- Guitarists have a wide range of effects at their fingertips with VST, AAX, and AU plugins.
- We’ve rounded up the best free plugins for guitarists you can find on the net!
It’s no secret that guitarists these days are spoiled for choice when it comes to effects. There is an absolutely gigantic range of guitar pedals on the market to choose from.
But many of us like to have their effects “in the box” by way of plugins inside a DAW.
In this article, we’ll look at the best free guitar plugins currently available on the market.
What Are The Best Free Guitar Pedal Plugins?
The TSE808 2.0 Lite is our pick for the best free guitar pedal plugin on this list. It is a software recreation of the legendary Ibanez Tube Screamer 808, one of the most popular distortion pedals ever created.
For metal guitarists or anyone that needs very aggressive distortion, the Mercuriall Metal Area is our choice for the best metal guitar pedal plug-in. It is a recreation of the ever-popular
For those looking for a good option for modulation, the Mercuriall Chorus WS-1 is a solid choice for a chorus pedal, a recreation of the iconic
- TSE808 2.0 Lite (Best Distortion)
- Mercuriall Metal Area (Best Metal Distortion)
- Ignite Amps Pro F.E.T.
- Mercuriall Chorus WS-1 (Best Chorus)
- TSE R47 (Best Classic Distortion)
- Heptode Deep Crunch (Best Amp Distortion)
- Ignite Amps TSB1 Tyrant Screamer
- Chowdhury ‘Chow Centaur’ (Best Klon Centaur Emulation)
- Free recreation of the Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer
- Tone, Overdrive and Level controls
- Mono/stereo and hi/lo quality switches
- Emulates the BOSS Metal Zone pedal
- Dual-gain circuitry for dense, compressed distortion
- 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mids
- Loosely modelled on the BOSS CE-2 chorus pedal
- Depth, Speed and Mix controls
- Going above 25% depth adds pitch shifting
- Digital model of Ignite Amps' high-gain JFET preamp pedal
- 4-control tone stack plus a Shape switch
- Mono or stereo, with oversampling up to 8x
- Emulates the Pro Co RAT distortion pedal
- Works from semi-clean crunch to high gain
- Up to 4x oversampling and a stereo/dual mode
- Modelled on Heptode's Soldano SLO-100 stompbox
- 3-band EQ with gain and level knobs
- Switchable cabinet simulation
- Tube Screamer-style drive for heavier music
- Extra sweep control tailors the midrange
- Designed for down-tuned guitars
- Models the transparent overdrive of the Klon Centaur
- Built with wave digital filters and neural networks
- Suits subtle boosts and lead tones
1. TSE808 2.0 Lite
Take a good look at professional pedalboards onstage. Notice anything interesting? Chances are you will spot the unmistakable Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer somewhere in the signal chain, and for good reason.
Countless renowned guitarists have used the TS808 Tube Screamer for its smooth, full tone in the style of overdriven tubes (though it uses diodes). The likes of Eric Johnson, John Mayer, Andy Timmons, Gary Moore, Jerry Cantrell, and many others have relied on the TS808 as an important part of their sound.
With the TSE808 2.0 Lite, TSE Audio offers a recreation of this iconic Ibanez distortion and overdrive pedal. You get the sound of the classic, massively collectible TS808 Tube Screamer, all in your DAW, and for free!
Features
- Recreation of the classic Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer overdrive effects pedal
- Analog flavor reminiscent of the original Tube Screamer
- Gives you a smooth, full overdrive in the style of an overdriven tube amp
- Tone, Overdrive, and Level controls so that you can tweak your sound
- Also includes two switches that allow it to be used in Mono or Stereo or Hi and Lo Quality level
Overview
The TS808 Tube Screamers is a classic as well as a modern pedalboard staple. The original Tube Screamer propelled into fame when Stevie Ray Vaughan used it to create his signature tone.
Today, those original TS808 Tube Screamers command high prices on the collector’s market and remain popular among discerning guitarists.
Now, TSE Audio gives you the chance to have those sought-after tones, without spending a dime. Download the free plug-in and start pushing your amp (virtual, on your DAW), and find your tone with perhaps the most iconic distortion pedal in history.
This plug-in provides a wide range of gain with that characteristic midrange bump that made the Tubescreamer a legend!
2. Mercuriall Metal Area
This free plug-in by Mercuriall emulates the classic Metal Zone pedal by
Just like the original, Mercuriall’s Metal Area offers you a 3 band equalizer that lets you chose a range from 200 Hz to 5 kHz. This emulation can also work in stereo.
Simply said, this is a solid emulation of a modern classic that is a staple among metal guitarists. Guitarists like Brian “Head” Welch and James “Munky” Shaffer from the band Korn have employed the
If you ever wanted to try it out, the Mercuriall Metal Area lets you see if it’s for you. For free!
