techivation company) S Doubler	Doubler	Use for vocals and instruments.	Download

Dynamics Processor

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Steven Slate Fresh Air 2	Harmonic exciter and dynamic processor		Download
Xfer Records OTT	Harmonic exciter		Download

EQ (Equalizer)

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Izotope Ozone 12 EQ	Mastering EQ	This is sold as a mastering EQ, but can be used as a mixing EQ plugin. Features like mid/side processing and the ability to zero in on specific frequencies make it suitable for shaping individual tracks in a mix	Download
TDR Nova	Dynamic EQ	Dynamic parametric EQ with compression/expansion per band.	Download
Marvel GEQ	Graphic EQ	x
MEqualizer (Melda)	EQ	6-band parametric EQ with spectrum analyzer and advanced features.	Download
TDR VOS SlickEQ	EQ	Musical, easy-to-use EQ with four distinct sound flavors.	Download
Ignite Amps PTeq-x	EQ	An analog style EQ based on the analog Pultec EQP-1A hardware.	Download
Analog Obsession Britchannel	EQ	Classic processor often used on vocals based on the revered EQ found in Neve mixing consoles.	Dowmload
Analog Obsession Britchannel	EQ	Classic processor usedon vocals. Based on the EQ found in Neve mixing consoles. Includes preamp gain modeling.	Download
ZL Equalizer	EQ		Download
Sonimus SonEQ	EQ	A Pultec inspired 3 band equalizer: low, mid, high.	Download
Warmy EP1A	Tube EQ	Pultec emulation.	Download
Fuse Audio RS-W2395C Neo Classic Baxandall EQ	EQ	A Baxandall EQ emulation combined with mid band.	Download
Analog Obsession INDEQ	EQ	Pultec inspired EQ with a twist.	Download

Feedback

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Minimal Audio Feedback Lite	Physically modeled feedback	Allows tuning of the feedback to the key of your song.	Download

Filter

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Audiomodern Filterstep	Filter	Gate-sequenced multimode filter.	Download
Tone2 BiFilter2	Stereo multi-mode filter	Stereo multi-mode filter with a selection of 47 different-sounding filter types.	Download
Polyverse Filtron	Filter	Hipass/lowpass/saturation allows sidechaining.	Download
BlepFX Filtrr	Filter and saturation	A ladder filter and saturation plugin.	Download
BaconPaul Two Filters	Two filters	Two Filters is equipped with two-step sequencers with fixed mod paths.	Download

Flanger / Phaser

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Kilohearts Flanger	Flanger	Classic flanger effect with intuitive controls and smooth sound.	Download
Kilohearts Phaser	Phaser	Simple, musical phaser for swirling, moving textures.	Download
Blue Cat’s Phaser	Phaser	Flexible phaser with up to 32 stages and stereo spread controls.	Download
Full Bucket Phaser	Phaser	BBD phaser emulation	Download
Valhalla Space Modulator	Flanger	Eleven algorithms allow you to get through-zero flanging, barberpole flanging, detuning, doubling, strange echoes, reverbs, and all sorts of effects that defy description.	Download

Gates

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Kilohearts Gate	Noise Gate		Download
Nembrini Audio Analog Rack Noise Gate	Noise Gate		Download
Auburn Sounds Renagate	Noise Gate	A full band gate plugin.	Download
ReaGate	Noise Gate		Download

Guitar Amp and Effects

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
NI Guitar Rig 7 Player	Guitar Amp and Effects Simulation	Amp simulation with matched cabinets, 26 effects and tools, plus 60 presets.	Download
Amplitube 5 CS	Guitar Amp and Effects Simulation	42 pedals, amps, speakers, cabinets, mics and rack FX.	Download

Limiters

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Limited Z	Limiter	FabFilter ProL2 clone.	Download
Kilohearts Limiter	Limiter		Download
TDR VladG Limiter No 6	Limiter		Download
Wave Breaker	Limiter		Download

Loudness Enhancers

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
JS Inflator	Loudness Enhancer	A clone of the Sonnox Oxford Inflator.	Dowload.
LoudMax	Loudness Enhancer		Download

