Free Audio Plugins & Softwares for macOS

Quick Haas

Quick Haas is a free stereo imaging VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by Venn Audio. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

Quick Haas is a free and simple psychoacoustic panning plugin, available as a Windows VST or mac Audio Unit. The ‘Haas Effect’, also known as the precedence effect, is a psychoacoustic effect where listeners can perceive the special position of an audio signal depending on very small delays between the left and right channels of the audio signal. This allows for a much more realistic panning effect than traditional panning, provided the playback device is in stereo.

This plugin couldn’t be simpler to use! If the input is stereo, just select how you want it to be routed into the pan (it is recommended only one channel, or mono, is used if the original source’s left/right channels differ), and then adjust the central knob left right so as to make the sound appear to be coming from that direction. Hint: this plugin allows for very fine adjustments of up to a tenth of a millisecond, and often only small adjustments less than 2ms is all that’s needed to create a powerful precedence effect.

{See video at top of page}

http://www.vennaudio.com/

QRange

QRange is a free equalizer VST, VST3, Audio Unit plugin developed by lkjb. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

lkjb QRange is a IIR linear phase EQ with the following features:

12 bands (sortable by frequency).

Each band can be used as peak, shelf and cut filter.

Cut filters are available with 12, 24 and 48 dB/oct steepness.

Stereo/Left/Right/Mid/Side routing per band.

Global gain for loudness adjustments.

Resizable user interface.

Gain Match (new in version 1.0.1).

Latency-free minimal phase mode (new in version 1.1.0).

The analyser can be set to analyse pre-EQ and post-EQ signal applying the same routings that are available per band. It is possible to adjust the analyser minimum/maximum magnitude by dragging the scale on the right (visible only if the analyser is active).

A menu which is available via the gearwheel provides:

Adjusting Analyser Range.

Adjusting frequency display magnitude.

Adjusting the plugin latency.

Setting a default EQ state and/or user interface size for new instances.

QRange uses IPlug-Youlean as plugin framework. From JUCE juce_core and juce_audio_basics modules are used.

Changelog:

1.1.3:

Added option to draw the EQ curve a bit thicker.

Added option for band color hints to assign bands more easily to handles.

1.1.2:

fixed vst3 crashing Cubase 10 when changing latency setting.

hopefully fixed tail playing when turning plugin off and on again in Logic.

1.1.1:

once again fixed default settings not working properly (latency & filter type was not saved).

added option to run analyser only while user interface is showing.

1.1.0:

fixed default settings not working correctly in case of overwriting old defaults.

fixed latency setting not being loaded with projects.

added added non Linear Phase but latency free mode.

1.0.3:

fixed crash in Ableton Live when changing latency.

fixed QRange AU not validating (silent update without new version for macOS; reinstall plugin if this is encountered).

1.0.2:

show whether gain match is possible.

change Q-factor in frequency view by ctrl-dragging the handle.

added presets.

1.0.1:

user interface updat: filled analyser curve.

user interface udate: band color according to routing.

user interface update: rearranged buttons & different button style.

added gain match.

added band solo (right click on band number or via band handle context menu).

1.0.0: First release.

https://lkjbdsp.wordpress.com/

PUSH

PUSH is a free software synthesizer developed by Sampleson. Available format(s): VST, Audio Unit for Windows, macOS.

PUSH. ONE BUTTON SYNTHESIZER.

Push is a generative synth sound module (and it’s free). It will create a new patch every single time you hit that button in the middle. Edit panel will allow you to fine-tune sounds. It’s free for every one, you grab your copy here

ONE BUTTON. A LOT OF LOGIC.

Push is a subtractive synth with a huge amount of randomness. Parametrized with a sound-design logic to get the most of the results to be usable as a patch. All of the randomized parameters are accessible via the “Edit Current” button.

You can use the patches as they are once you press the push button, or you can use the initial patch as inspiration to tweak each sound into a new and refined one.

Resulting patches and banks can be exported and shared without limits. Just click on “Open/Save” then “More” and “Export Bank” to get a shareable file.

VIDEO INTRO.

