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Synth1

Synth1 is a free software synthesizer plugin for computer music production on Windows and macOS.

Place
#20 of 38
Score
5.9
Synth1's website

What Synth1 is

Synth1 is a free software synthesizer plugin for computer music production on Windows and macOS. Its sound engine uses two oscillators and a sub-oscillator, with FM, ring modulation, sync, and a modulation envelope. Sound-shaping options include four filter types, distortion, two LFOs, an arpeggiator, tempo-synchronized delay, and stereo chorus/flanger. The maker lists 32-note polyphony and 128 preset sounds. Synth1 works with DAWs that support VSTi on Windows or AU on Mac; GarageBand and REAPER are named as Mac examples. The Windows release is a 32/64-bit VSTi for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10, and requires an x86/x64 CPU with SSE2 support. The Mac release is a 64-bit AU for macOS 10.8 and later. The maker says Intel Macs were tested, while M1 support is unconfirmed. Factory presets are not included by default in the Mac version and must be downloaded separately. The maker permits commercial music use without contacting them.

Good

  • Freeware plugin for Windows and macOS.
  • Includes two oscillators, a sub-oscillator, and four filter types.
  • Offers 32-note polyphony and 128 preset sounds.
  • Commercial music use is permitted.

Watch out

  • Synth1 is not multitimbral.
  • Mac factory presets must be downloaded separately.
  • M1 Mac support is unconfirmed.
  • The English manual is labeled incomplete.

Who it suits

Synth1 suits music makers looking for a free plugin with a range of synthesis and sound-shaping controls. It is for DAW setups that support VSTi on Windows or AU on Mac.

Verdict

Synth1 offers a broad set of synthesis controls as a free DAW plugin. Check its platform requirements and note that the Mac presets are separate downloads and M1 support is unconfirmed.

Plans and prices

From Synth1's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreewareFreeFreeware; VSTi/AU plugin

The facts

Each one read from Synth1's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Commercial use
The maker says Synth1 may be used in commercial music without contacting the maker.checked 4 Oct 2026
DAW compatibility
It works with DAWs that support VSTi on Windows or AU on Mac; the maker names GarageBand and REAPER as Mac examples.checked 4 Oct 2026
Manual status
The English manual labels itself incomplete.checked 4 Oct 2026
Notable limitation
The English manual says Synth1 is not multitimbral.checked 4 Oct 2026
Preset installation
The Mac version does not include the factory presets by default, so they must be downloaded separately.checked 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
Synth1 is a software synthesizer intended for computer music production.checked 4 Oct 2026
Security note
The maker documents a GarageBand sandbox that changes where the zipbank folder is stored and links to instructions for a macOS security warning.checked 4 Oct 2026
Sound shaping
It includes four filter types, distortion, two LFOs, an arpeggiator, tempo-synchronized delay, and stereo chorus/flanger.checked 4 Oct 2026
Support
The maker asks users to report bugs by email and says it will respond as much as possible.checked 4 Oct 2026
Synthesis
It has two oscillators and a sub-oscillator, with FM, ring modulation, sync, and a modulation envelope.checked 4 Oct 2026
Voices and presets
The maker lists 32-note polyphony and 128 preset sounds.checked 4 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Mac support
The listed Mac release is AU 64-bit for macOS 10.8 and later; the maker says Intel Macs were tested and M1 Macs were unconfirmed.checked 4 Oct 2026
Windows support
The listed Windows release is VSTi 32/64-bit for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10, and requires an x86/x64 CPU supporting SSE2.checked 4 Oct 2026

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