BPB Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 – Top 30 FREE Music Production Software of the Year!

This article features the best free music production software of the year, based on votes from Bedroom Producers Blog readers.

If you’re following our newsletter, you already know that 2024 was an incredible year for music producers on a budget. We’ve seen hundreds of new freeware plugins and tools, and the quality on offer was, in my opinion, higher than ever.

From groundbreaking virtual instruments (ZYKLØP) to inspiring effects (Magic7) and versatile plugin hosts (Plugin Buddy), we’ve seen almost too many fantastic freebies to count.

I narrowed the list down to 180 contenders and let our readers decide which freeware releases were the best.

You can still check out the best 180 freeware nominees of 2024. However, the votes are already in, and the Top 30 freebies, as selected by our readers, are listed below.

Best Free Effects

The effects section is dominated by delay and reverb plugins. It seems that producers still value a good-sounding reverb more than anything else, and the developers did their best to provide plugins that will match what the users need.

Magic7 leads the pack as one of the best free reverbs we’ve heard in recent years, but don’t forget the other options like epicCLOUDS, PSP Chamber, and Moon Echo.

It was also great to see that BPB readers loved our free BPB Bassaturator plugin which ranked second on the list.

Magic7

The clear winner in the free effects category, according to Bedroom Producers Blog readers, was Magic7 by Wave Alchemy.

Magic7 uses convolution to capture the sound of the legendary Bricasti M7 reverb. The plugin faithfully recreates all 234 original M7 presets in pristine, true-stereo quality. It offers 11 reverb types, including Ambience, Chambers, Halls, Plates, Rooms, and Spaces.

The hardware M7 reverb is highly regarded by mixing and mastering engineers for delivering spatially rich and realistic reverbs – from intimate spaces to expansive halls and cathedrals. It’s incredible that we can now get this kind of quality in our DAW for free.

But Wave Alchemy’s plugin is more than a convolution reverb with a nice-looking GUI. Magic7 features additional controls for shaping the reverb, such as Smooth and Duck sliders for transient management, and custom DSP for ducking, transient smoothing, and Flux/Ensemble for stereo spatialization and pitch modulation.

It also features a tempo-synced pre-delay, adjustable EQ bands, an intuitive preset browser with tagging and favorites, and a resizable interface. The plugin also includes a random preset selection for quick inspiration and robust undo/redo functionality.

Magic7 is available for macOS and Windows in AU, VST3, and AAX formats.

BPB Bassaturator

Seeing that our BPB Bassaturator plugin ranked second in the effects category was amazing! It’s one of my favorite BPB plugins, and I’m humbled by the support it received from our readers.

BPB Bassaturator is a free bass processor designed to enhance basslines with a combination of a push-pull style equalizer and three types of saturation: Dirt, Body, and Tape.

We carefully picked a combination of saturation and EQ processing that lets you quickly transform dull bass sounds into fat, mix-ready basslines.

The Sub section focuses on boosting low-end frequencies while attenuating surrounding frequencies. It is inspired by the Pultec EQ push-pull technique, making it ideal for kick drums and basslines.

The Bass section introduces harmonic saturation and tone adjustment through the three modes: Dirt adds grit for cutting through the mix, Body enhances midrange clarity for more power, and Tape smooths the sound while increasing presence, perfect for bus processing.

You can fine-tune the sound with a low-pass filter, parallel processing via the Mix knob, and apply subtle sub-bass boosts tailored to the source signal.

BPB Bassaturator works well across bass guitars, synth bass, and more, offering creative possibilities for any music genre.

Graillon 3 Free

Graillon 3 Free is a vocal pitch correction tool that ranks as the best free autotune plugin on BPB. It lets you apply pitch and formant shifting, along with options for hard-tuned and natural-sounding vocals.

The latest version of Graillon 3 introduced an expanded effects lineup, including a compressor, gate, preamp, chorus, and bitcrusher, all optimized for vocals and designed to operate without adding latency.

The plugin also features three distinct pitch engines: the Graillon 2 engine, the updated Graillon 3 engine, and the I1 engine (adapted from Auburn Sounds’ Inner Pitch plugin), which offers a richer, more reverberant sound and enhanced bass preservation.

The paid version unlocks advanced features like pitch-tracking modulation, a vocal doubler, and the ability to adjust each note by -100 to +100 cents, a highly requested feature.

For free users, Graillon 3 still includes enhanced pitch detection and shifting, formant control, and improved internal latency, making it an excellent tool for vocal production.

Auburn Sounds has a history of refining Graillon since its debut in 2015. I love seeing free software evolve over time and receive the same attention from its developers as paid plugins.

