Thought it would be helpful to compile a list of places where users can get free VSTs or sound samples for their projects.
Feel free to share on the thread so we can add more to the list.
Please know that, free VSTs and Sound Samples can be helpful, but one cannot always expect a great quality. You pay for what you get, in a sense.
Please check licenses before use, as some may be free, but may require a license fee or the like when using in a commercial project.
Do also let me know if you have any notes, whether it be about a specific VST you may recommend, what you may know about the license, etc.
Free VST:
KVRaudio
Large variety of VSTs (VST Database)
bpb
Various free VST, mostly effects, and also has a list where you can see free VSTs of a certain year
Glitchmachines
Glitchmachines offer 2 free plugins: Fracture and Hysteresis
Free Digital Instruments
List of a variety of free VSTs and Konkakt libraries available
From the list you can select "WIP Free Instrument list because Mattias" and see a list organized by instrument type, such as Violin
Impact Soundworks
4 free VSTs: virtual guitar, Game Boy-inspired synth, violin, and drums
GhostHack
Free sample packs
Audio Animals
Small selection of a variety of free VSTs
UGO Audio
A few free 32-bit plugins
I recommend Rez (good synth for making a loop-pattern, however to describe it)
Hydrogen
Open Source drum machine
Zynewave
List of freeware VSTs
Spitfire Labs
Recommended by Mairieux
LABS is a dedicated plugin that hosts instruments installed in Spitfire Audio. It's a VST that can be used in your DAW.
After getting Labs installed, you may install instruments into Spitfire Audio to use in LABS.
I recommend the Music Box instrument from the site, it's very nice.
Commercial use - OK
Free Sound Samples/Effects:
Cymatics
Many free sound samples - just put in your email to unlock all of them
LucidSamples
9 Free Packs available on the site
Glitchmachines
There are paid and free packs available
Audio Animals
A few free sample packs
FreeSound
Large variety of sounds
Note: Check the license before use
bpb
Small list of some free sound samples
Videvo
Free sound effect files, license information will be detailed as well.
PremiumBeat
It appears this site also includes sound design files aimed for video work, but may also work in other projects as well
ZapSplat
Free sound effects and royalty free music can be found here. Please check out their standard license for more details. It appears unless you are a paid member, credit is required.
FesliyanStudios
A handful of free sound effects split up by category. All sounds are free for non-commercial and commercial use.
Credit is not required, but appreciated. Please view their policy for more details.
Pocketsound
Free sound samples that are able to be used for various projects such as games, podcasts, etc.
Credit is required. Please review the Terms of Use for more information.
NOTE: There are payment plans available that do not require credit.
FilmCow (itch.io)
Popular YouTube animation channel has release several sound effects that can be used for free.
A price can be named to support the creator, however the samples can still be downloaded for free.
As stated by FilmCow, the 4,000+ sound effects may be used for personal and commercial purposes.
Free Misc:
LabChirp
Sound Effect Generator
bpb
List of free DAW
Podium Free
Free version of Zynewave's DAW
Feel free to share on the thread so we can add more to the list.
Please know that, free VSTs and Sound Samples can be helpful, but one cannot always expect a great quality. You pay for what you get, in a sense.
Please check licenses before use, as some may be free, but may require a license fee or the like when using in a commercial project.
Do also let me know if you have any notes, whether it be about a specific VST you may recommend, what you may know about the license, etc.
Free VST:
KVRaudio
Large variety of VSTs (VST Database)
bpb
Various free VST, mostly effects, and also has a list where you can see free VSTs of a certain year
Glitchmachines
Glitchmachines offer 2 free plugins: Fracture and Hysteresis
Free Digital Instruments
List of a variety of free VSTs and Konkakt libraries available
From the list you can select "WIP Free Instrument list because Mattias" and see a list organized by instrument type, such as Violin
Impact Soundworks
4 free VSTs: virtual guitar, Game Boy-inspired synth, violin, and drums
GhostHack
Free sample packs
Audio Animals
Small selection of a variety of free VSTs
UGO Audio
A few free 32-bit plugins
I recommend Rez (good synth for making a loop-pattern, however to describe it)
Hydrogen
Open Source drum machine
Zynewave
List of freeware VSTs
Spitfire Labs
Recommended by Mairieux
LABS is a dedicated plugin that hosts instruments installed in Spitfire Audio. It's a VST that can be used in your DAW.
After getting Labs installed, you may install instruments into Spitfire Audio to use in LABS.
I recommend the Music Box instrument from the site, it's very nice.
Commercial use - OK
Free Sound Samples/Effects:
Cymatics
Many free sound samples - just put in your email to unlock all of them
LucidSamples
9 Free Packs available on the site
Glitchmachines
There are paid and free packs available
Audio Animals
A few free sample packs
FreeSound
Large variety of sounds
Note: Check the license before use
bpb
Small list of some free sound samples
Videvo
Free sound effect files, license information will be detailed as well.
PremiumBeat
It appears this site also includes sound design files aimed for video work, but may also work in other projects as well
ZapSplat
Free sound effects and royalty free music can be found here. Please check out their standard license for more details. It appears unless you are a paid member, credit is required.
FesliyanStudios
A handful of free sound effects split up by category. All sounds are free for non-commercial and commercial use.
Credit is not required, but appreciated. Please view their policy for more details.
Pocketsound
Free sound samples that are able to be used for various projects such as games, podcasts, etc.
Credit is required. Please review the Terms of Use for more information.
NOTE: There are payment plans available that do not require credit.
FilmCow (itch.io)
Popular YouTube animation channel has release several sound effects that can be used for free.
A price can be named to support the creator, however the samples can still be downloaded for free.
As stated by FilmCow, the 4,000+ sound effects may be used for personal and commercial purposes.
Free Misc:
LabChirp
Sound Effect Generator
bpb
List of free DAW
Podium Free
Free version of Zynewave's DAW