What’s new at Zystrix? Read on… September 30, 2024 You must have marked your calendar because it’s... The Best FREE Synthesizers for 2024 It’s another epic issue. And the Honorable Mention Synthesizer List might surprise you. This list is big, so prepare yourself. And if you get bored, I warned you. We’ll also look at the artwork that surrounds this page -- cell phone users say they can’t see it. So sit back and relax. Welcome to Zystrix, the heartbeat of the universe. Where creativity and free-thinking have more value than conformity. Background Artwork Unfortunately the artwork that surrounds the edges of this website is invisible to many cell phone users. The artwork for today is included here on the left for your enjoyment. Multiple copies are tiled together for a cohesive and seamless background board seen all around this page. Enjoy. FREE SYNTH INTRODUCTION Finding the best free synthesizers in a flood of synths is daunting at best. That’s not an excuse, that’s the truth. I tried over 100 free synths and picked what I feel are the best. I ignored most older models that were 32-bit or ones that seemed less versatile. I also ignored synths with privacy problems, but some are in the honorable mention section. And I’m absolutely sure I overlooked somebody's long lost favorite, but that’s just how it goes. So before you send suggestions or hate mail please understand that this list is definitely not for everyone. These free synths are my favorites for writing rock and metal type material. On the other hand, I’m sure you could write any other music types with these free synths. I do not make any money from this list, or any click-throughs offered, or any recommendations found here. Nor do I pretend to know it all when it comes to free synths or synths in general. No one does. So here it is... The Best FREE Synthesizers for 2024 Surge XT by Surge Synth Team If I could only choose one synth from this entire list it would have to be Surge. It’s an impressive open-source hybrid synthesizer, there are lots of presets available, lots of options available, and it sounds great. It took me a little while to get used to tweaking it, but it’s worth it. Download the free Surge XT now. OB-Xd by discoDSP OB-Xd is a free plugin that draws its inspiration from the iconic Oberheim OB-X from the late 1970s and early 1980s. Think the Rush tune Tom Sawyer or Van Halen’s Jump. It has a nice immersive stereo image, velocity sensitivity, and support for MIDI controllers and keyboards. Try one -- click here. Odin 2 by The WaveWarden Odin 2 is a powerful 24- voice polyphonic synth with four ADSRs, four LFOs, an XY-Pad, a big modulation matrix, and onboard effects like delay, phaser, flanger, chorus, distortion, and reverb. And it just sounds great. There’s lots of room for creative possibilities. Download it now. NoiseMaker by TAL Software This synthesizer has three Oscillators each offering 24 semitones, fine-tuning capabilities, and phase control. There’s also a sub oscillator, ring mod, noise oscillator, built-in reverb and delay, and a bitcrusher effect for extra sound shaping. There’s also a MIDI learn function along with a surprisingly efficient CPU use. Download the NoizeM4k3r. Zebralette by U-He Zebralette is a friendly introduction to the muscle-man oscillators of Zebra 2, and it offers a powerful single oscillator with a 16-slot wave-set. This synth is incredibly versatile, especially given that it’s completely free, and I suspect you’ll be tempted to purchase Zebra 2. I know I was. Download Zebralette here. Dexed by Digital Suburban If you like an FM type sound (think Yamaha DX7 from 1983 to 1989) then you may like this one. There are six operators all identical and working in the same way, and 32 different operator configurations, each lending its own distinctive glassy tonal color. Dexed works in OS X, Windows, and Linux and offers multi-formats of VST and AU. It can also load/save any DX7/TX7 sysex programs and it comes with lots of patches (programs). Dexed is better than most modern synthesizers. Download Dexed and make music. PG-8X by Martin Luders PG-8X is inspired by the Roland JX-8P with the synth architecture standard 2-oscillator to filter to VCA design. The PG-8X is patch compatible with the Roland JX-8P and can read and write JX-8P Sysex data. This is a nice feature which allows thousands of available presets. I love the random button. It’s