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Sep 27, 2018 Reviewing Vember Audio’s Surge synth over a decade ago, we said: “This is a big, beautiful-sounding instrument. It's not cheap, but few plugins of this quality are.” Well, the sound hasn’t changed, but the price has; in fact, Surge has just been made free and open-source. Surge is a digital synth and makes no bones about it. If you have used it in the past, it will be like welcoming an old friend back into your life. If you are new to Surge. Vember Audio Surge Software Synthesizer Plugin Is Now Available for Free and is Open-Source From now on the software synthesizer plugin called Surge developed by Vember Audio is completely free for download and more than this is open-source for anyone who wants to participate in. Free VST downloads: 1984 (Analog synth by Pianovintage) - 44 S (Analog synth by GTG) - 80-vox (Yamaha CS-80 emulation by KBplugs) - Alice-1377 (Soviet synth emulation by SyncerSoft) - Alpha (Alpha Juno 1 emulation by EFM) - Arminator (Yamaha CS80 emulation by Krakli) - Arppe2600va (Modular monosynth by Glen Stegner) - Axx II (ARP Axxe emulation by EFM) - b6 (Andromeda A6 emulation.
| Apr 13 2020 | 5 / 5 |
| BEST FREE SYNTH EVER. Subtractive, FM, Wave-table(supports import) Hybrid synthesis(even allows for audio input). This thing is in a class of its own, free or paid. Extremely flexible. Low on the CPU. Not much it can't do. 5/5 |
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| Feb 27 2020 | ? / 5 |
| Surge is an excellent virtual synthesizer. It offers a large number of patches that allow it to be used in any project. An aspect to highlight is the possibility of crossing waves in each of its oscillators; which allows modifying the timbres and trying to find what you are looking for. I think it should be one of the first on the list. |
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| Nov 30 2019 | 1 / 5 |
| Don't understand the hype about Surge – it sounds terrible. It's just so thin that you would think it comes straight from 2001. I prefer ZynAddSubFX over this overhyped toy. |
Digital Rules
Dec 01 2019 | How dare you?! Infidel! Just kidding. =) But seriously I think people like Surge so much because of the very wide range of sounds it can produce. Surge has a rather unique and complicated synthesis architecture and that gives you a huge sonic palette. Also Surge is 10+ years old so maybe that is why it may sound thin to some. | Proteus
Dec 25 2019 | Surge is more than a good decade old synth so it is understood that it can hardly compete with the current synths. Though I think it still has a very special and unique sound and character. It can make very uncommon and uncharted sounds and noises. |
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| Oct 27 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| When you want to hear how beautiful digital can sound, try this beauty! It is free so you have nothing to lose, only a lot to gain! This is a truly beautiful purely and proudly digital sounding synth! |
Mato
Jan 09 2020 | I absolutely agree! Surge is a fantastic synth freebie! <3 |
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| Oct 04 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| Probably the best sounding free synth with Tyrell ns6 and TAL noisemaker. (and Synth1 of course !). The UI is resizable (v 1.6.2.1). Comes with really nice presets. note 5/5 |
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| Sept 22 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| Not perfect, I use FL in 32bit and noted two problems, the windows resize is buggy when changing patches, and when browsing patches, the patch names doesn't update.. Still, even with those small issues, I give it 5 stars ! It has an easy and straightforward user interface. The patches are numerous and quite good for my taste (and a good starting point for further tweeking). The help file is very well written. It is a extremely powerfull and polivalent synth and still pretty easy to understand. |
Proteus
Dec 25 2019 | You should report these bugs to the developers, I am sure they will do their best to fix them, they are very good at bugfixing. |
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| Sept 19 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| One of my favorite synths, thanks for the Linux version |
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| Jul 22 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| Can't go wrong getting this. |
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| Jun 27 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| This thing is so awesome I could make an entire project only using this plug in for all the midi stuff ^^ You can do so much with it! It's kinda scary at first to see all of the stuff in a small window but after a while it get's better and better! |
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| May 26 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| This is a beast !! sounds so great.. as good as commercial synths. Number 1 free synth. |
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| May 11 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| Very cool Thanks for the version for Linux: D |
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| Feb 24 2019 | 5 / 5 |
| Awesome news, folks! Surge got a big update and is now Windows 32-/64-bit VST/VST3, Mac OS 64-bit AU/VST/VST3 and Linux 64-bit VST/VST3! It is now actively being developed by new, cool and dedicated developers. How cool is that?! Surge sounds brilliant by the way! =) |
Erisian
Feb 27 2019 | Fantastic. I'll keep my eyes open. | Mato
Apr 08 2019 | WOW! Awesome news indeed! Surge sounds excellent! Thank You very much to all the new Developers! <3 |
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| Feb 19 2019 | 4 / 5 |
| Possibly the only synth you'll ever need. I usually prefer hardware emulations but this makes excellent use of digital excellence. I don't know if I will use anything else from now on, except just for fun. The presets on their own are awesome, I can only imagine what can be done with some thoughtful programming. Sounds fantastic! |
Darko
Feb 23 2019 | Why the 4 stars out of 5 grade? | Erisian
Feb 27 2019 | Aargh! The mouse slipped. It should have been 6/5. ;) |
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| Nov 25 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| This + Crystal.. All I need |
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| Nov 23 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| This is incredible! Very capable and powerful sound engine! This must have been exceptional when it was first released! Thank You very much Vember Audio! <3<3<3 |
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| Nov 21 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| Sounds a bit hokey on its own but in a mix it can be really useful |
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| Nov 18 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| This is a very nice sounding synth. |
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| Nov 14 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| Excellent sound! If only the GUI was resizable. |
Thoz
May 26 2019 | It is now (since 1.6) ;) | Proteus
Dec 25 2019 | Awesome! Surge rules! |
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| Nov 05 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| First class Synthesizer now free, Thanks! |
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| Oct 28 2018 | 4 / 5 |
| Once commercial now free that is neat |
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| Oct 28 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| For a 10+ years old synth this sounds surprisingly good! Thanks a lot Vember Audio! <3 |
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| Oct 11 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| Awesome synth. I love this synth so much. |
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| Oct 10 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| Awesome soft-synth and free. Thanx! |
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| Oct 10 2018 | ? / 5 |
| This version is not portable anymore. :-( Version 1.5 Win32 is portable. Pity. |
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| Oct 10 2018 | 5 / 5 |
| I love this synth! Thanks Man . I appreciate the hours, the months, and the years of coding work . |
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| Oct 10 2018 | 4 / 5 |
| Kinda Nice..Sounds good. Shalom, birdsongz. |
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Contents
VST and AU plugins are used in digital music production, but what is it what is the history behind this? In this article, we dive deeper into all the topics that are related to VST and AU plugins and we close with the best list for 2019 VST and AU plugins!
