Audio production can be expensive work, even if you go the virtual route with a digital audio workstation (DAW) and virtual instruments. Working with virtual studio technology (VST) plugins is tremendously convenient, but a lot of the best VST plugins out there are very expensive.
If you're looking to expand your library of VST instrument (VSTi) plugins, or tweak your mixes with some great effects or MIDI effects VST plugins, you can do it for free. You just need to know where to look.
We've assembled the top 15 free VST plugins that can help elevate your music to the next level. Since they're free, you can grab them all, and see how they sound, without opening your wallet.
The Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra Module contains the full SSO by Mattias Westlund, in one simple VST plugin (32 & 64bit) The SSO samples are stereo, 16 bit, 44kHz. While it’s not the most professional Orchestral Sample Plugin out there, it will certainly provide the building blocks for creating some astounding virtual orchestra sounds.
Every VST in this list will work regardless of your operating system, as long as your digital audio workstation supports VST plugins. Some of them include an installer, in which case you need to download the installer that works with your operating system.
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Synth1
What it does: This virtual analog synth was inspired by the Clavia Nord Lead 2 synthesizer. It's one of the most versatile free soft synths you'll find, and it's a great choice if you're looking to get started making retro music like synthwave without spending a bunch of money. It includes a bunch of default presets, and there are also a ton of additional free soundbanks available.
If you can't afford Sylenth1, then you could do a whole lot worse than Synth1 as a fallback option.
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Dexed
What it does: Dexed is a frequency modulation synth that's designed to look and sound a lot like the well-known Yamaha DX7. It's the best freeware DX7 emulator that you'll find, which makes it an obvious choice.
This synth also includes a ton of presets, which is good news if you don't quite have your head wrapped around creating your own synthesizer settings yet.
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Helix
What it does: Helix is a synth that offers a tremendous amount of versatility, with four separate oscillators and a ton of utility. The only downside of this VSTi is that it's more like shareware than freeware. You can download it for free, and there aren't any features locked out, so you can see what it's capable of first hand.
What we don't like: The problem is that it's programmed to generate random noise every so often unless you pay to unlock the full version.
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Tunefish 4
What it does: Tunefish 4 is an additive synth that provides similar functionality to Tunefish 3 in less space. It's great for creating big, booming bass lines, but the presets don't really do a great job of showcasing all of its capabilities.
If you're ready to start dipping your toes into fine-tuning settings on a powerful synthesizer VSTi, this is a good one to go with.
What we don't like: Since the presets aren't that great, you'll need to play around with the settings a lot to get the most out of it.
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Hypercyclic
What it does: Hypercyclic is a MIDI arpeggiator that can introduce randomness into your MIDI that makes it sound more natural and less computer-generated. It's designed to send MIDI data to another VST plugin of your choice, but it does include a built-in synth as well that you can use to fine-tune everything without any additional plugins.
What we don't like: The built-in synth is very basic.
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SQ8L
What it does: SQ8L is designed to emulate the classic SQ80 synth from Ensoniq, so it's a great place to turn if you're looking to layer in some nostalgic, retro sounds. It also comes with a bunch of presets for that authentic 1980s synth sound.
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Krush
What it does: Krush is a bitcrusher plugin, which puts it in the effects VST category. Instead of using it to generate new sounds, you use it to modify the output from an instrument VST. As a bitcrusher, it's designed to clip, downsample, and filter your tracks to create interesting new effects.
If you're just starting out with effects plugins, Krush is a good place to start due to its versatility. Throw it on your mixer, and see what you can do.
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PanCake2
What it does: PanCake2 is another effects plugin that alters your tracks rather than making any audio of its own. The main point of this plugin is to create crazy panning effects that go far beyond whatever capabilities your digital audio workstation might have on its own.
This plugin comes with a bunch of presets, but you can also draw in curves for your panning modulation manually. That flexibility makes it one of the best free VST plugins that you can add to your arsenal.
