Best Vst Effect Plugins 2018
The Best Free VST Effects - Editors Choice: Compressive Pro: The Compressive Pro by Martin Eastwood is a free audio compressor plug-in featuring, RMS compression, internal and external sidechains (requires a VST 3.0 ready host), and vintage valve emulation to add analogue warmth. There is some good stuff on this list, a little lacking in mixing effects tho. '55+ BEST FREE VST PLUGINS IN 2018'-Nick Crow 8505-Guitar Rig 5-LePou insert name.
Time to update your producer toolkit.
There’s no shortage of innovative VST plugins out there right now. The hardest part is picking from the thousands of available ones.
Don’t worry, we got your back. We’ve hand-picked a selection of plugins to make it easier for you. Oh, and they’re free!
The theme of this selection is effects – they’ll give your mix that extra crunch, oomph or whah.
Here are 10 free VST effects plugins that’ll add flavour to your sound:
1. Best free echo VST: Valhalla Freq Echo
The Freq Echo is a frequency shifter with analog echo emulation. My personal favourite.
It adds chorus, phasing and flanger effects. Go ahead and create some wild glissandos and runaway echos.
It’s great for dub and psychedelic effects. Use it for beefing up basslines.
If you’re a fan of electronic music pioneer Delia Derbyshire you’ll love it.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU in 32 and 64-bit, AAX 64-bit, RTAS).
Download it here.
2. Best free fuzz VST: FuzzPlus3
Here’s the updated FuzzPlus distortion VST pedal emulation from Audio Damage.
The central knob is the fuzz distortion. There’s also a Korg MS-20 style low-pass filter. And you can feedback the signal for some extra juice.
Amazing on synths and drums for meaty, distorted effects.
Use the presets or save your own.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/VST3/AU 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
3. Best free EQ VST: MH Thump
MH Thump adds low end to your track. It recreates that nice thump you get on a vintage TR-808 drum machine.
It’s an audio processor that analyzes an audio input – say your drum track. Then it synthesizes a low frequency signal to add some body.
There are two independent oscillators and many knobs for fine-tuned control.
Go ahead and beef up those beats!
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit)
Download it here.
4. Best free bitcrusher VST: Krush
Krush is a very interesting bit crusher VST.
It creates that crunchy digital bit reduction effect. But it can also imitate a warmer analog effect with the drive and resonant filter.
If there can be such a thing: the Krush is a very elegant bit crusher.
The Dry and Wet faders allow you to play with how much of original signal and the effect you want.
The modulations can be free form or synced to a rate of your choice. Save and recall presets easily.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit)
Download it here.
5. Best free overdrive VST: Mercuriall Tube Screamer 808
Meet the Mercuriall Tube Screamer 808 – your new overdrive VST effect plugin.
It’s modeled after the holy grail of tube screamers: the Ibanez TS-808 pedal.
Make your guitar sounds grungier. Flip between the TS-808 and MOD modes with the metal switch.
MOD will give you a slightly darker sound.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
6. Best free tremolo VST: Pecheneg Tremolo
The Pecheneg is a tremolo VST effect. It gives you the power to create rhythmic modulations with your sound.
The Tempo section allows you to play the frequency either by selecting a Note or a Frequency.
Just like when you use LFOs, the Pecheneg Tremolo allows you to change the wave shape.
This effect will improve the groove of your track. It’ll give life to your synth or bassline.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU 32 and 64-bit)
Download it here.
7. Best free chorus VST: TAL Chorus -LX
TAL‘s stereo Chorus-LX is inspired by the Roland Juno-60 chorus. It’s a simple but powerful chorus VST.
It has two different modes (I and II) that you can use separately or together.
Select how much of the effect you want with the Wet/Dry knob.
Use it to give some grit and body to your bass or synth line.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
8. Best free EQ VST: TDR Nova
The TDR Nova is a four-band dynamic Equalizer (EQ). A true workhorse.
It allows you to make a drum track crisper or boost certain frequencies as needed.
Any producer needs a bread and butter EQ VST. This is the one.
It has a built-in spectrum analyzer for precise EQing.
It’s also got a preset manager, A/B comparison, undo/redo functions and more.
