7 Best AUv3 (iOS) Instruments & Effects For Producers

• Looking to step into the world of AUv3 but on a budget?
• We’ve included 25 free AUv3 FX…
• …And 5 free AUV3 instruments to include in your AU hosts.

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In this extensive list, we will be covering an eclectic mix of Audio Units that all happen to be free! If you’re just getting started with mobile music production on iOS, the terms Inter-App Audio and AUv3 might leave you feeling a bit confused.

AUv3 apps can be loaded directly into a host App, making it much easier to change settings quickly, eliminating the need to switch between apps.

You can also load multiple instances of the same app on a single track, a significant advantage that AUv3 has over IAA.

Auv3 Effects

Nembrini Audio Chorus

Nembrini Audio has taken the guitarists’ most preferred analog and digital effect pedals and repacked it in a new rack style plugin, easy to use and extremely powerful at the same time, with the addition of a custom design tube preamp virtual circuit which colors the signal in a very special way.

It sounds more like a chorus pedal than a chorus plugin. The UI is fairly simple like most Nembrini products but that’s not to discount the sound quality that comes for free.

With only 4 knobs (Input, Output, Depth, and Rate) and 2 switches (Power and ‘Analog’), it keeps option paralysis at a minimum.

Features

• AAX compatible
• Works standalone
• IAA compatible
• Auv3 compatible
• Not short on sound quality and flexibility

Nembrini AudioCrunk V2

AudioCrunk V2 is a 1-channel guitar amp tube simulator that provides varied tones from overdriven metal-zone type djent-ness to mild blues crunch to weaving, pristine post-rock clean tones.

In the Crunk V2 Guitar Amplifier plugin, you can choose either the built-in cabinet, a 4×12 loaded with Vintage 30 speakers, or bypass the cabinet section entirely.

It’s considered the OG of amp modeling Auv3 FX and is still preferred over GarageBand amps.

Features

• Hybrid amp design – rather than a model of an existing amp model.
• Re-amping smart guitar in GarageBand is a clever application many producers overlook
• IAA and AAX compatible

Nembrini Audio AR Noise Gate

This noise gate is great for eliminating ground hum in your guitar and synths that fills up the silence.

With only a threshold and noise knob it resembles something closer to a compressor, but don’t be fooled by the limited GUI, this effects unit is very capable. This is more of a utility plugin than an enhancer anyway.

Features

• Noise gate and hiss removal make for a perfect free clean up tool especially for guitars and vocals
• Hiss remover preset really removes all hiss!
• Nembrini’s noise gate is far more applicable than Gafageband’s noise gate.
• With automation, you can alter the threshold over time like any other FX or meters via automation.

Nembrini Delay

Nembrini Delay will have a very familiar interface if you’re used to dealing with Nembrini products; it boasts an input and output knob and respective VU meters.  There are 4 Main Knobs ( Time, Offset, Feedback, and Mix).

Features

• Bpm Sync is great for implementing polyrhythms over tracks
• There’s not only a power switch but an Analog Switch
• Great sounding delay for a free Auv

Matthew Caldwell – Muckraker

Muckraker is an experimental distortion auv3 plugin, boasting a silly and fun UI akin to a children’s toy.

Equipped with Wrack, Fuzz, Grunt, Ooze, Ruin, and Level. It also has switches for mute, bypass, and choke.

Muckraker is an abstract distortion so when compared to regular distortion units it takes a backseat and is more about audio degradation than amplified grit. All the knobs have multiple interacting effects, so play around to get a feel for how they perform.

Features

• The bypass and mute buttons make it easy to switch from your normal production to a modulated, fuzzed-out wall of swirl.
• Perfect for producers who want to get experimental

Matthew Caldwell – Frobulator

Frobulator is a stereo modulated filter and spectral delay. Although I don’t really hear the delay so much, I believe that is the point.

Frobulator is a very creative plugin with a lot to offer. It boasts Feed, Mix, Tone, ‘Vexity’, Orbit, Doubt, and Master Knobs. There are transport functions and the bottom left sports a mute, bypass, and fail button.

