The Yahama DX7 synthesizer ! The sound of the 80′s. Released in 1983, the DX7 presets were used in countless songs, like these : http://bobbyblues.recup.ch/yamaha_dx7/dx7_examples.html Famous for his e-piano sound, and bells, marimba and other metallic or crystal clear sounds. It was used and still can be used in any music genre, from pop ballad to hard techno. I digged into the many free FM VST plugins, searching for those who are able to recreate that clean 80 FM sound. Here’s 4 free VSTi that can stand for the title of "best free DX7 VST emulation" : 1. Dexed FM VST Dexed free fm synth https://github.com/asb2m10/dexed This VSTi is freeware and available for Windows and Mac OS X. It can import / export original DX7 sysex, so you can use it as a DX7 editor. The project is alive and recent, and it sounds very nice ! All FM lovers must try it.   2. OxeFM by Oxe Music Software Oxe FM VST http://www.oxesoft.com/ This is not really a DX7 emulation, but it can do 6 op FM synthesis (and more!) and can reproduce all the DX7 algoritms (and more!) with his matrix. It also features two filters (named operator X & Z ) and let you choose other waveform than sinus waveform (for those who want to nail the TX81z sound !) It has all you need for FM synthesis. It’s worth notice that this VSTi is multitimbral, you can set different sounds for each of the 16 MIDI channels. The drawback of this, is that the delay reverb effects only work for "all voice" and setting are not saved "per patch" The preset browsing / handling is a bit cumbersome too. The synth writes a registry entry with the path of the ".bin" files that contain the presets : Root: HKLM; Subkey: "SOFTWARE\Oxe Music Software\Oxe FM Synth"; ValueName: "SoundBankPath"; ValueType: String; ValueData: "Oxe FM Synth";   3. Hexter VST Hexter VST Hexter is no more available in VST format. The binary can be found on the internet if you really badly want it. The GUI is not SEXY but it can import and export DX7 .syx files. It also adds 4 onboard effects : a tube drive, an echo, a reverb and a chorus effect.   4. VX7 by Speedsoft VX7 free FM Synth plugin download it here : http://black.winny.free.fr/MAO/VX7/ This never-released-still-in-beta FM synth has stoped since 2003, but it can produces FM sounds, had 6 operators, and can import DX7 patch, it can also import SY77 data.  

Strawberry Fields for ever ! more music, less talk : 1. Redtron SE by Artifake_Labs Redtron VST https://sites.google.com/site/artifakelabs/ This is a Synthedit VST, so it should work in 32 bit hosts on Windows. It’s based on these samples : http://leisureland.us/audio/MellotronSamples/MellotronSamples.htm Don’t hesitate to browse the artifakelabs site, as you also have the Redtron 400 version and the Redton MKV for emulating the Mellotron MKV. listen to the demo and compare: http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/strawberry-fileds-redtron.mp3     2. Nanotron by DreamVortex Nanotron : free Mellotron VST Download it here : http://www.dreamvortex.co.uk/instruments/ Created with Synthedit. Nice sounds, it had the choir, the strings and the flute sound. You can mix choir / strings and strings / flute using the knobselector. It is 32 bit for Windows. http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/strawberry-fileds-nanotron.mp3     3. Tapeotronic by ElektroStudio Tapeotronic VSTi http://elektrostudio.ovh.org/index.php?go=tapeo You can also mix the string and choir sound or the flute and the string sound. Windows 32 bit. http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/strawberry-fileds-tapeotronic.mp3     4. Tapeworm VST by Tweakbench TapeWorm freeware Mellotron VST http://www.tweakbench.com/tapeworm Another good Synthedit creation by Tweakbench. http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/strawberry-fileds-tapeworm.mp3     5. MellowSound by Batsounds MellowSound VST https://web.archive.org/web/20030211054234/http://batsound.users.btopenworld.com/ This one have the string, the choir and the brass sound, but the flute is missing. It’s a Synthedit creation, and a very old plugin !  

