Are you on a sonic quest to create deeply moving, atmospheric tracks? Your search ends here. Ambient VST plugins are your faithful allies on this exciting journey.
These magical tools can help you weave ethereal soundscapes, adding layers of depth and texture to your music, and transporting your listeners to a whole new world.
In this article, we’re going to explore the realm of the best ambient VST plugins that can elevate your music to celestial heights.
Ready to embark on this musical voyage? Let’s dive right in!
Editors TOP 3
| Editor’s Choice | Reasons to Buy | Price |
|---|---|---|
Novum by Tracktion | – Innovative approach to sound design – Sleek interface – User friendly drag-and-drop features | Check Price |
| Arturia’s Modular V | – Warm, rich analog synthesis sound – Classic Moog sound – Budget-friendly | Check Price |
| Loom II | – Up to 512 sine waves per voice for rich tones – Very versatile – Affordable | Check Price |
Novum by Tracktion: A New Era of Synthesis
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Tracktion’s Novum is a music producer’s dream! It’s not your average synth; it’s a unique blend of spectral, granular, and subtractive synthesis all in one.
Unparalleled Sound Design
What sets Novum apart? Imagine taking a sound and splitting it into six editable layers. You have the power to shape each layer, giving you unparalleled control over your final sound.
Novum lets you tweak timbre and temporal evolution separately, a feature that makes it stand out. Plus, the ‘Timbre Flower’ adds a new twist to sound manipulation, hard to find elsewhere.
Simplified Sound Design Process
You’ll love the drag-and-drop Cross synthesis and the advanced subtractive synthesis with Syntify, analog filter, and comb filter. It simplifies the sound design process, making it intuitive and straightforward.
The modulation system is robust yet user-friendly, and the full MPE support is a blessing for any producer. The plugin is optimized for CPU efficiency, and the 300+ factory patches library is the cherry on top.
My experience
When I first used Novum, I was impressed by its sleek interface. It’s easy to use, even for beginners. Don’t let its complexity fool you, it’s surprisingly efficient, thanks to the efforts put into optimizing it for CPU usage. However, watch out for some latency during heavy usage.
Pros:
- Innovative approach to sound design
- Wide range of sound-shaping tools
- User-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface
- Full MPE support
Cons:
- Might experience high CPU usage and latency during heavy use
- Built-in effects might not be as comprehensive as other synths
Novum is a game-changer, pushing the boundaries of sound design. It’s an exciting journey of discovery, where every tweak brings you closer to your perfect sound.
Holy Ambiences by Soundiron: A Versatile Sound Companion
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Meet Holy Ambiences by Soundiron, a treasure trove of ambient synth pads, evolving soundscapes, and meticulously crafted ambient samples.
Not Just for Winter
Created with winter and holiday-themed music in mind, Holy Ambiences has evolved into a multi-genre gem. It’s an audio palette that can paint anything from frosty, sparkling textures to warm, enchanting backdrops.
An Ocean of Sounds
Imagine having 18 categories of sounds at your fingertips – each one filled with long one-shots and endlessly looping sustains. The richness and uniqueness of each hand-crafted sound adds a new layer of depth to your music.
Holy Ambiences offers a spectrum of tonal and abstract sounds that adapt to different moods and styles. The controls are fine-tuned to perfection, enabling you to tweak everything from vibrato and pitch to crossfading and layering.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, the 20 custom FX presets open up a world of creative possibilities.
My Experience with Holy Ambiences
Using Holy Ambiences was like stepping into a sonic wonderland. The user-friendly interface made it easy to explore, and the fine-tuning controls felt intuitive. The library’s versatility shone through, letting me create anything from eerie mysteries to peaceful serenity.
One thing to keep in mind, though – you’ll need the full version of Kontakt 5.5.2 or higher to use Holy Ambiences.
