9 Best Free Synths
Here are 9 free synths that I love, in video format.
It is a noticeable fact that digital synths are better represented in the world of free plugins, but there are some excellent analogue impersonators available too.
U-he in particular have made a number of free synths available over the years so it’s worth investigating them a little further.
I am still not naturally drawn to short videos, as there is always so much to say, soI have also outlined some of what I say in the video below in case you prefer the written word.
And all of these developers welcome a donation if you enjoy using their software.
The Synths
From my point of view this represents one of the best free synths out there, and is available for Windows, Mac and even iPad. It uses phase distortion synthesis (I call it CZ synthesis in the video as it’s associated with the Casio CZ, but now I know better!) and excels at slightly dirty digital tones but with a great deal of warmth and character. I always reach for it in preference to any of the commercial digital synths that I own, including Arturia’s CZ emulation. It has more character.
Vital is probably the most impressive free synth out there, having the aura of a full commercial product and arrayed with high end features and a slick interface. It is complex but approachable, and if you don’t like programming patches then at least you can pay for a large range of professional presets. But you’d be missing out because it’s a great synth to program, and is capable of surprising you with its range of abilities. My favourite features are the spectral waveform controls, especially the harmonics manipulation, and the comb filters and sample oscillator.
Created by the Bedroom Producers Blog, which is an excellent resource for anyone starting out making music. This is a SID chip emulation synth that uses samples rather than code to make the sound. This gives it a warm and pleasing tone, especially since it has a nice filter on it. Many of the patches benefit from being put into ‘Legato’ mode to better emulate the sound of the SID chip, but it is of course excellent that it can play chords too when required. Check out the video for sound examples, but for me this is one of the best sounding free synths out there. Great work.
Another SID chip emulation (I like them). Where the BPB 64 is warm and tasteful, the VSTSID is abusive and rowdy. To be called on when you need some sharp digital nonsense, or something that sounds like a computer from the 80s.
Based on the Kawai K1, I’ve included this as it’s so unique in the world of free synths, and fills a gap for those looking for the early tones of the first sample-based digital keyboards. Things like those fake Rhodes pianos, bells, wind sounds, orchestra stabs etc. They sound naive by modern standards but are also full of their own charm and character, and evoke a particular age.
The boss of free analogue emulating synths in my book. The sound of an Oberheim OB-X in the box. It’s a lush sounding synth and has all the necessary features you could want from an Oberheim, such as a thick unison with detune and spread, a morphing filter that moves smoothly between high-pass, low-pass and band-pass, and a smooth analogue tone. The synth is free for personal use, but should be bought if used professionally – the legit version also adds AAX,VST3 support.
Audio Damage made all their legacy products free for download, which includes version 2 of this excellent digital synth. It has a great tone for a digital synth, and the presets show it off well. Definitely check out their full list of freebies linked in the name heading.
Freebucket make all their synths available for free, and it is actually the work of one man. The FB3300 emulates one of the most desirable analogue synths in the world, the Korg PS-3300 (again I have actually nailed this down since the video!), Aphex Twin made it famous as it has some unusual features that are synonymous with his work, such as alternative tunings of individual notes, and resonant formant filters. I find that some generous EQ and a little drive on the channel really help add to the tone of this synth. It is a hugely capable synth and represents a shocking amount of work so, as with all these synths, the maker has certainly earned a donation if you use it.
The Podolski is one of several U-he synths available for nothing, and I included it especially since it represents one of the rare analogue emulations out there. Its main defining feature is the unusual arpeggiator and its warping oscillators, and the fact that it has a full raft of professional presets to help you get started. It’s an ideal synth to learn synthesis with too.
