BEST FREE SAMPLE LIBRARIES & SOFT SYNTHS - CURATED LIST OF REVIEWED & RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENTS

[PavlovsCat]

16 minutes ago, satya said:

We can kinda count NI Massive as a freebie , every focusrite user has it

I'm not sure what you mean, because it's often on sale for cheap or  maybe Focusrite is giving it away with gear? I primarily was inspired to create the list with someone in mind who can't afford a paid sampler like KONTAKT and may not be able to afford Focusrite gear. 

One thing I realize my list is really missing -- especially after I just did my first hip hop track -- is libraries aimed at EDM and hip hop. If you or anyone else wants to take that on, to put together a list of totally free sample libraries aimed at hip hop and EDM, I think it would be great. I could easily add a section like "Satya's Picks for..." whatever style of music your choices appeal to (I'm not sure, but I seem to recall that you posted about being into a different genre than rock). Anyhow, I just thought the list I have is really useful to people doing rock, cinematic, jazz, R&B, punk and country, but is weak on things like electronic drums and percussion, 808 sounds,  etc. 

Edited October 8, 2023 by PavlovsCat

[satya]

It would be hard to make a genre focused plugin list , I think the arrangement and tutorial matter the most rather than plugin itself. 

55 minutes ago, PavlovsCat said:

especially after I just did my first hip hop track -- is libraries aimed at EDM and hip hop

And the NI MASSIVE is now included with all new focusrite interface  and old peps already had it in giveaway.

[PavlovsCat]

3 minutes ago, satya said:

It would be hard to make a genre focused plugin list , I think the arrangement and tutorial matter the most rather than plugin itself. 

And the NI MASSIVE is now included with all new focusrite interface  and old peps already had it in giveaway.

I have a Focusrite interface and didn't even realize that! Probably because I've long owned Massive as a KOMPLETE user. 

[DamienF]

Hello, you can add Synful in the strings / orchestra section, since it's now free

https://www.synful.com/

Edited October 8, 2023 by DamienF

[PavlovsCat]

8 minutes ago, DamienF said:

Hello, you can add Synful in the strings / orchestra section, since it's now free

I downloaded it a while back, but haven't tried it yet. I will eventually do that. With a couple of exceptions, I've personally tried out every library and synth on the list. So I'll try to get to Synful soon, but until then, people will be more aware of it from your comment. If you don't mind, can  you please update your comment with a link to the plugin?  Thanks!  

Edited October 8, 2023 by PavlovsCat

[satya]

Any magware plugins people want to add , like ThornCM , it's all free now as Filesilo is free. 

We should add Voltage Modular Nucleus to list 

Edited October 8, 2023 by satya

[PavlovsCat]

18 minutes ago, satya said:

Any magware plugins people want to add , like ThornCM , it's all free now as Filesilo is free. 

We should add Voltage Modular Nucleus to list 

Wow, Satya, I didn't know that. I've been reading CM for years and have -- and still -- enjoy a bunch of their freebies. Great share! Thanks. 

[augustenz]

Awesome list, this is a treasure trove! 👍

 

A few more that I personally like:

discoDSP - OB-Xd - Oberheim Inspired Virtual Analog Synthesizer - https://www.discodsp.com/obxd/

Surrealistic MG-1 Plus | Cherry Audio - https://cherryaudio.com/products/surrealistic-mg-1-plus

Voltage Modular Nucleus | Cherry Audio - https://store.cherryaudio.com/bundles/voltage-modular-nucleus

SynthMaster Player - https://www.kv331audio.com/synthmasterplayer.aspx

MT Power Drum Kit - https://www.powerdrumkit.com/

 

Edit: forgot about this one, it has been discontinued, but is still good:

kiloHearts One - https://kilohearts.com/docs/download_and_installation#khs_one

 

Edit2: Almost forgot about this stellar one completely:

Arturia - Analog Lab Intro - https://www.arturia.com/products/software-instruments/analoglab-intro/overview

 

and this one seems to be promising, but I haven't tried it out yet:

Pendulate - Eventide Audio - https://www.eventideaudio.com/plug-ins/pendulate/

Edited October 8, 2023 by augustenz

[satya]

Here is list of free plugin with CM

https://www.musicradar.com/computermusic/cm-plugins-full-list-of-our-exclusive-free-vst-au-plugin-instruments-and-effects-571808

