Immerse yourself in the ethereal world of ambient music production with our expert selection of the 14 best VST plugins. Designed to enrich your soundscapes with depth, texture, and nuance, these tools are essential for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Whether you’re crafting vast sonic environments or intricate aural details, these VSTs are your gateway to creating music that resonates on a deeper level
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Diva
Diva, a Virtual Analogue synth VST plugin, is a stellar choice for crafting immersive ambient soundscapes. Harnessing the power of over five decades of hardware synth technology, it is a masterful impersonator of iconic oscillators, filter modules, and ADSR envelopes. This virtual synth allows the user unprecedented customization and control, mixing and matching features such as Moog and Juno oscillators or an Oberheim OB8 filter with MS20 oscillators. This level of modularity allows Diva to cover a wide range of sonic textures, from warm pads to pulsating arpeggios, all of which contribute to its excellence in ambient music production.
Diva’s sound quality is exceptional, and its analog emulations are startlingly authentic, achieving a warm, organic texture that rivals real hardware. It also boasts an expansive library of over 1,200 high-quality presets that cater to a wide range of musical scenarios and serve as inspiring launchpads for custom sound design. However, Diva’s impressive performance comes at a cost, with its considerable CPU usage being a notable downside. Nonetheless, its professional sound quality and modular flexibility make Diva invaluable in ambient music production.
Diva’s X-Factors Are:
- Stunning Analog Emulation: Diva offers unmatched authenticity in its analog synth emulation. Its oscillator voice detunes feature replicates voltage-based analog synths’ warm, natural drift. This and Diva’s ability to emulate circuitry at a component level using PSpice technology lead to an unmatched analog sound.
- Robust Modular Capabilities: This plugin allows users to mix and match components from various vintage hardware synths. This flexibility gives sound designers unparalleled control and opens up a realm of possibilities, enabling the creation of unique, atmospheric, and captivating ambient sounds.
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Novum
Harnessing the depths of granular synthesis, the Novum synth from Dawesome grants ambient music producers a vast palette of sonic possibilities. Inspired by the natural dispersion of light through a prism, the instrument was meticulously engineered to dissect audio into its fundamental tonal colors. Novum leverages a vivid interface reminiscent of Dawesome’s previous instrument, Abyss, yet takes a sharp turn in functionality as a granular synthesizer relying on sampled waveforms. It claims the capability to generate everything from delicate soundscapes to resonant synth walls, all from a single sample, which might sound ambitious but undoubtedly intriguing.
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At the heart of Novum lies the capacity to fragment a single sample into six distinct layers, thereby offering immense control over timbral characteristics and temporal dynamics. Users can drag and drop any preset samples or their own, cross-pollinating sonic elements for diverse outcomes. Novel features such as the Timbre Flower, a tool for spectral modification, and Homogenized, which produces velvet-like textures, provide a unique and creative spin to sample manipulation. The impressive part is, all these groundbreaking features are driven by complex mathematics that hardly strain your CPU, making the plugin quite resource-efficient.
Novum’s X-Factors Are:
- Unique Take on Granular Synthesis: Novum stands apart with its unique approach to granular synthesis, permitting the decomposition of a single audio sample into six individual layers. This gives users unprecedented control over the timbral characteristics and temporal dynamics, rendering static samples highly flexible.
- The Timbre Flower and Homogenized: Novum also introduces two standout features that set it apart from its peers. The Timbre Flower allows for spectral modification of the selected timbre very intuitively. In contrast, Homogenized allows for creation of smooth, velvety textures that are typically challenging to achieve with most granular synths.
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Portal
The innovative VST plugin, Portal, is an ambient music creator’s dream, encapsulating the power of granular synthesis with a knack for in-depth grain manipulation and modulation. Designed by American company Output, Portal stands out for its granular engine that cuts the incoming signal into ‘grains,’ allowing for extensive tinkering and shaping of the sound. The capacity for grain delay adds an intriguing dimension to the plugin, resembling a delay effect and routing the output back to the input for additional granularising.
