Nightlife is back big time, baby. It’s time to get back out there and party like it’s 2019, you know what I’m sayin’? This summer, I’ve been doing my own research (that’s what I call clubbing, which is probably why everyone at the club thinks I’m a narc.) The world of danceable music has remained somewhat unchanged post-pandemic, although I believe we’re seeing a resurgence of 90s influences, with nu-rave and acid making a comeback. Even Drake tried his hand at some subdued house-type stuff on his last album Honestly, Nevermind - which I liked more than most, but you’re not here to hear my opinion about albums. Like, what is this? A music blog…? Oh, right… Anyways, I thought some of you nerds might want to make some EDM to impress your friends, get your crush dancing, and maybe headline a festival or two. Here are some of my fave VST plugins to get you started in the wonderful world of groovy beats. You’re welcome.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.

DRUMS PLUGINS

Dance music is all about those drums. Get a groove started, let the loop play out a couple hundred times, and put those sweaty crowds in a trance. That’s what it’s all about. A lot of electronic music production was heavily influenced by drum machines and sequencers. Some plugins emulate those classic drum machines, others try to innovate on the concept.

BigKick | Plugin Boutique

The absolute most important element in any dance track is the kick. That’s the foundation, that’s what gets the people moving, especially those people that don’t really know how to dance, you know who I mean…

Maybe you like your kicks fat and boomy, maybe you like them short and snappy. It really depends on the feel you’re ultimately what the track itself needs, but whatever it is, you can rely on BigKick.

This powerful little tool is probably already all over your favorite artist’s tracks, and for a few bucks, it could be on yours too.

BigKick offers top-notch samples, all tweakable at the click of a mouse. You can also get some genre-specific expansion packs if you feel crazy, but the ones included with the basic package should be more than enough.

Download BigKick here.

Drumazon | D16 Group

Can you hear a dance track in your mind? Alright, now solo those sweet drums. Focus on that tasty open hat… Pretty good, right? Chances are you’re imagining sounds from the Roland TR-909, the 808’s younger sister (Not to be all “gender normative” about it, but we all know the 909 is a strong, empowered lady. Deal with it.)

There’s a plethora of options for you if you want to get down with some classic drum samples, but if you want that original drum machine experience, you’re gonna want Drumazon. 

Conceived by the geniuses over at D16 Group, this beauty has all the features of the original machine at only a fraction of the price. The sequencer, the knobs, and even some added parameters. Also, it’s easier to carry around with you everywhere you go.

And if that’s not enough 909 for you, check my exhaustive list of all the best TR-909 samples available out there.

Download Drumazon here.

Maschine + Planet 909 | Niche Audio

If you’re a Maschine user, you can find a few interesting kits included with the Native Instruments software. But hey, maybe you’re an adventurer and you like to go out of the beaten path. Good for you.

Well, why not check out Planet 909, a third-party expansion that puts all the classic Roland sound in your favorite groovebox.

I must admit Maschine’s environment has never been 100% my thing, but I definitely use it a lot. Instead of trying to figure out the weird DAW that comes with it, I just reroute the audio of a MIDI track with Maschine on it to an audio track. Then I can record audio from Maschine to Ableton as if it was hardware…

That’s my little tip for you.

Download Planet 909 here.

Astra | Splice

If you’re anything like me, you suck at programming synth patches, and you really exclusively on presets. Well, then Astra might be the plugin for you.

This beautiful little synth comes preloaded with some cool sounds, and it lets you exchange Splice credits for some sweet patches designed by some of the brightest minds out there. And you can pay for the presets you use and forego the ones you don’t, which is definitely a plus.

Did I mention Astra is free? Well, yes and no. It’s included when you subscribe to Splice’s Creator or Creator+ plans. But if you’re not on Splice already, I mean… What are you doing with your life?

Check out Splice and Astra here.

SYNTHS PLUGINS

Alright, so your drums are sequenced. Now what?? It’s time for some powerful basslines and a few cool synth stabs. For dance music, less is more when it comes to the world of melodies. Boy did I learn that the hard way! But that means that you need the right tools for the job, and this isn’t the place where you should skimp. Here are a few options.

Analog Lab V | Arturia

I can’t recommend Analog Lab V enough. This all-you-can-eat buffet of classic synth sounds is so affordable that you’re basically robbing Arturia blind when you’re buying it.

All the beautiful sound of the hardware synths of yore is there at your fingertips, easy to find in the comprehensive menu, and even easier to tweak with the help of those friendly macros.

Download Analog Lab V here.

Phoscyon 2 | D16 Group

You know it from all those acid records you like. You know its history: This was conceived as a substitute for a bass player in bands, and it was a big bomb until someone figured out it sounds cool when you’re on drugs.

In recent years, there have been many very good reproductions (I am a proud owner of the Behringer TD-3 myself, in a chic “smiley-face yellow no less.”) But, yeah, sometimes you just want to skip all the headache that comes with hardware and just open the doors of perception with a beautiful VST.

If that sounds like you, you’re in luck, my dear friend. D16 Group (you know how much I like them) just released an updated version of Phoscyon, a faithful emulation of the TB-303. You get all the fun of the original hardware but of course some added functionality.

Because we can be honest here, it’s just us after all… The TB-303 workflow suuuucks!

