Best Synth Plugins Vst
Ever since the VST first made its way into the music production world, VST instruments dramatically increased the capabilities of DAWs.
Korg’s VST Collection brings its most iconic synths together in plugin form. There are eight synths in total, which are the Triton, ARP Odyssey, MS-20, Polysix, M1, Wavestation, Mono Poly, and MDE-X. The Triton is to Korg what the Motif is to Yamaha; it’s an absolute powerhouse that changed the recording industry. The best VST plugins 2020: the finest synth, drum machine, sampler and effect plugins you can buy right now By Ronan Macdonald ( Computer Music, Future Music ) 19 June 2020 It’s the ultimate plugin shopping list. The list of top 20 best VST synth plugins are given below- 1. Xfer Serum Advanced Wavetable Synthesizer A relative newcomer to the scene, Xfer Serum has quickly settled itself as one of the transcendent VST synths accessible. Newest Free Plugins 3.3k Best Free Plugins 2.9k Best Free Instrument Plugins 1.3k Free Synth Plugins 457 Best Free Effect Plugins 1.6k Best Free Guitar Effect Plugins 51 Free Reverb Plugins 104 Free EQ Plugins 136 Free Plugins Host 100 Free Kontakt Instruments & Libraries 204 Best Free Drum VIs 115.
It’s truly incredible how this technology that remains relatively unchanged from its first versions in the late 90s, continues to shape modern music production as we know.
There are 1000s of VST instruments on the market today, including some great free ones.
But freeware plugins can only take you so far. The top tone tools for music production are still commercial products that come with a price tag.
When it comes to paid synth plugins, knowing where to put your money is hard. Which is why LANDR now offers rent-to-own plugins—to bring you the tools you need at affordable prices.
With all the options out there, it doesn’t have to be scary or expensive if you’re able to pick the best synth plugin that’s right for your music production needs.
Let’s take a look at VST instruments that are responsible for iconic tracks and sounds you can’t get anywhere else.
Here’s the essential list of the best VST instruments and synth plugins
- Lethal Audio
- Spectrasonics Omnisphere
- Xfer Serum
- Native Instruments Massive
- Native Instruments FM8
- Arturia V Collection
- Native Instruments Kontakt 6
- Reveal Sound Spire
- u-he Hive
- REFX Nexus 2
Use this list to choose the best synth plugins from the cream of the crop.
1. Lethal Audio Lethal
Price: $199
Lethal by Lethal Audio is a ROM based powerhouse that includes thousands of sounds and presets and 24 genre-specific expansions.
It’s also the first rent-to-own plugin from LANDR…
We know, we know: we’re a bit biased. But we had to put it first on this list because we’ve been enjoying it so much in our own productions lately.
Lethal by Lethal Audio is a ROM based powerhouse that includes thousands of sounds and presets 24 genre-specific expansions.
This soft synth puts some of the most in-demand tones in modern production right at your fingertips with it’s easy to use preset browser.
From there’s plenty of room to sculpt them with effects and powerful synthesis features.
Plus its light enough on your processor that you can create an entire track using just Lethal.
If you’re looking for simplicity and great value, Lethal is the perfect synth for you.
2. Spectrasonics Omnisphere
Price: $499 USD
Spectrasonics Omnisphere is one of the biggest names in software synthesizers. This massively powerful instrument packs an almost overwhelming amount of functionality.
There’s so much going on under the hood in Omnisphere that it might be a little intimidating to new users.
But there’s a super helpful community around this synth to guide you on your journey—and plenty of resources available if you’re feeling stuck.
If all else fails you could get lost in the sheer number of presets and discover some incredible sounds without ever once needing to do any tweaking.
Omnisphere is a powerful experience!
Omnisphere is a powerful experience!
3. Xfer Serum
Price: $189 USD
Xfer Serum is usually next on the list of the most essential soft synths.
Serum is a wavetable synthesizer. Unlike the hardware synths of the past that rely on wavetable technology, Serum has no processing limitations—and it shows.
Serum’s wavetable tech is incredibly powerful. Even for simple waveforms, its expertly implemented wavetables sound ultra-clear and clean.
This gives the synth a crisp and clean sound that can be quite intense!
