20 Best Plugins For FL Studio Users 2026 (+ 14 FREE Plugins)

The Arturia Dist Coldfire is a revolutionary dual distortion plugin featuring a powerful modulation engine and a wide variety of distortion types that you can swap in and out.

There are two independent distortion engines in Dist Coldfire, and you can use them in whatever combination you like. Analog-modeled and purely digital distortion types are both available. A variety of pre-and post-distortion filters are available for each distortion type.

With assignable parameter modulation and dynamics processing, Dist Coldfire can dish out virtually any dirt you want.

For more on distortion plugins check out our 11 Best Distortion Plugins for 2026

Key Features:

Distortion Types — analog-modeled and purely digital distortion, freely combinable across two engines
User Interface — clear visual feedback showing both distortion stages at once
Modulators — assign modulation to virtually any parameter for evolving distortion character
Oversampling — reduces aliasing artifacts for cleaner high-gain results
Dynamics And Feedback — adds movement and unpredictability beyond static distortion settings

Compatibility:

The OS requirements for this plugin are Windows 7 or higher for PC and macOS 10.9 or higher for Mac. It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Knif Audio Knifonium (Tube-Driven Rare Analog Synth)

Knifonium is an emulation of the hardware synth of the same name.

The hardware Knifonium is a monophonic analog synth that employs 26 vacuum tubes, which also drive its two oscillators. It was designed by John Knif and featured meticulous craftsmanship with a musical and inspiring sound.

Brainworx designed plugin Alliance’s Knifonium emulation, and there are a plethora of modern features that make the already impressive hardware more versatile and accessible.

The most important addition would be the eight-voice polyphony. Not only can you enjoy the sound of the Knifonium, but you can create pads that sound uniquely atmospheric and enveloping. And we haven’t even covered the new effects that enhance the sound further yet.

Key Features:

Effect Processors — built-in effects expand on the original hardware’s raw synth voice
208 Vacuum-Tubes — modeled from the original hardware’s tube-driven signal path
Stereo Features — spread and width controls not present on the original hardware
Performance — 8-voice polyphony vs. the original’s monophonic design

Compatibility:

Knifonium is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

BabyAudio Crystalline (Next-Gen Algorithmic Reverb)

More Info & Price (Trial Available, Dongle Required)

Crystalline is an algorithmic reverb by BabyAudio.

Crystalline is inspired by iconic reverb units of the past, like the Lexicon hardware units, and packages that top-tier quality in software. There is only one reverb type that you can adjust and modify through the various controls Crystalline offers.

I find it ideal for vocals because it feels like a plate reverb but much brighter, while the controls help add clarity and definition, which will help any vocal stand out.

Key Features:

Reflections — shapes the early reflection character of the reverb tail
Clean up — removes buildup and mud without dulling the tail
Depth — pushes the reverb forward or back in the mix
Shape — sculpts the envelope of the reverb tail itself
Utility controls — mix, width, and output controls for fast integration into a session

Compatibility:

Crystalline is available on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.7 or higher in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Slate Digital MetaTune (Pitch Correction / Auto Tune)

Or Buy Here (Support Integraudio)

Meta-Tune is a simple auto-tuner and pitch correction plugin that is great for more ‘modern’ genres of music such as Electronic or Hip-Hop.

The easy-to-use interface gives you basic controls that have enormous impact and are bound to save you time in the mixdown. There certainly are more advanced and powerful plugins out there, but this one boasts simplicity with mixed results at a reasonable price.

Key Features:

User-friendly Design and Interface — simplified controls compared to more complex pitch tools
Negative Speed Processing — a distinct correction algorithm for more natural results on some voices
Groups Function — apply consistent settings across multiple vocal tracks at once
Note Stabilizing — smooths out pitch wobble without a fully robotic effect

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows 8 or higher and macOS 10.12 or higher. It comes in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

Important Note:

All Access Pass licenses have two activations and can be activated on iLok Cloud, an iLok 2 & 3 dongle, or your local host computer (Machine-ID).
SSL Complete (found in the Complete Access Bundle) have two activations and can be activated on an iLok 2 & 3 dongle or your local host computer (Machine-ID).
Individual plugin licenses can be activated on an iLok 2 & 3 dongle or your local host computer (Machine-ID).

