Distortion is an effect that most music producers learn to appreciate along the way. Especially if you are working outside of a professional environment, you’ll find that distortion is your friend. It helps your productions sound as if they were completed in a studio and not on your personal laptop.

1. Free Vst Plug-ins For Vocals
2. Vst Guitar Distortion Plugins Free
3. Free Vst Plug-ins Gsnap

The best distortion plugins typically emulate analog equipment that is way outside the budget of most people. They give us the opportunity to harness that same gritty tone without breaking the bank. So today we’re going to take a look at some of the greatest distortion plugins currently available. Check them out and see how they can take your mix to a new level.

Mac/PC VST/AU Free. This one comes free with Computer Music magazine, and provides crunchy, tube-style distortion, plus a three-band EQ with low, mid and high bands, and a clear, easy-to-use interface. Useful for gentle colouring or more obvious distortion, depending how hard you push the Gain control. Audiffex STA Enhancer CM. 7 Best Free Distortion VST Plugins for Music Producers Distortion is one of those effects that can have a use in any recording or music production setting. Even if you aren’t particularly into brash and dirty sounds, distortion plugins will have value for warming up sounds and introducing a bit of analog-style tone and response to your.

Top 13 Distortion Plugins

1. Soundtoys Decapitator Analog Saturator

If you’ve taken to Google to see what you can find about distortion plugins, Soundtoys Decapitator is a name you’ll see pop up again and again. There’s a good reason for that—it’s probably the number one distortion VST’s currently on the market. It’s able to produce a wide range of saturation tones. If you want to take it to the edge, just click on the ‘Punish’ button and see what 20dBd of power can do for your sound.

The Decapitator is modeled after five highly respected pieces of gear. These are the Thermionic Culture Vulture, the EMI TG Channel, the two Neve 1057 preamps, and the Ampex 50. This plugin makes it easy to work with whichever of these saturation types you prefer thanks to the buttons conveniently located on its interface. You can also play with the Drive knob to amp up the sound.

One exciting feature is the added Mix control, which works great for parallel processing. You’ll definitely want to take advantage of this if you are using the Punish button in order to avoid a flat sound. Other features include a tone knob and a low and high-pass filter, which collaborate to “eq” the sound you produce. The Decapitator is compatible with just about any vocals or instrument you can imagine.

Pros

• Awesome hardware emulation
• Very user-friendly
• Helpful automatic drive and output linking for gain control

Cons

• There’s no transient control or de-esser

2. FabFilter Saturn Distortion Unit

FabFilter is known worldwide for their incredible plugins that provide distinctive interface designs and superior sounds. Saturn is their top-level distortion and saturation plugin. It offers incredible range for producers from subtle saturation to hard-hitting amp distortion. You’ll find an amazing selection of distortion models and three distinct distortion styles to work with.

The multi-band design and the feedback per-band feature will allow you to shape your signal throughout the frequency range, resulting in varying tones, dynamics, and modulation options. And if modulation is your focus, you’ll be impressed by the incredible modulation section that will help you inject life into your input signals. You can also add slight modulation to crossover frequencies to give them better clarity. In this section you’ll find an ample supply of XY controllers, EGs, MIDI sources, envelope followers, and LFOs.

One great thing about FabFilter plugins is that they offer you helpful hints as you work, and you’ll find that on the Saturn as well. This plugin will help boost your creativity and give you amazing results in the distortion realm.

Pros

• Superb sound
• Crossover setup is super easy with interactive display
• Impressive modulation system

Cons

• Not enough control over the compressor/expander
• Not able to see real-time modulated parameter movements

3. Softube Harmonics

As a producer it’s way too easy to add distortion to your mix with the best of intentions only to end up with a flat sound that’s devoid of all life. Softube Harmonics helps you avoid that unfortunate fate by working to preserve a track’s dynamics. It is among the very few distortion plugins currently available that tracks incoming dynamics. This gives you incredible control over the output signal, which is an absolute game changer.

On this plugin you’ll find mix control for parallel processing, high and low-cut filters, THD (total harmonic drive) metering, and other control parameters. You’ll also have five unique distortion models, each with their own analog processes. You’ll have all the tools required to capture that distinctive analog sound.

