Developer Tom Trnk has released version 0.8.0 of Deimos, a free synthesizer plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Deimos has been available since October 2025, so it may not be new to everyone, but it flew under my radar until now (thanks to BPB reader svrc for mentioning it in our community). The latest update is a good reason to take a closer look.
A quick note on the name: the plugin was originally called Luna, but the developer received feedback pointing out the obvious naming conflict with the Luna DAW, and renamed it Deimos (although, funnily enough, Deimos probably isn’t the best choice from that perspective, either).
If you tried an earlier version under that name, the latest release is worth revisiting. Version 0.8.0 adds ring modulation to the mixer, which is another pretty cool way to process the synth’s raw sounds.
The interface is dense and almost a bit too complicated at first, but I like it. The whole vibe here reminds me of mid-2010s virtual synths, and that was perhaps my favorite era for plugins in general (yes, I’m getting old).
There’s a lot going on visually, and the interface can feel busy at first. But the dark, slightly retro aesthetic works well, and the layout makes sense once you’ve spent some time with it. I had a lot of fun with this one. It’s surprisingly deep for a free plugin without becoming hard to use.
On the synthesis side, there are two oscillators with multiple waveforms and manipulation modes that interact with the phase control in various ways. Some modes include a dedicated knob for continuously animating the phase, and some offer an additional ratio or range parameter.
The mixer adds a noise source and the new ring modulation option, which can be toggled per oscillator via a right-click.
The filter has two character modes: Clean and Rough. Rough mode affects how the emphasis and feedback controls behave and supports self-oscillation at higher emphasis values. The amplifier section also applies non-linear compression at higher volumes.
Modulation is handled through a matrix in the middle row of the interface. Right-clicking most controls brings up a list of available modulation sources.
On top of the standard LFO and two envelopes (both with curvature control), there’s an additional modulation processor slot configurable as an envelope, LFO, sequencer, or math operation, with nine modulation slots in total.
There’s also a pretty nice collection of built-in tools with a chorus effect, oscilloscope, and spectrum analyzer. It’s also worth noting that the plugin runs at a fixed internal sample rate, so presets sound consistent regardless of your DAW’s sample rate.
Deimos is currently in beta and may still contain bugs. It is available in CLAP and VST3 formats for Windows, CLAP, VST3, and AU for macOS, and CLAP for Linux.
Download: Deimos by Tom Trnk (FREE)
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Last Updated on March 3, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
