Top VST Plugins for Elevating Your Electronic Music Production

As a burgeoning electronic music producer, the right VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins can make or break your workflow and sound quality. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been producing tracks for years, there is a vast ocean of plugins available, each catering to different aspects of music production. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some of the best VSTs to enhance your electronic music production in 2024. We’ll begin with free plugins that provide amazing value, then dive into powerful synthesizers, processing bundles, essential reverb plugins, vocal tuning tools, distortion and saturation effects, drum plugins, and finally, some must-have sampled instrument plugins. By navigating through these categories, you’ll have a solid toolkit to elevate your production game.

I. Free plugins

1. Vital

Vital is a game-changer in the world of free synth plugins. Its wavetable synthesis capabilities and visually intuitive interface make it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned producers. Vital offers a wide range of presets and customization options, enabling users to create complex and rich sounds easily. With three oscillators, a sampler, over 80 drag-and-drop modulatable parameters, and an array of effects, Vital is incredibly versatile. Moreover, the community around Vital is thriving, providing abundant third-party presets and tutorials.

2. Surge

Surge is an open-source powerhouse that doesn’t compromise on quality. Featuring subtractive, FM, and wavetable synthesis, it offers over a thousand patches to kickstart your creativity. Surge has a robust modulation system, multiple synthesis engines, and a flexible signal routing architecture. Its phase distortion synthesis and oscillator algorithms can create sounds ranging from classic analog to cutting-edge digital textures. Regular updates and an active user community add immense value and longevity to this plugin.

3. Xfer OTT

Xfer OTT is a dynamic multi-band compressor that has become a staple in the electronic music scene. Known for its extreme, yet musical compression, OTT (Over The Top) is perfect for adding punch and clarity to your mix. It shines in processing drums, bass, and synths, lending a professional polish to your tracks. This free plugin is straightforward to use, with a simple interface that belies its powerful processing capabilities.

4. Polyverse Wider 2

The Polyverse Wider 2 plugin is your go-to for achieving expansive stereo width without sacrificing phase coherence. It’s perfect for adding space and dimension to individual tracks or entire mixes. Whether you’re working with pads, leads, or even vocals, Wider 2 efficiently spreads the sound across the stereo field while ensuring mono compatibility. It’s an incredibly effective tool to have in your arsenal, especially for genres that rely on lush, wide sounds.

5. Slate Digital Fresh Air

Fresh Air by Slate Digital is a high-frequency enhancer plugin that breathes new life into your mix with its unique dynamic processing. A modern take on classic exciter effects, Fresh Air allows you to add sparkle and air to vocals, synths, and percussion. It’s particularly effective in rescuing dull tracks, making them sparkle and shine against other elements in your mix. With a simplistic interface, it’s incredibly easy to dial in the perfect amount of enhancement for your tracks.

II. Synthesizers

6. Xfer Serum

Serum by Xfer Records is one of the most popular synthesizers in electronic music production. Its high-quality wavetable synthesis and intuitive interface set it apart from the competition. Serum allows you to import and create your own wavetables, providing endless possibilities for sound design. The plugin’s comprehensive modulation capabilities, drag-and-drop routing, and clean, resizable interface make it a producer favorite. With a vast library of presets and constant updates, Serum remains a top choice for creating cutting-edge sounds.

7. Omnisphere

Spectrasonics’ Omnisphere is a flagship synthesizer well-known for its expansive sound library and deep synthesis capabilities. It combines a vast array of sound sources, including wavetables, granular synthesis, and sample playback, to offer an unparalleled range of sonic textures. Whether you need atmospheric pads, intricate plucks, or cinematic soundscapes, Omnisphere delivers with stunning quality. Its powerful sound engine and extensive modulation possibilities make it a go-to for professionals looking for a comprehensive and versatile synth.

8. Diva

Diva by u-He is renowned for its authentic analog sound. Emulating classic analog synthesizers, Diva offers a warm, rich tone with meticulous attention to detail. You can mix and match components from different models, creating hybrid synthesizers that are truly unique. Diva excels in producing lush pads, fat basses, and vintage leads, making it a favorite among producers seeking that classic analog warmth. Despite its analog roots, Diva’s modulation and sound design capabilities are thoroughly modern.