Softube’s Dynamic Transient Control technology is an incredibly powerful tool for producers. It allows you to achieve amazing warmth and grit without backing off on signal integrity. This is just one of many reasons Softube Harmonics comes so highly recommended.

Pros

• Beautiful analog sound
• Five different distortion styles
• THD metering for the best possible results

Cons

• No automatic gain compensation option
• Preset manager is disappointing

4. Soundtoys Radiator

Soundtoys Radiator is modeled after the Altec 1567A, a popular five-input, rack-mounted tube mixer from the 1960s. The Altec 1567A featured removable transformers, a two-knob EQ, and a distinctive green faceplate. It also offered an incredible 97dB of gain. The Radiator emulates that as a dual drive tube input channel and EQ unit. It faithfully recreates the grit and warmth found with the original hardware unit.

On this plugin you’ll find treble and bass controls along with parallel processing mix control. Its basic interface doesn’t limit your creativity as you explore the harmonic and saturation effects to create a wide range of tones that seem to come straight from the 1567A. You can also activate the “Noise” button for a little more analog goodness.

The Radiator comes with Little Raider, which is more ideal for working with individual tracks and also takes up less CPU. Radiator won’t overwhelm those who are just starting to explore distortion, and it offers enough effects to please even the most seasoned producer.

Pros

• Has a very wide sweet spot
• Awesome for all kinds of sources
• Incredibly user-friendly

Cons

• Eats up a lot of CPU

5. iZotope Trash2

The iZotope Trash2 originated with the iZotope Trash multi-band distortion plugin. It has been rebuilt from the ground up to make your job easier and give you better results in your audio distortion. It offers wave-based distortion, so customizing your own distortion settings is no problem. You also have 60 algorithms to choose from in addition to any you come up with yourself along with four individual frequency bands to distort.

There are 20 filter types and several versatile oscillators found on each band. This plugin also provides various speaker models, cabinets, amps, and other simulation devices to help you create space in your mix. Then check out the effects module to add character and depth to your signals. The Trash 2 includes just about everything you could imagine to meet your distortion needs. If you’re just starting out with producing, it might be too much to take in all at once. But if you want one of the most versatile distortion plugins that will give you optimal results, the Trash 2 should be in your collection.

Pros

• Great selection of distortion sounds
• Impressive filter section
• Strong waveshaper section

Cons

• Doesn’t have filter-modulated presets
• No panned split routing

6. OhmForce Ohmicide: Melohman

The Melohman is the go-to distortion VST for many of the most successful producers in the game, including Armin Van Buuren and Skrillex. There are many reasons for this, including its incredible versatility and user-friendly interface. DJs also love all of the features this plugin offers that are designed with performance in mind. The Ohmicide: Melohman can go from the subtle to the extreme in terms of distortion effects. So whether you need to just add a little grit to your signal or launch an all-out assault on your sound, this plugin has you covered.

The Melohman gives you four different frequency bands to work with so that you can individually process points within the frequency spectrum. While working in a single band, you can adjust a number of parameters like distortion, dynamics, mixer, noise gate, and feedback. You will have your pick of 80 distortion types that range from classic analog saturation to harsher modern tones.

Melohman also features MIDI capability, which gives you the option to adjust the presets using almost any MIDI controller. You can make changes to the morphing speed, distortion levels, and so much more, which makes this an ideal plugin for live performers.

Pros

• Great selection of distortion types
• Awesome three-dimensional GUI
• Plenty of presets to pick from

Cons

• MIDI control is a bit buggy

7. D16 Group Devastor 2

At first it might seem that the Devastator 2 is doing way too much, but once you get into it, you’ll find that it’s actually quite simple and easy to use. D16 developed it as an extension of their well-known Phoscyon plugin with increased control for multi-band distortion.

There are four primary blocks found on this plugin. These include three multi-mode filter sections, an optionally activated signal limiter, diode-clipper distortion, and the Dynamics Flattener Module, which is an input signal processor that’s operated by a single knob. It comes with nine distinct connection topologies with the diode-clipper and its filters. This gives you a lot of freedom and creativity to process your sounds in a variety of ways.

