9 Best Acoustic Guitar VSTs of 2024 (Expert Picks)

Last updated on December 20th, 2023

The acoustic guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world. It’s also one of the hardest to master. Even if you’re a beginner, it will take years to get good at playing chords or even strumming your favorite song. Luckily, there are some great VSTs that will help you achieve a realistic acoustic guitar part even if you can’t play the instrument.

These plugins aim to be the most realistic possible, incorporating everything you would find on an acoustic guitar, from the details and resonance of the instrument to the chord voicings. Some popular choices include NI Session Guitarist Picked Acoustic and DSK Dynamic Guitars.

Regardless of the playing style, you are looking for, there are acoustic guitar VST plugins for all of them. In this article, we will go through some of the best VSTs of this type, reviewing them in detail and explaining their features and details, as well as choosing our top picks.

Tip: Also read our Best Guitar VST and Plugin Bundles article

We Tested 9 Products and Found the MusicLab RealGuitar 5 to be The Best Acoustic Guitar VST

DSK Dynamic Guitars – Best Free Acoustic Guitar VST

The 9 Best Acoustic Guitar VST – Reviewed in Detail               

Table of Contents

1. NI Session Guitarist – Picked Acoustic
2. NI Session Guitarist – Strummed Acoustic
3. Applied Acoustics Systems Strum GS-2
4. DSK Dynamic Guitars
5. Ilya Efimov Acoustic Guitar Plugin
6. MusicLab RealGuitar 5
7. CLASSIC.GTr LITE
8. Aria’s Classical Guitarist
9. Echo Sound Works Vinyl Guitar

1. NI Session Guitarist – Picked Acoustic

NI Session Guitarist – Picked Acoustic is a great plugin for those who want to play with a realistic acoustic guitar sound. This plugin offers a huge range of frets and picking styles, as well as an extensive library of chords and scales. You can also adjust the types of strings on your guitar, which is great if you want to replicate the sound you get from different guitars.

Product Specifications

• Kontakt Based Sampled Acoustic Guitar Plugin
• Sampled from a Martin 00-21
• Vintage Steel-String Acoustic Played with Fingers and Plectrum by a Studio Session Pro
• Perform 194 Picking and Strumming Patterns in Real-Time
• 3 Different Microphone Setups and an Extended Effects Section
• Compatible with Komplete Kontrol
• Price: $99

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The Martin 00-21 used to create this plugin is one of the best acoustic guitars out there. Its sound is rich and full-bodied.
• You can select both fingerstyle and picked playing.
• There are 194 picking and strumming patterns that can be changed in real-time.
• You can also create your own melodies using this acoustic guitar VST plugin.
• There are 3 different microphone setups for you to choose from. The microphones used to sample this guitar sounds amazing.
• There is an extended effects section where you can apply effects such as reverb and chorus to your sound.

Cons

• Only picked patterns.

Conclusion

The Kontakt instruments by Native Instruments are widely trusted in the music industry and that’s for a reason. The Session Guitarist – Picked Acoustic is versatile as it offers both fingerstyle and picked playing and sounds surprisingly great. It can also run on Kontakt Player that is free for download so you won’t need to purchase Kontakt separately.

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2. NI Session Guitarist – Strummed Acoustic

Another option from Native Instruments, the Session Guitarist – Strummed Acoustic focuses instead on strummed patterns. At its core, this plugin features a fast-paced strumming engine that can be synced to your project tempo for live playing. It also includes several articulations of strumming patterns to choose from, including triplets and flamenco.

Product Specifications

• Kontakt Based Sampled Acoustic Guitar Plugin
• Sampled From a Dreadnought Acoustic, Played by a Seasoned Studio Pro
• Perfectly Strummed and Recorded Patterns
• Real-Time Performance Control
• Double Tracking, Fret Noise, and On-Board Effects for Added Sonic Depth
• Compatible with Komplete Kontrol
• Price: $99

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The Strummed Acoustic is similar to the Picked Acoustic, however, it focuses on strummed patterns. We recommend this one for those looking for an acoustic guitar rhythm accompaniment for their tracks.
• There are several patterns to choose from, including 4/4, pop, triplets, and flamenco. These can all be changed in real-time.
• The keyboard layout is simple and easy to understand. If you have a MIDI keyboard such as the Komplete Kontrol, it is even easier to achieve a great sound.
• There are lots of features to enhance your sounds such as double-tracking, fret noise, and onboard effects such as reverb and chorus.

