From mysterious melodies, to orchestral pads, flutes can be a very powerful instrument. Flute VST’s have been popular for a while, due to their sound and timbre. Quite a few of these flute vst plugins are expensive though.
That’s why in this article, we’re going to be running through the best free flute VST plugins available right now!.
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Here is the complete list of the best free flute VST plugins:
Contents
VSCO2 Flute (Best Free Flute Plugin)
VSCO2 is easily one of the most comprehensive and widely used free orchestral libraries ever made.
- VSCO2 Flute is known for its high-quality and realistic flute sounds. It's designed to capture the nuances and characteristics of a real flute, making it suitable for various musical genres and projects.
- The VSCO2 Flute is offered as part of the Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra 2 (VSCO2) library, which includes a range of orchestral instruments. The library is either free or available at an affordable price compared to some other virtual instrument libraries.
- The library often includes a variety of articulations and playing techniques, allowing you to create expressive and dynamic flute performances in your compositions.
- The VSCO2 library is designed to be relatively lightweight in terms of storage space and system requirements. This can be beneficial for users with limited resources or looking for efficient virtual instruments.
- Versilian Studios has a community of users, and there are forums and resources available for users to share experiences, troubleshoot, and exchange tips.
- While the VSCO2 Flute provides a high-quality flute sound, it might offer less sound customization compared to some premium virtual instrument libraries. Users who require in-depth sound shaping capabilities might find it limiting.
- As a more affordable or free virtual instrument library, VSCO2 Flute might lack some of the advanced features, effects, and capabilities present in higher-end virtual instruments.
- Depending on your digital audio workstation (DAW) or software, you might encounter compatibility issues or need to configure settings to integrate VSCO2 Flute seamlessly into your workflow.
- While the VSCO2 library has a community and support, free or low-cost libraries might not receive as frequent updates or technical support as more premium options.
Whenever we’re talking about free orchestral sounds, Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra 2 often makes it to the top.
Versilian Studios keeps up it’s philosophy of “Real” samples, by employing all types of players and instruments, to create an incredibly unique and full-of-character, sample library.
Using VSCO2, you’ll find textures and timbres that you’ve never heard of. Rare instruments like recorded bass, circular alto horn or ophicleide are also included, giving you a truly awesome selection of sounds
All sounds were recorded using transparent equipment and microphones, with as little processing as possible, to give you complete control over the instruments you get.
VSCO2 is easily one of the most comprehensive and widely used free orchestral libraries ever made. Even if you eventually get tired of the incredible selection of free sounds on offer, VSCO2 has two paid versions available.
Standard Edition comes with 35 instruments and over 9000 samples, with plenty of articulation and is only available as a Kontakt library. The professional edition however, expands your library up to 92 instruments and over 23,000 samples.
This 16GB beast comes with multiple mic options, ensembles, impressive articulation and more. You’ll never run out of orchestral sounds with Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra 2
How Does It Sound?
Here’s a quick video of what you can expect from VSCO2 Flute
Our Thoughts
Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra is one of our favorite free orchestral plugins.
The Community Edition comes with an awesome 3000 samples to use. Available as both a VST plugin or a Kontakt library, VSCO2 will be awesome for anyone looking for a free flute vst.
Offering more than just Flutes, VSCO2 covers all orchestral woodwinds, rare flute sounds as well as other instrument sounds. That being said, the Community Edition of VSCO2 features only 19 instruments, and only offers basic articulation.
This is becomes less of of an issue when you remember, that it comes with an incredibly high quality set of samples and instruments though.
Simple Flute (Most Simplistic Flute VST Free)
- Simple Flute offers a well-sounding flute sample library with 130 samples recorded at 44Khz/24Bit. This can contribute to a realistic and expressive flute performance in your compositions.
- The instrument uses a customized version of WIPS Scripts, allowing for enhanced playability and control over the sound. This scripting can help create a more dynamic and responsive playing experience.