The orbit knob works a bit like stereo or panning, the filter section also sports different EQ modes: High Pass, Band Pass, and Low Pass, and the vexity knob serves as a filter control and adjusts the stereo spread.

The doubt knob affects variation on panning phase and filter frequency, the orbit knob sets the principle underlying rate of modulation, and the fail mode uses a different mix of processing and modulation for more bleepy and glitchy randomization.

Features

• Audiobus compatible
• Standalone mode available
• IAA compatible
• Lends itself to performative effects.

Neon Silicon LRC5

Released in 2018, LRC5 is a 5 band EQ that has the ability to link bands together so they move in unison.  The effects menu works similar to GyroVibe, the chorus made by Neon silicon.

As opposed to the ‘visual eq’ included in GarageBand it has 5 bands and lets you shape the Q, which is how broad or narrow the boost or cut is.

Features

• Q amount can be controlled unlike Garageband’s EQ, which is controlled rather intuitively.
• Selecting multiple EQ bands is a plus for shaping multiple sections at once.

Neon Silicon Phase Delay Array

This is a creative auv3 FX unit that combines phaser, delay, reverb, vibrato, and extra cool stereo effects.

On the top left, there’s a menu to access presets and for users to save their own. If anything, this unit is a modular FX unit wrapped up nicely in one; In the first section boasting vibrato (Depth, Delay, and Rate sliders).

The following set of controls focuses on delay (Feedback Delay, Feedback Level, Notch Quality). The third set of controls has a few options (Chopper, Ping Pong Delay, Panner, and Tremolo).

Below the options of effects, there are sliders for effect LFO rate and effect width. The last option lets you hear the track affected or unaffected with a slider for dry/wet levels. The top left features menu controls to access presets.

Features

• Expressive and modern GUI
• Loads of effect combinations

Blue Mangoo Stereo Lag Time – Stereo Delay

Blue Mangoo Stereo Lag Time does only one thing but it does it well. It is a very simple plugin as it only has one knob.

It provides stereo width by either applying delay time to the right to the left and the feedback passed through a matrix before going back into the input. It is also noteworthy this is Blue Mangoo’s first plugin.

The function of the rotation matrix is to change the pan so that every time an echo repeats it comes from a different location in the stereo field; this is really unusual and a little different to your traditional ping pong delay effects. With the rotation matrix method, you can have many different echoes coming out of the echoes together at the same time and each of them is panned differently.

Features

• Very Effective
• Low CPU usage
• Simple, utilitarian GUI
• The stereo lag effect creates the effect of a widened stereo image

Infected Mushroom / Poly Verse Wider Touch

This is another plugin that performs a single function very well – it creates a wider sound using all-pass filtering, and thus is characterized as a Stereo Expander.

Most other widening effects degrade sound or become thin when widening mono signals. The widening can also be automated throughout a track to create widening crescendo effects or build-ups.

Wider is a unique stereo plugin in the sense that it is completely “mono-compatible”, meaning that any signal that has been extended will always remain in phase with itself, even if summed to mono.

Many stereo effects currently in use have the nasty habit of knocking signals out of phase, which can quickly make mixes sound muddy and out of phase or make sounds seem flat or lacking dynamics if one isn’t mindful of the effect.

Thanks to Wider’s all-pass and comb filtering algorithm, no phase in any mix or affected audio will be compromised, even at its broadest setting!

Instead Wider cancels itself out when summed to mono, so the original signal is left intact: a feature you won’t find in any other stereo plugin.

Features

• Wider utilizes a specialized array of all pass and comb filters
• Accessible and easy to use
• Get creative with stereo effects

Caellem Tape Cassette 1 + 2

Tape Cassette 2 was birthed by the less than savvy UI received for the original Tape Cassette, albeit they are both fantastic apps.

Featuring controls for Saturation, Wow, Flutter, Noise, Filter, plus stereo VU meters, there’s no scarcity for any tape-related quirks. It’s also equipped with an Auto Gain Switch and an IR toggle which brings in the input response from a Type-1 cassette.

