Last updated on December 31st, 2023 at 08:38 pm
Free acoustic guitar VSTs are really hard to come by, mostly because there aren’t so many available, but also because most of them sound absolutely terrible.
In this list, I’ve gather the best ones I could find that won’t cost you absolutely anything. So, enjoy!
Ample Guitar M Lite II
Ample Guitar M Lite II is a free acoustic guitar simulation software that has a very realistic feel to it, even when compared to more expensive pieces of software.
It sounds absolutely fantastic, while also giving you the option to add some effects. You can even double the guitar with the simple press of a button, which will add width and body to the sound.
You can simply download some MIDI files and play them using Guitar M Lite II, and while you may need to tweak a couple settings to get it to sound more realistic, it’s definitely far easier to achieve than with most other acoustic guitar simulation software.
Out of all the free acoustic guitar VSTs I’ve ever tried, Ample Guitar M Lite II is the best one, which is why it holds the first spot on this list.
Now, if you want an even better acoustic guitar simulation than Ample Guitar m Lite, then check out Acou5tics. This is a premium plugin that features a couple different acoustic guitar simulations as well as classical guitar, ukelele, mandolin, and more.
Check it out here: Ample Guitar M Lite.
By the way, you can also get your hands on a free bass simulation plugin by the same developers which sounds terrific, make sure to try it out as well.
DSK AkoustiK GuitarZ
DSK AkoustiK GuitarZ features not one, not two, but four guitar simulations, two of which are acoustic guitars, one classical (nylon), and one Dobro.
While not the newest nor most realistic-sounding plugin on this list, AkoustiK GuitarZ has a distinct sound that you might find some use for in your productions.
It features different knobs that let you adjust ADSR, Stereo spread and portamento, and it includes three effects; A flanger, Delay, and Chorus.
Check it out here: DSK AkoustiK GuitarZ.
TED’s Digital Acoustic
Similar to AkoustiK GuitarZ, Digital Acoustic isn’t particularly “realistic” sounding, which some may view as a bad thing, but it has it’s own unique sound, which is what makes it stand out, and it’s also a simulation of an acoustic nylon string guitar.
The controls are fairly simple; You can adjust the Brightness, fullness, Color, and detune the guitar, and there’s also a “pitch bender” adjustment section, but it doesn’t seem to do all that much.
Check it out here: TED’s Digital Acoustic.
DSK Guitars Nylon
Here’s another addition by DSK, this time with a simulation of an acoustic nylon guitar.
Feature wise, it only comes with ADSR and level control… and that’s it!
In terms of how it sounds, when you let the notes ring out you can actually get some surprisingly realistic sounds out of it. However, and this happens with many instrument simulation VSTs, as soon as you make it play a fast scale, the attack makes it sound all choppy and unnatural.
Still, it’s a great freeware VST that you might want to add to your collection.
Check it out here: DSK Guitars Nylon.
DSK Dynamic Guitars
Dynamic Guitars offers 3, Acoustic, Steel & Nylon, and while it may not sound as realistic as Ample Guitar M Lite II, it certainly does have a fair bit of realism to it, especially when you let the notes ring out and don’t play to many fast arpeggios.
Dynamic Guitars lets you adjust ADSR, the panning, the velocity, level, the amplitude range, and it even let’s you add a bit of reverb. Additionally, there’s a built-in Voice mode selector.
It works on both Mac and Windows 32/64-bit and is completely free to download.
Check it out here: DSK Dynamic Guitars.
Spicy Guitars by Keolab
Spicy Guitar is a free physically modelled acoustic guitar synthesizer that features a chord detection system, which allows you to play chords easily, adding that strumming sound that you hear when playing a real guitar, which just adds to the overall realism.
As soon as you play three or more notes, the automatic chord detection system kicks in and strums the chord.
You can select between 9 different guitars and two different string types, and when playing the notes on a keyboard, the plugin will detect those notes and show them on the virtual fretboard.
You can switch between legato and sustain, adjust palm mutes and harmonics (you can play harmonics by holding down a key on your keyboard), as well as the vibrato.
Lastly, you can change the tone and add reverb!
Check it out here: Spicy Guitar.
Revitar 2 by Cutter Music
Here we have a Guitar synthesizer that an generate a huge variety of sounds, not just of an acoustic guitar.
To achieve added realism and playing flexibility, Revitar employs a unique guitar pick, string and body simulations, and all of this is done without the use of any samples.
It features 48 programmable chords, using absolute and relative positions, different playing styles such as hammer ons, pull offs, chords and single strings, and you can choose between 6 different guitar body types.
Revitar 2 definitely doesn’t sound realistic, but I think that’s the beauty of this plugin since it’s so unique and original.
Check it out here: Revitar 2.
Conclusion
Like I mentioned in the beginning, acoustic guitar VSTs, especially free ones, are either really hard to come by, or they sound terrible, which is why this list isn’t as extensive as any of my other posts related to free plugins.
If you’re looking for realism, go with the Ample Guitar M Lite II, however, I think that all the other ones, even if they don’t sound just like a real acoustic guitar, can add some distinct sounds to your productions.
I hope this information was useful!
Have a great day!
