The Official VST Effect List
Here is a list of basic good quality VST effects. Everything is Free. This list focuses on things like reverb units, Delay units, modulation effects, guitar amp modelers, and a few extra surprises. Everything I tested was actually used at some point. I have spent months looking for the best of the best VST effects. Why spend a huge amount of money on high-quality VST effects when you can get those effects for free?
Reverb Effects
Valhalla: is probably one of the best reverb plugins available. It sounds incredible and it can produce some lush reverb effects. It’s hard to believe it is free. I am willing to bet it is better than the standard reverb unit that comes with your DAW. Download it and try it out today.
Get Valhalla Here
OrilRiver: is a free algorithmic stereo reverb that can rival the quality of commercial reverbs. This Reverb has an intuitive interface thanks to which the user can quickly adjust the desired reverb sound.
Click Here To Download
Protoverb: is an experimental room simulator reverb. Most algorithmic reverbs try to avoid resonances or model the reflections of sound from a room’s walls. Protoverb does the opposite. It builds up as many room resonances as possible, modeling the body of air in the room. No need to modulate or color the signal. The result is a very natural sounding reverberation with interesting characteristics
Get It Here
Sanford: If you want to get a clearly defined, dense, and clean sound from your reverb plugin, then the Sanford reverb is one that will impress you.
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TAL-Reverb-4: is a high-quality plate reverb with a vintage 80’s character. There is a version for Windows, Mac, and Pro Tools.
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Tal Reverb: is an awesome effect and it is very popular. There is a version for Windows, Mac, and Pro Tools,
Get it Here
Delays and Modulation Effects
Deelay: packs loads of features in a simple, minimalistic interface. It is a delay, but it also includes diffusion for creating reverbs from small chambers to huge cinematic swells, distortion from subtle saturation to aggressive waveshaping, modulation for making your sounds come alive, and much more. Explore the possibilities of the Deelay completely free. This is probably the best all-purpose Delay/Reverb you are going to find anywhere.
Get Deelay Here
Acon Digital Multiply: is a free and versatile chorus effect with a unique twist. Each simulated voice is processed with a phase randomizing filter so that unpleasant comb filter effects are avoided.
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Azurite: is a multi-voice chorus with a focus on rich sounds and versatile controls. Azurite allows for multiple simultaneous voices. Each of these voices has its own delay line that is modulated by a separate LFO.
Get It Here.
TAL-Chorus-LX: is a standalone version of a chorus. It shares characteristics found in the Juno-60 chorus. It sounds great on your guitar. There is a version for Windows, Mac, and Pro Tools.
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TAL-Flanger: this is an easy to tweak stereo flanger effect with its own special sound and some asymmetric analog like components in the feedback corner. Useful for a wide range of flanger effects from subtle to extreme. This effect is still available, but it is not supported anymore. It is still an awesome effect.
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GVST: offers a great collection of plugins.
Download all of them by Clicking Here
Auburn Sound: has created a great autotune plugin called Graillion 2
Get it by Clicking Here
Basslane: is the improved version of the original freeware classic used in countless productions to control the stereo width of low frequencies on tracks and mixes. It’s a handy utility that allows you to narrow the stereo width of frequencies below a defined threshold. The unique Side Harmonics feature allows you to inject upper bass harmonics to add definition and pseudo bass width without problematic stereo content in the subs. The easy-to-use interface combines helpful metering and flexible monitoring for precise fine-tuning.
Get Bassline Here
Guitar Amp Models
Neural Amp Modeler: is an open source amp modeler which works the same way as music gear that cost thousands of dollars. You can capture your amp rig and it sounds excellent. There are groups on Facebook that share their rigs, and all kinds of captures are available from these groups. This thing sounds incredible. You can download it from GitHub.
Get Neural Amp Modeler Here
Tonocracy: comes armed with their own incredibly accurate ToneSnap gear snapshot technology, their goal is to create a platform that can incorporate the latest set of tools that the community is embracing. Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) is a ground breaking open-source project that uses deep learning to create gear models, and boasts an impressive set of content made by an enthusiastic community. They give NAM users a home where they can easily mix and match their favorite amp tones with the best of what Tonocracy has to offer.
Get Tonocracy Here
Tonehunt: is dedicated to simplifying the process of finding models for the Neural Amp Modeler (NAM). They understand how frustrating it can be to search for hours and come up empty-handed. That’s why we’ve created an extensive platform to share and find models for NAM. Whether you’re a seasoned producer or a beginner, Tonehunt’s comprehensive collection of models will help you find and get the tone you’re looking for, from guitar, to outboard studio preamps.
Check Out Their Collection Here
Ignite Amp: has some awesome amp models. The Emissary is a digital emulation of a custom dual-channel guitar tube amplifier. It has been developed to accurately model its real hardware counterpart. It is a no-compromise custom amp built for the kill. Featuring a very versatile clean channel that ranges from pristine cleans to slightly overdriven tones and a mean lead channel designed for serious bone-crushing distortions, it offers a very wide tonal palette for the modern metal musician. There are too many features to list. I don’t think you will find a better amp model anywhere else.
NadIR: is a zero latency, dual Impulse Response (IR) convolver, designed to be used as a cabinet simulator for guitar and bass (pre)amplifiers (VST/VST3/AU or even hardware). It comes with Emissary and it is part of a Package.
Get the Emissary bundle by Clicking Here Get more freebies from By Clicking Here
Amped Roots Free is a excellent amp sim and it comes with a free amp. This is the free amp and it sounds awesome. They want everyone to experience their amp modeling quality and plug’n’play design. Just like with real amps you will not spend a lot of time tweaking.
LEPOU: amp models have been around for a while now. Even though they are older amp models, they still sound great. The website has been down for a while, but you can still get them from third party vendor websites.
Download Them All Right Here
SimulAnalog Guitar Suite: is not a commercial product. It is born inside an academic research project about the modeling of electric devices and then applied to the musical instrument field as an evolution of the techniques currently available in some commercial units. Its most important feature is the extremely high precision of the simulation, which is indistinguishable from the original sound.
Get it Here
TONEX: is brought to you by IK Media They are the makers of Amplitude. It allows you to make your own custom amp models, but it does a whole lot more. The free version does not allow you to make amp models but it does come with 20 free amp models that you can use, and they sound amazing. TONEX also works inside the stand-alone version of Amplitude. This amazing plugin sounds wonderful and that is probably designed to entice you into buying some of the extra features.
Get TONEX Here
Element is a modular audio plugin host that works in multiple formats (AU/LV2/VST/VST3). Modular audio software like Element provides a versatile and advanced platform for audio plugin hosting, suited for both live performance and studio work. Element stands out as a programmable system enabling users to create powerful effects racks, and instruments by connecting nodes to each other. This integration can extend to hardware through standard protocols like MIDI ensuring broad compatibility and usability in various settings. The core concept is designing your own functionality. You can use Element to build your own guitar rigs, midi systems, and more.