The Minimoog ! one of the synth that had the biggest impact in history of synths. This is a difficult task to emulate the moog sound with virtual synth, you have to take care of the electronic components and their characteristics. Let’s start the dance : 1. MinimogueVA by Gunnar MinimogueVA : free miniMoog VST emulation! Download and information : Gunnar archive site Based on the Richard Brooks synthedit sources of "mogue", this is a very nice VST emulation of the famous miniMoog synthesizer. It’s a Synthedit creation : It works for Windows and 32 bit VST hosts. You can also found a polyphonic version (MinimogueLuxus VST). The three oscillators are here, and the filter does the job. A simple arpeggiator is also a nice addition.     2. Model Mini by ElektroStudio ModelMini VST Info & download : http://www.elektrostudio.ovh.org/index.php?go=mini A free VST that can stand for the "best free VST recreation of a Moog synth" title. Sounds good, works for Windows (32 bit).     3. Freemoog by Cyclik Cyclik Free Moog VST download now ! => http://spiritconspiracy.free.fr/spip.php?article14 Created with Synthedit, it sounds different than the two previous VST synths, but it sounds good. And that’s all we want. It’s free, and works in all 32 bit VST host under Windows.     4 RA Mowg by Chris Anderson RA Mowg VST http://robersonaudio.tk/ra-mowg/ Emulation of a Minimoog model D. Created with synthedit. It’s not bad.     5. ASynth by Antti. Asynth VST ! download and test it : http://antti.smartelectronix.com/ It’s not really a Minimoog emulation, but with its two oscillators and the filter set on "MINI" , it does "Moog-ish sounds". The quality is superior. Don’t forget to check out the Taurus emulation on the same site too ! ASynth VST is donationware, and still one of the best VSTi.     6. Minimoog+ by Synthfellow Synthfellow Minimoog+ VST Info : archive & download This is an oooold VST plugin created with Synthedit about 10 years ago. It has some playing/retrigger bugs, some parameters are not well "calibrated" and the presets don’t do it justice. But with some tweaking, it can do nice leads and bass !

Back to the 70′s ! EMS created the VCS3 (also called ‘the putney’ ), then, based on the VCS3, the Synthi A and Synthi AKS. A portable synth in a suitcase ! A James Bond suitcase. Some VST plugins (freeware) tried to recreate the original semi modular design of this synth, here’s the list :   1. Cynthia VST by NineCows Cynthia VST http://ninecows.dk/cynthia/ Cynthia is a free EMS VCS3 VST emulation. It was developed with Synthedit, so it’s for Windows (32 bit) hosts. Don’t forget to read the manual it’s clear and instructive. The Cynthia VST come with two dll files : it can also be used as effect, for processing your audio input.     2. KX-Synth-X16 VST By KX77Free Inspired by the VCS3 http://kx77free.free.fr a Synthedit creation, based on the VCS3 structure. It’s the best sounding VSTi in this list. And the more powerful too. The Kx-Synth-X16 go further his VCS3 model and is polyphonic. The original "springverb" is replaced with a delay.     3. Synthia 2 by EFM Synthia 2 VST download Warning, it can blow your speakers. I don’t really like its sound, but if you want to experiment, don’t hesitate.     4. SynthiAKS by Richard Brooks SynthiAKS VST download This incredibly old Synthedit VSTi can do some noise.     5. VCS5 by Richard Brooks VCS5 VSTi download This antiquity is modelled after a VCS3 synth. You may like it. Or not.   Come on Jean Michel :    