[PavlovsCat]

3 hours ago, augustenz said:

Awesome list, this is a treasure trove! 👍

 

A few more that I personally like:

discoDSP - OB-Xd - Oberheim Inspired Virtual Analog Synthesizer - https://www.discodsp.com/obxd/

Surrealistic MG-1 Plus | Cherry Audio - https://cherryaudio.com/products/surrealistic-mg-1-plus

Voltage Modular Nucleus | Cherry Audio - https://store.cherryaudio.com/bundles/voltage-modular-nucleus

SynthMaster Player - https://www.kv331audio.com/synthmasterplayer.aspx

MT Power Drum Kit - https://www.powerdrumkit.com/

 

Edit: forgot about this one, it has been discontinued, but is still good:

kiloHearts One - https://kilohearts.com/docs/download_and_installation#khs_one

 

Edit2: Almost forgot about this stellar one completely:

Arturia - Analog Lab Intro - https://www.arturia.com/products/software-instruments/analoglab-intro/overview

 

and this one seems to be promising, but I haven't tried it out yet:

Pendulate - Eventide Audio - https://www.eventideaudio.com/plug-ins/pendulate/

That's a great list, and I have everything on it, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, I have so much stuff, I knew there was stuff I would forget! Although Analog Lab Intro -- which is awesome-- isn't always free, so I can't link to a spot where people can get it, so, I want to only include libraries and synths that I find worth recommending that are always free. I love SynthMaster.  I have both of their main synths and started with their player. I completely forgot about that! It absolutely should be on the list. So great recommendations, @augustenz. I know everything you've recommended, have used everything except MT Power Drum Kit (which I know off, but never used; I think I wasn't crazy about the sounds in the demos) and can recommend them. You've helped improve the list!

[satya]

4 hours ago, augustenz said:

Arturia - Analog Lab Intro

That's not free

[augustenz]

Hmm, not sure about it not being free, the description on Arturia's site states:

 

"Analog Lab Intro
Instant classic sound

Analog Lab Intro is a free easy-to-use plugin featuring 500 fine-tuned presets from our award-winning V Collection instruments - combining unparalleled iconic sound with a simple interface that’s smart, enjoyable, and inspiring."

 

But it could be that I and the description are wrong, if you try it out do share the results, as I have already the Intro and the Full version, I am not able to test it (Edit: you have to create an account and download the Arturia Software Center in order to install it).

Edited October 8, 2023 by augustenz

[augustenz]

1 hour ago, PavlovsCat said:

That's a great list, and I have everything on it, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, I have so much stuff, I knew there was stuff I would forget! Although Analog Lab Intro -- which is awesome-- isn't always free, so I can't link to a spot where people can get it, so, I want to only include libraries and synths that I find worth recommending that are always free. I love SynthMaster.  I have both of their main synths and started with their player. I completely forgot about that! It absolutely should be on the list. So great recommendations, @augustenz. I know everything you've recommended, have used everything except MT Power Drum Kit (which I know off, but never used; I think I wasn't crazy about the sounds in the demos) and can recommend them. You've helped improve the list!

Awesome! I'm glad if I was able to help improving it and if some of the suggestions are a good fit for the list!

About MT PowerDrumKit, I have read elsewhere too that the sounds do not impress everyone, or that they are not useful for every genre, but other than that, it may be a good starting point for beginners or specific styles of production, also I find that the GUI is nicely done and the large number of included grooves, midi-drag-to-daw and midi-out to any other drum VSTi are still very useful, even if the sound is not impressing everyone!

[PavlovsCat]

20 minutes ago, augustenz said:

Hmm, not sure about it not being free, the description on Arturia's site states:

 

"Analog Lab Intro
Instant classic sound

Analog Lab Intro is a free easy-to-use plugin featuring 500 fine-tuned presets from our award-winning V Collection instruments - combining unparalleled iconic sound with a simple interface that’s smart, enjoyable, and inspiring."

 

But it could be that I and the description are wrong, if you try it out do share the results, as I have already the Intro and the Full version, I am not able to test it.

Analog Lab Intro has been given away free from time to time and is free with some hardware. It is excellent and very much worthy of recommendation,  but it's not always available free, so that's the only reason I'm not including it. I have it and pretty much I like everything I've ever played from Arturia.  Great stuff. You make excellent recommendations and helped make this list better, @augustenz. I'm on my phone and will update the list later to reflect your input. Thanks! This list is collaborative and hopefully we're helping other musicians find some great sounds they'll love. 

