Free audio plugins for Pro Tools 10 on Mac OS X

UPDATED FOR PROTOOLS 11 - HERE !

A good idea should always be followed

Hi there !
When I published this page about free audio plugins for Pro Tools, I couldn't know I would receive so much rewards from my readers... I wrote it just to help.
In fact, although it is the most viewed page of the site (at the day I speak, more than 3500 views a month) I couldn't imagine that free audio plugins for Pro Tools on Mac OS X would have interested so many people all around the world beside my students & some few other audio guys...
So, thank you to every one of you !
From the bottom of my heart, I really appreciate your sincere messages & nice e-mails.
So now, I feel like I'm condemned to update and upgrade my listing to give you the free audio plugins for Pro Tools 10 on Mac OS X.
As I said already, I haven't tested all configurations but what I can tell you is that it works like a charm with this one :
Mac Pro "Harpertown" two Quad-Core 2.8 GHz 14 GB Ram
Mac OS X Lion 10.7.1
Digi 002 Rack
Avid Control Surface C|24

Important Note for Newbies :
RTAS Plug-ins = RTAS (Real-Time AudioSuite) plug-ins are applied as track inserts, are applied to audio during playback, and process audio non-destructively in real-time. RTAS plug-ins rely on and are limited by the processing power of your computer. The more powerful your computer, the greater the number and variety of RTAS plug-ins that you can use simultaneously.
Because of this dependence on the CPU or host processing, the more RTAS plug-ins you use concurrently in a session, the greater the impact it will have on other aspects of your system’s performance, such as maximum track count, number of available voices, the density of edits possible, and latency in automation and recording.

By the way, from the AVID AUDIO knowledge database :
"Mac OS: With a few exceptions on Mac OS Lion (listed below), AudioSuite, RTAS, and TDM plug-ins compatible with Pro Tools 9 on Snow Leopard are compatible with Pro Tools 10 on both Lion and Snow Leopard.
Known Plug-in Issues – Pro Tools 10 on Mac OS Lion:
- Waves "Tune" renders AudioSuite offset by the handle length (PTSW-147635)
Workaround: user must set handle length to "0" in order to properly align audio
- Vocalign does not align audio with the guide track in Pro Tools (PTSW-149841)
Will not properly process with handles. Fix from SynchroArts is in the works
- Massey DRT
Please click here for more info."

That means that all the previous free RTAS audio plugins still work with Pro Tools 10 (for now at least). 
Not so bad.

Moreover, when you purchase Protools, you get a lot of bundled effects plugins already installed for sound-processing and control, such as :
1-Band EQ III
4-Band EQ III
7-Band EQ III
AIR Chorus
AIR Distortion
AIR Dynamic Delay
AIR Enhancer
AIR Ensemble
AIR Filter Gate
AIR Flanger
AIR Frequency Shifter
AIR FuzzWah
AIR KillEQ
AIR Lo-Fi
AIR MultiChorus
AIR Multi-Delay
AIR Nonlinear Reverb
AIR Phaser
AIR Reverb
AIR Spring Reverb
AIR StereoWidth
AIR Talkbox
AIR Vintage Filter
BF76 Compressor 1176 emulator
BF Essential Clip Remover
BF Essential Correlation Meter phase fixer
BF Essential Meter Bridge VU metering
BF Essential Noise Meter
Channel Strip (based on the System 5 console)
Chorus
Click
Compressor/Limiter
D-Verb reverb and ambience
DC Offset Removal
De-Esser
Delay
DigiReWire         Dither
Down Mixer (5.1 to stereo fold down)
Duplicate
Eleven Free (guitar amp emulator based on Eleven)
Expander/Gate
Extra Long Delay II
Flanger
Gain
Invert
Lo-Fi retro processing
Long Delay II
Maxim sound maximizer
Medium Delay II
Mod Delay III
Multi-Tap Delay
Normalize
Ping-Pong Delay
Pitch
Pitch Shift
POWr Dither
Recti-Fi harmonic synthesis
Reverse
SansAmp tube amp simulator
Sci-Fi ring modulator
Signal Generator
Short Delay II
Slap Delay II
SurroundScope and PhaseScope
Time Compression Expansion
Time Shift time/pitch stretching
TL AutoPan panning effects
TL InTune digital tuner
TL MasterMeter oversampling meter
TL Metro versatile metronome
Trim
Vari-Fi speed shifter

