Synthwave. Known for its analog retro sounds, bass chugs, and rad neon aesthetics has been one of the hottest genres in electronic music. If you have been wanting to create your very own blend of synthwave,darkwave, chillwave, or outrun, we have compiled the best list of FREE presets, samples, and VST plugins to get you well on your way.
SQ8ROM, from SampleScience, is a sampled version of SQ8L, a VST plugin based on the sound and synthesizer architecture of the Ensoniq SQ80. SQ8ROM comes with 50 sounds, the remaining sounds are available as free expansions for a total of 168 sounds. SQ8ROM is a must-have if you produce synthwave, synth-pop, vaporwave, and any other 80s influenced genres.Available for both Mac and Windows O/S.
For more information and to download SQ8ROM, click HERE.
Synth1 is a VST & AU software synthesizer designed by Ichiro Toda . It is modeled on the iconic Clavia Nord Lead 2. Synth1 combines the common sound synthesis method of Subtractive & FM synthesis. It’s one of the most downloaded soft synths in the world, some say it sounds amazing, and it’s totally free !
Synth1 combines the common sound synthesis method of subtractive synthesis with FM synthesis, (the first oscillator has a parameter for frequency modulation). Structurally, the software behaves as though it were a modular analog synthesizer. Available for both Mac and Windows O/S.
For more information and to download Synth1, click HERE.
If you would rather use your current synth to create your own synthwave, there's no better way to go than with presets. Easy to load and go, these preset packs are the best way to discover how signature sounds are made.
From Lionshare Sound 36 Free XFER Serum presets, ready to go for outrun synthwave, synthpop, dark synthwave, retrowave, and more. For more information and to download, click HERE.
Synth Ctrl is excited to release their free serum preset pack ‘Nightcall’ bringing you 20 top-quality Synthwave presets. With this pack, you will be able to channel all of the magic of those classic arcade games and 80s movies into your tracks. For more information and to download, click HERE.
From MikeOST comes a small but powerful Synthwave preset pack for Spire. For more information and to download, click HERE.
Producer Box is offering up a sound bank for Sylenth1. Registration is required to download. For more information and to download, click HERE.
SynthCtrl is offering not 1, but 3 sample packs for you to create Synthwave.
Splash Sound is delivering the sound for Retrowave. For more information and to download, click HERE.
Splice has a pretty decent amount of drums, synths, fx and more to cover all your synthwave dreams. For more information and to download, click HERE.
Samplephonics is serving up sounds from the 80’s for Synthwave.
For more information and to download, click HERE.
Looperman is covering all the bases and dishing out some unique synthwave sounds. For more information and to download, click HERE.
Free Sample Packs.com has 300mb of free synthwave sounds. For more information and to download, click HERE.
Without a doubt synthwave and and all of the hybrid sub-genres that take from its influence are on the rise. Adding old school retro sounds with modern technological advancements have given new life to a genre once buried in the past.