The Best Free Plugins and Max for Live Devices for DJs and Producers (2026)

By Omar Meho, founder of Music Workflow Academy. Links checked 5 November 2026.

You don't need to spend hundreds of pounds on plugins to make club-ready music. Some of the best tools I use with students cost nothing, and a few of them are better than paid plugins I've bought over the years.

This guide is the shortlist I give to Music Workflow Academy students: 35 free plugins and 20 free Max for Live devices, grouped by what they do, with a quick tip for each so you know where to start. Every item was checked on 5 November 2026 to make sure it is still free, still available and still linked from its official page.

One rule I stuck to: every link goes to the developer's own page, Ableton's own Pack page or the author's listing on maxforlive.com. Nothing is rehosted here. Always download plugins from the people who made them, because re-uploaded copies on random sites are the easiest way to get malware on your studio computer.

If you want the full workflow, from installing your first plugin to finishing tracks and playing them out, that's what my Ableton Course (£197) and DJ Course (£197) are for. This guide is the free starting point.

Prefer to read it offline? Get the free PDF version of this guide from the MWA shop.

• VST3: The standard plugin format on Windows and Mac. Ableton Live 11 and 12 load it.
• AU (Audio Units): Apple's format. Mac only. Live, Logic and GarageBand load it.
• AAX: Pro Tools only. Ableton can't load AAX, so skip it in the installer if you only use Live.
• CLAP: A newer open format used by Bitwig and REAPER. Ableton Live doesn't support it at the time of writing, so install VST3 or AU as well.
• Max for Live: Devices (.amxd files) that run inside Ableton. You need Live Suite, or Live Standard with the Max for Live add-on.

On a Mac

1. Download the macOS installer from the developer's page and run it. When it asks which formats to install, tick VST3 and AU. Untick AAX unless you also use Pro Tools.
2. Installers put plugins in /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3 and /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components. You don't normally need to move anything by hand.
3. Open Live, go to Settings (Live > Settings on a Mac), then the Plug-Ins tab. Switch on Use Audio Units and Use VST3 Plug-in System Folders.
4. Click Rescan. Your new plugins appear in the browser under Plug-Ins, sorted by developer.

On Windows

1. Download the Windows installer, run it and choose the 64-bit VST3 option.
2. VST3 plugins go in C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3. If an installer asks for a folder, use that one.
3. In Live, open Options > Settings > Plug-Ins and switch on Use VST3 Plug-in System Folders.
4. Older VST2-only plugins need a custom folder: switch on Use VST2 Plug-in Custom Folder, point it at the folder you installed them to, then click Rescan.

Max for Live devices and Ableton Packs

1. Ableton Packs: log in at ableton.com, open your account's Packs page and download, or install them straight from the Packs section of Live 12's browser.
2. maxforlive.com devices come as .amxd files. Drag the file onto a track, or into your User Library (Places > User Library) so it shows up in the browser every time.
3. Older devices were built in earlier versions of Live. Most still work in Live 12, but test them in a new Set before you rely on them in a project or a gig.

If a plugin doesn't show up

• Plugin missing? Rescan in Settings > Plug-Ins, and check you installed VST3 or AU rather than only AAX or CLAP.
• On an Apple Silicon Mac, check the plugin runs natively. Old Intel-only plugins only load if Live itself is running under Rosetta.
• Mac security warning? Open System Settings > Privacy and Security and click Open Anyway, but only for plugins you downloaded from the official page.
• If a plugin crashes Live, move it out of the plugin folder, download the latest version from the official page, then rescan.

Setting up Live properly (plugin folders, audio settings, templates and a browser you can find things in) is covered in the MWA Ableton Course.

Vital

Developer: Matt Tytel, Vital Audio

A wavetable synth that stands up to the paid big names for modern basses, leads and plucks. The free Basic plan is the full synth with a smaller preset bank.

• Quick tip: Drag a short audio file, like a vocal chop, onto the wavetable editor. It turns it into a wavetable, which is a quick route to growly basses.
• Platform: VST3, AU and standalone. Mac (10.15+, Intel and Apple Silicon), Windows 10+, Linux.
• Sign-up: Download through a free Vital account.
• Official page: Vital on the developer's site

Surge XT

Developer: Surge Synth Team

Open source hybrid synth with a deep set of oscillators, filters and a full effects section, including 56 Airwindows effects.