If that's not enough, you can still find the following free RTAS audio plugins for Protools :

ampLion Free - Audiffex

ampLion Free gives you a chance to try the quality of ampLion's simulation. For free, you get an ultimate model of one of the most famous and guitar amps ever made.
Furthermore, ampLion Free also includes an exact model of a guitar speaker and a pickup microphone with fully customizable position - just like in ampLion Pro.

Features:
Ultra-precise modelling technology
5 channels covering wide range of genres
Two independent speaker positions
Adjustable pickup microphone
Noise-gate with soft knee
Automatic output volume setting
Switchable simulation quality
Presets storage

Download it here.

BitterSweet II - Flux

Turning the central button to the sweet side decreases the transients amplitude. To the bitter side, the transients amplitude is magnified. BitterSweet also features a control for processing the signal. When the main position is selected, the process affects the stereo signal. If Center is selected, only the M signal of the internal MS matrix is processed. If stereo is selected, only the S signal from the MS matrix is processed. Three transient detection modes can be selected. Varying periods of integration for transients can be accessed. A Link function is available to compensate the output gain with respect to the transient processing setting.

Like all Flux:: plug-ins, it features 64 bit floating point processing, up to 8 channels and up to 8 FS (384 KHz). Center and Stereo Modes are only available in stereo processing (2 channels).

Download it here.

Blue Cat's Freeware Plug-ins Pack II - Blue Cat

All Blue Cat Audio freeware audio plug-ins gathered together in a single package: this bundle contains a wide range of premium modulation effects, a single and dual-channel equalizer, a unique midi-controllable gain suite, as well as a professional spectrum analyzer.
- Blue Cat's Chorus
- Blue Cat's Flanger
- Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst
- Blue Cat's Gain Suite
- Blue Cat's Phaser
- Blue Cat's Stereo Chorus
- Blue Cat's Triple EQ

This is the ideal package to get started with your favorite Digital Audio Workstation. All plug-ins are entirely free.

Download it here.

bx_cleansweep - Brainworx

bx_cleansweep is a new Hi-Pass and Lo-Pass filter plug-in, introducing the new “Anti Crush Technology” (originally developed by Brainworx).

Analog style filter curves without the typical Nyquist problems, in a new great sounding filter design (taken from our pro mastering EQ bx_digital V2). First order filters (6 dB per octave) guarantee an extremely musically sounding filter set, and unique joystick control (taken from bx_hybrid) gives you fast and intuitive control.

Download it here.

bx_solo - Brainworx

bx_solo is a nice little tool that we have designed to get you started with and used to the way we approach the M/S technique – be it for recording-, mixing- or mastering purposes. The "heart" of our M/S tools are our unique SOLO BUTTONS that allow you to actually LISTEN to all components of a stereo mix / stereo signal individually.

Download it here.

Cohmpost - Ohm Force

You just NEED some Cohmpost in your music. Get it in RTAS for Mac. For your information, no kittens were harmed while creating the Cohmpost (just a bit ruffled, promise).

Download it here.

Delay Trio - SoundHack

SoundHack Delay Trio is a group of three plugins derived from the same basic delay algorithm: a hermite interpolated delay line with variable modulation, and a feedback loop with dc blocking and saturation. Pitch shifting is achieved with a dual head crossfading delay (ala Eltro Tempophon/Dennis Gabor/Pierre Schaeffer phonogene) and is decidedly low-fi. The saturating feedback also allows them to be great drone and noise generators.