What are VST Plugins?
So, to start off we have a closer look at the meaning of VST and AU plugins. VST stands for virtual studio technology and AU for audio units.
VST = the format for Windows/Linux computers
AU = the format for iOS computers
You just have to be resourceful and creative on using these free plugins. Auto tune evo audacity free mac.
In this article, we’re mainly focussing on VST plugins, since it’s the same as AU but then for a different computer system and a different programming langue.
VST can be seen as audio plug-in software that functions as digital synths or effects in a DAW (digital audio workstation). In the world, there are thousands of plugins with a function such as needed effects for a guitar and others are more experimental or without a function at all (just for fun, like Fruity Dancer).
There are free VST plugins available and paid VST plugins, if they are free they are named as freeware.
VST is an additional function to a DAW, see it as an app you can install on your phone. With that application, you have more functions within the same phone.
Different VST formats
There are a few different formats that indicate what kind of a VST it is.
- VSTi (VST Instruments) can generate audio such as a digital synthesizer.
- VSTe(VST Effects) processes audio instead of generating audio, such as reverb and delay plugins.
- VST Midi Effects processes midi langue for example an appreciator.
The History of VST Plugins
Steinberg is nowadays mainly known as the company behind the DAW Cubase. They released the VST format in 1996 together with Steinberg Cubase 3.02. After the release, they updated a few times and VST 3.5.7 was released in March 2017.
The VST plugin standard is the plugin standard created by Steinberg. It allows developers to create VST plugins for other host applications like FL Studio and Ableton.
Difference between VST and AU plugins?
Not that much besides technical terms and the way it’s programmed. The main thing you should know that VST mainly for Windows devices and AU for iOS software programs.
64-bit or 32-bit plugins?
Within plugin and computer world you probably heard of 64 and 32 bit. 64-bit and 32-bit can be used on more occasions then only within plugins, for example, the operating system you’re using can be in 32-bit or 64-bit.
Why do you want to run 64-bit software and plugins? With running 64-bit it’s easier to run applications in very large sessions such as a music project.
64-bit operating and plugins can use more memory that will result in fewer crashes within your DAW.
More info on 32-bit or 64-bit? Read this article by Izotope.
Best free download VST plugins in 2019?
ModulAir by Full Bucket Music
Polyphonic software synthesizer available in VST and macOS (VST/AU). Build for low consuming CPU usage. Please not this plugin is still in beta.
Wider by Polyverse Music
Easily transform a mono track to a stereo image on a single audio track with the Wider plugin.
DeEss by Airwindows
Free Vst Plugins Download
One of the best Dessers we used so far.
Youlean Loudness Meter 2 by Youlean
This plugin has everything that you don't expect from a free plugin. You can even export the visual spectrum to PDF, PNG and SVG. Used for loudness range, dynamic range an true peak mesurments.
Dragonfly Reverb by Michael Willis
An open source plugin for iOS and Windows with advanced reverb options.
LABS by Spitfire Audio
Multiple presets that can create wonderful sounds that you would not find in every synth. Sounds as strings, synth pads, choir, charango, electric piano, amplified cello quartet, drums and a soft piano but then all in a very smooth way.
Temper by Creative Intent
A state if the art distortion plugin that can add a warm and edge to a sound. Available for Windows and Mac OS X.
SSD 5 Free by Steven Slate Drums
A version on Steven Slate SSD drums for free! Experience the quality for yourself and only if you like it, you are able to upgrade it.
Vocal Doubler by iZotope
A wonderful plugin to double vocals immediately! Don't waste time on copy and past vocals to a new channel, but just use the effect with a great visualisation.
Flutterbird
An open source effect plugin for pitch and volume fluctuation into incoming audio.
Surge
Subtractive hybrid synth with expensive functions for Windows and Mac.
VeeSeeVSTRack
A great open source virtual euro rack modular system.
TAL – Elek7ro
Virtual analogue synth with some unique features like oscillator hard sync and frequency modulation.
Ample Sound – Ample Bass P LITE II
A great quality bass guitar plugin! Digital Fender Precision Bass sound within your own studio.
Tytel — Helm Synth
Helm brings visualisation of synthesis to a new level with an inbuilt step sequencer and 3 LFO's you have extensive options to play with!
Tunefish 4
A virtual analogue synthesizer available in VST and AU.
Free Vst Plugins Download Windows 10
Best paid VST plugins in 2019?
1. Serum VST/AU
Serum was the most popular synth in 2018 used all over the world!
Price: $189
2. Massive VST
Already very popular for many years developed by Native Instruments, for soundscaping and EDM productions.
Price: $149
3. Omnisphere 2
Very popular within the hip-hop scene and other genres.
Price: €399