- The instrument features adjustable vibrato, enabling you to add natural variations in pitch and intensity to your flute performances.
- With three phase-locked dynamic layers, Simple Flute can offer variations in intensity and dynamics as you play, contributing to a more authentic performance.
- The instrument includes two articulations, long and short, which can provide versatility in your flute playing styles.
- The availability of micro tuning presets and a wide selection of impulse reverb presets can help you tailor the flute sound to fit different musical contexts.
- Simple Flute supports breath and wind.
- Simple Flute requires the full version of Native Instruments Kontakt 4.2.4 or above. Users who don't already own Kontakt might need to purchase it to use this instrument.
- The instrument is not compatible with Kontakt Player, which might limit its usability for those who primarily use Kontakt Player.
- Users need to have a system that meets the requirements, including sufficient RAM and hard drive space.
- The sample library size is relatively small (55 MB compressed), which might affect the overall variety and depth of sound.
- While Simple Flute offers two main articulations, some users might want more articulation options for even greater variety.
Simple Flute by Fluffy Audio, is just what it sounds like – it’s a single, great-sounding flute instrument for Kontakt.
Simple Flute excels in its playability, using a great scripting engine as well as awesome samples, Simple Flute can sound incredibly realistic.
Offering multi-tempo playability as well as controllable vibrato and legato, Simple Flute is one of those plugins that can easily fool people into thinking it’s a real flute.
In addition to this, you also get three phase locked dynamic layers, two articulations as well as micro tuning, and a selection of reverb impulse presets.
Simple Flute allows you to play with breath and wind controllers, as well as keyswitching, to change articulations. Lastly, the super smooth crossfading between your three dynamic layers, means that Simple Flute can produce impressively realistic trills and grace notes.
How Does It Sound?
If you want to hear it in action, check it out in this YouTube video below
Our Thoughts
If what you’re looking for is a straight up free flute plugin, Simple Flute might be the best option for you.
You don’t get an orchestra full of instruments, but you get an awesomely playable and great-sounding instrument, for free.
The amount of control, as well as the convolution IR’s, make this one of our favorite Flute VST plugins.
You will need Kontakt to run it however, so unless you have Kontakt, Simple flute might not be what you’re looking for.
Mini DiZi (Best Free Bamboo Flute VST)
Mini DiZi is the free version of Kong Audio's ChineeWinds Chinese Flute VSTi. Mini DiZi covers Tenor DiZi, Xiao, and some different expression styles to give you a taste of the various Dizi sounds.
- Mini DiZi aims to capture the authentic sound of the traditional Chinese DiZi flute, providing a unique and culturally rich sound palette for your music.
- Virtual instruments like Mini DiZi often offer features that allow for expressive playability, such as dynamic responsiveness and articulation variations.
- Mini DiZi's specialization in emulating the DiZi makes it a dedicated instrument for users specifically looking for this particular sound.
- If you're interested in learning about traditional Chinese music or the DiZi flute, Mini DiZi can serve as an educational tool.
- While Mini DiZi specializes in traditional Chinese sounds, it can also be used creatively in fusion genres to add unique flavors to your music.
- The sound of the DiZi flute is specific to traditional Chinese music, so its usability might be limited to projects that specifically call for this type of sound.
- While it can be used creatively in fusion genres, its primary application might be limited to traditional, East Asian, or world music styles.
- If you're not familiar with traditional Chinese music or playing techniques, there might be a learning curve to fully utilize the instrument's potential.
- Mini DiZi might not be suitable for all musical projects due to its specific cultural focus.
- Recreating the nuances and expressiveness of the DiZi might pose challenges for MIDI-based playability, as traditional instruments often rely on complex techniques that might not translate perfectly to digital interfaces.
- Depending on the version and features of Mini DiZi, it might have limitations in terms of articulation variations and dynamic layers compared to more advanced virtual instruments.