Compatible with Mac OS and Windows (VST/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
9. Best free reverb VST: Protoverb 1.0
The Protoverb 1.0 by U-He is a different kind of reverb VST.
The coolest thing about the Protoverb is that you can generate random settings and save the ones you like.
The spirit of this plugin is trial and error – we like that. It encourages users to share their favourite settings from a button on the plugin.
Compatible with Mac OS, Windows and Linux (VST/VST2/AU/AAX 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
10. Best free panning VST: PanCake 2
Last but not least: the most flexible panning VST effect you’ll ever find.
PanCake 2 lets you manually draw the curves of your panning modulation. You can also generate one randomly.
It’s easy to use and very visual. The LFO in the PanCake 2 can be synced to your DAW.
Pan your sounds sharply for dramatic effects. Pan them smoothly for subtle variations.
Compatible with Mac OS or Windows (VST/AU in 32 and 64-bit).
Download it here.
Spice up your mix
A mix can go from bland to grand with the right effects.
The good news is that you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars for that.
We’ve selected 10 VST effects plugin that we know you’ll love.
Grab all ten and try them out. Tell us what you think of them in the comment section!
And check out other VST plugins we recommend:
Finding the perfect VST plugin to use for your own music production is ten difficult as there's such a vast amount choices to choose from. Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins are ten referred to as the tools you need in order to build your perfect sound, and shape it with audio effects.
To celebrate some the best free VST plugins for 2018, we have began to compile a mix the best VST Effects, Drum VSTs, Synth VSTs, Vocal Plugins, and Bass VSTs. Simply scroll down for some the best free VST plugins.
Vst Plugins Best Free Download
Best Free VST Plugins 2018
ComBear Compressor
by W.A. Production
The ComBear is an extremely powerful and dynamic Parallel Compression effect plugin that mimics that Dada Life's famous Sausage Fattener. “ComBear is a plugin that will change the EDM scene forever. If you want to jump the to the top the game, you need to get your hands on this beast. Be like the pressionals and make your tracks sound top tier,” writes PluginBoutique.
ComBear works with AU, VST, and VST3, and is available on both Mac and PC.
OSL Chorus Free Chorus Plugin
by Oblivion Soundlab
The OSL Chorus plugin is based on the chorus effect module found on the Roland Juno 60 hardware synthesizer.
This effect plugin is available for free on both 32 or 64-bit hosts on both Windows and Mac.
PHASIS Phase Plugin
by Native Instruments
PHASIS is a free phaser effect plugin by Native Instruments. The PHASIS plugin adds movement, soul, and creative magic to any signal.
Download PHASIS for free until January 30th here.
VK-1 Viking Synthesizer Plugin
by Blamst
The VK-1 Viking FREE Synthesizer Plugin was originally launched to be a replica the Moog Voyager in the form a rack extension for Propellerhead Reason. With three adjustable wave oscillators, the VK-1 Viking Synthesizer is a must for all DAWs on PC and Mac.
Read more about Blamst's VK-1 Viking Free Synthesizer here.
Rivera VST Plugin
by NuSpace Audio
NuSpace Audio released the Rivera VST Plugin as a free plugin for a hybrid reverb effect available for Windows. Riviera is a hybrid algorithmic-convolution reverb plugin for modeling specular acoustic reflections in N-dimensional orthotopes.
Learn more about the Rivera plugin here.
Best Free Vst Effects Plugins 2018
Model E
by Steinberg
The Model E is a 3 oscillator bass station and noise generator. With its filter modulation and key tracking, the Model E is a must for many producers.
Learn more about the Model E here.
Freq Echo
by Valhalla
The Freq Echo is perfect for dub and all your psychedelic needs. The low cut and high cut controls allow for the feedback path, allowing for finer control over the echo decay.
Learn more about the Valhalla Freq Echo here.
Best Vst Plugins For Reason
T.Rex 606
by Mx Project
The T.Rex 606 is a compact VST drum and was modelled after the iconic Roland TR-606 drum machine. With its vintage and modern GUI design and 7 classic sounds, the T.Rex is a favorite amongst many today's producer.
Best Free Vst Effects
Learn more about the T.Rex here.
Best Vst Effect Plugins 2018 Free
Do you have more to add? Let us know your favorite free VST plugins in the comment section below.