In digital audio workstations (DAW) that we use for creating, mixing, and mustering our audio tracks, whenever the audio signal goes beyond 0dB, the DAW engine considers it as hard clipping, creates an unwanted bad type of distortion.

• Free Vocal Distortion Vst
• Best Free Multiband Distortion Vst Plugin
• Best Free Multiband Distortion Vst Software
• Best Free Distortion Vst

Free with every issue of Computer Music magazine, the enormous cm Plugins suite includes no less than ten dedicated, pro-quality distortion plugins. From amp sims and hardware-style saturators to flexible digital waveshaping and multiband processing, there’s plenty to turn a track with a clean bill of health into an extremely dirty, deranged. FabFilter’s Pro-MB is one of best multiband dynamic processors on the market. This professional multiband compressor/expander sports six processing bands that can be freely placed anywhere in the audio spectrum. This flexibility helps to dial in compression settings with more precision. The first giant on our list is the Trash2 distortion plugin by renowned Izotope, this new version is built to feature an entirely new sonic architecture, with optimized performance, pristine sound quality, and better support for modern hosts & formats.

In good old analog days, the mix engineers needed to push the tape beyond 0 dB to achieve soft clipping as the audio signal clips but opposite to digital clipping this type of analog clipping is somehow appealing to the people and it sounds very musical.

A most important reason to use saturation plugins when mixing inside DAW is to get that analog magical sound and bring back the life to the mixes.

These are some free saturation VST plugins that are practical and can be used as your regular saturation VST. There is no particular order, each free saturation VST plugin has its own characteristics and sounds good.

• PreBOX by Analog Obsession (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• Saturation Knob by Softube (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• X-Tube by Xenium Audio (VST for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows)
• IVGI by Klanghelm (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• Tube Saturator Vintage by Wave Arts (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• FreeAMP by Klevgrand (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• PhreePhuzz by LVC Audio (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• Tube Amp 2 by Voxengo (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• MSaturator by MeldaProduction (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
• Saturate by BlueLab (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)

PreBOX

PreBOX is a preamp modeler VST plugin made by Analog Obsession, it contains/emulates eleven PreAmp models(mic/line). Each preamp model has its character, dynamics, and transient with two knobs to control input, and the output also Lowpass and Highpass Filters from V76 circuit.

1. It comes with a multiband design, per-band feedback, dynamics, drive, tone, and modulation options so that you can fully control what you do. Especially the modulation section is very useful, as it comes with XLFOs, EGs, XY controllers/sliders, envelope followers, and MIDI sources, along with visualization in real-time!
2. However, if you’re not ready to reach for your wallet just yet, there are a great selection of free compression plugins that are capable of adding fantastic-sounding compression similar to the commercial plugins. Below are the best free compression VST plugins in 2020, that will give you professional compression without ever spending a penny.

Some preamp models have a subtle saturation effect and some have pumping distortion, you can increase the amount of saturation by increasing the input gain knob. PreAmp models this VST plugin emulates are

1. Humptone
2. SS Nine
3. Tape Color
4. Rosenrot
5. New 81
6. F2Bam
7. Quad Core
8. A10M
9. 15A66
10. Fairy
11. Vacuum76

Download: PreBOX by Analog Obsession(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

Saturation Knob

Saturation Knob is a free saturation VST plugin by Softube, gives you an analog modeled distortion output, it is a perfect and simplest way to add some grit to any incoming audio signal. The saturation knob has one knob to control the amount of saturation you want to add with additional options to affect low, high, or both.

The only thing that is missing is the makeup or volume control. Use this tip! If you are making trap music then use the saturation knob to add an extra punch and harmonics to kick drum and snares. Or you can use it as a send effect channel to use as a parallel effect. Add harmonics to 808s and sub-basses, synth sounds, leads, and vocal.

Download: Saturation Knob by Softube (Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

X-tube

X-tube is a free tube saturation VST plugin developed by Xenium Audio, it is a simulation of 12AX7, a vacuum tube. with the processing of 64-bit floating-point, it supports Stereo, Mono, Quadro, and 5.1 tracks. The sound can be further shaped using an IIR-type equalizer with three bands, low mid, and high.

This tube saturation VST plugin supports zero-latency processing and up to x16 oversampling with additional features like drive and bias to get more authentic tube saturation emulation.

Download: X-Tube by Xenium Audio(VST for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows)

IVGI

IVGI by Klanghelm is capable of providing subtle saturation to distorted effect to spice up incoming audio. IVGI additionally allows you to alter the frequency response of the saturation. the RESPONSE management is that the results of clever eq-ing, a bunch of pre- and de-emphasis filters, and a few specific compression characteristics. all moving the particular character of the saturation.