Metering

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
TB Pro Audio mvMeter2	VU and PPM meters	multivariable meter including RMS, EBUR128, VU and PPM measurement. Useful for gain staging and checking overall loudness.	Download
PA Free bx_meter	Dynamic range meter with M/S	Peak, RMS and Dynamic Range metering with numeric displays.	Download
PSP Vintage Meter	VU and PPM meters	VU and PPM metering for mono and stereo tracks.	Download
APU Loudness Developer	Dynamic range analysis	Supports a variety of loudness types (LUFS, True Peak, RMS, Peak). Enables you to view changes to your audio’s loudness in real-time or look at the big picture with configurable history and histogram views.	Download
aXMeter	Ambisonic meter	Shows the RMS and peak levels of all the Ambisonic channels, up to tenth-order (121 channels).	Download

Mix Monitoring

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
ISOL8	Mix Monitoring	Can be used on the master track or individual audio track busses.	Download

Multi-Effect

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Spectral Plugins Spacer	Multi-Effect	Spatial-Granular Effects	Download
UJAM Finisher Micro	Multi-Effect	Combines a Chorus, Reverb, Compressor and an EQ. Note: requires registration and signing up for an email.	Download
Process Audio Protility	Multi-Effect	Audio utilities including phase correction, high-pass filter, stereo width adjustment, bass mono conversion, panning, gain trim, and metering.	Dowload
remaincalm Gloss	Multi-Effect	A vintage enhancer using chorus and reverb that captures a 70s vibe. Sounds good on electric piano and synths.	Download

Panner

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Cableguys Pancake 2	Stereo Panner		Download
Audiomodern Panflow	Stereo Panner		Download
Rob Papen RP-Pan	Stereo Panner	A stereo panner with a Doppler FX option and several useful presets.	Download
Auburn Sounds Panagement	Stereo Panner with Effects	A binaural Distance Panner that enables the user to position a track anywhere in the sound field with reverb, width, tilt, and an LFO.	Download

Pre Amp

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Fuse Audio Lab VPRE-72	Pre-amp	A vintage tube pre-amp.	Download
Shattered Glass Audio	Pre-amp	Classic two stage tube mic pre-amp.	Download

Reverb

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Sound Particles Air – Music Ediction	Algorithmic Reverb		Download
PSP Chamber	Algorithmic Reverb	A single algorithm chamber reverb that gives users a good deal of control.	Download
Acon Digital Verberate Basic	Algorithmic Reverb	Features a plate reverb simulation, room reverb, hall, and lush hall.	Download
Valhalla Supermassive	Algorithmic Reverb/Delay	Highly creative, lush reverbs and delays with huge, atmospheric algorithms.	Download
HyperSpace Core	Algorithmic Reverb		Download
TAL-Reverb-4	Algorithmic Reverb	Simple, vintage-style plate reverb with a lush, spacious sound.	Download
OldSkoolVerb	Algorithmic Reverb	Classic algorithmic reverb with a smooth, musical character.	Download
Protoverb	Algorithmic Reverb	Experimental, natural-sounding reverb with unique, randomized algorithms.	Download
OrilRiver	Algorithmic Reverb	High-quality algorithmic stereo reverb with many room and hall presets.	Download
TAL Reverb-2	Algorithmic Reverb	Classic reverb.	Download
Variety of Sound epic reverbs	Reverb (multiple types)	Various reverb types.	Download
Airwindows reverbs	Reverb (multiple types)	Various reverb types.	Download
Adam Szabo Solaris	Algorithmic Reverb	Shimmer / ambient reverb.	Download
igorsky FogPad	Algorithmic Reverb	Shimmer / ambient reverb.	Download
MeldaProduction MCharmVerb	Algorithmic Reverb	Algorithmic reverb.	Download
MeldaProduction MConvolutionEZ	Convolution Reverb		Download
Shift Line SkyNet	Algorithmic Reverb	Ambient reverb.	Download
ANWIDA Soft SPATIO Light	Algorithmic Reverb	General-purpose algorithmic reverb.	Download
Wave Arts Convology XT	Convolution Reverb		Download
Voxengo OldSkoolVerb	Algorithmic Reverb	Room and plate reverb.	Download
Michael Willis Dragonfly Reverb	Reverb (multiple types)	Various.	Download
Stone Voices DReverb	Algorithmic Reverb	General-purpose algorithmic reverb.	Download
Exoverb / Exoverb Micro	Algorithmic Reverb	EXOVERB’s proprietary reverb engine with synthesized spatial multi-IR.	Download
Acon Digital Verberate Basic	Algorithmic Reverb		Download
ChromaDSP Harmonic	Dynamic Reverb	Enhances the harmonic content of the signal. Only the played notes of the signal are extracted and reverbated, not the noise in between.	Download
PSP Piano Verb	Algorithmic Reverb	An algorithmic reverb specifically focused on piano.	Download
Spectral Audio Spacer	Algorithmic, convolution and granular Reverb	Three different types of reverb and delay.	Download
Analog Obsession Room041	Algorithmic Reverb	This free, but donationware.	Download
Wave Alchemy Magic7	Convolution Reverb	Bricastii M7 impulse responses. Basically, a clone of Seventh Heaven.	Download
Fuse Audio Rev-666	Algorithmic Reverb	Spring reverb.	Download
Stone Voices Ambient Reverb	Algorithmic Reverb	“…a wide range of reverberation time (up to 100 seconds), which allows you to get different types of reverb in nature, as well as the ability to literally freeze sounds, while receiving interesting sound pads, like Frippertronics. The reverb allows you to get a natural stereo reverb in True Stereo mode, which takes into account the location of the sound sources in space, according to which a reverb signal is formed.”	Download
D Reverb	Algorithmic Reverb	Based on a modified Dattorro algorithm.	Download