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With its advanced and aesthetically pleasing interface, Portal also houses a comprehensive effects section composed of two processors in series, adding a versatile layer to the original dry signal and the coarse one. Moreover, including a robust modulation system with renamable Macro knobs and looping multistage envelopes/LFOs, introduces a remarkable level of customization and control over the output.
You can hear this plugin used delicately on the ear candy melodic fills in my latest track, ‘Algebra of Contentedness,’ where the modulated delays help carry the space far more exciting than a standard Echo from Ableton ever could.
Portal’s X-Factors Are:
- Advanced Granular Control: Portal allows for intricate manipulation of sound grains, producing a diverse range of rhythmic, tonal, harmonic, spatial, and glitching treatments. Its granular engine, capable of generating up to 16 grains at a time, allows users to pitch, shorten, lengthen, slow down, and pan grains for a unique auditory experience.
- Versatile Effects and Modulation System: The two-processor effects section and the modulation system featuring two renamable Macro knobs and looping multistage envelopes/LFOs bring a distinct layer of customization to the plugin. This, combined with the reverse function and the dry/wet controls at every stage, opens up a world of creative possibilities for users.
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FRMS
FRMS, developed by Portuguese firm Imaginando, is a hybrid synthesizer that merges subtractive, granular, and FM synthesis, providing an extraordinary tool for crafting unique sounds. The underlying concept involves using four layers, each capable of functioning as a subtractive or granular synthesizer. Subtractive mode presents a traditional single-oscillator synth with four waveform options. In contrast, granular mode, the main appeal of FRMS, creates new waveforms from existing ones by applying time and pitch adjustments to extracted sections known as ‘grains.’ The result is an endless potential for waveform creation from a single source.
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For a final touch, a master filter, delay, and reverb are available, post-processing the combined outputs of the four layers. Despite its complexity, FRMS impresses with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. However, this powerful synthesis tool can demand significant DSP resources, proving it to be heavier on the system than other synthesizers.
FRMS’s X-Factors Are:
- Granular Synthesis Capacity: FRMS stands out with its potent granular synthesis engine, creating virtually limitless waveforms from a single source. This gives users an excellent playground for sound design, especially valuable in creating ambient music.
- Hybrid Engine Integration: The integration of granular, subtractive, and FM synthesis within a single instrument allows users to craft layered, complex, and evolving sounds with ease. This combination opens up vast sound design possibilities and lends a rich, distinctive texture to the output, particularly beneficial in ambient electronic music production.
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Rift
Rift by Minimal Audio brings a distinctive approach to distortion-based processing and adds a new dimension to sound production. The plugin offers 30 different distortion modes ranging from mild overdrive to complete decimation, adding texture to any soundscape. Rift’s ‘bipolar’ trait allows you to apply unique distortion processing to the positive and negative elements of the audio waveform. Five categories of distortion algorithms enable a myriad of distortion effects. The innovative interface offers two modes: Play View and Advanced View.
Rift also allows you to modulate in real time, adding movement and space to the sounds, making it a superb tool for creating ambient music. Presets are easily browsable, and controls such as Drive and Output allow for optimal tuning of the sound levels. The bottom strip has two pre-configured macro controls for multi-parameter targeting in the engine, giving users considerable control over the sound output.
Rift’s X-Factors Are:
- Innovative Bipolarity: Rift stands out with its unique ‘bipolar’ distortion, allowing different processing for the positive and negative aspects of the audio waveform. This feature adds a distinctive touch to the sound texture and creates a broader array of effects.
- Versatile Modulation System: Rift’s extensive modulation system adds a dynamic element to sound production. The modulation system allows for high customization with familiar and innovative options such as Follow, LFO, Curve 1, and Curve 2. Users can generate and modify curves, apply modulation based on the audio input level, and more.
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Cluster Delay
Cluster Delay is a trailblazer for delivering rich ambient textures through its multi-tap delay combined with multi-effects. With up to 8 taps, users can craft intricate delays through ramp, spacing, and scatter adjustments. It also offers stereo and mid/side modes to create a sense of space and dimension.
