If you’re into electronic music, 8-bit music, or anything lo-fi, you’ve probably heard of effects like Bitcrushers and other Decimators, which alter the bit resolution and/or sample rate of a track to produce distortion effects.
Of course, there are paid plugins for these kinds of effects, but there are also a number of high-quality free bitcrushers (and I find that most of the time, those are sufficient).
Perhaps because programming these effects is a bit less complex than programming a good compressor or a reverb.
Here is a selection of the best free bitcrushers, each differing in sound as well as filtering and modulation capabilities.
► Also read: my selection of the best free audio plugins
1. TAL Bitcrusher
Developer: Togu Audio Line
Format: VST (32 and 64 bits on Windows, 32 bits on Mac), AU (32 bits)
The plugins from Togu Audio Line, aka TAL, are somewhat old but still very effective.
Thus, the brand’s Bitcrusher, although no longer updated, is still available and continues to produce great sounds.
It is a fairly standard bitcrusher (Bit Depth adjustment from 0 to 32 bits, sample rate divider up to 1/512), enhanced with some nice features, such as a white noise-based modulator and high-shelf and low-shelf filters.
A very nice plugin for beginners, but not only!
► Click here to download TAL Bitcrusher
2. DeltaModulator
Developer: Xfer Records
Format: VST, AU (32 and 64 bits)
A bit in the same style as the previous plugin because it’s easy to use, we find the DeltaModulator from XFer Records.
The interface is very small, so if you have a high-resolution screen it may not be very practical, but it is still a very interesting plugin: unlike traditional bitcrushers, it uses a “delta” modulation technique that results in a sound similar to what could be heard on Nintendo NES game consoles.
Clearly, if you want to give your music an 8-bit/video game vibe, this is the plugin for you. But that’s not its only use, so I recommend you try it anyway 😉
► Click here to download DeltaModulator
3. Dystroyed
Developer: Damaged (no longer exists as of now)
Format: VST, VST3, AU (32 and 64 bits)
At the time of writing, Dystroyed is a very recent plugin, having just been revealed during the KVR Contest 2018, a plugin development competition organized by the famous KVR site.
The plugin mainly contains two effects: distortion and a Bit Shaping tool.
Beyond an internal (via EQ filter) or external side-chain system, Dystroyed allows you to modulate the sample rate setting based on a customizable envelope (attack, release, envelope amount).
And of all this list of plugins, it’s the only one that allows you to do that.
► Click here to download Dystroyed (via KVR)
4. HY-Lofi2
Developer: HY-Plugins
Format: VST, VST3, AU (32 and 64 bits)
Featuring a modern and resizable interface, HY-Lofi2 is an excellent bit quantization and distortion/waveshaping plugin that includes a high-pass and low-pass filter section.
With impressive quality, this plugin should easily meet your bit crushing needs, as it includes 4 different quantization modes, with several possible qualities, allowing for quite original textures.
For maximum flexibility, HY-Lofi2 also integrates an effect amount control (Dry/Wet), allowing you to apply audio processing in parallel with the original signal.
Must try it right away!
► Click here to download HY-Lofi2
5. Krush
Developer: Tritik
Format: VST, AU, AAX (32 and 64 bits)
Krush is also an excellent bit crusher, featuring a certain character especially due to the distortion it incorporates.
With a very aesthetic and resizable interface (great for large screens!), this free plugin includes a resonant high-pass or low-pass filter, but most importantly, a LFO allowing:
- a modulation of each parameter
- in sync with the DAW or not
- and according to 4 different shapes: sine, triangle, square, and random.
A very good effect, very flexible.
► Click here to download Krush
6. Regressif
Developer: Inear Display
Format: VST, AU (32 and 64 bits)
In the same genre, we also find Regressif from Inear Display, which, although it doesn’t have a very user-friendly interface (at least, I think), does have some very nice options.
Of course, there is bit reduction and sample rate reduction, knowing that the order of the two effects can be reversed if needed.
There is also a resonant filter with a control for the amount of distortion caused by the filter.
But the major strength of the plugin is that it includes two LFOs that can be connected like a modular synthesizer to most parameters. All sorts of waveforms are selectable: saw up and down, triangle, sine, square, random hold, and random glide.
In other words, if you want to experiment with somewhat atypical settings, this is probably the bitcrusher you need!
► Click here to download Regressif
7. PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit
Developer: Inphonik
Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX (64 bits only)
A rather original bitcrusher, as it is derived from the “RYM2612 Iconic FM Synthesizer” from the same brand and emulates the sound of 8-bit chips from the Sega Genesis.
For a free plugin, it still has several nice options:
- the interface is available in two formats and is resizable: rack or vertical;
- two types of decimation are integrated: Legacy (based on the Sega) or Crystal Clear (more modern):
- there is also a dry/wet setting and the ability to switch the sound to mono via a small switch.
For fans of 80s/90s video game sounds, undoubtedly!
► Click here to download PCM2612 Retro Decimator Unit
8. Bit Fluzer
Developer: NUSofting
Format: VST, AU (32 and 64 bits)
If you’re looking for a multi-channel bitcrusher, Bit Fluzer will surely be on the list as it allows for signal separation into two channels.
Each channel has its own bit reduction setting, and its panning can be adjusted independently. The two channels differ as one is associated with a high-pass filter, and the other with a low-pass filter.
However, there is no sample rate alteration.
Finally, two synchronizable LFOs (one per channel) will allow you to modulate the signal subtly or extremely: it’s up to you… 😉
► Click here to download Bit Fluzer (via KVR)
9. Thrummaschine
Developer: delamancha
Format: VST (32 bits only)
Unfortunately only available in 32-bit VST format, Thrummaschine is an interesting plugin as it combines overdrive, distortion, and bit crushing effects and allows you to adjust them independently across three different frequency bands.
An LFO also allows each band to oscillate at a unique speed, waveform, and panning.
The plugin is a bit dated, hence the smaller interface, but it remains very interesting.
► Click here to download Thrummaschine
10. MBitFun
Developer: MeldaProduction
Format: VST, VST3, AU, AAX (32 and 64 bits)
Finally, for musicians looking for an even more creative bitcrusher than those presented above, there is MBitFun, included in Melda Productions’ “MFreeFXBundle”.
MBitFun is a free but extremely advanced tool in terms of options: it is aimed at more experienced users.
Through clever conversion between 1 and 16 bits per sample, the plugin allows access to each bit of the signal through logical operations. Mathematically, in a way: indeed, there are replacement options and others named “or”, “and”, and “xor”. If that doesn’t ring a bell, check out this article on the difference between these operators.
Interestingly, many interesting presets are included in the plugin, which may allow you to get started without delving into the details of the settings.
► Click here to download MBitFun
Want more free plugins?
In terms of bitcrushers, you have probably found what you were looking for on this page. At least, I hope so! 🙂
However, if you’re also looking for other effects, I recommend taking a look at my main article on the best free audio plugins.