With all the sound design plugins out there, it’s often hard to choose the right one. That’s why I’ve put together my best free sound design plugins 2022. Enjoy!
1. Brainworx bx_subfilter
- Available as: VST, AU, AAX
- Type: Low-End filter plugin
Sub- and punch alert! The free bx_subfilter plugin provides the right punch for your kick and bass (or hits, body drops etc.). The plugin can be used not only on individual signals, but also on entire groups. Just experiment and be creative!
2. Klanghelm IVGI
- Available as: VST, AU, AAX
- Type: Saturation & distortion plugin
Need analog warmth and don’t have the budget right now? Then check out Klanghelm IVGI 2 – THE free plugin for saturation! Not only does it look fancy, but it also sounds really great and is easy to use: it only got 4 main controls: Drive, Output, Response and Asym Mix! Have fun playing with it!
3. Acon Digital Multiply
- Available as: VST, AU, AAX
- Type: Chorus effect plugin
The Acon Digital Multiply is an expressive digital chorus effect. It provides a very nice phase-randomizing filter. The result is an incredibly natural chorus tone that will even impress experienced sound designers.
4. Adam Monroe Tremolo
- Available as: VST, AU, AAX
- Type: Tremolo plugin
Adam Monroe Tremolo is a simple but very effective free tremolo plugin that will delight any sound designer! Features include a wet/dry mixer, stereo panning and sample rate selection.
5. ADHD Audio Tools Leveling Tool
- Available as: VST, AU, AAX
- Type: Leveling amplifier plugin
Another one of my personal best free sound design plugins 2022: the ADHD Leveling Tool from Audio Tools! An optical leveling amplifier with a fat, very warm analog sound. Although it is primarily intended for the compression of vocals, it can be used to add a certain spice to a track in the mix of your sound design.
6. Creative Intent Temper
- Available as: VST, AU, AAX
- Type: Distortion plugin
Temper by Creative Intent is a free distortion plugin with wonderfully warm saturation levels, a resonant low-pass filter and a great phase distortion effect. The plugin is just right for you if your sound misses warmth, clarity and character. Have fun playing!
7. Hvoya Audio Ribs
- Available as: VST, AU, .exe, .app
- Type: Granular synthesizer plugin
The free granular synth/fx plugin Ribs will be a great inspiration for sound designers! It gives you the possibility to control the whole granular engine in detail. Reconstruct sounds, filter or completely destroy them and create sound designs that are out of this world. You will have a lot of fun with this amazing tool!
8. Ignite Amps PTeq-X
- Available as: VST, AU, AAX
- Type: Equalizer plugin
The free plugin Ignite Amps PTeq-X guarantees a full warm sound and soft curves! The replica of the legendary tube EQ Pultec EQP-1A is great for wide tone shaping. Make sound sound great again! 😉
9. MH Thump
- Available as: VST, AU, AAX
- Type: Synthesizer plugin
Metric Halo MH Thump is a subharmonic synthesizer plugin that lets you add extra low end to your sounds. You will be fascinated by the sound!