• Quick tip: Right-click any knob to see its modulation options. Learning the modulation routing here teaches you skills that carry straight over to Serum.
• Platform: VST3, AU and CLAP (LV2 on Linux). Mac (universal), Windows, Linux.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: Surge XT on the developer's site

Dexed

Developer: Pascal Gauthier (asb2m10)

FM synth modelled on the Yamaha DX7. Brilliant for glassy 80s electric pianos, bells and punchy FM bass.

• Quick tip: Dexed loads original DX7 SysEx cartridges, so you can grab classic DX7 banks and play the sounds on countless 80s records.
• Platform: VST3, AU and CLAP. Mac, Windows, Linux.
• Sign-up: No account needed. Open source (GPL v3).
• Official page: Dexed on the developer's site

TAL-NoiseMaker

Developer: TAL Software

A simple virtual analogue synth with a big preset library. Ideal for learning subtractive synthesis and for quick basses and leads.

• Quick tip: Load a bass preset and sweep the filter cutoff while you play. It's the fastest way to hear what a low-pass filter actually does.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP. Mac (native Apple Silicon), Windows, Linux.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: TAL-NoiseMaker on the developer's site

TyrellN6

Developer: u-he with Amazona.de

A classic analogue-style poly synth from the people who make Diva. Warm pads, fat basses and a panel with no hidden menus.

• Quick tip: Grab the 2025 beta from the u-he page. It adds native Apple Silicon support, CLAP and a much better VST3 version than the old downloads floating around.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU, CLAP and AAX. Mac, Windows, Linux.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: TyrellN6 on the developer's site

Odin 2

Developer: TheWaveWarden

A 24-voice semi-modular synth with analogue, wavetable, FM and chiptune oscillators and plenty of modulation.

• Quick tip: Pick a preset you like, then change one oscillator type at a time. You'll hear exactly what each engine adds to the sound.
• Platform: VST3, AU and CLAP (LV2 on Linux). Mac, Windows, Linux.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: Odin 2 on the developer's site

Splice INSTRUMENT (free plan)

Developer: Splice and Spitfire Audio

The new home of Spitfire LABS. The free plan gives you hundreds of presets, including LABS pianos, strings and textures, plus monthly free drops.

• Quick tip: Already had LABS? Your LABS packs can be imported into INSTRUMENT, and old projects keep working with the LABS plugin.
• Platform: VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free Splice account required.
• Official page: Splice INSTRUMENT (free plan) on the developer's site

Decent Sampler

Developer: Decent Samples

A free sample player for the huge library of free and paid instruments made in the Decent Sampler format.

• Quick tip: Many of the free community instruments on Pianobook are made for Decent Sampler, so install it once and a whole library of free sounds opens up.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU, AAX and standalone. Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS (AUv3).
• Sign-up: Free checkout on the Decent Samples site.
• Official page: Decent Sampler on the developer's site

Komplete Start

Developer: Native Instruments

A free bundle of synths, Kontakt Player instruments, effects and hundreds of sounds, including Massive X Player.

• Quick tip: Start with the Kontakt Player instruments. They're a quick way to add real-sounding keys, drums and choirs before you spend money on libraries.
• Platform: Mac and Windows. Installs through Native Access 2.
• Sign-up: Free Native Instruments account required.
• Official page: Komplete Start on the developer's site

Want to go from presets to designing your own basses and leads? Sound design is covered step by step in the Ableton Course.

TDR Nova

Developer: Tokyo Dawn Labs

A parametric EQ that also works as a dynamic EQ, so a band only cuts when that frequency actually pokes out.

• Quick tip: Set a dynamic band around 200 to 400 Hz on a bassline. It tames the boomy notes and leaves the rest alone, which a static EQ cut can't do.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac, Windows, Linux.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: TDR Nova on the developer's site

TDR VOS SlickEQ

Developer: Tokyo Dawn Labs

A musical three-band EQ with switchable EQ models. Lovely for broad tone shaping on groups and the master.