MDelay

MDelay is the latest addition to MeldaProduction’s popular MFreeFXBundle, which now boasts 38 free plugins.

Available for macOS and Windows in AU, VST, VST3, and AAX formats, MDelay is a versatile delay plugin that is equally suitable for everyday mixing tasks and experimental sound design.

The plugin includes two independent delay taps with dedicated Sync settings, Parallel/Serial modes, and three delay types: Default, Classic, and Ping-Pong.

The Default mode ties the first echo to feedback settings, while the Classic mode keeps the first echo independent. The Ping-Pong mode creates alternating echoes between the left and right channels, perfect for ultra-wide ambient effects.

With Tape and Modern delay algorithms, MDelay offers flexibility in tone: Tape mode introduces vintage warmth with pitch-altering imperfections, while Modern mode delivers clean digital precision. Additional features include multiple filter types (HP, LP, Resonance), input/feedback filtering, and built-in Saturation for added warmth.

I also like the Shuffle control, which creates evolving rhythmic patterns by introducing dynamic shuffling between the two delay taps. It’s a great way to spice up a dull percussive track.

Airwindows Consolidated

Airwindows Consolidated combines 400 effects from the vast Airwindows portfolio into a single, streamlined interface. If you wanted to try Airwindows plugins in the past but didn’t know where to start, here’s your answer.

Consolidated simplifies the challenge of understanding and managing the extensive Airwindows collection by providing built-in documentation and instructions for each effect.

It showcases Chris Johnson’s (the DSP mastermind behind Airwindows) passion for creating high-quality audio processing tools that rival, and often surpass, the quality of paid music software.

The included plugins are organized by category (Console, Reverb, Tape, Utility, etc.), and the included browser makes it easy to go through the available options. Still, if browsing 400 plugins sounds like a chore, you’re correct.

Thankfully, Chris included a filter that lets you cut down the list to around 100 recommended plugins, and I always keep this filter switched on.

Some of my personal favorites are Mackity, which emulates Mackie console distortion; ToTape5 and ToTape6, subtle character plugins that soften transients and add analog-like warmth; Galactic, an expansive reverb ideal for ambient textures or adding depth to synth pads; and the Console series, which approximates analog summing to enhance mix cohesion.

The plugin is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux and remains lightweight and efficient despite the sheer amount of included options. It’s just a 40 MB download, which is surprising for a bundle with over 400 effects.

To support Chris Johnson’s ongoing work, users can contribute via Patreon, ensuring the continued development of innovative free plugins. Download Consolidated now and access the entire Airwindows library in one convenient, powerful tool.

Almost every week, I receive at least a couple of emails from our readers demanding more Airwindows coverage on BPB. It’s a valid request, and we will definitely write more about Airwindows in 2025.

PSP Chamber

PSP Chamber emulates the acoustics of physical spaces, offering a simple way to implement a natural-sounding reverb in your mix.

The plugin features a single algorithm, Chamber, designed to create dense, natural reverbs with smooth decay.

The paid alternative PSP EasyVerb ($49) offers a broader selection with 10 reverb algorithms, including Ambience, Room, Hall, Cathedral, Spring, Plate, and Reverse, for those seeking more options.

PSP Chamber sounds great, it’s easy to use, and offers an excellent solution for processing vocals and guitars.

T-De-Esser 2 by Techivation

Techivation improved the original T-De-Esser with handy features like filtering and adjustable oversampling, making it one of the best free de-essers on the market.

I love that T-De-Esser 2 kept the user-friendly interface of its predecessor and didn’t let new features get in the way.

The Processing dial acts as a threshold control. It sets the algorithm’s sensitivity for detecting sibilance or harshness.

You can monitor the Input and Output meters and use the Intensity parameter to adjust gain reduction while tweaking the Sharpness control to fine-tune the transition from uncompressed to compressed audio. It functions like a Knee setting on a compressor.

You can select specific frequency bands to target sibilance, such as Low-Hi (1-4kHz), Mid-Hi (2-4kHz), High (5-10kHz), or Hi-End (5-20kHz), using the Frequency Range buttons.

The plugin also features a Filter button that isolates the selected frequency range to make adjustments more straightforward and a Diff button that lets you hear the difference between processed and unprocessed signals.

T-De-Esser 2 introduced a Quality selector with four options (Standard, Good, Great, Ultra) to reduce aliasing, which is excellent if you want to improve the performance while mixing and keep the best settings for the mixdown phase.