hard to believe this synth is free. Download the PG-8X. Lokomotiv by Archetype Instruments Lokomotiv is a superb retro sounding analog synth that’s easy to use, easy to understand, and sounds quite good. The UI (user interface) is a piece of cake. Download Lokomotive here. Pendulate by Newfangled Audio Pendulate has had many improvements since it first came out, so I downloaded and installed the newest version (version 1.69) to see how it has changed. Unfortunately it had bugs in the visual and I was unable to make any adjustments using the provided screen. Without too much searching I found an older version (1.21) and installed that one without a hitch – everything works fine. Pendulate is a quirky but cool sounding monophonic synth, and it goes from searing leads to heavy basses. It even does some pretty cool sound effects. There are many free patches available online – click here to download a few -- don’t forget the pink man bonus. If you’d like to try Pendulate get ready to hand over your email (or simply use the older version). Download Pendulate from Newfangled Audio. Chorg by KB Plugs Chorg is an easy- to-like synth similar to the original Korg 770 that was new way back in 1976, except this one is stereo by adjusting the L/R Sep slider (a nice improvement). The sounds are mostly space-age, weird naughty noises, and buzzy things -- cutting edge for 1976. Excellent. Here’s over 100 free presets, and there aren’t a lot available. Download Chorg. Fury 800 by Full Bucket Fury-800 simulates the KORG Poly-800 synth from 1983. Use the VCF and DCO's to get something you like (or start from a patch), then adjust the DCO to fatten it up. Then add your favorite wow-juice to make it huge. Oh yeah. Download the Fury-800. HY-Poly Free by HY Plugins HY-Poly is a subtractive polyphonic synthesizer, and it has a great GUI (graphic user interface). It’s a little limited with 1 oscillator and a maximum number of voices of 4. There are also 5 audio effects. Download HY-Poly by HY Plugins. Crisalys by Maxsynths Crisalys is a pattern sequencer synthesizer, and the sounds are great but the sequencer is what brings me back. There are 3 oscillators with 18 custom waveforms, tuning and pitch bend per oscillator, flanger, delay compressor, reverb, 256 presets, 32 notes sequencer that stores 64 sequencer patterns, and MIDI learn. Excellent. Download Crisalys now. Exakt Lite by Sonicbits If you liked the Yamaha TX81Z from 1987 (especially the bass sounds) then you may like this one – it’s an evolution of the Yamaha FM synths of the 1980s. Exakt Lite is an intuitive FM synthesizer with 4 operators that can be arranged in the classic 8 FM algorithms with feedback on operator D. The operator waveforms are basic sine, saw, square and triangle with the 8 classic waveforms from the Yamaha TX81Z. Download it. Tunefish Synth by Brain Control Tunefish 4 is an additive / wavetable synth. The included presets don’t show off the capability of the synth, but improving them or programming from scratch is relatively easy. Tunefish can hold a lot of presets, but the organization is not there yet. However, the sound quality is excellent. Download Tunefish. Tricent mkIII by Full Bucket If you like the classic KORG Trident mk II from 1982 then you may like the Tricent mk III. This impressive synth has the cool vintage strings sounds. Actually it’s three generators: regular synth, a brass section, and a string section. Use them individually or mix them. Any way you want it sounds fantastic. Download the Tricent mkIII. FB 7999 by Full Bucket If you like the KORG DW-6000 or the DW- 8000 synths from the 1980s you may like this one. It has two digital oscillators with 16 + 16 different waveforms, a resize-able user interface, up to 64 voice polyphony, MIDI Learn – all parameters can be controlled by MIDI CC, and it supports Windows and macOS (32 bit and 64 bit). This one is a trip down memory lane 1985. Download the FB-7999. WhispAir by Full Bucket The very talented folks at Full Bucket did it again. Warm sweetness – the poly patches are lovely. Atmospheric pads. There’s 3 flexible wavetable oscillators, a resize-able user interface, MIDI learn – all parameters can be controlled by MIDI CC, and this plug-in supports Windows and macOS (32 bit and 64 bit). There’s a lot of flexibity in this one. Download WhispAir. GR-8 by Phuturetone The GR-8 is an 8 voice virtual analog synthesizer. It has