So of course you have a piano roll-type sequencer, with a bunch of fx, a calibration option that lets you capture the quirks of different editions, a drag-and-drop thingy, and my favorite, a randomizer that does all the hard work for you.

In closing, here’s a slogan for Phoscyon I came up with: “Kids, don’t do drugs, make acid instead.”

Pretty catchy, uh?

Download Phoscyon 2 here.

Model 82 | Softube

This one is a very good emulation of Roland’s SH-101, which is sort of the TB-303’s big brother. And, I know, techno nerds will crucify me for saying this, but I’m the bad boy of gear review and I don’t care who I piss off.

Model 82 sets out to capture all the quirks of the original bass synth, but of course, it’s much more malleable and full of features than the original, especially in a DAW environment.

Program and tweak your heart away with this no-fuss-no-muss, super easy-to-understand wonder. You’ll be making awesome basslines, funky leads, and mind-bending acid sequences in no time.

Of course, this isn’t the only 101 hommage out there. Both Togu’s TAL-BassLine-101 and D16 Group’s LuSH-101 are something to consider, but the Softube VST is the new kid on the block and the one I’m the most excited about.

You can even change the color of the synth. I’m sorry I’m excited by this, but I have very little else going on in my life right now. There’s grey, blue and red, although the fact that there isn’t a custom yellow option with a faux smiley face sticker on it was a big disappointment in my household this year. I mean, my mom was quite bummed.

Download Model 82 here.

Rave Generator 2 | Wavosaur

If you’re into the rave resurgence and you’re broke, boy do I have the plugin for you! Get yourself a copy of Rave Generator. This nifty lil’ freebie comes pre-loaded with all the classic stabs and samples you need to make a trippy hit. Seriously, put this thing on a track and tell me you don’t feel like you’re on E in a field somewhere in the UK circa 1989.

If you have Rave Generator and some 909 samples, you don’t need much more to make dance music quite frankly.

Download Rave Generator here.

Serato Sample | Serato

The DAW you’re using probably already comes with a few good options for a sampler. Personally, I like to use Simpler in Ableton Live. That being said, maybe you need a dedicated plugin for all your triggering needs, or maybe you need more functionality, or maybe you just like to throw cash around… I don’t know.

For you, there’s Serato Sample. Made by the illustrious company that brought you one of the most flexible DJ softwares out there, this little buddy helps you detect the pitch and the key, time-stretch, splice, and all that good stuff.

It’s the kind of plugin that won’t blow your world apart, but it just might make your workflow a little smoother. Just try it out and see if it’s for you.

Download Serato Sample here.

FX PLUGINS

There are so many effects out there you guys. Of course you need a good verb and some funky delay, and it wouldn’t hurt to get yourself a compressor or two... That’s all fine, but beyond that, there are a few plugins that can help you take your sound to the next level. I’m talking ostentatious modulations and mystifying spatialization, ya dig? 

Here are a few of the plugins I must absolutely use on every track.

ShaperBox 2 | Cableguys

Some call it docking, others refer to it as “side-chaining”. Let’s not debate this one because I can’t get my ass kicked again. But you know that pumping effect that makes your tracks all groovy and stuff? Well, this plugin does the pumping thing really well, with a choice of delightful curves and blending options. But that’s not all!

It also lets you sequence a bunch of crazy effects, from distortion to time-stretching. Say goodbye to boring, lifeless tracks and say hello to ShaperBox 2. This is THE plugin I use on all of my tracks. 

I’m not kidding you guys… It’s good.

Download ShaperBox 2 here.

FilterFreak | Soundtoys

Of course you can use FilterFreak to do that DJ trick where you filter out the bass, and then you clap your hands and all the people on drugs go nuts. This plugin will give you the smoothest filter action in the game, but it does so much more.

Use FilterFreak to add all kinds of crazy modulations to your synths. That’s my advice to you.

PS- When I use this plugin, I often sing to myself: “FilterFreak, FilterFreak / She’s FilterFreaky” to the tune of Super Freak. That’s just for fun.

Download FilterFreak here.

Lifeline Expanse | Excite Audio

If you like your dance music with a sprinkle of left-field artsiness, Lifeline will be your friend. This is another one I can’t do without, it just makes everything tasty and fun. And it helps the elements sit well in the mix.

There’s a Lite Version of this thing which is fun enough, but I recommend the full license because I’m a preset guy and it comes with a boatload of presets.

Download Lifeline Expanse here.

Hardware

Hardware will have to be a topic for a different post. I have a LOT to say about the subject. But if you need something for like right now because maybe you’re working on something big and you just can’t wait, well let me point you in the direction of some cool stuff. 

For Roland-style drums, you can use Behringer’s RD-9, or the more flexible TR-8s. For a good bass, consider the TD-3 if you’re on a budget, or go all boutique and stuff with Erica Synth’s Bassline. And for sampling, my picks would be the Digitakt and/or the Teenage Engineering OP-1 (or the recently-released, featured-pack, way too expensive OP-1 field).

Just make sure you don’t do like this idiot (pointing to myself) and buy all the gear you can afford, and then freak out because you’re too dumb (i.e. to busy watching Seinfeld reruns) to learn how to use it.

Don’t forget to check my post about the best TR-909 samples and emulations. Some good stuff in there, including freebies!

Disclaimer: All these opinions are my own, but - full disclosure - some of those links are affiliate. It’s cool though.