These are the best FREE Garageband plugins to use with Apple Garageband. I’ve included the best virtual instruments and audio effects for Mac users.
These free VST plugins are created by third-party plugin creators and work with Windows and Mac computers. Therefore, they should all work with Apple Garageband.
If you’re a musician or music producer who uses Mac, you know that Garageband is one of the most popular free music production software programs.
Free Garageband Plugins & VST Plugins
- Vital
- TyrellN6
- Tunefish4
- 808 Bass Module 2 Lite
- Surrealistic MG-1 Plus Synthesizer
- Monster Guitar
- Labs Electric Guitars
- Labs Strings
- Ample Bass P Lite II
- Ample Guitar M Lite II
- Piano One
- VSCO2 Trumpet
- Sforzando
- Surge XT
- Atmos 2
- Vocal King
- Izotope Vinyl
- Iowa Alto Sax
- The Free Orchestra
- Orchestral Strings One
While it comes with a variety of audio effects and sounds, there is always more to add to your music production collection. I have included free Garageband audio unit plugins such as drum machines, synthesizers, pianos, samplers, keyboards, guitars, audio effects, and more.
Many of these free plugins are cross-platform, so if you switch between Mac and Windows, you may be able to use the same plugins in both operating systems.
Tutorial: How to Install Plugins in Garageband
Instructions: Click the buttons below to visit each free Garageband plugin. Look around the websites for the download link or button. Do not install suspicious apps.
Vital
Vital is a powerful and versatile plugin for music production. This free synth VST plugin offers a wide range of features and options that make it perfect for both beginners and professionals.
The plugin can be used to create realistic-sounding instruments, as well as to add a variety of audio effects to your tracks.
- 75 Presets
- 25 Wavetables
- Keytracked LFOs
- High-Quality Oscillators
- Audio-Rate Modulation
Related: Free Vital Presets
TyrellN6
The TyrellN6 is a virtual synthesizer that emulates the sounds of classic analog synthesizers. It features two oscillators, each with its own sub-oscillator and a wide range of modulation options.
The oscillators can be synced or ring-modulated, and there are also several different filter types to choose from. The TyrellN6 features two LFOs, an envelope, and a detailed modulation matrix.
As a result, it can produce a wide range of quality sounds, from warm pads to gritty basses. The TyrellN6 plugin comes with over 400 presets, making it easy to get started creating music with this powerful synth.
Tunefish4
The Tunefish4 is a virtual synthesizer that allows you to create a wide range of sounds. It features two oscillators, noise generators, an envelope generator, and a low-pass filter.
The oscillators can be used to create both basic waveforms and more complex sounds, while the noise generator can be used to add realism or create effects.
The envelope generator can be used to shape the sound, while the low-pass filter can be used to remove unwanted frequencies. The plugin also includes several presets that can be used as starting points for experimentation.
808 Bass Module 2 Lite
The 808 Bass Module 2 Lite is a virtual instrument plugin for use with a digital audio workstation. It is designed to emulate the sound of the classic Roland TR-808 drum machine.
The plugin features a selection of bass drums, claps, cymbals, and other percussion sounds. It also includes many effects, such as reverb and delay.
- 10 Presets
- Glide Knob
- Depth Control
Surrealistic MG-1 Plus Synthesizer
The Surrealistic MG-1 Plus is a software emulation of the classic Moog Minimoog Model D synthesizer. It features three oscillators, a filter section, and a number of other controls that allow you to create a wide range of sounds.
The plugin also includes audio presets that can be used as starting points for designing new sounds. The Surrealistic MG-1 Plus can also be used as an FM synth, thanks to its built-in frequency modulation capabilities.
As a result, it can produce a wide range of classic and contemporary sounds.
Monster Guitar
The Monster Guitar is a great tool to help you create professional-sounding guitar tracks. The plugin can be used with any DAW or host software and is very easy to use.
Simply load the plugin into Garageband, select the desired guitar sound, and start playing.
Labs Electric Guitars
The Labs Electric Guitars plugin is a virtual guitar instrument that emulates the sound of electric guitars. It is available as a free download for Windows and Mac OS X.
The plugin features various guitar sounds, from clean, bright tones to distorted, overdriven sounds.
It also provides a wide range of tools for customizing your sound, including EQ, reverb, and delay. The plugin is easy to use and can be a great way to add some realism to your music.
Labs Strings
The Spitfire Audio Labs Strings is a free virtual string software instrument that can be used in Garageband. It features a simple interface with controls for volume, panning, and reverb. The main window consists of a virtual keyboard and a fretboard.