Some free VSTi try to emulate (more or less faithfully) the sound of the Roland Juno‘s synths (Juno 60, Juno 106 & Juno 6). All these synths were and are still popular. The Juno 106 were used by Acrid Abeyance and can also be heard in countless techno trax. Get ready for fat chorus ! here’s a selection of freeware plugin :     1. TAL U-NO-62 TAL U-NO-62 VST DL : http://kunz.corrupt.ch/products/tal-u-no-62 Available in 32 & 64 bit for Windows and MAC OS X (in VST & AU format). The best VSTi to get Juno60ish sounds, trust the chorus ! trust the chorus. dont forget to check out the other plugins by TAL, the chorus is available as a separate VST effect ! Check the "power pad" preset : the sound is full. Great for bass and pad, few controls for easy tweaking. Pump up the bass!     2. Sixth Month June VST by Elektrostudio SIXth MONTH JUNE VST Roland Juno VSTi go ! => http://www.elektrostudio.ovh.org/index.php?go=june Available for Windows (32 bit). A virtual recreation of the Roland Juno 6, there are some nice pads in the presets. + a simple and effective arpeggiator and a delay effect. It’s great for pads, and can do some good bass too. and if the chorus isn’t "fat" enough for you, there’s also a unison. When the unison is on, the synth turns to monophonic mode. here’s 16 presets for the bestiole : http://blog.wavosaur.com/download/SixMonthJune-16-presets.zip some samples : pad / choir pad / noisy keys / arp bass http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/rezoarp.mp3 http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/choirpad.mp3 http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/noiserKeyPad.mp3 http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/arpbass.mp3     3. kwop7 VST by GTG Kwop7 VST free ! by GTG direct download & information A synthedit creation (Windows 32 bit only). This free VST from GTG is an emulation of a Juno6, it sounds very good. The first bass preset is my favorite ! full persuaders attitude. It’s great for bass & pads. Great smooth silky chorused sound.   4. DCO-6 VST by mztk DCO-6 VST free info & download A VST emulation of the Juno 106, created with Synthedit. Nice look, doesn’t sound bad. You can do bass , lead & pads very quickly.   5. Retro 6 JUNO 6 VST  by Brainslayer & Strepto Juno 6 open source VST direct download & info The UI is nice but the sound lacks in all departments The project is open source, so feel free to improve it ! http://sourceforge.net/projects/juno6/ Here’s a screenshot of an older version : Juno 6 VST   7. Luno by Osiris Synth Luno VST download : https://sites.google.com/site/osirissynths/Home/synth-page here’s the bonus track ! a VST emulation of the Juno 106. It’s pretty simple and comes with 40 presets. You can tempo sync the LFO.

Let’s go techno : 1. Phutura VSTi by PhutureTone Phutura VSTi : the free Alpha Juno ! http://phuturetone.com/phutura.php Hoover !! http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/hoover.mp3 A nice clean interface, and a good sound. This is the only free "Alpha Juno" VSTi that can do a decent "hoover". It can do hoover but not only ! There are some great bass and cool sounds in the factory presets.     2. SMC Joono VST SMC Joono Alpha Juno VST http://synthmaker.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=82658#p82227 Created with SynthMaker, the project seems to be stopped. It doesn’t really sounds like a Alpha Juno, but It can do interesting sounds.   3. EFM AlphaII VST EFM alpha II direct download, info : http://ele4music.blogspot.fr/ A synthedit creation. The synth is far from an Alpha Juno, i don’t really like the sound but if you want to dig deeper, don’t hesitate.    

. "The famous Dubreq Stylophone !"     The stylophone is a toy synth, created by Brian Jarvis in a psychedelic era. It was used by Kraftwerk, David Bowie, Pulp, Erasure and Dimitri from Paris. We have found 3 virtual instruments on the interweb that try to capture the crunchy sound of the stylophone.     Let’s go: 1. Superwave Stylophone VST Stylophone freeware http://www.superwavesynths.co.uk/product_stylophone.htm The best one ! the most fidel, with vibrato. Who needs a Clavioline when there’s a Stylophone: http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/runawaylol.mp3     2. Styrofoam by Delamancha Styrofoam http://www.delamancha.co.uk/styrofoam.htm Doesn’t really sound like a stylophone, but is cool ! In fact, it sounds better than a stylophone.     3. StylophoneVST by Sparque download / archive One of the oldest VSTi! The path to the samples used by this VST is hardcoded into the dll : C:\Windows\Stylophone.dat, so you have to copy "Stylophone.dat" to C:\Windows. The sound is between terrible and horrible (when it doesn’t bug and blast your speakers), but it can be used in a creative way, if you are motived.     4. bonus track Stylophone tab ! http://stylophonia.blogspot.fr/ On this site you can find tab for your stylophone ! Now you can play the Star Wars imperial march or some songs by Lady Gaga and Bob Sinclar.     Stylophone is old school

