Free Audio Plugins & Softwares for macOS

Darksichord

Darksichord is a free rompler VST, VST3, Audio Unit plugin developed by Electronik Sound Lab. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

Darksichord is a free plugin instrument for Windows and Mac users. Darksichord featuring a multi-sampled Harpsichord, processed with several layers of sound and effects to give it a darker sound.

Features:

Windows & Mac.

LPF Filter.

32/64-bit.

LFO Modulation.

VST3 Support.

Download size: 80 MB – Unzipped size: 164 MB.

Not compatible with macOS Catalina

Price: Free.

SoundCloud.com/beatmaker_xyz/darksichord-demo-kz-theme

https://www.electroniksoundlab.com/

Danaides

Danaides is a free multi fx and glitch and delay and echo and pitch shifter and bit crusher VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by Inear Display. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

Danaides is a sequenced sound mangler with a powerful modulation section.

It gives you the ability to route the input signal through a filter and three sound destruction effect processors : a “driller” that will loop and repitch very small slices of the signal, a “metalizer” delay and a samplerate reducer.

With the built-in effect and dry-wet sequencers, you can generate various tempo-synced effect phrases and modulate the overall depth of the effect.

Danaides includes a powerful LFO section with flexible routing and waveform morph.

Additional features include the ability to resize the plugin interface to fit your display (Windows and OS X only), share your presets between plugin formats and platforms, map your MIDI controller easily using the built-in MIDI learn system, trigger presets using MIDI program changes, as well as a TouchOSC layout to give you instant MIDI control of all the parameters.

Danaides comes loaded with a nice selection of presets from great sound designers and artists IVO IVANOV, ABSTRACT CATS and DAED.

Features :

3 sound mangling effects : “driller”, “metalizer” and “reducer”.

1 pre-filter with mode morph (Lowpass, Bandpass, Highpass).

effect selection sequencer.

dry-wet sequencer.

2 Morph LFOs with 2 sub-LFOs each.

host tempo sync for the LFOs.

modulation inputs for each effect/filter parameters.

sequence randomizers.

global randomizer.

MIDI learn.

MIDI program change support.

MIDI layout for TouchOSC on IPad.

Vector based resizable User Interface (resizing only on Windows and OS X).

Cross-platform presets.

61 factory presets.

Lifetime free updates for registered customers.

https://ineardisplay.com

daHornet

daHornet is a free software synthesizer developed by DASHSignature. Available format(s): VST, Audio Unit for Windows 64b, macOS.

Features:

Two oscillators, 4 octaves selector, output level, saw and pulse waveforms, pulse width control on Osc 1, fine tuning up to 1 octave on Osc 2.

Noise generator.

One LFO with:
– Rate from 0.1 to 100 Hz.
– MIDI sync from 32/4 to 1/36.
– Filter cutoff and Osc pitch destinations.
– 6 shape modes, sample&hold.

Multimode “vintage” resonant filter with key following function, LP, BP, HP.

Two envelope generators, VCA and Filter control, with REPEAT function (loop the envelope).

Polyphonic mode (2 to 16 voices) and mono legato mode with tunable glide effect.

MIDI learn on every knob to freely assign any MIDI CC.

MIDI velocity sensitivity adjustable independently for VCA and Filter envelope.

Master volume.

Master tuning.

Virtual keyboard with hide/show button.

128 presets factory bank.

Random presets generator.

Saving default setting on registry option.

Any Sample Rate supported (e.g: 44.1, 48, 96).

Support for SSE, MMX and P4 instructions.

Volume Type: High, Normal, Soft.

The Universal Binary version for Intel Macs (included the 64-bit versions) and an optimized update for Windows (32- and 64-bit) are available for a minimum suggested donation of $9.

http://nusofting.com/

CZ Noize

CZ Noize virtual instrument is a free sound bank for Kontakt, by Icebreaker Audio.

A noisy pad generated from the sounds of a broken Casio CZ-101.

Features include:

Volume control for 5 sound layers.

ADSR master volume envelope.

Lowpass filter.

Modwheel controlled dynamic and lofi effect.