Addictive Drums 2 (Drums Collection)

If you want to get not just a drum plugin but an entire drum production studio, then Addictive Drums by XLN Audio is for you.

XLN Audio is a reasonably well-known music software company based in Stockholm, Sweden. These guys are trying to provide their customers with plugins and products that will inspire music creation. If we take a look at XLN Audio’s assortment, we’ll find such hits as Addictive Keys, Addictive FX, different MIDI packs, and all that kind of stuff.

As for Addictive Drums 2, the creators made sure that this plugin has high-quality drum samples. That’s why they recorded the real ones, played by professionals in world-class studios. In general, with this software, we will be able to apply ready-made drum grooves and experiment with the sound, thanks to the built-in effects.

You will have a separate mixer at your disposal where you can balance drum kit parts, room, overheads, and more. In addition, you can apply compression, EQ, saturation, noise gate, and anything else you can imagine.

In addition to all this, choose a variety of presets. XLN Audio has taken care to give you separate collections for specific genres, including rock and metal.

Key Features:

- Otherworldly Kicks and Snares — professionally recorded in world-class studios
- Take Snapshots — save and recall full mix states instantly
- Complete Output Control — separate mixer channels for kit pieces, room, and overheads
- Customize any Beat — apply included grooves or build your own from scratch
- Use Your E-Drums — trigger the plugin directly from electronic drum hardware

Compatibility:

The plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST, AU, and AAX formats.

FAW SubLab XL (Bass & Sub Bass Instrument)

SubLab XL is a bass and 808 instrument by FAW.

The original SubLab was a creative software instrument designed specifically for creating deep bass sounds and 808s. It featured the innovative X-Sub technology by FAW, which guaranteed sub integrity on all sound systems. The XL version includes many more features and fresher sounds.

Key Features:

Synth engine — generates clean, tunable sub-bass tones from scratch
Sample engine — layer sampled 808s and basses alongside the synth engine
X-Sub — FAW’s proprietary technology for consistent sub translation across playback systems
Effects and modulation — built-in processing to shape the low end without extra plugins
Macros — control multiple parameters from a single knob for fast sound design

Compatibility:

SubLab XL is available on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.12 or higher in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

FabFilter Timeless 3 (Creative / Sound Design Delay)

With plenty of new features and an overhauled GUI, Timeless 3 continues on the legacy of the previous version as one of the most flexible delay plugins available today.

It’s a challenge to try and compile everything this plugin can do in a short piece. The concept is that you can create a traditional delay effect using feedback or a multi-tap delay effect, both with an extensive level of modulation on just about any parameter available.

The resizable user interface of this plugin is incredible — it even shows visual feedback of your delay effect on the left half of the upper section. The rest of the section shows a frequency spectrum and an EQ to filter the wet signal.

Another parameter called Diffusion can create lush reverb-like effects easily. Furthermore, it includes various analog-sounding effects like saturation, lo-fi effect, dynamics, and tape-style pitch modulation.

Similarly, you could modulate the multi-tap delay features in a very short length of time to create custom time-based effects like chorus, flanger, and ensemble. Or you could create the reverb shimmer effect by using the pitch-shifting feature along with Diffuse.

Key Features:

6 Filters — shape the tone of the delayed signal independently from the dry signal
Multi-taps — build complex rhythmic delay patterns beyond simple feedback
Stereo Control — precise placement and movement of delay taps across the stereo field
Virtually Limitless Modulation:

1. XLFO
2. Envelope Generator
3. Envelope Follower
4. MIDI Source
5. XY Controller/Slider

Compatibility:

Timeless 3 is available for Windows Vista or higher 32-bit or 64-bit and macOS 10.10 64-bit. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Tracktion & Dawesome Abyss (Modern Visual Synth)

A visual and intuitive synthesizer plugin that can evoke the most varied textures.

Abyss is a synth plugin that relies on a good-looking design interface with a colorful and visually-attractive theme that showcases all controls and configurations in an elegant display. From the first time you open up the plugin, it’s easy to tweak around a good sound messing up the knobs and faders.

The innovative synthesis engine of Abyss represents timbres with color, giving you intuitive
access to easily design your signature sound. And with the powerful modulation system, you can make any patch nuanced and expressive – even more so if you use an MPE controller like the ROLI Seaboard.