Features

• With the release of Tape Pro, Tape Cassette 1 and 2 are now free
• Delightfully lo-fi
• The new GUI paint job looks stellar
• Saturation, wow, and flutter engines
• Works standalone but is only useful as an AUV3

Imaginado Lda DLYM

DLYM is a free “Delay Modulator Plugin” which produces chorus and flanger style effects using Imaginado’s powerful processing and technology.

Taking inspiration from DRC’s chorus effect, DYLM expands upon this functionality and makes it available for all iOS instruments, for free.

Whether you just want some depth to your sound or radically transform it, DYLM can do both, switching between “analog emulation” and “dimension style” chorus effects with ease.

Features

• Works in all AU compatible host
• Built-in preset/patch manager
• 20 presets to get you started
• GUI features generously sized knobs

Imaginado Lda LK

This is a MIDI sequencer that works standalone or within a UA host. It can be a perfect sequencer and clip launcher for those yearning for an Ableton-esque feel.

Features

• The perfect controller for Ableton users.
• GUI brings an Ableton-esque control to UA hosts
• Well conceived and organized Matrix control
• Full piano roll
• Unlimited length patterns

Alexandernaut Link to MIDI

Link to MIDI connects Ableton Link to musical devices that support MIDI Clock Sync. Simply join a Link session, connect your MIDI device, and that’s it. Your MIDI device is now Link-enabled.

Link to MIDI features launch quantization, an incredibly stable clock output, and a fine offset control (±250 ms) to perfectly line up the receiving MIDI device’s playback.

Features

• An amazing utility suggested for any iOS producer wishing to connect their MIDI-enabled or modular hardware to their iOS devices and DAWs seamlessly
• Only recommended for use with hardware MIDI devices
• Connecting to apps is possible, but may lead to a poor user experience due to software challenges

Klevgrand Svep

Svep is a real-time modulator with two main parameter wheels and two dry/wet sliders. One can choose from chorus, flanger, or phase and make a whole performative bit of a show just by exploiting the effects in this app.

From the Klevgrand site: “Svep is a stereo modulation filter effect suitable for any sound. All parameters are easily editable on one screen and the clean and responsive user interface encourages creativity. Tweak it to produce anything from old-school phasers to subtle choruses.”

Features

• IAA compatible
• Mac OS/Windows/iOS compatible
• Stereo Link Switch
• Low CPU usage
• Simple yet powerful interface
• A seamless hybrid between chorus, flanger, and phaser

Korg BLE MIDI Bluetooth Midi Control

Korg’s Bluetooth MIDI control is a utility app used to control MIDI controllers wirelessly. This lets you link up controllers that normally wouldn’t be controllable via iOS with Bluetooth MIDI i.e Xkey Air, Roli Lightkey blocks and Seaboards, and Sensel Morph to name a few.

Features

• There’s a set layout per every DAW you’re currently in so there’s no need to MIDI map incessently.
• Parameters on the MIDI controllers change seamlessly with instruments and effects on iOS DAW or app.
• MPE Compatible
• Light blocks seamlessly change colors per parameter on the app

Audio Damage Rough Rider 3

Rough Rider 3 remains many iOS producers’ favorite go-to compressors. It’s not your average run-of-the-mill compressor… it adds character, crunch and a certain bite not available with other compressors.

It comes equipped with input level, output level, Attack, Release, Mix level (dry/wet), Ratio, Makeup, Sensitivity Knob, and Sidechain HPF knob.

(Rough Rider also shows up in our list of the best free compressor VST plugins!)

Features

• AUV3 and IAA compatible
• Sidechain capability
• Much more stable than Rough Rider 2
• Only 14 mg zip file
• 10 factory presets and room for user presets

Audio Modern Playbeat

A creative groove randomized plugin that generates beats and patterns for you.  Unlike an ordinary step sequencer, Playbeat uses algorithmic and random procedures for generating notes by combining Steps, Pitch, Volume, and more.