4. Native Instruments Massive
Price: $149 USD
Native Instruments’ Massive has been around since the early days of softsynths, but it’s an all-time favourite for a reason.
This synth is designed to make basses. Massive basses—and it works.
Its easy to use virtual-analog subtractive design will seem familiar and intuitive, even to new users.
Its extremely fat sound has defined a generation of producers and continues to be a great option for plugin synthesis.
Hot Tip: Massive has just received a significant update with NI Massive X.
Massive X is an entirely new synth plugin reimagined from the ground up to bring the classic VST into the modern era of music production. It just might end up being more legendary than the original!
5. Native Instruments FM8
Price: $149 USD
Native Instruments FM8 is another longtime favourite soft synth from the classic plugin manufacturer.
FM8 uses frequency modulation synthesis like the iconic Yamaha DX-7 that defined the sound of the 80s.
FM8 uses frequency modulation synthesis like the iconic Yamaha DX-7 that defined the sound of the 80s.
This method can seem complicated, but FM8 focuses on putting all the control you need at your fingertips.
Plus, FM8 takes FM synthesis much further than classic hardware.
All the delicate, crystalline bells and keys you might associate with FM are there, along with all kinds of inspiring new sounds and textures—FM is cool!
6. Arturia V Collection
Price: 499$
The Arturia V Collection is truly incredible because it gives you access to a library of legendary vintage synths.
It’s hard to express just how incredible it is that you can download and emulate genre-defining synths like the CS-80 or the ARP 2600.
Having access to a literal library of classic synths opens up your production capabilities to levels that producers of eras past could only dream about.
7. Native Instruments Kontakt 6
Price: $519
Kontakt 6 is a collection of sample-based instruments from Native Instruments.
It’s essentially a platform that plugs into your DAW and gives you access to its three Play Series synths, Retro Machines MK2 and its original Factory Library.
The Play Series synths come with three synth engines—Analog Dreams for classic analog-style synths, Ethereal Earth for atmospheric pads and Hybrid Keys for interesting Rhodes style sounds.
Retro Machines is Native Intstruments’ retro synth offering that gives access to 16 re-creations of classic vintage hardware.
And of course, the Factory Libary comes with 1000s of stock samples you can freely use in your tracks.
8. Reveal Sound Spire
Price: $189 USD
Reveal Sound Spire is a hybrid synthesizer that covers everything from analog modelling to “HardFM.”
Spire’s powerful unison modes allow for up to 9 unison voices per oscillator
And its internal effects system is like a built-in sound design tool, complete with its own LFOs and matrix slots.
Onboard mixing tools like EQ and compression make Spire a one-stop-shop for designing tones that work great in a mix.
9. u-he Hive
Price: €149 Euro
u-he Hive is a sleek and lightweight multipurpose synth with tons of functionality. Hive’s effective workflow can get you started creating great sounding patches right away.
It’s ability to support microtunings and unique mix of synthesis styles makes it unique and it’s extensive modulation matrix and function generators make it flexible.
But at heart Hive is a two oscillator subtractive synth. That means that even if you’re still getting comfortable with the basics of synthesis, there’s nothing here you can’t handle.
10. REFX Nexus2
Price: $249 USD
REFX Nexus2 is another ROM based plugin with an extensive library that’s fully loaded for EDM production.
Nexus has made its way into the studios of some pretty big names, but the sound quality speaks for itself.
Nexus has made its way into the studios of some pretty big names, but the sound quality speaks for itself.
Nexus is expandable via a huge amount of downloadable content and expansions on REFX for every style of music.
Synthetica
Synthesizer plugins are one of the most exciting parts of digital music production. Antares autotune 4 vst free.
No matter what sound you’re chasing, there’s a soft synth out there that will help you get it.
These are the best synth plugins to check out next time you’re GAS-ing for a powerful new plugin to add to your arsenal.
Synth VSTs are one of the most exciting things about being a producer today.
Powerful synthesis tools that used to cost thousands are now available in your DAW anytime, anywhere.
And the best part? Many of them are available as completely free plugins.
Software synthesizer plugins are great for everything from ambient pads to massive sub bass.