Features
- Recreation of
BOSS ‘ Metal Zone stompbox - Unique dual-gain circuitry creates incredible-sounding distortion
- Provides super-long sustain with heavy mids and lows
- 3-band EQ with semi-parametric midrange control delivers plenty of tone-shaping options
- Tailor-made for hard rock and metal guitarists
Overview
The original Metal Zone is one of the most famous stompboxes by
Mercuriall’s plug-in emulation gives you similar dense levels of saturation, super-long sustain, and heavy mids and lows that are evocative of a stack of overdriven amps, just like the original Metal Zone.
Its 3-band EQ with semi-parametric midrange control gives you lots of tone-shaping options, providing you with control over a wide range of over-the-top distortion sounds and textures.
If you’re a hard rock or metal guitarist, then the
3. Ignite Amps Pro F.E.T.
Ignite Amp’s Pro F.E.T. is a digital emulation of a high gain distortion preamp/stomp-box for guitar. It was developed to accurately model its real hardware counterpart, designed and built by Ignite Amps in 2018.
The ProF.E.T. core circuit is capable of delivering a lot of tube-like saturation using carefully tuned JFET-based gain stages and filters to keep the distortion aggressive and rich with harmonics.
Like all the other options on this list, it is free. So take advantage of this, download it, and try it out.
Features
- Ignite Amps’ proprietary JFET non-linear modeling engine
- 4 controls tone stack with additional Shape switch
- Mono and Stereo processing support
- Selectable oversampling rate (up to 8x)
- Global input and output level controls
Overview
This free VST plug-in from Ignite Amps provides a high gain JFET-based overdrive, with all of the saturation and harmonics you would expect from the real deal.
The tone section has four controls over highs, lows, and high and low mids, with a Shape toggle switch that changes the character of the EQ curve, for added tonal flexibility.
The Pro F.E.T. was not really designed to get low gain sounds, so keep that in mind. It is more of a tight distortion with a fast attack that will be great for guitarists who play metal and other heavy styles.
Ignite Amp’s Pro F.E.T. supports mono or stereo output, and all controls can be automated within your DAW. Additionally, the Pro F.E.T features a 4 controls-based tone stack with 2 different modes that ensure maximum versatility and tone-shaping options.
You can use this VST plug-in as a preamp or a distortion unit in front of a clean amplifier, and it will deliver quality results in both cases.
The Pro F.E.T features a double-precision (64-bit) floating-point mathematical model, fully automatable controls, and Ignite Amps’ proprietary preset management system with bank file import/export functions.
Finally, the Pro F.E.T. features mono and stereo processing support and is compatible with Windows 64/32-bit, Mac VST 64-bit, AU, AAX.
4. Mercuriall Chorus WS-1
The Mercuriall Chorus WS-1 is the only modulation guitar pedal plugin on this list. It is loosely modeled after the
Launched in 1976, the CE-2 Chorus Ensemble was the world’s first chorus effect pedal and the very first
The CE-2 has been used by the likes of Brian May, Eric Clapton, and John Frusciante, and was the basis for a legendary sound that defined an era and is still sold today in its original form.
Lucky for us, Mercuriall has created a VST emulation of the CE-2 with the WS-1. Oh yeah, and it’s free!
Features
- Depth, Speed, and Mix control
- Modeled after the legendary
BOSS CE-1 - Capable of pitch shifting
- Can run in mono or stereo
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
Overview
The Mercuriall Chorus WS-1 allows you to control the amount of modulation with depth, and there isn’t much detuning at lower settings. On the other hand, going above 25% starts to introduce pitch shifting, which can add to your sonic palette and increase the usability of this plug-in.
It features a Speed knob that affects the rate of the pitch shift, while the Mix knob sets the overall wet/dry balance. It can run in mono or stereo, and while it’s more on the subtle side of chorusing it adds a dimension that is a great alternative to the chorus plug-ins that come bundled with DAWs.
Overall, it’s a great choice of chorus effect for your DAW, and it’s free! System requirements for the Mercuriall Chorus WS-1 are Windows 64-bit VST/AAX, Mac 64-bit VST, AU, AAX.
(Can you name all the differences between Chorus, Flanger, and Phaser pedals? Test yourself in Chorus vs Flanger vs Phaser: Breaking It Down.)
5. Ignite Amps TSB1 Tyrant Screamer
The Ignite Amps TSB1 Tyrant Screamer is the second free VST plug-in in this list that is based on the legendary Ibanez Tube Screamer distortion pedal.
However, this one aims to be more of a Tube Screamer flavored distortion for heavier styles of music. So, if you like that iconic Ibanez Tube Screamer sound but play metal or music that requires more aggressive types of distortion, the TSB1 Tyrant Screamer by Ignite Amps might be for you.