Its unique approach to pattern creation is sure to have you finding new grooves, rhythms, and beats.

It allows you to load four lanes of one-shot samples and then get beyond creative with the randomization options. You can even shorten or augment the sequencer to make polyrhythms in real-time or create 32 bar sequences.

All sequences can be saved as scenes and recalled later. The infinity button, when pressed, will create new randomization options every 8 (or however many selected) bars to potentially randomize infinitely.

Features

• Intelligent and reactive sequencer
• Endlessly variable
• Plenty of features
• Sample manager to easily import your own sounds

Audio Modern Riffer 3

A huge game-changer as far as generative music sequencing is concerned. Riffer 3 is without a doubt one of the best MIDI sequencers for iOS out right now.

“The Creative MIDI sequencer”, Riffer is a smart MIDI tool that generates musical riffs and sequences by combining pitch, duration, velocity, and note density.  Generate fresh ideas, sequences, melodies, riffs, and musical patterns.

Turn it into something of your own or let it run endlessly using the infamous infinity mode. When using the app version you can send MIDI over WiFi, or select core MIDI for IAA communication and to feed any compatible hardware.

Riffer is built for both studio and live performance; designed to feed anything that accepts MIDI messages. It is intelligent and reactive to the user’s MIDI input and endlessly variable in its creative randomization. 5 stars!!

Features

• Polyphonic mode/Multi-riff engine which means 4 piano rolls play simultaneously
• Density Function (Ratcheting)
• MIDI Input (Real-time transposition)
• MIDI Learn
• Feeds any synth, sampler, drum machine, and anything that accepts MIDI both hardware and software.

Audio Damage RatShack Reverb 3

RatShack is an emulation of the real RadioShack Reverb manufactured in the 1980s: The RatShack Realistic Electronic Reverb.

You can still pick up the original hardware units on eBay, although it’s not a reverb, it’s a delay, a bucket brigade device known for its grit.  It doesn’t have that many controls so it is in turn easy to operate.  It has 5 faders and the first one is called ‘Microphone’.

When you turn it up, you will introduce clipping into your sound because it actually boosts your signal.

There is a bypass mode for this though on the right between a Mic and Line signal.  The next set of faders are the delay time controls, left and right respectively.

They can be set independently or have a switch to sync them so they respectively move as one.  Next is your ‘Repeat’ fader which is just a feedback control.

The final fader is ‘Depth’ which works like a blend or mix control of how much you hear the affected signal.  Lastly is the on/off switch which will let you bypass your signal chain entirely.

Features

• Lo-fi 80s reverb chock full of nostalgia.
• An emulation of the old RadioShack Reverb, it carries along with it the old fuzzy characteristics of the 80s.

Audio Modern Filterstep

This is a completely free filter plugin for iOS, Windows, and macOS; it is a creative motion filter plugin that provides a multitude of complex rhythm movements to any input in real-time.

If you’re familiar with Playbeat or Riffer, the GUI will feel at home.  It can give you incredibly nuanced and complex results based on various filter settings, and almost infinite possibilities for sonic exploration through filter randomization.

Features

• 3 filter types per step and seemingly endless control
• AUV3/AAX/iOS & Standalone
• Generate Filter Grooves in real-time
• Infinity mode
• Quick Load presets
• Instant/Tap Bypass for live performance

Inphonik RX950 Converter

Inphonik RX950 is based on the old AD/DA converters found in the Akai S950 sampler.. The input gain delivers the warmth and crunch sought after the original hardware unit, providing unique grit and warm distortion.

The audio bandwidth knob controls the target sample rate and analog-digital circuitry, with an exquisite, yet remarkably subtle, aliasing effect.  The filter knob controls the S950’s infamous steep low-pass filter.

Use it on separate elements or on any output bus or master section. The switch button is for mono operation (as the original S950) with a 50/50 mix – great for checking your mix.

