Top Vst Effects Plugins 2018

22.12.2020 admin

Finding the perfect VST plugin to use for your own music production is ten difficult as there's such a vast amount choices to choose from. Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugins are ten referred to as the tools you need in order to build your perfect sound, and shape it with audio effects.

To celebrate some the best free VST plugins for 2018, we have began to compile a mix the best VST Effects, Drum VSTs, Synth VSTs, Vocal Plugins, and Bass VSTs. Simply scroll down for some the best free VST plugins.

Best Free VST Plugins 2018

ComBear Compressor

Best free vst plugins of 2018 Here is a new list of some of the best free plugins (VST, AU) for making electronic music that have been released this year, so far. If you’re always looking for new sounds and new software tools, and your budget is low or close to zero, this list of free plugins. Chiptune VST Plugins: 10 Of The Best In 2018! Having the right Chiptune VST plugins can be of huge help when you're making chiptune! However, finding the Chiptune VST best suited for you and your needs can sometimes be a tough task.

by W.A. Production
The ComBear is an extremely powerful and dynamic Parallel Compression effect plugin that mimics that Dada Life's famous Sausage Fattener. “ComBear is a plugin that will change the EDM scene forever. If you want to jump the to the top the game, you need to get your hands on this beast. Be like the pressionals and make your tracks sound top tier,” writes PluginBoutique.

ComBear works with AU, VST, and VST3, and is available on both Mac and PC.

OSL Chorus Free Chorus Plugin

by Oblivion Soundlab
The OSL Chorus plugin is based on the chorus effect module found on the Roland Juno 60 hardware synthesizer.

This effect plugin is available for free on both 32 or 64-bit hosts on both Windows and Mac.

PHASIS Phase Plugin

by Native Instruments
PHASIS is a free phaser effect plugin by Native Instruments. The PHASIS plugin adds movement, soul, and creative magic to any signal.

Download PHASIS for free until January 30th here.

VK-1 Viking Synthesizer Plugin

by Blamst
The VK-1 Viking FREE Synthesizer Plugin was originally launched to be a replica the Moog Voyager in the form a rack extension for Propellerhead Reason. With three adjustable wave oscillators, the VK-1 Viking Synthesizer is a must for all DAWs on PC and Mac.

Read more about Blamst's VK-1 Viking Free Synthesizer here.

Rivera VST Plugin

by NuSpace Audio
NuSpace Audio released the Rivera VST Plugin as a free plugin for a hybrid reverb effect available for Windows. Riviera is a hybrid algorithmic-convolution reverb plugin for modeling specular acoustic reflections in N-dimensional orthotopes.

Learn more about the Rivera plugin here.

Model E

by Steinberg
The Model E is a 3 oscillator bass station and noise generator. With its filter modulation and key tracking, the Model E is a must for many producers.

Learn more about the Model E here.

Freq Echo

by Valhalla
The Freq Echo is perfect for dub and all your psychedelic needs. The low cut and high cut controls allow for the feedback path, allowing for finer control over the echo decay.

Learn more about the Valhalla Freq Echo here.

T.Rex 606

by Mx Project
The T.Rex 606 is a compact VST drum and was modelled after the iconic Roland TR-606 drum machine. Free transient vst plugin. With its vintage and modern GUI design and 7 classic sounds, the T.Rex is a favorite amongst many today's producer.

Learn more about the T.Rex here.

Do you have more to add? Let us know your favorite free VST plugins in the comment section below.

Do you ever struggle trying to make your sound more unique or creating neat transitions on your track?
Well, having the right glitch VST plugins can add that extra edge you’ve been looking for!
However, finding the right plugins for this can be a bit tricky, since there are a multitude of options available to you.
So, to save you some time, we’ve put together the ultimate list of the best 15 Glitch VST Plugins on the market!
But first of all, what’s a glitch?

What Do Glitch Plugins Do?

The term “glitch” refers to anomalies, errors, and technical faults of sounds. We can find these in music as irregular clicks, unintentional skipping, distortion, beat repeats, and other digital artifacts.
You can hear these occurring naturally in a skipping CD and scratched vinyl records.
At first, they were considered errors that disrupted the track, but they’re actually sounds that producers manipulate to create cool sound effects.
In fact, there are even dedicated digital plugins whose only job is to generate these technical glitches.

