Sylfvr
@sylfvr.artFellow musicians, here is a thread of VSTs I love and use a lot for Dungeon Synth (but can be used for everything and anything really). I'll keep it populated with free stuff only ⤵️
www.plogue.com
Sforzando is an unassuming tool at first, but is incredible when you take into account its ability to load sf2. Search sf2 on google, and then type something like SC-88 or any rompler. Classic 80s and 90s sampled sounds right there for you to use. Gray area legally tho
Plogue | sforzando :: Free SFZ Player
sforzando is a free, highly SFZ 2.0 compliant sample player.
www.plogue.com
chowdsp.com
Chow Tape Model is one of those effect that could be expensive, but is not only free, but also open source. As stated in its name, it's a tape modelling tool to get that lofi and analog vibe on your tracks. Don't bother with paid options really, this is THE tool.
Chowdhury DSP - Products
chowdsp.com
plugins4free.com
There's of course the good old sonatina orchestra that most people know, but if you want to go a step further, use Sforzando and Virtual Playing Orchestra (which is recommended by the original creator of Sonatina): virtualplaying.com
PLUGINS4FREE
PLUGINS 4 FREE - Free Audio Plug-ins and Archives
plugins4free.com
valhalladsp.com
I probably don't need to get into why Valhalla Supermassive is the only creative reverb you need.
Valhalla Super Massive - Valhalla DSP
Make some space. ValhallaSupermassive has been designed from the ground up for MASSIVE delays and reverbs. Get ready for luscious clouds of reverb, otherworldly delays, and swelling waves of feedba...
valhalladsp.com
www.nilsschneider.de
This one is a personal favorite of mine. It's an emulation of the very popular Kawai K1, a staple synth/rompler of the 90s (like the Korg M1 only cheaper). It's entirely free (contrary to the official Korg M1 emulation) and it contains a BUTTLOAD of presets.
Nils‘ K1v – Kawai K1 Emulation Plugin VSTi/AU – nilsschneider.de
www.nilsschneider.de
www.meldaproduction.com
Anything in the free Melda suite. I personally only use some of them for mastering purposes, but if you want an all-in-one solution, this is the real deal.
Free effects | MeldaProduction
MeldaProduction, professional audio processing software, VST / VST3 / AU / AAX plugins for mixing, mastering and creative music processing
www.meldaproduction.com
youlean.co
Loudness is really important for mastering, and this loudness meter is incredible useful. There's also one in the melda suite, but I find it less simple to use.
Download Youlean Loudness Meter - Youlean
youlean.co
OK this is it for the time being. There are TONS of free stuff out there, but the fact is you might not need it, at least for dungeon synth and maybe not if you're just starting. You can't go wrong with any of these, I use them all the time because they fit my needs and they're simple!
Final One ™️
I don't use it too much, but you can't go wrong with Reaper for your DAW
www.reaper.fm
I'm an Ableton user myself, but 90% of my dungeon synth friends use this one so you can't go wrong with it.
REAPER | Audio Production Without Limits
www.reaper.fm