Kong Audio’s Mini DiZi is the free version of their ChineeWinds Chinese Flute vst plugins.
Mini DiZi is a very simple plugin, offering only a few different sounds and expressions styles, as well as control. That being said, the included Tenor DiZi and Xiao sounds are unique and inspiring.
Chinese Dizi flutes, or bamboo flutes is one of the most popular instruments in traditional Chinese music. In addition to this, the Xiao flute is an ancient, vertically held Chinese instrument, with an extremely unique timbre.
While these instruments are more situational, than your standard western orchetral flute, the timbres of these instruments are sure to inject your music with a tonne of character.
Mini DiZi is the free version of ChineeWinds by Kong Audio. But, if you’re enjoying the sound of your Mini DiZi, ChineeWinds might be worth a look. Offering two tenor dizi, two treble dizi, two bass dizi and one chaozhou dizi, you’ll have more than enough choice of your favorite chinese flute sounds.
ChineeWinds are multi-sampled, with many expressive articulation options as well as phrases to use in your music. All samples are recorded in 24-bit 44.1 kHz sample rate, and the files end up taking around 320 MB of space.
How Does It Sound?
If you’re wondering how it sounds, you can check it out in this YouTube video below! We think you’ll like what you hear.
Our Thoughts
The Kong Audio Mini DiZi is an awesome little plugin. While it looks dated and a bit uninviting, the sounds you get are impressively unique and full of character.
The download website is a mess, but if you get through the pain of downloading Mini DiZi, you won’t be disappointed by the instrument.
We don’t find as much use for this as we do for more western flutes, but they can be the perfect thing, to add an eastern vibe to your sound.
Iowa Alto Flute
Iowa Alto Flute is not a collection of instruments, rather, focusing on the one single instrument and sound.
- Iowa Alto Flute is available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including those on a budget.
- The instrument focuses on emulating the sound of an alto flute, which can be useful for composers and producers looking to incorporate the unique timbre of this instrument into their compositions.
- The library might offer various articulations, allowing for greater expressiveness and realism in your flute performances.
- Being a free instrument, it might be designed to have a relatively small file size and minimal system requirements, making it suitable for those with limited resources.
- If the instrument features MIDI controls, it could provide greater playability and expressiveness by allowing MIDI controllers (e.g., modulation wheel, velocity) to influence various parameters of the instrument's sound.
- As a free instrument, Iowa Alto Flute might lack some of the advanced features and capabilities found in more premium virtual instrument libraries.
- While the instrument aims to emulate an alto flute, the sound quality might not be as nuanced or realistic as what is available in higher-end commercial virtual instrument libraries.
- Free virtual instruments might not always offer the same level of playability, responsiveness, and dynamic range as their more professional counterparts.
- Compatibility with different digital audio workstations (DAWs) and operating systems could be limited compared to well-established commercial virtual instrument libraries.
- Free instruments like Iowa Alto Flute might not receive frequent updates or comprehensive technical support.
- Depending on the specific features of the instrument, it might offer limited articulations or a smaller sound palette compared to more comprehensive virtual instrument libraries.
The Iowa Alto Flute is a sampled alto flute from the University of Iowa Electronic Music Studios.
Recognisable by their awesome creativity in sampling, the University of Iowa EMS team has created a cool library of different sounds.
The Alto Flute is one of their Woodwind instruments, recorded with a Neumann KM84 Cardioid microphone.
The samples have been recorded in an Anechoic Chamber, played by Sonja Feig, and include an array of velocities and expressons.
Unlike VSCO2 or Mini DiZi, Iowa Alto Flute is not a collection of instruments, rather, focusing on the one single instrument and sound.
The recordings are also high quality, and the sounds you can get out of the Iowa Alto Flute are some of the best free flute vst tones ever.
How Does It Sound?