T-RackS 6 Intro

T-RackS 6 is the latest iteration of IK Multimedia’s industry-standard mixing and mastering suite.

Once again, IK Multimedia included a free version called T-RackS 6 Intro with three essential plugins (Classic Comp, Classic EQ, and Master Match X Lite).

My favorite pick from the free bundle is the Master Match X Lite plugin, which lets you quickly match your project’s EQ, balance, compression, and limiting to a reference track. Unlike the full version of the plugin, you can’t use custom reference tracks, but the included presets provide an excellent starting point for quick and easy DIY mastering at home.

If you’re a producer on a budget, Master Match X Lite makes it easy to get a decent tonal balance and loudness without paying for a mastering service. Of course, this won’t substitute a real mastering engineer, but it’s sufficient for making your demo tracks sound better.

The other two IK Multimedia freebies included in the bundle, Classic Compressor and Classic EQ, are excellent, no-frills tools for mixing and mastering. They cover the basics and are a great starting point for building your mixing toolkit.

Warp

Warp is a streamlined but powerful sound design tool derived from Baby Audio’s popular Transit 2 transition designer and multi-FX plugin.

It distills a key feature from Transit 2, The Warp module, into a simple plugin with three controls: Speed, Stretch, and Mix.

My favorite feature is the artifact-free vari-speed control, which lets you speed up or slow down the audio with pristine clarity. I love how you can freely mess with the audio speed while avoiding the glitches and artifacts often found in similar plugins.

Changing the audio speed doesn’t seem groundbreaking initially, but Warp’s ability to maintain the quality while altering the speed in real-time is rare. It’s like slowing down a vinyl deck; you get a similar sound right in your DAW without digital artifacts.

Beyond that, Warp lets you adjust time and pitch independently, enabling unique effects like raising the pitch while slowing down the audio.

Warp is available for macOS and Windows in AU, VST, and AAX formats. It also has an iOS version for on-the-go creativity.

epicCLOUDS

epicCLOUDS is a free ambient reverb plugin for Windows that creates lush, soft reverb textures. It quickly joined the ranks of top-quality freeware reverbs like Valhalla Super Massive and OrilRiver.

Ambient reverb plugins are notoriously challenging to develop, especially those capable of handling long decay times without introducing resonances or artifacts. A metallic-sounding resonance is often a clear indicator that you’re hearing a digital reverb. It’s hard to spot at first, but once you learn to detect it, it’s hard to ignore.

epicCLOUDS performs flawlessly in this regard, generating clean and immersive reverbs that rival paid options. It’s lush and smooth, unlike most other reverbs I’ve tried in the past.

While it’s tempting to compare epicCLOUDS to Valhalla DSP’s Super Massive, which is widely regarded as the best free reverb plugin for ambient music, the two serve slightly different purposes. SuperMassive offers multiple algorithms and almost limitless creative possibilities, whereas epicCLOUDS focuses on delivering one perfect, lush reverb sound with a streamlined interface.

The simplicity of epicCLOUDS is another one of its strengths. Its clean, intuitive design makes dialing exactly the type of reverb you need easy, saving time and effort during production.

While SuperMassive’s versatility makes it a powerhouse for sound design, it can also be harder to tame, making epicCLOUDS a fantastic alternative for producers who want something quick, reliable, and CPU-friendly.

After testing it, epicCLOUDS has earned an instant spot in my go-to VST plugin collection. It’s perfect for ambient tracks or any situation that requires a massive cinematic reverb with minimal tweaking.

The only potential issue is that epicCLOUDS is a Windows-only plugin, like everything else from Variety of Sound. For now, MacOS users are out of luck in this case.

Shaper

Kilohearts Shaper is a free waveshaper distortion plugin for Windows and macOS. It shines when used within Kilohearts hosts like Phase Plant, Snap Heap, and Multipass, which allow for modular multi-effects and advanced sound design possibilities.

While these hosts aren’t free—and Phase Plant, in particular, can be pricey—Shaper also works wonderfully as a standalone plugin.

It features three main controls: Drive for adding distortion; a DC filter, which can be bypassed for experimental results; and a Mix knob for parallel processing.

Shaper’s waveshape editor sets it apart, letting you select or draw your own waveforms to create custom distortion effects. A recent update to Kilohearts’ framework has made editing these curves smoother and more intuitive, even on a trackpad.

I love these free mini plugins from Kilohearts. They’re like LEGO bricks that you can combine together to build custom FX chains without straining the CPU too hard. They’re super fun to use and sound great.