Spectrum Analyzer

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
TDR Prism	Spectrum Analyzer		Download
Voxengo SPAN	Spectrum Analyzer	FFT frequency spectrum analyzer.	Download
Blue Cat FreqAnalyst	Spectrum Analyzer		Download
MeldaProduction MAnalyzer	Spectrum Analyzer		Download
SIR Audio Tools Spectrum Analyzer	Spectrum Analyzer		Download

Splitter

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
ZL Splitter	Multifunctional audio splitter		Download

Stereo Imaging

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Boz Labs Panipulator	Stereo imagine	Reference a mix in mono and anticipate how playback will sound on mobile phones, and other less than ideal speaker setups.	Download

Transient Shaper

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Flux BitterSweet v3	Transient Shaper	Transient processor.	Download
T-Puncher FREE	Transient Shaper	Transient processor.	Download
Spectral Audio Pancz	Transient Shaper	Multiband transient shaping with saturation, parallel compression, and EQ.	Download
Couture Free Edition	Transient Shaper	Three transient detection modes (Flat, Human, and Sybil) with adjustable bass amount, a transient shaper module with optional clipping, output gain adjustment, and real-time waveform monitoring	Download
WavesFactory Flash	Transient Shaper		Download

Tremolo

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Soldier Sound S Pulser	Tremolo	Mid/side tremolo	Download
Pecheneg Tremolo	Tremolo		Download
Noise Ash Action Tremolo	Tremolo		Download

Vocal

Plugin Name	Type	Description/Notes	Download URL
Auburn Sounds Graillon	Pitch Correction.	Transform vocal timbre and create robotic hardtuning sounds.	Download
Melda MAutoPitch	Pitch Correction		Download
Vox Samples Pitchmunk	Pitch Shifter	Little Alter Boy clone.	Download
Techivation T-De-Esser	De-esser		Download
Izotope Vocal Doubler	Vocal Doubler		Download
Minimal Audio Formant	Vocal Formant Shifting		Download

 

Thanks to @lamia6, who has been instrumental in creating and improving this list.

LAST UPDATE: SEPT 16, 2025

CURATED BEST FREE LISTS: Kontakt Libraries, Sample Libraries, Virtual Synths, Effects
POWERSEARCH TOOLS: Synth Presets, Loops & Sound FX, Gear Reviews 
FREE TOOLS: Mixing Problem Solver, Songwriter's Toolbox, QuickGuides, Scale, Mode & Chord Finder
READ/WATCH: Best Mags / Podcasts, Audio Production & Songwriter's Dictionaries

22

[antler]

I find mvMeter2 handy for both gain staging and checking overall loudness

https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/mvmeter2

3

[peter]

On antler said

I find mvMeter2 handy for both gain staging and checking overall loudness

https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/mvmeter2

Excellent recommendation. I have that and use it too. Thanks, @antler! I’ll add it to the list.

LinkedMusicians Founder. Your friend who keeps the beat.

Check out my music. 

1

[superabbit]

The transitions to VST3 and Apple Silicon have proved to be a boon to those of us who like to get something for nothing. I’ll be adding them as I recall them.