If you’re wondering how Alto Flute sounds, check it out below! We don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Our Thoughts
We love the University of Iowa Electronic Music Studios library of sounds. Found Objects is probably our favorite, along with the great selection of orchestral percussion. That being said, all the sounds they have available are super high quality.
The Flute is no exception, played, recorded and sampled by world class professionals is bound to lead to great results.
The only drawback would be the uninspiring user interface of the VST, but this is not an issue, when all you are concerned about is having a great Flute sound.
Sonatina Flute
Part of the fabled Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra sample library, Sonatina includes 4 different flute sounds, edited from the Sonatina library.
- Sonatina Flute is often available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including those on a budget.
- The instrument focuses on emulating the sound of a flute, providing a basic representation of the instrument's timbre and character.
- Free virtual instruments like Sonatina Flute are often designed with simplicity in mind, making them suitable for beginners or for quick sketching of musical ideas.
- Being a free instrument, it's likely designed to have a relatively small file size and minimal system requirements, making it suitable for those with limited resources.
- If the instrument offers MIDI controls, it could provide greater playability and expressiveness by allowing MIDI controllers (e.g., modulation wheel, velocity) to influence various parameters of the instrument's sound.
- Free virtual instruments might not have the same level of detail, nuance, and realism as higher-end commercial alternatives. The sound quality might be basic compared to more advanced libraries.
- Sonatina Flute might lack advanced features such as extensive articulations, round-robin sampling, or expressive scripting found in more professional virtual instrument libraries.
- While it's suitable for basic usage, free virtual instruments might not offer the same level of playability, responsiveness, and dynamic range as paid options.
- Articulation and Expression: Limited articulation options and expression controls might affect the versatility and realism of performances.
- Compatibility with different digital audio workstations (DAWs) and operating systems could be limited compared to well-established commercial virtual instrument libraries.
- Free instruments might not receive frequent updates or comprehensive technical support.
Part of the fabled Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra sample library, Sonatina includes 4 different flute sounds, edited from the Sonatina library.
These are:
- Flute
- Sustain Flutes
- Staccato Flutes
- Alto Flute
With that in mind, Sonatina is not just a flute vst.
You get over a hundred different instruments, covering the entire Symphonic Orchestra, from Piano, to violins and cellos, to flutes and percussion.
Made in 2010 by Mattias Westlund, a lot of people have fell in love with the Sonatina collection. It’s been made by fans into full VST’s, that are now available all over, for free.
Any collection of free sounds as expansive as this, is hard to pass up. If you’re looking for flutes, but wouldn’t mind having an entire orchestra alongside with it, Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra might be for you
How Does It Sound?
Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra sounds amazing. If you don’t believe us, check out the video below and take a listen for yourself!
Our Thoughts
Interestingly enough, Mattias own webpage for SSO tries to dissuade you from getting it, linking rather to Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra.
We’d disagree however, VSCO2 is an awesome orchestral collection, but when you compare the free version of VSCO2 to Sonatina, the difference could not be more staggering. VSCO2 offers 19 instruments, while SSO offers close to a hundred different instruments and sounds to use.
The UI is a bit lackluster and uninspiring, but we really recommend you experiment with what SSO has to offer.
RECsoprano (Best Free Recorder VST)
RECsoprano is a free virtual soprano recorded instrument, made by Tekit Audio.
- RECsoprano offers a free and authentic representation of a soprano recorder's sound, which can be useful for adding a natural woodwind element to your music.
- The availability of contemporary, renaissance, and baroque tunings sets RECsoprano apart. This variety can be valuable for achieving different historical or tonal contexts.
- The ability to control the envelope (attack, decay, sustain, release) of the sound can help you shape the characteristics of each note, enhancing realism and expression.
- The polyphonic capability allows you to play multiple notes at once, enabling harmonies and chords.
- The addition of reverb can help create a more immersive and spacious sound environment for the recorder instrument.
- The visual representation of the fingering as you play can be a valuable learning and practicing tool for musicians not familiar with the recorder.
