Best Free Synth VSTs for Your Home Studio in 2023

Have you ever wanted to explore the soundscapes of modular synthesis? You can with Cardinal. Cardinal is an open-source modular synthesizer plugin based on the popular VCV Rack. The current free version of VCV Rack is excellent but can’t be used as a VST plugin. For that, you have to pay for the “Pro” version. Cardinal aims to offer the same modular experience within your DAW as a plugin, completely free.

Cardinal comes with a whole bunch of modular synthesis modules to enable you to start exploring modular sounds. You patch them together on screen just like you would with a hardware Eurorack modular system. It expects you to get involved in signal flows and control voltage through experimentation and knowledge. It can be quite a learning curve if you’re new to synthesis, but the possibilities are endless. You can build huge basslines, massive sequenced adventures, bings, bots and boings, probability-based musical happenings, and so much more.

Coming from the open source website Github it can look a bit daunting to the uninitiated. All you have to do is follow the links to the “Releases” and then download the installer for macOS or Windows. You’ll also find a list of modules and some basic patching ideas in the Github resource.

The video (above) from Venus Theory is a great way to introduce yourself to what Cardinal can offer you.

Cardinal on Github.

Make sure to take a look at our comprehensive guides on the best polythynt,  best free drum VST and guitar VSTs.