The three plugins are +delay (classic delay effects), +pitchdelay, (essentially the same plugin with controls oriented toward pitch shifting), and finally +bubbler (a granular delay in which grains are pulled from the delay line with randomized start time, delay time and pitch shift value).

Download it here.

FreeG - Sonalksis

The Sonalksis FreeG is everything you need in a master fader. A simple, but absolutely indispensable plug-in, the FreeG extends the functionality of a typical audio host by providing a large-format style fader, along with ultra accurate metering.

FreeG helps to maximise workflow with extended, customizable metering, and multiple control features and settings.
When working with digital audio, a lack of fine metering and extended signal flow control in the host is a common issue. FreeG helps to improve workflow in the host by providing these features in the insert chain. By delivering enhanced control of amplitude, phase and pan (stereo version) in the insert chain as well as fine metering, with user configurable industry standard ballistic options, the freeG is the perfect master control.

Freesound Bundle - Soundhack

+chebyshev A distortion unit which uses various low-order chebyshev polynomials to add even or odd harmonic distortion.
+compand is a combined compressor/expander plugin. It has a softknee control as well as a switchable rms/peak level detector. +decimate uses bit depth and sample rate reduction for added aliasing and decimation noise. a very noisy plugin. +matrix is a mid-side to left-right encoder and decoder. for mid-side microphone arrays, but also useful when needing to apply effects to only the center or the sides of a stereo mix. +phasescope is a standard studio tool for seeing the phase relation between your left and right channels. also includes a bit meter.

Download it here.

Frohmage - Ohm Force

A single pallet of sounds, combining a low-pass filter, very full of filters passes band, an analogical generator of squealings and a whole batch of special functionalities. With Frohmage, you will discover heat that a harmonic filter multi-band can add to your creations. For your most total pleasure, effects of time can be applied between the filters by simple rotation of a small button, introducing of this fact a strange very characteristic squealing. Without counting that you can easily grant the filter to the notes of the range… And finally, why not add a little distortion? Whether your music howls of pain or it installs a languorous atmosphere, the ultimate engine of saturation of Frohmage only waits until you to misuse it. With the fact, which said that Frohmage was free?

Download it here.

Guitar Rig Player - Native Instruments

GUITAR RIG 5 PLAYER is the free, modular and expandable effects processor from Native Instruments, combining creative effects routing possibilities with ease-of-use and pristine sound quality. The included FACTORY SELECTION library provides one stunning amp with 17 cabinet emulations, plus 13 effects and sound modifiers to shape and enhance any audio signal.
But that's only the beginning; GUITAR RIG 5 PLAYER can be instantly expanded with the growing range of innovative KOMPLETE Effects, which not only cater to guitar players, but also deliver premium effects for studio producers and sound designers alike.

Download it here.

HOFA 4U Meter, Fader & MS-Pan - HOFA Plugins

main features:
precise metering (peak, hold, EBU, LRA)
MS decoder
trim-, fader- and mute-function
stereo-mono switch
innovative panorama-function: this is the panner that you can also use for "more than stereo" panning
changeable plugin window size
mouse-over-tooltipps
manual onboard
works latency-free and with all common sample rates

Download it here.

HOFA 4U Goniometer & Korrelator - HOFA Plugins

main features:
switchable between goniometer and correlation meter
new type of goniometer with peak, hold and energy-indicator
innovative und intuitive correlator
changeable plugin window size
manual onboard
works latency-free and with all common sample rates

Download it here.

Mutetone - TriTone Digital

MuteTone is a freeware plugin utility designed to workaround the inability to shut off input monitoring in Pro Tools. It has no sound on its own. It just cut the input signal whenever Protools is recording, allowing you to use your external console, or soundcard mixer for live monitoring.

Download it here.

Niveau Filter - Elysia

This filter is a specialist in changing the overall sonic character of a signal with ease. It features two comprehensive controllers and is capable of producing convincing results in no time at all. Whenever a classic shelving filter would be too limited and a fully parametric filter would be too much, the niveau filter is the perfect tool.