You’ll find that the filters included with this plugin are similar to the band-pass, band-reject, low-pass, high-pass filters typically found in synthesizers rather than the peaking EQ type filters you might expect. This gives you customizable cutoff and resonance parameters to produce a unique distortion sound. The Devastator 2 gives you much more functionality and amazing sounds in a compact distortion than you would expect for the price.

Pros

• Incredible sound
• Impressive library of high-quality presets
• Practical routing options

Cons

• No modulation options

8. McDSP FutzBox Native

FutzBox is an interesting noise generator and lo-fi distortion effects box that can be effectively used to develop low-fidelity versions of dry signals. If you are involved in post production, you’ll want to have this plugin in your corner. It can recreate the sounds of cell phones, radios, televisions, and much more with its user-friendly interface. FutzBox features three distinct simulation technologies that offer accurate modeling without taking up too much CPU, which isn’t common with convolution-based products.

In addition to the SIM libraries found on this plugin, you’ll also have distortion, gating, EQ, filtering, and a noise generator to work with for your distortion needs. You can then combine the distorted audio with the original audio for parallel processing. Users will also be able to record while using the Futzbox because of its impressive low latency.

Pros

• Lots of authentic simulations
• Great range of processing options
• CPU-friendly

Cons

• Not quite as realistic as true convolution

9. D16 Group Redoptor 2

Redoptor 2 is modeled after a tube distortion module, and it authentically recreates the distinctive sounds that are produced by actual tube saturation units. If you are looking for breakup sounds, the tube amplifier is where it’s at. This plugin gives everyone an opportunity to play with overdriven or distorted sounds. You can use its tools to give life and strength to a signal. You can apply subtle compression and create a beautiful harmonic blend.

Redopter reacts to the dynamics of your signal like only a tube amplifier can, so you can be sure that your results will not fall flat. Loud incoming signals will be crunchy and heavily saturated. This plugin gives you the tools to cut your highs and lows. You can also attack any unwanted peaks in your audio with the four-band parametric equalizer.

This plugin also gives you independent stereo channel processing capability with a separate path for each signal. This will improve your signal’s clarity and stereo imaging by avoiding cross-blending. The Redopter 2 is a fantastic option if you are looking for a top-level vintage tube distortion emulator that gives you the freedom to be creative with your distortion.

Pros

• Impeccable tube simulation
• Great valve behavior control
• Diverse selection of presets

Cons

• Could be more versatile

10. Kuassa EFEKTOR Distortion Bundle

You may not be familiar with Kuassa, but you’ll want to check out the EFEKTOR Distortion Bundle, which includes many of the most in-demand dirt effect pedals out there. The bundle comes with three distortion devices, including the FZ3603 Fuzz, the OD3603 Overdrive, and the DS3603 Distortion. These pedals are emulations that include parameters from a total of 30 pedals, offering you the amazing opportunity to explore different sounds. These parameters are easily controlled through three knobs, including one wet-dry knob. This simple setup is very approachable for beginners and professionals alike.

You’ll be impressed with the tones that you are able to dial in with your guitar or other signals. The low-latency quality also means that it’s possible to use in live situations. There is also a rack extension available that gives you additional versions of the included pedals.

Pros

• Three essential guitar effects to pick from
• CPU-friendly
• Get a lot for what you pay

Cons

• Doesn’t have a rack module like other pedal plugins

11. Softube Saturation Knob [FREE]

Softube is offering a free gift with its Saturation Knob plugin. It’s designed with only one knob, so it couldn’t be any easier to use. It’s an ideal option for modeled output distortion if you want to add grit to almost any type of signal. You can use it in several other ways, for example, to fatten up the low end of your bass lines, add shimmering harmonic distortion to your vocals, or completely mangle a drum loop. It can be integrated as a module in Softube’s Eurotrack Module Platform, or you can also use it as an insert in your DAW.

You’ll find three modes included in the Saturation Knob: Keep Low, Neutral, and Keep High. Each of these gives you varying options for how you can apply distortion to your signals. Use the Keep Low mode if you want to preserve your low end while distorting your drums, for instance. The functionality of the Saturation Knob is fairly limited, but it’s free so we’re definitely not complaining.

