Which are the Best MIDI Arpeggiator Plugins? Let me share my Top 5 recommendations.

Hello, Mike here, and I am a composer.
Just. Like. You. 😃

DCAM Synth Squad. DCAM Synth squad is my favorite plugin when it comes to arpeggiators.

I love using arpeggiators, for coming up with cool rhythms & patterns that add more energy and drive to my music.

I have found that it can help with experimentation and creative accidents, that you might not have come up with using only the standard piano roll and sequencer.

Let me start by sharing a list of my top 5 MIDI Arpeggiator effects, and then I will give you some information about each plugin.

My Top 5 Arpeggiator VST Plugins

1. The Arpeggiator in your DAW

Let’s first define what a MIDI Arpeggiator Plugin is. Basically it is a MIDI insert effect that you add to any track in your DAW, and then you use presets or program patterns that are triggered from the chords or notes you perform on your MIDI keyboard or in the main sequencer. And what you play or sequence gets turned into arpeggios. That’s how it works. Now let me give you my top 5 recommendations for MIDI Arpeggiator Plugins.

1. Cthulhu by Xfer Records

This is actually both a chord generator and arpeggiator in one single plugin. The chord module lets you turn single notes into full chords, and it comes with a great number of presets and scales. It is also very quick and easy to manually record (save) your own chords with the learning mode, and then trigger them with one key.

The arpeggiator module is very powerful, because it gives you step by step control over the notes, including note duration, velocity, transpose, harmony etc.
All in all Cthulhu has been designed very well, because even if it has lots of rich features and amazing possibilities, it is one of the MIDI Arpeggiators (and chord plugins) that is easy to get started with right away with a low learning curve compared to others.

2. Thesys by Sugar Bytes

Thesys is actually a full MIDI step sequencer plugin, with lots of deep features. This is a double-edged sword, because yes it will give you way more control for arpeggiators and much more, but at the same time it adds more complexity in practical usage.

I personally like the fact that it shows 32 steps on screen, because 16 steps can sometimes feel a bit restricted. Another great thing about Thesys is that it supports MIDI drag-and-drop.

The performance section is simply a MIDI programmers dream, because of all its features: octave, note rolls, pitch-bends with custom shapes, chord trigger and randomization…for each step. That’s crazy cool in my book!

It even has a modulation matrix to sequence CC-values, for example: modulating filters etc.

3. Kirnu Cream by Arto Vaarala

Kirnu Cream is a MIDI performer plugin with a lot of deep features. It can be a bit daunting to learn how to use effectively, but if you don’t mind switching a lot between sequencer tabs, and diving deep into its capabilities, this plugin can be just what you need.

It has features like chord memory, gate, swing, accents and much more. It also comes with a pattern sequencer, and you can even choose the step length for each individual pattern.

4. BlueARP by Oleg Mikheev

Let’s get to this plugins main plus: it is free! Oleg has developed BlueARP as an independent project for many years, and kindly gives it away for free (at least at the moment).

It might not win any graphic design award, but wow is it fun to use, and you might be surprised at how cool this plugin is to use in practice! =)

It has step by step control over which note or notes of the chord is triggered. This means that you don’t have to use those boring up/down or down/up motions for your arpeggios, but can actually customize the pattern as you wish, and even add harmonies to the steps you choose.

On top of that, BlueArp comes with lots of presets that you can try out as a starting point, to get new ideas, or simply use straight away for your sequences.

5. The Arpeggiator in your DAW

I know. I’m pretty sure you have a “doh!” reaction now. But hear me out please. 😃
The reason is that we always look for the new shiny thing, which makes us often forget how great the tools are, that we have right in front of us. I know I forget this all the time myself.

Your DAW most certainly comes with a very capable MIDI arpeggiator. I know Logic Pro X does, because that’s my main DAW. I also know Propellerhead Reason does, because I’ve used that DAW for many years.

So check out the built-in MIDI arpeggiator that comes with your DAW, and go deep into its features to learn its potential. It is often greater than you might first think.

