There are a number of free chorus plugins (VST, AU…), but not all of them sound as good as they promise.
And then, some are starting to feel a bit dated, whether in terms of the algorithm or the interface — so it’s important to do a little sorting before downloading all the plugins you find online (unless you really, really have a lot of time 😉 ).
To help you, I continue my series of articles on free audio plugins with this carefully curated selection of the best free choruses for your music productions and other mixes.
Happy downloading!
1. TAL-Chorus-LX
Developer: Togu Audio Line
Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Without a doubt, the very first chorus plugin you should download and add to your toolkit if you haven’t already.
TAL (Togu Audio Line) is an excellent brand of plugins, offering both free effects and high-end paid synthesizer simulations.
The TAL-Chorus-LX is actually derived from their simulation of the Juno 60, and has been used on famous tracks like Am I Wrong by Nico & Vinz (listen for the guitars):
The plugin is extremely easy to manipulate: you just need to select one of the two chorus modes, just like on the original synthesizer — knowing that you can combine both modes if you wish.
A Dry/wet setting will allow you to adjust the amount of effect, and a stereo width control option will help you manage the positioning of your tracks in the mix.
A very good free chorus.
► Click here to download TAL-Chorus-LX
2. Chorus WS-1
Developer: Mercuriall
Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
This Chorus WS-1 is a simulation of an effect pedal (likely inspired by the Boss CH-1 or equivalents) offered for free by the excellent brand Mercuriall, which specializes in guitar amp simulations.
Once again, we have a plugin with very simple settings: you just need to adjust the depth and speed knobs to tweak the amount of effect and modulation.
While it may not work in every situation, I find it very effective on electric guitars but also for adding a light 3D effect on mono guitar tracks, by setting the various knobs to minimum or nearly so.
► Click here to download Chorus WS-1
3. Modul8
Developer: Sender Spike
Formats: VST only (32 and 64 bits)
The brand is not well-known but offers a number of very nice free plugins — including this
4. Magic Switch
Developer: Baby Audio
Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
While it may not be my favorite brand, I must admit that Baby Audio’s Magic Switch is really effective.
And it’s incredibly easy to adjust, as you only have two knobs:
- the central triangle symbol, which activates the effect;
- the slider just below, which is a Dry/Wet control to manage the amount of effect.
Despite these limited options, Magic Switch does the job very well with a vintage, warm chorus that sounds great immediately on synthesizers.
► Click here to download Magic Switch (you need to provide your email address to receive the download link)
5. Azurite
Developer: Distorque Audio
Formats: VST (Windows only)
The interface of Azurite is not very large, but it contains a lot of settings.
In fact, this plugin is quite a complex tool that allows you to achieve many different types of chorus, from the finest and subtlest effects with 1 voice to the warm, thick, and vintage sound with 8 voices that you may be looking for.
Each voice has its own echo line, and you also have access to no less than 7 different waveforms for modulation, which offers numerous possibilities in terms of sound design.
In short, a Swiss army knife that you’ll need to learn to tame but is very effective. However, it should be noted that there is a series of useful presets (and perhaps sufficient most of the time…).
► Click here to download Azurite
6. DLYM (“Delay Modulator”)
Developer: Imaginando
Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX (and AUv3 for iOS)
A somewhat special plugin that can serve both as a chorus and a flanger.
DLYM stands out with two audio processing modes “Analog” and “Dimension,” the first being much more colored than the second, which is very transparent.
Beyond the classic chorus settings, you can:
- adjust the stereo image width with the Spread button;
- manage the cutoff frequency of the effect with the Crossover button to apply it only to certain frequencies;
- sync the chorus modulation with the tempo of your DAW;
- adjust the modulation behavior with 6 different waveforms.
In short, a fairly complete tool in a very modern interface that is easy to handle.
7. Multiply
Developer: Acon Digital
Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Multiply is a former winner of the plugin programming contest from the famous KVR website in 2014.
The interface is quite clear even though it is starting to show its age, and we appreciate that it is resizable to a certain extent.
The plugin allows you to modulate both the frequency of the signal and its amplitude, with up to 6 voices of chorus, which provides access to a fairly wide palette of sounds.
It is also worth noting the presence of an equalization module to filter the signal, which will allow you to generate both very modern sounds and somewhat darker or even vintage things.
Overall, if it sounds good most of the time, I find it effective for giving a stereo effect to a mono sound (check out the “Enhance Stereo” preset for example…).
► Click here to download Multiply
8. OSL Chorus
Developer: Oblivion Sound Lab
Formats: VST, AU
Oblivion Sound Lab is a little-known publisher that mainly offers preset packs for synthesizers.
However, one cannot deny that their OSL Chorus does the job very well with a set of moderate but sufficient settings to adjust the tone of the effect produced.
Indeed, beyond the Rate and Depth that control the modulation speed and its intensity, you also have the option to add a pre-delay to give a bit more space to the original signal, which can be useful during mixing.
No presets in this plugin, though, but that’s not necessarily a problem.
► Click here to download OSL Chorus
9. Blue Cat’s Chorus
Developer: Blue Cat Audio
Formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Ah, a French plugin in the list :)!
Yes, Blue Cat is a French brand, and it must be said that their chorus (one voice) is quite nice.
Again, we are dealing with a plugin that is fairly easy to handle: you find more or less the same settings as on the OSL Chorus mentioned above, with however a selector for the type of modulation (triangle or sine) and a much-appreciated stereo width control.
It is also worth noting that the plugin is provided in two versions (one for mono tracks and one for stereo tracks), as well as a number of quite useful presets.
► Click here to download Blue Cat’s Chorus
10. Dust Bucket
Developer: Signaldust
Formats: VST (Windows only)
Dust Bucket, as its name suggests, is inspired by the so-called “Bucket Brigade” circuits, a very specific type of electronic circuits that are notably used to generate delay effects.
However, we are dealing with an effect that has a rather clean and transparent sound, which will remain quite modern.
The plugin is interesting, even if it is a bit dated (it was created for the KVR competition in 2012!) and is only available on Windows.
Still worth testing, if you haven’t found your happiness with the previous ones… 😉
► Click here to download Dust Bucket (via Plugins4Free)
Need more free plugins?
For all things chorus effects, you should have found some interesting stuff on this page.
However, there is more to life than just choruses — so click here to check out my other selections of free plugins…