Free VST3 plugin for Windows, with a macOS VST3 version in development. Implements physical modeling combined with behavior modeling, meaning the sound is generated algorithmically rather than from samples.

Key Features:

• MIDI 2.0 & MPE support – enabling high-resolution control, expressive performance via compatible controllers.
• Behavior compensation for various violin techniques (legato, dynamics, articulation).
• Flexible mic and stage simulation – choose between concert hall, studio, small room, various mic types/settings.
  

Pros and Highlights:

• Tiny install size yet powerful physical modeling engine compared to sample libraries.
• Future‑ready with MIDI 2.0, great if you own an MPE controller or plan to.
• Tonal range includes not just sweet violin sound some users like the “scratchy/gritty tone,” giving it character  .

Limitations & Considerations:

• Currently Windows‑only, though a macOS build is planned (VST3 only; AU support remains unclear).
• Audio demos are limited; most impressions are from announcements, early previews, or the video above.
• Doesn’t yet aim to rival large commercial libraries in sheer realism or sample depth.
  

Who It’s For:

• Budget-aware composers seeking an expressive solo violin without large sample libraries.
• MIDI 2.0/MPE users looking for a plugin that leverages their hardware’s full potential.
• Producers who enjoy hybrid/physical modeling instruments with swap‑in mic simulations and expressive control.
  

Violin One marks an exciting addition to physically modeled violin plugins—small, expressive, and free. Ideal for experimentation, film scoring, and emerging composers. Windows users can download it now; Mac version is expected later.

Download: Violins-One (Free VST from Soundmagic)

Fender Studio is a free, cross-platform multitrack recording app from Fender, available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux . Designed for both mobile and desktop use, it offers up to 8 simultaneous tracks (expandable to 16 when you sign in with a free Fender Connect account), ideal for songwriters, guitarists, and creators on the go  .

Key Features:

Amp & pedal simulation: Includes models of classic Fender amplifiers (like the ’65 Twin Reverb and ’59 Bassman) and effects such as overdrive, reverb, delay, compression, vocoder, and more  . Interface & workflow: Comparable to GarageBand but noted for its clearer, more intuitive mobile interface, with support for both portrait and landscape orientations  . Pre-recorded backing tracks: Comes with demo stems (non-commercial use) so you can experiment and learn quickly  . Hardware compatibility: Seamless integration with external gear (USB audio interfaces, DACs, mics, etc.) for better sound quality .

Ideal For

Musicians & songwriters who want a portable, easy-to-learn DAW for capturing ideas fast. Users who prefer Fender’s iconic amp tones in a software environment. Beginners seeking an intuitive entry into multitrack recording.

Comparison & Context:

Fender Studio vs. GarageBand: More intuitive on mobile, with smarter use of screen space and simpler workflow  . Fender’s broader software ecosystem: This app continues Fender’s push into digital tools—complementing their hardware and high-end DAWs (like Studio One via PreSonus acquisition)—with a focus on intuitive entry-level experiences .

Summary:

Fender Studio stands out as a powerful yet user-friendly recording app that brings Fender’s signature amp sounds and effects to your fingertips. With multitrack support, hardware compatibility, and a clean interface, it’s an excellent choice for creatives looking to record, mix, and produce music quickly and intuitively—whether they’re at home, in the studio, or on the move.

Download: Fender Studio

Here’s a streamlined overview of the Komplete 15 Select bundle from Native Instruments:

🎯 What is K15 Select?

A genre-tailored, entry-level version of the flagship Komplete suite. It gives you professional-grade instruments, effects, and Expansions for specific music styles—Beats, Band, or Electronic—without the huge installation size or cost 🍃  .

Pricing

Currently on sale for US $49.50 (usually ~$99), part of their “Summer of Sound” deal  .

Edition Breakdowns

1. Beats Edition

Focuses on hip-hop, R&B, pop, and beat production.

• Key Instruments: Massive X, Battery 4
• Play Series & Expansions: Empire Breaks, Duets, Stacks, Cloud Supply Latin Trap Leap Expansion
• Effects & Mastering: Dirt, Bite, Freak, Supercharger GT, Transient Master, iZotope Ozone Elements

2. Band Edition

Designed for songwriting with realistic live instrument tones.

