It's time again to update ourselves on the current state of free VST, AU and AAX plugins for Windows and Mac.
This is not an attempt to list all available free plugins. Rather, I've hand picked the best of the best free plugins for you.
All of the listed plugins work on both PC and Mac computers.
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AAS Swatches
Swatches is a sound bank and player with a total of 160 sounds. There's zero tweakability but the included sounds are seriously nice.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX, RTAS
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Acon Digital Multiply
Multiply is a chorus effect that is capable of very versatile things. Dave Pensado tipped me off about it - if he is using it, you probably should too.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Boz Digital Labs Bark of Dog
A resonant filter tool for making that sub bass bark! Be careful with this one. It's capable of blowing speakers.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX, RTAS
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Flux Bittersweet V3
A transient shaper is a very valuable tool in your arsenal, and Flux have done a great job with this one.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Helm
If you enjoy tweaking, this synth is for you. It's also open source and there is even a version for Linux. Great suff.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows, Linux
Download
Klanghelm DC1A
DC1A is a very simple compressor plugin. Not much to tweak, but when it works it sounds great!
Formats: VST, AU, AAX, RTAS
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Klanghelm IVGI
IVGI emulates console type saturation. It can create subtle randomness by emulating things like crosstalk. It also has a useful VU-meter. I've been using it as a gain staging tool.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX, RTAS
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Klanghelm MJUCjr
MJUCjr is an excellent vari-mu style compressor with lots of character.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX, RTAS
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Limiter no6
Here we have a pretty complex mastering plugin that in actuality is a lot more than just a limiter. The plugin has five sections including a very nice compressor and a clipper. A very good tool for mastering, but definitely not for beginners.
Formats: VST, AU
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
LVC Limited-Z
Brickwall limiting with several behaviour modes and good visual feedback. Great!
Formats: VST, AU, AAX, RTAS
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Metric Halo Thump
Thump allows you to synthesize low frequency audio to add low end to your track. It is superb for those situations where EQ isn't helping much. Sounds super solid and the controls are very precise.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Ohm Force Frohmage
A classic sound mangling effect that has been around for a long time. Fun, unpredictable and capable of very unique sounding effects.
Formats: VST, AU, RTAS
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Shattered Glass Audio Code Red
Code Red is an analogue modeling EQ based on a classic unit from Abbey Road Studios. The plugin models the premap as well as the EQ section. Turn up the input drive and you'll hear the mojo!
Formats: VST, AU
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Softube Saturation Knob
Softube know how to make things sound good and this plugin is no exception. It's a deceptively simple looking plugin, but when used right it has the potential to take your mixdowns to a completely new level.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
TAL Chorus LX
The inclusion of TAL Chorus LX as a second chorus plugin on this list is well justified. It sounds different to Acon Multiply. TAL Chorus LX is not as versatile as a sound design tool. But it sounds fat, analog and old school.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
TDR Nova
TDR have been releasing one great plugin after another. Nova is a dynamic EQ. Brilliantly executed and sounds great.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
TDR Kotelnikov
Kotelnikov is a transparent mastering compressor with some features that you're hard-pressed to find anywhere else.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
TDR VOS SlickEQ
A modern interpretation of a classic style EQ. Superb sound, features and interface.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
U-He Tyrell N6
Tyrell N6 is another plugin that by now deserves a classic status. It 's a synthesizer that still sounds as great as ever.
Formats: VST, AU, AAX
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Voxengo OldSkoolVerb
A very useful and well executed plate style reverb. It has a few different operation modes as well (make sure to try the reverse mode for some interesting effects).
Formats: VST, AU
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Voxengo Span
Span is a metering tool that includes a spectrum analyzer, loudness/dynamic range meter and a phase correlation meter. Very configurable and very good.
Formats: VST, AU
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
Voxengo Tube Amp
Tube style saturation with two different operation modes. Go in subtle or hard.
Formats: VST, AU
Platforms: Mac, Windows
Download
There you have it! My look on the best free VST / AU / AAX plugins for Windows and Mac in 2016. Think I'm missing something? Let us know in the comments.
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