Key Features:

Colorful signal flow — visualizes the synthesis path directly on screen
Frequency modulation — deep FM capabilities represented through the color-based interface
Easily alter your timbre — intuitive, visual sound-shaping rather than menu-diving
Audition mode — preview sounds quickly while browsing preset

Compatibility:

The plugin is available for macOS 10.11 or higher and Windows 10 or higher, both in 64-bit only. It comes in VST3 and AU plugin formats.

Arturia Piano V3 (Piano Collection)

The piano is one of the most popular, used, and familiar sounds in music history.

However, finding a good one in the digital era is often challenging, especially if you’re after a realistic and authentic sound.

Arturia has created Piano V3 to capture the most authentic piano sounds possible through physical modeling, from mechanical to sonic behavior.

Key Features:

Wide range of sounds — multiple piano models built from physical modeling, not samples
No samples — every tone is generated in real time, so it responds dynamically to playing
Tweak the sound — adjust mechanical and tonal parameters most sample libraries can’t touch
Dig deeper — advanced physical modeling controls for sound designers, not just pianist

Compatibility:

Piano V3 is available on Windows 8.1 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher in VST, AAX, and AU formats, 64-bit only.

Ample Sound Guitar SC (Stratocaster Guitar)

More Info & Price (Free Version Available)

Ample Sound has developed many impressive sampled guitars, and this plugin’s an excellent example.

The Fender Stratocaster is one of the most notorious guitars ever designed. It’s known for its nasally single-coil pickups that suit just about every genre. And the Ample Guitar Stratocaster (AGSC) features samples of the Stratocaster combined with a highly flexible engine.

The samples are divided into three libraries of different pickup setups: neck, neck + middle, and middle + bridge.

As good as the Stratocaster sounds, you might be looking for another instrument. Luckily, Ample Sound has a range of plugins sampling iconic electric guitars like Gibson Les Paul, PRS 24, and even the 9-string Schecter Hellraiser.

The features of most of these plugins are the same as the ones I list below. So, you only need to find out which sound you prefer.

Key Features:

Tuner — built-in tuning reference for accurate playback
Strummer — auto-generates realistic strumming patterns from chord input
Riffer — builds guitar riffs and licks automatically
Tablature — displays and exports playable tab for what you’ve programmed
Amp And Cabinet — built-in amp simulation so you don’t need a separate amp plugin
Effect Processors — onboard effects for a complete guitar tone without extra plugin

Compatibility:

Ample Guitar SC is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Matt Tytel: Vital (Essential Go-To Synth)

Vital’s synthesizer brings spectral oscillator warping to add new life to your wavetables.

Acting directly on a waveform’s harmonics, this technology can create drastically different tones and shapes from a signal source.

Thanks to this simple tool that creates endless possibilities, what was already incredibly customizable just became even more so.

If you want to import your samples to create a wavetable, Vital’s pitch-splice and vocode converter are two great and easy add-ons to get even more specific on your sound design.

You can also develop wavetables from scratch via the built-in wavetable generator or even directly from the text!

Key Features:

Excellent oscillators — spectral warping adds harmonic complexity beyond standard wavetables
Microtonality at its best — full support for alternate tuning systems
Key-tracked LFOs — modulation that scales intelligently across the keyboard range
MPE support — full expressive control with MPE-compatible controllers
Audio-rate modulation — modulate parameters fast enough to create new timbres, not just movement

Compatibility:

The plugin is available for mac OS 10.12 or higher, Windows 10 or higher, and Ubuntu Linux 18.04 or higher. All 64-bit only, with OpenGL 3 or higher. It comes in VST, AU, and LV2 plugin formats.

Spitfire Audio – Abbey Road One Orchestral Foundations (Orchestral Suite)

Or buy here (Support Integraudio)

This plugin features samples recorded in a coveted studio room and brings cinematic quality to your orchestral sounds.

Abbey Road’s Studio One has seen a lot throughout its history. This room is famous for its sonic capabilities and adequate space to fit an entire ensemble, from iconic bands to ambitious recordings.

