Subtractive Synths

Podolskiu-he

Efficient single-oscillator virtual analog synth. Supports microtuning.

OB-XddiscoDSP

Virtual analog synth based on the Oberheim OB-X. Supports microtuning. Open source.

TAL-NoiseMakerTAL Software

Straightforward virtual analog synth with low CPU usage.

TyrellN6u-he

Compact virtual analog synth inspired in part by the Roland Juno-60.

VitalVital Audio

Spectral warping wavetable synth. Supports microtuning. Requires registration.

WhispAir Full Bucket Music

3-oscillator wavetable synth. Supports microtuning.

HelmMatt Tytel

Subtractive synth with an emphasis on flexible modulation. Open source.

Hybrid & Modular Synths

Surge XT Surge Synth Team

Hybrid synth capable of wavetable, subtractive, and FM synthesis. Supports microtuning. Open source.

CardinalDISTRHO

Unofficial plugin version of VCV Rack. Open source.

Odin 2TheWaveWarden

Semi-modular virtual analog synth. Supports microtuning. Open source.

Zebralette u-he

One-oscillator spectral synth. Must install Zebra2 demo.

Crystal Green Oak Software

Semi-modular synth featuring both subtractive synthesis and FM synthesis. No VST3 version.

ModulAir Full Bucket Music

Modular synth with over 50 modules. Supports microtuning.

FM Synths

DexedDigital Suburban

FM synth based on the Yamaha DX7. Supports microtuning. Open source.

OctaSineJoakim Frostegård

Simple but flexible 4-operator FM synth. No VST3 or AU version. Open source.

ADLplug/OPNplug Jean Pierre Cimalando

Pair of FM synths emulating AdLib (ADLplug) and Sega Genesis/Mega Drive (OPNplug) sound chips. Open source.

Chiptune Synths

Commodore 64 SIDSocaLabs

Synth emulating the SID chip of the Commodore 64. Open source.

NES RP2A03SocaLabs

Synth emulating the RP2A03 chip of the Nintendo Entertainment System. Open source.

Gameboy PAPUSocaLabs

Synth emulating the PAPU chip of the Nintendo Game Boy. Open source.

Master System SN76489SocaLabs

Synth emulating the SN76489 chip of the Sega Master System, ColecoVision, and others. Open source.

Vocal Synths

Alter/Ego Plogue

Real-time singing synth with several free voices available.

Voc SocaLabs

Vocal synth based on the glottis and shape of the vocal tract. Open source.

Other Synths

Chow KickChowdhury DSP

Kick drum synth based on a physical model of the TR-808 bass circuit. Supports microtuning. Open source.

Triple Cheese u-he

Unique synth based on comb filters. Supports microtuning.

Samplers

sfizzSFZTools

Sample player based around the popular SFZ file format. Supports microtuning. Open source.

sforzando Plogue

Highly SFZ 2.0 compliant sample player. Can also load .sf2 SoundFonts. Supports microtuning.

TX16WxCWITEC

Powerful sampler with support for SFZ, SoundFonts, EXS, and other formats.

Reverb

Dragonfly ReverbMichael Willis

Bundle of four different reverbs based on the Freeverb3 project. No AU version. Open source.

ValhallaSupermassiveValhalla DSP

Massive reverb and delay effect.

TAL-Reverb-4TAL Software

Vintage reverb.

OldSkoolVerbVoxengo

Reverb with a "classic" stereo reverb algorithm.

Mverb2020 SocaLabs

Update of Martin Eastwood's Mverb for modern systems. Open source.

OrilRiver Denis Tihanov

High quality algorithmic reverb. No longer updated.

Delay

Chow Matrix Chowdhury DSP

Delay using an infinitely growable tree of delay lines, with extra features such as pitch-shifting and distortion. Open source.

PitchedDelaylkjb

Multitap delay with pitch-shifting. Open source.

Valhalla Freq EchoValhalla DSP

Analog echo with Bode-style frequency shifter.

Tempo Delay Voxengo

Versatile tempo-synced stereo delay.

Modulation

Chow Phaser Chowdhury DSP

Phaser originally inspired by the Shulte Compact Phasing 'A'. Open source.

TAL-Chorus-LXTAL Software

Chorus inspired by the Roland Juno-60.

Valhalla Space ModulatorValhalla DSP

Very flexible flanger.

Emergence Daniel Gergely

Real-time granulator with up to 600 grains and 4 independent grain generation streams.

TAL-Vocoder TAL Software

Vintage 11-band vocoder.

EQ

Luftikus lkjb

EQ based on the Mäag Audio EQ4. Open source.

PTEq-XIgnite Amps

Emulation of three famous vintage EQs.

TDR VOS SlickEQTokyo Dawn Records

3-band mixing/mastering EQ with four saturation models.

TDR NOVATokyo Dawn Records

Parallel dynamic EQ.

Marvel GEQ Voxengo

Linear-phase 16-band graphic EQ with support for up to 8 I/O channels.

QRange lkjb

12-band IIR linear phase EQ.

Compressors & Limiters

DC1A Klanghelm

Two-knob character compressor.

MJUC jr.Klanghelm

Variable-mu compressor.

TDR Molotok Tokyo Dawn Records

Character compressor.

TDR Kotelnikov Tokyo Dawn Records

Mastering compressor designed to sound as transparent as possible.

OTTXfer Records

Multiband "upward/downward" compressor.

LoudMaxThomas Mundt

Look-ahead brickwall maximizer with a clean transparent sound.

Distortion & Saturation

Temper Creative Intent

Distortion with variable saturation curve and resonant lowpass filter. Open source.

Chow Tape Model Chowdhury DSP

Physical model of a reel-to-reel tape machine. Open source.

BYODChowdhury DSP

Modular distortion effect with circuit models of several classic guitar pedals. Open source.

IVGI Klanghelm

Mixing desk saturation.

BPB SaturatorBedroom Producers Blog

Analog-style tube and tape saturation.

phi-L Audio Tube PreampDDMF

Sophisticated tube preamp emulation.

Tube Amp Voxengo

Single-tube microphone preamp saturation.

Guitar Amps & Cabinets

Swanky Amp Resonant DSP

Authentic tube amp emulation with optional cabinet sim. Open source.

BoogexVoxengo

Classic amp and cabinet sim with impulse response (IR) loader.

Cypress TT-15Black Rooster Audio

Circuit model of the Orange Tiny Terror amp head, with an optional 2x12 cabinet sim. Requires registration.

NadIRIgnite Amps

Zero-latency dual impulse response (IR) convolver. Requires registration.

Metering & Analysis

SPANVoxengo

FFT spectrum analyzer.

Wave Observer Press Play

Oscilloscope with two different observer modes.

dpMeter5 TBProAudio

Multichannel meter with a variety of loudness measurement options.

Utilities

MTS-ESP MiniODDSound

Loads .scl, .kbm or .tun files and retunes all connected MTS-ESP client plugins for DAW-global microtuning.

Tuning Workbench SynthSurge Synth Team

Tool for experimenting with microtunings in real time. Open source.

MIDI

BlueARP OMG Instruments

Programmable pattern arpeggiator / step sequencer.

StochasSurge Synth Team

Advanced probabilistic polyrhythmic sequencer. Open source.

hypercyclic mucoder

LFO-driven, MIDI-mangling arpeggiator. No VST3 version.

tonespace mucoder

Chord generator and visualizer. No VST3 version.