10 Most Popular Free VST Plug-ins for 2014

Even some of these plugins were released last year (in 2013), I think this list is a good guide at this moment if you are in search for some high quality freeware plugins.

Nebula3 Free by Acustica Audio [VST] Nebula emulates the character and personality of analog hardware with exacting accuracy. Whether it is high end outboard equalizers, classic compressors, the latest reverbs, or vintage time-variant effects like phasers and flangers, Nebula has them all. With a large library of free included presets, you’ll be adding the warmth of analog to your digital mixes in no time at all.

Nebula is a VST multieffect plug-in that is able to emulate and replicate several types of expensive audio equipment, eliminating the need for costly and bulky hardware. Nebula uses libraries which are created using a sophisticated “sampling approach” making it possible to “record” aspects of the sound of audio devices and play them back. Our sampling process results in highly realistic, complex emulations of many types of audio processing devices that can then be used to process any audio signal digitally, all within a VST plug-in that is compatible with all major DAWs and editing software

UpStereo by QuikQuak [VST] UpStereo is a simple, useful tool – it makes your mixes bigger, in stereo width and loudness. Aspiring producers often ask how they can make their mixes sound bigger: UpStereo is designed as an answer to the problem.

It works by increasing both the ‘loudness’ and stereo width of the material it’s working on, and is operated via a rather nice 3D interface.

These stages create an overall loudness effect on the final output, so a gain control is included to keep the limits in check.

The main ‘bubble’ display on the plug-in is really a basic meter, when one of the stereo halves flash red, then the output is being clipped. Try and keep the levels so the red flashes only occasionally, this enables the loudness control to work at its maximum.

Frohmage by Ohmforce [VST, AU] This plugin is one absolutely crazy cat! I’ve been rolling with it for years by now. It can go from very subtle effects to absolutely destroying the sound or transforming it to something completely different. And I love that it doesn’t sound like anything else out there. Ohm Force are on top of their game and this plugin is no exception.

Standalone versions are fully operational without any limitation. We recommend that you use these to test MIDI-related features.

UVI Workstation by UVI [VST, AU] UVI Workstation is a completely free multi-timbral instrument that provides unlimited parts, integrated effects, live performance features, and a smooth real-time workflow. With the newest version, we’ve added powerful new features that help make your music production experience more efficient and enjoyable.

Main Specs:
New single mode for loading next generation of UVI sounds and instruments
Compatible with the UVI scripted instruments
Powerful Arpeggiator, extremely flexible and complete
Easy to use Search Engine to find fast what you’re looking for
Universal compatibility Mac | PC
Operate in full 64 bits on Mac | PC

SonEQ by Sonimus [VST, AU] SonEQ is a digital equalizer that takes parts from some vintage gear and combine them in one. SonEQ has 3 bands, bass, middle and treble. Also, SonEQ has a pre-amp section.

Features:

• 3 band Equalizer, Low, Mid, High.
• 2 Musical Filters, High-Pass Low-Pass.
• Preamp stage with bass booster.
• 64-bit floating point precision.
• Up to 192kHz sample rates supported

Basic64 by de la Mancha [Windows, VST] basic64 is inspired by the 8 bit sounds of the classic Commodore 64.
It’s not a straight emulation, but is based around the SID chip with some extras for that 8-bit retro game sound, lofi gritty noises or just plain oddness
features:

• 16, 8 or 6 bit sound quality
• 3 oscs, each with their own ADSR envelope
• oscillators can be sync’d and ring modulated by each other
• pitch envelope modulation
• pitch wobble option, for subtle instability
• 2 tempo-sync LFO’s to modulate pitch, cut-off and pulse width
• LFO’s have attack/release curves
• tempo-sync arpegiator
• flexible routing to state variable filter (LP, HP & BP)
• envelopes can be reset or continuous at retrigger
• monophonic or polyphonic option
• midi learn / midi CC support
• 128 presets by sinkmusic & WhiskeyPries

Bitter Sweet by Flux [Win/Mac, VST/RTAS]

Bittersweet v3 is a free software processing tool for managing audio transients. Turning the big wheel button on the sweet side, decreases the transients amplitude. On the bitter side the transients amplitude is magnified.

Bittersweet v3 is built around our latest 64-bit version 3 framework improving the processing performance dramatically. The graphic rendering in Bittersweet v3 is using a GPU-efficient 2D/3D graphic engine. The engine, introduced first in the Pure Analyzer System, is based on the OpenGL standard optimizing the audio-to-visual experience utilizing the GPU on the computer’s built in graphics card.

BitterSweet v3 also features a control for the signal to be processed. When the main position is engaged, the process affects the stereo signal. If Center is engaged, only the M signal of the internal MS matrix is processed. If stereo is selected, only the S signal from the MS matrix is processed.

FMMF by De La Mancha [VST] FMMF is a 4 operator FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesizer with 2 primary aims. For further sound design potential you have a low pass filter, a multi-mode distortion and a flexible delay (with comb delay option). An arpeggiator let’s you add even more movement to create rhythmic sequences. Special attention has been paid to the envelopes to allow you to customise them in many ways, such as the number of stages, the contour of each stage, sustain and repeat points and tempo-sync. The default preset bank was created by sound designer brian botkiller and shows off the potential of FMMF to make atmospheric pads and leads with lots of movement, big fat bass sounds, funky arps and oddball sound fx

TDR Feedback Compressor II by Tokyo Dawn Labs [VST, AU]

The TDR Feedback Compressor II is a major design update of its critically acclaimed predecessor. The compressor is dedicated to compressing the highest fidelity stereo program (2-buss), but equally shines in classic mixing tasks.

Most modern compressors analyze the input signal to control gain reduction, using a “feed-forward” topology. TDR Feedback Compressor II, however, analyzes the output. This approach delivers an unobtrusive and highly musical compression characteristic.

TDR Feedback Compressor II takes this traditional compression topology to new heights with a highly flexible, yet intuitive control scheme. The compressor has been carefully tuned for intuitive and musical operation for almost every situation.

Drumatic by E-Phonic [Windows, VST] Drumatic 3 is a virtual-analogue drum synthesizer
All sounds are 100% synthetic and allow an enormous flexibility and variation.

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You can also check some great commercial plugins here: Best VST Plugins Effects for 2014 at PluginBoutique

Best Free VST/AU Plugins Released in 2014

More freebies:

• Free Saturation VST Plugins
• 5 Best Free Synth VST Plugins in 2014
• Free VST Synthesizers by TAL

You can also check Best Free VST Synthesizer Released In 2020