Moon Echo

Moon Echo is a free delay plugin with an unusual backstory. AudioThing developed it in collaboration with Berlin-based musician Hainbach, who partnered with the C.A. Muller Radio Astronomy Station (CAMRAS) to use the Dwingeloo Telescope in the Netherlands for transmitting signals to the moon and recording their echoes.

We often refer to making music on a computer as making music “in the box,” but Moon Echo is just another example of great developers thinking outside the box to create unique music production tools.

At its core, Moon Echo functions as a simple delay with feedback and adjustable timing, but its quirks make it anything but ordinary.

It features a charming Atari-like display that visualizes the moon’s distance as you adjust parameters. The “Moon Dust” feature introduces transmission noise for a gritty, atmospheric touch, particularly when paired with the noise envelope to isolate noise during echo returns.

My favorite feature, however, is the Doppler knob, which offsets the transmitting and receiving frequencies to create a haunting frequency shift. The effect becomes beautifully eerie with subtle tweaks, ideal for ambient music, film scoring, or video game soundscapes.

Pushing the Doppler and Feedback controls to their limits unleashes chaotic, otherworldly results that are perfect for experimental projects. For an extra layer of intrigue, the “Ping Moon” button connects to NASA’s Horizons System to determine the current distance between the moon and the Dwingeloo telescope.

Moon Echo is available in 64-bit AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and CLAP formats, with support for macOS, iOS, Windows, and Linux.

TesslaPro Mk IV

TesslaPro Mk IV is a free analog coloration plugin for Windows in VST and VST3 formats.

The first version was introduced in 2009 as a successor to the TesslaSE signal saturator. Since then, TesslaPro has evolved through several iterations, with the new Mk IV being my favorite one.

The plugin strikes the perfect balance between analog-inspired character and modern processing. It never goes overboard with analog artifacts and never sounds artificial.

It is perfect for delicately coloring your audio, refining transients, and enhancing the stereo field without introducing distortion or crossing the border of sounding “lo-fi.”

The latest version introduced a new transformer model with integrated hysteresis effects for greater realism. It also added an automatic output volume compensation feature that simplifies gain staging.

HoRNet MixComp

HoRNet MixComp is a beginner-friendly analog-style compressor for macOS and Windows. It doesn’t offer any groundbreaking features, but I love the sound and the simple workflow.

If you like vintage gear, you’ll love the Analog Saturation Mode, which adds subtle harmonic distortion to recreate the warmth of old hardware compressors. The plugin also has a smart oversampling feature that prevents digital artifacts without straining the CPU.

The control scheme is simple. You can adjust the Threshold, Ratio, Release, and Fast Attack settings, and it’s generally easy to get a nicely compressed sound with a few clicks.

I also like the interface. It’s resizable and offers several themes so that you can customize the plugin to your liking.

Trash Lite

Trash Lite is a modernized and streamlined version of iZotope’s legendary Trash plugin.

Trash has been a staple in iZotope’s lineup for years. It is celebrated for its versatility and an abundance of creative distortion flavors. The latest iteration of Trash (essentially version 3) introduces a modernized take on the plugin.

As always, not everyone liked the change, but the plugin received enough votes from our readers to be included on the list.

At the heart of the plugin is the Trash module, where you can adjust the distortion algorithm, gain, tone, and mix.

My favorite thing about Trash Lite is its versatility. With 60 distortion modes to choose from and a wide selection of presets, it is excellent for quick, plug-and-play processing and finding an interesting distortion sound when you’re stuck.

I also like the included randomization tool. It is great for sparking creativity when working on a dull sound, whether it’s a boring synth patch or a drum kit that lacks edge.

There’s also a limiter mode with an auto-gain option to keep the output levels in check, even when pushing the distortion to extreme levels.

Best Free Instruments

The best synth of the year comes from U-He, which isn’t surprising. U-He is a synonym for virtual synthesizers that sound almost too good to believe.

However, another developer dominates the list with three (!) different entries. Full Bucket Music deserves all the praise for being one of the most productive freeware developers and I hope we’ll see even more of that in 2025.

Zebralette 3 (Beta)

The clear winner in the free instruments category is Zebralette 3, despite still being in beta and not a final release. It received over 30% of reader votes and was unrivaled at the top of the list.

Zebralette 3 is the highly anticipated update to U-He’s beloved Zebralette freeware synthesizer. The original Zebralette has long been a staple in the free VST synthesizer world, right next to Vital and Surge XT, so any news of an update generates buzz.

First teased by Urs Heckmann at Superbooth 2023, the announcement of a new Zebralette sparked lots of excitement, and we finally got to explore the new features in the 2024 beta version.

