These are the best free bitcrusher VST plugins to use with your favorite DAW software. I have included bitcrusher plugins that work with both Windows & Mac.
Here’s a detailed roundup of free bit crusher plugins, including lists of features, screenshots, and YouTube videos. I’ve downloaded and tried hundreds of free VST plugins, and here are some of the top free bitcrusher plugins available.
Free Bitcrusher VST Plugins
- Krush
- Dizztroy 2
- Crush by Fabric 70
- IntelliCrusher
- PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit
- Compakt
- TAL-Bitcrusher
- Marauder
- HomeCorrupter
- BitCrusher
- Gravel
- MBitFun
- Cyberia
- Elite Reducer
- MB cRushy
- Timemachine
- Delta Modulator
- BPB Dirty Spring
- MYFX C64-it
- Multiband Bitcrusher
Instructions: Click the links below to visit each Bitcrusher VST plugin. Look around each website for the download link or button. Do not install any suspicious software.
1. Krush
Krush is one of the unique bit crusher plugins available. It utilizes two different distortion algorithms combined with an analog-modeled filter network. It has been designed to add character and warmth to any sound source. Krush is perfect for adding grit and drive to your sounds without losing clarity or impact.
The distortion algorithms have been carefully designed to retain the original character of the sound while providing a wealth of sonic variation. The analog-modeled filter section can be used to sculpt the signal’s tone further or remove any unwanted frequencies.
I really like this bitcrusher VST plugin for its cool user interface and extensive features.
Features:
- Analog-modeled resonant filters
- Wide range of digital effects
- The interface is fully resizable
- Free or tempo-synced modulation
- Four modulation waveforms are available
- Depth control for modulation
- File-based preset system
- Retains sound’s original character
- Filter section for tone sculpting
- Aanalog distortion
Pros:
- Adds life to sounds quickly
- Wide range of effects and colors
- Intuitive and clean interface
- Multilingual support for ease of use
- Easy preset management and recall
- Various parameters
Cons:
- Might be complex for beginners
- Specific to bit-crushing effects
- Requires understanding of the modulation
- The interface may be overwhelming initially
Krush | PC & Mac
2. Dizztroy 2
Dizztroy 2 is an advanced audio effect plugin for Windows. It is a VST effect with two oscillators, eight filters, 3 LFOs, and more.
Features
- Bitcrush, overdrive, distortion effects
- Customizable waveshape distortion
- MIDI learn function for all FX
- Flexible multisegment envelope generator
- Drag-and-drop FX routing
Pros
- Great for drum and lead synth distortion
- Save and undo options for waveshapes
- Easy MIDI controller integration
- Versatile filter types and highpass filter
- Envelope follower for dynamic effects
- Crunchy sound
Cons
- Only available for Windows
- Might be complex for beginners
- Limited to 10 undo steps
Dizztroy 2 | PC
3. Crush by Fabric 70
Crush is an audio signal effect plugin for Windows and Mac that can add distortion and saturation to your sound. It has a simple, easy-to-use interface with three main controls: distortion, bit crush, and output.
The distortion control allows you to add distortion to your sound, the bit crush control enables you to crush the bits, and the output control adjusts the volume of the output signal.
Crush is one of the best bitcrusher VSTs for adding distortion and saturation to your sound.
Crush by Fabric 70 | PC & Mac
4. IntelliCrusher
IntelliCrusher is a plugin that can be used to crush, distort, or mangle your audio. It features a straightforward interface with an easy-to-use stompbox-style layout.
IntelliCrusher also includes filters to help shape the sound of your distortion. The lowpass filter attenuates the high frequencies, while the highpass filter attenuates the low frequencies.
This allows you to create warmer or harsher-sounding distortions by choosing the appropriate frequency range to accentuate or attenuate.
IntelliCrusher | PC
5. PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit
The PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit is a bitcrusher that features two modes of operation, vintage and modern. The unit provides a warm and creamy sounding bitcrusher with subtle aliasing in a vintage way.
PCM2612 | PC & Mac
6. Compakt
Compakt is a bitcrusher app designed to be simple, fast, and easy to use. It has one control for adjusting the bit depth and two buttons for downsampling and dry wet effect.
Compakt is ideal for quickly adding bit-crushing effects to your music. It’s one of the simplest bitcrusher plugins available.
Compakt | PC
7. TAL-Bitcrusher
TAL-Bitcrusher is a bitcrusher plugin designed to be simple, fast, and easy to use. It has options for adjusting the bit depth, sample rate, noise, dry, wet, and more.
TAL-Bitcrusher is ideal for quickly adding bit-crushing effects to your music. It’s one of the simplest bitcrusher VSTs available.
- Noise Cross Modulator
TAL-Software | PC & Mac
8. Marauder Free Bitcrusher VST
Marauder is a bitcrusher designed to reduce bit depth and bit rate. When overdriven, the contrasty quality of this effect can be used for an aggressive distortion to disturb the sound.
The subtle changes in the bit depth can be made to smear, swell, and generally modify the way synthesized sounds behave within a mix.
Marauder is one of the most popular bitcrusher plugins used in the industry.