Pros

• Can get as a free standalone VST3 plugin
• Very user-friendly
• Offers three different modes

Cons

• Requires an iLock to run

12. PSP Audioware PSP VintageWarmer2

The PSP VintageWarmer was a game changer when it was first introduced years ago, and it is still one of the most popular saturation plugins on the market today. It stands toe to toe with any of its competitors in the saturation arena. It was designed to be used by professionals, so it has all the tools and features you’ll need to produce a professional sounding mix.

Like many others out there, it’s based on an analog-style single or multi-band compressor and limiter. It offers a user-friendly interface and an extensive collection of presets to make the job easier. You’ll be able to achieve everything from soft, warm compression to hard-hitting limiting. This plugin works well for both mixing and mastering. If you’re looking to create analog tape recorder saturation effects, the VintageWarmer 2 has you covered.

Beyond what you would expect, the VintageWarmer 2 also includes VU and PPM metering with reliable overload indicators, which will help to elevate your sound even further. Your purchase also comes with MicroWarmer, which features a basic single-band interface. It also gives you the option of using the VintageWarmer LE, which provides the same functionality as the VintageWarmer 2 but takes up less resources.

Pros

• Awesome sound
• Auto-release is very beneficial
• The FAT mode is amazing

Cons

• Without proper use, it can ruin your mix

13. Waves GTR3 Amps

The Waves GTR3 Amps is an awesome distortion plugin to have in your arsenal even if you don’t play guitar. The number of sound options it includes is way more than you would expect for the price. Waves found a way to emulate a range of vintage and modern amplifiers with this plugin, including models from Mesa/Boogie, Vox, Marshall, Fender, and many others. The GTR3 also features innovative sampling technology with techniques that far exceed the standard modeling that’s typically used by amplifier companies. This means you can get high-quality amp tones just by using the software.

You’ll be able to use this plugin in the live realm thanks to its low-latency quality. You will also have an incredible range in your work thanks to the more than 30 cabs, 30 guitar amps, and 25 stompboxes that are included. Each amplifier is made up of 25 custom guitar amps with nine models geared toward high-gain tones. You’ll also have the freedom to work with different equipment since you can play through two cabinets simultaneously and record with two separate microphones.

Among the 25 stomps you’ll find Flanger, doubler, Delay, Phaser, distortion, Fuzz, and almost any guitar pedal imaginable. The pedals also include real-time MIDI control and sync-to-host BPM features that make life easier for you. The six studio microphones are from reputable brands like RCA, Sennheiser, Neumann, AEA, and others. With the GTR3, you will expand your horizons in a big way with countless guitar tones.

Pros

• Impressive selection of different guitar tones
• Very user-friendly
• Ideal for live use

Cons

• Not possible to integrate with floorboards
• Expression pedals are quite fidgety

Warm up to Distortion

That wraps up our collection of some of the best distortion VST’s you can currently get your hands on. These will give you an opportunity to explore the sounds you can create while embracing the classic warmth of analog hardware. Your mixes will definitely only improve as you add more of these plugins to your toolbox.

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When I first get started with music production, I wonder why some music producers would want to mess with a distortion effect in their tracks, perhaps, I initially have an understanding that there is a limit for how loud an audio signal can be, once this limit is reached, it would distort and produce an annoying, raspy, fuzzy loud sound that is unwanted for the hearing.

This is where I got it wrong, I was thinking in terms of digital clipping, although not bad as sometimes the DAW peak meter can be somewhat pretentious (use your ear for accurate judgment), but it gets worse when your sound is being cut off when the signal reaches 0 dBFS (full-scale) on a meter, which results in an unsmooth distortion.

Welcome to the world of analog distortion where it is more forgiving in how it distorts when compared to digital, the output waveforms are “rounded” when it reaches the limit. Analog distortion is used creatively by musicians and recording engineers all the time.

Does that mean, you need to buy analog hardware to use a distortion effect, hell no! There are lots of VST plugin emulations that can act as close as possible to the real thing, and honestly, how you use them is strictly a matter of choice, just don’t overdo and trust your ears.

For example, you can use them to warm up your sound, by giving them more character and not too harsh type of sound, and you can also go the other way round, e.g creating an in-your-face, crunchy type of effect. Anyways, it is up to you on how you use it, let’s go over the best free and paid distortion effect VST plugins of the year 2020.

