Vst Plugin reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 130 Reddit reviews across 26 subreddits and 41 posts to rank the best Vst Plugin brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/metalguitar, r/Reaper, r/synthesizers, r/TechnicalDeathMetal, r/GameAudio. Top-rated brands include Neural DSP (4.7/5), Superior Drummer 3 (4.8/5), NeuralDSP (4.3/5).
Stats
Reviews130
Subreddits26
Posts41
Brands80
Products55
130 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Neural DSP
4.7
(15)
"NeuralDSP and STL Tones have fantastic plugins."
"My go to plugins are Neural DSP Gojira X and Bogren Digital MLC S_Zero 100."
"If you’re looking for Bang for buck high gain tones i’d say the archetype gojira or the fortín nameless suite."
"I get really good results with Neural DSP Nolly and Granophyre."
"I get really good results with Neural DSP Nolly and Granophyre."
"I love neural dsp fortin nameless x"
"My favorite for ease of use and immediate good tones are NDSP plugins."
"NeuralDSP and stltones killin it"
"Neural DSP Archetype Petrucci or Gojira X"
"Neural DSP Archetype Petrucci or Gojira X"
#2
Superior Drummer 3
4.8
(4)
"Superior drummer 3 is the most powerful option with the ability to customize your kits."
"Superior Drummer three is the best."
"I’m using superior drummer 3 and its my go to for recording my drums."
"Superior drummer3 has beena. mainstay (EZDrummer is good as well but SD3 fell into my lap for a song and dance)"
#3
NeuralDSP
4.3
(4)
"Something like Neural DSP's John Petrucci plugin is going to get you to where you want."
"Pitchproof and/or transpose knob on some newer neuraldsp suites."
"Neurals petrucii has a good shifter."
"Neural DSP has some stellar amp sims."
#4
TAL
4.3
(4)
"I would suggest TAL bassline-101, it’s a superb model of a Roland classic which is well known for being impossible to get a bad sound out of."
"TAL [U-No-62] is a nice free one, although it won't run on modern MacOS."
"TAL noisemaker, Synth1."
"[TAL Noisemaker] and [TAL Bassline] are both really basic VST synths that are free."
#5
iZotope
4.3
(4)
"The best one I tried is the Izotope RX built-in plugin."
"IZotope Vinyl."
"Maybe try iZotope Nectar and go through the presets."
"IZotope's Stutter Edit can achieve this effect, as well as a whole bunch of other wacky FX."
#6
Superior Drummer
4.7
(3)
"Superior Drummer 3 is a complete drum toolkit."
"Superior drummer is the bad man for realism surely."
"Compatible with all the EZDrummer kits / beat packs but with higher end samples."
#7
Vital
4.3
(3)
"For a synth plugin pretty much all you need is vital. Best synth out there for pretty much anything."
"The free version of Vital is all you need as a beginner."
"Also, check out Vital. It’s a free and surprisingly powerful."
#8
EZDrummer
4.3
(3)
"Kinda expensive but it’s amazing, built in sequencer and an arranger."
"If you want that more natural feeling you can go with EzDrummer3"
"Works really well with Tech Death imo"
#9
Nexus
4.0
(3)
"Nexus, Electrax, Sylenth, Dune 2"
"Nexus"
"Nexus I think"
#10
Kontakt
4.0
(3)
"NI Kontakt has oriental instruments."
"Kontakt has some good ones like Omnia."
"If you want real instrument samples kontakt or philharmonic orchestra are good"
#11
U-He
5.0
(2)
"I particularly like Zebralette, which is the little brother of Zebra, one of the best classic synths around."
"For some great FREE traditional synths that come with some very usable presets, try the following: U-He - Zebralette."
#12
PitchProof
3.0
(3)
"Free: PitchProof, sounds pretty good and has a harmonizer."
"Its obviously not perfect but it works decently well"
"Pitchproof is a pretty snappy, but won't be very accurate for guitar I guess."
#13
XLN Audio
4.5
(2)
"My favorite is Addictive Drums by XLN Audio."
"Very happy with the latter."
#14
Serum
4.5
(2)
"Serum!"
