Carla is an audio plugin host, with support for many audio drivers and plugin formats. It has some nice features like automation of parameters via MIDI CC (and send output back as MIDI too) and full OSC control.


Carla is an audio plugin host, with support for many audio drivers and plugin formats. It has some nice features like automation of parameters via MIDI CC (and send output back as MIDI too) and full OSC control.


Helm is a free, cross-platform, polyphonic synthesizer with a powerful modulation system. Helm runs on GNU/Linux, Mac, and Windows as a standalone program or LV2/VST/VST3/AU plugin.

Odin 2 is a versatile 24-voice polyphonic synthesizer that covers about every type of synthesis out there. Odin 2 is released as open-source software.




Surge is an open source digital synthesizer originally written and sold as a commercial product by @kurasu (Claes Johanson) at Vember Audio. The synth uses subtractive hybrid synthesis and each patch contains two 'scenes' which are separate instances of the entire...




HISE is a cross-platform open source audio application for building virtual instruments. It emphasizes on sampling, but includes some basic synthesis features for making hybrid instruments as well as audio effects.

With KONTAKT, you can sound like a snare drum, a symphony orchestra, or anything in between, from a universe of sampled instruments. It’s a simple sampler when you want it to be, and a deep sonic scripting laboratory when you need something more.




Voltage Modular is a cross-platform, modular synthesizer for Windows and OSX in AU, VST, VST3, and Pro Tools AAX formats that also runs standalone on both platforms.


SAVIHost lets you basically turn a VST instrument plugin into a standalone app. It's a very simple VST host that loads up a similarly named VSTi dll file and lets you interact with the plugin as if it's been loaded into a DAW complete with keyboard and extensive options...


The Decent Samples plugin is a FREE sample player plugin that allows you to play sample libraries in the DecentSampler format (files with extensions: dspreset and dslibrary).




Tyrell is the name of a project by the German online magazine Amazona.de. A reader survey and follow-on forum posts provided a pool of ideas for a low cost HARDWARE analogue synth, which Mic 'Moogulator' Irmer used to develop quite a powerful concept.

Alter/Ego is based on the award winning technology featured in chipspeech but instead of targeting Vintage voice technology, it focuses on more ‘modern’ (1990+) singing synthesis algorithms and research.


Axiom is an extremely flexible node-based real-time audio synthesizer. It operates standalone or as a VST instrument/effect and features a highly configurable, modular canvas where controls can be arranged and routed visually and their code can be edited using a simple but...


THE MASTER-QUALITY MIDI SOUND MODULE AND GROOVE WORKSTATION FOR THE MOBILE ARTIST. Hundreds of world-class instrument and patterns included - piano, organ, drums, bass, guitar, strings, synths, percussion, vocals and many more!




TAL-NoiseMaker is an improved version of TAL-Elek7ro and has a completely new synth engine and a lot of improvements in sound and usability. The synth also includes a small effect section with a reverb, chorus and a simple bit crusher effect.

NanoHost is not a synthesizer. It is a free, minimalist host application for Windows that can load VST-synths. Furthermore, it can act as a wrapper which converts VST-synthesizers into standalone applications.




Wren is a modular software synthesizer, or a virtual modular soft synth. Developed in Delphi, the code is provided freely and as open source.


ABSYNTH 5 is an exceptional synthesizer with unique sonic potential and more than 2,100 preset sounds. Its speciality is a limitless spectrum of unusual, evolving sounds created using the powerful, hybrid synthesis architecture and sophisticated modulation and effect system -...

Softube Modular is a flexible, cross-platform synthesizer modeled after hardware modular synths featuring authorized emulations of modules from well known hardware Eurorack brands.



Build your own VST-compatible synthesizers with Synthedit's drag-and-drop, visual development environment.



Liquid Music is a harmony, melody and rhythm MIDI editor software that plugs into your DAW host. It's compatible with VST, AU, AAX and Max for Live.




Synth1 is a software synthesizer modeled on the Clavia Nord Lead 2 Red Synth. It combines the common sound synthesis method of Subtractive & FM synthesis.



Maize Sampler 2 is a cross-platform tool for sound developers to create sample-based virtual instruments.