Its main function is to change the proportions between high and low frequencies. The principle is quite similar to a pair of scales: Dependent on the gain setting around a variable center frequency, the high frequencies are boosted whereas the low frequencies are attenuated (or vice versa) at the same time.

The center frequency can be shifted continuously between 26 Hz and 2.2 kHz or between 260 Hz and 22 kHz respectively (when the x10 switch is activated). The characteristics of the filter change in the extreme positions of the EQ Gain controller: The fully counter-clockwise setting will give you a low pass filter; fully clockwise position will result in a high pass filter.

Download it here.

Northpole - Prosoniq

NorthPole is a free effects plug in on the Macintosh. It adds a fully programmable virtual analog synthesizer filter with resonance, envelope follower and an integrated post-filter digital delay to your audio production environment.
Please note that an older Mac VST/RTAS and a Windows VST version is available. They are unsupported any may not work on recent systems. Try them at your own risk

Download it here.

PanCake - Cableguys

PanCake is an innovative plugin that allows you to create flexible pan modulations.
Main Features :
Creative Modulation Tool: Create complex pan modulations with ease.
Unique Waveform Drawing Capabilities: Construct your own modulation curves in a very intuitive manner. Waveforms can be easily drawn using soft or hard control points, thus producing gentle transitions or sharp bends in the waveform.
Customized Waveforms: Up to 10 customized waveforms can be stored.
LFO Speed: LFO speed can be set free-running from 0.02 Hz to 5.24 kHz. It can also be set in rhythmic units synced to the host sequencer, from a fast 1/128 note modulation up to 32 bars.
User Friendly Buttons: Reverse the waveform, move it in any direction, or randomize it. Select from a list of default waveforms, or copy and paste between waveforms, including presets.
Complete Parameter Control via Automation: Absolutely everything in PanCake can be automated. Even the shape of the modulating waveform can be automated. And if you want to use more than four modulation curves in a song, you can automate the plugin to switch between them.
Always in Sync: The LFO will always stay in sync, even when you make tempo changes in your host software, or jump ahead to different parts of your track.

Download it here.

PeRColate for Pluggo - Columbia University CMC

PeRColate is an open-source distribution of a variety of synthesis and signal processing algorithms for Max/MSP. It is centered around a (partial) port of the Synthesis Toolkit (STK) by Perry Cook (Princeton) and Gary Scavone (Stanford CCRMA). Like the STK, it provides a fairly easy to use library of synthesis and signal processing functions (in C) that can be wired together to create conventional and unusual instruments. Also like the STK, it includes a variety of precompiled synthesis objects, including physical modeling, modal, and PhISM class instruments; the code for these instruments can serve as foundations for creating new instruments (one example, the blotar, is included) and can be used to teach elementary and advanced synthesis techniques. Given it's STK heritage and educational function, PeRColate is largely un-optimized, though all the objects run on a 80MHz 7100, which is pretty good. PeRColate also includes a number of objects not from the STK; some are from RTcmix and others are our own evil creations, designed to crash your computer, but only after making some kind of interesting sound or image.

You can download Pluggo 3 here and PeRColate here.

PSP PianoVerb - PSP Audioware

PSP PianoVerb reproduces special kind of reverberation originally provided by piano strings. It generates reverberation using twelve string operators with adjustable damping and decay time. Each of them is tuned to a particular note starting from A(55Hz) to a G#(103.8Hz). The PSP PianoVerb string system can be transposed in the range of +-24 semitones, tuned within a range of +-100 cents and be detuned as well. Transposing to lower octaves produces a bigger and less resonant sound similar to traditional reverbs, while in turn transposing to higher octaves produces a very bright harp-like effect.

Download it here.

PSP VintageMeter - PSP Audioware

PSP VintageMeter (free plug-in VST, RTAS, MAS, AudioUnit for MAC and VST, RTAS and DirectX for PC hosts) provides professional VU and PPM metering for mono and stereo tracks. All parameters like integration times and reference levels are widely adjustable to make this free plug-in suitable for any application.