• Quick tip: Switch between the American, British, German and Soviet EQ models on the same settings, and use Output to level-match so you judge tone, not volume.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: TDR VOS SlickEQ on the developer's site

MFreeFXBundle

Developer: MeldaProduction

A big bundle of free effects covering EQ, dynamics, analysers, modulation and utility tools.

• Quick tip: In the installer, tick only the plugins you'll use. Your plugin list in Live stays tidy and loads faster.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free download from the MeldaProduction site.
• Official page: MFreeFXBundle on the developer's site

Xfer OTT

Developer: Xfer Records

The famous multiband upward and downward compressor from the maker of Serum. Instant energy on synths, drums and risers.

• Quick tip: Start with Depth around 20 to 30 percent. At 100 percent it squashes everything; used lightly, it brings out detail and air.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: Xfer OTT on the developer's site

TDR Kotelnikov

Developer: Tokyo Dawn Labs

A clean, transparent compressor for buses and mastering. It controls dynamics without adding colour.

• Quick tip: Put it on your drum bus with a low ratio and slow attack, and aim for 1 to 2 dB of gain reduction for gentle glue.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: TDR Kotelnikov on the developer's site

TDR Molotok

Developer: Tokyo Dawn Labs

A characterful compressor from the Molot family, with tone control and a peak limiter built in. Great for drums with crunch.

• Quick tip: Use it on a duplicate of your drum group, push it hard, then blend that track in under the original for parallel compression.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: TDR Molotok on the developer's site

DC1A

Developer: Klanghelm

A compressor with just Input and Output knobs. It's very hard to make it sound bad, which makes it perfect for beginners.

• Quick tip: On basslines and kicks, switch on DEEP. It adds a high-pass filter to the detector so the low end stops making the compressor pump.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: DC1A on the developer's site

MJUC jr.

Developer: Klanghelm

A variable-mu style tube compressor with plenty of vibe. Smooth levelling on vocals, pads and the mix bus.

• Quick tip: Try it on a vocal or a pad with slow settings and just a couple of dB of reduction. It evens things out and adds warmth at the same time.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: MJUC jr. on the developer's site

Compression is the skill most producers get wrong for years. The Ableton Course shows you what to listen for on drums, bass and the master.

Valhalla Supermassive

Developer: Valhalla DSP

Huge reverbs and delays, from lush halls to endless washes. One of the most used free plugins in electronic music.

• Quick tip: Put it on a return track, not straight on the sound. Then send your chords and vocals to it in different amounts so the whole track sits in one space.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: Valhalla Supermassive on the developer's site

Valhalla Freq Echo

Developer: Valhalla DSP

A frequency shifter combined with an analogue-style echo. Great for dub delays and weird, spiralling feedback.

• Quick tip: Keep the shift amount small for a gently drifting dub echo, then automate Feedback up at the end of a phrase for a builder.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: Valhalla Freq Echo on the developer's site

TAL-Reverb-4

Developer: TAL Software

A plate-style reverb with a vintage, slightly grainy character. Great on snares, claps and vocals.

• Quick tip: Roll off the low end inside the plugin so the reverb tail doesn't muddy your kick and bass.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP. Mac (native Apple Silicon), Windows, Linux.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: TAL-Reverb-4 on the developer's site

Dragonfly Reverb

Developer: Michael Willis

An open source bundle of reverbs covering halls, rooms, plates and early reflections.

• Quick tip: Use the early reflections plugin on drums for a sense of room without a long tail washing over the groove.
• Platform: Plugin bundle for Mac, Windows and Linux (formats listed on the download page).
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: Dragonfly Reverb on the developer's site

Hysteresis

Developer: Glitchmachines

A glitch delay with stutter, a low-pass filter and modulation. It does clean echoes too, but it shines when it breaks things up.

• Quick tip: Drop it on a percussion loop and automate the stutter for one beat before a drop. Instant transition FX.
• Platform: VST3 and AU, 64-bit. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free checkout on the Glitchmachines site.
• Official page: Hysteresis on the developer's site

Saturation Knob

Developer: Softube

One knob of analogue-style distortion, with three modes that change which part of the spectrum gets driven.