How to Use Glitches in Music Production

Glitch sounds have become remarkably common in modern styles of electronic. Music such as glitch op, lo-fi hip-hop, IDM, and downtempo utilize it.
But it doesn’t stop there. Heavier genres like dubstep, neurofunk, and drum & bass use it as well. A great example of this is Mr. Bill’s music.
If you’d like to add it to your own track, you can use glitches to replace the percussion, as they have a unique sound and timbre. You can also glitch full parts of your track as transitions.
But these are just a few examples. The truth of the matter is there are endless ways to use glitches.
So we suggest trying out some of these plugins to incorporate glitches into your tracks. And don’t forget to experiment with the placement of the glitches, the plug in settings, and even the type of glitches.

15 Of The Best Glitch VST Plugins in 2017

1. Glitch 2by Illformed [49 USD]

Main Features:

Advanced sequencer

Ten high quality and unique effects

Powerful distortion module

Play multiple effects simultaneously

Trigger scenes from your keyboard

Randomize function

Glitch2 is a big step forward from its former free predecessor and is now one of the most used plugins of its kind. And It’s easy to understand why.
The simple and user-friendly interface allows you to dive straight in and have fun the moment you download it.
What makes this plugin special is the multi-lane sequencer, which allows you to trigger any combination of its effects. At the same time, it is easy to navigate and program too.
All the most-wanted features are available in this plugin like the tape stop, lo-fi gloss, reverser, and many more!
It allows you to create anything from subtle effects to crazy ones by supporting multiple effects simultaneously.
System Requirements: Available for Mac (VST and AU), Windows (VST), and Linux (VST)

2. Effectrixby Sugar Bytes [119 USD]

Main Features:

14 high-end effect modules

16-step sequencer with tempo divider

Swing feature

Hundreds of presets available

Two modulation tracks

Randomizer

As the primary competitor of Glitch2, Effectrix boasts many more exciting features that set it apart from its contestants.
With a very similar interface to Glitch2, this plugin headlines a transparent workflow with powerful effects. Mix them together and channel your creativity!
The grid allows you to draw in the effects at the right time, correctly sync the effects to the track, and also apply some swing if you’re looking for a more human touch.
The “Tonal Delay,” is one of the more exclusive features that can create a melody out of any sound it’s applied to!
You can also use this plugin to juice up your live show. You can sync it with your DAW or DJ software and trigger it through any MIDI controller.
System Requirements: Available for both Windows and Mac as VST, AU, AAX, and standalone.

3. Gross Beatby Image Line [99 USD]

Main Features:

Only available for FL Studio

Manipulate time and volume with repetition, scratching, and gating effects

Presets can be linked to a keyboard/controller for real-time automation

36 volume/gating envelopes

Two bar audio buffer

For all FL Studio users, this plugin is an excellent addition to your arsenal of creative tools.
It features a wide range of creative presets to get you going right away.
And other than displaying a large selection of gating, scratching, glitching, and repeating effects, it can also be utilized as a side-chain tool.
This eliminates the need to link your audio to an external source, and it already has a few duckin-style presets to instantly make your track pump!
While it may not have as many effects as other plugins, Gross Beat is effective and useful for any live setting needs.
System Requirements: it can only run on FL Studio and Windows.

4. Artillery 2by Sugar Bytes [119 USD]

Main Features:

28 distinct effect algorithms

Individual modulation, Envelope, and Dry/Wet parameters per effect

Simple and intuitive interface

Unique keyboard layout

Vocoder function

You’ll notice that this effects plugin has a unique layout. Artillery 2 delivers a fun and intuitive way to apply glitch effects to your music.
The cool thing is that you can trigger its numerous effects with configurable zones on your MIDI controller. This makes it the perfect companion for live shows, but it’s also great for using it around in the studio.
What’s even neater is its vocoder feature, which is not very common with these kind of plugins.
On top of that, every effect module has its own modulation, envelope, and dry/wet parameters for a precise and customizable experience. While this might be a little overwhelming to have so many parameters, this is what allows you to achieve intricate sound design tricks.
System Requirements: Available for both Windows and Mac as VST, AU, AAX, and standalone.