Marauder | PC & Mac
9. HomeCorrupter
HomeCorrupter is a bitcrusher software for Windows and Mac. It features a bit depth knob, sample rate knob, and drive knob to add distortion. It also includes a stereo widener to widen the stereo image.
HomeCorrupter | PC & Mac
10. BitCrusher
BitCrusher is another bitcrusher plugin available as a VST for Windows and Mac. It features bit depth, sample rate, and distortion knobs to add distortion.
BitCrusher is another simple bitcrusher plugin that’s easy to use. It’s great for quickly adding bit-crushing effects to your audio tracks.
Stagecraft | PC & Mac
11. Gravel
Gravel is a monophonic bitcrusher with a bit of attitude. It’s great for grittier sounds and adding some dirt to your mix. It has a simple, simple interface with just a few controls to tweak.
Gravel | PC 32 bit & 64 bit
12. MBitFun
MBitFun is a bitcrusher plugin designed to add bit crushing effects to your music. It has options for adjusting the bit rate, sample rate, and more. MBitFun is ideal for quickly adding bit-crushing effects to your music. It’s one of the simplest bitcrusher plugins available.
MBitFun | PC & Mac
13. Cyberia
Cyberia bitcrusher plugin is a medium bitrate digital bit-smashing unit with crazy features. It can be brutal and harsh or smooth and subtle, depending on how you use it.
It is an excellent bit crusher for adding digital distortion and bit-reduction to sounds. It can create a wide range of harsh, gritty, and lo-fi effects.
Cyberia | PC
14. Elite Reducer
Elite Reducer is a bitcrusher plugin that offers high-quality bitcrushing with optional dithering. It features a variety of bitcrushing algorithms and a filter to reduce or boost frequencies above or below the Nyquist frequency.
Elite Reducer | PC & Mac
15. MB cRushy
MB cRushy is a bitcrusher plugin that offers a variety of options for audio crushing, noise generation, and sample rate reduction. It’s easy to use and can be a great way to add some grit and character to your sounds.
The plugin offers a simple interface with controls, such as crush, drive, shape, tone, and more. You can use these controls to dial in the desired sound.
MB cRushy | PC
16. Timemachine
Timemachine is an audio plugin that allows you to freeze or reverse audio playback. This plugin can help create unusual sound effects or for repairing audio tracks.
The plugin is a bitcrusher, which means that it reduces the bit rate of the audio signal. This can help create lo-fi effects or add grit and character to digital recordings.
Timemachine | PC & Mac
17. Delta Modulator
Delta Modulator is a bitcrusher plugin that offers a variety of audio crushing and sample rate reduction options. It’s easy to use and can be a great way to add some grit and character to your sounds.
The plugin offers a simple interface with controls, including bit depth, sample rate, and mix. It is one of the most popular bitcrusher VSTs on the market.
Delta Modulator | PC & Mac
18. BPB Dirty Spring
BPB Dirty Spring is a bitcrusher plugin designed to add grit and dirt to your audio. It features a simple interface with controls, such as dirt, tone, decay, and more.
The plugin is available as VST, and it’s free to download. If you’re looking to add some dirt and grit to your audio, then BPB Dirty Spring is a plugin worth trying.
- Pre
- Decay
- Mix
- Dirt
- Tone
- Kick
BPB Dirty Spring | PC & Mac
19. MYFX C64-it
MYFX C64-it is a bitcrusher plugin that emulates the sound of the Commodore 64 computer. It features three different bitcrusher modes, a distortion effect, and a bit randomization feature.
The plugin sounds very retro and can be used to add bit crushing and distortion effects to your tracks.
MYFX C64-it | PC
20. Multiband Bitcrusher
Multiband Bitcrusher splits the audio signal into several frequency bands and bit crushers them separately. This can help add sound-crushing effects to specific frequency ranges in your audio.
It can also help add distortion and other effects to specific frequency ranges. You can use the plugin to create unusual and exciting sound effects.
Woolyss | PC
Additional Free Bitcrusher Plugins
Now that you know about some of the best bit crusher VST plugins available, here are a few more that you might want to check out:
- Odaku Effect – Odaku Effect is a distorted and lo-fi audio plugin.
- Crush – A bit crusher effect continuously degrades the bit rate and sample rate.
- c64it – c64it is a bitcrusher in the style of SID.
- Bitwerk – It is simply a bitcrusher stompbox.
- DeltaModulator – The sound is similar to that of a Nintendo NES gaming console.
- Woolyss
What Is A Bitcrusher VST?
A bitcrusher is a type of audio effect that reduces an audio signal’s quality or bit rate. The result can be heavily distorted sound, often with many artifacts added.
If you’re on a Windows computer, you’ll find most bit crushers are available as plugins. Mac users have some different options for this audio effect.
These free high-quality plugins offer helpful features such as adjustable jitter, modulation depth, and drive stage, as well as fully automatable modulation sections. With a high pass, delta modulation, and adjustable rate and bit, you can achieve an old-school 8-bit music vibe.
I hope you found this list of free Bitcrusher VST plugins helpful.
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