Free Distortion & Saturation Plugins

killerGATE+

killerGATE+ is a free multi fx and gate and overdrive VST plugin developed by NOVAkILL. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

killerGATE+ is a multi-effect centred around a 32-step gate sequencer synchronised to host tempo. It includes a state-variable filter, LFO and distortion.

Gate features:

Envelope/gate mode.

Envelope with attack and decay.

Limited tie function.

Sample & hold to add randomness to gate levels.

Filter features:

Low/High/band-Pass and Band-Reject modes.

12/24dB per octave switchable.

Filter saturation for a fatter sound.

LFO features:

Synchronised to host tempo.

7 different waveforms.

Modulates Cutoff and Amp.

Distortion features:

High excite and low cut controls.

Wet/dry mix.

http://www.novakill.com/

Juicy 77

Juicy 77 is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by BTE Audio. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Juicy 77 is a High Gain Amplifier Simulator.

Juicy 77 is the outcome of a research project which aims to investigate state of the art methodologies for mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of analog signal processing equipment. Its preamplifier section is inspired from an early 90’s rack mount preamplifier manufactured by a legendary amplifier manufacturer located in the northwestern USA. The power amplifier section simulates standard pentode powered push-pull output stages. The loudspeaker cabinet simulator section includes seven classical cabinet types.

http://www.bteaudio.com/

HY-Lofi2

HY-Lofi2 is a free bit crusher VST, VST3, Audio Unit plugin developed by HY-Plugins. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

bit quantizer + overdrive + filter.

Quantizer:
4 bit quatize modes available
Mode1 = normal mode
Mode2 = in this mode, quantize error appears at higher frequency
Mode3 = modify version of mode1
Mode4 = modify version of mode2
Quality = quantize quality
Bit Knob = bit depth value.

Drive:
Drive Knob = drive amount.

Filter:
HP = cutoff frequency of highpass
LP = cutoff frequency of lowpass.

Output:
Vol = output volume.

https://hy-plugins.com/

HoRNet Harmonics

HoRNet Harmonics is a free waveshaper and exciter VST, VST3, Audio Unit, RTAS, AAX plugin developed by HoRNet. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

HoRNet Harmonics is a wave shaper based on the Chebyshev polynomials. Its non-linear processing lets you adjust the level of harmonics added to the signal, warming it up in different ways.

The plugin provides 10 harmonics generators of which you can set the amplitude and phase, increasing or decreasing the impact of the harmonic on the input signal. The resulting sine wave equivalent shape is displayed on the right side of the GUI.

HoRNet Harmonics provides great flexibility and lets you create interesting distortion, tray for instance to remove the fundamental frequency (set the first slider to zero) and create a “broken record” sound, and the best of all, Harmonics is free.

http://www.hornetplugins.com

Heavy Tone

Heavy Tone is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by Heptode. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

Heavy Tone is the official emulation of the analog boutique guitar pedal manufactured by Heptode. Inspired by the Soldano SLO-100 amp overdrive channel, Virtual Heavy Tone produces a very realistic tubish hi-gain distortion.

Features:

Gain and Level Controls.

Bass/Middle/Treble EQ Controls.

Cabinet simulation.

http://www.heptode.com/

hD

hD free overdrive | saturation by Music Unfolding

hD is a free overdrive and saturation Audio Unit plugin developed by Music Unfolding. Compatible OS(s): macOS.

hD is a distortion effect with harmonic generators. It can generate two pitch-shifted copies of up to two octaves above the input signal – the volume level of the two voices can be set independently. hD also has a sub-octave generator. hD’s design uses its harmonic generators to enhance the distortion. The two harmonic voices are mixed into the signal before the distortion stage. The sub-octave generator algorithm was developed specifically for hD. It is latency-free. hD can also be used to generate 12-string guitar effects and as a note doubler.

http://www.musicunfolding.com/

Hard Line Industrial Distortion

Hard Line Industrial Distortion is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by NoiseSoft. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Hard Line Industrial Distortion will take your sound from a clean ‘natural’ gain to an extreme level of distortion that simulates a white noise waveform at its highest setting.

Single knob design:

GAIN: Lowest setting is pure bypass, highest setting is extreme distortion, almost to the point of white noise.

http://www.noisesoft.com/

Guitar Suite

Guitar Suite is a free multi fx and distortion and flanger and phaser and chorus and reverb and delay VST plugin developed by SimulAnalog. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

SimulAnalog Guitar suite is a suite of vst plugin with amplifiers and analog processors for guitarists, actually containing the simulation of:

Boss DS-1 (Distortion stompbox).

Boss SD-1 (Super Overdrive stompbox).

Tube Screamer (Overdrive stompbox).

Oberheim PS-1 (Phaser stompbox).

Univox Univibe (Modulations stompbox).

Fender Twin 1969 (Guitar amplifier).

Marshall JCM900 Dual Reverb (Guitar amplifier).

http://www.simulanalog.org/

Greed Smasher

Greed Smasher is a free saturation and overdrive VST, Audio Unit, AAX plugin developed by Mercuriall Audio Software. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

Greed Smasher free plugin for Mac OS X and Windows in AU, VST and AAX plugin formats.

Features/details:

• The modeled circuit is based on the MESA/Boogie GRID
SLAMMER Overdrive
• Low CPU usage
• Stereo and Mono modes
• Low (2x oversampling) and High (4x oversampling) Quality switch.

http://mercuriall.com

GFM Distort

GFM Distort is a free overdrive VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by Games From Mars. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

GFM Distort is a gritty, digital distortion with low aliasing (16x oversampling). Best used with acid leads and drums.

http://www.gamesfrommars.fr/plugins/