If you’ve been producing music for a while, you probably know that a lot of the commercial guitar VSTs or libraries out there are pretty expensive and not always easy to use. Although I own a few commercial guitar libraries, I also wanted to see what free guitar VSTs and sample libraries are available these days. I have to admit I was surprised by the number of interesting instruments I found. So, I’ve put together this list to talk about the best ones.
- Best Free Guitar Vst Reddit
- Best Free Guitar Vst 2020
- Best Free Guitar Vst Plugins
- Best Free Guitar Vst Logic
MIDI guitar mode; Free Acoustic Guitar VST Plugins. If you’re someone who came here for my list of free acoustic guitar plugins, check below. Since these are free options, I’ve just done this in a bullet format so that you can easily click them and check them out for yourself! Note: Some of these free options are only compatible with. Best Free VST Instruments (2020/2021) Spitfire Audio – Labs Although the Labs series has been available for a while now, new library keeps turning up and continues to bring us a host of new, creative, and esoteric sounds. More free VST plugins click here 👉🏻 Dynami. Chernobyl Studios Media Guitar is a free version of a VST guitar plugin that delivers a surprisingly good result. While the downloading process can be a bit consuming at first, you can quickly understand it once you start to play around with it. How to choose the best guitar VST for you. When it comes to plugins, there are thousands upon thousands of options open to you. These range from basic, free plugs that perhaps lack a little finesse, through to pro-grade tools that elevate sounds to new levels. Boogex is a guitar amplifier effect AAX, AudioUnit and VST plugin with a variety of sound shaping features for professional sound and music production applications. Boogex produces a nice “minimalist” sound which may be a bit noisy at higher drive settings, higher frequencies can be easily suppressed with its built-in Emphasis EQ. The best free VST plugins 2020: must-have freeware synths, drum machines and effects By Si Truss ( Computer Music, Future Music, emusician ) 20 November 2020 Make music for nothing with our pick of the finest free sound makers and processors.
For this article, I looked at both acoustic and electric guitars but left out guitar amps and other effect plugins (I will cover these in an upcoming article).
Free Acoustic Guitar Plugins
Ample Sound: Ample Guitar M II Lite
Format: AU, VST, AAX, RTAS / 32 bit + 62 bit
OS: Mac, Windows
Audio examples:
Ample Sound is a Beijing-based company that has been creating guitar and bass VSTs since 2011. The Ample Guitar M II series aims “to bring the Martin D-41 Acoustic Guitar sound to your studio.” Luckily for us, the company also released a free lite version of the instrument, which comes with a reduced sample rate, fewer articulations and features and a lower sample count than the original (by now, version III has been released already).
This doesn’t prevent Ample Guitar M II Lite from being the best sounding (non-Kontakt) acoustic guitar in this list, though. The samples sound full and lively and can be triggered directly through MIDI (or your DAW) as well as through a built-in sequencer, the “strummer.”
The strummer makes it super easy to build patterns out of single notes, up and down strokes and mutes. Additionally, there are a bunch of effects and features available to change the tone. One of my favorite features is the doubling switch, which adds width to the instrument in an instant.
Another particular useful feature of Ample Guitar M II Lite is that it shows you which string corresponds to the note you’re playing. This quickly helped me create more realistic arpeggios.
If you also use Guitar Pro Tab, you can even import your tabs into Ample Guitar M II Lite. Note that you are limited to the first four frets of each string when you’re using the lite version.
There are so many fully functioning knobs and switches in this free plugin that I didn’t manage to get to all of them in my 45 minutes of playing around with it. What more can you ask for in a free guitar?
You can get Ample Guitar M II Lite on the Ample Sound website.
This is a quick introduction to the instrument:
DSK Music: Dynamic Guitars
Format: AU, VST / 32 bit + 64 bit
OS: Mac, Windows
Audio examples:
This guitar VST has gotten a lot of attention lately, especially since the release of LifeStyleDidIt’s video “I FOUND THE BEST FREE GUITAR VST” (see below). DSK Music is a project by a Spaniard named Víctor who has been making hundreds of free virtual instruments since 2002.