The keyboard can be played with the mouse or with a MIDI controller. The fretboard shows the notes that are being played on the virtual strings.
The Labs Strings VST plugin can create realistic string sounds or add an extra layer of depth to your music.
It is a versatile plugin that can be used in various music genres.
- 14 Virtual String Instruments
Ample Bass P Lite II
The Ample Guitar M Lite II VST plugin is a virtual guitar instrument that can create realistic-sounding guitar parts in a DAW.
The instrument comes with a library of over 866 samples, which have been recorded using a variety of different guitars and amp settings.
Ample Guitar M Lite II
The Ample Guitar M Lite II VST plugin also includes a range of built-in effects, including delay, reverb, and chorus. These can be used to shape the sound of the guitar parts further.
The plugin offers a variety of different playing modes, which can be used to create various styles of guitar parts.
The Ample Guitar M Lite II VST plugin is a powerful and versatile tool for creating realistic-sounding guitar parts in Garageband.
Piano One
The plugin comes with a range of features that allow you to customize the sound of the piano, including the ability to adjust the velocity, mute notes, and add vibrato.
The Piano One is a virtual piano plugin that can be used to create realistic-sounding piano tracks. The Piano One VST also includes a range of presets that can be used to create different sounds quickly.
VSCO2 Trumpet
The VSCO2 Trumpet emulates the sound of a trumpet. It is designed to be used with Garageband and can be used to create realistic-sounding trumpet parts for a song or composition.
Sforzando
Sforzando is a free SoundFont player and a sample player. The plugin offers a clean, easy-to-use, and supports multiple file formats.
Surge XT
The Surge XT plugin is a powerful and versatile synthesizer that offers producers and musicians a wide range of sounds. It features three oscillators, two filters, 4 LFOs, and a modulation matrix.
The oscillators can generate a wide variety of waveforms, including sawtooth, square, sine, and noise. The filters can be used to create low-pass, high-pass, and band-pass effects.
The modulation matrix allows you to route the signal from any of the sources to any of the destinations.
Atmos 2
The Atmos 2 plugin is an ambient piano that is great for creating simple melodies to complex chords.
Vocal King
The Vocal King is an audio plugin that is designed to help improve the quality of your vocal recordings. It can be used with any DAW or audio editor, and it offers a number of features that can help to improve the sound of your vocals.
- Vocal Tuning
Izotope Vinyl
The Izotope Vinyl plugin is a software emulation of the sound of a vinyl record.
It can be used to add warmth and character to digital audio recordings or to give them a “vinyl” sound.
The plugin features three different types of noise: hiss, crackles, and pops. It also includes an EQ section for shaping the sound of the vinyl noise.
The plugin can be used in a number of different ways, but it is most commonly used to add depth and texture to tracks that would otherwise sound flat or lifeless.
Iowa Alto Sax
The Iowa Alto Sax is a plugin that seeks to recreate the sound of the alto saxophone. It does this by using a series of samples that have been recorded from a real alto saxophone.
The plugin also includes a number of features that allow the user to tweak the sound of the instrument, such as ADSR envelope controls.
The Free Orchestra
The Free Orchestra provides you with a powerful and realistic orchestral sound.
The library includes a wide variety of instruments, from strings and brass to woodwinds and percussion.
The plugin also comes with a range of articulations, so you can create nuanced and realistic performances.
The Free Orchestra plugin is an extremely versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of music styles.
Orchestral Strings One
The Orchestral Strings One emulates the sound of string instruments. It includes 14 violins, eight cellos, ten violas, and six double basses.
Iowa Alto Flute
The Iowa Alto Flute emulates the sound of an alto flute and offers ASDR controls.
Helm
Helm is a free, open-source polyphonic synthesizer that runs as a virtual instrument plugin.
Vintage analog synthesizers heavily influence its sound, and it features a wide range of tone-shaping options.
In addition to being capable of creating classic synth sounds, Helm also has unique features that set it apart from other audio units.
Its interface is designed to be simple and easy to use, and its sound is full of character and attitude.
VSCO2 Violin
The VSCO2 Violin emulates the sound of a violin. It is based on the open-source VSCO2 project, a library of sounds recorded from real violins. The plugin includes a range of different violins, each with its own unique timbre.
It also offers a number of different playing techniques, such as bowing and pizzicato.
TAL-Vocoder
The TAL-vocoder plugin can be used to add a vintage vocoder sound to your software instrument tracks.