Features

• Legendary 12 bit sampler resolution in an Auv3
• Supports Auv3 and IAA
• Low CPU usage
• Stereo or Mono operation

Blamsoft F-16 Filter

F-16 Filter is a flexible multi-mode filter with a frequency response display. It features sixteen modes, frequency and resonance controls, saturation for analog-style soft clipping, and wet/dry mix.

The lowpass modes offer the same frequency response as the Moog ladder filter. The plug-in offers all of the modes available in the famous Oberheim Matrix 12 and Xpander synthesizers.

The Zero Delay Feedback algorithm provides the latest in DSP filtering technology. F-16 Filter gives you a wide variety of options with pristine fidelity.

The display area shows the filter frequency response. The X-axis is a logarithmic frequency ranging over the frequencies of human hearing. Frequency can be thought of as pitch, from low to high as the graph goes from left to right.

The Y-axis is magnitude in decibels; Magnitude represents the loudness at a particular frequency. Where magnitude is above zero, the filter is increasing the loudness, below zero the filter is attenuating those frequencies.

Features

• Intuitive control via the knobs and sliders
• Use the frequency response display to control cutoff frequency and resonance simultaneously.
• The same filter modes are found in the popular Reason Rack extension for Propellerheads Reason.

Blamsoft DC-9 Overdrive

DC-9 Overdrive is a circuit modeled overdrive that emulates the famous Ibanez® TS9 Tube Screamer, as a clone pedal would.  The DSP algorithms in DC-9 take into account the entire schematic, using the latest modeling techniques.

This gives you an authentic analog sound that matches the character of the physical circuit.  DC-9 gets its name from the Diode Clipper circuit used to create the distortion.

The accurate modeling of this part of the schematic gives DC-9 an edge over the common distortion plug-in. The effect was carefully tuned using A/B comparisons to the original stompbox.

The Tone knob adjusts a low pass filter that sweeps from a low to high frequency. When Tone is at high settings, the filter boosts high frequencies. It’s easiest to understand what happens by looking at magnitude plots at different Tone settings.

The Drive knob applies gain to a diode clipper circuit which is mixed with the input. As more gain is applied the signal is distorted more.

Note that the distortion is not a hard clip but rather a tube-like overdriven sound.

Features

• With only four knobs, the interface makes it extremely easy for users to distort in no time.
• The DC-9 delivers the clone of a tube screamer as advertised.
• Another no-nonsense effect unit with minimal fuss and maximum effect.

Blamsoft Zero Chorus

Zero Chorus is a Roland Dimension D style chorus algorithm in the Audio Unit Extension format. The same algorithm is found in the popular Zero Hybrid Synthesizer Rack Extension for Propellerhead Reason.

Zero Chorus can thicken up guitar or synth sounds and add that classic chorus effect box sound. In addition to the standard chorus controls, there is a feedback control for flanging style effects.

The goal of the Chorus effect is to create the sound of multiple instruments playing in unison but slightly out of tune. The DSP Chorus effect is based on time-varying taps from short delay lines.

The taps oscillate back and forth. The tap modulation frequency may be set to achieve a frequency shift via the Doppler Effect. So in plain English, the Chorus effect makes out-of-tune copies of the original sound.

Features

• Controls become larger when dialing in parameters
• Simple GUI
• iPhone/iPad compatible
• Another no-nonsense alternative to replacing your stock chorus.

Blamsoft Zero Reverb

Zero Reverb is a high-quality Feedback Delay Network reverberator in the Audio Unit Extension format. Once again, the same algorithm is found in the popular Zero Hybrid Synthesizer Rack Extension for Reason.

It has rich feedback with smooth decay for a modern hall-like algorithmic reverb character. The available parameters allow you to dial in a wide variety of reverb textures, positioning itself as a replacement for your stock Reverb Auv3 plugins.

Features

• iPhone/Ipad/iMac compatible
• Knobs zoom in when in use
• Simple GUI
• Sounds just like the Reason Rack Extension.