DynamicGuitars contains three different instruments: an acoustic guitar, a nylonguitar and a steel guitar. It also offers control over the envelope of thesamples as well as the dynamic range and the voice mode (poly, mono, legato). All the included guitars feel smooth, warm andthick but could use a little EQ action for clarity.
In this video, you can see the plugin in use:
You can download DSK Dynamic Guitars here.
Pettinhouse Free Acoustic Guitars
Pettinhouse is a project by Andrea Pettinao. The company sells a wide variety of guitars and also offers a handful of free guitar sample libraries. Let’s take a look at them!
FreeAcousticGuitar
Format: Kontakt 3 and higher (full version required!)
Audio examples:
Free AcousticGuitar is a simple but well-recorded and programmed acoustic guitar Kontakt library. The samples are loaded as a multi and are separated into attack+ sustain, releases and fret noise sounds and come in different velocities. The samples are well mixed and sound wonderfully natural.
FreeClassicGuitar
Format: Kontakt 5 and higher (full version required!)
Audio examples:
When you open the free version of Pettinhouse’s Classic Guitar, you’re getting a multi consisting of two instruments: classic guitar and noises. These work well together and offer a realistic and nice warm sound.
Yummy Beats: Modest Guitar
Format: Kontakt 5 and higher (full version required!)
Audio examples:
Yummy Beats is a platform for drums, loops and Kontakt instruments. You can also find a few free instruments on this site, including the free Modest Guitar. This Kontakt library delivers a present sound with round robin and three articulations: acoustic guitar, flageolets and fx guitar. Unfortunately, I found that the fx guitar produced noticeable crackle sounds (might have been my setup!). However, my favorite part is the flageolets with their well-rounded tone, anyway.
I found the steps to get Modest Guitar a little complicated. You have to open a Yummy Beats account, go to this page and enter the unlock code that you find here. If you’re looking for a free, quality flageolet sound, this is a good instrument to try out, though.
Here’s an example of a song that uses Modest Guitar (from the Yummy Beats YouTube channel):
Alternatives
Didn’t find what you were looking for? Here are some more acoustic guitar libraries:
- DSK AkoustiK GuitarZ (VST / Windows / 32 bit)
- DSK Guitars Nylon (VST / Windows / 32 bit)
- DSK Guitars Acoustic (VST / Windows / 32 bit)
- DSK Guitars Steel (VST / Windows / 32 bit)
- Spicy Guitar (VST / Standalone / Windows, Mac / 32 bit + 64 bit)
- Big Cat Instruments General Midi Soundset (has a guitar section / Kontakt)
Free Electric Guitar Plugins
Now, let’s talk about electric guitars.
Spitfire Labs: Peel Guitar
Format: VST2, VST3, AAX, AU; 32 bit + 64 bi t
OS: Windows, Mac
Audio examples:
Looking for a smooth moody guitar that fits into an ambient track or your next film score? Peel Guitar might be it! Originally, the guitar was sampled by Christian Henson in 2006 and, according to him, was used all over his scores. The instrument consists of three presets that differ slightly in guitar tone. Each guitar feels soft and comes with a long release, which adds to the atmosphere of the instrument. The minimalist interface offers control over the volume, velocity, reverb and “tightness” of the sound. To get Peel Guitar, you will need to install Spitfire Labs first (also free).
Iridium Iris: Lethality
Format: VST, 32 bit + 64 bit
OS: Windows
Audio examples:
The following examples were created with Lethality and Guitar Rig 5:
Lethality was released in 2014 by Iridium Iris. The developer’s website has been down for a while, so it’s not clear if they’re still working on new instruments. However, Lethality is one of their products that you can still come across today.
I wasactually quite surprised to see how many functions are built into Lethality.Besides “regular” single notes, the plugin also has open string and mutedstring articulations. Additionally, you can switch on hammer-ons, pull-offs andportamento articulations, which can be triggered by playing legato notes.
To find theright articulation on your MIDI keyboard, you can take a look in the manualthat comes with the instrument. When you’re as used to Kontakt as I am, it’s alittle inconvenient that the keyboard layout (including articulation zones andkeyswitches) is not displayed visually in the plugin. This means that you’llhave to remember the keyswitches and articulations you’ll need when playing.
