Five Free Instrument Plug-ins — Sleepfreaks Picks Vol. 1

This September 2023 selection introduces five free instrument options for producers looking beyond their DAW's included sounds: Native Instruments Komplete Start, IK Multimedia MODO BASS 2 CS, Impact Soundworks Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE, Soundpaint's 1928 Vintage Grand Steinway and Vital Basic. Together, they cover drums, bass, guitar, piano and synthesizer. A demo track illustrates the musical results the reviewer achieved using the featured instruments, with additional free processing noted in the examples. Free offers, included content and requirements reflect the original review; check the vendors for current details and licenses.

Selected Free Instruments for Music Production

When you want to go beyond your DAW's included instruments and effects, one option is to explore third-party plug-ins
. In recent years, many free products have offered sound quality that stands up well alongside paid alternatives.

For this selection, we made music with a range of free plug-ins and chose the products we most wanted to recommend.

Listen to the demo track made with the featured instrument plug-ins.
It is a pop-style track using a conventional band lineup with an added synthesizer.

Demo track (no mixing applied)

The reviewer finds the result impressive for a set of free instruments.
Let us look at the products used in the track.

1. Native Instruments — Komplete Start

A free entry point to Native Instruments' Komplete range, including a selection of instruments and effects.
It includes fewer products and sounds than the paid bundles, while offering usable sounds from the same broader ecosystem.
The reviewer especially likes the Pop Kit drum sound in Kontakt Factory Selection 2, finding it useful across pop, rock and related styles. Included content may change between versions.

Pop Kit sound demo

Komplete Start — Vendor Website

2. IK Multimedia — MODO BASS 2 CS

The free edition of MODO BASS 2, an instrument range covering electric and upright basses.
In the version reviewed, the free edition provided one electric-bass model. Although the selection was limited, it supported a range of playing techniques for expressive bass parts.
It uses physical modeling, which the reviewer finds appealing for its sound quality and relatively small storage requirements.

MODO BASS 2 CS sound demo (slap technique)

MODO BASS 2 CS — Vendor Website

3. Impact Soundworks — Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE

The free edition of the Shreddage 3 Stratus electric-guitar library, played through Kontakt Player, the sampler available with Komplete Start.
It offers fewer articulations and sound variations than the full product, while providing the Stratocaster-style guitar sound demonstrated here. Check the exact library edition's current player requirements.
▶ Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE sound demo, using the free AmpliTube 5 CS guitar-amp simulator.

Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE sound demo (with AmpliTube 5 CS)

Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE — Vendor Website
AmpliTube 5 CS — Vendor Website

4. Soundpaint — 1928 Vintage Grand Steinway

A grand-piano library included with the free Soundpaint sampler download in the version reviewed.
The reviewer highlights its dynamic expression and natural, relatively gentle character. Its built-in effects also provide useful editing options.
▶ 1928 Vintage Grand Steinway sound demo, using the free OTT multiband compressor.

1928 Vintage Grand Steinway sound demo (with OTT)

Soundpaint — Vendor Website
OTT — Vendor Website

5. Vital Audio — Vital Basic

A wavetable synthesizer plug-in capable of a wide range of sounds.
The reviewed free edition included fewer wavetables and presets than the paid editions, while retaining the synthesizer's sound-design functions.
Although it starts with a smaller preset selection, additional free presets are available from other creators. Check their individual terms before use.
The reviewer particularly recommends it for anyone who wants to try creating their own sounds.

Vital sound demo

Vital — Vendor Website

Which of these instruments would you like to try?
The featured editions were available for free at the time of this review. If one is new to you, visit its vendor page, check the current offer and requirements, and try it in your music.
We also planned a second free plug-in selection, so look out for the next installment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Do free plug-ins necessarily have lower sound quality than paid editions?

Not necessarily. The reviewer finds the featured instruments useful for real productions. Free editions may provide fewer sounds, articulations or features, rather than simply lower audio quality. The differences depend on the particular product and version.

Q2. Which DAW do I need to use these instruments?

Some featured libraries run inside Kontakt Player or Soundpaint, while others are separate instrument plug-ins. Compatibility depends on the plug-in format, player version, operating system and DAW. Check each product's current requirements before downloading; universal DAW compatibility is not guaranteed.

Q3. Can beginners make music with these free instruments?

Yes. They offer accessible ways to experiment with arrangements and instrument sounds. Vital Basic also lets you explore synthesis and add compatible presets, including free presets from other creators. Check current availability and requirements before installing.

Q4. Are there restrictions on commercial use?

This article does not verify every product's detailed license terms. Check the current terms for each instrument, library and third-party preset before using it in a commercial release. A free download does not by itself establish all permitted uses.