In the past, mixing music was almost a dark art, with different dedicated pieces of hardware for each step of the process, mixer boards which cost as much as a house, and expensive special effects that a casual hobbyist could never afford.
In the modern age, while mixing is still a highly technical skill which takes years to master, the tools required can all be stored digitally on a computer. Virtual Studio Technology or VSTs are small computer programs which can be run inside a Digital Audio Workstation. Essentially, these are small digital versions of the expensive pieces of audio gear of yesteryear.
(For more information on DAWs and getting set up to produce music you can check out our blog about it here)
VSTs vary in price, and while many are still considerably pricey and out of reach from the casual hobbyist, it’s safe to say that nearly every effect one could want is available for free somewhere.
The first place to look for free plugins is your DAW. Things like EQs, which adjust the timbre of your sound, almost always come with your DAW. It’s entirely possible in most programs to mix a song without downloading any additional VSTs.
There are, however, a lot of advantages to using VSTs. Some may sound better than the plugins built-in to your DAW. Others could be easier to use. There are definitely some strange effects out there as well which wouldn’t normally come stock in a DAW and can definitely inspire creativity in your music. It all really comes down to personal preference. Especially in the case of this list, everything is free so you can’t lose!
Where can I find VSTs for free?
Bedroom Producer Blog is a great place to start looking for free VSTs. I’ve trusted this source for years and they’ve almost never steered me wrong.
Using this link you can view an article giving detailed information on each free plugin and how to obtain it.
Another great location to search for Free VST plugins is Landr Blog. This link will take you to a page similar to BPB, where each VST is categorized as a specific instrument or effect.
Many companies which make expensive and high-end VSTs also have free VSTs available for download on their sites. Native instruments has an entire selection here: https://www.native-instruments.com/en/specials/free-vst-plugins/
Izotope, one of the best plugin manufacturers, has Vinyl and Vocal Doubler available for free.
\For bare-bones yet high quality work, you can also use Reaper Plugins. Reaper is a free DAW, but the plugins can be downloaded and used as VSTs in any DAW. In my first DAW I relied heavily on these plugins. They aren’t super exciting to look at but they get the job done very reliably.
NOTE
Remember just because a plugin is free, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will sound any worse or better than a paid plugin. A lot of companies put out a few free versions of their plugins to demonstrate the full capability and usability of their more expensive plugins.
Having access to so many free plugins is truly amazing. Whenever I find myself stuck with one of my plugins, I will often return to one of the above sites, spend a second looking through my options and download a plugin that can create the sound I want easier. Understanding different effects and how they work is also an important part of the learning process, and downloading free plugins will allow you to get hands-on learning with audio production tools without having to spend any money obtaining these tools. This means if you ever do decide to spend money on plugins or VSTs, you’ll know exactly what you want in your workflow. Experience with a number of plugins will also allow you to learn what you wish to prioritize in a plugin. Usability versus capability is often a balance we have to choose from in audio production. Using free versions of plugins from various manufacturers will also help you learn which plugin creators you like best and prefer using for your work.
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