Here are the the best FREE 808 VST Plugins available:
A good 808 library or VST is something every producer should have, but finding good free stuff can always be tricky.
In this article we’re going to cover the best free VST plugins for 808s.
Contents
XSUB 808
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, VST, 32-bit, 64-bit
Made by Hexloops and SimplySounds, Xsub is an awesome Free 808 bass VST plugin. With a total of 36 included bass sounds created using analog synthesizers, Xsub is one of the better 808 bass plugins you can get.
You get a full ADSR envelope to control your sound, as well as a panning knob, and surprisingly, a reverb. Not that you’d be using the reverb all that often, but hey, it’s there.
On top of all this, you also get a pitch-modulating LFO, to get some wobble into your bass.
That being said, most of the sounds tend to be rougher and more distorted, so if you’re looking for absolute clean subs and bass sounds, this might not be for you.
How Does It Sound?
Our Thoughts
We like XSub 808, it’s not what we usually go to for our 808 needs, but can help as a top layer to a bass, providing an awesome, distorted top end.
All in all, a solid plugin, and a good pick up for a beginner producer.
Keep in mind however, if you’re running Mac OS Catalina, Xsub hasn’t been updated for it yet, so it’ll probably not work.
TS-808 by Tactile Sounds
Compatibility: Windows, 32-Bit
When it comes to 808 drum kits, nothing in the free VST plugins community stands up to Tactile Sounds’ TS-808.
The TS-808 is an emulation of the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which means no samples!
But the TS-808 is just the instrument, so it does not have a built-in sequencer, or FX, but has an incredible sound that’s much like the TR-808 drum machine.
How Does It Sound?
Our Thoughts
If you’re looking for the straight-up, best sounding free 808 drum machine, this is it! The interface is not too appealing, and there isn’t an incredible amount of control, or any presets.
What you get is a very solid 808 drum machine.
X-Eight Lite by Thenatan
Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS, VST, AU, AAX 32-bit, 64-bit
Thenatan’s awesome X-Eight vst plugins are a massive 1000 preset collection of 808’s, sub kicks and low subs.
X-Eight Lite is the free version of X-Eight and while comparatively small, it still comes with a solid 80 sounds.
You get control over the glide, attack and release, as well as a high pass filter, and a master volume for your plugin. You don’t get too much fine control, but to make up for it the X-Eight has some interesting sounds to work with when doing sound design.
The sounds of X-Eight can tend to be either too large, or not subby enough. That being said, there are some sounds that are real winners, but the most luck you’ll have with X-Eight will be layering.
How Does It Sound?
Our Thoughts
X-Eight looks awesome, but we were slightly disappointed with the sounds, when first checking it out. Most of them sound off-balance and need some tinkering to get into place properly.
Layering with X-Eight Lite is awesome though, lot’s of nice top-end sounds you can use to mix with your other subs.
HUM808 by Callybeat
Compatibility: Windows, VST 32-bit, 64-bit
HUM808 is an awesome free subtractive synth with 4 oscillators and 225 waveforms.
You get 12 voice polyphony, a 4-band EQ, full ADSR envelope, 5 types of filters as well as a modulation LFO, to control your sound with.
Designed for Subs, basses, 808’s and other heavy low-end instruments, Callybeat have created one of the best free bass synths.
How Does It Sound?
Our Thoughts
While it may not be the prettiest, HUM808 is a super usable plugin, with a very intuitive interface and tons of control and depth.
The included 160 presets are also awesome, and the bass sounds you can get with HUM808 are just as great. Awesome free beginner bass synthesizer vst, that’ll also be useful to advanced producers.
Beat DRMR
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, VST, AU 32-bit, 64-bit
On the surface Beat DRMR is a very simple drum machine:
You get 12 drum pads, with control for volume, attack, decay as well as a reverb and LFO.
With that being said, this free vst plugin comes with a whopping 178 drum kits for a variety of music.
From modern Electro kits, Modular drums kits, to Analog Rhythm and Percussion kits, Beat DRMR is probably the biggest free selection of drum machines.
How Does It Sound?
Our Thoughts
Beat DRMR is awesome, most of the kits sound awesome and will be great for most modern musicians, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user.
In fact, no matter who you are, a collection of 2136 sounds available for FREE should need no further explanation, go get it, now!
BD-808 by Synsonic
Compatibility: Windows, Mac, VST, AU, 32-bit, 64-bit
Rounding out our list, probably the simplest plugin here. BD-808 by Synsonic is the bass drum of an 808 Drum machine.
You get control over the strength of your sound, the output level, Decay and attack.
In addition to this, you can further shape your sounds with the Fine tune and halftone Tune, as well as LongDecay, which can turn your BD-808 into a bass synthesizer, as well as full Midi Sync.
How Does It Sound?
Our Thoughts
BD-808 is super simple, and does what it needs to do. It’s the bass drum of a classic 808 Bass drum and that’s it.
The UI is appealing, and it sounds great. So, if you like the sound of an 808 bass drum, pick this up, it’s a cool little plugin.
Finishing Up
To summarise, here are the the best FREE 808 VST Plugins available:
Whether you’re looking for the dirtiest 808 sub bass VST plugins, or a laid-back Roland TR-808 Emulation, we hope you’ve found something that fits your style as a composer.
From low rumbles, to percussion, these free VST Plugins will make your music production much more interesting..
Tom Jankevics
Toms is a music producer & DJ, born and raised in Post Soviet Latvia. Currently based in Brighton, Toms has had over 6 years of experience with all things production and in that time, he’s done a tonne of cool stuff! He’s played multiple festivals, had experience in the field with mixing & mastering and even become a freelance journalist in the music industry.
Toms currently creates music under the alias Sovereign. Producing music that’s intimate and subtle, while full of edge and energy, the young producer combines the artistic sounds of Trip Hop artists like Massive Attack, with the energy and youthfulness of producers like Flume, Jamie XX and Yaeji. You can check his stuff on Soundcloud.