[augustenz]

Adding this here, as we had the relevant conversation here, couldn't find on Arturia's site any mention on how to get Analog Lab Intro for free, besides the description stating that it is free (also if you notice, it has no "Buy" button or price), but after searching a bit, it seems that at least for the moment, you can probably get it for free (along some other stuff - notably EXPOSE from Mastering the Mix) if you sign up (free) for an account at https://soundbetter.com.

 

This is the member benefits link: https://soundbetter.com/member-benefits

This is the reddit thread where this info can be found: https://www.reddit.com/r/AudioProductionDeals/comments/16onxwu/arturia_analog_lab_v_upgrade_from_intro_1_free/

 

Hopefully it will work for anyone who tries!

[PavlovsCat]

I just added several sample libraries spanning multiple categories to the original post. 

The list is now at the point where I have so many libraries in certain categories that it can overwhelm people looking over the list. Consequently, I'd love to get your thoughts on how to improve the usability of the list.

Do you think, where I have a great deal of instruments I give my highest recommendations that I should eliminate the libraries that don't get my highest ratings? For example, I have a lot of piano libraries. All of them are at least very good, but I have three that I find are exceptional: 

• VSL Soft Imperial  
• SoundPaint 1928 Vintage Grand Steinway 
• SonicCouture Hammersmith FREE 

IMO, all of the above piano libraries are good enough to be paid instruments. While the Soft Imperial and Hammersmith libraries may lack the velocity layers of the paid libraries they were taken from, I still find they are better than many piano libraries I've paid for. In the case of the SoundPaint piano library, it appears to be at the same quality standard of the developer's paid piano libraries but is used as an enticement to get people to give the SoundPaint ecosystem a try. I would keep the piano libraries that offer something different. For example, The Death Piano is a prepared sample library and Heavyocity Foundations Piano offers sound design and arpeggiator functionality that differentiates it from other piano libraries and  is significant enough to keep it on the list. 

Which of the following options would you prefer I do: 

(1)  Refine my rating system. Instead of only putting stars on favorites, rate each library from 1-5. 

(2) In categories where there are what I consider superior libraries, eliminate the libraries that are good but don't offer anything different from the superior libraries. 

(3) Eliminate the libraries that are simply very good where superior alternatives exist and rate each library from 1-5. 

(4) Leave the list as it is. 

Edited November 5, 2023 by PavlovsCat

[augustenz]

I'd say 1 or 4, you've done the work to collect (which includes, among other things, finding those things and the testing you've done to then form an opinion, plus other member's recommendations) and type the information in the list, I don't think that losing that information is good, restructuring or enhancing what is there would be better (if needed).

Maybe, if you feel it should be more compact or more specific or organized, a Top 5 or Top 10 section with your favorites/best recommendations for every category and another Honorable Mentions one with all the rest/alternatives.

It may also happen that something that used to be available is later not available anymore or outdated (if not maintained by the creator), so any redundancy could be helpful in those cases.

Also, why is this thread not pinned?

[alacantec]

Keep using stars on your favs.

Agree with augustenz, no need to lose any information. Do not eliminate good or very good libraries: Just choose tiny fonts for those.

As a suggestion, I would like to find month and year information in the next entries.

[PavlovsCat]

4 minutes ago, alacantec said:

Keep using stars on your favs.

Agree with augustenz, no need to lose any information. Do not eliminate good or very good libraries: Just choose tiny fonts for those.

As a suggestion, I would like to find month and year information in the next entries.

Thanks for the feedback,  @augustenz and @alacantec.

@alacantec regarding your suggestion to date entries, going back to the past ones would be tough and a bit arbitrary (I didn't write down the dates I listed everything). But I think your reasoning is so that you can better identify when I add new libraries, right?  So I can easily add dates going forward. What do you think? 

One thing I did do today (during halftime watching an American football game!) was to put my highest rated libraries at the top of each instrument category. I thought it's another way to show what I feel are the best of the category right away, as I realize this list is getting pretty big. 

[JoeGBradford]

Thanks for all the work on this - I didn't get round to posting my favourites but I reckon they are all there anyway 🙂