- The modern and aesthetically pleasing user interface sets RECsoprano apart from other free plugins with less attractive interfaces.
- RECsoprano focuses solely on emulating a soprano recorder. If you're looking for a broader range of woodwind sounds, you might need to use additional virtual instruments.
- The soprano recorder sound might not be suitable for all musical contexts. Its usability might be limited to scenarios that call for a recorder's specific timbre.
- There might not be many occasions where a soprano recorder is the exact sound you need. It's important to assess whether this particular sound fits your music projects.
RECsoprano is a free virtual soprano recorded instrument, made by Tekit Audio.
The Recorded was sampled by Mihai Sorohan, and has had a selection of the traditional tuning and envelope control, as well as polyphonic voicing and reverb added on top.
Not many plugins offer you the choice between a contemporary as well as renaissance and baroque tuning, which makes RECsoprano quite unique.
You also get a great visual representation of the recorded fingering, while you play it.
Additionally, breaking the trend of bland and ugly free plugin UI’s, RECsoprano looks awesome. The design of the plugin is sleek and modern, and a real sight for sore eyes after the User Interfaces of SSO and the Iowa Alto Flute.
How Does It Sound?
It’s a great woodwind vst that’s free and sounds great! If you don’t believe us take a listen to the sounds in the video below
Our Thoughts
RECsoprano is just what you think it is, a soprano recorder, so that’s what you get, there are no extra sounds to choose from, it’s just a single instrument.
This might be just what you’re looking for, but from experience, there’s not many occasions, where a soprano recorder is just the thing you need.
With that in mind however, if you’re looking for a great woodwind sound with an awesome interface and unique control, RECsoprano will be awesome for you.
Varazuvi Indian Flute
Iowa Alto Flute is not a collection of instruments, rather, focusing on the one single instrument and sound.
- Iowa Alto Flute is available for free, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including those on a budget.
- The instrument focuses on emulating the sound of an alto flute, which can be useful for composers and producers looking to incorporate the unique timbre of this instrument into their compositions.
- The library might offer various articulations, allowing for greater expressiveness and realism in your flute performances.
- Being a free instrument, it might be designed to have a relatively small file size and minimal system requirements, making it suitable for those with limited resources.
- If the instrument features MIDI controls, it could provide greater playability and expressiveness by allowing MIDI controllers (e.g., modulation wheel, velocity) to influence various parameters of the instrument's sound.
- As a free instrument, Iowa Alto Flute might lack some of the advanced features and capabilities found in more premium virtual instrument libraries.
- While the instrument aims to emulate an alto flute, the sound quality might not be as nuanced or realistic as what is available in higher-end commercial virtual instrument libraries.
- Free virtual instruments might not always offer the same level of playability, responsiveness, and dynamic range as their more professional counterparts.
- Compatibility with different digital audio workstations (DAWs) and operating systems could be limited compared to well-established commercial virtual instrument libraries.
- Free instruments like Iowa Alto Flute might not receive frequent updates or comprehensive technical support.
- Depending on the specific features of the instrument, it might offer limited articulations or a smaller sound palette compared to more comprehensive virtual instrument libraries.
The Varazuvi Indian flute is an awesome virtual instrument featuring real recordings of an Indian Flute, that have been recorded in 24-Bit WAV files.
With complete control over the standard envelope and amp controls, you can shape the sound in any way you want. Additionally, there are two entire octaves of multiple velocity layers for samples, including three different playing styles.
You also get a reverb on top of everything else, allowing you to create unique and mysterious flute tones.
Recorded in 24-bit 48 kHz resolution, Varazuvi Indian Flute offers a more dynamic experience for the player and listener.
Just like Mini DiZi or RecSoprano, this is one of those flute sounds, that will be more situational. That being said, it sounds very realistic, and is great for playing with MIDI.
How Does It Sound?
