We don't sugarcoat it. Free plugins for music producers are a must-have. We use, download, and love third-party plugins to produce and teach electronic music production because:

Third-party plugins kick ass
That's what the professionals use

Anyone who tells you don't need third-party plugins outside of your DAW is lying to you. Today, third-party plugins are necessary to get the job done when trying to create the highest caliber of professional-sounding music, regardless of whether you use Ableton, FL Studio, Logic Pro, Cubase, Pro Tools, Reason, or anything else. 

I'm not saying your DAW's plugins aren't powerful. They are. But sometimes, you need something more.

That said, here are our 10 absolute favorite, most impactful free plugins, audio units, and VSTs for music producers we're using every day. And just FYI, this is NOT a list of bajillion plugins you don't need, this is a list of our must-haves.

3. Tritik — Krush

The only thing better than this bitcrusher's interface is how malleable it is. Krush combines the crispy taste of the digital realm with the warmth of its drive stage and analog modeled resonant filters. A modulation section allows you to quickly add extra life to the sound by modulating any parameter.

4. Xfer Records — OTT Compressor

This plugin needs no introduction. It is an amazing over-the-top compressor with beautiful coloration that is now associated with modern music. If you're an Ableton user, you already have this. If not, scope the free download.

5. Flux  — Stereo Tool

If you use Ableton, you don't have true panning in your DAW. When you pan in Ableton you are simply lowering left & right stereo volumes. Should you be concerned about that? Maybe. For now, just know Flux's Stereo Tool will correct for this, plus, it's just a great stereo tool to begin with.

6. Flux — Bittersweet

A simple and powerful multi-band transient shaper. Yes, you can actually transient shape your stereo information differently from the mids or sides. Not bad for a freebie.

7. Izotope — Ozone Imager

I'm not sure when this plugin became free, but wow. We're talking about the more powerful multiband imager on the market from one of the kings of mastering plugins, and it doesn't cost a cent. Insane value. 

8. Cableguys — Pancake

This is a sweet panning plugin that lets you draw in auto-panning, making it extremely malleable and functional, allowing you to construct your own modulation curves using soft or hard control points (perfect for gentle transitions or sharp bends).

9. Valhalla — Freq Echo

I love Valhalla's description of this one, so I'll let them do the talking. "Skull melting chaos perfect for all of your psychedelic needs. Sonic results range from subtle chorusing and double tracking to barberpole phasing and flanging to endless glissandos and runaway echos."

10. Glitchmachines — Hysteresis

We're talking about a glitch delay plugins specifically geared toward creating robotic artifacts and musical malfunctions. On top of being able to create contorted signal mutations, it can also be tamed to generate classic delay effects.

Did I miss any must-have free plugins that music producers are using this year? Get in touch and let me know, as I'd love to add to this list!

11. Integraudio — Deelay

Created in collaboration with Sixth Sample, Deelay packs loads of features in a simple, minimalistic interface. Diffusion for creating reverbs from small chambers to huge cinematic swells, distortion from subtle saturation to aggressive waveshaping, modulation for making your sounds come alive, and much more.

12. BABY Audio — Magic Dice

Magic Dice generates random and lush wet-FX textures on demand. It puts the algorithmic firepower – and modern sound – of their Award-Winning Spaced Out plugin into a fun and unpredictable experience.

Get anything from hazy space echoes over lush reverbs to alien-sounding modulation effects. The combinations are endless – and you’ll never hear the same result twice.