Kilohearts v2 Collection
Key Features
- 34 free effects plugins covering every essential category: EQ, compression, gate, limiting, delay, reverb, chorus, flanger, phaser, distortion, bitcrush, filter, pitch shifting, and more
- Each plugin works standalone in any VST2, VST3, AU, or AAX-compatible DAW — no additional host required
- Snap Heap modular FX host included: build up to seven serial or parallel effects chains using any Essentials Snapins inside a single plugin window
- Advanced modulation system in Snap Heap: connect LFOs, envelopes, step sequencers, and randomizers to any parameter for evolving, rhythmic, or chaotic effects
- Creative tools for sound design including Pitch Shifter, Bitcrush, Trance Gate, Tape Stop, Phase Distortion, Frequency Shifter, Ring Mod, and Resonator
- Stereo and width processing via the Stereo, Haas, and Ensemble plugins for spatial shaping without leaving the Kilohearts ecosystem
- Growing collection — Kilohearts continues adding new Snapins to every account at no cost, with Clipper, Shaper, Ensemble, and Formant Filter among recent additions
Description
Kilohearts Essentials is a free collection of over 34 professional-grade effects plugins, available to any producer with a free Kilohearts account. Every plugin works as a standard DAW insert in VST2, VST3, AU, or AAX format, and doubles as a Snapin — a modular building block that slots into any Kilohearts host plugin for deep signal routing and modulation.
The collection covers the complete mixing and sound design toolkit: dynamics via the Compressor, Gate, Limiter, Compactor, and Transient Shaper; time-based effects via Delay, Dual Delay, and Reverb; modulation via Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Ensemble, and Ring Mod; tone shaping via 3-Band EQ, Comb Filter, Ladder Filter, and Filter; and creative tools including Bitcrush, Distortion, Pitch Shifter, Phase Distortion, Tape Stop, Frequency Shifter, and Trance Gate.
Snap Heap — a $29 standalone purchase — is the modular FX host that ties the ecosystem together. Inside it, you build up to seven serial or parallel effects chains from any Essentials Snapins, with every parameter modulatable by LFOs, envelopes, and randomizers for evolving, generative, or rhythmic effects.
Kilohearts is committed to expanding the bundle over time at no extra cost. With 34 effects included, native Apple Silicon support, and an active development roadmap, this is one of the most comprehensive freeware collections available to modern producers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are all 34 plugins in the bundle?
The Essentials collection includes: 3-Band EQ, Bitcrush, Channel Mixer, Chorus, Clipper, Comb Filter, Compactor, Compressor, Delay, Distortion, Dual Delay, Dynamics, Ensemble, Filter, Flanger, Formant Filter, Frequency Shifter, Gain, Gate, Haas, Ladder Filter, Limiter, Nonlinear Filter, Phase Distortion, Phaser, Pitch Shifter, Resonator, Reverb, Reverser, Ring Mod, Shaper, Stereo, Tape Stop, Transient Shaper, and Trance Gate. Kilohearts continues adding to this list over time.
How does Snap Heap work as a modular host?
Snap Heap loads as a single plugin in your DAW. Inside it, you build custom signal chains using any of the Essentials Snapins — up to seven serial or parallel chains at once, each optionally constrained to separate frequency bands. Every parameter in the chain can be modulated by LFOs, envelopes, step sequencers, or random sources, enabling complex evolving effects from simple building blocks.
Is a Kilohearts account required to use the plugins?
Yes — a free Kilohearts account is required to download and activate all plugins. Sign up at kilohearts.com and the licenses are added to your account immediately. No iLok or third-party hardware is required unless you install via Slate Digital's integration, which uses iLok.
Can I upgrade to Phase Plant later and use these plugins in it?
Yes. Phase Plant is Kilohearts' flagship paid synthesizer and Snapin host. All Essentials Snapins work inside Phase Plant alongside its built-in oscillator section, so your existing plugins transfer seamlessly. Multipass, their multiband FX host, also works with the same Snapins.