The Indian Flute sounds like what we’d expect an Indian flute sounds like. It also sounds awesome! Check it out for yourself in the video below
Our Thoughts
We really like the Varazuvi Indian Flute. It’s a very inspiring sound, and we’ve used it on multiple occassions. Unlike a recorder, the Varazuvi Indian Flute finds more use in our productions.
Whether that’s due to it’s interesting timbre, or the fact that you can make your track sound like it’s playing on a far-away mountain in the Avatar universe, but we like it a lot.
Plus, it’s free, so the only reason you might not want to get it is because you’re running out of disk space. In which case, delete some of your old pictures, and get back here to download Varazuvi Indian Flute.
Finishing Up
To recap, here’s the entire list of the best free flute VST plugins:
| Plugin Name | Description | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|
| VSCO2 Flute | Part of Versilian Studios Chamber Orchestra 2, known for “Real” samples. Offers a comprehensive and widely used free orchestral library. | Rare instruments included, minimal processing, high quality. |
| Simple Flute | A single, realistic-sounding flute instrument by Fluffy Audio, designed for Kontakt. | Multi-tempo playability, controllable vibrato and legato, realistic dynamics. |
| Mini DiZi | A simple plugin by Kong Audio, featuring unique sounds of Chinese bamboo flutes: Tenor DiZi and Xiao. | Unique timbres, limited but characterful sounds. |
| Iowa Alto Flute | A sampled alto flute from the University of Iowa Electronic Music Studios, recorded with high-quality equipment. | High-quality recordings, unique sound. |
| Sonatina Flute | Part of Sonatina Symphonic Orchestra, offering a range of flute sounds and other orchestral instruments. | Extensive range of instruments, several flute types. |
| RECsoprano | A virtual soprano recorder by Tekit Audio, offering traditional, renaissance, and baroque tunings. | Unique tuning options, visual fingering representation, modern UI. |
| Varazuvi Indian Flute | A virtual instrument featuring real recordings of an Indian Flute, with complete control over standard envelope and amp controls. | Realistic sound, multiple velocity layers, reverb options, and dynamic playing styles. |
Whether you’re looking for a traditional western orchestral flute sound, or an exotic Chinese or Indian flute, there are quite a few awesome options out there for you.
Hopefully, you’ve found some free flute VST plugins that have caught your eye, in which case, get to downloading, and using these awesome sounds in your own music.
Woodwind tones sound emotional and ethereal, using these in your music is sure to bring a personalized sound to whatever you create.
FAQ
What Is A Flute VST?
A flute VST is commonly a sampler instrument that uses a library of samples to enable a composer to access a professional flute sound, without having to hire a studio or an entire orchestra of flute players. You can use flute VSTs with MIDI keyboards, and in DAW software like Ableton, Logic, and more.
Most flute VSTs & Libraries will use Kontakt as the sampler host. You can use a few with Kontakt player (which is free), but many will need you to download the full version of Kontakt.
Where Can I Find More Free Flute VSTs?
There are many websites where you can find free VST plugins including:
What Are The Best Flute VST Libraries? (Paid)
Often paid flute VST libraries will be much better than those you can get for free. Many free libraries don’t provide a full professional sound. If you want to sound professional, it’s best to invest your money to do so. Kontakt libraries are the best way to get great-sounding flute and other orchestral sounds.
Here is the complete list of the best flute VST libraries:
Toms is a music producer & DJ, born and raised in Post Soviet Latvia. Currently based in Brighton, Toms has had over 6 years of experience with all things production and in that time, he’s done a tonne of cool stuff! He’s played multiple festivals, had experience in the field with mixing & mastering and even become a freelance journalist in the music industry.
Toms currently creates music under the alias Sovereign. Producing music that’s intimate and subtle, while full of edge and energy, the young producer combines the artistic sounds of Trip Hop artists like Massive Attack, with the energy and youthfulness of producers like Flume, Jamie XX and Yaeji. You can check his stuff on Soundcloud.