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TDR Nova
What it does: TDR Nova is a parametric equalizer, which means it's an effects plugin. You can use it to dynamically process a single track or your full stereo mix to fine-tune things exactly to your liking. If you're looking to step things up from your built-in equalizer, this is a plugin you need to grab.
![Mastering the mix Mastering the mix](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125617506/993071879.jpg)
There is a paid version of TDR Nova that adds two additional frequency bands and various other tweaks, but the free version is completely functional.
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Zebralette
What it does: Zebralette is the free version of U-he's fantastic Zebra2 synthesizer. It's basically a pared-down version with only one oscillator, but you can get a lot of work done with what they give you.
In addition to Zebralette, U-he has a bunch of other free VST plugins that are worth checking out as well.
What we don't like: Zebralette is a self-described Trojan horse designed to get you hooked so that you'll buy Zebra2.
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OBXD
What it does: OBXD is based on the venerated OB-X synth from Oberheim, but it isn't a direct copy. It does a pretty good job of imitating the kind of sound you'd expect to get out of the OB-X, but layers on a bunch of additional features.
If you're looking for a free synth that can create Oberheim-ish sounds, this is the best you're going to get.
What we don't like: The additional features are designed to smooth over shortcomings of the OB-X, but it still doesn't have any built-in effects.
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MT Power DrumKit 2
What it does: MT Power Drum Kit 2 is the fastest, easiest way to get high-quality drums out of a free VST. It includes a huge library of high-quality drum samples and tons of MIDI grooves and fills that you can arrange however you like to quickly lay down a drum track.
What we don't like: The only problem with MT Power Drum Kit 2 is that, while free, it prompts you to make a donation every time you launch it. If you want to get rid of that screen, and get right to work, you have to pay for an unlock.
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Vintage Drum Elements
What it does: Vintage Drum Elements is the best way to get authentic-sounding drums that sound like they come from sources like the Yamaha RX5 kit. It has a sort of warm analog feel that most drum VSTi plugins can't match.
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A1TriggerGate
What it does: A1TriggerGate is a sequenced gate effect VST that's designed to chop up incoming audio signals. That means you can use to turn boring sounds like pads into interesting rhythmic sequences. It's tremendously powerful and versatile for a free effects plugin, and it's also extremely easy to jump in and start using.
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TAL Vocoder
What it does: The best vocoder plugins cost a lot of money, but TAL Vocoder gets the job done pretty well for free. It's specifically designed to produce sounds in line with vintage 1980s vocoders, so it's great if you're going for a retro sound.
In addition to TAL Vocoder, Tal also has a bunch of other great VST plugins that you can grab for free.
Here are the Best Free Orchestral VST Plugins online that can be used with FL Studio, Reason, Ableton Live, and other VST supported software.
VST Download Instructions:
- Click each VST name below.
- Look around each website for the download link or button.
- Only download the VST plugin. Do NOT install any suspicious looking software.
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Tutorial: How to Install VST Plugins
Best Free Orchestral VST Plugins
1.DSK Overture
Classic free Orchestral VST Plugin includes: Acoustic Piano, Harpsichord, Church Organ, Celesta, Glockenspiel, Vibes, Harp, Flute, Piccolo, English Horns, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Cello, Contra Bass, Viola, Violin, Orchestra Drum Kit, Full Sections.
- Amp. envelope
- Midi channel selector
- Panorama control
- Level, gain and mute control
- Advanced multimode filter (HP, LP, BP1, BP2, notch)
- Filter amp. envelope
- Fx (Reverb, Delay & Chorus)
- Midi automation
2.DSK ChoirZ
Choirs and vocal VST instrument by DSK Music.
- 3 Layers with 32 Choir & Pad sounds
- ADSR, Finetuning and Pan control
- 3 Advanced Filters
- 3 LFO routing to Cut, Pan, Level and Pitch
- Chorus effect
- Reverb Effect
- Velocity response
- Midi automation
3.Chamber Orchestra 2 | Orchestra Samples
VSCO2 Rompler is a complete orchestral instruments rompler.