• Quick tip: Use Keep High mode on bass. It distorts the low end more and keeps the highs clean, so the bass gets heard on small speakers.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free Softube account and Softube Central installer. Also needs a free iLok account (no USB dongle).
• Official page: Saturation Knob on the developer's site

IVGI

Developer: Klanghelm

Saturation that goes from subtle warmth on the master to dense, dirty distortion on single tracks.

• Quick tip: IVGI is calibrated to 0 VU = -18 dBFS, so feed it sensible levels. Clip gain or a Utility in front sets how hard you drive it.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: IVGI on the developer's site

TAL-Chorus-LX

Developer: TAL Software

An emulation of the Juno-60 chorus. Instantly wider, warmer pads, keys and synth leads.

• Quick tip: Keep it off your kick and bass. Chorus on low end makes the mix sound wide on headphones and weak in mono on a club system.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU, AAX and CLAP. Mac (native Apple Silicon), Windows, Linux.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: TAL-Chorus-LX on the developer's site

Vinyl

Developer: iZotope

Lo-fi vinyl simulation with dust, crackle, warp and mechanical noise. A classic for lo-fi house and hip hop textures.

• Quick tip: Use it on a return track with only the crackle and noise turned up, then send a little of your music to it. You get texture without dulling the track.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX, 64-bit. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free account and checkout on the iZotope site.
• Official page: Vinyl on the developer's site

Magic Switch

Developer: Baby Audio

A free chorus inspired by the Juno, with an extra detuned, moody flavour and a single mix slider.

• Quick tip: Flip it on for a chorus on a pluck or chord stab in the breakdown, then off when the drop hits. Contrast makes the drop feel bigger.
• Platform: VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free Baby Audio account required.
• Official page: Magic Switch on the developer's site

SPAN

Developer: Voxengo

A real-time spectrum analyser with loudness, true peak and correlation metering. The standard free analyser.

• Quick tip: Put it on your master and load a reference track. Compare the low end shape of your mix to the reference, not just the overall loudness.
• Platform: VST, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: SPAN on the developer's site

Youlean Loudness Meter 2

Developer: Youlean

Measures integrated LUFS, short-term loudness and true peak, so you know how your track will sound on streaming platforms.

• Quick tip: Check your DJ mixes with it before uploading. Keep true peak below -1 dBTP so the mix doesn't distort after streaming encoding.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX, plus a standalone app. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free version, no account needed. A paid Pro version exists.
• Official page: Youlean Loudness Meter 2 on the developer's site

Ozone Imager

Developer: iZotope

Stereo imaging with a clear visual display and a Stereoize mode for widening mono sounds.

• Quick tip: Narrow the low end below about 150 Hz and widen the highs a little. Your mix stays solid on mono club systems.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX, 64-bit. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free account and checkout on the iZotope site.
• Official page: Ozone Imager on the developer's site

Wider

Developer: Polyverse Music

Makes mono sounds wider without phase problems, and stays mono compatible when summed.

• Quick tip: Use it on mono synth leads and vocal chops, and use the built-in mono check before you commit.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac (OS X 10.9+) and Windows, 64-bit.
• Sign-up: Free download from the Polyverse site.
• Official page: Wider on the developer's site

A meter tells you what's wrong; good technique stops it happening. Clean levels and smooth mixes are what the DJ Course drills, step by step.

Kilohearts Essentials

Developer: Kilohearts

30-plus free effects in one installer, including Trance Gate, Tape Stop, Reverser, Frequency Shifter, Bitcrush and Haas.

• Quick tip: Map Tape Stop and Trance Gate to an Effect Rack macro on your master in Live. You've got two classic DJ transition effects on one controller knob.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free Kilohearts account required.
• Official page: Kilohearts Essentials on the developer's site

Valhalla Space Modulator

Developer: Valhalla DSP

Flanger and modulation effects from very subtle to full jet plane. Perfect for builds and breakdowns.