In the “legacy versions gone freeware” category, please add ToneBoosters. The legacy v3 versions of their BusTools and Trackessentials bundles are available for the downloading, and they include some aMAYzing production and mastering tools. Jeroen Breebaart is a very bright guy:

https://www.toneboosters.com/downloads/TB_Installer_v1.6.0_legacy_win.zip

https://www.toneboosters.com/downloads/TB_Installer_v1.6.0_legacy_mac.zip

The Mac versions are Intel only.

-Erik
___________
superabbit.bandcamp.com

11

[superabbit]

Here are some more you can add, off the top of my head:

Pecheneg Tremolo is a stalwart favorite. The graphics are especially nice:

https://pechenegfx.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-plugin-pecheneg-tremolo.html

The Waves Free Plugin Pack includes 9 plug-ins including FX and instruments. Not as extensive as MeldaProduction or Kilohearts, but high quality stuff:

https://www.waves.com/bundles/free-plugin-pack

Native Instruments’ Komplete Start includes 8 top quality FX from Native and iZotope:

https://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/komplete/bundles/komplete-start/

There’s a slot in almost all of your categories for free FX from the MeldaProduction and Kilohearts bundles, so you might consider just letting those be assumed. Some products from those bundles are best-in-breed from ANY manufacturer, payware or freeware, IMO.

I built a DAW system for a friend a few weeks back and the number of high-quality free plug-ins I installed wound up being in the hundreds. The amount of great stuff available seems virtually endless, I had to just stop at some point so my friend could start using his system.

-Erik
___________
superabbit.bandcamp.com

12

[LinkedMusicians]

@superabbit. Any of your suggestions are insta-adds! Although, I’m kicking myself for missing some of that stuff on the list as I have all of it but one plugin (Pecheneg Tremolo). I think, we get to a point where we accumulate so much stuff, you forget about it when you’re trying to put together a list like this. I’ll try to add everything before the end of the day. (I actually add it on the back end — rather than like a normal post; it’s easier to manage; but I also lose the ability to edit it like a regular post).

I completely agree on the level of great freebies. There’s some very high quality stuff out there. Of course, there’s also a lot of poor quality and meh stuff. The motivation behind the lists is helping people with a strong desire to make music but lacking the budget to afford stuff like Komplete and Kontakt libraries. I realized that if I could sift through everything to find the best free stuff out there, we could make it easy for people to find some very high-quality free sample libraries, plugin instruments, and effects that would otherwise take many, many hours to find. I mean, just using the freebies on the various lists at this site, someone could — spending no money — create professional sounding tracks. I think in time, I’m going to put together lists of free instruments for various genres — like the best free piano libraries, guitars, bass guitars, electric pianos, tuned percussion, drums and percussion. So someone could, in a very short amount of time, get started with an amazing collection — all free. If you’re ever game to do something similar for effects, I would love it! I’ve been creating this stuff to get this site moving, but I would love to see others doing similar best of threads that involve the community and make a great resource for everyone.

CURATED BEST FREE LISTS: Kontakt Libraries, Sample Libraries, Virtual Synths, Effects
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[peter]

The Best Free VST Effects Plugins List (see the original post) has been updated dozens of times in the last month. If you have a plugin that you think should be on the list, if there is a plugin on the list you’ve found useful or if there is a plugin on the list that you tried and don’t believe should be on the list, please chime in!

The value of this and the other LinkedMusicians “Best” curated lists is that we’ve actually tried and recommend everything you see on the list. Anyone can easily google to find free effects. Thousands of sites compile best of lists just to rank high in search engines. The result is that you end up wasting countless hours sifting through poor and mediocre plugins. Our “Best” lists only contain plugins and sample libraries that made the cut and were recommended. In the case of the Effects Plugins list, I’ve leaned heavily on community members with far more knowledge of audio engineering than me. I’ve only tried out some of them after they were recommended, and I’ve been blown away by how many great free plugins are available.

LinkedMusicians Founder. Your friend who keeps the beat.

Check out my music. 