Cluster Delay’s crown jewel is its multi-effects section, which includes wobble time modulation, diffusion blurring, chorus, phaser, flanger, and frequency shift. These effects are instrumental in shaping the textures and keeping listeners engaged over time. Moreover, the animated visualizations are intuitive, even with complex settings, allowing users to understand and control the process effortlessly.
Cluster Delay’s X-Factors Are:
- Seamless Modulation Control: The wobble time modulation allows for precise creative sound design, and treating wow and flutter as digital effects rather than analog modeling ensures that sounds remain crisp and engaging. This feature is critical in producing ambient music, where modulation plays a significant role in texturing and evolving sounds.
- Single-Screen User Interface: Cluster Delay’s single-screen UI is visually engaging and user-friendly. This intuitive design enables users to experiment and fine-tune parameters without getting lost, which is invaluable for maintaining creative flow. This is a significant advantage over plugins with clunky or overly complex interfaces.
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Zen Delay
The Zen Delay Virtual (ZDV) is an outstanding virtual studio technology plugin, particularly ideal for creating ambient music. Its newly introduced Modulation and Options page delivers significant creative flexibility, offering two Low-Frequency Oscillators (LFOs) that effectively modulate delay time and filter cutoff. Users can select from various waveforms for these LFOs, including sine, ramp, saw, tri, square, pulse, notch, noise, and S&H shapes.
Moreover, ZDV shines with its ability to save presets, a feature not found in its hardware counterpart. The software includes 56 artist-designed presets that can be sorted by name, category, and author. These preset showcase the wide range of effects possible with the tool, although they may vary in volume due to the impact of input and drive settings on the sound and volume.
Zen Delay Virtual’s X-Factors Are:
- Versatility and Depth of Modulation: The ZDV’s LFOs and additional frequency and amplitude modulation controls open up a vast range of rhythmic patterns and textures. This feature, coupled with the ability to modulate the sample rate using the same LFO as the filter, creates sound design possibilities that surpass the capabilities of its hardware counterpart.
- Comprehensive Preset System: With 56 artist-designed presets and robust sorting capabilities, the ZDV provides a diverse range of pre-engineered sound profiles. Although this system has volume variation, it demonstrates the extreme range of effects achievable, thereby expanding the software’s utility in ambient electronic music production.
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The Cube
Lunacy Audio’s CUBE brings a fresh perspective to sample-based creative instruments, providing an innovative platform for ambient music creation. At its core, it’s a powerful sample player and effects engine that uses a 3D cube for sound processing. CUBE offers exceptional versatility with the ability to blend up to 8 samples simultaneously (one for each corner of the cube), each having two layers. Its blending technique, controlled by dragging an animated orb within the 3D virtual space, creates a unique opportunity for modulation.
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In addition to its extraordinary blending mechanism, CUBE offers various sound manipulation techniques such as reverse, loop, arpeggiation, filtering, envelope, step sequencing, panning, pitch tune, and more. It also boasts a comprehensive FX suite comprising 13 FX modules, including filters, parametric EQ, Saturation, Waveshaping, Compressor, Chorus, Phaser, Delay, two reverbs (algorithmic and IR), and a limiter. Each sound source consists of two layers – the original sound and a processed version – that can be blended with the Ether slider.
CUBE’s X-Factors Are:
- Innovative 3D Sound Blender: With up to 8 samples that can be blended and processed within a 3D cube, CUBE creates an engaging, visually guided method of sound manipulation. This innovative interface enables unprecedented sound blending, layering, and modulation.
- Comprehensive Effects and Modulation Suite: The extensive FX modules, sound manipulation techniques, and the ability to import external impulse responses allow for vast creative possibilities in sound shaping and texture creation. This results in a versatile instrument that can turn out lush, high-definition, and atmospheric soundscapes.