Auv3 Instruments

Blamsoft Viking Synth

Viking is an emulation of the Moog Voyager Monophonic Synthesizer.  This new AU Comes with 178 presets.  It has three continuously variable wave oscillators and boasts a menu for presets.

Each tab grants a new series of knobs and sliders.  The mod tab controls LFO modulation, routing, and amount.  The Oscillator tab controls the wave, amount, and sync of respective oscillators.

The mix tab simply controls the mix of the 3 oscillators.  The filter tab contains a pretty run-of-the-mill 20k-20,000hz filter with an option for pole numbers, cutoff, resonance, KB amount, Spacing Amount, Circuit Mode, and Filter Mode.

The envelope tab is just macros for the filter and amp. The final tab – Global – contains parameters for tuning, keyboard, and noise.

Features

• 6 section tabs (Mod, OSC, Filter, Env, Mix, Global)
• 4 oscillators (if you count the noise oscillator)
• Viking’s nonlinear filter uses circuit modeling and provides soft clipping
• A great synth for a beginner to learn the ins and outs of synthesis
• Simple GUI
• Thick bass and leads based on the Monophonic Moog Voyager

Audio Kit Synth One

The perfect synth for those who like to design their own sounds; it puts most expensive synth apps to shame.

The App comes with over 300 presets, five oscillators (FM with a mod wheel, sub, noise, and two digitally controlled oscillators), two assignable LFOs, and a touchable ADSR Envelope.

The UI is laid out in 6 interchangeable sections and since it’s completely open-source, you can utilize the source code to build your own synth app or otherwise modify the app yourself!

Features

• Vintage style 16 step sequencer
• IAA compatible as well as standalone and Audiobus
• Ad-free and no sneaky in-app purchases
• Voiceover capability for the blind or visually impaired
• Ableton Link
• MIDI Learn and MIDI I/O
• It’s the first completely free and open-source full-featured professional iOS app.

Taq.im’s World Synth

This unique auv3 synth boasts presets galore. It also delivers an exotic rhythm engine and drone tab to accompany the lead sounds.

The scale tab is very helpful and highlights particular keys and scales to help you get used to unfamiliar scales.

Features

• Standalone mode
• IAA compatible
• Unique patches in its free preset pack
• MIDI scale parameters are very useful
• Ableton Link Support
• Audiobus Support
• Envelope and Fx section

Thomas Burns Spectrum

Spectrum is a collection of 3 audio unit Synthesizers and one audio unit Effect. It’s based on popular Eurorack synthesizer modules made by Mutable Instruments.  Included are four audio units:

Spectrum: Multi-mode 8-voice polyphonic oscillator featuring 14 high-quality oscillator algorithms. Supports MPE.

Modal: Modal Synthesis;  bowed, blown, and struck sounds through a 64-band resonator.  Also included as an effect.

Resonator:  7 beautiful string generation algorithms.  Also included as an effect.

Granular: Granular sampler, looper, pitch shifter, reverb effect.  Note that Granular is an Audio Unit Effect, not an instrument, so it goes in an effect slot.

It’s an extremely powerful plugin with some of the best modern digital synth algorithms for iOS. The GUI isn’t gorgeous but it’s easy to navigate and the sound quality is A+.

Features

• Extensive sound sources and effects 
• Modulation ADSR
• X-Y touchpad
• Midi CC control of each parameter 

KV331 Audio SynthMaster Player

SynthMaster Player for iOS is the mobile player version of the award-winning SynthMaster software synthesizer.  It is targeted towards users who prefer to use presets rather than designing their own sounds during music production.

SynthMaster Player for iOS received the “2016 Editor’s Choice Award” from Electronic Musician Magazine!

This synth is for those who don’t wish to fiddle with knobs and parameters; they want presets straight out of the box to spark instant creativity, with accessible, iconic sounds from the get-go.

Features

• The free app comes with 100 factory presets.
• When users complete registration by entering their names and emails, they receive an additional 100 presets as a bonus.
• IAP compatible
• Audiobus compatible
• Built-in MIDI keyboard