The Hammond B3 organ. Additive synthesis at its best ! Suitable for Jazz, Rock, Gospel, Blues, Ballad, House, Funk, Cheesy reprise of anything, Ballad, Dance, Pop, Hard Rock, etc.. Some history here : http://theatreorgans.com/grounds/docs/history.html  + some facts     i have selected 7 free drawbar organ VSTi emulations of the Hammond B3. Let’s groove :   1. AZR3 by Rumpelrausch AZR3: B3 organ VST http://untermkittel.de/rumpelrausch/?PLUGINS Not only free, it’s also open source. This is a very good drawbar emulation, with onboard FX, nice saturation, and the speaker leslie emulation. Perfect for emulating gospel organ and rock organ. And check the "NHL" preset! WhiterShadeOfPale http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/whiter-shade-of-zr3.mp3 As all the other plugins in this list are 32 bit, it could be nice to compile a 64 bit version. ** EDIT** => here is the 64 bit version for Windows : download  Azr3 B3 organ VST 64 bit and the sources There’s also a MAC version here          2. Organized Trio Organized Trio VST http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=37 Present in the same package as "Mr Ray", it’s the perfect companion for your funky tracks. And of course it can do the perc dance organ "ala" Korg M1 : Gypsy Woman: http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Gypsy-Women-Organized-Trio.mp3       3. NubiPlus by fxPointAudio Nubi+ VST http://www.fxpointaudio.com/   & download Nubi Plus VSTi come with a VST FX for adding the Leslie effect : Spinner VST. The two make a super groovy combo, and gives you this nice Hammond B3 organ sound. She’s just like you and me, but she’s homeless: http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Gypsy-Woman-NubiPlus.mp3       4. DirtBag and LightBag by Istvan Kaldor LightBag II VST http://www.joshgemmell.com/ik/ Good old Synthedit creations : the sound is dirty like it should. You get a nasty B3 organ sound in an instant. Leslie speaker effect is included. There are also some nice reed emulation sounds. And some crazy wicked presets in dirtbag too! Whiter shade of Dirtbag : http://blog.wavosaur.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/whiter-shade-of-dirtbag.mp3       5. Euthymia VST by Iliadis Euthymia Organ https://web.archive.org/web/20090917090612/http://www.iliadisorgan.com/freeplugins.html This free organ VST has a clean sound. You can add a Leslie speaker as free external effect : iSpinner VST       6. OddlyOrgan by OdO Oddly Organ http://theodosynthsarchive.wordpress.com/category/oddly-organ/ A little more synthetic, you can go creative with this VST ! You can also find other organ VSTis made by OdO        7. VL122 by AM Music Technology VL122 drawbar organ VST info & download Discontinued & free drawbar organ : it sounds nice, it’s clean. You can switch off the motor ! It includes the famous Leslie effect, and also a reverb. + a tube/drive effect for more dirty sound. Cool jazz organ presets.  

Good old transistor organs from the 60′s, the Farfisa manufacturer is associated to the portable combo organ, the characteristic sound of the electronic organ is all you need. So we compiled some free VSTi that are able to emulate electric organ. portable organ 4 all !     1. Combo F by Martinic Comob Model F http://www.martinic.com/combof/ The most popular free Farfisa VST emulation, it’s modelled after the Farfisa Combo organ, and available for Windows and Mac OSX, both 32 & 64 bit.       2. Morphiza VST by Krakli Morphiza VST https://web.archive.org/web/20041204232903/http://www.krakli.co.uk/zips/Morphiza.zip A good old synthedit creation. It’s free, it sounds good, guarantee 100 % old transistor organ from the 60′s & 70′s.       3. CheapCheese by vintagecheeze Cheap Cheese VST https://sites.google.com/site/vintagecheeze/home Another nice free combo organ emulation in VST format.       4. Phibes by Land of Cockaigne Phibes VST organ https://web.archive.org/web/20021122102921/http://www.funkelectric.com/~cockaigne/ + download According to the author, this is not a Farfisa (or Hammond B3) emulation but more an emulation of cheap imitation ! and that’s why it’s one of the most funky VST.      

Let’s go funk:   1. TickyClav by BigTick Ticky Clav http://www.bigtickaudio.com/goodies/tickyclav {postad2] The most popular VST for free Clavinet emulation : it’s nice and does what we want. here’s a demo from uproar24 on youtube :     2. Topaz Clav 1 by Topaz Audio Topaz Clav 1 http://www.topazproductions.co.uk/subpages/vsts.html A Synthedit VSt plugin : it’s based on sample (surely a soundfont), so it’s more limited, but the clav sound is good. The filter is pretty basic but together with the samples it does a good job.     3. Bonus Trax According this post @ KVR, the Free VSTi String Theory by UGO is more than capable of doing funky Clavinet sounds : and that’s true !!Check the 64 "Segovia" preset in the factory sounds String Theory VST http://www.ugoaudio.com/index.php/vst-plugins   There are also free clavinet soundfonts all around the interweb. A free sf2 player like SFZ+ and some Clavinet D6 soundfont and here you go.