"If you want a specific synth option, go with Serum, Splice offers a rent to own option, so it’s not"
#15
LABS
4.5
(2)
"Spitfire LABS is a free VST with a lot of great sampled instrument libraries to choose from."
"Here are two great free ones: Spitfire LABS."
#16
Composer Cloud
4.0
(2)
"Compose Cloud gives you access to SO MUCH content that its usefulness is massive."
"EastWest composer cloud is really good if you can't spend much at a time."
#17
ReaFIR
4.0
(2)
"Use ReaFIR if you want to remove background noise."
"Reafir is good"
#18
Roland Cloud
4.0
(2)
"Roland Cloud has the best in terms of non-hyper realistic and oldskool sounding."
"Roland Cloud has plenty of VSTs."
#19
Serato
4.0
(2)
"Serato Hex has been going crazy with promotion these days."
"Serato hex or lo-fi panda....also Sketch cassette"
#20
EZD
4.0
(2)
"EzD 3"
"EZD3 sounds good and it's pretty user friendly."
#21
VST4Free
4.0
(2)
"I like using this one : [https://vst4free.com/plugin/2783/](https://vst4free.com/plugin/2783/) "
"But you should search these pages : [https://vst4free.com/instruments/Drumkits/](https://vst4free.com/instruments/Drumkits/) "
#22
Arturia
4.0
(2)
"Try serum, repro-5 or any of arturia synths."
"If you want synths arturia v collection had tons and the presets aren’t as wet"
#23
Waves
3.5
(2)
"Waves Clarity Vx has been getting good reviews since it was released a couple months ago, and is not terribly expensive."
"For impact sounds, I'd recommend a good transient shaper. I hate Waves UI, but they do have some cheap ones, Trans-X."
#24
Robot Dog Drums
5.0
(1)
"I love the samples from Robot Dog Drums VST plugin."
#25
Blezz Beats
5.0
(1)
"I think this one might be more perfect for what I was hoping to do: SNOP"
#26
RC-20
5.0
(1)
"The RC-20 is great."
#27
Synth1
5.0
(1)
"Not sure about presets, but Synth1 is free and great for learning synthesis."
#28
VK-1
5.0
(1)
"VK-1 Viking Synthesizer was great for me when I was starting out."
#29
Calf Studio
5.0
(1)
"Calf Studio plugins."
#30
Krimh
5.0
(1)
"Krimh does have a free demo too that just has less than the full version to try."
#31
Helm
5.0
(1)
"Definitely check out Helm. It's free, well laid out, fun to use."
#32
Rhodes V-pan
5.0
(1)
"V-pan by Rhodes is free atm"
#33
TAL U-No-LX
5.0
(1)
"The TAL-U-No-LX is one of the best vst that emulates the sound of the 80's especially sounds from the legendary Roland Juno 60, easy to use and perfect for synthwave or even 70s and 80s vibes."
#34
Tonex
5.0
(1)
"My favorite tones overall come from Tonex."
#35
Fortin
5.0
(1)
"If you’re looking for Bang for buck high gain tones i’d say the archetype gojira or the fortín nameless suite."
#36
Bogren Digital
5.0
(1)
"My go to plugins are Neural DSP Gojira X and Bogren Digital MLC S_Zero 100."
#37
Neural Amp Modeler
5.0
(1)
"Neural Amp Modeler - It's free and you can find just about any tone you want with it"
#38
Bias FX 2
5.0
(1)
"Bias FX2 is a beast"
#39
STLTones
5.0
(1)
"STLTones has been my favorite of all the ones I’ve tried."
#40
Ignite
5.0
(1)
"I use ignite emissary for everything prettymuch, it's free and does the job really well for me."
#41
Sitala
5.0
(1)
"Use them with this excellent free drum sampler called Sitala."
#42
Helix
5.0
(1)
"IMO in general Helix Native is top tier."
#43
ReaGate
4.0
(1)
"ReaGate's excellent."
#44
S Layer
4.0
(1)
"S Layer and Graincube for Reaktor"
#45
Graincube
4.0
(1)
"S Layer and Graincube for Reaktor"
#46
Synapse Audio
4.0
(1)
"I suggest Synapse Audio The Legend or U-He Repro. Yes, they're not cheap... but you'll end up with one of the best analog emulations on the market."
