Plugin Picks: 5 Free Plugins You Need to Try in April

Free plugins are one of the best things about being a producer in 2022. Quality music production tools have never been more accessible for the average musician. But with more freeware plugins showing up on the scene every day, knowing which ones are worth your time isn’t easy. That’s why we’re bringing you our top picks for the most useful and creative free music software every month.

In this edition—vintage EQs, minimalist reverb, vintage synths and more.

Today’s roundup of free plugins comes with a variety of inspiring tools—ones that will help you both make tracks and mix them.

Get the tools to shape your sound with 30+ synths, instruments, effects and utilities plugins from industry leaders like Arturia, UJAM and more. Try LANDR Plugins.

Let’s dive in.

1. MAXBAX

It’s no secret that we’re fans of Analog Obsession here at LANDR, we regularly cover them and many of their plugins have found their way onto our mega list of 248 free VSTs.

But, they’re constantly releasing new plugins to download for free—and considering how good Analog Obsession’s releases are, I’m sure we’ll keep talking about them for the long haul.

MAXBAX is the new newest EQ from the plugin maker, it features a vintage interface with two bands with boost and cut at low, mid and high frequencies.

The EQ is based on a the classic Baxandall EQ that was pioneered by the legendary engineer Pieter Baxandall in the 1950s.

The Baxandall EQ was one of the first EQs to receive wide adoption everywhere from studios, to guitar amps to home stereos.

The Baxandall EQ was one of the first EQs to receive wide adoption everywhere from studios, to guitar amps to home stereos.

So if you’re looking for a classic, tried and true EQ, check out MAXBAX.

And if you love Analog Obsession, consider supporting their Patreon too!

2. Easy Verb

Here’s a minimalist reverb that really does what it says on the tin.

It comes with two knobs—one for reverb level and one for a dry/wet mix.

Unsurprisingly the reverb level knob sweeps from a small room sounding reverb to a huge hall sound at its extremities.

A minimalist reverb that does what it says on the tin.

Every reverb sounds a little bit different, so there’s good reason to have a few in your plugins folder. If you’re looking for a new reverb to freshen up your tracks, give this one a try!

3. Orange Dreams Lite

Orange Dreams Lite is a curated VST Instrument that’s inspired by lo-fi, vaporwave and chill hop styles of production.

The plugin manufacturer claims that the instrument is inspired by the colors and feelings you might get during a warm summer sunset.

The instrument seems to be a sample library with a variety of keys, basses, synths, pads, orchestras and more—it also comes with options to modify the sounds with filters, modulation ADSR and more.

Warm, ethereal, psychedelic vibes.

If you’re looking to add some warm ethereal, psychedelic vibes to your next track give Orange Dreams a spin.

4. Overtone GEQ

Here’s another super useful EQ that you should consider having in your arsenal of mixing EQs.

Get the tools to shape your sound with 30+ synths, instruments, effects and utilities plugins from industry leaders like Arturia, UJAM and more. Try LANDR Plugins.

This graphic EQ from Overtone uses a familiar interface to many classic graphic EQs, giving the users visually informed control the sound.

The GEQ features seven sliders with controls for boost and cut starting at 65hz to 12k hz.

With a variety of settings to control your sound, you might want this great free plugin from Voxengo in your folder.

5. FB-3300

The FB-3300 is a super fun plugin version of a classic vintage synth that’s based on Korg’s legendary polyphonic synthesizer, the PS-3300.

This emulation of the famous 1970s synth comes with a similar interface to the original synth and many of its famous patches.

The modular design leaves room for lots of sound design.

The modular design leaves room for lots of sound design capabilities—the plugin appears to come with a handful of presets, but a simple tutorial for the original Korg synth will also work to get you up and running.

For a free synth that emulates a hardware synth from a legendary era and manufacturer—you can’t go wrong by adding this to your plugins folder.

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Alex Lavoie works as a staff writer at LANDR by day and writes indie post-punk tunes in his band UTILS while moonlighting as drummer for folk-rock outfit The Painters.

@Alex Lavoie