Includes over 2000 samples for 25 instruments with articulations and round-robin samples (depending of the instrument).
4. Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra
Features a small selection of standard orchestral and wind ensemble instruments sampled at the most basic level.
- Featuring concert flute, clarinet, bassoon, F horn, trumpet, tenor bone*, bass bone, tubular bells*, xylophone*, glockenspiel*, timpani*, large percussion section, harp, piano, solo violin, and violin section, all using accurate ranges.
- Percussion mapped close to MIDI standards to help ease compatibility
- Each instrument is automatically mapped to a MIDI channel- just switch what channel the track is to switch instruments!
5.Keyzone Classic
Sample based piano plugin on Windows and Apple OS system.
- Piano from Keyzone 1
- Yamaha Grand Piano
- Steinway Grand Piano
- Basic Electric Piano
- Rhodes Piano
6.Orchestral Strings One
Orchestral Strings One was recorded utilizing the legendary acoustics in the famous Berliner Hall – home of the world class BERLINER PHILHARMONIKER. Our full string orchestra contains 14 violins, 10 Violas, 8 Cellos and 6 Double Basses.
7.Orchestral Bells
BellsEbuth is a sampled orchestral bells. It contains 40 stereo samples from the University of Iowa Electronic Music Studios public domain library.
- 40 stereo 24 bit samples.
- Release time.
- Sustain level.
- Amplitude dynamic range control.
- Main volume.
8.The Total Composure Orchestra
The Total Composure orchestra (TCO) is a full orchestral sample library created using only samples that are in the public domain. Total Composure is the first to offer such a library exclusively for the Kontakt format; making use of Kontakt’s scripting capabilities to greatly enhance the playability, realism, and functionality of these public domain samples.
9.Sonatina Orchestra Module | Second Link
The Sonatina Orchestra Module is a complete orchestral instruments rompler.
There are 20 instruments and over 50 articulations including a soloist for every major instrument except the Viola and Double Bass. There are sections for all the important instruments including the Viola and Double Bass. Articulations include Pizzicato for the string sections and Staccato for the strings, brass and flute sections. There is also plenty of percussion along with a piano, harp and choir.
10.VibroMaster
VibroMaster is a sampled vibraphone. It contains 42 stereo samples from the University of Iowa Electronic Music Studios public domain library. You can use a sustain pedal to play with full release notes, but if you don’t have one, you can switch from Short to Full release with the midi notes A2 (57) for short and B2 (59) for full. These 2 notes can be triggered from the GUI.
- 42 stereo 24 bit samples.
- 2 groups: Short / Full release.
- Release time control for the short group.
- Sustain levels for each group.
- Amplitude dynamic range control.
- Main volume.
11.Etherealwinds Harp
Etherealwinds Harp is a sampling of a diatonic folk harp recorded by the Newgrounds musician Etherealwinds.
- Diatonically sampled, 2x RR, 3 velocity layers.
- Celtic Lever/Folk Harp with a delicate, warm tone.
- Full Decays Sampled.
- Samples are mono (Kontakt version includes faux stereo width option).
- NKI version included.
12.Kettle Drum
Kettle Drum is a timpani orchestral percussion.
13.Sonatina Choir
Sonatina Choir is are sampled male and female choirs. Samples were edited from the Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra sample library.
14.Virtuoso
With DSK Virtuoso you can play great combinations of 6 layer instruments, or play a composition up to 6 different parts, through the MIDI channels selectors.
- 6 Instrument layers.
- Midi channel assignable to each one.
- ADSR, level and Pan control for each layer.
- 40 instruments in 6 categories.
- 2 Send Fx (Chours & delay).
- 1 Master reverb Fx.
- Velocity response.
15.One Track Orchestra – FREE Orchestral VSTi
This is a simple and FREE VSTi plugin created to help you sketch/prototype your orchestral arrangements and productions in an easy and fast way.
I hope you enjoy these free Orchestral VST plugins. Please share this article and join our newsletter for more free VST Plugins.