Zebralette 3 beta introduced several significant improvements, including a spline-based wavetable editor for deeper customization.

There are plenty of other features to be excited about, including oscillator effects slots, additive synthesis modes, and wavetable export. Judging by the beta, Zebralette 3 is shaping into an absolute synthesis powerhouse.

The new fully vectorized GUI is sleek and user-friendly, and the synth now also comes with a set of excellent early presets that demonstrate its potential.

U-He seeks user feedback, with dedicated forums for bug reports, tips, and suggestions. For now, there’s no set timeline for the beta’s end, but it’s clear that U-He is committed to getting it right.

Download it now, explore the new features, and join the community to help shape the future of Zebralette 3.

ZYKLØP

ZYKLØP is a groundbreaking free synthesizer powered by machine learning and an advanced re-synthesis engine. It is a streamlined, freeware counterpart to Dawesome’s flagship synth, Myth.

Despite being a compact version of a paid synthesizer, ZYKLØP is packed with innovative sound design features and offers a unique, non-linear approach to working with sound.

At the heart of ZYKLØP is the Iris, a visual representation of its re-synthesis engine. Users can drag and drop any sample into the Iris, where machine learning analyzes the sound and approximates it for playback.

This process transforms samples into new textures that you can use as the starting point for further tweaking. I instantly fell in love with ZYKLØP as a tool for experimental sound design and repurposing my existing samples.

The Transformers are where the real magic happens. Divided into two rows, the top focuses on frequency modulation, while the bottom adds character-based transformations like mimicking the physics of a string ensemble. The Pure Transformer is useful for smoothing harsher tones created by FM-based adjustments.

You also get plenty of modulation options, including Velocity, Modwheel, Pressure, ADSRs, LFOs, and Keytracking, all available for dynamic modulation. A dedicated Mod Matrix provides a quick overview of all modulation assignments and streamlines the modulation workflow.

ZYKLØP also features dedicated Arp, Oscillator, Filter, and FX pages, and a bunch of cool FX modules such as a Juno-60 Chorus emulation. Despite all of this functionality, ZYKLØP is designed to be accessible, with a drag-and-drop interface and helpful text guides to help you understand its features.

There are almost 100 presets in the current version, and they range from funky basses and soaring leads to huge evolving textures. However, I found that ZYKLØP excels at creating cinematic and atmospheric sounds.

CollaB3 V2

CollaB3 V2 is a vintage tonewheel organ emulation, and it’s easily one of the most impressive free organ instruments I’ve come across.

The latest version features an improved spectral-modeled sound engine and captures the authentic B3 organ sound without using samples. You can use it for everything from classic percussive tones to soulful funk and church-ready resonance.

I love how detailed the sound is, including key-click noises, wood cabinet resonance, and an amp circuit emulation with distortion. The brand-new modeled Rotary speaker emulation also sounds great and makes it easy to add depth and movement without using external effects.

CollaB3 V2 also supports Native Silicon (Mac) and stands out in terms of CPU efficiency, so it’s a performance-friendly option for live use. It’s also a great option if you don’t like using large sample-based instruments that take up tons of hard drive space.

Ragnarök 2

Ragnarök 2 is a free analog synth emulation based on a custom-built hardware synth from 1980. The latest update, created by Hans Peter (aka CrimsonWarlock) and Björn (aka Full Bucket), adds many new features while staying true to its retro roots.

Ragnarök’s original release faithfully emulated Peter’s custom synth, adding polyphony and presets to the design. The latest version introduces velocity control, including attack time modulation, a chorus section, hard sync, and new sawtooth oscillators.

In my opinion, the oscillator setup is Ragnarök’s main advantage. It features four detuned oscillators with divide-down circuitry over four octaves. This configuration delivers the equivalent of 16 oscillators per voice and is a godsend for creating larger-than-life analog timbres.

Other features include 64-voice polyphony, portamento, a white noise generator, a multi-pole zero-delay feedback filter, two envelopes (ADSR and AR), a low-frequency oscillator, overdrive, chorus, a seven-band graphic EQ, and a repeat/pseudo-arpeggiator.

All of this makes Ragnarök 2 an incredibly versatile instrument capable of crafting everything from phat industrial tones to retro soundscapes.

However, my favorite part of Ragnarök 2 remains its raw, authentic sound character that starts in the oscillator section. From the very first note, it’s clear this synth embodies the essence of 1980, evoking early industrial music and retro film or game soundtracks.

Full Bucket Music provides Ragnarök 100% free, with individual downloads for every format directly from the product page—no fuss or extra steps. For those who appreciate the work, there’s an option to donate and support the developers.