9. Nexus 4

Nexus 4 by reFX is celebrated for its high-quality, ready-to-use presets that are perfect for instant inspiration. This rompler plugin combines sample playback with synthesizer functions, allowing for rich and complex sounds that are easy to integrate into any project. Nexus 4’s library includes a vast range of genres and styles, from EDM to cinematic scoring. With regular expansions and updates, Nexus 4 remains a versatile tool for producers looking for both ease of use and professional quality.

10. Arturia Analog Lab

Arturia Analog Lab is a treasure trove of analog sounds, featuring over 6,500 preset sounds from Arturia’s V Collection. It provides access to the sounds of iconic instruments like the Mini V, CS-80 V, and Jup-8 V, all recreated with meticulous attention. The interface is user-friendly, allowing you to quickly browse and tweak sounds. Analog Lab is perfect for producers looking to get the classic analog sound without the complexity of programming a traditional synthesizer.

11. u-He Repro 5

Repro 5 by u-He is a faithful emulation of the Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, known for its warm and lush analog sound. Repro 5 brings the classic synth’s character to the digital realm with modern enhancements like versatile modulation options and high-quality effects. It’s ideal for creating vintage sounds as well as contemporary analog-style patches. The attention to detail in its emulation makes Repro 5 a top choice for those seeking authentic analog warmth and flexibility.

III. Processing plugin bundles

12. FabFilter Total Bundle

The FabFilter Total Bundle is a comprehensive suite of plugins that covers all your mixing and mastering needs. It includes industry-standard tools like Pro-Q for equalization, Pro-C for compression, and Pro-L for limiting. FabFilter plugins are known for their high-quality sound, intuitive interfaces, and innovative features. The Total Bundle provides a remarkable level of control and precision, making it an essential investment for professional audio processing.

13. Soundtoys Bundle

The Soundtoys Bundle is a collection of creative effects that can transform your tracks. It includes iconic plugins like EchoBoy, Decapitator, and Little AlterBoy, each known for their unique character and high-quality sound. The bundle is designed to inspire creativity, offering a variety of effects ranging from vintage-style delays and distortions to pitch-shifting and vocal manipulation. Soundtoys’ intuitive interfaces and deep customization options make this bundle a favorite among producers looking for unique and inspiring sound design tools.

14. UAD Producer Edition

The UAD Producer Edition by Universal Audio is a curated selection of UAD’s acclaimed plugins, tailored for producers. It includes essential tools like the Neve Preamp, LA-2A Compressor, and 1176LN Limiting Amplifier, providing top-notch analog emulation and precision audio processing. UAD plugins are renowned for their authentic sound quality and meticulous attention to detail, making the Producer Edition an excellent choice for enhancing your mixes with professional-grade processing.

15. Waves Diamond Bundle

The Waves Diamond Bundle is a comprehensive collection of over 65 plugins, covering everything from EQs and compressors to reverbs and pitch correction. Known for its versatility, the Diamond Bundle is suitable for both mixing and mastering, offering a wide range of high-quality effects and processors. Waves plugins are used by top professionals across various music genres, ensuring that the Diamond Bundle remains a valuable and reliable toolkit for any producer.

IV. Reverb plugins

16. Blackhole

Eventide’s Blackhole is a reverb plugin designed to create otherworldly, expansive reverbs. It’s great for adding depth and texture to your mixes, with unique algorithms that create enveloping and lush soundscapes. Blackhole is ideal for synthesizers, pads, and atmospheric effects, providing a distinctive reverb that can transform your sound. Its simple yet powerful controls allow for vast flexibility, from subtle spaces to massive, sprawling environments.

17. Valhalla Plate

ValhallaPlate by ValhallaDSP is known for its rich and dense reverb algorithms that emulate classic plate reverbs. With a high focus on creating a natural-sounding reverb, ValhallaPlate offers multiple algorithm options and intuitive controls. It’s particularly effective on vocals and percussive elements, providing a smooth and musical reverb that enhances the original sound. ValhallaDSP’s plugins are also known for their affordability, making ValhallaPlate a great option for any producer.

18. Lexicon PCM Native Reverb

The Lexicon PCM Native Reverb bundle brings the legendary Lexicon reverb sound to your digital workstation. Featuring seven different reverb types, from halls and plates to rooms and chambers, it offers unparalleled sound quality and flexibility. Lexicon reverbs are praised for their lush, musical quality and have been used on countless hit records. The PCM Native Reverb bundle provides the same professional-level reverb effects, making it an indispensable tool for high-quality music production.

