How many instruments do you own? Are you able to go out and buy an instrument every time you need to use it? A very small percentile are able to do this. That doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t have access to some of the most sought after instruments. This is where emulation comes in. Emulated plugins are inspired by an actual instrument. Some can offer the exact same features, some come close, and some are sampled from the actual instrument itself. Welcome to a resource loaded with emulated plugins that are all free. These are broken up by brand and will state the original instrument it is based on.
The Chorg DS-600 is a simplified FM instrument based on the pretty obscure Korg DS-8, which was built around the voice of the Yamaha FB-01 4-op FM module.
In place of the ratio tuning and modulation index way of producing waveforms, it had a set of pre-formed FM waves that could shape ‘up’ from a sine a bit like the way the Casio CZ worked but with FM instead of Phase Distortion. It also has two algorithms. A pair of modulator carriers and a 4-op stack. This emulation is inspired by the real unit circuits but is not aiming to sound accurate to the hardware synth. No presets just like the real thing.
The Real Deal Korg PS-3300
The Plugin FB-3300
FB-3300 is a software instrument for Microsoft Windows (VST) and Apple macOS (VST/AU) simulating the KORG PS-3300 Polyphonic Synthesizer from 1977. It is written in native C++ code for high performance and low CPU consumption.
Features
The FB-3100 is a software instrument for Microsoft Windows (VST) and Apple macOS (VST/AU) simulating the KORG PS-3100 Polyphonic Synthesizer from 1977. It is written in native C++ code for high performance and low CPU consumption.
Features
Paraphonic synthesizer and strings sections with up to 64 voices polyphony.
Features
It is written in native C++ code for high performance even on "lighter" systems.
Features
PSS-370's digital synthesizer controls 5 waveforms, octave of modulating oscillator, frequency modulation level, attack, decay, and level. Vibrato and sustain/release switch included.
Features
Krakli has introduced Arminator, a freeware (Facebook account required to download) virtual instrument in 32-bit VSTi plugin format for Windows which emulates the Yamaha CS-80 hardware synthesizer. This plugin provides users with the opportunity to experience this synthesizer’s unique sounds through a new technological version.
The Yamaha CS-80 was considered by many in the music industry to be the ultimate synthesizer in the 1970’s and its price tag was high enough to put it out of the reach of everyday musicians, and might still if it was around today.
The FM Plugin Synth Dexed is a multi-platform, multi-format plugin synth that is closely modeled on the Yamaha DX7. Dexed is also a midi cartridge librarian/manager for the DX7. The sound engine music-synthesizer-for-android is closely modeled on the original DX7 characteristics.
Features
Sixth Month June is a Roland Juno 6 emulator available for Windows (32 bit).
A virtual recreation of the Roland Juno 6, there are some nice pads in the presets offering a simple and effective arpeggiator and a delay effect. There’s also a unison. When the unison is on, the synth turns to monophonic mode.
Features
In terms of sound, the DR-910 VSTi is a faithful reproduction of the original. Each sound section has been developed to sound and act as similar as possible to the original instrument. The plugin includes some extra features not available in the hardware version. A reverb unit with independent send controls for each sound source, a compressor tailored to work with drum sounds (based on the same engine of MaxSynths DSP-1) and a Lo-Fi FX processor.
These extra features will help the user to quickly shape the sound as desired without using external plugins. However, if you need to process the signal with external effects, each drum module can be routed to four different stereo outputs that can be independently processed in the DAW.
Features
Phutura is a virtual synthesizer inspired by the 80's hardware synth Alpha Juno, best known for the Hoover sound. Its edgy and futuristic feel makes it the perfect choice for lead and chord stab type of sounds. Suitable for use in dark and energetic styles of music like Techno, Rave, Drum&Bass, Electro, Hardstyle, Dubstep.
Tauros is an emulation of the legendary Moog Taurus bass-synth.
Features
Additional to the Original-Features
Model Pro is an emulation of the Moog Prodigy monophonic analog synthesizer.
Features
RA Mowg is an emulation of a Moog Minimoog Model D. Another addition to the line-up of Roberson Audio's collection of vintage replica synths, many many months have been spent to create an instrument that not only resembles the Minimoog in appearance but delivers the same feel while playing. From the deep, full-bodied filters, to the mellow analog-style oscillators, to the distorted drive from feedback-looping the output, this instrument can give you the feeling of playing a Minimoog without spending a small fortune to do so.
VSCO2 Xylophone is a sampled xylophone. Samples were recorded by Versilian Studios / Sam Gossner.
VSCO2 Violin is a sampled solo violin. Samples were recorded by Versilian Studios / Sam Gossner.
VSCO2 Tuba is a sampled tuba. Samples were recorded by Versilian Studios / Sam Gossner.
VSCO2 Trumpet is a sampled trumpet. Samples were recorded by Versilian Studios / Sam Gossner.
CHOIR
NST Vocal is a sampled choral library. There are 30 acoustic choral patches in 5 instruments. They have been arranged by range, Full, High, Mid and Low.
Mystique is a tape machine simulator.
It was designed for real time processing and zero-latency, ideal for live sound. Convert your digital console channel into an analog recording tape machine and give warmth to your digital audio.
Features
Megaphone is a plugin that emulates an amplified bullhorn / PA loudspeaker.
It features two loudspeaker emulations, feedback (slapback) control, and a noise section. Megaphone can be used to make any audio source sound as if it’s being played by a bullhorn.
The feedback section is essentially a slapback effect. When using megaphones, the output of the loudspeaker can be captured again by the input microphone, introducing a delay/reflection and the usual feedback tones (those can be triggered with high gain sources and feedback amount higher than 50%).
The megaphone noises can be enabled by the Trigger button. There are two types of noise: Button and Burst. You can choose which one you want to enable by clicking on the More button and then Noise Settings. The button noise is the noise made by clicking on the megaphone button to enable its microphone. The burst is the typical background noise of the loudspeaker.
If envelope is enabled, the Burst noise will follow the transients of the input signal.
Preamp Emulator emulates the way tube preamps behave and sound. It will add the typical saturation and warmth of real tubes to your digital tracks! Preamp emulator is very easy to use, and there are only a few parameters for you to handle: input level, tube drive amount, tube type selection, output level and a power switch.
Analog style exciter for mastering purposes, inspired on the BBE Maximizer models. Its warm sound and simplicity of using makes this exciter very suitable to add some subtle brightness in the high frequencies, and also make the lows more dense. Apart from the mastering stage, you'll find that it can also make a good work on individual tracks.
Alesis legendary Microverb is now available as a VST. Equipped with all of the features as the hardware version.
Wow, what an extensive list. Kinda feels like you took a trip down to the shop. The only difference is, these are all obtainable. If these aren’t enough for you please check out the full collection offered by K. Brown Synth Plugins. I did feature a couple of his plugins here, he just has way too many to list. A true artist dedicated to making authentic plugins that do a great job emulating the look, sound, and feel of The Real Deal. You can visit his website here. https://kbrownsynthplugins.weebly.comIf you know of any great emulation plugins feel free to post links in the comment section below.