Krush2
Tritik
Krush combines bit crushing, sample-rate reduction and modulation for digital coloration.
View details →THE AUDIO MAGAZINE / RESOURCES
Distortion & Saturation – Free Music Software & Plug-ins
Free distortion and saturation tools for harmonic coloration, digital degradation and deliberately altered textures. Pedal, tape-inspired and experimental processors respond differently to input level. These listings describe the intended role and licensing; compare output-compensated examples before assuming that added density improves a track.
These are researched directory entries, not hands-on reviews. Optional purchases, account requirements and limited editions are identified on product pages. Format availability can differ by operating system.
47 listings
MIYA
Sennheiser / Dear Reality
MIYA is a creative resynthesis processor that changes harmonic content and dynamics.
View details →NadIR
Ignite Amps
NadIR is an impulse-response loader often used for guitar cabinet responses.
View details →Neural Amp Modeler
Steven Atkinson
Neural Amp Modeler plays compatible learned models of amplifiers and other nonlinear audio devices.
View details →Plastic Funeral
Unplugred
Plastic Funeral is a distortion effect from Unplugred’s open-source collection, with a laser-like digital character.
View details →Prisma
Unplugred
Prisma is a modular multiband distortion effect from Unplugred’s open-source collection.
View details →Proteus
GuitarML
Proteus is a guitar-oriented neural-model player from GuitarML.
View details →PUNCHDUST
MFKNE
PUNCHDUST combines transient shaping, responsive lo-fi texture and upward compression in a focused effect.
View details →Saturation Knob
Softube
Saturation Knob supplies a compact harmonic-coloration effect with a simple drive control and selectable behavior.
View details →SmartAmp
GuitarML
SmartAmp is an open-source amplifier-modeling plug-in associated with machine-learning-based capture techniques.
View details →Surge XT Effects
Surge Synth Team
Surge XT Effects makes the project's effect algorithms available for processing other audio.
View details →Tape Cassette 2
Caelum Audio
Tape Cassette 2 adds cassette-inspired saturation and instability to recorded audio.
View details →Tape Echo 2
Dusk Audio
Tape Echo 2 models a three-head tape-delay system with a spring-reverb path.
View details →TesslaSE mkIII
Variety Of Sound
TesslaSE mkIII is a saturation processor intended for adding analog-style density and transient coloration.
View details →The Anvil
Ignite Amps
The Anvil is a multi-channel guitar preamplifier simulator.
View details →ThrillseekerXTC mkIII
Variety Of Sound
ThrillseekerXTC mkII is a harmonic-enhancement processor for selective tonal coloration.
View details →TONEX 2 CS
IK Multimedia
TONEX 2 CS is the permanent free entry into IK Multimedia’s tone-modeling ecosystem.
View details →TPA-1
Ignite Amps
TPA-1 models a tube power-amplifier stage for guitar processing.
View details →TS-999
Ignite Amps
TS-999 is an overdrive-pedal simulation for guitar-oriented signal chains.
View details →TSB-1
Ignite Amps
TSB-1 is a bass-oriented overdrive processor from Ignite Amps.
View details →Vinyl
iZotope
Vinyl adds record-inspired wear and mechanical coloration to audio.
View details →Voxengo Boogex
Voxengo
Boogex combines guitar-amplifier-style processing with cabinet impulse-response facilities.
View details →Voxengo Tube Amp
Voxengo
Tube Amp adds tube-inspired saturation to recorded material.
View details →Availability, licensing and system requirements can change. Verification refers to official documentation and download availability, not installation or hands-on testing. Check the developer's current terms before installing.