It’s been quite a while since I’ve added new entries to our directory of freeware VST plugins. Well, the standstill ends today. This article features a list of the best free chorus effects in VST and AU plugin formats for Windows and Mac-based digital audio workstations, and it marks the revival of our free VST directory, which will be updated with the latest and greatest freeware tools in the weeks to come.
Here is awesome list of the 7 best free vocoder VST/AU plugins for Windows and Mac! Make some robotic voice effects with The Best Vocoder Plugins. The free VST plugins archive at ProducerFeed features a big selection of music production software tools. You find here hundreds of effect processors, such as reverbs, compressors, equalizers, filters, delays and more.
I’ve picked only the very best of the best chorus effects for this list, and you’re welcome to leave your own suggestions in the comments section below if you think that the list should be updated with another plugin or even multiple plugins. Your support has been incredible so far, dear readers, and you guys have often sent me links to various brilliant freeware plugins that I’ve never seen or heard of before. Thanks for all the comments and suggestions so far, it really means a lot!
Azurite by Distorque (Windows)
If you asked me to recommend a single chorus plugin, which I think is the absolute best choice in this category, then Azurite would definitely be my pick. The plugin is incredibly versatile, and it manages to offer a broad palette of possible settings without being too complicated to use.
The included factory presets cover a wide range of chorus effect types, ranging from subtle chorusing, which is suitable for use on guitars or vocals to some crazy modulation stuff, and even some short slap-back delays. You can use the factory presets as the starting point for your own settings, but they’re all entirely usable, and I’m sure that merely browsing through presets and finding the right one will do the job most of the time.
To sum it up, Azurite is my favorite free chorus effect in the world. Why? Because it’s a real modulation workhorse (loads of possible settings) with an incredibly simple workflow. The CPU hit is relatively low, and I’ve never had any instability issues with the plugin. The developer Distorque also offers a nice range of virtual guitar distortion pedals, so check out the rest of their site while visiting to grab your free copy of Azurite.
Mac OS will be disappointed by the fact that the plugin is Windows only, but on the bright side, it does support both 32-bit and 64-bit DAW applications on Windows. Our next entry is Mac-compatible, though, and it’s one of the best freeware plugins released so far in 2014!
Download:Azurite(32-bit & 64-bit VST plugin format for Windows)
Multiply by Acon Digital (Win & Mac)
Winner of the recently held KVR Developer Challenge 2014 contest, the brilliant Multiply plugin by Acon Digital is a modern chorus effect that uses phase randomizing filters on each of the six voices to avoid unwanted comb filter effects. The plugin includes a simple equalizer for controlling the frequency response of the processed audio signal, as well as a pre-delay section, which can be used to create echo effects.
The interface is absolutely brilliant, it looks spotless, and it’s easy to grasp right away. One of my favorite features of the plugin is the A/B testing switch, which makes it possible to test different settings against each other without running multiple instances of the plugin on the same channel.
Most importantly, the plugin is capable of producing some great sounding chorus effect. It works fantastic on electric pianos and guitars. However, I’ve also found that it can work very well for fattening up lead vocals without smudging them or making them sound artificial.
Download:Multiply(32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & Mac)
Blue Cat’s Chorus by Blue Cat Audio (Win & Mac)
Those in search of a super simple and great-sounding freeware chorus shouldn’t look further than Blue Cat’s Chorus. The plugin has been around for almost a decade as part of Blue Cat Audio’s freeware suite. Still, it’s continuously updated and improved to stay compatible with modern-day systems.
The official product page describes Blue Cat’s Chorus as a vintage chorus effect, but I wouldn’t necessarily limit it to the vintage category. While it’s capable of achieving that retro chorus sound, Blue Cat Chorus can also sound nice and modern with the right settings.
The plugin offers Windows and Mac support and is available in almost too many different plugin formats to count. One thing is for sure – you won’t have any compatibility issues with this little chorus unit. The plugin GUI is also fully editable, with loads of free skins available on the developer’s website. Here’s a free skin package designed by satYatunes.