Thinking of such big standards, Spitfire Audio carefully recorded a 90-piece symphonic orchestra with excellent microphones, amazing acoustics, top engineers, and the best players available. As a result, every instrument gets the deserved attention, so it’ll sound as it should, with amazing precision regarding sonic details and dynamics.

Key Features:

Five distinct libraries — covering strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion sections separately
Articulations and dynamic layers — realistic performance detail beyond static samples
Iconic spot — recorded in Abbey Road’s famous Studio One
A cinematic experience — built for scoring, not just orchestral pop arrangement

Compatibility:

The library is available for macOS 10.10 to 11 (64-bit only) and Windows 7, 8, or 10 (64-bit only and the latest Service Pack required). It comes in VST2, VST3, AAX, AU, and NKS plugin formats.

Arturia Modular V3 (Modular/Moog Emulation Synth)

Arturia takes us back to the roots of synthesis with this emulation of a revered classic.

The Arturia Modular V is based on the Moog Model 55 modular synth, which was a two-notes polyphonic synth. This software emulation adds sensible features like formant filtering and 64-voice polyphony to the original design.

The interface, however, remains faithful to the hardware along with the manual patching workflow.

Key Features:

Powerful Oscillators — faithful to the original Moog Model 55’s oscillator design
Moog Filters — the same filter character that defines the classic Moog sound
Effect Processors — modern additions not present on the original hardware
Sequence Generator — built-in sequencing for patch experimentation without external MIDI

Compatibility:

The plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.11 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

FabFilter Pro-Q 4 (Dynamic & Matching EQ With Mid/Side & Linear Phase Features)

More info and price

The fourth and latest version of this powerful EQ now includes dynamic control.

Fab Filter’s Pro Q series has been almost a must-have for engineers at all levels for years. These EQs are perfectly transparent, easy to use, and have different display modes for the spectrogram (pre/post-processing).

Still, most importantly, they are the most versatile EQs out there in the market because of their infinite frequency bands, zero latency mode, linear phase processing, fully adjustable parameters, etc.

Now you can control dynamics to specific frequencies, whether you’re boosting and want to control the signal or dipping a particular frequency that’s disturbing you. These fab filter EQs are almost a worldwide standard, mainly because their RTA is very graphic, which is very helpful for those who are just getting started.

Key Features:

New EQ filters: additional filter shapes beyond the original three versions’ options
Optimized UI: faster performance and a cleaner layout for complex multi-band sessions
Dynamic EQ: apply compression or expansion to specific frequencies, not just static cuts and boosts
Collisional frequency marks: visual warnings when bands overlap and start fighting each other
Sidechain and EQ match: trigger EQ moves from an external source, or match another track’s tonal curve

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 10, supports macOS 10.10 or higher, runs on 64 bit and 32 bit systems, and comes in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

AudioThing Motor (Tremolo, Vibrato, Panner)

AudioThing’s Motor gives you mechanized tremolo, vibrato, and the ability to blend the two signals for a unique sound.

The next plugin on our list is unique. It is inspired by an experimental unit called the Crystal Palace, which enthusiasts created in the last century. This machine allowed you to mix many signals simultaneously and, thanks to the movement of the motor, get unique sounds.

As for the Motor plugin, there is generally Tremolo, Vibrato, and Panner with Rate setting. But the fun part starts when you feed it a second signal into the sidechain. The two different sounds will overlap based on the effect settings and the selected waveform. Now let’s break down the features one by one.

Key Features:

Tremolo, Vibrato, And Panner — three classic modulation effects in one plugin
Adjust The Rate — control modulation speed independently per effect
Change A Waveform — shape how the modulation moves, not just how fast
Balance Knob — blend between the dry and modulated signal
Motor Speed — mimics the physical acceleration/deceleration of the original mechanical unit

Compatibility:

AudioThing Motor is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Spring (Eventide)

You may get inventive with your instruments with Eventide Spring Reverb.

We all bemoaned the harsh assault and metallic sounds of spring-based devices back when they were the only inexpensive way to produce fake reverb, but just like with tape distortion, we found ourselves missing it once it is gone!

Eventide’s Spring is a careful imitation of the type of spring reverb you could find in a guitar combo. It is available as a plug-in that supports the standard Mac OS and Windows plug-in formats as well as an iOS app, and it has a wider range of options than the actual spring reverb.