Please use the table of contents to navigate around!

Page Contents

• Distortion Effect Plugins (Paid)
• Chorus Effect Plugins (Free)

Distortion Effect Plugins (Paid)

Starting with…

1.) Trash2 + Expansions

The first giant on our list is the Trash2 distortion plugin by renowned Izotope, this new version is built to feature an entirely new sonic architecture, with optimized performance, pristine sound quality, and better support for modern hosts & formats.

Let’s deep dive into Trash 2 main features:

The edge Trash 2 has over other distortion plugin is that it combines the power of multi-band, dual-stage distortions, and advanced post-filtering for immediate sonic transformation. If you want a warm crunch on the midrange or you want to spice your low end without sacrificing the quality of the sound, then Trash 2 is what you want, it does the job without little to no side effects.

Ideally, you’ll want to use distortion for your guitar or perhaps basses, well, that’s an old story, you can use it for your drums, synths, woodwinds and more as long as it musically connects the rest of the element in the mix.

What if you could design your distortion algorithms? With Izotope Trash 2, you can simply draw in, tweak, and create a plethora of distortions, if you are like me, I’ll go over the 60+ distortion algorithms and adjust to your heart desire.

Creating a distortion algorithm is one thing, morphing sound from one object with the Convolve module is another thing, with this module you can load any .wav or .aiff file into Trash 2, and create a powerful sonic characteristic of your wildest imagination onto any track or instrument., all done with a single mouse click. Also, the Convolve module includes over 100 impulse responses—a collection of amps, objects, animal sounds, and mouth shapes that are ready and waiting to transform your sound.

Another interesting thing about Trash 2 is that you can control the frequencies you want into distortion or tame the ones you don’t want. On top of that, you get over 20+ sweepable filters for tons of tonal options that range from clean and warm to fat and juicy to harsh and clipping.

What I do not like about Trash 2 is that there are lots of options to play with, just too many to count, so, if you are looking for an advance distortion plugin, then Trash 2 is the way to go, if you are looking for something simple and snappy, then I’ll recommend using either Ravage or Distortion Snapin, which are both covered on this list.

Free Vst Plug-ins For Vocals

Key Features:

• Distort in ways you never dreamed with the Trash module’s 60+ distortion algorithms, perfect for transforming your sound into something never before heard
• Design your unique distortions, from massive to mild and everything in between, with a new, customizable, multiband Waveshaper
• Let your tracks inhabit any space or object with the new Convolve module. Choose from over 100 impulse responses or load your own to put your bass in a washing machine or your keys in a cave
• Find a new voice: make your audio speak and growl with two redesigned Filter modules, each one featuring new vowel formant filters, screaming peaks, node modulations, and more
• Start trashing your audio immediately with an extensive new preset library and an ear-friendly Limiter that ensures you can play without fear
• A Sampling of 30+ Impulses: Voodoo, Muck, Gravel, Big Wheel, Magnum, Taxicab, Powerman, Ignite…
• A Peek at 70 Patches: Electric Blaze, Hard Cider, Parasite, Filter Shred, Bleached, Ugly Couch…

System Requirements:

• Mac: OS X 10.8.5 Mountain Lion – macOS 10.15 Catalina
• PC: Win XP (32–bit Service Pack 3) – Win 10
• AAX (64–bit), AU, RTAS (32–bit), VST, VST3

Let’s get onto the next one…

2.) Subvert

Subvert comes bundled with a plethora of features to create a great distortion effect. It incorporates 5 effects: multimode distortion, FM ring modulator, digitizer, metallizer and multimode filter. Also, it offers three parallel channels of each effects chain as well as a rich modulation routing options.

With its multi-channel layout and per-effect bypass option, you can readjust the order of effects in each chain in a variety of creative ways. On top of that, there are 15 effects processors, global EQ, numerous modulation options, and global randomizer.

Lastly, it has a multi-mode filter which gives you the possibility to set up multi-band effects patches where each channel is processing a different frequency range of the incoming signal. Bypassing certain effects within a chain allows you to globally reconfigure the order of effects, thereby giving you many options in setting up parallel and serial processing patches.