{See video at top of page}

AUDIO DEMOS.

https://soundcloud.com/user-830166644/sets/push-one-button-synthesizer

4K SCALABLE INTERFACE.

PRODUCT DETAILS.

-Polyphonic subtractive synthesizer.
-2 Oscillators.
-6 unisono voices.
-5 waveforms.
-4 filter types.
-2 LFOs.
-Effect section.
-Just 35 MB.
-Scalable HD interface.
-MacOS Catalina Ready
-Easy install.
-No extra purchases needed (like Kontakt, UVI, etc) or any other 3rd. party player.
-Ready to be loaded into major DAWs (Cubase, Logic Pro, GarageBand, Cakewalk, Reaper, BitWig, Nuendo, FLstudio, etc)
-Win 32/64-bits and Mac VST/AU/Standalone versions included
-About ~65MB installed.
-No online activation required.

http://sampleson.com

Punish

Punish is a free multi fx VST, VST3, Audio Unit, AAX plugin developed by Heavyocity. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

From subtle warmth to extreme drive and compression, PUNISH injects character and edge into any mix or instrument track. It’s the same PUNISH effect that you know and love, as featured in Heavyocity’s award-winning line of virtual instruments, now in VST/AU/AAX plugin format. Modeled after Heavyocity’s custom analog signal chains, PUNISH gives you control over Compression, Saturation, Transients, EQ, and Limiting. Chain the modules together to get that signature PUNISH sound, or isolate them to experience each dynamic effect on its own.

And at the heart of it all is the global PUNISH Knob. Simply set your ranges, and use the one knob to dial in the devastation.

Compression / Saturation

With three distinct compression models, the PUNISH Compressor offers a wide dynamic range, topped off with that classic analog warmth. The plugin features a smooth Class A-style Buss Compressor (Console), an aggressive, fat sound with a classic “knee” (Modern), and a warm vintage limiting amplifier-style (Classic).

The PUNISH Saturation module also features three different models, all with their own unique brand of warmth, drive, and character. With a classic broadcast mic-pre (Vintage), a chunky harmonic saturation (Modern), and a fat tube saturation (Tube), the PUNISH Saturation module can add a bit of grit to a track, or drive the whole thing into overload.

Transients / EQ / Limiting

Providing control over the attack, sustain, and output gain, PUNISH‘s Transient shaping module brings stronger transients back into the signal after saturating the sound. The module also features Hold control to determine length of the attack.

The EQ module is basic but powerful, offering lift of the high and low frequencies. Set the EQ to Pre or Post to affect highs and lows before the Comp, Sat, and Transient…or after.

To prevent clipping, PUNISH also features a Limiter at the end of the chain. Soft clip amount and release time controls are key, when that Saturation starts to get things truly hairy.

Watch: {See video at top of page}

Listen: SoundCloud.com/heavyocitymedia/sets/punish

Tech Specs:

Plug-in formats (both 32 and 64-bit):

AAX, VST, and Audio Units (AU).

System requirements:

Mac OS X 10.8 or later, Windows 7 or later.

Internet connection is required to activate.

Supported host applications:

Pro Tools 10+, Live 9+, Cubase 8+, Logic Pro X+.

Other requirements:

iLok.com account (USB dongle not required).

http://www.heavyocity.com/

Pulse Modulator

Pulse Modulator is a free modulation and distortion VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by Audio Damage. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

Pulse Modulator is a tremolo/distortion pedal, loosely based on the extremely rare Electro-Harmonix guitar pedal of the same name. Three separate LFOs drive a VCA, resulting in strange and unique tremolo shapes. Pulse Modulator also has a modeled distortion stage, for extra oomph.

Features:

Three independent LFOs, syncable to host tempo, driving three VCAs.

Continuously variable LFO shape.

“Boost” vintage distortion stage.

Standard Audio Damage MIDI Learn mode for VSTs (handled by host in AU).

http://www.audiodamage.com/

PTEq-X

PTEq-X is a free overdrive and saturation and eq VST, VST3, Audio Unit plugin developed by Ignite Amps. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

PTEq-X is a digital emulation of 3 famous vintage passive program equalizers.