• Quick tip: Automate the mix up over the last 8 bars of a build on your hi-hats or full drum group for a classic flanger sweep.
• Platform: VST2, VST3, AU and AAX. Mac (Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows.
• Sign-up: No account needed.
• Official page: Valhalla Space Modulator on the developer's site

Fracture

Developer: Glitchmachines

A buffer effect for stutters and glitches, with a multimode filter, three LFOs and a delay.

• Quick tip: Use it on a return track and send short bursts to it from a vocal, so the glitches only hit where you want them.
• Platform: VST3 and AU, 64-bit. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free checkout on the Glitchmachines site.
• Official page: Fracture on the developer's site

Warp

Developer: Baby Audio with Andrew Huang

Speeds up or slows down audio for varispeed effects, with a Stretch knob to control pitch separately from time.

• Quick tip: Automate Warp down on the last bar before a drop for a slowdown effect, then snap it back as the drop lands.
• Platform: VST3, AU and AAX. Mac and Windows.
• Sign-up: Free Baby Audio account required.
• Official page: Warp on the developer's site

Effects only work in a mix when they land on the phrase. Phrasing and transitions are at the heart of the DJ Course.

Max for Live devices run inside Ableton and can do things normal plugins can't, like controlling other devices, generating MIDI ideas in the clip view or talking to hardware. You need Live 12 Suite, or Live Standard with the Max for Live add-on. Ableton's own Packs below are included with Live 12 Suite at no extra cost: download them from your Ableton account or the Packs section of Live's browser.

Granulator III

Developer: Ableton and Robert Henke (Monolake)

Robert Henke's granular synth, rebuilt for Live 12, with Classic, Loop and Cloud modes and live audio capture.

• Quick tip: Drop in a vocal sample and switch to Cloud mode for instant pads and drones under a breakdown.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Needs Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, version 12.0 or higher.
• Official page: Granulator III on Ableton

Inspired by Nature

Developer: Dillon Bastan for Ableton

Seven visual devices driven by simulated physics, including Vector FM, Vector Grain, Vector Delay and Vector Map.

• Quick tip: Use Vector Map to modulate a filter or reverb on any device. The movement feels far more organic than an LFO.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, 12.0 or higher.
• Official page: Inspired by Nature on Ableton

Stray Cats Collection

Developer: Max for Cats and Sonic Bloom

A free download of eight devices, including the MSE synth system, the ConChord sequencer, Stochastic Delay, Verbotron reverb and the Color texture device.

• Quick tip: Put Color on a drum bus for vinyl noise, hiss and wobble. It's an easy way to make clean samples feel like they came off a record.
• Needs: Free download for Live 11 Standard with Max for Live, 11.3 or higher.
• Official page: Stray Cats Collection on Ableton

Palmas

Developer: Sufi Plug-Ins

Simulates a group of up to 32 pairs of clapping hands, each with its own stereo position, timing and tone.

• Quick tip: Layer it quietly under your main clap for a looser, more human groove in house and Afro house.
• Needs: maxforlive.com listing, free under a Creative Commons licence. An older device built in Live 8, so test it first.
• Official page: Palmas on maxforlive.com

Generators by Iftah

Developer: Iftah for Ableton

Two MIDI Generators for the clip view: Patterns, a drum pattern generator, and Sting, an acid line generator.

• Quick tip: Generate a Sting line, then copy it to a new clip and change only the Density dial. You get variations that still sound like the same riff.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, 12.3 or higher.
• Official page: Generators by Iftah on Ableton

Sequencers

Developer: Ableton

Three sequencers built by Ableton's device designers: Step Arp, SQ Sequencer and Rhythmic Steps.

• Quick tip: Try Rhythmic Steps on a Drum Rack and lower the probability on your hats. The groove changes a little every bar, like a drummer would.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, 12.2 or higher.
• Official page: Sequencers on Ableton

MIDI Tools by Philip Meyer

Developer: Philip Meyer for Ableton

Generators (Polyrhythm, Phase Pattern, Stages) and transformations (Retrigger, Slice Shuffler and more) for the clip view.

• Quick tip: Use Retrigger on the last bar of a drum clip to build a fill in seconds.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, 12.1 or higher.
• Official page: MIDI Tools by Philip Meyer on Ableton

Expressive Chords

Developer: Ableton

Turns single notes into voiced chords, with chord sets organised by feel across house, gospel, R&B, jazz and more.

