TOP 5 FREE VST SYNTHS YOU NEED FOR YOUR WORSHIP RIG
Written by Kirkland Russell
Founder of Worship Start
Synth VSTs are one of the most exciting pieces of technology for producers and musicians alike. But they can also be quite expensive.
And yet for worship musicians and producers, expensive Analog synthesizers and software synthesizer plugins make up a lot of the sounds that are heard on almost every modern worship album out there. So how do we navigate the world of sound design and beef up our Sunday sounds without emptying our wallet?
The good news is that there are powerful synthesis tools and re-creations of classic Analog Synths—that normally cost thousands—out there for FREE, and they seamlessly integrate straight into Mainstage, Logic, Ableton, or any other DAW.
Here are the top 5 free synth VST plugins that will give you amazing Worship sounds, pads, leads and plucks for your live rig or studio.
The OB-Xd is a beautiful poly synth designed to emulate the Oberheim OB-X, one of the most popular synths of the 80s. This VST implements micro random detuning, a key component of the Oberheim’s original character. With blendable multimode filters and various waveforms, this synth boasts some killer sounds and textures, and is perfect for designing amazing-sounding worship leads and pads—from bright and buzzy to warm and mellow. This VST has no internal effects so make sure to use some additional processing (ex. reverb, chorus, delay, etc.) to enhance its sound even more. Add it to your Sunday arsenal by clicking the link above!
The Model E is a fantastic recreation of the famed “Minimoog” Model D. This classic analog synth features 3 oscillators + noise generator, 64-voice polyphony, 8 outputs, 2 envelope generators, stereo pan and much more. What’s great about this VST is its versatility, immense sonic possibility, and the fact that it all functions at an ultra-low CPU level. This is perfect for playing live through Mainstage, which can be CPU-intensive depending on how many layers you’re running.
U-he makes great virtual synths, and the Tyrell N6 is one of my favourites. It’s loosely based off of Roland’s vintage Juno series, with different chorus effects you can choose at the end of the signal chain. The great thing about the Tyrell N6 is the wealth of presets that come with it, and an interface that is very easy to learn. If you’re new to synths, this free VST will get you up and running right away with fantastic sounds and ready-to-go presets.
The Synth 1 may not look the part, but it is considered by many to be the best free analog style virtual synth VST ever made. It’s design is loosely based off of the Nord Wave synthesizer interface. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ve got one of the highest quality free VSTs at your fingertips. A lot of the stock sounds aren’t ready-made for worship, so my tip for this one is to really take your time and use the parameters to tweak the sound to your taste, and make use of external effects plug-ins like reverb and chorus.
The VK-1 by Blamsoft is an emulation of the Moog Voyager. This VST has a sweet spot: amazing synth basses and harmonically rich lead sounds. What elevates this synth above the rest is a powerhouse of presets; it boasts over 228 ready-made presets that come organized in different categories: Bass, Bright Lead, Electro Bass, FX, Percussive Lead, Soft Lead and Synth Wave. With two modulation busses, different drive modes, and various noise generators, this synth has everything you need to achieve sounds with energy and character. If you’re playing any Planetshakers or Hillsong Young & Free, this VST will get you on the right track.