Key Features:

Controls — dedicated tone-shaping beyond a typical hardware spring unit
Modulation Level and Resonance — adds character the original hardware couldn’t achieve
Morphing — smoothly transition between spring reverb characters
Presets — quick starting points modeled on classic guitar combo amp

Compatibility:

The plugin is available for Windows 8 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Color (Saturation/Lo-Fi Tool)

The RC-20 Retro Color from XLN Audio would be a great plugin to give color to instruments or an entire mix bus.

Giving color to the mix bus or individual instruments is always a good idea. The sound becomes more exciting and gets its own “flavor.“ And the next item on our list will give you plenty of opportunities to experiment with this. It is the RC-20 Retro Color from XLN Audio.

You get six different processing modules here, which include various types of effects. In addition, you can either apply all the sections at once or disable individual ones, choosing only what you need. And, of course, there is the section that is responsible for the overall output.

Key Features:

6 Sections Of Processing — distortion, noise, wear, wobble, and more in one signal chain
Get Control Over Each Section — enable or disable modules individually
Magnitude Control — a single knob to push the overall lo-fi character further
Master EQ Section — shape the tonal balance after all the character processing
In & Out Control — simple gain staging to match levels going in and out

Compatibility:

XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Color is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.10 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST, AU, and AAX formats.

Soundtoys Radiator (Preamp/Saturation)

Radiator is a digital model of the classic rack-mounted tube mixer Altec 1567A, turned into a dual drive tube input channel and EQ.

Radiator enables two different ways to load the transformers with its mic/line switch on the left side of the interface. This mic preamp is loud, colored, and warm-sounding. It has a two-knob tone control, bass, and treble, which recreates the frequency response from the original hardware. Its input and output amplification stages are independent to add more character.

Besides the mix knob, which works as a wet/dry control and was included as a feature for the convenience of parallel processing, Radiator meticulously recreates both gears from inside out, even maintaining an internal signal path of one channel of the 1567A.

Key Features:

Tone: two-band bass and treble control recreating the original hardware’s frequency response
Signal Path: independent input and output amplification stages add extra character
Two-band EQ: shapes the tone before or after the saturation stage
Line/mix switch: load the transformer differently depending on mic or line input
Little Radiator: a simplified mode for faster, less hands-on processing

Compatibility:

Supports Windows 7 or higher, and macOS 10.8 or higher, runs on 64 bit only, and comes in VST2, VST3 AU, and AAX formats.

Arturia B-3 V2 (Tonewheel Organ Emulation)

B-3 V2 by Arturia offers a highly creative environment with realistic tonewheel organ sounds and a carefully made rotary speaker add-on.

With many modulation options for the sound, the B-3 V2 plugin features all the textures most organs have. With great attention to detail, the B-3 V2 will work on an elite quality physical modeling technology.

With advanced controls to optimize the instrument, the plugin also features a realistic interface with two keyboards and a swell pedal, along with percussion settings.

Key Features:

Effects — built-in rotary speaker and modulation effects for authentic organ character
Drawbars — full manual drawbar control across two virtual keyboards
Rotary Speaker — physically modeled, not just a static effect

Compatibility:

This plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.11 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST 2/3, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.

Soundtoys Little Plate (Plate Reverb)

Included with SuperPlate and in the Soundtoys 5 bundle.

Not sold individually.

Little Plate is a plate reverb plugin by Soundtoys.

Soundtoys is a beloved audio plugin company that delivers unique and instantly recognizable plugins.

Little plate is a plate reverb that was inspired by five unique EMT 140 plate reverbs.

Soundtoys gathered inspiration from them and created Little Plate as an easy-to-use and instantly inspiring plate reverb catered to all music producers and engineers.

Key Features:

Decay — controls the length of the reverb tail
Mod and EQ — built-in modulation and tone shaping without needing separate plugins
Simple to use — inspired by five classic EMT 140 plate units, reduced to essential controls

Compatibility:

Soundtoys Little Plate is available on Windows 7 or higher and macOS 1010 or higher in VST2, AAX, and AU formats.

14 of the Best Free Plugins For FL Studio

Waves StudioRack (Plugin Chainer)

StudioRack, Waves’ plugin chainer, benefits die-hard Waves enthusiasts because it can host plugins from other manufacturers.