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Generate
Generate by Newfangled Audio is a revolutionary polysynth developed with an innovative mindset that brings chaos and uniqueness to sound production. Unlike traditional synthesizers, Generate employs chaotic generators based on advanced algorithms, creating a soundscape filled with random character and vivacity. This modern and exciting VST plugin also features up to eight voices that can be allocated to mono, poly, and unison, enabling the production of larger-than-life sounds. Furthermore, it’s loaded with features you’d expect in a first-class synthesizer, which allow you to create a wide array of sound textures, from beautifully complex pads to jittery sequenced basses.
In Generate, the chaotic generators are fed directly into the wave folder, a sophisticated audio processing tool that can deliver anything from harmonic coloration to savage industrial grunts. Along with these novel features, Generate incorporates more familiar elements such as MIDI input, two envelope generators, two LFOs, Sample + Hold, and a small step sequencer. It also includes a solid selection of effects like EQ, Chorus, Delay, and a mesmerizing Reverb that helps create an ambient, immersive experience. However, one must remember that Generate’s high computational requirements can strain your system resources.
Generate’s X-Factors Are:
- Chaotic Generators: This innovative feature gives Generate its distinctive character. Each of the five chaotic generators brings its unique flair, making for an unpredictable and exhilarating experience.
- Advanced Modulation Capabilities: Generate’s wide range of modulators allows you to adjust almost any synth parameter, offering exceptional flexibility and control. The MIDI compatibility, envelope generators, LFOs, Sample + Hold, and step sequencer all contribute to an in-depth, customizable sound design process.
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Loom II
Loom II by AIR is a powerful additive synth ideal for creating ambient electronic music, allowing producers to craft tonnes of great harmonic complexity. It achieves this by generating up to 512 sine waves per voice, manipulated collectively to emulate standard synthesis functions, such as filtering and modulation. Its main Edit page hosts a semi-modular environment with ten slots for loading one of 37 partial-processing modules, including filters, effects, sequencers, dynamic shapers, and more.
The recent introduction of four new modules, including the intriguing Double Wave, has further enhanced its capability. The sounds Loom II can create range from clean and precise to rich and textured, perfect for pads, textures, and other sonic landscapes prevalent in ambient music.
Loom II’s X-Factors Are:
- Robust Semi-Modular Environment: With ten slots for any of the 37 available modules, Loom II offers an expansive and versatile sound design space. The variety of filters, effects, sequencers, and dynamic shapers allows for a broad spectrum of sound manipulation options, making it a standout tool for ambient music production.
- Spectral Manipulation and Morphing Capabilities: Loom II excels in its spectral manipulation features, distorting and modulating frequencies in various innovative ways. Additionally, its macro-driven morphing system enables real-time sound transformations, facilitating dynamic and evolving soundscapes characteristic of ambient electronic music. This combination of spectral manipulation and sound morphing adds depth and interest to any music production.
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KSHMR Reverb
KSHMR Reverb, developed in partnership with W.A. Production, is a versatile plugin tailored toward crafting immersive ambient electronic music. It integrates unique features inspired by KSHMR’s reverb techniques, such as reverse swells, transient removal, and side-chaining. The plugin presents an intuitive layout with a variety of reverb types and a plethora of presets. Users can manipulate standard parameters like diffusion, pre-delay, width, length, and size to create the perfect ambiance. KSHMR Reverb also stands out with its Mix Knob and two operating modes, which allow precise control over the balance between dry and wet volumes.
KSHMR Reverb’s X-Factors Are:
- Unique Bottom Panel Effects: KSHMR Reverb features innovative effects, such as Full Duck and Fade-In Duck, allowing producers to fine-tune how reverb interacts with the main sound. The reverb volume can be reduced to avoid interference with the instrumental parts, while the Fade-In Duck provides a more natural-sounding reverb. Additionally, it includes a Reverse Reverb function for creating swells that add cohesiveness to melodies.
- Tonal Reset and Pitched Reverb Features: The Tonal Reset feature detects transients and restarts the reverb every time a new one occurs, helping to clean up the mix. Meanwhile, the Pitched Reverb function adds an octave harmony, enabling producers to thicken the timbre of instruments and create richer, more complex soundscapes. This combination of unique features provides producers with a wider range of sound manipulation possibilities.