If you’renot sure how to program your guitar, you can use the built-in riff patterns.They can be activated directly from the plugin or exported as MIDI clips intoyour DAW of choice. Truthfully, though, it makes more sense to program your ownMIDI clips, if only to create a more dynamic guitar part.
Although Lethality offers a distortion function, to get a good sound you will most likely want to use an external amp simulation or other effects on this instrument.
As the official developer website is down, you can get Lethality here.
Impact Soundworks Shreddage Stratus Free
Format: Kontakt 5.7 or higher (full version required!)
Audio examples:
The Shreddage series by Impact Soundworks has been the go-to place for affordable guitar sample libraries for years. Recently, the company made a very generous gift to composers when it released a free version of its Shreddage 3 Stratus guitar. Compared to the commercial version, the free version only offers neck pickup (instead of neck, middle and bridge), 12 frets (instead of 24), a reduced range and fewer articulations. However, this shouldn’t stop you from creating great, realistic electric guitar parts with this library. Up to 24 samples per note, including sustain, palm mute and choke articulations make this an amazingly usable library that will fit into many productions.
Amazingly,the free version of Shreddage 3 Stratus also comes with full mix consolefunctionality. In the mix console you can add effects, whether that’s pedals,amps, cabinets or EQ. The included presets (called “snapshots” by ImpactSoundworks) sound instantly great and are compatible with other Shreddageinstruments (as long as they use the same console). This is definitely the bestand most versatile free electric guitar on the market right now – so if youhave a full version of Kontakt, don’t miss out on this one.
Check outthe following video for an overview on how to use Stratus Free:
Get Impact Soundworks Stratus Free here (you will need to get a free account to download the instrument).
Pettinhouse Free Electric Guitars
Just as Pettinhouseoffers a few great acoustic guitar libraries, it has also released a fewinteresting electric guitars:
FreeDirectGuitar
Format: Kontakt 5 and higher (full version required!)
Best Free Guitar Vst Reddit
Audio examples:
The following examples were created with DirectGuitar and Guitar Rig 5:
Using this direct guitar library by Pettinhouse gives you maximum flexibility for sculpting your own tone. It comes with a range of four octaves and also includes a few effects (open the “strum” and “layers” instruments to find out where they are located on the keyboard). Amp and effects are not part of the instrument, so you will need to add one yourself. I used Guitar Rig 5 for the audio examples.
FreeMute&Slap
Format: Kontakt 3 and higher (full version required!)
Audio examples:
Mute&Slap is a very specialized instrument: The articulations range from mute tones in the lower velocities to slap notes in the higher velocities and are great for adding some funky notes to your beats and songs. While Free Mute&Slap also contains a couple of effects and amp choices, it might be worthwhile trying out a few different amp simulations with this to have more control over the tone.
Here’s avideo review for Mute&Slap:
FreeFunkyGuitar
Format: Kontakt 3 and higher (full version required!)
Audio examples:
Need more funk in your music? Check out Pettinhouse’s Free FunkyGuitar. Besides regular plucked string sounds, this library also contains strum loops and muted strum loops. These are especially convenient (programming funk guitar rhythms manually is hell) and can be tempo-synced to the host or adjusted manually (in a range of 85 bpm – 130 bpm). The library comes with a built-in reverb, delay and phaser and a selection of amps. The guide tab will help you find your way around this instrument quickly.
FreeWarmJazz
Format: Kontakt 3 and higher (full version required!)
Audio examples:
When I was researching for this article and came across WarmJazz, a realization hit me: There are barely any jazz guitar sample libraries on the market. Apart from the occasional funk library, most current guitar libraries and VSTs are oriented towards rock, metal and blues. If you’re looking for a jazzier sound, though, you should check out WarmJazz by Pettinhouse. In its free version, it comes with seven presets and a range of effects (chorus, reverb, delay, compressor). The quality of the sound is indeed warm and jazzy and hard to re-create with any other library.
KaroryferSamples Cute Emily Guitar
Format: SFZ, Kontakt 5 and higher (full version required!)
