When it comes to music production, the right tools can make all the difference, especially when they come at no cost. Pitch shifting plugins have become essential for producers looking to add creative effects, correct vocals, or experiment with harmonies without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re making Kanye West-style ad libs or building a choir from a single vocal, having a collection of reliable, free pitch shifting plugins can elevate your sound and expand your creative possibilities. In this article, we’ve curated the top 10 best free pitch shifting plugins that offer high-quality results, user-friendly interfaces, and innovative features to help you achieve the perfect vocal effects. 

Table of Contents:

Best Free Pitch Shifting Plugins

Let’s dive into some of the best free pitch shifting plugins that you can integrate into your workflow:

1. Graillon 2 (Auburn Sounds)

Graillon 2 is a powerful plugin that offers both pitch correction and harmonization. Its user-friendly design makes it easy to use. What’s great about Graillon 2 is the real-time pitch correction module, perfect for live takes and experimentation.

It also includes formant parameters for subtle tuning, but you can also achieve robotic effects. It’s a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of pitch shifting needs, from subtle adjustments to extreme effects.

2. GSnap (GVST)

GSnap by GVST is another excellent pitch shifter plugin. It’s a classic choice known for its granular controls, enabling you to fine-tune every aspect of the pitch shifting process. The plugin features three main sections: Detection, Correction, and MIDI.

While it’s a bit more technical than other pitch shifting VSTs, exploring its controls opens up significant creative opportunities for adjusting pitch. The MIDI input feature lets you control the pitch shifting with your MIDI controller, giving you more flexibility and control over your sound.

3. Pitchproof (Aegean Music)

Guitarists will love this free VST pitch shifter plugin. Pitchproof replicates the classic analog pitch-shifting effect found in vintage guitar pedals. This plugin is perfect for music producers seeking a retro vibe, adding a warm, analog character to their tracks.

4. Kilohearts Pitch Shifter

Kilohearts Pitch Shifter demonstrates that simplicity can be powerful. This minimalist plugin delivers exceptional sound quality. While it may not have a lot of bells and whistles, the quality of the pitch-shifting is top-notch.

If you need additional features, you can purchase them separately. It provides a clean and efficient way to adjust the pitch of your audio, making it suitable for quick pitch adjustments and more involved sound design tasks.

5. MIDI Choir (MV’s Plugins)

Imagine transforming a single vocal line into a choir without needing multiple singers. That’s precisely what MIDI Choir 3.0 allows you to do. This plugin utilizes MIDI notes to create harmonies.

What’s impressive is the realism of the harmonies – you’ll be amazed at how it adds depth to vocal tracks, creating a full and rich sound. It’s particularly useful for genres like choral music, ambient, and soundtracks.

6. Stolon (Novaflash)

If you’re interested in granular synthesis, Stolon is worth exploring. Its granular pitch shifting opens up many creative avenues. Stolon is excellent for sound designers and composers who want to explore choir and harmonizing effects.

7. Son Of A Pitch (Saltline)

With a catchy name and a versatile plugin, Son of a Pitch, also known as SOAP, is a favorite among producers. It’s used for fine-tuning, creating wild effects, or adding unique filters to audio. The visual nature of the plugin and its unique filters make it enjoyable to use and experiment with.

8. dShift (whiteLABEL)

Acting as both a pitch shifter and delay plugin, dShift gets interesting quickly. Imagine shimmering echoes with a warped pitch, which are perfect for crafting eerie and otherworldly vibes. It’s an excellent tool for adding depth, space, and a touch of the unusual to your sounds.

9. FreSh (Max Project)

FreSh simplifies pitch correction and vocal processing. Its intuitive layout allows you to correct pitch, apply effects, and more. This plugin is a great option if you want a straightforward yet powerful pitch-shifting experience. Its ease of use makes it ideal for both beginners and experienced producers.

10. Spectral Lemuring (Fugue State Audio)

Here’s a hidden gem that you might not be familiar with: Spectral Lemuring. This unique plugin allows you to delve into sound design with spectral processing capabilities for pitch shifting.

If you’re aiming for a dreamy, almost out-of-body sonic experience, consider incorporating Spectral Lemuring into your DAW. This plugin lets you manipulate the spectral content of your audio, opening up possibilities for creating unusual textures, soundscapes, and effects.

Exploring Popular Paid Options for Pitch Shifting Plugins

While free pitch shifter VST plugins offer a great starting point, let’s look at some popular paid pitch-shifting VSTs. Paid VST plugin options often provide advanced features and capabilities that might be worth investing in:

Pitch Shifting Plugin (Paid) Pricing
Celemony Melodyne 5 Starts at £75
Loopcloud Starts at £5.99/month
Photosounder £56 / $79
Serato Pitch ‘n Time Pro Pro = £660/ $799 / LE = £330/$399
Waves SoundShifter £123 / $149
Eventide H3000 Factory £286 / $349
Eventide Quadravox £82 / $99
Audio Damage Discord4 £49 / $59
Devious Machines Pitch Monster £79.99
zplane Elastique Pitch 2 £146.42
Antares Auto-Tune Pro Pro = £327 / $399
Soundtoys Little Alterboy £82/ $99

FAQs About Best Free Pitch Shifting Plugins

What is Pitch Shifting Software?

Pitch shifting software is a type of plugin used within your digital audio workstation (DAW). It allows you to change the pitch of audio without affecting its duration.

This lets you adjust notes, create harmonies, or generate special effects. Pitch shifter VST plugins have been used in music production for decades, and their signature sound is recognizable in many popular tracks. These plugins use digital signal processing (DSP) to modify audio, with some aiming for a natural sound while others embrace digital artifacts.  

What Does a Pitch Shifter Do for Vocals?

Pitch shifter VST software is incredibly valuable for vocal manipulation, enabling you to fine-tune notes, correct pitch, and generate harmonies. You can use it to fix slightly off-key notes, a process known as pitch correction, commonly used in contemporary music production.   

Additionally, some plugins even integrate with MIDI, unlocking endless possibilities for pitch manipulation. Whether you want to transform a single voice into a full choir or create otherworldly vocal effects, free VST pitch shifting plugins offer a range of tools for vocal processing.

Conclusion

Pitch shifter plugins have become essential for producers looking to add creative effects, correct vocals, or experiment with harmonies without breaking the bank. As you explore these fantastic free plugins, consider joining our Mix Elite Academy to take your skills to the next level. Membership includes access to premium courses, over 500+ in-depth lessons, top-tier sample & preset packs, discounts up to 50% on thousands of plugins, and entry into an exclusive community of music enthusiasts. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to advance your craft—join us today!