Features
- Tube Screamer vibe for heavier music
- Familiar three-knob setup
- Additional sweep control that tailors the midrange
- Designed specifically for down-tuned guitars
- Mono or stereo output
Review
The Ignite Amps TSB1 Tyrant Screamer is an overdrive with some Tube Screamer similarities but was designed and built for guitarists that gravitate towards the heaviest genres and music styles.
This free VST distortion pedal plug-in features the familiar three-knob setup as an Ibanez Tube Screamer, but with an additional sweep control that tailors the midrange, allowing you to get that scooped distortion sound that is favored in metal.
It was designed specifically for down-tuned guitars to stay tight and fast with the lower registers. Like the other Ignite plug-ins, it is a meticulously modeled simulation with controls that can be automated, oversampling options, and mono or stereo output.
It is compatible with Windows and Mac 64-bit VST/VST3/AU. This is a fantastic choice for those lovers of the Tube Screamer that play metal or require very aggressive distortion.
6. Heptode Deep Crunch
Heptode is a manufacturer based in Asia that makes hardware and software guitar effects. The Deep Crunch free VST plug-in is based on their analog pedal of the same name.
It emulates a Soldano SLO-100, one of the most popular high gain amps of all time used by the likes of Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler.
Heptode emulated its own stompbox that was an attempt to emulate the SLO-100. Check out their free VST plug-in stompbox version and decide if it works for you.
Features
- Modeled after Heptode’s Soldano SLO-100 stompbox
- 3-band EQ
- Presented in a stompbox design and operation form
- Cab Sim switch
- Gain and level knobs
Overview
The Heptode Deep Crunch features a 3-band EQ, gain, and level controls dial in your sound, and you can toggle on and off the onboard cabinet simulation.
Its design features a typical stompbox approach with five knobs at the top with a cab sim switch, a footswitch that activates and deactivates the effect, and in/out quarter-inch ports.
It is based on the Heptode’s Soldanos Super Lead Overdrive 100 (SLO-100) stompbox. This amp set the standard for modern high-gain amplification and remains a popular choice today for those that can afford its price tag.
The Heptode Deep Crunch is great for all styles of rock and plays nicely with basically any source you decide to pair it with. It is compatible with Windows and Mac as a 32bit and 64bit VST.
7. TSE R47
The R47 by TSE is a digital emulation of the famous RAT pedal by Pro Co. This pedal became quite popular during the ’70s for its warm distorted tone, simplicity of use, and durability.
It has enjoyed continued popularity during the years and is used by Metallica’s guitarists Kirk Hammet and James Hetfield.
Now as a free DSP plug-in by TSE, the R47 is well suited for semi-clean/crunch to high gain sounds. You can use it before an amp-sim or alone on a track right before a guitar-cabinet emulation software.
(If you’re after more freebies, head on over to our roundup of the 15 best free amp sims!)
Features
- Up to 4X oversampling
- Stereo / Dual mode
- Input and Drive control
- Tone control
- Simple interface
Overview
The Pro Co “The RAT” is a distortion pedal with a very simple circuit, which can be broken down into four simpler blocks: distortion stage, tone control, output stage, and power supply.
The R47 by TSE is a nice emulation of this legendary distortion pedal, and just like all the others on this list, it’s totally free.
The overall design of the original RAT pedal is pretty similar to that of the
And now, you can try it out for free thanks to TSE. What’s not to like?
7. Chowdhury ‘Chow Centaur’
While Chow DSP isn’t necessarily a household name among music producers, they aren’t a company to sleep on.
Their emulation of the highly revered (and priced) Klon Centaur is a wonderful bit of kit, “created using a variety of circuit modelling methods including nodal analysis, wave digital filters, and recurrent neural networks.”
If you’re interested in nerding out on whjat’s ‘under the hood,’ you can read their Cornell University paper on the plugin.
Features
- Uses traditional modelling techniques such as nodal analysis and Wave Digital Filters.
- Utilizes machine learning technique using recurrent neural networks
- A faithful emulation of the original pedal.
Overview
The original pedal is highly regarded for its transparent overdrive circuit. Their pedal emulation faithfully recreates this, making it perfect for adding a subtle boost and slight overdrive to clean tones without drastically altering the original sound.
It sounds luscious and creamy, especially when used to push an amplifier towards the edge of breakup. This makes it ideal for lead players, soloists, and just generally as a tool to help guitars cut through a mix in a musical way.
Wrapping Up
It’s a fantastic time to be a guitarist when you consider the range of tone-shaping options provided by VST plugins. Just a few years ago, if you wanted to try effects or stompboxes at home, you’d have to either buy them or borrow them.
There are so many different plugins here – and because they are free, you can spend plenty of time checking them all out. And if you’re after some new chords to try out with them, next up is Advanced Guitar Chords (Every Guitarist Should Know).