The next three examples use Guitar Rig 5:
Cute Emily Guitar is originally a project by Karoryfer Samples and was first published in 2014. To quote the creator:
“There area lot of guitar samples out there intended for lots of styles of musicguitarists like, from Latin jazz to metalcore, but this library is for musicguitarists really hate, from hip-hop to EDM. It’s designed to be easy to usefor producers who don’t necessarily know a lot about guitars and don’t need awhole lot of different articulations, control over left-hand position, note offgroups, etc. Instead of all that you get a fat, percussive sound that’s greatfor crisp rhythms.”
Indeed, the instrument, which is a sampled Epiphone Emily the Strange, has a very pronounced, percussive attack. As the samples were recorded directly, it makes sense to run them through an amp simulator of some sort (I used Guitar Rig 5 for my tests).
You have the choice between two versions of this instrument: The original Karoryfer Samples version in SFZ soundfont format or a Kontakt version by Bigcat Instruments. The Kontakt version includes various effects, such as a phaser, chorus, reverb, delay, compressor, distortion and EQ. You can also add tremolo and adjust the velocity curve, as well as the attack and release.
Best Free Guitar Vst 2020
Alternatives
Looking formore options? Check out the following instruments:
- Greggjazz Suburban Guitarist (VST / Windows / 32 bit)
- Krakli Strat-A-Various (VST / Windows / 32 bit)
- SuperRiff: SuperRiff Guitar (VST / Windows / 32 bit)
Over to you…
Do you have any other favorites that you didn’t see included on this page? Let us know in the comments!
When it comes to making the best guitar sound probable, you might think you require the best guitar, pedal, and much more. But, by utilizing VST (Virtual Studio Technology), you can use a virtual tool that sounds almost like the actual thing. Still, you require to spend some money even with the VST route, however, you can obtain them cheaper. The question is which VST plugin is the best to use? We have assembled a list of what we think to be the best free VST plugins for guitar available that any producer who desires to emulate a guitar sound would enjoy.
Ample Sound Guitar M Lite
This plugin is the Best guitar VST in the world now, it has free version and can emulate the sound of an acoustic guitar. It gets distinct from other VST plugins because several times, they cannot come close to a real acoustic guitar.
This plugin provides a fantastic sound with the choice to add extra effects. You can opt to double the guitar sound, to add width and body. If you want an acoustic guitar VST, then you should select this one, because it sounds nearly like the real thing.
Here’s the official download page.
NI Guitar Rig 5 PLAYER
You can either go for a freeversion or a paid version for this plugin, depending on what features yourequire. With its free version, you can access to a tuner, amplifier, one tubescreamer, compressor, cabinet, two delay pedals, noise reduction, one profilter, reverb, a limiter, two equalizers, and a noise gate, volume pedal, andmore. The most important difference between the paid and free choices is thenumber of cabinets, effects, and amplifiers you can use.
The Guitar Rig 5 Player issimple to use, even If you are not experienced using VST plugins. However, itsfree version, since you only have one tube screamer, you won’t be able toattain weighty, aggressive sounds. Therefore, the paid option might be good foryou.
If you select, you can also utilize the Guitar Rig 5 Player as a standalone program. One slight inconvenience is, you have to register if you want to download it. Once you have completed this thing, the VST plugin will give you a serial key that you must utilize to authenticate using the Native Access program. Next, you will download that program distinctly.
Check it out here: Guitar Rig 5 Player.
Line 6 POD Farm 2.5
The Pod Farm 2.5 Line 6 pluginis a fantastic instrument for any guitarist. This plugin comes with over 1000presets, and you can even distribute your guitar signal into 2. There are loadsof chains of amplifiers and effects at your disposal, letting you have accessto even more different sorts of sounds. Everything can be personalized to yourrequirements and needs.
This particular VST guitar plugin also has a broad variety of delays, reverbs, compressors, phasors, as well as the opportunity to use any midi controllers such as a wah or expression pedals with the plugin. For those who require a VST that is powerful and flawless for producing rock, pop, metal, or any other sort of music, then this might be the good VST guitar plugin for you.
Check it out here: Line 6 POD Farm 2.5.
TSE Audio x50 v2
For those who are seekingvariety, then this could be a VST guitar plugin that you think about. It can smoothlymake crisp, bright, and clean tones, as well as heavy metal, aggressive tones.If you desire, you can go for a free version or a premium version.