5. Turnadoby Sugar Bytes [119 USD]

Main Features:

24 different effects to assign to eight different slots

Modulate the effects in real time through the eight knobs, mappable to your MIDI controller

Incredibly simple layout

“Expert mode” for an in-depth customization of the effects

“Dictator mode” allows you to control all eight effects at once with one fader

This is one of the most fun plugins to play with. By keeping the interface simple, you can concentrate on having fun and experimenting with the 24 different effects.
Whether you use it in the studio or on stage, this tool is versatile and effective while keeping the controls to a bare minimum. In fact, you can control all eight parameters with a single knob!
But don’t worry, if you’re looking for more in-depth and advanced tweaking, Turnado also features an “Expert Mode,” which allows you to fully personalize its settings.
System Requirements: Available for both Windows and Mac as VST, AU, AAX, and standalone.

6. Stutter Editby iZotope [249 USD]

Main Features:

Easy to you use with clean interface

Powerful for both studio and live settings

Cutting-edge engine to slice and manipulate your sound in real time

Over 800 presets built in

Ideal to create dramatic and unique transitions

Control its “gestures” with your MIDI controller

Because of its high-end price, you’ll immediately understand that Stutter Edit is the Ferrari of glitch plugins.
While it is easy to understand, you still need a basic knowledge of MIDI routing to make it work.
Once you lock in the tempo-syncing feature, you can experiment with various modules like gating, panning, filtering, delays, and bit reduction. Every note on your MIDI controller will trigger a different combination of effects and patterns.
However, the secret ingredient of this tool is its Stutter Matrix, which enables you to restrict the stutter module to the size you want. Use anything from eighth-notes to 32nd-notes to create unique rhythmic fills.
System Requirements: Available for Windows and Mac as VST, AU, and AAX

7. Fractureby Glitchmachines [FREE]

Main Features:

Impressive engine to create robotic glitches and artifacts

Buffer, Delay, and Filter FX

Three LFOs

Allows you to reconfigure the order of the effects in the chain

110 creative presets

The fact that this little glitch monster is free blows our mind. That’s because it’s such a powerful tool with so many cool applications.
This versatile processor is extremely useful when applied to drums, percussion, and synth lines. Run your audio through it and experiment with the different presets to generate crazy glitchy reactions!
You can also activate the randomize function to set all parameters to random values and generate unusual creative effects.
System Requirements: Available for Windows and Mac as VST or AU.

8. Hysteresisby Glitchmachines [FREE]

Main Features:

Free advanced feedback-based glitch delay

Stutter effect

Useful lowpass filter and modulation FX

Over 100 presets

Here’s another free gem from Glitchmachines. It’s centered around a feedback-based glitch delay process.
This plugin can create reverse delays, crazy pitch-shifting, and granular malfunctions.
Just like “Fracture,” the presets are a fun starting point to experiment with as they create robotic sounds and technical glitches.
System Requirements: Available for Windows and Mac as VST or AU.

9. Bundleby Glitchmachines [259 USD]

Main Features:

Includes seven creative tools to completely mangle and morph your sounds

Best bang for your buck

Includes samplers, sound generators, and effects processors

This is the bundle for you if you’ve decided to dive into the world of sonic manipulation and glitches.
In this bundle, you'll find all the right tools to experiment and morph your music to the next level.
For $259 USD, you get seven unconventional, one of a kind instruments, ranging from samplers, modular sound generators, and effect processors designed to generate abstract musical glitches.
There’s no other bundle out there focused on just glitch and sound mangling.
However, we do recommend trying their free plugins first (described above). If you fall in love with it and can't wait to dive deeper into experimental sound design, then this Glitchmachines bundle is for you.
System Requirements: Available for Windows and Mac as VST or AU.

10. Glitch Bitchby Vengeance [55 USD]

Main Features:

Mangle your audio tracks with crazy glitch and stutter effects

Best Free Vst Effect Plugins

Advanced buffer modulations

HP and LP filters

Internal sequencer

Volume and pan modulations as well as pitch effects

140 crafted presets

Vengeance has built an incredible reputation for their quality sample packs and plugins. And their “Glitch Bitch” is no different.
Built to create wild stutters and glitch effects in your club tracks, this impressive tool presents endless possibilities with its expansive arsenal of modules.
It’s amusing to draw in custom envelopes to control the buffer modes and filters. You even have 140 presets to use as a starting point, reverse engineer, and dig deeper into the heart of the plugin.
System Requirements: Available for Windows and Mac as VST, AU, and AAX.