• Instruments: Session Guitarist – Strummed Acoustic, Scarbee Rickenbacker Bass, Electric Keys – Phoenix, Studio Drummer, The Gentleman, Soul Sessions
• Effects: Guitar Rig 7 LE, Solid Bus Compressor, Dynamics, EQ, iZotope Nectar 4 Elements + Ozone Elements
• Expansion: Disco & Funk Leap

3. Electronic Edition

Tailored for electronic music producers (techno, trance, house).

• Instruments: Massive X, Schema: Light, TRK-01, Feel It, Nacht, Utopia
• Effects: Replika XT, Choral, Flair, Phasis, Driver, plus Ozone Elements
• Expansion: Progressive Trance Leap
  

🔍 Highlights Across All Editions

Massive X – flagship wavetable synth Play Series instruments – great quality with simple interface   Leap Expansions for genre-specific sounds iZotope Ozone 11 Elements – AI-assisted mastering   Effects & Studio Tools – creative FX plus solid bus processing Compact download size (~11 GB for Beats) with modular install options  

👍 Pros vs Cons

• Pros:
  

Affordable entry into the Komplete ecosystem (~$50) Genre-focused bundles save time and data Seamless integration with NI hardware and DAWs  

• Cons:
  

Smaller library vs Standard/Ultimate (limited synths/instruments) Heavy hitters like Kontakt 8 chord/phrase tools not included (exclusive to higher tiers)  

🎯 Should You Get It?

Yes, if you want a strong, affordable starter kit tailored to your music style. No, if you need full-featured sampling workflows, advanced Kontakt tools, or expansive orchestral libraries—those are in Komplete Standard and above.

GRAB THE DEAL: Komplete 15 Select (FREE for a limited time @ Sweetwater)

Klaus Scheuermann has introduced PodcastPlugins, a complimentary plugin suite designed to streamline speech processing for podcasters across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. While versatile EQs, compressors, and limiters are valuable tools, this bundle excels by integrating multiple processing stages to address practical challenges - enhancing vocal quality without requiring advanced audio engineering expertise.

PodcastPlugins delivers a focused speech enhancement toolkit tailored for users with limited audio experience. The package comprises two plugins: PodcastPlugins Track and PodcastPlugins Master, each targeting distinct stages within a standard podcast production workflow.

PodcastPlugins Track is designed for individual vocal tracks, managing leveling, EQ, and dynamics simultaneously. This allows for independent processing of each speaker’s voice with highly intuitive controls.

PodcastPlugins Master operates on the master channel, facilitating the finalization of the vocal mix through level management, overall tonal shaping, and dynamic control.

Installers for Windows, macOS (Intel and Apple Silicon), and Linux are available for download on the project’s GitHub repository. The source code is also accessible for users who prefer to compile the plugins themselves. PodcastPlugins supports a broad range of formats, including VST, VST3, LV2, CLAP, and AU.

Download: PodcastPlugins

Fracture Sounds has introduced String Trio as part of the complimentary Blueprint series for Kontakt Player. The Blueprint series by Fracture Sounds is widely recognized as one of the most dependable and high-quality sources of free virtual instruments. For emerging media composers, this collection is essential.

The Blueprint libraries are fully compatible with the free Kontakt Player (version 7 or above).

It is remarkable that this free instrument series has now reached fourteen releases. String Trio is the fourteenth installment, succeeding titles such as Gentle Brass and Textural Violin. This library features solo violin, viola, and cello recordings, combined to form an intimate and emotionally expressive ensemble patch.

While large string ensembles can deliver epic, grandiose, and deeply moving performances, there is a unique emotional impact in a smaller string combination. String Trio preserves the ensemble’s power while maintaining the intimacy and delicacy of each individual instrument—qualities that are highly effective in composition. The library includes three articulations: Sustain, Staccato, and Pizzicato.

String Trio represents a valuable addition to the Blueprint series, and it is hoped that Fracture Sounds will continue to expand this collection for years to come.

Download: Blueprint: String Trio (FREE – requires Kontakt 7 or higher)

Earlier this month, Platone Studio released the Alton Limiter, a free release for macOS and Windows that is available in VST, VST3, and AU formats.

The dev states that the limiter is right at home for mixing and mastering tasks and allows producers to tame peaks and crank up mixes with clean volume, all within a user-friendly interface. Alton Limiter is designed to cap peaks in a way that creates a smooth, balanced sound.