In this article I’ll break down the top 8 free synth VSTs for producing music in your DAW.
Let’s get started.
1. Digital Suburban Dexed
Dexed is a freeware FM synthesizer based on the legendary Yamaha DX7. It puts all the classic sounds and functions of the original synth in a modern package.
But Dexed makes classic 6 operator FM synthesis much easier to understand and program than it ever was with hardware.
Best Free Vst Plugins
This great free synth VST is perfect for percussive sounds like tines and mallets as well as icy pads or aggressive distorted basses.
2. Matt Tytel Helm
Synthesis is hard to understand even when you have real hardware synthesizer in front of you. It can be even more difficult when you’re working with an abstract software plugin.
That’s why Matt Tytel’s Helm is such a great synth VST.
Helm is a great sounding, two oscillator subtractive synth that’s dead easy for beginners to use.
It’s well laid out with a logical interface and helpful graphics that let you understand every aspect of basic subtractive synthesis.
Helm is perfect If you’re just getting started and need an easy synth to learn on.
3. u-He Tyrell N6
u-He Tyrell N6 is a stylish synth with bold analog sound and simple workflow.
It features a great preset library and modulation matrix as well as handy extras like unison mode, loopable envelopes and built in overdrive.
Overall, Tyrell N6 is a quality freeware synth that any producer can use to make great sounds.
4. DiscoDSP OB-Xd
Speaking of analog sound, DiscoDSP’s OB-Xd models one of the most sought-after instruments in analog synth history—the Oberheim OB-X.
This completely free plugin gives you access to the lush sound of the OB-X in your DAW.
From enveloping analog pads to deep basses and searing leads, the OB-Xd is an inspiring free synth to add to your plugin folder.
5. TAL Noisemaker
TAL’s excellent Noisemaker synth proves that VSTs don’t need to be complicated to work well in a track.
TAL’s excellent Noisemaker synth proves that VSTs don’t need to be complicated to work well in a track.
This straightforward synth has a powerful sound and compact, lightweight interface.
It contains a unique visual envelope editor and handy onboard effects including bitcrusher and TAL’s emulation of the Juno 60/106 chorus effect.
6. Vember Audio Surge
Vember Audio Surge is probably the most powerful free VST synth on this list.
Surge is open source which means you’re free to download the code and do whatever you want with it.
It’s fantastic sounding digital synth that can cover all kinds of different sonic territory.
Its highly flexible architecture includes wavetable oscillators, two filters with eight different modes each and routing options for frequency modulation.
If you’re looking to get lost in the possibilities of sound design, Surge is the best way to do it for free.
7. VCV Rack
This next one is a little different, but it’s so exciting that it had to make it to this list.
VCV Rack is a standalone synth program that models nearly every module available for the Eurorack format.
That’s right—those enormous racks of modular gear that creative producers spend thousands of dollars collecting.
VCV Rack lets you create your own dream modular rig right on your desktop. You can even create patches authentically with virtual cables to get the real modular experience.
Integrating it with your DAW is a bit trickier—but using the plugin in standalone mode is just as fun for creating inspiring patches.
Every musician should try using VCV Rack to see what modular is all about.
Every musician should try using VCV Rack to see what modular is all about.
Best Modular Synth Vst Plugins
8. ML PG8X
The 80s are a popular decade for free synth plugin builders. This retro-leaning synth from developer Martin Lüders models the classic Roland JX-8p.
The JX-8p polysynth was one of the most popular keyboards of the time for a reason. It’s classic presets made it onto hundreds of recordings from the golden age of synth pop.
The ML PG-8X plugin version gives you all the vintage mojo of the original for free. It’s a nice analog-style polysynth with a unique retro character.
Pair it up with Dexed for authentic 80s stacked synth textures!
Free to play
You don’t need tons of expensive gear to make a great track. Free synth plugins prove that there’s plenty of capable tools out there to make music that sounds good on a shoestring budget.
Best Free Vst Synth Plugins
Whether you’re looking for classic vintage tones, deep sound design tools or you just want to choose a good synth to get started, there’s a VST on this list to inspire you.
Now that you have some great new synths in your plugin folder, get back to your DAW and keep creating.