11. Sandman Proby Unfiltered Audio [99 USD]

Main Features:

Seven new delay modules

Advanced and powerful modulation system

Wide variety of creative time-based effects

Unique sample rate control

Clear waveform display for immediate feedback

Unfiltered Audio is another heavyweight in the creative plugins battle.
What’s unique about this tool is the “sleep mode,” which freezes the delay buffer and creates one-of-a-kind loops and grains.
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To take this to the next level, you can re-pitch, down-sample, reverse, and saturate the signal to completely transform the source material beyond recognition.
Try applying it to vocals, guitars, and lead elements to create never-ending echoes. Nonetheless, there are endless ways to experiment with this plugin!
System Requirements: Available for Windows and Mac as VST, AU, and AAX.

12. SpecOpsby Unfiltered Audio [79 USD]

Main Features:

36 spectral effects which you can apply three at a time

16-step sequencer

Additional wideband processor with two pitch shifters, frequency shifters, audio freezers, and other glitchy processors

Six display modes for instant visual feedback

Analog-style filters

SpecOps is the newcomer of Unfiltered Audio. Their plugin contains a dozen plugins into one.
While this seems like a lot to learn, it’s extremely intuitive and easy to use. It’s hard to find a plugin with this many effects. However, you can only apply three at a time, which will still give you endless creative options.
What gives you even greater flexibility is the ability to apply each processor to a different frequency band!
It is perfect for injecting new life into dull synth sounds or ultimately transforming a vocal track to sound robotic.
This is a true beast for sound designers, producers, and live performers of electronic music.
System Requirements: Available for Windows and Mac as VST, AU, and AAX.

13. Tantraby Dmitry Sches [64 USD]

Main Features:

Eight powerful multi-stage modulators like lo-fi, glitch, delay, distortion.

Create complex arpeggiated rhythmic sequences

Manually adjust the shapes of the envelopes

Master equalizer and reverb

Randomizer button for every modulator

Tantra is one of the less known plugins, but is still incredibly powerful and unique.

Effect Vst Plugins

The concept behind it is to be able to apply a rhythmic pattern to any sound through the application of its modulators and 32-step grid.
It’s also super fun to draw in the shape of your envelopes to accurately control when the sound is modulated.
We especially love the glitch modulation, which is capable of stretching your sound or recreating a modern “Stutter” effect!
There are a lot of fun ways to experiment with this plugin.
System Requirements: It works on both Window and Mac as a VST or AU.

14. Buffeaterby Twisted Tools [49 USD]

Main Features:

It’s a NI Reaktor ensemble

Granular multi-effect

Top Vst Plugins Free

Captures live audio and processes it real-time, with six granular and buffer effects

Playable via MIDI

Best Professional Vst Plugins

Advanced automation system

Perfect for tweaking your live audio source on the fly, this little wonder can achieve futuristic stutters, glitches, repeats, and the famous “chopped and screwed effect.”
While it is not as user friendly, it does give you some unique mangling capabilities that you don’t get with other plugins. If it’s a little difficult for you, don’t worry. You have over 100 presets to play with.
On top of this, make sure that you own a copy of Reaktor (Native Instruments) to use with this plugin.
System Requirements: It works on both Window and Mac as Reaktor Ensemble.

15. Scapesby Twisted Tools [98 USD]

Main Features:

It’s a NI Reaktor ensemble

Free Vst Plugins

Six unique delay modules

Each delay has its own independent and granular controls

Four modulation sequencers and a six-voice gate sequencer

Playable via MIDI

Also from the Twisted Tools family, this creative delay effect receives your incoming signal and mangles it through its six independent delay modules.
It also acts as a sort of sampler, so you can generate sounds internally by using any of the samples included.
What’s fun about this plugin is that you can individually modulate each delay module with the built-in effects.
It’s the perfect toy for any producer looking to add any abstract and rhythmic mutations to their sound. You can even control it from your iPad or iPhone!

Free Guitar Effects Vst Plugins

System Requirements: It works on both Windows and Mac as Reaktor Ensemble.

Conclusion

As you can see by now, there are tons of different Glitch VSTs, and they all possess unique features.