Top 10 Free VST/AU Virtual Instruments For Macintosh (Hitsquad)

Top 10 Free VST/AU Virtual Instruments For Macintosh

Submitted by Jason on Thu, 09/16/2010 - 12:21.

Recently we ran a story on the Top 10 Free VST Virtual Instruments, however only 1 of the plugins that made the list were for Macinstosh - and we got a *lot* of feedback demanding a list dedicated to the platform that originally kick-started computer based recording, and the one which still dominates professional production today.

So here it is - the best virtual instrument plugins combining VSTi & AU for Mac!

Advertisement:

	1. Independence Free VST/AU	Well what can we say? This was the only plugin that made the overall Top 10 list and it comes in firmly at Number 1 for Mac! A sampler with an intuitive user interface, powerful file management, ultra fast streaming integration, Auto-RAM-Cleaner, and unique browser page with information batch tool and drag'n'drop support and Multi-Core support to allow for loading an unlimited number of instruments in seconds.
	2. Automat AU	A substrative synthesizer, this has many features including: 3 antialiased oscilators Filters and amplifier 6 modulators with tempo sync Waveshaper / eq Poly-, unisono and legato-mode
	3. TAL-Vocoder VST/AU	Emulates the sound of vocoders from the early 80s by using 11 bands and is optimized for vocals, some of it's main features are: 11-band vocoder with adjustable volume for every band Adjustable harmonic control adds harmonics to the carrier signal Adjustable speed of the envelope follower (smudge) Carrier VCO (saw, pulse, sub osc, noise - poly and mono mode with portamento) 14 presets, including presets from Dynamix II
	4. Drumcore Free VST/AU	This is a fully working version of the DrumCore 3 AU/VSTi/RTAS plug-in, but limited to 2 drum kits - this however hasn't dented the popularity of this plugin which has been around for over a year now. It includes both Audio and MIDI loops as well as MIDI grooves.
	5. FreeAlpha VST	1 LFO, 6 Waveforms, Syncable to Tempo, Attack adjustable - FreeAlpha is a highly flexible, easy-to-use, VST analog-style synthesizer. For true analog sound, FreeAlpha includes a Precision control that allows you to introduce small inaccuracies into the FreeAlpha's signal chain. This allows you to fine-tune the synth's sound, creating anything from analog-style warmth to cold, digital hardness.
	6. Jasuto VST/AU	A modular synthesizer which is flexible in terms of synthesis techniques - you can achieve additive, subtractive, FM/PM/AM and even hard-sync synthesis all fairly easily. It's slightly unusual concept of objects called scenes being built from nodes gets you thinking in a different way to the standard 'patch-bay' style synth. Another thing that sets Jasuto apart is that the iPhone app and VST versions can communicate with each other over your wi-fi network. When in this mode the app acts like a high resolution multi-touch remote controlling the VST in your host software. You can also sync patches via this method as well.
	7. TAL-Elek7ro VST/AU	Quite impressively this virtual analog synth is the second plugin from Togu Audio Line to make the top 10 list! Features include: 2 oscillators with hard-sync, PW and FM (saw, pulse, triangle, sine) 1 sub oscillator (saw, rectangle) 1 noise oscillator 18dB or 12dB non linear analog modelled low pass resonance filter 2 free routable LFOs (0.1Hz - 400Hz, sine, triangle, saw, rectangle, s&h, noise)
	8. Musolomo AU	Sampler instrument designed with live performance in mind. Some features are: Sample, copy, and erase without the need to look at a computer screen Peripheral vision feedback design (the flashing border) Record and play sync before and after play and record Digi Skip technology, allowing time-jumping Speedster inspired technology for timestretching to host tempo, re-pitching
	9. MiniSpillage AU	MiniSpillage is a cut-down free version of DrumSpillage and it's developer stresses that it's not a recreation of classic drum machine glories nor a homage to the past but instead aims to break new ground and provide the modern musician with an original electronic percussion instrument. Features include: Custom synthesis algorithms High resolution 64 bit DSP engine Exclusive percussion models
	10. thOnk_0+2 VST	This is one of those fun apps that reminds you why you started making music in the first place - it's quite old originally designed for OS9, but if you can have a play with it then I suggest you do - just for the fun of it!