#47
Synth 1
4.0
(1)
"I'd second other's recommendation for Synth 1."
#48
Syntorial
4.0
(1)
"You could also check out syntorial, it guides you interactively to learn basic synthesis on a custom vst."
#49
Plugsound
4.0
(1)
"Plugsound works for me, I run the banks through a vst called MachFive."
#50
Spectral Plugins
4.0
(1)
"Spectral Plugins has a real good dirty tape plugin called OCS-45."
#51
Unfiltered Audio
4.0
(1)
"Unfiltered Audio Needlepoint does most of these things."
#52
Psychic Modulation
4.0
(1)
"Everything by Psychic Modulation (not free)."
#53
Transfluxer
4.0
(1)
"Transfluxer rack extension just came out recently, it’s a lot of fun."
#54
GGD
4.0
(1)
"GGD Invasion is a popular one but I think the Bogren Krimh is probably a better choice"
#55
Native Instruments
4.0
(1)
"Each bank has preset loops that are good for getting started when you’re working out your ideas."
#56
PG8X
4.0
(1)
"PG8X is a great free VST, with a clean interface."
#57
Cymatics
4.0
(1)
"Did a quick google search and found this: [https://cymatics.fm/blogs/production/ultimate-list-of-free-drumpercussion-samples](https://cymatics.fm/blogs/production/ultimate-list-of-free-drumpercussion-samples) "
#58
Sunvox
4.0
(1)
"[Sunvox](https://warmplace.ru/soft/sunvox/) is free and has lots of great synths and filters for old-school dungeon synth."
#59
Omnisphere
4.0
(1)
"Edit the fx in omnisphere so it’s more to your taste, change/take layers out there’s so much that can be done"
#60
ABL3
4.0
(1)
"You may give it a try.
You can also use the sequencer of a TB-3, a X0xb0x or some other clones to play a 303 emulation VST, like the ABL3."
#61
XLN Addictive Drums
4.0
(1)
"Addictive drums from XLN?"
#62
Xpand!2
4.0
(1)
"I like Xpand2 it’s not bad priced and sounds are nice especially since you can layer the sounds in one synth it’s helpful."
#63
Melda
4.0
(1)
"Melda Munison."
#64
SoundToys
4.0
(1)
"Check out SoundToys Microshift and Eventide Quadravox."
#65
Wave Voltage
4.0
(1)
"Yesterday I decided to purchase the Wave Voltage amp plugins. They were on sale for $35 (reg $99) so I'd have more variety and control than I did with the free ones."
#66
Ample Guitar
4.0
(1)
"Look at ample guitar vst"
#67
PolyChrome
4.0
(1)
"PolyChrome McRocklin are pretty good and easy to use."
#68
Ugritone
4.0
(1)
"Till the end of the year you can get Ugritone's "Daim" for super cheap."
#69
ML Sound Lab
4.0
(1)
"I always find myself going back to the free version of Amped Roots by ML Sound Lab."
#70
otto audio
4.0
(1)
"Try the otto audio 11 11. The neural dsps are amazing and all, But try this one out too."
#71
Ignite Amps
4.0
(1)
"Ignite amps, an italian amp maker who let u download the sims of her products."
#72
Audio Assault
4.0
(1)
"Audio Assault has some great sims for super cheap."
#73
Line 6
4.0
(1)
"I use the Line Metallurgy Polycapo. It's great."
#74
TSE
4.0
(1)
"I started off with the free TSE BOD vst. It's great at giving that extra bit to cut through the mix."
#75
Sonotina
4.0
(1)
"Sonotina and VSCO2 have done pretty well by me."
#76
Spitfire Audio
4.0
(1)
"I know it’s not the best orchestral VST plugin but Spitfire Audio gives away their Symphony Orchestra plugin for free."
#77
IK Multimedia
3.0
(1)
"Not used it, but maybe this you can use in a free version of sampletank."
#78
ReFX
3.0
(1)
"ReFX Nexus has a couple that might fit the bill... Pop Keys and Wild West Saloon."
#79
Effectrix
3.0
(1)
"Effectrix is what I’ve been looking at but it’s expensive so the sales aren’t too great."
#80
Tympo
2.0
(1)
"Tympo sounds amazing but I find it to be a nightmare to work with."
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