If you switch the knob to the left, low frequencies are a lot of suffering from saturation. Also, you may notice some high-end roll-off and a few low-end bump and compression. if used meagerly, the RESP0NSE management will increase transparency.

Turned to the right, high frequencies area unit additional full of saturation. In additional extreme settings, you may notice some multiplied HF compression and physical phenomenon effects.

Download: IVGI by Klanghelm(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

Tube Saturator Vintage

Tube Saturator Vintage by Wave Arts is a saturation free VST plugin that reproduces circuit simulation technology to authentic reproduce the sound of a dual triode preamp. Tube saturator vintage emulates cathode 12AX7 preamp, has Baxandall 3-band EQ, drive knob, and fat function to add extra punch to the audio, and works in mono and stereo mode with zero latency.

Free Vocal Distortion Vst

Use Tube Saturator to add a bit of analog warmth to recordings, or increase the drive for some distortion. You can use it as a saturating peak limiter too.

Download: Tube Saturator Vintage by Wave Arts(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

FreeAMP

FreeAMP by Klevgrand is small, simple yet has the same power as its big brother REAMP, FreeAMP uses all saturation algorithms are the same as the REAMP. But the FreeAMP is simple to use s it only has three very straightforward knobs.

FreeAMP gives tape and tube saturation at the same time makes it a kind of interesting saturation VST plugin. Use a drive knob to get the desired amount of saturation and use a mix knob to use it as a parallel effect.

Download: FreeAMP by Klevgrand(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

PhreePhuzz

Phreephuzz by LVC Audio is an easy to use free saturation VST plugin with a simple user interface. PhreePhuzz uses the same technology as its bigger brother PreAMPed. PhreePhuzz has 6 varieties of saturation settings give a distinct flavor saturation effect to the sound.

PhreePhuzz offers linear phase filtering to get the shiny high-end that is done by 4x oversampling. It has AB functionality that makes it easier to compare a couple of settings at the same time. Use this plugin to add quick saturation on any audio or midi track.

Download: PhreePhuzz by LVC Audio(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

Tube Amp 2

Tube Amp is a free saturation VST plugin by Voxengo that emulates asymmetric tube triode overdrive that is found in single-tube microphone pre-amp boxes. Tube amp VST gives from subtle warmth to fuzzy distortion effect to the sounds. This free VST plugin has two processing modes which offer two distinct saturation algorithm.

Other features like 64-bit floating-point processing, up to 175% GUI scaling, up to x8 oversampling, and AB comparison which allows comparing multiple settings simultaneously.

Arabic world plugins strings vst. Download: Tube Amp 2 by Voxengo(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

MSaturator

Free saturation VST plugin MSaturator by Voxengo is capable of processing audio in warm tube-like saturation to a complete distortion module for guitars. MSaturator’s advanced GUI engine is highly customizable and is freely resizable. It gives a choice to choose between knobs, sliders, or buttons you want to use the most.

MSaturator encodes audio not only in mono, stereo but also offers Mid-Side encoding that lets users freely manipulate the sound as they want. It also features oversampling up to x16, MSaturator includes automatic gain compensation, which quickly adapts to current settings and ensures the output sounds as loud as the input.

Download: MSaturator by MeldaProduction(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

SGA1566

SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio is based on all tube single channel vintage tube amplifier created to give classic warmth to any sound which goes through it. It claims to recreate every nuance of the preamp, has two-band Baxandall EQ that can be used either before or after the preamp.

It supports up to x4 oversampling which increases the quality of saturation but also increases the CPU usage. Is supports mono and stereo processing. Overall it can be used as a saturation compressor or overdrive distortion for guitars and synths.

Free piano vst fl. Download: SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

Saturate

Saturate is a simple one-knob free saturation VST plugin by BlueLab, this saturation plugin doesn’t try to emulate any piece of a hardware unit, it has its way to saturate the audio, it targets the waveform to give a saturation effect. It uses x4 oversampling to increase the overall quality of the saturation it produces.

Download: Saturate by BlueLab(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)

X-tube by Xenium Audio is the only free saturation VST plugin that is available for only Windows users, but Mac users can other best free saturation VST plugins from the VST plugins list given above.

Distortion is one of those effects that can have a use in any recording or music production setting. Even if you aren’t particularly into brash and dirty sounds, distortion plugins will have value for warming up sounds and introducing a bit of analog-style tone and response to your productions.

Here we rundown some of the best free distortion VST plugins available. Whether you are looking to give your tracks a slight edge or you are after total industrial mayhem, these plug-ins will deliver at a price that your wallet will love.

Find more great gear here:

Introduction: About Distortion Plugins

Distortion plug-ins replicate the sound of analog circuitry being pushed to the limit.

