This roundup of free VST plugins features a modular synthesizer, a high-quality filter, a professional sounding reverb, a mid-side utility, and a drum synthesizer.
Free VST Plugins
Each month we search the web for some of the industry’s most essential freeware instrument and effect plugins. Our list of quality plugin downloads offers modern tools for your arsenal without having to spend a dime or waste time trawling the internet.
1. Voxengo | MSED
MSED is a mid-side processing plugin capable of splitting the incoming stereo signal so you can monitor the mid and side channels independently. This versatile utility tool also has a few other helpful features. For example, you can adjust the mid and side channel gain and pan position independently. MSED can also be used to flip the phase of the mid and side channels by 180 degrees, swap the stereo channels, and even extract either channel. In the video above, ICON grad Jetset demonstrates how to mix with MSED.
2. AudioSpillage | MiniSpillage
MiniSpillage is a quality drum synthesizer plugin featuring the same high-resolution 64-bit DSP processing as its bigger brother DrumSpillage. This compact drum synth sports three fully editable drum pads capable of creating a wide variety of original drum and percussion sounds. MiniSpillage also includes three exclusive AudioSpillage drum models: BassDrum, WoodDrum, and ElectroHiHat. Combined, these models can form the basis of any electronic rhythm track.
3. Brainworx | bx_cleansweep V2
https://youtu.be/xoSiXtnPZjU
This free VST plugin is a simple high-pass and low-pass filter. bx_cleansweep is a plugin that should go into every mix channel to filter out any unwanted frequencies in the low and top-end. Cleaning up the mud from the bottom and the grit from the high end helps to get a tight mix. bx_cleansweep also uses the same high-quality Brainworx ‘Anti Crush Technology’ filters as its more famous big brother bx_digital V2. This handy filter also sports a unique joystick interface to give you fast and intuitive control.
. u-he | Zebralette
Zebralette is a super slimmed down version of u-he’s powerful Zebra2 modular synthesizer. It features one of Zebra2’s oscillators packed into a simple, easy-to-learn framework. Zebralette also sports two LFOs, a multi-stage envelope, and three onboard effects (chorus, EQ, delay). It also includes Zebra2’s famous dual spectral effects, which include several squelchy filter algorithms.
5. Denis Tihanov | OrilRiver
https://youtu.be/LgpqUzujJfY
OrilRiver is a free algorithmic stereo reverb plugin that rivals the quality of commercial reverbs. From small room ambiances to great sounding halls, OrilRiver’s intuitive interface makes it easy to shape any desired reverb sound. Moreover, it’s optimized for low CPU usage. Apart from its excellent sound quality, OrilRiver also offers twelve early reflection models, five reverb tail types, and a three-band equalizer. There is also additional room size, diffusion, damping, and modulation controls. This plugin is capable of delivering beautiful sounding reverb!