Download it here.

SPL Free Ranger - Sound Performance Lab (SPL)

The Free Ranger is based upon the Full Ranger-EQ from our EQ Rangers series. It is limited to four – we think very useful – bands:
16 kHz center frequency – Boost: Glitter, brilliance, air.
1,8kHz center frequency – this is THE EQ test frequencies. An EQ that sounds good here is a good EQ. Therefore it makes a lot of sense to compare EQs in that range. Applications examples: Boost for more bass definition and presence, cut reduces metal for brass.
150 Hz center frequency – Boost: more warmth for everything, main impact of bass instruments, fuller, fatter snares. Cut for vocals: avoids collision with bass.
40 Hz center frequency – Boost: in general fuller sounds, deep bass punch (kick drum). Cut: reduces booming sounds and sub harmonic interferences.

Download it here.

Squid Delays for Pluggo - Arvid Tomayko-Peters

A pair of simple, utilitarian delay plugins for use in Cycling '74's Pluggo environment - compatible with AudioUnit, VST and RTAS hosts.

You can download Pluggo 3 here and Squid Delays here.

Stereo Tool - Flux

Stereo Tool features ultra precise control of input gain and individual pan for left and right channels. A phase inverter is available on each channel. Global stereo pan and stereo width settings are also implemented to complete the management of the stereo signal.
Stereo Tool also offers accurate visual feedback reflecting the signal content. A vector scope display, PPM meters for both inputs and outputs, and a phase correlation meter permanently monitor the signal.
Inserting our Stereo Tool after a BitterSweet II, will open your mind to new ways of controlling the stereo stage.
Like all Flux:: plug-ins it features 64 bit floating point processing, up to 8 FS (384 KHz).

Download it here.

Studio Devil British Valve Custom - Studio Devil

Studio Devil British Valve Custom is a FREE guitar amp modeling and audio effects plug-in for use with VST, AudioUnits, and ProTools RTAS compatible hosts running on both Mac and Windows platforms.
Features:
British High-Gain Amp emulation based on Marshall® stack!
Power Amp Drive Control to adjust natural power amp compression.
Built In 4x12 Cabinet Emulation!
Realistic Tone Controls: Bass, Mids, Treble, and Presence
Professional Sampling Rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, and 192kHz support!
4X Up-Sampling Engine with 64-bit Floating-Point Internal Precision
Compatible with Windows and Mac VST, Audio Units and ProTools RTAS hosts!

Download it here.

THC - Massey Plugins

THC is a highly accurate analog-modeled distortion pedal. THC delivers true analog-like sonic quality. THC can be used to dirty up any audio material -- try it on vocals, organ, drums, and, of course, guitar.

Download it here.

Torpedo PI-FREE - Two Notes Audio Engineering

The Torpedo PI-FREE is based on our flagship model, the PI-101, but only features 1 model of power amp simulation (EL34 / AB class), 1 speaker cab (based on a Marshall 4×12) and 1 type of microphone (based on a Shure SM57). And you still have the full Post FX section. And best of all, it is FREE!
Of course, the PI-FREE plugin features the unique Torpedo algorithm, originally found on our critically acclaimed VB-101 unit, that allows you to virtually move the microphone in front of the speaker cabinet (as you would in a real recording room) and to simulate the sound of a hard driven speaker.

Download it from www.two-notes.com/en/software/torpedo-pi-free

ValhallaFreqEcho - ValhallaDSP

Bode-style frequency shifter + analog echo emulation = skull melting chaos.
Perfect for dub, Dr. Who and all of your psychedelic needs. Sonic results range from subtle chorusing and double tracking to barberpole phasing and flanging to endless glissandos and runaway echos. Over 10,000 downloads and counting!
Low cut and high cut controls for the feedback path, allowing for finer control over the echo decay.
Stereo-in, stereo-out
Tempo control
Mouse-over Tool Tips

Download it here.