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Orb Tempus
Orb Tempus is a groundbreaking VST plugin that delivers an unparalleled capability to transform any audio into a polyphonic and deeply atmospheric version, bringing out profound depth and ambiance in your compositions. Its standout feature is its ability to slow down any sample and create chords, providing an expansive landscape for creative exploration and experimentation. This tool is a boon for those aiming to instill their music with a rich depth and atmosphere.
Orb Tempus’s X-Factors Are:
- Advanced Slow-Down Automation and Post-Effects Processing: Orb Tempus stands out with its innovative slow-down automation, allowing you to manipulate the tempo and pitch of any audio sample. This feature, combined with its advanced post-effects processing capabilities, offers producers a wealth of creative control over the texture and modulation of their sounds.
- Versatile Sound Shaping Parameters: Equipped with a tone parameter, compressor, drive, and intelligent dry/wet control, Orb Tempus ensures producers have a broad spectrum of sound shaping options. This full automation contributes significantly to the plugin’s versatility, allowing you to create immersive, attention-grabbing ambient music that resonates with listeners over time.
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Wormhole
Zynaptiq’s Wormhole plugin delivers an intriguing blend of pitch shift, delay, reverb, and other effects, opening up a cosmos of unique soundscapes for producers. This tool doesn’t simply cover a wide range of sonic territory but allows users to delve into parallel musical universes.
Wormhole’s versatility extends beyond ambient music production, making it suitable for ethereal musical creations and film sound design. With capabilities spanning from creating shifted, reverb-drenched shimmers, alien robot voices, and pitch-manipulation effects to sound morphing, Wormhole embodies a perfect fusion of technology and creativity.
Zynaptiq’s Wormhole’s X-Factors Are:
- Exceptional Sound Processing Capabilities: Wormhole presents a collection of sound processing modules that can be leveraged in various ways. This versatile architecture enables producers to design sounds ranging from musical and ethereal to surreal. The highlight here is the new technology used in the pitch-manipulation algorithms, which deliver an impressive four-octave range shift, free from undesirable aliasing and side effects.
- Versatile Control Over Sound Design: Wormhole provides extensive control over each step of the sound production process with a GUI that is as enigmatic as it is functional. Features like spectral warping, pitch and frequency shifting, dual random-modulated hall reverb, delay, and wet/dry morphing or blending offer deep customizability. Furthermore, a unique parameter randomizer generates variations on the initial theme rather than random chaos, fostering a creative, experimental environment for producers.
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Crystallizer
Soundtoys’ Crystallizer is a granular echo synthesizer that allows for extraordinary manipulations of audio that are fantastic for creating ethereal, ambient sounds. The tool offers the possibility of fragmenting the input into tiny grains, only to echo them out in evolving spirals of sonic textures. Crystallizer can meet your needs whether you’re seeking to establish delicate shimmering echoes, galactic reverbs, or engrossing soundscapes.
Crystallizer introduces a time-reversing element to its audio manipulations, expanding beyond mere echoes. This feature, borrowed from Eventide’s H3000 Harmonizer® effects processor, transforms typical echoes into immersive sonic experiences. Further adding to the versatility, you can control the grain size and pitch/delay controls to add variety and depth to your ambient compositions.
You can hear the magic of this plugin used delicately on the vocal effects and atmospheres in my track ‘Desperate Only’ where the vocals can reflect and echo in complex, near-granular ways that allow me to get ‘less for more’ out of the few elements in the mix.
Crystallizer’s X-Factors Are:
- Granular Echo Synthesis: Unlike traditional delay and echo effects, Crystallizer utilizes granular echo synthesis, which allows for a new level of control and creative potential. Breaking the audio into tiny fragments and echoing them out creates a rich, expansive sound that stands out.
- Time Reversing Feature: One unique element that sets Crystallizer apart is its capacity to reverse audio fragments in time, introducing a fresh layer of texture and space to the sound. This distinctive feature allows users to generate unique soundscapes and intricate sonic details.
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