1. Softube VCA Compressor

 

A high-quality analog-style compressor.

• Modeled after the iconic 1970s-era compressor with all the basic controls
• Features the Punch knob for adding smack to drums and the Output Drive knob for saturation
• Works well on drums, bass, vocals, and even on the master bus for subtle coloration and compression

Platforms: Windows and macOS (VST3, AU, AAX)

FREE  until March 31st, 2024

Go to > https://www.softube.com/vca-compressor

2. S Doubler by SoliderSound

 

Doubler Plugin

• Replicates the psycho-acoustic effects of sound proximity
• Creates a true sense of dimension in your mix
• Place four doubling voices on a virtual sound stage
• Craft the stereo image of your music

Platforms: macOS and Windows (VST, AU, VST3, AAX)

FREE

Go to > https://solidersound.com/plugins/s-doubler/

3. Psycho Circuitry miniOPT

 

A flexible optical compressor

• Input and Output knobs with selectable range
• Choose between 3 opto action modes: Grab, Edge, or Smooth
• Traditional controls like Threshold, Ratio, Attack, and Release
• Transformer stage to colorize audio signals
• Harmonic saturation
• Oversampling mode up to 16x for maximum clarity
• Resizable GUI with Stereo and Mono operation modes
• Mix knob for parallel processing
• Gain reduction meter for visualizing compression

Platforms: Windows and Mac (VST3 and AU)

FREE (Scroll down the page to find the free version)

Go to > https://psychocircuitry.com/mini-opt.html

4. Leikkaus by Keisari Studios

 

A free open-source dynamic clipper effect plugin

• Detailed controls for clipping.
• Supports and scales up to 4k monitors.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Supports Windows and macOS.
• Universal binary support: Compatible with both Intel and Apple Silicon processors.

Platforms: macOS and Windows (AU, VST3)

FREE (Open-Source)

Go to > https://www.keisaristudios.com/plugins/leikkaus/

5. Nih-Plug Spectral Compressor

A FREE compressor with spectral processing

• Intensely aggressive compression with 16,384 bands
• Reminiscent of the popular OTT plugin
• Improved performance and low resource usage
• Straightforward interface with controls for threshold, frequency, slope, mode, and curve
• Global controls for window size, overlap, attack, and release
• Independent ratios for upward and downward compression
• Can be used for sound design and sidechain processing
• Available for Windows, Linux, and macOS

Platforms: Windows, Linux, and macOS

FREE (Open-Source)

Go to > https://github.com/robbert-vdh/nih-plug/tree/master/plugins/spectral_compressor

6. Lotus Sound Audio MixHARMONY

A free channel strip plugin inspired by classic British console design

• High-Pass and Low-Pass filters
• Parametric EQ section divided into HF, MF, and LF
• Compression section with traditional controls and Gain Reduction meter
• HPF to high-pass the signal entering the compressor circuit
• Mix knob for blending compressed and dry signal
• Around 20 factory presets for mixing tasks and musical instruments

Platforms: Windows (VST3) and macOS (AU/VST3)

FREE (Pay what you want)

Go to > https://www.patreon.com/posts/mixharmony-strip-97772775

7. Fire Boy Bass by Vox Samples

A free bass enhancement plugin

• Three knobs for tuning the frequency, adding intensity, and adjusting the output gain.
• Enhance the fundamentals of your bass, kick, sub, or any other sound.
• Add heat, body, and additional harmonics to your sound.
• Dial in the desired amount of sound with the output gain knob.

Platforms: Windows and Mac (VST3, AU)

FREE

Go to > https://voxsamples.com/products/free-fire-boy-bass-enhancer-plugin

8. Mod Audio Desktop App

Guitar Amp Suite

• Connect between any Mod Audio plugins to create custom signal chains
• Features guitar-centric tools like NAM, cabinet loaders, and various pedal emulations
• Includes MIDI modules for synthesizer experimentation
• Full routing of MIDI and CV signals for integration with modular setups
• Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems

Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux

FREE (Open-Source)

Go to > https://mod.audio/desktop/

9. Freequel Bundle by Noise Engineering

A collection of powerful synths and a versatile distortion

• Sinc Vereor: Intuitive synthesizer with wavemorphing/wavefolding Tone control and Super mode
• Virt Vereor: Powerful synthesizer with unique synthesis algorithms and a variety of sound options
• Ruina: Versatile stereo multi-distortion with wavefolding, octavizing, phase shifting, multiband saturation, filtering, and DOOM

Platforms: macOS and Windows (Audio Units and VST3)

FREE

Go to > https://noiseengineering.us/products/the-freequel-bundle-sinc-vereor-virt-vereor-ruina

10. Substitute Modular by Flandersh Tech

 

A semi-modular virtual analog synthesizer

• Dual oscillator section with classical waveforms.
• Topology preserving analog-style filters.
• Extensive modulation capabilities through four envelopes, four LFOs, two step modulators, two step sequencers and a patchbay.
• Creative effect section with delays, chorus, reverb, waveshaper, leveler, tone control, bit reduction and saturation amp.
• MIDI chord generator and classic arpeggiator.

Platforms: Windows (VST3)

FREE

Go to > https://www.flandersh.tech/submod.html