It doesn't take more than a few scans on the radio dial to know that the synth and studio sounds of the '80s remain a dominant pastiche in the contemporary pop music landscape. While you'd need a studio's worth of outboard gear and racks of Junos and Prophets back then to achieve the sound, today's rich landscape of handy software plugins can get you most of the way there.
Take a look below at our picks for eight essential '80s-tastic plugins to get your DAW up to speed with that unmistakable sound that's at once wholly retro yet undeniably modern.
The classic Roland JX-8P is emulated by this free synth VST wherein all the parameters are MIDI mappable with MIDI learning. All together, if you seek 80s style analogue pads, bass patches and a marvellous chorus module, the PG-8X is one of the best synth VST plugins on the market. 21) Full Bucket Music FB-3300. Synthesizers VINTAGE VST Instruments Full Bucket Music – Tricent mk III size 1.7 MB / 1.7 MB / 1.6 MB / 1.6 MB Tricent mk III simulates the classic KORG Trident mk IIfrom 1982. Digits is a phase distortion synthesizer inspired by Casio’s CZ series, but also takes that form of synthesis to the limit. Create warm pads, glitchy sounds, dirty basses, filthy sweeps, screaming leads, and anything in-between, but the interface is minimal and designed to enable the user to create sounds from scratch in record time, but if you’re too busy for that, don’t fret, because.
1. TAL UN-O-LX Synthesizer
If it's '80s synths you crave, you need a Juno somewhere in your setup and the UN-O-LX soft synth from TAL is about as faithful a recreation as you're going to find. This plugin nails the ubiquitous Juno 60 and offers up a masterful recreation of the classic Roland analog chorus for good measure. Its scalable interface and extensive MIDI mapping gives you modern flexibility with a totally vintage sound.
The Superwave P8 is a virtual analog subtractive synthesizer that’s considered the go-to emulator of the vintage synth Roland JP8000. This one perhaps one of the few if not only best free VST synth on this list that is more suitable for an advanced user than someone who is just starting out. Free Vst for 80s synthpop sounds 80s synthpop has come back into style and I really like some of the sounds. Does anybody know of a free vst with presets that sound close to the synths in these following songs?
2. Valhalla DSP Vintageverb Reverb
Of course, you won't get very far on your throwback journey without some flexible Reverb options. Enter the Valhalla Vintageverb, which replicates the outboard studio Reverb of the '70s and '80s. This suite comes stocked with 15 algorithmic Reverbs including a classic Lexicon-style “Chamber” preset. What's really special about this plugin though is three coloring modes for '70s', '80s' and 'now,' which flavor your signal with the bandwidth, sample rate and modulation style of each era.
3. Cytomic The Glue Compressor
If you make music that requires real force behind the beat, you need some serious buss compression and The Glue from Cytomic delivers exactly that. This plugin offers SSL-style buss compression as heard on countless '80s hits. Its interface is easy to use, and its compression is ideal for “gluing” drum busses or entire mixes.
Check out our article on the top 5 free piano plugins. U-he Tyrell N6 Roland Juno 60 The Juno-60 is one of the most famous synths which shaped pop music. Back in the 80s it won with the Korg Polysix thanks to its 56 presets bank. “MiniSpillage is a free professional quality drum synthesizer plugin featuring high-resolution 64-bit DSP processing. MiniSpillage includes three exclusive drum synthesis algorithms along with distortion effects and resonant filters.” Bass Drum – Single oscillator bass drum synth with pitch sweep, internal FM and harmonic controls.
If you're an Ableton Live user, be sure to check out the built-in “Glue Compressor” which also is made by Cytomic.
4. Soundtoys Echoboy Delay
Free 80s Synth Vst
Once you've got your reverb, compression and a couple of soft synths nailed down, it's time to jump into the rich and rewarding world of '80s delay. The Echoboy Delay from Soundtoys is a great starting point that's easy to get into, but also includes powerful controls for deeper editing and delay customization. It faithfully emulates a wide range of classic delays from pristine digital to grungy tape and is the sort of plugin that's easy to lose hours to, especially once you discover Rhythm Echo mode.
5. u-he Diva Synthesizer
The Diva synth from u-he is essentially one vintage synth emulator to rule them all. Not only does this plugin accurately recreate the pantheon of classic synths, it actually lets you mix and match oscillators, filters and envelopes from different synths to frankenstein your way to a distinct sound that's totally retro yet entirely new. Unfortunately, Diva is a very CPU intensive, but recent updates have improved this a bit.
6. Arturia Spark Vintage Drum Machine
Now that you're deeper into the '80s milieu and actually want to start composing tracks in the spirit of 'Sussudio' and 'Planet Rock'—and who doesn't?—you're going to need some legitimate drum machines. With actual hardware 808s selling for upwards of $3,000, your best bet is a VST, and you can't go wrong with the Spark Vintage Drum Machine from Arturia. This package features virtual analog recreations of Roland’s TR-808, 909, 606, and others, with an extensive library of other classic samples. Its step sequencer interface is fast, fun, and easy to jump into and supports any hardware controller. Pro tip: try the DMX library for instant Prince beats.
Free Vintage 80s Synth Vst Plugin
7. Audio Damage Fluid
And of course, what stroll down '80s memory lane would be complete without a whopping helping of stereo chorus? Check out the Audio Damage Fluid for a straight-ahead chorus effect that avoids the over-processed sounds of so many onboard DAW choruses. Unlike some of the heavier hitting plugins on this list, Fluid's low CPU usage means you can put it on everything and really channel your inner Robert Smith.
8. Native Instruments FM8 Synthesizer
With some of the above mentioned soft synths, you’ve got your analog emulation covered and then some. But if you're looking to embrace FM synths sounds, you should consider the FM8 from Native Instruments. This suite recreates classic '80s basses, bells, pianos and, of course, FM synths like the Yamaha DX7; it even supports DX7 patch import. Its graphical interface also makes FM synthesis slightly easier to control than the original hardware units.
Well, there you have it. Your ticket to '80s sonic paradise by way of eight readily available plugins. Now you just need some hairspray, a couple of home-recorded best of MTV VHSes and a fresh pop hook or two.
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