Download:Blue Cat’s Chorus(32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX/RTAS/DX plugin for Win & Mac)
Pros
+ Vintage flavored chorus
+ Fully cross-platform
+ Vintage flavored chorus
+ Fully cross-platform
Magic Switch by BABY Audio (Win & Mac)
Magic Switch is a lo-fi chorus effect inspired by the classic analog ‘one-button’ chorus FX modules that were built into synthesizers back in the 80s. It is based on the same set of algorithms used for the “Magic” button in BABY Audio’s popular Super VHS plugin. The plugin instantly delivers that washed out and slightly out-of-tune chorusing effect reminiscent of 80s synth music.
If you’re inspired by the sounds of 80s movie themes, VHS tapes, and vintage music gear in general, the free Magic Switch chorus by Baby Audio is a must-have. It delivers the wobbly, dark, and intentionally unstable chorus sound that we’ve all grown to love while listening to 80s music. For a similar but more strictly modeled plugin, check out the excellent TAL-Chorus-LX by Togu Audio Line. It emulates the characteristics of the iconic Juno-60 chorus.
Download:Magic Switch(32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin for Win & Mac)
Extended List (Alphabetical Order)
CH4D by Jovan Koncar (Windows) is an interesting four-voice chorus effect that uses an advanced LFO to modulate each delayed voice to achieve natural-sounding results. A worthy pick for Windows users who are looking for an easy to use chorus tool.
Dust Bucket by signaldust (Windows) is a bucket brigade type chorus effect. The developer’s goal (signaldust also has this brilliant freeware room reverb plugin called Tila, which is included in our round-up of free reverb effects) was to create a clean chorus effect, without any additional non-linear behavior. The plugin can also do some other modulation effects, such as flanger. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re looking for a clean chorus effect. However, keep in mind that the CPU hit is a tad bit high. Thanks to our reader Duckett for suggesting Dust Bucket in the comments section below!
Orange Chorus by One Small Clue (Windows) is the true successor of the legendary Classic Chorus by Kjaerhus Audio, one of my long time favorite chorus effects. Based on a similar streamlined architecture, Orange Chorus offers a great balance between great sound and fast workflow.
TAL-Chorus-LX by Togu Audio Line (Mac, Windows) is essentially the chorus module from Togu Audio Line’s brilliant Roland JUNO-60 analog synthesizer emulation called TAL-U-NO-LX. According to the audio comparison, which you can listen to on SoundCloud, the plugin sounds almost identical to the real thing. Featuring only three knobs and two buttons, this lovely vintage chorus is the most straightforward plugin on the list. I often use it to add a bit of movement and stereo width to synthesizer patches. Scroll all the way the product page to grab the previous version of the plugin, which, in my opinion, sounds even more beautiful than the new one.
In Conclusion
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading our list of freeware chorus effects! Our regular visitors have probably noticed that the layout of this article is a bit different when compared to our older free VST articles. Do you like the new format with three of my favorite picks on top and the rest listed below? Let me know what you think, and once again, thanks for reading BPB!
Virtual instruments are software emulations of traditional instruments or hardware electronic musical instruments.
There is a staggering range of virtual instruments available nowadays, covering multi-timbral rompler modules to dedicated emulations of guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, and more.
Some of these VSTi plugins (as they’re also called) are free. So in this article we’ll take a look at some of the best free virtual instruments you can download today. Many of which are pro worthy.
Find more great gear here:
Intro: About Virtual Instruments
The benefits of virtual instruments are fairly obvious. They take up much less space than their hardware equivalents, they don’t overheat, and many of them have virtually unlimited polyphony. They are also much easier to edit and they almost never break down.
Here we run down some of the most intriguing virtual instruments currently available. Although some purists may scoff at the idea of these replacing their well-loved guitars or keyboards, there is no denying that they provide a surprising range of great sounds at a price that even professional musicians will appreciate.
Best Free VSTi Plugins
The List
The Roundup
Native Instruments’ Kontakt Player is arguably the Don of all free virtual instrument plug-ins. Based on the company’s own hugely successful Kontakt sampler, Kontakt Player effectively hosts all sample-based instruments developed for its more fully-featured big brother.