Pros:
- Affordable and versatile
- Wide range of moods
- Detailed hand-crafted sounds
- User-friendly with extensive controls
Cons:
- Requires full version of Kontakt 5.5.2 or above
Final Thoughts
In short, Holy Ambiences by Soundiron is a powerful tool for any composer. Its rich sounds and friendly interface make it a joy to use, and its versatility makes it fit for any genre.
If you’re after a tool that breathes life into your compositions with a myriad of ambient sounds, Holy Ambiences should be on your list – just make sure you have the required version of Kontakt.
Generate by Newfangled Audio
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Meet Generate, a cinematic polysynth plugin that’s more than just a pretty interface. It uses pendulum behavior to create evolving oscillators, offering a new world of sound design.
What Makes Generate Special?
Generate isn’t your average synth. Its oscillators evolve like a swinging pendulum, creating sounds from warm, organic tones to sharp, metallic ones. Imagine crafting complex pads, moving keys, and rich textures with ease.
The Wavefolder section lets you tweak the harmonic structure, adding depth to your sound. Plus, it sports a low-pass gate, inspired by Don Buchla, giving you a unique way to shape your tunes.
Modulation and Presets
When it comes to modulation, Generate doesn’t disappoint. It supports MPE and offers a plethora of options, even allowing you to modulate effects like Chorus, Delay, and Reverb.
And if you’re looking for inspiration, Generate comes loaded with presets from top artists and sound designers.
My Experience
Playing with Generate was a joy. Its intuitive interface had me diving into a sea of sounds, from deep basses to jittery leads. But it wasn’t all roses.
The modulation options were vast, but I wished I could modulate the modulators and pitch. And being limited to eight voices made playing big chords a bit tricky.
Pros:
- Unique synthesis capabilities
- Wide sound range
- Solid, modern basic sound
- MPE support
Cons:
- Modulators can’t be modulated
- Pitch not a modulation destination
- Limited to eight voices
Final Thoughts
Generate is a synth that dares to be different. It’s full of possibilities, but keep in mind its limitations.
If you love exploring unique sounds and don’t mind the voice limit, Generate could be your next favorite tool. It’s a synth that pushes boundaries and invites you to do the same.
Diversion by DS Audio: Your Sonic Chameleon
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Diversion by DS Audio is like your Swiss Army knife of synths – it can morph to fit any genre of electronic music. Its sound quality? Imagine the richness of a hardware synth, right on your computer.
What’s Inside?
Diversion’s Wavetable Editor is where the magic happens. Load any single-cycle WAV file and twist and turn waveforms in ways you never thought possible. It’s like being a kid in a candy store, but for sound design.
And it doesn’t stop there. The added sample playback with granular synthesis gives your sounds an extra layer of depth. Think of it like painting with a whole new set of colors.
Two independent FX lines let you create layered sounds in separate sound spaces, like having two canvases for your sonic masterpiece. Plus, an extensive preset library makes it easy to find the perfect sound, no matter the style.
My Experience
Using Diversion was like driving a luxury car – smooth, powerful, and top-notch quality. The sounds were crisp and could stand out even in the busiest of mixes.
But all that power comes at a price – it’s quite a workout for your CPU, especially with complex sounds. Also, the presets lean towards EDM, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea.
Pros:
- High-end sound quality
- Adapts to various genres
- Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
- Can be heavy on CPU
- Presets mainly cater to EDM
In short, Diversion is a versatile, high-quality synth that lets you paint with sound. But remember, it needs a powerful system to truly shine.
Arturia’s Modular V: Vintage Charm in a Modern Package
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Arturia’s Modular V is a sonic time machine, delivering the classic Moog Modular series’ sound right on your computer. It’s all about authenticity, from the rich tone to the vintage interface.
What Makes It Stand Out?
Modular V shines with its spot-on emulation of the iconic Moog Modular series. Plus, it’s compatible with all major soft-synth formats for both Mac and PC, offering versatility at your fingertips.
Over 400 patches from experienced designers kick-start your creativity. And those non-drifting oscillators? They keep your tunes in perfect pitch, no matter how long you play.
