Utilising the four voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) the synth functions with either one being triggered at a time or all four triggered at once, hence Mono/Poly. Unlike the original, you can actually save presets which is a fantastic feature. This recreation is pretty darn close to the original, especially from what you’d expect from a free plugin. The Full Bucket Mono/Fury is yet again, a recreation of an 80s masterpiece, the Korg Mono/Poly. Utilising MIDI connectivity, it’s actually possible to DAW automate all 144 parameters which can then control a hardware version of this synthesiser, which is wild but probably not relevant if you’re looking for free software. Dexed also features a few operation modes, which allows for a more accurate emulation, downsampling audio resolution to match the original. This faithful recreation is a lot simpler to interact with due to the fact all parameters are accessible without menu diving. Name an 80s band, and it’s almost certain they came into contact with a DX7 which made it one of the best selling digital synths of all time. DexedĪnother one for fans of 80s synths, Dexed is an almost exact replica of the Yamaha DX7, while also functioning as a preset editor for the real deal hardware synth. Also unique on this VST synth is the bit crusher knob, for making patches gritty in no time. What this synth offers that some other don’t, is an envelope editor which allows you to draw curves at will allowing for some wild results. There’s two oscillator sections, a couple LFOs, filter and volume envelopes and some control over velocity and pitch wheel settings. This VST Synth, the TAL Noisemaker, has everything you’d expect from a synth made in the 80s. Alongside this, there was also the TAL-Noisemaker, an upgraded version of their TAL-Elec7ro synth.

Togu Audio Line commonly known at TAL have been a popular part of the VST scene since they introduced the TAL U-NO, an emulation of the Juno-60 that was absolutely top notch. Read up on all the latest interviews, features and columns here. If you’re tight on cash, don’t stress, here at Mixdown, we’ve collated seven of the best free VST synth plugins to use in your productions, whether that be for background keys, up front leads or interesting modulated effects. If you can overlook sometimes clunky interfaces, there’s really a large variety of free VST synths to create music with, and all without breaking the bank. Nowadays, looking at buying a Digital Audio Workstation can be a stretch on the budget, let alone buying additional plugins to add to your sound palette. Words by Sam McNiece Top VST synths to use for lead, bass and weird noise patches.

Free software synths