V. Vocal tuning plugins

19. Antares AutoTune Pro X

AutoTune Pro X by Antares is the latest iteration of the industry-standard pitch correction software. It offers a range of features from automatic tuning to detailed graphical editing, making it suitable for both subtle pitch correction and the iconic Auto-Tune effect heard in many modern tracks. AutoTune Pro X also includes advanced real-time processing, ensuring that your vocals are perfectly in tune with minimal latency.

20. Melodyne

Celemony’s Melodyne is renowned for its advanced pitch correction and timing manipulation capabilities. It allows you to edit each note’s pitch, timing, amplitude, and formant individually, providing an unrivaled level of control over your vocal recordings. Melodyne’s intuitive interface and powerful algorithms make it the go-to choice for professional vocal editing, capable of both natural corrections and creative pitch effects.

21. Izotope Nectar

iZotope’s Nectar is an all-in-one solution for vocal processing, offering a suite of tools designed specifically for vocals. It includes pitch correction, harmonization, EQ, compression, and various creative effects. Nectar’s Vocal Assistant feature analyzes your vocal track and creates a custom preset tailored to your specific needs, making it incredibly user-friendly and efficient. For producers aiming to achieve polished and professional-sounding vocals, Nectar is a versatile and comprehensive tool.

VI. Distortion & Saturation

22. RC-20

XLN Audio’s RC-20 Retro Color is a popular plugin for adding warmth, texture, and character to your tracks. It features six different modules, including noise, wobble, distortion, and space, which can be combined to create a wide range of vintage and lo-fi effects. RC-20 is perfect for injecting personality into dull sounds, making it a favorite for adding grit and warmth to electronic music productions.

VII. Drums plugins

23. Addictive Drums

Addictive Drums by XLN Audio offers a versatile and high-quality solution for virtual drumming. It includes a wide range of drum kits, styles, and MIDI patterns suitable for various genres. Addictive Drums is known for its realistic sound and flexible mixing capabilities, allowing producers to craft highly detailed and dynamic drum tracks. Whether you need acoustic drums for a pop track or electronic beats for EDM, Addictive Drums has you covered.

24. SSD5

Steven Slate Drums 5 (SSD5) is a comprehensive drum plugin known for its realistic samples and versatility. It includes an extensive library of drum kits covering genres from rock and metal to pop and hip-hop. SSD5’s advanced sampling and velocity layering technology result in highly expressive and natural-sounding drums. With customizable mixer settings and a user-friendly interface, SSD5 is a powerful tool for creating professional drum tracks.

VIII. Sampled instruments

25. Kontakt 7

Native Instruments’ Kontakt 7 is the industry standard for sampled instruments, offering an extensive library and support for third-party expansions. It includes a wide range of instruments, from pianos and orchestral sounds to synthesizers and ethnic instruments. Kontakt’s scripting capabilities allow developers to create deeply intricate and responsive instruments, making it a versatile tool for composers and producers alike.

26. Keyscape

Spectrasonics’ Keyscape features an impressive collection of meticulously sampled keyboards. It includes a variety of pianos, electric pianos, clavinets, and other rare instruments, all captured with extraordinary detail. Keyscape’s high-quality samples and expressive playability make it a go-to for any producer looking to add authentic keyboard sounds to their productions.

27. Arcade

Output’s Arcade is a unique and innovative sample-based instrument focused on loop manipulation and creative sound design. It offers a wide range of content libraries and intuitive, playable interfaces that allow for real-time sample manipulation. Arcade is updated regularly with new content, ensuring a constant stream of inspiration. It’s particularly useful for creating unique textures, beats, and melodies, making it a valuable tool for modern producers.

IX. Other processing plugins

28. Izotope Ozone 11

iZotope Ozone 11 is a comprehensive mastering suite that includes a range of tools for finalizing your tracks. It features modules for EQ, compression, limiting, stereo imaging, and more, all designed to help you achieve polished and professional-sounding masters. Ozone’s Master Assistant can analyze your mix and create a custom mastering chain, making the process more accessible for producers of all skill levels.

29. Soothe2

Soothe2 by Oeksound is a dynamic resonance suppressor that can automatically identify and reduce harsh frequencies in your mix. It’s particularly effective on vocals and instruments, smoothing out problematic areas without affecting the overall sound. Soothe2’s intelligent processing and user-friendly interface make it an invaluable tool for achieving cleaner and more balanced mixes.