Speed of sound
If there is one free VST synth that you want to get yourself familiar with, it is the Synth1 by Ichiro Toda. This synthesizer is actually a favorite among many music producers, and is often the one that’s most recommended. Synth1 is an analog modeled subtractive synthesizer. It’s functions are modeled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth. One of the first soft synths ever produced, Plex was a Wolfgang Palm-designed beast for Steinberg back in 2002. (Wolfgang also designed the legendary PPG Wave synth.) In 2011 he tweaked the original and released it as freeware and it’s an unusual synth, to say the least. The 25 best VST/AU plugin synths in the world right now: all the best soft synths you need in your DAW By Ben Rogerson 06 December 2019 We asked you to vote for your favourite VST/AU plugin synth in our annual poll, and you did so in your thousands.
Synth Essentials contains a fresh set of sound for Ableton’s Wavetable, Operator, Analog, Tension, and Collision synths, as well as Instrument Racks featuring Live’s warm, analog-modeled filters and full complement of effects. The leads, pads and basses inside are part of a simple, unified design for fast browsing and selection. And built-in effects make additional sound design a matter of turning just a few Macros.
Best Free Synths For Ableton Vst
Pack contents
- Over 200 Instrument Racks, constructed with Live's native Instruments and Effects
- Over 180 Wavetable, Operator, Analog, Tension and Collision presets
- Samples provided by Cluster Sound
As promised, this follow-up to the 10 Best Free VST Plugins list (that is, just effects and processors) is all about synths.
Some of these synths are early projects from designers who have gone on to work for larger companies making some of the most high-profile VST instruments; others are passion projects from solo sonic adventurers who simply want to share their skills with the music-making community. And some are simply streamlined versions of commercial synths.
But what these VST synths have in common, other than price, is that they all have a fantastic sound and great tone-shaping features. You can load them up in your DAW right now and give any of them a spin in your next production. You won’t be disappointed!
1. u-he TyrellN6
Similar design to the classic Roland Juno 60, and awesomely named after the rogue replicants in Blade Runner…
Available for PC and Mac. More info and download link here.
2. Green Oak Crystal
Created by Glenn Olander, who went on to design Spectrasonics Omnisphere and Stylus RMX. No slouch then…
Available for PC and Mac. More info and downloads here. Adobe reader free download windows 7 professional. There’s also an iPad/iPhone version, available here.
3. Togu Audio Line TAL-NoiseMaker
A great synth from the guys who brought us the TAL-Effects bundle I mentioned previously. Well worth a look.
Available for PC and Mac. More info and download here.
4. Ichiro Toda Synth1
This synth is modelled on the modern classic Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth… Nuff said really :)
Available for PC and Mac. More info (translated from the Japanese) and download here. The sims 2 realistic skin.
5. de la Mancha FMMF
This FM synth, with 4 operators, is especially good for pads and sound design-y noises and effects.
Available for Windows VST only. More info and download here.
6. Ohm Force Symtohm:Melohman Performer Edition
A slimmed-down version of the original Symptohm:Melohman, the only actual difference being that you’re limited to presets from the Symptohm sound library.
But there are 1200 sounds there, enough to keep anybody busy for a while…
Available for PC and Mac. More info and download here.
7. u-he Zebralette
Again, this synth is a slimmed-down version of a commercial soft synth – in this case, the u-he Zebra2. But the Zebralette is very popular in it’s own right, as it’s capable of making some pretty great sounds of it’s own.
Available for PC and Mac. More info and download here.
Free Instruments For Ableton
8. Tonebytes Bleep’
Recreating the legendary sound of the Commodore 64 SID sound chip, this synth is an absolute must for chiptune makers and anyone who’s into retro / 8-bit game style sounds and FX.
It’s available for Windows VST only I’m afraid. More info and download at tonebytes.com.
9. Kairatune
A bass and lead synth with an inspiring interface, designed specifically with EDM in mind.
Windows VST only. More info and download here.
10. E-MU Proteus VX
A free synth sound module from the legendary hardware sampler makers. It’s a slimmed-down version of their Emulator X3, and can load any sounds from the Emulator X library.
Windows VST only. More info and download here.
Which other free synths are you using that I might have missed? Leave a comment below, cheers!
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