3

[LinkedMusicians]

I’ve added a bunch of great free effects since my last comment. Sorry, I realize that we have folks subscribing to email alerts. Just check out the original post and you’ll see. Plugin developers are increasingly using a tactic of giving away a really good effects plugin for free to give producers a taste of their quality and establish a channel of communication with them. It’s a smart tactic. But as a producer, it also means that, if you look at all of what’s out there, you can find a lot of very high-quality effects for free, if you take the time to sift through everything and separate the good from the not-so-good. Our lists are focused on just presenting the best of what’s out there.

A reminder that we can really use your recommendations on great plugins to keep our list growing. It’s also valuable if you use any of the plugins on the list, that you chime in and share your personal experience and opinions. And, as I’ve mentioned before, if there are any plugins on our list that you don’t believe don’t deserve to make the list, please don’t be silent! Tell us why and I promise that you’re perspective will be seriously considered.

CURATED BEST FREE LISTS: Kontakt Libraries, Sample Libraries, Virtual Synths, Effects
POWERSEARCH TOOLS: Synth Presets, Loops & Sound FX, Gear Reviews 
FREE TOOLS: Mixing Problem Solver, Songwriter's Toolbox, QuickGuides, Scale, Mode & Chord Finder
READ/WATCH: Best Mags / Podcasts, Audio Production & Songwriter's Dictionaries

[mibby]

It looks like you’ve got my favorites on there that jumped to mind, except I don’t see Isol8 by TBPro Audio.

https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/isol8

Here is their page of freebies. The Gear Space clipper (GSat) is excellent too. It’s a little “fiddly” if you just want to clip and move on, but it has some great options too.

https://www.tbproaudio.de/download#sub

PS. It’s CRAZY how much better the FREE plugins have gotten over the last 10 years!

• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by mibby.
• This reply was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by mibby.

Apollo Twin Duo USB | ARC Studio | Studio One Pro 7.2 | Windows

1

[peter]

On mibby said

It looks like you’ve got my favorites on there that jumped to mind, except I don’t see Isol8 by TBPro Audio.

https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/isol8

Here is their page of freebies. The Gear Space clipper (GSat) is excellent too. It’s a little “fiddly” if you just want to clip and move on, but it has some great options too.

https://www.tbproaudio.de/download#sub

PS. It’s CRAZY how much better the FREE plugins have gotten over the last 10 years!

Thanks for the recommendations, they’re greatly appreciated.

I completely agree that the quality of free plugins has greatly improved over the last 10 years. The standard for a high-quality free effect plugin is substantially higher than it once was. As this list proves, if a producer has no budget, they can still find good to excellent quality free plugins of every kind. Just like sample libraries, the big challenge is sifting through everything to find the best that’s out there, which is why we have these curated lists.

You can subscribe to the topic to stay updated and please check back in if you find more free plugins that you find worth recommending.

LinkedMusicians Founder. Your friend who keeps the beat.

Check out my music. 

[peter]

When I was posting about the updated free Convology XT convolution reverb today, it occurred to me that Wave Arts Tube Saturator Vintage wasn’t on our list. That was definitely an oversight on my part. It is an excellent tube saturator. I was looking up reviews and what well known folks have said about it and the BPB guys said:”…Tube Saturator Vintage sounds incredibly good. The saturation is everything you’d expected to get from a tube amp, or, at least, as close as you can get to it in a software emulation.” However, the downside is that it’s a CPU hog. There’s a more efficient version that lists at $89 and is currently on sale for $49 at the time of this post. But if you want a great-sounding tube saturation plugin for free, it’s an excellent choice. It’s at the top of the “Distortion / Saturation / Lo-Fi” category above or you can use this link to go directly to the site:

https://wavearts.com/products/plugins/tube-saturator-vintage

LinkedMusicians Founder. Your friend who keeps the beat.

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[Damien MARECHAL]

Hello, I found an interesting free plugin: ICE FILTER by ICE AUDIO.

It’s great because it automatically cuts once it reaches 20kHz, which is very useful for controlling and limiting filter automations.

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[LinkedMusicians]

On Damien MARECHAL said

Hello, I found an interesting free plugin: ICE FILTER by ICE AUDIO.

It’s great because it automatically cuts once it reaches 20kHz, which is very useful for controlling and limiting filter automations.

Hi Damien and welcome to LinkedMusicians! I’ll have to check this out! Thanks for the recommendation, it’s greatly appreciated! A lot of us get caught up in GAS, spending, spending, spending, when there’s actually a ton of amazing free stuff out there. I appreciate your pointing out this resource!

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[Author]

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