a high CPU use sometimes depending on the patch. The effects include EQ, distortion, phaser, chorus/flanger, delay, and reverb. It also includes 88 presets. The layout reminds me a little of the Dune 3. Download the GR-8 by Phuturetone. Kairatune by Futurecraft Kairatune is designed to produce monophonic crisp and tight sounds for electronic music production. I’ve noticed that the sounds can become shrill, but using a compressor like the free TDR Nova multiband compressor or one like the free OTT by Xfer helps smooth that for sure. Download Kairatune by Futurecraft. Crystal by Green Oak Crystal features both subtractive synthesis and frequency modulation (FM) synthesis. This one is an older Win 32-bit idea that has withstood the test of time, and now it also comes in a 64-bit version. The presets are cool albeit singular original sounds, and it excels at complex evolving pads, ambiance, and atmospheres. I love using the program morphing feature. Excellent. Download Crystal by Green Oak. 2RuleSynth by 2Rule 2RuleSynth is a hybrid synth with classic subtractive, FM, and ring all simultaneously. It’s also 8-note polyphonic, and comes with 49 presets to get a person started. I’m a sucker for the randomize feature. Download 2RuleSynth by 2Rule. Nettle by Fellusive Nettle has 32-voice polyphony, and all controls are fully automatable. The patches tend to sound grainy but are very musical, although many exhibit weird lo-fi textures. This synth seems to be more experimental in nature. I wish it came with more presets. Download Nettle by Fellusive. Kern by Full Bucket Kern is a polyphonic synthesizer designed to be controlled by modern MIDI keyboard controllers. It also sports MIDI Learn, and 32-voice polyphony including portamento. It’s simple and effective with an easy-to-understand GUI to get right into editing. It's got a classic warm vintage synth sound, and if you need a super fat lead tone this one will get you there. Download Kern. The qyooo by Full Bucket Qyooo is a polyphonic 3-oscillator analog type synthesizer. This one’s great for drones, evolving pads, textures, ambiances, atmospheres, and soundscapes. Very nice. Download qyooo. FB3300 by Full Bucket If you like the Korg PS-3300 polyphonic synthesizer from 1977 then most likely you’ll enjoy this one. The FB3300 also offers a micro-tuning option, and MIDI Learn – all parameters can be controlled by MIDI CC. There’s a learning curve, it’s difficult to program at first. Download FB3300. ModulAir by Full Bucket ModulAir is a fully modular architecture, with up to 18 modules per patch, and 57 module types available. It’s polyphonic voice and monophonic Master modules, with up to 64 voices polyphony. It also has a resizable user interface, MIDI Learn, and all parameters can be controlled by MIDI CC. This one supports Windows and macOS (32 bit and 64 bit). Download ModulAir. Synth1 by Daichi Laboratory Synth1 is modeled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth. It’s amazing that a free plugin this old is still this popular. There’s a mess of free patches for it online. The GUI could use a little improvement. What else would I suggest? “Go wild, young man, go wild.” Download Synth1. The blooo by Full Bucket The blooo is 32-voice polyphony based on the classic subtractive synthesis architecture. It is easy on CPU use considering the complexity of the sounds, and it’s more versatile than it seems at first sight. The shape control really makes this synth shine in it's versatility. Download blooo. Cobalt by Leslie Sanford Cobalt is an hybrid synth inspired by many of the digital synthesizers from the 1980s. It creates warm, rich, beautiful sounds of its own, and also comes with lots of presets to get a person started. Download Cobalt. Digits by Extent of the Jam This phase distortion synth is inspired by the Casio CZ series, but it takes the idea even farther. It’s got lots of character, and an easy interface to create patches in no time. It comes with a few presets to get you going. This might be the best phase distortion synth plugin out there, paid or free. Very nice. Download Digits here. Swamp series by HG Fortune A free synth list is never complete without these three monsters. Yes, they’re older Win 32-bit synths, but the sound is very individual. If you like cinematic pads, spooky atmospheres, and other worldly voices like none you’ve ever heard then try these three synths. And