Freeware VSTs

[scottwilson]

For the Reaper users out there... (and for the Audacity users, a reason to learn Reaper), here's a bunch of free VST plugins... All sorts... reverb, amp sim, delay, etc...

Audio Software for Windows > Freeware > Audio Production > Plug-ins & effects > VST - sorted by Downloads

-s

[fep]

Right on Scott...

That is quite the list, a bit overwhelming actually.

I recently converted to Reaper, I was using Sonar Producer before. Now, I have no more expensive upgrades to buy.

I'm a hobbyist so I like simple/easy to understand and I'm still trying to get up to speed on Reaper. But any advice on better plugins is always appreciated

The plugins I use most...

Eq... I've been using ReaEQ (Cockos)

Compression... I've been using ReaComp (Cockos)

Reverb... I've been using Sonitus:fx Reverb

Pitch correction for my feeble voice... I seldom sing but when I do, I've been using ReaTune (Cockos), There's a pitch correction that came with Sonar, I can't seem to get that to load into Reaper.

Final Mixdown... I use Cakewalk Boost 11 Peak Limiter in the Master Channel

So Scott... do you have any recommendations?

[robertm2000]

Two other comprehensive music software sites:

KVR: Virtual Instruments, Virtual Effects, VST Plugins, Audio Units (AU) & RTAS Audio Plugin News, Reviews and Community - plus iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android Audio App News Too

Music Software - Computer Music Resources - Shareware Music Machine

I use Sliverspike's Reverb.it. Great inexpensive reverb. I also use Steven
Slate Drums, Garritan Personal Orchestra, Celemony Melodyne and a bunch of stuff that came with the DAWs I use.

[scottwilson]

re: recommendations

The free stuff I use all the time are brainworx cleansweep (a 3db/octave EQ. super high quality), the flux stereo tool (use with care), and Massey's L2007 limiter (Protools only tho).

Pretty much the best reverb out there at any cost is the new Valhalla Room. I think it's $50 or so and it came out with 4 algorithms. The developer has since added two new algorithms. It easily competes with things like the $1000 Lexicon native set.

Reaper's plugins are good. They hired real developers to write them who had established track records, so they're not just some kid out of college with a DSP textbook.

-s

[strumcat]

The free vst plugins I like are:

Tal Reverb III and Glaceverb, two "fancy" reverbs that can produce some great sounds.

Mverb, a very simple, good sounding reverb that's easy on the CPU.

Voxengo Boogex amp simulator, capable of producing nice warm, tube-like sounds, and some distortion that isn't over-the-top, if desired. Can also handle basic EQ settings.

GChorus, a nice simple chorus that doesn't make you sound too much like REO speedwagon or whatever. Clear interface. I think it's part of the GVST VST FX package.

Analogic delay sounds good and is easy to use.

You could spend your whole life downloading and playing with these things, but these are the ones that work for me. They stay loaded in my DAW audio FX slots permanently.