StudioRack is a plugin utility originally launched in 2014 by Waves and recently upgraded to allow users to create chains of plugins. The goal is to view them as a unified whole rather than a collection of unrelated plugins.

A processing chain for the vocals or the percussion bus is required. Alternatively, you may build a multi-effects rack to simultaneously process delay, reverb, and pitch shifting. StudioRack is perfect for projects like these.

Key Features:

nterface — unified view for chaining plugins from any manufacturer, not just Waves
Parallel Processing — blend multiple effect chains together for more complex routing
Macros — control several chained plugins’ parameters from one place
More Processing Power — offload processing to keep CPU usage manageable across long chains

Compatibility:

The OS requirements for this plugin are Windows 7 or higher for PC and macOS 10.9 or higher for Mac. It comes in VST/RTAS/AU/AAX formats and supports 32 and 64 bit systems.

Slate Digital Fresh Air (Vintage Exciter)

Fresh Air from Slate Digital will help add clarity and brilliance to your vocals and mixes without harshness.

We often want to take the blanket away from our mixes, giving them more presence and spark. For many years this was possible thanks to exciters, special studio units that added content in the upper frequencies. The good news is that now you can achieve this for free.

Slate Digital’s Fresh Air plugin will help you do just that. It’s a dynamic processor that affects the mid and high frequencies, bringing them to life by adding air. The great thing about this software is that it’s as simple as possible since you’ll only have the two main knobs. So let’s take a closer look at it.

Key Features:

A Simple Operation — just two main knobs, no complex menu diving
Trim Control — gain-stage the signal before the effect is applied
Simple Metering — clear visual feedback without added complexity
Based On Vintage Exciter Technology — modeled on classic studio exciter hardware, not a generic EQ boost

Compatibility:

Slate Digital Fresh Air is available for Windows 8 or higher and macOS 10.13 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST2/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Integraudio & Sixth Sample Deelay (Delay, Reverb, Granular FX, Sound Design Tool)

Deelay is a wonderful plugin from Integraudio and Sixth Sample that will surprise you with its many features.

There are stock delay plugins in almost every DAW. But sooner or later, the time will come when their functionality is not enough for you, especially if you want to look for a new sound or are engaged in sound design.

In this case, the Deelay plugin will be especially useful. And the good news is that it’s completely free.

The number of different presets here is simply mind-boggling. All of them have a very different sounds. So you can glide through them until you find what you need.

One of the main features of this software is the presence of different types of distortion. Such a variety will be difficult to find even in the well-known paid plugins.

And, of course, the different types of mods. The Deelay plugin has as many as 5 of them. That’s enough for you to get the sound you want. Let’s now look at the features in more detail.

Key Features:

Balanced Control Layout — every parameter is accessible without digging through menus
5 Different Modes of Operation — each mode gives the delay a distinct character
11 Shades of Distortion — built directly into the delay path for creative sound design
Extensive Number of Presets — wide range of starting points to browse through
Additional Unique Features — granular and sound-design tools beyond a standard delay

Compatibility:

Deelay is available for Windows 8.1 and higher (both 32 and 64-bit) and macOS 10.9 and higher (64-bit only). It comes in VST3 and AU formats.

iZotope Vocal Doubler (Vocal Enhancer)

If you need an easy-to-use solution to enhance vocals, iZotope’s Vocal Doubler plugin may be a good option.

Recording vocal doubles is standard practice in music production. It helps enhance the vocals and gives them more width. But what if you don’t have these tracks pre-recorded? In that case, software like doubler can easily achieve this effect.

Such is the Vocal Doubler plugin from the company iZotope. And the good news is that you can get it completely free. Its main advantage is that it is as easy to use as possible because you will only have a few controls. So let’s take a look at what’s here.

Key Features:

Add Some Separation — creates width without needing a second recorded take
Choose The Variation — multiple doubling algorithms to pick from
Effect Only Button — audition the processed signal in isolation
Doubling Amount — control how intense the doubling effect is

Compatibility:

iZotope Vocal Doubler is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.8.5 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST2/3, AAX and AU formats.