Unfortunately, there are way too many options in this plugin and a little hard on the eye, so, if you need something really simple, you might want to check other plugins on this list, other than that, it is a powerful plugin and gives you the flexibility to create an advanced distortion effect.

Key Features:

• Multi-Channel Distortion
• 3 Parallel Multi-Effects Chains
• Extensive Routing Options
• Extensive Modulation Options
• Global 3-Band Equalizer
• Scalable User Interface
• Win/Mac VST/AU 32/64bit

System Requirements:

• Mac: OS X 10.8 or higher (32 & 64-Bit / PPC not supported)
• Win: Windows 8 or higher (32 & 64-Bit)
• Minimum 2 GB RAM
• Minimum recommended CPU: Core 2 Duo, 2GHz
• CPU with SSE2 support
• VST/AU

3.) Ravage

Ravage is one of the most renowned and simple distortion plugins out there, it features six modeled distortion algorithms: Tube, Digital, Diode, Linear Fold, Zero Sq and Rectify, each with a different personality for adding grit and dirt to audio.

It also has a Drive control for pushing the signal harder, and depending on the level you aiming for, you can also experiment with the Destroy parameter for achieving an in-your-face type of distortion, just don’t overdo. There is also a high and low pass filter, as well as a Dark/Bright slider to weight the distortion’s energy.

One of my favorite features of this plugin is the Ravage’s Movement panel, which lets you assign modulators to one of eight destinations including Drive and Pan. You also can customize an LFO’s movement using nodes and curves to whip up customized patterns. To take your modulation further, Ravage offers playhead reversal, waveform smoothing, and pulse width manipulation.

Key Features:

• Heat things up with 6 distortion types: Digital, Tube, Diode, Lin Fold, Zero Sq and Rectify
• Add movement to parameters using custom-drawn modulation shapes
• Destroy parameter pushes the signal even harder through the distortion processor
• Pan the distortion across the stereo field
• Tailor the distortion response with filtering, input/output gain, and dark/bright weighting
• Reverse, Smooth and adjust Pulse Width for modulator signals
• Auto output control compensates level when Drive is increased
• Oversampling is set intelligently behind the scenes to ensure the best sound quality

System Requirements:

• Mac: 10.12 – 10.14 (Catalina not supported)
• Windows: 7, 8 or 10 (32 & 64-bit)
• VST/VST3/AU/AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher)
• RAM: 8 GB RAM or more is recommended. Plus at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation.
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo, AMD Athlon 64 X2 or newer.
• Sample Rates: Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.

4.) Screamo

Screamo is an intuitive distortion plugin that features a few numbers of knobs to get a superb distortion effect, let’s get to know some of its features:

Smear: This is two resonant shelving filters that producers a talk-box-like effect when used with restraint or full-on screamer when pushed hard. You have the option to play with 3 different styles of smear effect: upward, downward or two-way frequency modulation.

Up next is the Drive control which makes your drum loops or synth cut through the mix, this won’t work for all synth or percussion loop for sure, you just have to pay careful attention to details when applying the control. For example, you can push your signal from subtle saturation to extreme overdrive.

Also, you don’t have to worry about syncing, the Smear, Drive, and Makeup controls are all synced together allowing you to create tempo-synced scream effects that would normally be very complex to achieve with normal plugin routing.

I also love the way you can add more control to the distortion, for example, Screamo features the Shape, Speed and Smooth knobs for controlling and designing how you want the waveform to look like, It’s possible to create a slowly evolving talk-box effect or crazy fluttering overdrive – and everything in between.

Key Features:

• 25 Creative Presets for one-click transformations
• 3 Smear modes
• 3 Distortion types
• 5 Sync modulation wave shapes with adjustable start points
• Sync speed control with straight, triplet and dotted rhythms
• Real-time output level display and gain
• Full PDF Manual & Tutorial video

System Requirements:

• VST Windows 7 or higher (32 / 64 bit)
• VST / AU Mac OSX 10.7 or higher (64-bit only)
• AAX – ProTools 11 or higher

5.) Devastor 2

Devastor 2 is a plugin by the D16 Group, and it is built with multiband distortion unit in mind, it has full control over multiband processing, which can greatly enhance your sound,

The way Devastor work is that it has nine different connection topologies between its filters and diode-clipper. So, you can either process the signal before or after it gets fed into the diode-clipper, but some of the configurations even allow the filters to work alongside the clipper, which greatly increases the possible sonic palette.