Alton Limiter’s real-time visual feedback allows you to get a clear handle on how the input is affecting the signal. It seems to me like it’s a pretty standard limiter that gets the job done fast and with a minimum of fuss. The interface takes a simple approach, so you definitely won’t get any option paralysis here. To my eyes, the visuals are probably a bit similar though, with every single part of the plugin being some variation of blue. More contrast in the colour scheme could be used to make the parameter names and different parts of the interface pop out more on a busy DAW interface. 

Platone Studio produced an official YouTube introduction for Alton Limiter, but it mostly just lists the features with only a few seconds of plugin operation shown.

The developer offers several paid releases as well as free reverb, delay, and filter plugins. 

Download: Alton Limiter (FREE)

Developer Studiologic has released Numa Player 2, a free virtual instrument for macOS, iOS, and Windows, which is a free update to the original Numa Player (2022). As I’ve said in the past, I’m a big fan of Studiologic; I think they release some incredibly underrated products. For those unfamiliar with the original Numa Player, it’s a fairly impressive collection of sounds (mainly keyboard instruments) and effects wrapped in a tidy player that functions as a plugin in your DAW or as a standalone player.

With Numa Player 2, Studiologic has made improvements in several areas, primarily focusing on CPU performance and user workflow. Alternatively, if you’re looking for an instrument with no improvements whatsoever, check out Broken Mini from Full Bucket Music; it’s broken as a, well, it’s broke.

The package remains essentially the same with four sound categories: Acoustic Pianos, Electric Pianos, Keys, and Strings & Pads.

Numa Player 2 is available for macOS, iOS, and Windows.

Download: Numa Player 2 (FREE)

Our friends over at Audio Plugin Deals are currently offering the Mixbox SE effects suite from IK Multimedia, absolutely free for the next few days. They have actually done this giveaway before; I’ve personally got Mixbox SE through them for free. But if you’ve missed it before, now is a great time to grab this fantastic plugin.

You can think of Mixbox as a host for a whole bunch of rack effects. Mixbox includes a whopping 70 FX modules and normally sells for $99. It normally comes free with select IK Multimedia hardware, but with the current promotion at Audio Plugin Deals, you can grab it for free without buying any gear! All 24 of these FX are taken from IK Multimedia’s T-RackS, SampleTank, and Amplitube. And if you’ve used these plugins before, you’ll feel right at home with Mixbox SE.

Let’s take a look at the included FX: there are 4 amps, which are inspired by the likes of Marshall and Ampeg. There’s a channel strip and a digital delay with a few different modes, as well as 3 different reverbs: Ambience, Plate Reverb, and Digital Reverb.

You get 2 different distortions. One with 5 different clipping modes, as well as a Lofi effect which seems to be a bit crusher. There’s also a Saturator-X with multiple tube and tape saturation emulations. Mixbox SE has a parametric EQ as well as 3 compressors: British Dynamics, White LA, and Limiter.

Mixbox SE runs as a VST2, VST3, AU, or AAX plugin on Windows and macOS machines.

Download: Mixbox SE (FREE for the next few days)

For a limited time, Eva Instruments is offering their Gentle Keys Kontakt library by Splash Sound completely free of charge. If you’ve been looking to upgrade your piano libraries while still on a budget, you’ve come to the right place.

I was initially unfamiliar with the name Eva Instruments, but it seems to be a new subset of Splash Sound, the sample library developer. Gentle Keys normally sells for $58, and for free, it is a no-brainer, so long as you have the full version of Kontakt. It’s a clear and transparent recording of an upright piano that’s meant to be versatile and suitable for many genres. Upright pianos have been a staple of pop, rock, jazz, and even film scores for decades. And they’re known for their signature bright and resonant tone.

Gentle Keys delivers that and beyond. It offers unique features like synth and string layers that can add a nice pad under your piano part. The library also offers 3 mic positions as well as 7 patches, ranging from jazz piano to dark piano, and even some more ambient patches like the Piano and Strings patch. It also gives you control over things like hammer and key noises, which is a great addition. From my experience, sometimes with sample libraries, the noises can get overbearing and it is very handy to be able to adjust the noise levels.

This way you get some of the imperfections that you’d typically find in a real performance, but with the ability to dial them in to taste. There’s also an FX module with a bus compressor, 3-band EQ, and a vintage tape saturator.

Gentle Keys runs in the full version of Kontakt 5.6.8 or above. Please note that the free Kontakt Player is not supported.

Check out the deal: Gentle Keys (FREE for a limited time – full Kontakt 5.6.8 or above required)