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The compatibility goes the other way as well. All free instruments developed specifically for Kontakt Player will load up and play in the full version of Kontakt. Between the two, there is a staggering assortment of free and paid instruments, all boasting of the trademark Native Instrument quality.
To get budget-savvy musicians and producers started, NI offers a free Kontakt Factory Selection consisting of 50 premium instruments. Some of these are slightly cut-down versions of the instruments developed for Kontakt, while some are full versions developed specifically for Kontakt Player.
While Kontakt Player focuses mainly on standard instrument libraries, Native Instruments’ Reaktor Player is geared more towards the synthesis side of things.
Demonstration
Reaktor is of course the full-blown modular synthesis environment that gives users unparalleled and unlimited opportunity to design virtually any type of synthesizer, sequencer, or signal processor they could think of from scratch. With Reaktor Player, users are able to play back a wide variety of instruments and effects developed in and for Reaktor, with a more modest set of editing capabilities.
As with Kontakt Player, there is a huge range of ready-made instruments available for use in Reaktor Player. NI even offers two free devices to get you started: the Blocks Wired pre-patched modular synth and the Mikro Prism synthesizer.
Reaktor Player obviously doesn’t come close to providing the depth of power and customizability offered by the full version of Reaktor. Nevertheless, it is a good introduction to modular synthesis. Furthermore, the availability of hundreds of Reaktor instruments cover a board range of sound-crafting options.
Ample Guitar M Lite is the free version of Ample Sounds’ popular AGM guitar simulator. Emulating the warm, rich tones of the Martin D-41 acoustic guitar, Ample Guitar M Lite is now on its second version.
For the price of a free download, you get an enhanced set of features that now match the capabilities of the full version. The note range now spans E1 – C5, and the plug-in now works as a standalone instrument. Even if you do opt to use the instrument in your DAW, multiple instances will take up much less resources than before, and they will load up faster as well.
Demonstration
As you may have guessed from the name, Ample Bass P Lite is Ample Sound’s free bass guitar sample player plug-in. A cut-down version of the full Ample Bass P II component of the company’s Bass Series product line, this plug-in has fewer samples and fewer round robin variations than the full version. It also has a smaller note range than the paid product, covering D1 to F4. Nevertheless, the Ample Bass P Lite does a good job of cranking out the distinctive tones of the Fender Precision Bass, which it models.
Manda Audio’s MT Power Drum Kit is a free drum sampler that has a fairly wide selection of acoustic drum kit sounds. Great care has been taken to record and process the original samples, giving users a range of high-quality drum sounds perfectly suited for pop, rock, and even metal.
Free formant filter vst. Those who wish to process their drum sounds with their own plug-ins might not appreciate the fact that the MT Power Drum’s sounds are already processed. Nevertheless, EQ and compression were applied quite tastefully, and the sounds should fit in well in most mixes.
Demonstration
Togu Audio Line has garnered quite a bit of acclaim for its excellent line of synthesizers and effects processors, a number of which are free. NoiseMaker is one of these, and it compares favorably to the company’s own paid emulation of the Roland Juno 106 analog synth, the TAL-U-NO-LX.
The NoiseMaker incorporates some of TAL’s more popular effects processors on board. There is the Juno-derived chorus with two modes for starters, along with a reverb, a delay, and a bitcrusher, all of which exist as free standalone plug-ins.
DistroCore’s DC Bazz::Murda is a bass and kick synthesizer that is capable of a surprisingly wide array of sounds. Although aggressive and distorted industrial sounds are its forte, it can be dialed back for more subdued tones as well. Even so, this is one plug-in that was obviously designed to get as loud and nasty as possible. For some users, that could be a good thing!
Top Pick
Native Instruments’ Kontakt Player and Reaktor Player are a couple of the best free virtual instruments that you can get, without a doubt. They provide a superb one-two punch that simply can’t be beat.
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Between the two, you pretty much have all your bases covered, whether you need bread-and-butter rompler sounds, exotic World Music libraries, or synthetic sounds ranging from vintage to cutting-edge.
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Given the wide range of sounds they cover and the trademark NI quality, these two are neck-and-neck as our top picks for best virtual instrument plug-ins.
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