It has been developed to have all the characteristics of the original hardware, plus some circuit improvements and additional features to increase its versatility.
Every single component on the signal path of the real analog circuit has been taken into account and modeled in the best possible way to match the original sound, keeping an eye on CPU performance and real-time playability at the same time.
PTEq-X is meant to be used as a studio equalizer for tracking, mixing and mastering inside hosts capable of VST or AU Plug-Ins support.

Main Features:

Three different equalization modules with perfectly analog curve response even at highest frequencies.

Ignite Amps 3rd generation triode stage analog modeling for 4 different tube types.

Additional selectable frequencies for the PEQ1A model, compared to the original design.

Refined filters frequency precision for the MQ5 and HL3C models, compared to the original design.

Switchable equalizers and tube stage modeling for better CPU usage management.

Switchable linear phase oversampling for aliasing reduction.

Global input / output level controls.

Mono / Stereo processing support.

Double precision (64-bit) floating point processing.

Fully automatable controls.

Ignite Amps proprietary preset management system with bank file import/export functions.

http://www.igniteamps.com/

PSP VintageMeter

PSP VintageMeter is a free vu meter VST, Audio Unit, RTAS, DirectX plugin developed by PSPaudioware. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

PSP VintageMeter provides professional VU and PPM metering for mono and stereo tracks. All parameters like integration times and reference levels are widely adjustable to make this free plug-in suitable for any application. This plugin is used by top electronic music producers such as Fred Again or Skrillex

http://www.pspaudioware.com/

PSP PianoVerb

PSP PianoVerb is a free reverb VST, Audio Unit, RTAS, AAX plugin developed by PSPaudioware. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

PSP PianoVerb reproduces a special kind of reverberation originally provided by piano strings. It generates reverberation using twelve string operators with adjustable damping and decay time. Each of them is tuned to a particular note starting from A(55Hz) to a G#(103.8Hz).

The PSP PianoVerb string system can be transposed in the range of +-24 semitones, tuned within a range of +-100 cents and be detuned as well. Transposing to lower octaves produces a bigger and less resonant sound similar to traditional reverbs, while in turn transposing to higher octaves produces a very bright harp-like effect.

http://www.pspaudioware.com/

Proximity

Proximity is a free panner VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by vladg/sound. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

Proximity is a collaborative effort by Tokyo Dawn Labs and vladg/sound.

This plug-in is an easy to use distance “pan-pot” based on several psycho-acoustic models. The idea is to give mixing engineer a reliable tool which allows him to manipulate the “depth” of several sound sources in a straight forward and convincing manner.

Several models can be combined:

Distance signal delay by speed of sound.

Distance gain loss.

Absorption of high-frequencies in air.

Stereo width manipulation.

Proximity effect of virtual microphone.

Distance based early reflections.

All of them can be turned on and off to taste. Distance modulation options extend the creative possibilities even further. Units can be switched from metric (meters) to imperial (inches).

The plug-in is available in 32 and 64-bits versions for Windows and Mac OS X in VST and AU format.

{See video at top of page}

https://vladgsound.wordpress.com/

Protoverb

Protoverb is a free reverb VST, Audio Unit, AAX plugin developed by u-he. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

Protoverb is an experimental reverb based on the idea of a “room simulator”.

This first version of Protoverb is released as a free “research-ware” plug-in, created to discover more about reverbs.

Most algorithmic reverbs try to avoid resonances or model the reflections of sound from a rooms walls. Protoverb does the opposite. It builds up as many room resonances as possible, modeling the body of air in the room. It therefore does not need to modulate or colour the signal. The result is a very natural sounding reverberation with some interesting features: Long standing frequencies resonate louder, as if the air takes some time to get excited. Multiple instruments don’t mash into a diffuse mudd, they stay distinct. If you play a short melody, the room seems to repeat a ghost echo of that melody. Those properties are indeed found in churches and large halls, but they’re rarely found in conventional algorithmic reverbs.

Protoverb has limited controls, with most parameters hidden from user control. There are 2 randomise buttons that modify these parameters to encourage user experimentation.

https://www.u-he.com/