01
Piano & chords
Piano One
by Sound Magic · Hybrid-modeled grand piano
Write the song on a playable grand piano before anything else.
VST2VST3AUWindowsmacOS
Pop · 10 plugins · total $0The $0 Pop Producer Setup
Polished chords, catchy synth hooks, tight drums and a clean, bright vocal sitting on top. This rack covers modern pop production from the first piano idea to a loud, radio-ready master with free tools.
Get it free ↗
02
Synths, plucks & bass
Vital (Basic)
by Matt Tytel / Vital Audio · Spectral wavetable synth
Pop leads, plucks, pads and sub bass from one wavetable synth with thousands of free presets online.
VST2VST3AUCLAPLV2StandalonemacOSWindowsLinuxNeeds free Vital account
03
Drums
Sitala
by Decomposer · 16-pad drum sampler
Drop in kicks, claps, snaps and hats and program tight pop grooves.
VST2VST3AUAAXStandalonemacOSWindowsLinux
04
Vocal tuning
Graillon 3 (Free Edition)
by Auburn Sounds · Pitch correction / voice changer
Keep lead vocals on pitch, from subtle correction to the obvious tuned effect.
VST2AUAAXLV2macOSWindowsLinux
05
De-esser
T-De-Esser 2
by Techivation · De-esser
Tame harsh S sounds before you add the bright top end pop vocals need.
VST2VST3AUAAXmacOSWindows
06
Vocal air
Fresh Air
by Slate Digital · Dynamic high-frequency exciter
Add sheen and presence to vocals and the mix without harshness.
VST2VST3AUAAXmacOSWindowsNeeds free Slate Digital account
07
EQ
TDR Nova
by Tokyo Dawn Labs · Dynamic EQ
Clean up mud and carve space so the vocal sits on top of busy chords.
VST2VST3AUAAXmacOSWindowsLinux
08
Vocal reverb
Dragonfly Reverb
by Michael Willis · Hall / room / plate / early reflections bundle (open source)
Plates and rooms for a polished vocal space.
VST2VST3CLAPLV2macOSWindowsLinux
09
Delay throws
TAL-Dub-X
by TAL Software · Analog-style delay
Tempo-synced echoes on the ends of vocal lines.
VST2VST3AUAAXCLAPmacOSWindowsLinux
10
Master limiter
TDR Limiter 6 GE
by Tokyo Dawn Labs · Multi-stage limiter
Get the master loud and clean for streaming.
VST2VST3AUAAXmacOSWindowsLinux
Every plugin here is free: no trials or demos. Ones that need a free account are flagged. Your DAW's stock tools fill in the rest.
Other starter setups
Same idea, different genre.
$0 setup · 9 plugins
Trap
Drum sampler · 808 / bass synth · Dark strings & orchestral · Vocal tuning …$0 setup · 10 pluginsHip Hop
Sampler / chopper · Drum sampler · Tape warmth · Vinyl / lo-fi …$0 setup · 10 pluginsHouse
Drum sampler · Bass & chord synth · Juno chorus · Leads & supersaws …$0 setup · 10 pluginsTechno
Drum sampler · Synth & kick design · Acid & mono lines · Distortion & color …$0 setup · 9 pluginsDrill
Drum sampler · Sliding 808 · Dark strings · Piano & bells …$0 setup · 10 pluginsPhonk
Drum sampler · 808 & cowbell synth · Vocal & sample chops · 808 distortion …$0 setup · 10 pluginsEDM
Supersaw leads & drops · Bass & sound design · Drums · OTT multiband …$0 setup · 10 pluginsLo-fi
Piano & jazzy chords · Electric piano & bells · Sample chops · Drums …$0 setup · 10 pluginsR&B
Electric piano · Pads & synth bass · Drums · 808 & sub …Get the ZeroPlugs drop.
New free plugins, the best $0 swap for something you were about to buy, and the odd giveaway we've checked is real. Every other Friday.