In the free version of this plugin, you will get access to a tuner, equalizer, reverb, phaser, delay, a large number of cabinets, four distortion pedals, and more. It is easy for usage VST guitar plugin that is intuitive, simple, and best for learners who are seeking for something to make a guitar sound.
Check it out here: TSE x50v2.
Ignite Amps Emissary
One better heavy sound amp comesfrom Emissary. It has a clear channel that can provide clean or overdrivensounds that are best for metal tones. Also, the Emissary plugin bundle containsa NadIR dual impulse response convolver, which can operate as both a cabinetsimulator for both guitar and bass pre-amplifiers.
Some of its features of the Emissary by Ignite Amps are 3 touring modes containing dual mono, mono, and stereo, high-quality resampling for IRs as well as different sampling rates, global input level, selectable delay, and single IR level controls. For those who desire to record whole songs at your home, this is an excellent choice for you.
Check it out here: Emissary by Ignite Amps.
Audified ampLion Pro
This Guitar VST plugin can alsooperate as a standalone program, reliant on your requirements. Some of its featuresare:
- A 5-channel guitar amp
- Metronome
- 2 cabinets
- Audio player
- Advanced recorder
The sound that it creates ispretty impressive, and you can even obtain clean tones out of it. You canselect between different presets before you determine the one that is accuratefor you, and you can give, change to the Mic Placement. Even if you choose forthe free version, it provides you with tons of variety and control.
The LePou Amp pack is best suited for making aggressive sounding music, and it is easy to use as well. Just be assured you put LeCab2 cabinet in the chain to obtain this booted up.
Check it out here: LePoulin Amp Pack.
IK Multimedia Amplitube Custom Shop
This free Guitar VST plugin haslots of features, containing:
- 3 amplifiers
- Tuner
- Cabinet
- Tremolo
- Chorus
- Delay
- Overdrive
- Compressor
- Wah-Wah
- Chorus
- Equalizer
- Volume Pedal
It is the best VST plugin thatcan even operate as a standalone program. You can also go for a paid version ifyou wish to obtain access to even more features. However, if you are a learner,you might select to use the free plugin until you know your requirements andpreferences better.
The main inconvenience of this plugin is you have to sign up to be able to download it. Since it is still free to utilize, this is more of a slight inconvenience than a con.
Check it out here: Amplitube 4.
Shattered Glass Audio Ace
This VST guitar plugin carriestogether the best of the 1950s because it is all-tube, tweed with a 5Wamp. Thisspecific module comes with a few of the most basic and standard amplifier mods.With the use of this plugin, you can change the sum of feedback and gridstopper resistors. Though, you can shut down both of these features if you wishto obtain an original amp sound.
When utilizing the Ace Vintage Tube VST guitar plugin, you rapidly find out that the sound it makes is fantastic and is warm, clean, and bright. This vintage plugin is not appropriate for people who are desired to make heavy metal, but it might operate if you try to use it with distortion pedals.
Check it out here: Shattered Glass Audio Ace
Studio Devil Amp Modeler Pro
The Studio Devil is a specificinteresting VST plugin because it has a large emulation of valve amplifies thatcomes prepared with more than 15 pre-amplifiers. Some of its features containfull tone controls such as gain, bass, midrange, treble presence, three PowerAmp models with drive controls. It comes with 32 cabinets that were made byStudio Devil. This VST plugin contains a parametric equalizer, phaser, tremolo,delay, two compressors, chorus, and reverb with 3 different modes, like Room,Club, and Hall. You can use the wah-wah effect in real-time thanks to the midi.
While this is a comparatively new plugin, it comes at a reasonable price and provides a quality product that is better for anyone who desires to produce a guitar sound.
Check it out here: Studio Devil Amp Modeler Pro
Overloud TH-U
This guitar plugin includes alibrary occupied with 239 models, making it the most extensive choice that asingle plugin provides. It contains 89 guitar amps, 2 bass guitar cabinets, 50guitar cabinets, 4 bass guitar amplifiers, 77 pedals, and effect rates, 18microphones, and more than 1000 presets.