Requires a full version of Kontakt 4.2.3 or higher

Download Size: 2.12MB

http://www.icebreaker-audio.com/

Cymbalistic

Cymbalistic is a free rompler VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by Alan ViSTa. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

Cymbalistic is a sampled cymbals set.

It contains 68 stereo 24-bit samples from the University of Iowa Electronic Music Studios public domain library:

1 Hi hat.

1 ride cymbal.

4 crash cymbals.

2 chinese cymbals.

4 stereo outputs.

Release time for each cymbal.

Volume and Pan for each cymbal.

Amplitude dynamic range control.

Available in:

VST 32 and 64-bit for Windows.

VST for Mac.

Audio Unit for Mac.

{See video at top of page}

http://www.alanvista.com

Cyclone – Vintage Sampler Emulator

Cyclone – Vintage Sampler Emulator is a free software synthesizer developed by Sonic Charge. Available format(s): VST, Audio Unit for Windows 64b, macOS.

Cyclone is a clone of a machine that runs Typhoon: a complete TX16W software emulator in VST and Audio Unit formats.

Cyclone is a true low-level hardware emulator. It simulates all the important circuits of the Yamaha TX16W, including the main 68000 CPU, the proprietary Yamaha DSP circuits, the 12-bit sample memory and the 400kHz non-linear DACs. Cyclone not only looks like a real TX16W, it sounds like a real TX16W and it runs the exact same software as a real TX16W.

That last sentence is worth elaborating on. Sonic Charge have not merely created a new virtual instrument with a vintage sound, neither is Cyclone an updated version of Typhoon. Cyclone features a full 68000 emulator that runs the exact same version of Typhoon that was released 14 years ago. This implies that using Cyclone will require a bit more effort than your average modern virtual instrument. But this can also be a very rewarding experience. Regard Cyclone as a time travel portal to an era from the past. The era of the monster dinosaur samplers.

http://soniccharge.com/

Cycle Shifter

Cycle Shifter is a free audio and studio utility VST plugin developed by ndc Plugs. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

Cycle Shifter reads in a single cycle of input audio, then (at the end of the cycle) outputs it on top of the current input audio, repeating the process ad infinitum. It works best on long, sustained sounds like strings and pads, sounding like a strange kind of noisy/gentle distortion. You won’t hear much effect on drums because they generally have such a high frequency content.

http://www.niallmoody.com/ndcplugs

Cyanide

Cyanide is a free distortion VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by Smart Electronix. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

By Bram @ Smart Electronix

Features:

Graphical wave shaper.

Pre/Post LP/HP filter.

16x Oversampling option.

Output preview.

Wet/Dry mix.

http://www.smartelectronix.com/

Curve 2 CM

Curve 2 CM is a free software synthesizer developed by Cableguys. Available format(s): VST, Audio Unit for Windows 64b, macOS.

Curve 2 CM is a reduced version of Curve 2, featuring the same filter settings, 16-voice unisono mode, legato modes and unique waveform editor for broad oscillator timbres and sound manipulation.

It ships with Curve 2’s online preset sharing system, has 2 OSCs, 1 LFO, 2 envelopes and 3 macro controls. Powered by Curve’s sound engine, it has the same excellent sound quality. Make sure to check its preset library—tuned for its feature set and with a variety of sounds, created by skilled preset designers.

Purchasers of Computer Music Magazine 188 (or any later issue) will get Curve 2 CM with the magazine.

For 3 OSCs with noise generation and waveform crossfade, for 4 LFOs, 3 EGs, 4 macro controls, additional richness for the sounds, more depth for pads and more rhythmic options, as well as for tons of additional presets (3000+ presets at the time of writing), check the Curve 2 demo—it is fully functional and has no time limit.

{See video at top of page}

http://www.cableguys.com

Cumulus

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

Cumulus is a granular sampler which radically transforms sample content by breaking it into tiny slithers of audio called grains and reorganizing them to form new sounds. Cumulus is capable of a wide ranges of timbres: from evolving atmospheric soundscapes; to organic physical textures.

Up to eight Scenes can be created; a Scene corresponding to a particular sample position and set of synthesis parameters. Scenes can be played in realtime via MIDI, or arranged internally using the built-in sequencer.

Cumulus is available free on the cover-mounted DVD of Computer Music magazine.

http://www.loomer.co.uk/