• Quick tip: Perfect if you don't play keys: play one finger on your MIDI keyboard or Push and record full chord progressions.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Intro, Standard and Suite, version 12.2 or higher.
• Official page: Expressive Chords on Ableton

Chord Generator

Developer: nordmann

A long-standing free device for building chords and progressions from single notes.

• Quick tip: Put it before any synth and play a simple bassline to hear chord ideas you might not find on your own.
• Needs: maxforlive.com listing, free under a Creative Commons licence. Older device (Live 8 era), so test it in Live 12 first.
• Official page: Chord Generator on maxforlive.com

MDD SnAkE

Developer: Maxime Dangles

A MIDI sequencer with gate and note steps, swing and randomisation, inspired by the Make Noise Rene module. Push ready.

• Quick tip: Feed it into a bass synth and change the step direction for evolving techno lines.
• Needs: maxforlive.com listing, free (donations welcome). Built in Live 10.
• Official page: MDD SnAkE on maxforlive.com

Advanced Step Sequencer

Developer: Rozzer

A step sequencer for notes, gate, tie and velocity, where every lane can have its own loop length and the grid follows your scale.

• Quick tip: Set the velocity lane to a different length from the notes, for example 5 steps against 16, and the accents keep shifting.
• Needs: maxforlive.com listing, free under a Creative Commons licence. Updated April 2025.
• Official page: Advanced Step Sequencer on maxforlive.com

PitchLoop89

Developer: Robert Henke for Ableton

Two pitch-shifting delays inspired by the Publison DHM 89, for glitchy jumps, octave shifts and reverse snippets.

• Quick tip: Use the Hold button on a vocal to freeze and loop a snippet, then pitch it for a quick hook.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, 12.0 or higher.
• Official page: PitchLoop89 on Ableton

Creative Extensions

Developer: Ableton and Amazing Noises

Eight tools: Melodic Steps, Pitch Hack, Gated Delay, Color Limiter, Re-Enveloper, Spectral Blur and the Bass and Poli synths.

• Quick tip: Gated Delay is a gift for DJs and producers: send a vocal to it for rhythmic echoes that only fire on the steps you choose.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, 12.0 or higher.
• Official page: Creative Extensions on Ableton

Convolution Reverb

Developer: Ableton

Real spaces and vintage hardware, with over 200 impulse responses and a tool for capturing your own.

• Quick tip: Drag any short audio file in as an impulse response. A snare hit or a vinyl crackle can make a weird, unique reverb.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, 12.0 or higher.
• Official page: Convolution Reverb on Ableton

Grain.Freeze

Developer: Robert Henke (monolake)

A granular freezer that turns anything into a lush, sustained texture.

• Quick tip: Freeze the last chord of a breakdown and let it ring under the build-up.
• Needs: maxforlive.com listing, free (Creative Commons). Older device, so test it in your version of Live.
• Official page: Grain.Freeze on maxforlive.com

College Dropout

Developer: CaligulaCuddles

Imitates worn tape and vinyl with random dropouts and pitch warping, with Tape, Vinyl and Failure modes.

• Quick tip: Use low probability on a chord loop. The odd wobble makes loops feel sampled from an old record.
• Needs: maxforlive.com listing, free. Built in Live 10.
• Official page: College Dropout on maxforlive.com

High School Crush

Developer: CaligulaCuddles

Three parallel bitcrushers with crossover filters, so you can crush one band and keep the rest clean.

• Quick tip: Crush only the top band on hi-hats for a gritty, lo-fi edge without losing the low end of the drums.
• Needs: maxforlive.com listing, free. Built in Live 10.
• Official page: High School Crush on maxforlive.com

ml.Distance

Developer: alkman, based on Robert Henke's device

Makes a sound feel further away by changing distance and panning together, with smoothing to avoid clicks.

• Quick tip: Push percussion and background vocals back in the mix with this instead of just turning them down.
• Needs: maxforlive.com listing, free under a Creative Commons licence. Built in Live 10.
• Official page: ml.Distance on maxforlive.com

CV Tools

Developer: Ableton

Ten devices for controlling modular synths and CV gear from Live and Push, with pitch, clock, trigger and envelope tools.

