Monoplugs – Monique VST Synth Is Now FREE!

January 13, 2022January 13, 2022 Producer Sphere monoplugs monique free

In 2016, Monoplugs dropped their incredibly powerful, criminally underrated plugin: Monique. Recently, seemingly due to the closure of the company, this plugin is now available for a free download on kvraudio.com.

Monique is a monophonic subtractive VST synthesizer with an impressive range of on-board effects and modulation options.

Monoplugs’ other plugin, the B-Step Sequencer, is also available for free. Both these products are available in VST, VST3, and AU formats for Mac, Windows and Linux.

Having used this product prior to it’s freeware re-release, I can confirm this plugin is an absolute beast.

So why is this commercial software now free? The official Monoplugs site seems to have completely disappeared sometime in the last couple months, so it’s possible they are no longer in business. Thankfully, we can still enjoy these fantastic plugins for free.

About the plugin

The Monique engine contains 3 oscillators, with three corresponding filter rows along the interface, each with a variety of interesting parameters. In the oscillator section, Monique allows you to scroll between different waveforms, and then each oscillator can be independently hooked up to the various filter envelopes, FX and configuration settings. This plugin also features an equalization section, a VERY extensive set of modulation options, an arpeggiator, and various effects such as reverb, delay and distortion.

Monique features a gorgeous oscilloscope, which provides excellent visualization of the oscillators and the filter envelopes in real-time. The 16-step arp also includes a very comprehensive feature set: (quick step arrange, adjustable tune and velocity, glide, shuffle, etc.).

The plugin interface is different enough to spark creativity in new users, yet familiar enough to provide a simplistic, rapid learning experience. If you have any experience with subtractive VST synthesizers, you’ll be good to go in no time.

Another highlight of Monique is it’s selection of presets. The presets are generally focused on punchy, electronic synths, pads and bass, and although the preset bank isn’t huge, the presets provided are great starting points for your own sound design.

Below is a really good video guide highlighting the key features of this plugin by Tommy Zai (the creator of Monoplugs):

To put it simply, Monique is a synth I would never expect to be free. Plugins with this level of detail and sonic complexity are usually in the mid-high end price range.

On top of that, Monoplugs’ B-Step Sequencer can now be downloaded for free as well. B-Step Sequencer is also a brilliant piece of software, giving a ton of flexibility and control over intricate step patterns. B-Step features 16 steps per bar within a total of 16 bars. Each individual bar is highly customizable in terms of pattern, step duration, chords repeats etc. Definitely worth checking out.

Again, I’m not 100% sure why this premium product has been re-released as freeware, but I highly recommend taking this one for a spin.

How to download Monoplugs’ Monique

Like I said earlier, these products are no longer available on the Monoplugs website. However both these free plugins can be downloaded from a Google Drive link over at KVR Audio.

Click here to view Monique on KVRaudio.

Click here to view B-Step Sequencer on KVRaudio.

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