Overload also works together with many notable amplifier brands, with DVmark, Brunetti, THD, and Randall to make this a VST plugin that is closely unmatched. For music producers who need a vast variety of sounds and options, then the TH-U Overload VST plugin might be the best one for you.
Check it out here: Overloud TH-U
SimulAnalog Guitar Suite
This VST plugin is free andworks very well, and it includes a few amplifiers and pedals. Although, onedownfall of this guitar VST plugin is that it only operates with 32bit, whichmeans it won’t operate on a 64-bit system.
The interface on this one is somewhat hard to figure out, but once you do, you can attain a vast variety of sounds. You can even take sounds from Fender, Marshall, Univox, Oberheim, and more.
Check it out here:SimulAnalog Guitar Suite
Best Free Guitar Vst Plugins
Avid Eleven MK II
This VST guitar plugin containsa broad range of amplifiers, effects, and cabinets. It can make a realistic,clean sound. By using the Avid Eleven MK II, you can make creative modelingtechniques that sound like the actual thing.
The Avid comes with 33amplifiers, 10 microphones, 33 models, and 15 cabinets to help make your idealsound. You can even attempt to make the same sounds from Mesa Boogie, Vox,Soldano, Marshall, and Fender with this VST plugin.
Thanks to its customization, it could be a good option for you. However, one downfall is that it is only compatible with the Protools DAWS.
Check it out here:Avid Eleven MK II
Waves GTR3
Cannot make a VST list withoutstating Waves. The GTR3 comes from the alliance between Waves and PRS Guitars.It has all the basics that you require to emulate a similar sound fromamplifiers from Vox, Mesa/Boogie, Fender, Marshall, and more. It also containsmore than 30 cabinets and 30 amplifiers.
For someone who is seeking for a vintage and realistic sound, then this is the right VST guitar plugin that you have been seeking for.
Check it out here:Waves GTR3
Sonivox Bright Electric Guitar
If you need to emulate the soundof Strats, then this might be the better VST guitar plugin for you. This oneprovides a broad variety of strum patterns as well as chord sorts. WhileStratocasters are not for everybody, they can make a bright, clear tone thatyou might discover enjoyable. The VST guitar plugin is one of the inexpensiveones, but it provides an unbelievable sound that you won’t expect.
For the price, its sounds aretop-notch, and they sound very analogous to the actual thing. It is tough tocompare it to other plugins on this list because it provides a sound that is onpar with a real-life strat. It also has 3 different velocities for both mutesand tones.
While this won’t be the appropriate plugin for metal producers, if you need a strat sound, then this is the right plugin for you. At a reasonable price and quality sound production, the Bright Electric Guitar Sonivox is a good choice.
Best Free Guitar Vst Logic
Check it out here:Sonivox Bright Electric Guitar
Impact Soundworks Shreddage 3
This VST plugin is made by ImpactSound Works and has become a popular option for people who require to emulate aserious metal sound. It was highly expected, and it didn’t disappoint with thehigh tone that it makes. It is so decent that you might realize that you arelistening to the real thing.
For making a metal sound, this is one of the great available, and it provides a bright and pure tone. The layout, overall, is easy to navigate and use, even for learners.
Check it out here:Impact Soundworks Shreddage 3
Ample Sound Ample Guitar G II
AmpleSounds has become famousfor itself for their heavy rock and metal guitar sound. If you need to emulatea Gibson Les Paul, then this is right the VST plugin for you. When you want toproduce harder rock sounds, then this can turn out to be your go-to pluginoption.
When you first utilize this guitar VST plugin, you might discover that the sound is not as realistic as other plugins on the list. But, with some modifications, you can rapidly discover the right sound and tone for you. With the use of this plugin, you can obtain effects such as pedals, which can help you vary the sound rapidly and attain a darker chord progression than most other VST plugins.
Check it out here:Ample Sound Ample Guitar G II
My name is Shane Beat, I’m a record producer, DJ, and songwriter. I’m from Canada, I worked with many biggest rappers from United states and Canada like Smoke purpp, Ski Mask the Slump God, k-os, I’m here to help you to develop your skills with new and best plugins in the world.