• Quick tip: If you buy a Eurorack or a semi-modular synth, start here before you buy any extra MIDI to CV hardware.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Intro, Standard and Suite (12.0 or higher). Needs a DC-coupled audio interface for CV.
• Official page: CV Tools on Ableton

Performance Pack

Developer: Iftah for Ableton

Four devices for live sets: Performer (custom macro faders and crossfaders), Variations (Set snapshots), Arrangement Looper and Prearranger.

• Quick tip: For DJs playing in Live, Arrangement Looper is a lifesaver: loop the outro of a track to buy time for your next mix.
• Needs: Included with Live 12 Suite. Live 12 Standard with Max for Live, 12.0 or higher.
• Official page: Performance Pack on Ableton

Max for Live is where Ableton gets really personal: racks, macros and devices built around how you work. Racks, macros and a workflow that suits you are what the Ableton Course is built around, and if you play out, the DJ Course pairs well with it.

A free rompler by Meat Beats built from the classic yellow E-mu Orbit 9090 rack: 170 retro hits, stabs, pads, basses, SFX and vox, with attack and release, vintage reverb and pan modulation.

• Quick tip: Use the chord stabs for 90s rave, UK garage and breakbeat, and play the basses an octave down under a 909 kick.
• Get it free: Orbhits, free in the MWA shop (or browse everything at musicworkflowacademy.com/shop)

Free plugins give you the tools. Knowing what to do with them is what gets tracks finished and sets booked. Music Workflow Academy is CPD accredited, won Best DJ and Music Production School 2026, and has 115+ five-star reviews in a row.

• Ableton Course, £197: finish tracks faster in Live 12, from first loop to mastered track.
• DJ Course, £197: learn to DJ step by step, from beginner to playing out.
• Free Orbhits VST and more free downloads

Want the shortlist of free plugins most likely to disappear? Read our blog post: Free Plugins Disappear: 15 Worth Grabbing Now.

Prefer a printable copy? Get the free PDF version of this guide from the MWA shop.

Read next: How to Start Music Production in Ableton: Beginner Roadmap and Ableton Live Free Trial 2026: What to Do in Your First 30 Days

Are free plugins good enough for professional music?

Yes. Plenty of released records use Vital, Valhalla Supermassive, OTT and the TDR plugins. What makes a track sound professional is arrangement, sound choice and mixing decisions, not the price of the plugin. Learn a few free tools well before you buy anything.

Which free plugins work in Ableton Live?

Any plugin in VST3 format works in Live 11 and 12 on Mac and Windows, and AU plugins also work on a Mac. Live doesn't load AAX (Pro Tools only) and, at the time of writing, doesn't support CLAP, so install the VST3 or AU version.

Do I need Live Suite for Max for Live devices?

You need Live Suite, or Live Standard with the Max for Live add-on. Ableton's own Packs listed here are included with Live 12 Suite, while Expressive Chords and CV Tools also work in Live Intro and Standard.

Are free plugins from maxforlive.com and developer sites safe?

Downloads from the developer's own site, Ableton's site or the author's maxforlive.com page are the safe option. Avoid re-uploaded copies on file-sharing sites, and be wary of anything that asks you to switch off your computer's security settings to run it.

How many plugins should a beginner install?

Fewer than you think. Start with one synth (Vital), one EQ (TDR Nova), one compressor (DC1A), one reverb (Valhalla Supermassive) and a meter (Youlean). Learn them properly, then add tools when you know what you're missing.

Prices and availability were checked on 5 November 2026. Developers can change their offers at any time, so always confirm on the official page before you download. This guide links to official pages only and does not host or redistribute any third-party software. All product names belong to their owners.

Want all 55 tools in one printable guide? The Free Plugins and Max for Live Guide 2026 is free in the MWA shop: add it to your basket at £0 and download it straight away. You can also sign up below for DJ and Ableton tips.

Read next: Free Plugins Disappear: 15 Worth Grabbing Now on the MWA blog.