The 8 Best FREE Retro Synth VST Plugins (2022)
“What are the best free retro synth VST’s out there in 2022?”
Music producers often seek out modern ways to recreate vintage sounds such as fat, evolving pads and deep, funky basslines. Contemporary genres such as vaporwave often rely on retro 80’s / 90’s sounds to create evocative, nostalgic soundscapes.
However, recreating sounds accurately from past music eras is not an easy task. Most VST synths are designed for modern genres such as future bass, dubstep and techno, and neglect the retro sounds of yesteryear.
Thankfully, there are plenty of VST synths specifically designed for creating vintage sounds, you just need to know where to look.
Many of these retro VST synths are accurate emulations of classic hardware synthesizers, modelling the analog character and tonal imperfections of the original hardware.
The Best FREE Retro VST Synths?
As you may expect, many of the most well-known retro synths out there come with a fairly high price tag.
Which naturally begs the question; “Are there any free retro VST synths out there that are actually good?”
Absolutely! There are MANY free, highly versatile, intuitive retro synth plugins out there.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at the 8 best FREE VST retro synth plugins that every producer should know about. Whether you’re looking for crunchy, old-school leads, or moody, vaporwave-style pads, these free plugins should definitely be on your radar.
The Best Free Retro Synth VST Plugins in 2022 (+ Download Links)
1. TAL-Bassline
TAL-BassLine is a virtual analog bass synthesizer specifically made for vintage bass, acid sounds and other effects.
This free plugin is an emulation of the classic Roland SH-101, and is capable of creating a range of fat 80’s basslines. The interface is fairly easy to use, with modulation, VCO, envelope and several other controls to perfect your bass sounds.
The warm, analog sound is a result of a unique -18dB low pass filter with a lot of asymmetric and random components, as well as very fast, non linear envelopes.
TAL-Bassline also comes with 23 unique presets to get you started. So if you’re looking to add some nostalgic, vintage character to your basslines, this free plugin is definitely worth checking out.
Sound Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Click here for a FREE download.
2. Dexed
At this point, Dexed has become such an iconic VST plugin that it’s almost more well-known than the classic Yamaha synthesizer it’s emulating.
Dexed is a highly accurate, virtual recreation of the Yamaha DX-7, and even includes many of the sound patches from the original synth.
At first glance, Dexed can seem incredibly complex and overwhelming, particularly if you’re a beginner. The interface is packed with various sliders, buttons and envelope editors, all on one single panel. But believe me, once you’re over the learning curve, this thing is a joy to use.
More importantly, it also sounds sensational. Dexed can also load any of the classic presets from Yamaha’s hardware synthesizers like the DX7 or the TX81Z, which can then be manipulated to a crazy extent.
This is definitely one of the most versatile, best-sounding retro synths out there in 2022.
Sound Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Click here for a FREE download.
3. OB-Xd
OB-Xd is another popular emulation of a classic synthesizer: the Oberheim OBXa.
The OBXa is another famous synth from the 80s, known for its gorgeous unison functionality. OB-Xd recreates the warm, retro character of the original synth perfectly, implementing micro random detuning to add sonic imperfections to the output signal.
The interface is incredibly intuitive, even if you have no prior experience with sound design. OB-Xd includes 2 oscillators, a noise oscillator, various filter controls, modulation options, envelope and voice variation controls. Also, like many synths of the OB-X’s generation, the OB-Xd has no built-in effects such a chorus or reverb, so these would need to be added via additional VST effect plugins.
This free retro VST also has some incredible super-saws and brass synth sound patches, reminiscent of 80’s rock and pop music.
Highly recommend.
Sound Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Click here for a FREE download.
4. u-he Tyrell N6
Tyrell N6 is a gorgeous, highly intuitive subtractive free VST synth with a lot of tricks up its sleeve.
We’ve talked about Tyrell N6 many times in the past, and it is easily one of the best free synth VST’s ever made.
The plugin was developed by u-he, a legendary audio development company well-known for creating award-winning, dynamic VST instruments and effects, such as Diva and Hive 2.
Tyrell N6 is a simple, but deceptively powerful synth. It features 2 oscillators, noise, a ring modulator and 2 LFOs with 8 waveforms, as well as an audio source mixer with authentic overdrive and filter feedback.
It also comes packed with 580 high quality, diverse presets (and many more can be found online). Therefore regardless of the genre your produce, this plugin will definitely be a welcome addition to your VST synth collection.
Overall, this free VST synth is an absolute no brainer for both beginner and advanced producers.
Sound Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Click here for a FREE download.
5. TAL-U-No-62
This is a free polyphonic virtual analogue synth with a unique filter sound, emulating the classic JUNO 60 synthesizer.
In my opinion, TAL-U-No-62 doesn’t quite match the sonic quality of other retro plugins such as OB-Xd or Tyrell N6. However, by enabling the chorus switch, you can get some really authentic vintage sounds reminiscent of the original hardware.
The filter section also features controls for envelope amount and polarity, LFO modulation and keyboard tracking, giving that extra level of creative flexibility.
One slight downside is the plugin only comes with 20 presets, so you’re probably going to have to rely on editing and manipulating the sounds yourself. However, this plugin is perfect for producers looking to create high-quality, retro sounds within a simple, intuitive interface.
Sound Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Click here for a FREE download.
6. Steinberg Model E
Steinberg Model E is, in every sense of the word, a VST classic. This plugin was one of the first commercially available VST instruments on the market.
Now Steinberg have re-released it, for free.
Model E from Steinberg is modeled after the classic Moog Model D Minimoog, and is capable of creating fat 3-VCO monophonic bass sounds, as well as retro synth stabs, pads and much more.
It has 3 oscillators and a noise generator, with 6 waveforms per oscillator. It also has 2 envelope generators, 2 & 4-pole LPFs, filter modulation, key tracking and countless other features.
The download comes bundles within the VST Classics Vol 1 pack, which also contains the fantastic VB-1 virtual bass guitar as an extra treat.
Sound Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Click here for a FREE download.
7. VK-1 Viking Synthesizer
The final plugin on this list is Blamsoft’s VK-1 Viking Synthesizer.
VK-1 is a powerful plugin capable of creating rich, smooth, and creamy sounds. It’s particularly useful for creating vintage, analog-esque sounds, such as squelchy basslines, 80’s-inspired pads, and other retro throwbacks.
This free VST synth plugin is an authentic emulation of a classic monophonic analog synthesizer. It has three continuously variable wave oscillators, two ladder filters with a dual lowpass or highpass/lowpass configuration, a multi-wave LFO, and two modulation busses.
VK-1 comes with 228 presets to play around with that will instantly spark your creativity.
Sound Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Click here for a FREE download.
8. Mono/Fury
Mono/Fury is an incredibly underrated VST instrument that simulates the classic KORG Mono/Poly® analog synthesizer of the early 1980’s.
It features 4 band-limited oscillators, a 4-pole zero-delay feedback lowpass filter with self-oscillation, an arpeggiator with sync-to-host option, and many other options to sink your teeth into.
In all honesty, the GUI may need a little work. The knobs and labels are fairly dark in certain sections and it’s not the most intuitive plugin on this list by far.
But in terms of versatility and vintage authenticity, Mono/Fury is an absolute monster.
Sound Quality
Ease of Use
Features
Click here for a FREE download.
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