Vinyl - IZotope

The ultimate lo-fi weapon, iZotope Vinyl uses 64-bit processing and advanced filtering, modeling and resampling to create authentic "vinyl" simulation, as if the audio was a record being played on a record player.
You have complete control over the following parameters:
Mechanical Noise: The amount of turntable motor rumble and noise
Wear: Control how worn out the record is, from brand new to played a few thousand times
Electrical Noise: Internally generated electrical noise, such as 60 Hz grounding hum
Dust: The amount of dust on the record
Scratch: The number and depth of scratches on the record
Warp Depth: The amount of warping and the warp shape for the record—from no warp to the edges totally melted and warped

Download it here.

Z-Room - DUY

DUY Z-Room is a natural-sounding, optimized-consumption reverb for native systems.

Download it here.

For some reasons, Avid has decided to move from RTAS to another native plugin format called AAX. Some say it is for CPU consumption reasons, some for money... well I don't know. But, what I think is that in a near future I pretty sure AAX will be the next plugin format for Protools and RTAS will not be supported. So, be prepared to upgrade your existent configuration if you want to work with Protools. Moreover, most of developpers won't upgrade their plugins for free, again, be prepared...

Here is the current list of free AAX plugin for Protools 10 on Mac OS X :

Blue Cat's Freeware Plug-ins Pack II - Blue Cat

All Blue Cat Audio freeware audio plug-ins gathered together in a single package: this bundle contains a wide range of premium modulation effects, a single and dual-channel equalizer, a unique midi-controllable gain suite, as well as a professional spectrum analyzer.
- Blue Cat's Chorus
- Blue Cat's Flanger
- Blue Cat's FreqAnalyst
- Blue Cat's Gain Suite
- Blue Cat's Phaser
- Blue Cat's Stereo Chorus
- Blue Cat's Triple EQ

This is the ideal package to get started with your favorite Digital Audio Workstation. All plug-ins are entirely free.

Download it here.

bx_cleansweep - Brainworx

bx_cleansweep is a new Hi-Pass and Lo-Pass filter plug-in, introducing the new “Anti Crush Technology” (originally developed by Brainworx).

Analog style filter curves without the typical Nyquist problems, in a new great sounding filter design (taken from our pro mastering EQ bx_digital V2). First order filters (6 dB per octave) guarantee an extremely musically sounding filter set, and unique joystick control (taken from bx_hybrid) gives you fast and intuitive control.

Download it here.

bx_solo - Brainworx

bx_solo is a nice little tool that we have designed to get you started with and used to the way we approach the M/S technique – be it for recording-, mixing- or mastering purposes. The "heart" of our M/S tools are our unique SOLO BUTTONS that allow you to actually LISTEN to all components of a stereo mix / stereo signal individually.

Download it here.

SPL Free Ranger - Sound Performance Lab (SPL)

The Free Ranger is based upon the Full Ranger-EQ from our EQ Rangers series. It is limited to four – we think very useful – bands:
16 kHz center frequency – Boost: Glitter, brilliance, air.
1,8kHz center frequency – this is THE EQ test frequencies. An EQ that sounds good here is a good EQ. Therefore it makes a lot of sense to compare EQs in that range. Applications examples: Boost for more bass definition and presence, cut reduces metal for brass.
150 Hz center frequency – Boost: more warmth for everything, main impact of bass instruments, fuller, fatter snares. Cut for vocals: avoids collision with bass.
40 Hz center frequency – Boost: in general fuller sounds, deep bass punch (kick drum). Cut: reduces booming sounds and sub harmonic interferences.

Download it here.

Again, and again, thanks a million for your support !

If for some reasons, you don't want to appear on this page or you want to say something about all this, please don't hesitate to drop me a line here.

Or you can simply write your comments below, anyway, I know that all you want to do is to download free plugins for your Protools so, if you are reading these lines, you're f@cking courageous!

Peace.

Sam.

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