Summary: My Top 5 MIDI Arpeggiators

1. The Arpeggiator in your DAW

Your Time to Take Action! =)

I recommend that you start experimenting with the built in MIDI arpeggiator plugin in your DAW, and then continue by installing the demo or trial version of some of these third party arpeggiator plugins. Good luck and have fun with arpeggiators! =)

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Arpeggiators are everywhere in music. 70s drum vst plugin.

It makes sense, they have an interesting sound and they’re incredibly useful for adding melodies and rhythms to a track.

Anyone can hold down the keys of synth and trigger an arpeggiator, but what do you need to learn arpeggiation and explore them creatively?

In this article, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about arpeggiators.

By the end, you’ll know how arpeggiators work, how you can use them in your music, and which arpeggiator VST is best for you.

What is an arpeggiator?

An arpeggiator is a synthesis tool that uses MIDI or control voltages to cycle through a series of notes according to a clock rate and note division. Arpeggiators earned their name from the arpeggio–a phenomenon in music theory where notes of a chord are played one after another in sequence. Early versions of the arpeggiator most commonly used sequences that followed the triad chord structure of an arpeggio.

What does an arpeggiator do?

Today’s arpeggiators can play a lot more than just triads. You can easily use an arpeggiator to trigger through any chord you want!

In fact, there’s three main parameters you’ll want to play with first when using an arpeggiator– rhythm, patterns, and chords.

There’s three main parameters you’ll want to play with first when using an arpeggiator– rhythm, patterns, and chords.

Let’s dive into the many ways you can use them in your studio.

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Here’s 7 creative ways to use arpeggiators in your tracks.

1. Arpeggiate every chord in a sequence

The first thing you need to understand about arpeggiators is how your synth will sequence a chord.

By definition, an arpeggiated pattern is monophonic. Your arpeggiator cycles through each note in the chord individually at a rate determined by its clock speed and note division.

That means you don’t need a polyphonic synthesizer to use an arpeggiator.

But many synths have onboard arpeggiators that can be triggered by an external sequencer.

Your arpeggiator cycles through each note in the chord individually at a rate determined by its clock speed and note division.

In this case, the maximum number of notes in the arpeggio is determined by the polyphony of the incoming sequence.

So if you’re triggering your synth’s arpeggiator with MIDI you will need a MIDI keyboard or sequencer that’s polyphonic.

For example, the Arturia Keystep is eight-note polyphonic, meaning it can sequence any synthesizer (monophonic or not) with up to eight different notes in a chord.

This video from Autoland Audio shows an Arturia Keystep sequencing a held chord to three synths– a Prophet 08’, Bass Station, and Matrix-1000.

The Prophet 08’ is just playing a held chord from the sequence.

But the Bass Station and Matrix-1000 are playing arpeggiations of the eight-note sequence sent by the Keystep.

2. Pattern sequencing

Arpeggiator patterns are the heart and soul of why arpeggiators are so intriguing.

When thinking about pattern sequencing ask yourself how you want to hear the chord you’re sequencing through the arpeggiator.

Do you want the chord played in ascending order? Descending order?

Do you want the chord played in ascending order? Descending order?

Most synths come with four specific arpeggiator patterns– ascending, descending, ascending and descending, and random.

But many synths feature additional pattern sequences and even allow you to program your own custom pattern into the sequence.

If your arpeggiator can use a custom sequence, play with it and find a note pattern that sits perfectly in your track.

3. Rhythm sequencing

Arpeggiators become really interesting once you start sequencing chord patterns with more complicated rhythms than your standard straight eight-note sequence.

Adding elements of syncopation to your arpeggiator makes it possible to add triplet rhythms and complex eighth notes variations.

For example, cutting a note or two from a sequence of eighth-notes will produce interesting syncopated qualities.

Cutting a note or two from a sequence of eighth-notes will produce interesting syncopated qualities.

Play around with the rhythms your arpeggiator uses and you’ll find something that nicely suits your track.

4. Extend the range of your arpeggiator

When you hold down the notes of a chord on your synth’s keys it’s arpeggiator will start sequencing the held notes.