UJAM Finisher Micro (Multi Effect)

UJAM’s Finisher Micro helps you quickly apply the effect and get a little extra inspiration.

Imagine a situation where you feel that a certain instrument needs to add an effect, but you don’t know which one. It can happen especially with beginners. However, UJAM has created a free plugin to help you quickly and easily solve this problem.

This software is called Finisher Micro and is essentially a multi-effect plugin. You get 25 different effect chain Modes and the Amount knob, thanks to which you can determine exactly how much effect you need. The plugin is very simple and interesting. Let’s talk about it more substantially.

Key Features:

Select The Desired Effect — 25 different effect chain modes to choose from
Choose The Proper Amount — one knob controls how much effect is applied
Input And Output Adjustment — simple gain staging in and out of the plugin

Compatibility:

UJAM Finisher Micro is available for Windows 8 or higher and macOS 10.12 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST, AAX and AU 2 formats.

Analog Obsession BUSTERse (SSL Compressor)

Analog Obsession’s BUSTERse plugin can be your main tool for “gluing” mixes.

Now, what do you use the bus compressor for anyway? First, it allows you to shape transients, and second, to get the effect of “gluing” the mix as a whole. The SSL Bus Compressor is a very popular equipment for this, which was part of the console. But now, there are enough plugins that emulate its operation.

Such is the free software BUSTERse from Analog Obsession. Its main feature is that, in addition to the compressor settings, it has many additional features that will help you affect the character and dynamics even more. Let’s now try to take them all apart.

Key Features:

Familiar Compressor Settings — modeled on the classic SSL bus compressor
Additional Mods — extra controls beyond what the original hardware offered
Sidechain Filter — shape what frequencies trigger the compression
Transients Shaping — control punch independently from the compression amount

Compatibility:

Analog Obsession BUSTERse is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher. It comes in VST/3 and AU formats.

Caelum Audio Tape Cassette 2 (Saturation/Tape Emulation)

Caelum Audio’s Tape Cassette 2 might be handy for producers who make lo-fi music.

We all remember that warm cassette sound from our childhood. But, remarkably, now we can achieve it directly in our DAW to create lo-fi music. Caelum Audio’s Tape Cassette 2 plugin will help you do just that.

Tape Cassette 2 is a fairly simple plugin with some great features. Thus, you will have full control over creating your custom tape sound because you can adjust almost all of its components, right down to the noise. So let’s see what the creators have hidden under the hood.

Key Features:

Add Some Saturation — warm, tape-style harmonic coloration
Adjustable Low-Pass Filter — dulls the top end for authentic lo-fi character
Give It Some Noise — adds tape hiss and wear to taste
Wow & Flutter Controls — pitch instability for realistic tape movement
IR and Auto-Gain — impulse-response-based modeling with automatic level compensation

Compatibility:

Caelum Audio Tape Cassette 2 is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.11 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST3, AU, AUv3, and AAX formats.

Analog Obsession LOADED (Channel Strip)

Analog Obsession’s LOADED plugin gives you everything you need to mix almost any instrument, especially vocals.

Using a channel strip plugin is always great because you have all the main tools for mixing a particular instrument at your fingertips. Think of it as a console that allows you to process an individual track from start to finish. That’s exactly what the plugin called LOADED will give you.

It emulates five studio units of the 500 format and one general. Here you get Preamp, De-Esser, Gate, Compressor, and EQ. The last one in the chain will be a module where you can control the input and output signals. Let’s break it all down in more detail.

Key Features:

Preamplifier Section — emulates a 500-format studio preamp
Add Some De-Essing — built-in de-esser without needing a separate plugin
Gate Unwanted Sounds — noise gate included in the same signal chain
EQ Section — shape tone before or after dynamics processing
Add Compression — full compressor built into the strip

Analog Obsession LOADES (De-Esser)

Thanks to Analog Obsession’s LOADES plugin, you can easily get rid of annoying hisses and esses on vocals and cymbals.

We already mentioned the de-esser as part of the LOADED plugin from Analog Obsession above. But the cool thing is that you can also get this software separately. The developers have created a different version of the de-esser called LOADES, and we can say that the plugin is quite effective.

It also looks like the units of the 500 rack series, but there are only two sections. In the first one, you will have a full set of de-essing settings, and in the second one, you will find general parameters. Let’s take a look at what this plugin can do.