Whether you plan on using it on a percussion loop, guitar, synth and whatever you can think, it can be used to improve the character of the sounds, just make sure you are gently applying it, this way, you can achieve more of a warmth and detail in your sound without introducing unwanted distortions, but if you are looking for something rugged and jagged, you can also push up the knobs accordingly.

Another great thing about Devastor is that D16 Group has built special antialiasing techniques to the output signal to make sure it was devoid of aliasing, this way, it sounds more interesting, warm, and musical, enjoy away.

Key Features:

• Probably the best diode-clipper emulation on the market today
• Analog-modeled filters of extremely high quality (refined filter models)
• Dynamics flattener (with improved peak detection and more natural envelopes)
• Optional output limiter
• Tag-based preset browser
• Two alternative GUI sizes
• MIDI-learn functionality throughout
• 9 different topologies of connections for filters and the diode-clipper
• 64bit internal processing
• Ultra-low aliasing output

System Requirements:

• Win: OS version Win 7, Win 8, Win 10
• Mac: OS version 10.7 and later
  
• CPU 1.5 GHz with SSE (Multicore system 2.0 GHz recommended)
• RAM 4 GB (8 GB Recommended)
• Software AU / VST / AAX compatible host application (32bit or 64bit)

6.) FabFilter Saturn Distortion Unit

The next distortion plugin on our list is the Saturn Distortion Unit by Fabfilter, it offers a range of numerous high-quality distortion models, which are inspired by the vintage sound of tubes, tape, and guitar amps. To top that, you get three creative distortion styles, with which you can smudge, stretch, crush, rectify, and clip your sounds in weird and unimaginable ways.

There is also a multiband design and per-band feedback module, which can help you narrow down on how you want the distortion applied to your track, on top of all this, you also have the ability to blend in modulation for a great warm and superb distortion effect.

Key Features:

• Sixteen different distortion styles, from subtle saturation to heavy guitar amps and bit crushing
• Multiband processing (up to 6 bands)
• Per-band drive, mix, feedback, dynamics, tone, and level controls
• Per-band solo and mute options
• Optional HQ mode (8x oversampling)
• Mid/side processing
• Interactive multiband display
• Easy-to-use interface, using our innovative what-you-use-is-what-you-see concept
• Endless modulation options, with all the 16-step XLFOs, XY controllers, envelope generators, envelope followers
• Easy drag-and-drop modulation with 50-slot modulation matrix
• Over 150 presets
• Modulation source signal visualization
• Interactive MIDI Learn
• Unique per-component presets
• Available in VST, VST3, Audio Units, AAX Native and AudioSuite formats (all both 64-bit and 32-bit), as well as RTAS (32-bit only)

System Requirements:

Windows:

• 32-bit: Windows 8, 7, Vista or XP
• 64-bit: Windows 8, 7 or Vista (x64)
• VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools

Mac OS X:

• 32-bit: OS X 10.5 or higher
• 64-bit: OS X 10.6 or higher
• AU or VST 2/3 host or Pro Tools
• Intel processor

7.) Distortion Snapin

Every kiloHearts plugin I have tried always have a form of simplicity, and to be honest, they are good and straight to the point. Distortion Snapin is one of their product and offers 5 different distortion shapes, which can be used to add a tinge of edge or rip things apart.

It is as simple as that, if you need something complex, then you can check one of the distortion plugins above.

System Requirements:

• CPU: 2 GHz or faster
• Memory: 1 GB or more
• Operating System: Windows (7 or newer) or Mac OS X (10.7 or newer)
• A VST / Audio Unit / AAX compatible DAW
• Supported formats: AAX / AU / VST2 / Snapin

Chorus Effect Plugins (Free)

8.) Temper Distortion

Temper is a modern digital distortion plugin by the Team at Creative Intent, it features a rich saturation stage and a unique phase distortion. You can use the variable saturation curve to add warmth and edge to your sound and let the phase distortion bring character and clarity through your mix.