But in many arpeggiators, it’s possible to transpose the held notes up or down several octaves to create a sequence and up and down the range of your keyboard.

To extend the range you’ll have to find the range settings in your arpeggiator’s parameters.

In my MicroKorg for example, I was able to extend the range to four octaves.

Extended ranges often result in very beautiful, sweeping arpeggios that easily give depth to a track so give them a try!

Extended ranges often result in very beautiful, sweeping arpeggios that easily give depth to a track so give them a try!

5. Latch the arpeggiator and add filters and effects

To keep your arpeggiator sequencing you don’t have to keep the keys held down.

If you enable the latch parameter in your arpeggiator’s settings any sequence played on the keys will continue sequencing after releasing the keys.

It’s incredibly useful to hear your sequence respond in realtime to filters, delay, reverb, ring modulation, or any other audio effect.

6. Change arpeggiator parameters with an LFO

If you don’t understand how an LFO works, it’s basically like a robotic knob turner.

It uses a very low frequency to send changes to a specific parameter such as a filter or pitch.

There’s a lot of ways you can use an LFO on your arpeggiator sequence.

Heavy synth lead free vst. You could use a big filter sweep to add an extra layer of depth, or you could play with the amp envelope to affect the synth’s attack or decay.

Play around with your arpeggiator, think about how changing a specific effect or parameter could effect the sound of your sequence and then test your hypothesis.

Trial and error can produce some incredible sounds and it’s usually the most fun part of playing with synths.

7. Use your arpeggiator to clock your setup

Every arpeggiator contains a clock that keeps it in sync with other elements of your setup such as your drum machine or sampler.

Make sure your arpeggiator is either receiving clock from the main brain of your setup.

Best Arpeggiator Free Vst Presets

Make sure your arpeggiator is either receiving clock from the main brain of your setup.

If it isn’t you might need to use the arpeggiator as the central clock of your system.

Get started with an arpeggiator VST

Arpeggiators have been around for a long time. Chances are if you own a hardware synth it probably contains a dedicated arpeggiator function.

But if you don’t own a hardware synth, the quickest and best way to start using an arpeggiator is with an arpeggiator VST plugin that works in your DAW.

Here’s the 3 best arpeggiator VSTs right now

Free*: Your DAW’s arpeggiator

Without a hardware synth, you’ll need a DAW with software synths to use an arpeggiator.

*The good news is that most DAW’s come with an arpeggiator, especially any DAW that isn’t free.

The arpeggiator that comes stock with Ableton or Logic, for example, is completely fine to use as your go-to arpeggiator.

Unless you want something super advanced, just stick with your DAW.

Arpeggiator Module

Unless you want something super advanced, just stick with your DAW.

Best Free Arp Vst Sequencer

Paid: Xfer Cthulhu

Free Arp Vst

Cthulhu is a paid VST that takes arpeggiation to the next level.

This arpeggiator is very advanced and offers so many ways to customize sequencing, patterns, and chords.

If you’ve grown out of your DAW’s arpeggiator and are looking to expand what you can do, Cthulhu is really your best option.

Free: Blue ARP

If you aren’t happy with your DAW’s arpeggiator, or if it doesn’t come with one Blue ARP is a free VST that might solve your arpeggiator problems.

It’s a free plugin, so you don’t have anything to lose by trying it out.

Blue ARP offers more than enough customization options and is a cost-effective choice for adding arpeggiation to your tracks.

Bleep bloop up and down

Arpeggiators are cool.

Best Arpeggiator Free Vst Plugin

Arpeggiators are cool.

They’ve had a big influence on music ever since the legendary Roland JP-4 was released in the 70s.

Sequence Arp Vst

Today producers still use them to add lush textural qualities, melodies, and chord sequences to their tracks.

Free Arpeggiator Vst Plugins

There’s so much you can do with arpeggiators too! Especially since anyone can access one with a modern DAW home studio set up.

Best Arp Vst

Get out there and try it for yourself!