If you’re looking to expand your library of VST instrument (VSTi) plugins, or tweak your mixes with some great effects or MIDI effects VST plugins, you can do it for free. You just need to know where to look.

I’ve assembled the top 5 free VST plugins that can help elevate your music to the next level. Since they’re free, you can grab them all, and see how they sound, without opening your wallet.

1. ANALOG OBSESSION | RARE EQ EFFECT

Analog Obsession Rare EQ Plugin

Rare is an analog emulation of the iconic Pultec EQP-1A equalizer. This tube-style equalizer brings sought-after vintage warmth and musical tone. Pultec EQs are known for delivering deep lows, silky highs, and smooth tone. Rare also has Pultec’s unique ability to boost and cut the same frequencies simultaneously. Perfect for beefing up lows!

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2. PRODUCER SPOT | X-EIGHT LITE BASS INSTRUMENT

X-Eight Lite Bass VST Plugin

The X-EIGHT LITE virtual instrument plugin supplies 88 sub-bass/808 presets. It also sports a simplified interface with Glide, Attack/Release, High Pass Filter, and Master Volume. If you like the deep low-end sounds of this instrument, you can upgrade to the full version of X-EIGHT. The full version brings over 1,000 bass prests and additional sound-shaping controls.

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3. NOISEASH | ACTION TREMOLO EFFECT

NoiseAsh Action Tremolo VST Plugin

Action Tremolo is a creative pan and volume modulation plugin with an analog saturation engine. There are three modulation sources: a custom shape envelope follower, an LFO with five waveforms, and a 32-step sequencer. This free tremolo plugin is great for creating various sound effects, textures, stereo enhancement, and more. It’s a multi-purpose beast!

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4. KLEVGRÄND | FREEAMP SATURATION EFFECT

Klevgrand FreeAMP Saturation Plugin

FreeAMP is a vintage-style saturation plugin that offers tape and tube saturation. This simplified edition of Klevgränd’s REAMP amplifying modeler plugin brings warmth and presence to your mix. Use it to enhance single tracks, buss groups, or full mixes. Its simple layout also makes it a breeze to apply gentle or aggressive saturation to anything.

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5. SAMPLESCIENCE | OBEROM SYNTHESIZER

SampleScience Oberom Synthesizer Plugin

Oberom is a sampled version of the Oberon virtual synthesizer by Land of Cockaigne. This synthesizer plugin attempts to emulate classic analog polysynths. It comes with faithful recreations of the original 16 presets that came with Oberon. This vintage-style synthesizer also features an ADSR envelope, LFO, multimode filter, and a reverb effect.

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