In this guide, we would look into the best free synth plugins you could use for music production of any type.
Synths are an essential part of any electronic music producer's toolkit or just about any genre, providing endless possibilities for creating unique sounds and melodies.
The plugins I'll be recommending offer a variety of features and options, from classic analog emulations to cutting-edge digital synthesizers.
Whether you're just starting out in music production or are an experienced producer, these free synth plugins are sure to enhance your workflow and inspire new musical ideas.
So without further ado, let's dive into the top picks of the best free synth plugins for music production.
TAL-NoiseMaker
It is incredible that this synth is free, it's a huge gem and I want to use this opportunity to say a big thank you to the Team at TAL-Software, they have provided an incredible synth for people that can't afford the money to buy a premium synth.
TAL-NoiseMaker is a virtual analog synthesizer that is designed to be simple and intuitive to use. It features a classic subtractive synthesis architecture, with a multimode filter, two oscillators, sub-oscillators, and an LFO.
It also includes a range of effects, including delay, reverb, and distortion, as well as an arpeggiator and a step sequencer.
The oscillators allow you to shape the pitch and timbre of the sound, while the filter allows you to control the brightness and color of the sound. The LFO can be used to add vibrato or modulation to the sound, and the effects can be used to add depth and character to the sound.
One of the key features of TAL-NoiseMaker is its simplicity. It has a straightforward interface with clear, labeled controls, making it easy to understand even for those new to synthesizers. It also includes a range of preset sounds to get you started, and you can save your own patches for later use.
dexed - FM Plugin Synth
Dexed is a multi-platform, open-source synthesizer that is based on the classic Yamaha DX7 and it is designed to accurately emulate the sound and behavior of the original DX7 and includes a wide range of features and capabilities that make it suitable for a variety of music production tasks.
Dexed is a frequency modulation (FM) synthesizer, which means that it uses the interaction of multiple oscillators to generate complex, harmonically-rich sounds. It includes six operators, each of which can be configured as an oscillator or an envelope generator, and a range of algorithms that allow you to control the way the operators interact with each other.
One of the key features of Dexed is its versatility. It includes a wide range of preset sounds, ranging from classic DX7 patches to more modern, experimental sounds, and it is easy to create your own patches using the intuitive interface.
Features:
- Multi-platform (OS X, Windows, or Linux) and multi-format (VST, AU, LV2)
- The sound engine music-synthesizer-for-android is closely modeled on the original DX7 characteristics
- 144 DAW automatable DX7 parameters available from one single panel
- Fully supports DX7 input and output Sysex messages; including controller change. This means that you can use this with a native DX7/TX7 as a patch editor and sysex manager
- Each operator has a real-time VU meter to know which one is active
- Can load/save any DX7/TX7 sysex programs. It is also possible to save a single program into a different sysex file.
Download dexed - FM Plugin Synth
Helm
Helm is a free, open-source polyphonic synthesizer with a powerful modulation system that is designed to be simple and intuitive to use, yet capable of creating a wide range of sounds, from simple analog-style tones to more complex, layered sounds.
One of the key features of Helm is its flexible modulation system, for example, it includes a range of modulators, including envelopes, LFOs, and step sequencers, which can be used to shape the sound in a variety of ways.
It also includes a range of filters and effects, such as delay, reverb, and distortion, which can be used to further shape and color the sound.
Another notable feature of Helm is its patch-based architecture, which allows you to create complex sounds by layering and modulating multiple synthesis engines. It includes a range of synthesis engines, including virtual analog, wavetable, FM, and granular, which can be used to create a wide range of sounds.
u-he - TyrellN6
Tyrell N6 is a virtual analog synthesizer developed by u-he that is designed to be simple and intuitive to use, yet capable of creating a wide range of sounds, from classic analog-style tones to more complex, modern sounds.
One of the key features of the Tyrell N6 is its warm, analog-style sound that is designed to faithfully recreate the sound of classic analog synthesizers and includes a range of vintage-style filters and effects to help give it a vintage vibe. It also includes a range of preset sounds to get you started, and you can save your own patches for later use.
Features:
- Virtual analogue with classic architecture plus extras
- 2 oscillators, noise, ring modulator
- 2 LFOs with 8 waveforms, host-syncable
- Audio source mixer with authentic overdrive and filter feedback
- Twin filter related to Diva (early model)
- Analogue-type ADSR envelopes, loopable or LFO-triggered
- Skinnable UI
- Over 580 factory presets
SunVox
SunVox is a modular synthesizer with a powerful sequencer and a wide range of sound-design options. It is designed to be flexible and well-suited for both live performance and studio production.
One of the key features of SunVox is its modular architecture, which allows you to create complex patches by connecting a wide range of modular components. It includes a range of synthesis engines, including virtual analog, FM, and granular, as well as a range of effects, such as delay, reverb, and distortion.
Another notable feature of SunVox is its powerful sequencer, which allows you to create complex patterns and arrangements using a range of editing tools. It also includes support for MIDI and external controllers, making it easy to integrate into any music production workflow.
u-he - Zebralette
Here is another one from u-he.
Zebralette is a simple, yet powerful synthesizer developed by u-he that is designed to be easy to use and is focused on subtractive synthesis, which allows you to create a wide range of classic analog-style sounds.
Zebralette features a single oscillator, a multimode filter, two envelopes, and an LFO. It also includes a range of effects, such as delay, reverb, and distortion, as well as an arpeggiator and a step sequencer.
One of the key features of Zebralette is its simple interface, which makes it easy to understand even for those new to synthesizers. It includes a range of preset sounds to get you started, and you can save your own patches for later use.
VCV Rack 2
VCV Rack is an open-source modular synthesizer that allows you to create complex patches using virtual modular components which are designed to be flexible and powerful and are well-suited for both live performance and studio production.
One good thing about VCV Rack is its modular architecture, which allows you to create complex patches by connecting a wide range of virtual modular components. It includes a range of synthesis engines, effects, and utility modules, as well as support for third-party modules.
Podolski
This is another by u-he. Podolski is a lightweight virtual analog synthesizer developed by u-he that is designed to be simple and intuitive to use, yet capable of creating a wide range of sounds, from classic analog-style tones to more complex, modern sounds.
It features one oscillator, one filter, one envelope, and an arpeggiator/sequencer. Simple, but with a few tricks up its sleeve.
Crystal
Crystal is a semi-modular software synthesizer featuring both subtractive synthesis and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis.
It offers abundant modulation control with over 90 parameters which may be modulated, multi-stage envelopes with graphical editors, extensive tempo sync of envelopes/LFO rates/delay times, built-in effects for chorus/flanging/comb filtering/echoes, and a band splitter for effects processing by frequency band.
Not only that, Crystal has wave sequencing, granular synthesis, program morphing, MIDI learn, and import sound fonts. The musical applications for Crystal are literally boundless.
ZynAddSubFX
ZynAddSubFX is a fully featured open-source software synthesizer capable of making a countless number of instruments, from some commonly heard expensive hardware to interesting sounds that you'll boost to an amazing universe of sounds.
Note that ZynAddSubFX is under active development.
That concludes our guide on the best free synth, I hope you find one or two of them useful.