Charlatan 3

Charlatan 3 is the latest version of BlauKraut Engineering’s free virtual analog synthesizer for Windows and Linux.

Charlatan is still one of my favorite freeware options when it comes to emulating analog synthesizers. It offers lightweight, stable performance and an authentic analog sound.

The analog vs digital debate is a thing of the past for the most part. Virtual synthesizers got very close to the “real thing” in recent years. And yet, there are things you simply can not do with hardware, so virtual synths have a clear advantage in some cases, particularly in modern cinematic sound design.

However, when programming bread-and-butter subtractive sounds like basses and leads, I will still choose Charlatan because its oscillators and filters sound spectacular to my ears. I don’t need to use additional saturation or other trickery to get a good sound out of it.

The synth features two oscillators with syncing, FM support, and adjustable phase settings, offering plenty of flexibility in sound creation. These oscillators feed into two filters, which can be routed in serial or parallel for added versatility.

Modulation options include multiple MSEGs, ADSRs, and LFOs, which are quick to understand and assign to various parameters.

The latest release introduces onboard effects, including distortion, phaser, chorus, reverb, delay, and EQ, giving you more processing options directly within the synth. While the effects are standard, they’re a welcome addition if you don’t want to use external plugins.

Six-Traq

Six-Traq is an unusually good free emulation of the Sequential Circuits Six Trak synthesizer from Full Bucket Music.

Originally launched in 1984, the Six Trak earned a mixed reputation for its great factory presets, built-in sequencer, and warm six-voice analog sound. On the other hand, its parameter/value programming method frustrates many users.

Full Bucket Music has stepped in to recreate this vintage gem, making it accessible for free and without the tedious programming quirks of the original hardware.

The plugin faithfully emulates the Six Trak’s core sound and introduces several modern conveniences to enhance usability, including a simplified user interface and the ability to save custom presets.

The Oscillator section includes three waveforms and a white noise generator, while the Filter section features a classic four-pole, self-resonating lowpass filter. Each section also comes with dedicated envelopes, giving you precise control over shaping your sound.

The Multi-Track Controller section is almost identical to the original hardware, with added Click and Sync buttons and the omission of the Legato button. Other features like Stack Mode, the onboard sequencer, and the arpeggiator are present, make it even more fun to experiment with massive layered sounds and complex multi-layer patches.

Full Bucket Music has extended the original Six Trak’s polyphony, allowing up to 96 voices, which is a huge upgrade over its hardware counterpart.

Six-Traq is available in AU, VST2, VST3, CLAP, and AAX formats, compatible with macOS (10.7 or later) and Windows.

OsTIrus

OsTIrus faithfully emulates the iconic Access Virus Ti line of synthesizers, including the Ti, Ti 2, and Snow models.

The developer Usual Suspects is already known for exceptional hardware emulations, such as Osirus (Virus A/B/C emulator) and Vavra (Waldorf microQ emulator), so I wasn’t surprised by the quality when OsTIrus “hit the shelves.”

Still, it seems that the developers have taken their craftsmanship to new heights with this latest release. OsTIrus is a dream come true for fans of trance, dance, and ambient music, as it captures the legendary sound of the Virus Ti with remarkable precision.

It replicates all the original hardware features, offering six stereo outputs (three analog and three digital) and unlimited polyphony, limited only by your system’s processing power and the emulated DSP chip speeds.

It supports sample rates up to 96kHz, ensuring pristine sound quality with minimal aliasing. The plugin includes the full range of Virus Ti features, such as grain table and formant oscillators, unique hardware wavetables, and the iconic hypersaw, making it a powerful tool for sound designers and producers.

One of the significant advantages of OsTIrus over its hardware counterpart is its flawless MIDI integration, eliminating the need for MIDI DIN connections to achieve optimal timing.

The patch browser makes navigating presets a breeze. You can sort and easily explore categories, banks, and custom criteria.

As with Usual Suspects’ previous releases, OsTIrus is free, but you’ll need a legally acquired Virus Ti firmware file to unlock its full potential. Once set up, it provides one of the most accurate software synth emulations I’ve tested to date.

The plugin is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux and comes in VST, VST3, AU, and CLAP formats, with both instrument and FX versions included.

MiniMogueVA 3

For better or worse, this year’s free instruments list is dominated by hardware synthesizer emulations.

MiniMogueVA 3 is another long-celebrated hardware synth emulation that received a significant update. It brings the sound of the Minimoog to your DAW for free ,with some extra features that set it apart from the competition.