Soft Piano – Free Garageband Plugins
The Soft Piano plugin is a free virtual instrument created by Spitfire Audio. It is designed to simulate the sound of a soft-pedaled piano and can be used in a wide range of musical genres.
iZotope Vocal Doubler
The iZotope Vocal Doubler is a vocal processing plugin that can be used to add depth and richness to vocals.
It can be used to create doubled, tripled, or quadrupled vocal tracks, each with its own unique timbre and pitch.
The plugin also allows for an independent level and panning control of each doubler track, allowing for a wide range of different doubling effects.
- Natural Doubling Effect
Odin 2
The Odin 2 plugin is a powerful tool for creating and manipulating sounds.
It features a variety of oscillators, filters, and effects that can be used to create everything from subtle sound effects to complex sonic textures.
VSCO2 Flute
The VSCO2 Flute plugin is a virtual instrument that allows you to play the flute on your computer.
Ripchord
Ripchord is a helpful tool for creating beautiful chords and melodies.
The plugin is very easy to use, and it has a lot of features that make it very versatile. For example, you can change the root note, the octave, the intervals, and the duration of each note. You can also add vibrato, delay, and reverb.
Tape Cassette 2
The Tape Cassette 2 plugin is a helpful tool for creating realistic tape effects to give your audio a vintage sound.
You can use the plugin to create everything from subtle background noise to full-on audio distortion.
The plugin features a variety of different controls, including saturation, low pass, noise, flutter, and more.
TAL-NoiseMaker
The TAL-NoiseMaker is a software synthesizer that can be used to create a wide range of synth sounds.
The TAL-NoiseMaker has four main sound-generating modules: oscillators, filters, envelope generators, and LFOs.
These modules can be combined in different ways to create a huge variety of sounds.
For example, the oscillators can be used to create sawtooth or square waves, which can then be filtered and modulated using the other modules.
The TAL-NoiseMaker also includes a built-in effect section, which can be used to add reverb, delay, or distortion.
Features
- 4 Sound-generating modules
- Oscillators create sawtooth, square waves
- Built-in effects: reverb, delay, distortion
- 128 factory presets included
- Low CPU usage, virtual analog synthesizer
Pros
- Wide range of synth sounds possible
- Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux
- Supports AAX for Pro Tools
- Adjustable master tune, transpose options
Cons
- Might be complex for complete beginners
- Limited to virtual analog synthesis sounds
- No advanced modulation options
- Presets may not suit all music styles
Classic Gtr Lite
The Classic Gtr Lite VST plugin is a freeware guitar simulator created by Quiet Music.
It offers seven guitar presets to choose from. Each with its own distinctive sound.
Classic Gtr Lite | AU Plugins
MT Power Drum Kit
The MT Power Drum Kit VST is a drum sampler plugin. It comes with a library of high-quality drum samples that can be used to create realistic drum tracks, and it provides a wide range of customization options, so you can tweak the sound of your drums to suit your needs.
Speedrum Lite
The Speedrum Lite plugin offers an MPC style like drum sampler for Garageband.
Speedrum Lite | PC / macOS / Linux
Triple Cheese
The Triple Cheese plugin is a virtual synthesizer that allows you to create a wide range of synth sounds. It is based on three different oscillators, each with its own distinct character.
Features
- 254 Virtual Instrument Sounds
- 3 Distinct oscillators for sound creation
- 8 modes per comb filter module
- Polyphonic, duophonic, monophonic, legato modes
- 2 ADSR envelopes with variable stages
- 5 built-in effects including chorus, reverb
Pros
- Unique synthesis approach, no traditional oscillators
- 16-voice polyphony for complex sounds
- Host-syncable LFOs for dynamic modulation
Cons
- Might be complex for beginners
- Unusual synthesis can be limiting
- No FM, phase distortion, analog filters
- It may require a learning curve for new users
Triple Cheese | PC / Mac / Linux
This plugin list highlights the best free plugins available, including VST and AU plugins, instrument plugins, and plugin bundles.
While some desired plugins may require paid versions or third-party vendors, many popular music plugins come in a free version.
Producers can create their own sounds and stay ahead in the competitive music industry with a massive library of different plugins, including amazing synthesizers and smart controls.
Keep exploring new plugins and more options to find the best plugins for your music software.
Related: How to Install Plugins in Garageband – Here is a simple guide on how to install plugins for Garageband and other digital audio workstations.
I hope you find this list of free Garageband plugins helpful. These are great free alternatives to paid plugins.