It also features a simple resonant lowpass filter and a feedback path to drive the intensity of the tone.

If you are a plugin developer, I would want you to know that the open source is widely available, you can contribute and glance through the code, you can even the tweak it to your use cases, that is the beauty of open-sourcing.

Video Sneak Peek:

Features:

• Unique Phase Algorithm: Temper delivers a unique phase distortion algorithm that adds energy and clarity to any element of your mix.
• Before & After Visualisation: Temper’s design features a real-time comparison of your input and output audio spectrum to help you see your sound.
• Multiple Formats: Available in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX for both Windows and Mac OS X.

System Requirements:

• Windows: 64-bit VST2, VST3, AAX
• macOS: 64-bit AU, VST2, VST3, AAX
• Microsoft Windows 8.1 or newer, and
• MacOS 10.9 or newer. Note: Catalina
• compatibility and AAX support for Remnant is coming soon.

Vst Guitar Distortion Plugins Free

9.) Rangebastard (Free Distortion Treble Booster Plugin)

When it comes to emulating distortion effects, I give Distorque Audio 90% rating, and now they present Rangebastard which is an emulation of a Dallas Rangemaster with added controls for tweaking or for use as a full-range booster, an overdrive, and more. Also, it supports both mono, and stereo, and has 2x oversampling.

About Rangematser

The Rangemaster was a Germanium transistor treble boost developed in the 1960s. It and similar effects have been used by Eric Claption, Brian May, and many more great guitarists. It’s most often used to drive a distorted tube amp into more distortion, while boosting the upper-mids for a screaming lead sound.

Features:

• emulation of a Dallas Rangemaster
• overdrive
• full-range booster
• 2x oversampling always on
• Input Level – This is a volume control on the input of the effect. You can adjust this to compensate for different pickups, different input levels, etc. It can also be cranked to overdrive the simulated transistor.
• Input Filtering – This adjusts the amount of filtering that is used on the input, which gives the ‘treble boost’ frequency response. Turn it down for a full-range boost, or put it at maximum for the normal Rangemaster sound.
• Treble – This allows you to roll off some of the high ends. This is useful to avoid harsh distortion if you are using the effect as an overdrive. You can also turn this down along with the Input filtering control for a mid or bass boost.
• Transistor – This lets you pick between two simulated transistors
• Stereo/Mono – This switches the effect between Stereo and Mono operation.
• Grid Current – Turning this above zero activates an emulation of tube grid limiting clipping. That’s the tube distortion caused by the Rangemaster overdriving the input of a tube amp. The higher the control, the more distortion.
• Pickup – This emulates the interaction between the Rangemaster and guitar pickups. For the most accurate tone, set this to match the kind of pickup that you’re using. The ‘None’ setting turns off the pickup filtering, emulating running a buffer before the effect or using an active pickup.

System Requirements:

• PC and VST only.

10.) TAL-DAC (Free Bit-Crusher)

TAL-DAC is a free bit crusher and sample rate reducer by TAL Software.

It is based on the TAL-Sampler sound engine, and emulates a sample recorded on a low sample rate with reduced bit depth, and upsamples it to the desired host sample rate.

Also, it is possible to choose different algorithms for the upsampling process to emulate the characteristics of different samplers.

Free Vst Plug-ins Gsnap

Features:

• A low and high shelf EQ together with an AMP Drive in the reconstruction section allows it to approximate the sound character of different sampler AMP’s.
• Also, it is possible to emulate hot recorded signals using the input volume knob.
• This plug-in can be used on a wide range of audio material, but it’s especially useful and authentic on drum sounds.
• Recording stage with input volume control and soft clipper (adds odd harmonics).
• Variable recording sample rate (1000Hz-44100Hz).
• Variable recording bit-depth (4bit-16bit) with different algorithms (mu-law, mu-law delta, linear).
• Reconstruction section with different reconstruction methods (hold, variable, linear, S1000/sinc).
• Very steep reconstruction filters (optional).
• AMP drive (add’s even and odd harmonics to the signal).
• A high- and low shelf filter (12dB).
• All non-linear components are 8x oversampled to avoid aliasing.