{"id":758,"date":"2021-01-04T14:04:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-04T14:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/orpheusaudioacademy.com\/stagingnew\/?p=758"},"modified":"2020-12-11T17:51:19","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T17:51:19","slug":"synthwave-plugins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/orpheusaudioacademy.com\/stagingnew\/synthwave-plugins\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Best Free Plugins For Making Synthwave Music"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you think you need to spend a lot of money to get started making great synthwave music, then think again!<\/p>\n

Here are 17 of the best free plugins for creating amazing synthwave music. <\/p>\n

What Makes A Song Sound Retro?<\/h2>\n

Before I dive in to the plugins, let’s first consider what makes a song sound retro, and therefore, fit with the Synthwave genre.<\/p>\n

Basically it comes down to two things: <\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Using analog synths that were used during that time period (70s and 80s)<\/li>\n
  2. Saturation <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Analog Synths<\/h3>\n

    While you might not be able to afford a physical analog synthesizer, are great software plugins that can emulate their classes sound. <\/p>\n

    You can find some free ones listed below…<\/p>\n

    Saturation<\/h3>\n

    Back in the day, they didn’t have computers to handle music production.<\/p>\n

    Instead, they had to use physical hardware such as Mixing consoles, compressors, EQs, and tape machines, all of which added saturation (subtle distortion) or “color” to sound as a result of the sound signal physically passing through the circuitry of these devices. <\/p>\n

    The result is the addition of noise and warmth that contributed to that classic “retro” sound. <\/p>\n

    Below are also some free effect plugins that try and emulate that desired saturation effect. <\/p>\n

    Synths:<\/h2>\n

    Here are some great synth plugins to help you get started making synthwave.<\/p>\n

    Dexed<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    Dexed is an emulation of the Yamaha DX7 synth that was ubiquitous in the 80s, making this a great choice for creating synthwave.<\/p>\n

    Synth1<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    Synth1 is another great free synth that will allow you to create some great synthwave sounds. <\/p>\n

    Analog Dreams<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    Analog dreams is a very easy to use plugin that comes as a part of Native Instrument’s free “Play Series”. <\/p>\n

    With very few parameters to mess around with, you can get some nice Synthwave sounds fast. <\/p>\n

    Mono\/Fury<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    An emulation of the Korg Poly 6, the Mono\/Fury by Full Bucket is another great tool creating synthy goodness. <\/p>\n

    TAL NoiseMaker<\/h3>\n

    \"tal-noisemaker<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    The TAL NoiseMaker has been a favorite of mine for creating retro electronic music for years now. <\/p>\n

    It has plenty of great presets so you can get started fast and have something that sounds great. <\/p>\n

    Syntronik<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    Syntronik is really the premier vst instrument for creating retro electronic music. It comes with the emulations of 17 synthesizers from the 1970s and 80s. <\/p>\n

    I have the paid Delux version of this, which comes with a lot more presets, but you can get started with the free version. <\/p>\n

    Tyrell N6<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

    Another nifty plugin for getting that retro synth vibe. <\/p>\n

    OB-Xd<\/h3>\n

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    I absolutely love this plugin, and use it all the time, especially for recreating that classic synthwave bass sound. <\/p>\n

    Hear it in action by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n