Trap music has become one of the most popular genres in recent years, with its hard-hitting beats and aggressive sound. While many producers invest in expensive VST plugins to create their sound, there are also some amazing free plugins available that can get the job done just as well. In this article, we'll look at the 5 best free VST plugins for trap in 2023.
1. Vital
Vital is a relatively new synthesizer plugin that has quickly gained popularity among trap producers due to its advanced features and intuitive interface. It was developed by Matt Tytel, who is also known for his popular Helm synthesizer plugin. Vital features a wide range of waveforms, including basic shapes like sine, triangle, and sawtooth, as well as more complex ones like wavetables and noise generators.
Vital's spectral warping mode, which enables you to alter the spectral content of your sounds in real-time, is one of its notable features. Vital is a potent instrument for sound design because of the extraordinary distinctive and dynamic textures that can result from this. A wide range of modulation options, including LFOs, envelopes, and step sequencers, are also included in the plugin and may be quickly assigned to any parameter in the synth.
The vibrant community Vital is surrounded by is another fantastic feature. There are numerous third-party settings that can be downloaded for free, and there is also a lively Discord community where users can exchange advice, solicit assistance, and work together on projects. Overall, Vital is a great free plugin for trap producers looking to expand their library of original sounds.
2. LABS - Soft Piano
When it comes to creating trap music, one of the most important elements is the piano. LABS - Soft Piano is a free VST plugin that offers a beautifully crafted soft piano sound, perfect for creating trap beats. This plugin is developed by Spitfire Audio and is designed to be simple and easy to use.
The Soft Piano plugin offers a single-layer piano sound with a simple ADSR envelope and reverb that can be adjusted. The sound is warm and intimate, ideal for setting the framework of your trap beat. You can add as much or as little space as you like because the reverb is adjustable. The attack, decay, sustain, and release of each note are all completely under your control when using the ADSR envelope to shape the piano sound.
One of the best things about LABS - Soft Piano is its simplicity. It’s easy to use, uou can simply load it up and start playing. It’s also incredibly lightweight, so it won’t slow down your computer or take up too much space on your hard drive.
3. Redtron
Redtron is a free VST plugin that emulates the vintage Mellotron virtually. One of the first sampling keyboards was the Mellotron, a creative instrument that produced its sounds by playing back pre-recorded tapes of different instruments. Redtron provides a variety of presets that are ideal for creating trap music while capturing the distinctive vintage sound of the Mellotron.
Redtron is an excellent plugin for producers who are looking for vintage sound. The Mellotron sound is a staple of classic rock and psychedelic music, but it also works well in trap music. The unique sound of the Mellotron can add a haunting and ethereal quality to trap melodies that cannot be replicated with modern digital instruments.
4. Project Sam - The Free Orchestra
A top-notch orchestral plugin that provides realistic and excellent sounds without charging any money is called Project Sam - The Free Orchestra. It provides a sizable selection of high-quality orchestral sounds, such as strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. Plugin’s interface provides a variety of controls, such as ADSR, reverb, and other effects.
Another notable feature of The Free Orchestra is its support for multiple formats, including Kontakt Player, SFZ, and WAV. This means you can use it with a wide range of DAWs and music production software. The plugin is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.
5. Mr Tramp
Mr Tramp is a fantastic free virtual instrument that recreates the iconic sound of a Wurlitzer electric piano. It features all the nuances and colorations of the real instrument, such as the noise of the hammers, the noise of the dampers. Features a built-in tremolo with adjustable intensity. The plugin boasts an authentic sound, and its user-friendly interface makes it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced producers. Whether you're seeking to create a lo-fi or more polished production, Mr Tramp is a valuable addition to any trap producer's toolbox.
In conclusion, trap producers can investigate a variety of excellent free VST plugins. These plugins, which vary from the lush pads of Vital to the vintage Wurlitzer sounds of Mr. Tramp, offer a variety of creative possibilities without being prohibitively expensive. These five plugins are certainly worth checking out whether you're an experienced user or looking to broaden your sonic palette. Therefore, feel free to download them, play around with their sounds, and see what sort of trap rhythms you can create. The possibilities are endless in the world of trap music if you have a little imagination and the proper tools at your disposal.