the lazy button makes them even better. These synths are excellent works of art and genius from the late HG Fortune. #1. Download the Swamp (pictured above). #2. Download the Swamp XT. #3. Download the Ultra Swamp. SFX-1 by Slapassound SFX-1 is a sound FX rompler with 32 categories and over 900 different and very usable effects for music, stage, audio books, and radio productions. These include spooky haunted noises, farm sounds, fireworks, factory noises, explosions, birds, dogs, frogs, crickets, cats, storms, voices, and many others. I suppose technically a rompler doesn’t really fit in a synthesizer list like this, but this one is so good it’s a shame to not include it – a serious must have. Download SFX-1 now before Marko in Tallinn, Estonia realizes that free is too cheap. Honorable Mention Free Synth List As I said earlier, many synths didn’t make this list for reasons like lack of versatility, not polyphonic, lack of innovation or too simplistic, ring-around-the-rosie downloads, or breaking Zystrix privacy rules. But here are some synths you may enjoy. Vital by Matt Tytel I hear the quality; at least I’ve seen videos that sound great, but I can’t get it to work. There’s a problem with the installation I can’t figure out. I even tried an older version I found online and it still didn’t work. This synth may be the one for you, that is, if you can make it work. Download Vital here. VK-1 Viking Synthesizer by Blamsoft The VK-1 Viking Synthesizer is a monophonic synthesizer that features three variable wave oscillators from sine to saw, square and pulse, two ladder filters, a noise generator, two modulation busses, and an LFO. Imagine an emulation of the Moog Voyager hardware synthesizer. History. Viking has a retro sound for people who need that sort of thing. Download the Viking. Helm by Matt Tytel I experienced constant crashes with this one, but when it works it’s great. At least that’s how the story goes. Download Helm here. Triple Cheese by U-he This is another great free synth by U-he, although I prefer the Zebralette listed above. I think the U-he freebies are an introduction to drugs to get you hooked. But don’t be shy, you can quit any time you want. For me, I just don’t want to quit right now. Give the Triple Cheese a try. Tyrell N6 by U-He This is another great job by U-he although I prefer the Zebralette, hence the Tyrell N6 is in the honorable mention section. Try it by clicking here. Mirage by Frozen Plain Music box Suite This one requires an installer, so there is no such thing as an offline installation. Sorry. It seems odd that so many inspired and creative people can’t make their hard work available for others to experience without an invasion of your computer. Too bad. Black Keys 2 Lite by LFO Audio I hear it’s good but where the hell is the download? Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, had a great vocal line for this, “Come out, come out, where ever you are…” Surrealistic M-1 by Cherry Audio Unfortunately this software is another one that doesn’t allow installation without an internet connection. No offline installations allowed. The company is not that brave. But if you are the type of person who writes music on an internet connected computer then you are the brave one indeed. Synthmaster Player by KV331 Audio This is another synth that cannot install without an internet connection. It seems to me the developers would be better off to ask for personal info and the email BS before the download instead of wasting a person’s time with a worthless download DOA. Opportunity lost makes opportunity cost. BEST FREE SYNTHS OF 2024 CONCLUSION When it comes to free synths, in my opinion, there’s much more available here than what’s needed to record some excellent tracks. And with some of these original sounds people are going to wonder what synth you used. And there’s always the possibility to go retro and sound like the 1980s. In any case, however you use them there is no bad free synth choice, just lazy creativity. Don’t touch that dial… Stay tuned next time… Next time we’ll examine some guitar pedals made by Mooer, and possibly answer the persistent question, “Why can’t I be famous and just get it over with?” Maybe I’ll see you then. My therapist says I have a preoccupation with vengeance. Oh yeah? We’ll see about that… Knowledge, art, and music for all…

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