My Experience
Using Modular V was like stepping into a retro-future. It captures the warm, rich analog synthesis sound we love while offering a platform to create unique modern sounds.
However, it has limitations. You can’t swap out or change the pre-set modules like the original Moog Modular. And the manual could be clearer, especially for beginners.
Pros:
- Spot-on replication of Moog sound
- A great introduction to modular synthesis
- Versatile compatibility
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Limited module customization
- Unclear user manual
In a nutshell, Arturia’s Modular V skillfully blends vintage sound with contemporary features. It’s a high-quality synth that’s worth considering if you’re after the classic Moog sound, despite its few limitations.
Loom II by AIR Music Technology: A Symphony of Sine Waves
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Loom II, an award-winning modular additive synth, is a sound designer’s playground. It’s both versatile and user-friendly, making it a perfect fit for novices and pros alike.
Sound Generation and Features
Loom II’s claim to fame? It can create up to 512 sine waves per voice. This results in harmonically rich tones and endless sonic possibilities.
The Morph Pad adds another layer of creativity, letting you craft complex, evolving sounds with ease. Plus, the semi-modular environment with ten loading slots opens up even more options.
With 34 editable modules, Loom II covers everything from wobbles to ethereal pads. The second version boosts the voice count to 8 and offers new modules and enhanced Morph Pad.
User Experience and Limitations
Using Loom II was a joy. The interface is straightforward, and the sound quality is top-notch. It excels at creating pads and rewards experimentation.
However, the editing options may feel limited to some users, but this doesn’t detract from its overall appeal.
Pros:
- Versatile and user-friendly
- Excellent for creating pads
- Encourages creative experimentation
Cons:
- Limited editing options
In short, Loom II is a powerful, user-friendly synth that offers a unique additive synthesis experience. If you’re after a synth that balances complexity and ease of use, Loom II could be your match. Just keep its editing limitations in mind.
Atma by MNTRA Instruments: A Sonic Adventure
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Step into a world of sacred sounds with Atma by MNTRA Instruments. As a music producer, I’ve played with many virtual instrument plugins, but Atma stands out with its unique sonic palette inspired by holy sites worldwide.
What Makes Atma Unique?
Atma is like a global pilgrimage for your ears. It offers 37 individual instruments and 91 presets, each one capturing the essence of sacred soundscapes from around the globe.
Whether you’re crafting ambient textures, pulsing beats, experimental sounds, or cinematic scores, Atma is your ticket to a unique sonic journey.
Features That Shine
Atma prides itself on high-quality sound design, offering up to 30 round robins for realistic and varied sound reproduction. It’s also user-friendly, working as a VST/AU plugin, so no additional software is needed.
To top it all off, an interactive animated performance interface makes every session with Atma a sonic adventure.
My Experience with Atma
Using Atma felt like being a musical explorer. The diverse sacred sound instruments added a unique flavor to my tracks, fitting seamlessly into various genres.
However, if you’re in search of traditional instrument sounds, Atma might not be your go-to choice.
Pros:
- Unique collection of sacred sound instruments
- High-quality sound design
- User-friendly with an engaging interface
- Versatile across various music genres
Cons:
- May not cater to those seeking traditional instrument sounds
Conclusion
In short, Atma by MNTRA Instruments is like a sonic passport, offering you a unique collection of sacred sounds.
Its user-friendly interface and high-quality sound make it a joy to use. But keep in mind, it’s more of an exotic journey than a traditional instrument library. If that sounds like your kind of adventure, Atma could be your next favorite plugin.
Final words
And just like that, we’ve reached the end of our sonic exploration. We’ve traversed the expansive universe of ambient VST plugins, unearthing gems that can catapult your music production into the stratosphere.
So, what’s next?
Dive in, experiment, play around, and above all, relish the process.
Music production isn’t just about the final track—it’s about the journey of creation. Keep seeking, keep crafting, and let the rhythm be your compass. Until our next sonic escapade, happy producing!
