Best Free VST Plugins

[T.C. Elliott]

So... what are your favorite plugins (preferably free)?

I've downloaded a ton of late and am slowly going through them.

I like the SAFE plugins. The interface isn't as slick or pretty as some, but I've discovered that the compressor was pretty easy to use. I've only used it twice now, but it's good.  http://www.semanticaudio.co.uk/

I also like the stock Reaper compressor ReaComp and the stock Reaper EQ ReaEQ among others. Very useful especially for free.  http://www.reaper.fm/reaplugs/

I like the Modern Plug ins, but I've only used a few of them. There are quite a few in the bundle. 
http://antress.blogspot.com/

There are various stand alone plugins I use (not in bundles.) I've been using the Black Water Reverb plugin quite a bit since I started using Reaper. KVR says that it isn't available anymore but I've found a link here:
http://www.vst4free.com/free_vst.php?id=542

Oh, and of course the KVR site is a great one to browse and read up on plugins both free and for sale:
http://www.kvraudio.com/


Anyone got some plugins they want to review or recommend? I'm currently trying out new reverbs, delays, compressors among some more specific bits.  I tend to mix "clean" and only use a bit of each plugin.... in other words, I don't usually use them for an effect, but to get a good clean sound from what I've recorded or from the tracks I've been given. Any recommendations would be welcome, though.

[64Guitars]

I don't have any recommendations because VST is primarily a Windows thing and I don't use Windows. However, I have a few sites bookmarked where you can download Free VST and VSTi plugins, so I thought I'd share them here.

http://www.vst4free.com/

http://www.vstwarehouse.com/

http://www.dskmusic.com/

http://patcharena.com/downloads/

[T.C. Elliott]

I would add one more to your list.

http://www.vstplanet.com

[Blooby]

Check out KVR Audio and PluginBoutique.

[T.C. Elliott]

I've got a link to KVR up in the OP, but i hadn't ever been to boutique before. I went over and found a free plugin I would like to try. I grabbed it and figured out I already have it but never used it.

Yeah, I think it's time I actually started a favorites folder and thinned out the herd a bit.

Also, I was really hoping some folks would chime in on what they use. Even if it is the stock plugins (which I find are pretty damn good most of the time.)

[Blooby]

Also, I was really hoping some folks would chime in on what they use. Even if it is the stock plugins

My go-to plug-ins are VintageVerb (best I've heard and not break-the-bank expensive), FabFilter EQ, IK Multimedia's 1176 compressor clone (for aggressive), and Renaissance compressor (for more transparent things). Anything else is a stock Studio One plug-in or something else I don't use with any regularity. I went nuts when I first got my DAW and now wish I hadn't (although I guess you can't figure out your own way before trying some different things). The only plug-in I'm actively pining for is Cytomic's The Glue, which is an emulation of the compressor on an SSL board.

Blooby

[T.C. Elliott]

The VintageVerb vst looks good. It costs $50 and can be found here:
https://valhalladsp.com/shop/plugins/valhalla-vintage-verb/

I'm assuming the FabFilter EQ is the Pro-Q 2?  It retails at $199 or you can buy it in a bundle for around $700. It also looks good but I wouldn't buy it without a demo. We are in luck, though. You can get a free 10-day demo from the FabFilter site:
http://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-q-2-equalizer-plug-in

I'm assuming by the Studio One vst you use that DAW and the built in plug ins? I like most of the built in plugins in Reaper and would be hard pressed to pay for an EQ or even a compressor that didn't blow my ears off. That being said, the interface with the stock plugins aren't very attractive. I guess you get what you pay for.

[T.C. Elliott]

Oh, and here is a link to a blog post about free VST plug ins. Some good recommendations and I think a good starting point for someone who is getting into DAW recording or mixing and is ready to start exploring more effects.

http://bedroomproducersblog.com/free-vst-plugins/

[alfstone]

I guess you get what you pay for.

...and at the end of the story this is the truth, for VST plugins as for everything else...

Alfredo

[T.C. Elliott]

I think it's true. The problem with VST plugins is that some of the free ones are excellent and some aren't. But the exact same can be said for the ones you pay for. I love the fact that people like Graham over at the recording revolution teach on stock plugins. Instead of purchasing the "best" compressor, for instance, he teaches that it is often better to learn how to use the stock plugin extremely well before spending money on a "better" one that you can't use to its full potential. Of course, once you get to that point you shouldn't NOT buy one if it will do the job better or faster.

Besides, I'm cheap.