With tube amps or op-amp circuits, feeding excessively high levels early on in the chain results in a warm, gritty, and present sound that sounds bigger, louder, and more exciting.

Distortion is used to marvelous, effect by guitarists, but it can also add life to synth parts, drums, and even vocals. In fact, if you work in a studio long enough, you would be hard pressed to think of a sound source that wouldn’t benefit from varying degrees of distortion in some way.

Free Distortion Plugins

The List

Distortion Plug-in Roundup

Creative Intent’s Temper Distortion is a distortion plug-in that has a rich saturation stage.

The variable saturation curve helps produce a warmer and edgier sound than most distortion plug-ins are capable of.

It also employs phase distortion that helps enhance clarity and produces a more characterful drive. A resonant lowpass filter and a feedback control further aids in tone shaping.

One of the best qualities of Temper is how it can be pushed to extreme levels of distortion while still retaining clarity.

As far as digital distortions go, this is one of the few that manages to be pleasant sounding even as it mangles your sound.

TNT by Ourafilmes was originally intended as a drum and distortion plug-in that is also useful for creating special effects.

It is actually a suite of distortion plug-ins consisting of a single band and a multi-band unit, each of which come in mono and stereo versions. The single band version is further enhanced with the addition of a tone knob.

Later versions of the plug-in come with a 6dB crossover filter that enables the separation of the low and high bands.

With the ability to set different saturation algorithms for each band, TNT is quite a bit more versatile than your typical distortion plug-in.

Audio Damage is well known for its quality plug-ins, and FuzzPlus 3 holds up the company’s reputation admirably.

An updated version of the company’s original FuzzPlus pedal emulation, the FuzzPlus delivers the same great-sounding fuzzy distortion and enhances it with a filter modeled after the filter on Korg’s classic Microsoft-20 analog synthesizer.

Along with the ability to feed the processed signal back to the distortion circuitry, this results in increased sound-shaping possibilities.

The FuzzPlus 3 works amazingly well for processing drum loops and synths, transforming them into weird and wonderfully bizarre rhythms and textures.

But it is also quite capable of restraint, producing subtle saturations and tonal coloration when adjusted to moderate settings.

Distorque’s Plusdistortion is a plug-in emulation of the MXR Distortion+ pedal, which is favored by guitarists for its wide range of tones.

From light grit to all-out fuzz, the Distortion+ pretty much covers all the bases, and Plusdistortion is every bit as versatile.

The secret to the Distortion+ is the germanium diode clipping circuitry and the lo-fi op amp that produce the pedal’s distinctly characterful tone. The Plusdistortion somehow manages to capture the spirit of the pedal, with the added tweakability afforded by software.

Also from Distorque is Rangebastard, which is an emulation of another classic guitarists’ tool, the Dallas Rangemaster.

Like the Plusdistortion, the Rangebastard builds on the tone-shaping capabilities of the original with added features and tweakability.

With 2x oversampling, stereo and mono modes, and controls for input filtering, transistor, and even grid current, the Rangebastard is pretty much the Dallas Rangemaster on steroids.

More mangled textures are in the offing from Distorque, by way of the Face Bender.

Fans of classic fuzz pedal circuits will recognize the name as a combination of the Fuzz Face and Tone Bender MKII, both of which are still highly regarded in the guitar world.

Like those two pedals, the Face Bender delivers nasty, spitting distortion that walks the fine line between musicality and all-out sonic mayhem.

Full-on, retro-style fuzz is the primary domain of this plug-in, but it can also be dialed back for more tasteful saturation.

Best Free Multiband Distortion Vst Plugin

Finally, DistoCore’s Disto::FX is every bit the “Dirty Sound Destructor” as the marketing copy so proudly boasts.

Designed for all-out sonic assault, this is a loud and proud distortion plug-in that specializes in a surprising variety of distortion flavors.

Best Free Multiband Distortion Vst Software

Top Pick

Creative Intent’s Temper Distortion is the clear winner in this roundup. With the ability to get as down and dirty as any of them, it also cleans up nicely for more sedate and sensible saturation.

This is not to say that the rest of the entrants are slouches. Ourafilmes’ TNT and Audio Damage’s FuzzPlus 3 are certainly quite capable of delivering everything from a slight touch of grit to end-of-the-world sonic devastation.

Distorque’s pedal emulations for their part are all potentially useful for more traditional, stomp box flavors. And you just gotta love Disto::FX’s ability to make a heaving, bristling mess out of anything.

So while Temper Distortion gets the nod as our “top pick”, we wholeheartedly suggest that you download them all and have all your distortion bases covered.

Best Free Distortion Vst

After all, you can’t beat the price!