Key Features:

Set Up The Threshold — control when de-essing kicks in
Use Shelf or Band — choose between two different de-essing methods
Make It Softer — smooths harsh transients without sounding processed
Release Control — adjust how quickly the de-esser lets go
Mix, Input & Output — full gain staging and dry/wet blend

Compatibility:

Analog Obsession LOADES is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher. It comes in VST/3 and AU formats.

Chow Tape Model (Tape Emulation)

The Chow Tape Model plugin from Chowdhury DSP will give you the warmth of tape and the ability to achieve a crazy sound.

We all know that tape saturation is an important part of music production, especially if you want to get some warmth and breathe life into your tracks. And all this will be quite possible, thanks to the free plugin Chow Tape Model.

In general, you will have full control over many parameters of the virtual tape machine. Thus, the plugin allows you to recreate your unique version and get the sound just the way you want. All in all, you can either get very subtle effects or achieve unconventional, creative solutions.

Key Features:

Gain And Filters — core saturation controls with tone shaping built in
Loss, Degrade & CHEW Section — unique controls for tape degradation and character
Oversampling And Hysteresis Mode — more accurate tape physics modeling under the hood

Compatibility:

Chow Tape Model is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It comes in VST/3, AU, AUv3, CLAP, LV2, AAX formats, and as a standalone host.

TriTik Crush (Bitcrusher)

TriTik’s Krush plugin is a great audio destructive tool to help make your beats more expressive and aggressive.

Bitcrusher is a popular sound effect that involves applying a distortion by lowering the resolution of the audio signal. It allows you to achieve a somewhat warm sound. On the other hand, it can become somewhat harsh. However, providing an aggressive sound is common, especially for beats or other percussive elements.

The free Krush plugin from TriTik is just the thing to help you achieve this effect. Despite the usual bitcrusher settings, you will also get many additional ones, including modulation and filter parameters. Let’s analyze them one by one.

Key Features:

Crush & DWSP — core bit-reduction and downsampling controls
Filter Section — shape the crushed signal before or after distortion
Modulations — add movement to the destruction over time rather than a static effect

Compatibility:

TriTik Krush is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.6 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST/3, AU, and AAX formats.

Ample Guitar M Lite II (Martin D-41 Guitar)

Ample Sound makes a bold move by delivering a free plugin with virtually no compromises. It is the Ample Guitar M Lite II plugin.

This plugin from the Chinese company Ample Sound is based on the Martin D-41 acoustic guitar, known for its rich sound. Beautiful inlays and the fingerboard make it a dream for many guitarists.

As with their other software, Ample Sound has taken care of deep sampling. The plugin includes Finger Instrument libraries to fit different needs and features rich firing noise, which has become more vivid and realistic. There are Sustain, Hammer-On & Pull-Off, Palm Mute, and Popping five articulations.

Key Features:

Technology — deep sampling of the Martin D-41 acoustic guitar
Strummer — auto-generates realistic strum patterns from chord input
Tab Player — import and play tablature directly through the plugin

Compatibility:

The plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST2/3, AU, AAX formats, and as a standalone host.

Ample Bass P Lite II (Fender Precision Bass)

Don’t worry if you don’t have a budget. We’ve got some free plugins for you. The first is Ample Bass P Lite II from Ample Sound.

The Chinese company Ample Sound, from time to time, pleases its users with free products. For example, you can get a virtual instrument based on the Martin D-41 acoustic guitar. Ample Bass P Lite II is also on the list of free plugins.

This software is based on the Fender Precision Bass. More often than not, free plugins can’t surprise you with excellent sound quality. But let’s be honest with you – this one is perfect. At least you can safely try it before you buy similar virtual instruments.

Key Features:

Over 400 Bass Samples — deep sampling of the Fender Precision Bass
Implemented Technologies — shares its engine with Ample’s paid bass instruments
Use Your Tabs — import and play bass tablature directly

Compatibility:

The plugin is available for Windows 7 or higher and macOS 10.9 or higher, both 64-bit only. It comes in VST2/3, AU, AAX formats, and as a standalone host.

Voxengo SPAN (Spectrum Analyzer)