While it’s not a direct clone, MiniMogueVA 3 captures the classic warmth and character of the Minimoog better than some paid options I tested in the past. The only drawback is that it only works on Windows.

The new version introduces several upgrades while keeping the features that made the previous release so popular. The interface remains almost identical, with one noticeable change: the addition of a filter cutoff slider in the Delay section to emulate the bucket brigade delay effect.

Key features like Poly Mode (allowing five-note polyphony), the arpeggiator, and the 16-note step sequencer are still present. However, it would be fantastic if some future update brings the MiniMogueVA to macOS.

Triaz Player

Triaz Player is a free drum plugin and sample player from Wave Alchemy. The plugin offers 4,000 drum samples and 200 presets, which makes it an excellent go-to plugin if you quickly want to add some great-sounding drums to your project.

It is a streamlined version of Wave Alchemy’s Triaz drum plugin, so it lacks some of the advanced features of the full version. However, Wave Alchemy packed enough sounds and features in the free version to make it an excellent choice for hip-hop and electronic producers who need quick access to quality drum kits.

Triaz Player is geared toward genres like techno, hip hop, R&B, lofi, drum and bass, reggaeton, and dancehall. The plugin lets you drag and drop full drum mixes, stems, one-shots, or MIDI directly into the DAW, making it easy to integrate into your existing projects.

Missing features include sequencer editing, advanced motion parameter assignments, a sound browser, and the ability to load custom samples. The Drum Randomizer in Triaz Player applies effects globally, unlike the advanced drum and pattern randomization available in the full version.

DrumTraqs

DrumTraqs emulates the iconic Sequential Circuits Drumtraks drum machine from 1983.

As with all Full Bucket Music plugins, it’s impressively lightweight while nailing the sound and features of the original. And it’s the third Full Bucket Music plugin on this list!

DrumTraqs replicates all the details of the original Drumtraks hardware, right down to its Zilog Z80 8-bit microprocessor, using the same ROM to generate its drum sounds. This level of detail means you’re essentially getting the entire vintage system in your DAW, minus the physical hardware.

The plugin includes the original factory drum hits and additional ROM samples. The sound is virtually identical to the original machine. For anyone familiar with Drumtraks’ classic punchy tones, DrumTraqs will feel like a time machine back to the 80s.

The plugin also mirrors the sequencing workflow of the original hardware, letting you program patterns and songs the old-school way.

Of course, this is optional, and you can use your DAW’s sequencer to trigger the sounds. However, I found that the limitations of old hardware often make me come up with creative sequences or sounds that I wouldn’t typically create.

So, give the built-in sequencer a try if you’re looking for inspiration.

Just a Sample

Just a Sample is a free and open-source audio sampler for macOS, Windows, and Linux, available in VST3 and AU formats.

The plugin wasn’t included in the voting form because it was released on December 31st. However, I absolutely loved the plugin, and the reception from our readers (judging by the comments) was overwhelmingly positive, so it deserved a spot on the list.

Just a Sample is focused on simplicity and ease of use. However, it’s not as minimal as its name might suggest, and I think it’s one of the best free samplers you can download.

The plugin allows precise sample editing, letting you zoom in on the level of individual samples and set boundaries with pinpoint accuracy. The waveform navigation is super smooth and works equally well with a mouse or touchpad.

I also love that Just a Sample incorporates Kupix’s Bungee time stretcher, which lets you modulate time and pitch independently. This works incredibly well as a sound design tool when slowing down sounds to extreme levels, such as 0.01x, for creating unique audio textures.

Another cool feature is the Waveform Mode, which loops small portions of a waveform like a wavetable synth. It also includes equal power crossfade looping with separate attack and release sample portions, easily modifiable curves, and support for pitch bend and fine-tuning.

It’s also possible to record samples directly into the plugin, store samples in the plugin state to eliminate folder path dependencies, and disable antialiasing for a gritty, lo-fi effect.

Best Free Hosts and Utilities

Last but not least, we’ve seen some great new utilities and plugin hosts. Waveform 13 Free was a clear winner based on your votes, but Plugin Buddy is another host worth checking out.

I also loved the XML utility for creating Decent Sampler patches. A simple tool but a super-efficient time saver!

Waveform 13 Free

Waveform Free 13 is the latest iteration of Tracktion Corporation’s popular free digital audio workstation.

Unfortunately, free DAWs are still few and far between, but Waveform Free stands out as a fully functional platform for music production on Windows and macOS.

One of the biggest updates is the addition of expansion packs. While these packs—offering tools for recording, DJing, video editing, and MIDI sequencing—are not free (priced at $50 each), they provide modularity and flexibility for those looking to expand their workflow.

Content packs, including samples and construction kits for genres like techno, live drums, and orchestral works, are also available as a paid upgrade.

However, Waveform Free 13 remains a fully capable DAW even without these paid additions. It supports VST, VST3, and AU plugins, which means you can add thousands of virtual instruments and effects to extend its functionality.

Decent Sampler XML Generator

Decent Sampler XML Generator is a free utility designed to simplify sample mapping in the Decent Sampler.

The app lets you quickly load and trigger custom collections of samples directly within your plugin host. It’s especially useful for sound designers who want to pre-load and map a small collection of sound effects or audio samples into Decent Sampler but don’t want to program the patch manually.

It’s also great if you want to create sample libraries for Decent Sampler, as it saves time when creating patches.

The workflow is super quick and easy to learn. Once launched, click the Browse button to locate the folder containing your WAV or AIFF files. The alphabetical order of your samples determines how they are mapped, so if you want them in a specific order, it’s essential to use a numbered prefix.

For instance, prefixing filenames with two or three digits ensures precise mapping. You can then specify the starting key for the first sample on the keyboard, with Middle C (60) as the default, and hit the Create button. The app generates a .dspreset file, which you can load into Decent Sampler to see your samples mapped and ready to play.

Once loaded, the Decent Sampler plugin displays a blue section on its virtual keyboard, defining the range of playable samples. These samples can be triggered either by clicking the keys or, more conveniently, using a MIDI keyboard controller.

The XML Generator also provides some basic tools for tweaking your samples. You can adjust global Attack and Release times, add Chorus or Reverb, and fine-tune the Cutoff filter to shape the overall sound. These controls act as macros, allowing you to customize the soundbank as a whole.

Plugin Buddy

Plugin Buddy is a free plugin host for macOS and Windows that simplifies working with VST3 plugins. It can function as a plugin in any DAW and also works as a standalone app.

It was designed primarily to provide cross-platform functionality. Plugin Buddy lets you host and chain plugins, whether using Pro Tools, creating custom MIDI effect chains, or experimenting with instrument and processing combinations.

One of the coolest features is Plugin Buddy’s ability to load VST3 plugins in AU and AAX hosts. It also makes it possible to chain up to four MIDI plugins with any instrument, so there’s plenty of room for creating custom virtual setups.

This functionality is not just limited to DAWs. You can use Plugin Buddy as a standalone application and get fast access to instruments and effects without opening a full DAW session.

Plugin Buddy includes several integrated free plugins, such as a synth, MIDI tools, a low-pass filter, and a clipper. There’s a dynamic visualizer for real-time feedback on audio and MIDI pitch and velocity, so it’s easier to troubleshoot issues with audio playback and MIDI connections.

HY-MPS3 Free

HY-MPS3 Free is a block-based sequencer and arpeggiator plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

The free version of HY-MPS3 includes sequencer mode, three sequencer blocks, MIDI FX modules, and the core functionality needed to start crafting unique MIDI patterns. However, it lacks the MIDI clip export feature found in the full version and the more extensive capabilities of the paid edition.

Despite the limitations compared to the full version, if you like to experiment with sequencers and arpeggiators, HY-MPS3 Free will keep you occupied for hours, if not days.

There are plenty of features to explore, and things get particularly fun when you fire up multiple sequencer tracks and arpeggiators simultaneously.

Dolby Atmos Composer Essential

Dolby Atmos Composer Essential is the free version of Fiedler Audio’s Dolby Atmos Composer suite.

The plugin allows you to create Dolby Atmos surround sound content directly within your DAW, eliminating the need for specialized immersive audio production setups. Fiedler Audio describes it as a tool that “annihilates all the unnecessary burden” of traditional Dolby Atmos workflows, providing a streamlined process where users can rely on their standard setup and plugins.

It also includes the Dolby Atmos Beam Essential panning tool, enabling complex and automated sound movement beyond the capabilities of stock DAWs.

The plugin lets you record new tracks while mixing for Dolby Atmos, which significantly improves some older workflows, particularly in Pro Tools.

Composer Essential also supports ADM BWF format exports, making it easy to distribute Dolby Atmos content directly to platforms like Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and Netflix.

Looking forward to 2025

Here’s hoping the 2025 will be equally, if not even more, epic for music production software. We’ll keep featuring the best freebies in our news section, so stay tuned to get the latest updates.

If you have any thoughts on this year’s favorite freebies, please comment below. Thank you!