Cons

• Only strummed patterns.

Conclusion

An excellent acoustic guitar plugin by Native Instruments, the Strummed Acoustic does a pretty good job when it comes to rhythm accompaniments. There are several strumming patterns to choose from and you can change them in real-time. The keyboard layout is also pretty easy to understand.

Choosing between this and Picked Acoustic will depend on your preferences and what kind of sound you are after. We recommend listening to demos from both before choosing one.

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3. Applied Acoustics Systems Strum GS-2

The Applied Acoustics Systems Strum GS-2 is a nice plugin for those looking for an all-in-one solution because it features several acoustic and electric guitars. There are also lots of good features such as the arpeggiator and the chord player. At a price of $199, this is definitely worth it considering everything that you get.

Product Specifications

• Modeled Acoustic and Electric Guitar Plugin
• Production-Ready Acoustic and Electric Guitars
• MIDI Loop Library
• Modeling Module with String Module, Finer Pick/Finger Interaction, Integrated Coupling at the Bridge, and Precise Body Response
• Loop Mode with Elaborate Rhythm Figures
• Keyboard Mode for Playing Melodies and Lead Lines
• Overhauled Effects
• Streamlined Interface
• Price: $199

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• Since this is a modeled acoustic guitar plugin rather than sampled, you have control over pretty much every aspect of the tone and character of the instrument including strings, pick/finger interaction and many small details to improve your guitar sound.
• There are hundreds of presets ranging from acoustic guitars to electric guitars.
• The plugin comes with a MIDI loop library for you to drag and drop on your productions.
• The loop mode allows you to extract the rhythm from those MIDI loops to create your own chord progressions.
• There is also a keyboard mode, where you can play melodies and lead lines.
• Built-in effects for easier processing.
• Easy to use interface.

Cons

• None.

Conclusion

The Applied Acoustics Systems Strum GS-2 differs from most other plugins on our list because it is modeling based. That is, the engine doesn’t use any samples but rather synthesize the sound of the acoustic instruments. The greatest advantage of this type of plugin is that it allows you to have more control over the details and the performance of your line.

That is not the only pro, however. The plugin comes with hundreds of acoustic and electric models for you choose and modify.

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4. DSK Dynamic Guitars

If you want a plugin that sounds like the real thing, then DSK Dynamic Guitars is for you. This VST offers a natural and realistic sound that will make any guitarist/producer happy. The sound is quite usable and the interface is simple and easy to use. It is available for free download so we recommend everyone to download it.

Product Specifications

• Sampled Acoustic Guitar Plugin
• 3 Guitar Types: Acoustic, Nylon & Steel
• ADSR Envelope Control
• Panorama Control
• Voice Mode Selector
• Amplitude Range Control
• Velocity Curve Selector
• Reverb FX Included
• Dynamic Velocity Response
• Price: Free

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• There are 3 types of acoustic guitar for you to choose including acoustic, nylon and steel.
• Unlike with other plugins, you can actually control the ADSR of the sound however you like with the DSK Dynamic Guitars.
• There is a voice mode controller where you can choose between monophonic and polyphonic.
• Similarly, you can change the amplitude range and velocity curve to make your performance even more realistic.
• There is a built-in reverb FX for quick dialing in some sense of space.
• The dynamic velocity response will make the sound of the guitar respond accordingly to the velocity that each note is played.
• Free.

Cons

• Amateur-looking GUI.

Conclusion

While the interface doesn’t look the best, the DSK Dynamic Guitars does a pretty good job. It is one of the best free acoustic guitar plugins on the internet and many music producers swear by it. We definitely recommend everyone to give it a try since it is compatible with all DAWs that support VST or AU plugins.

Tip: If you produce metal music and need a great guitar plugin, check out our Best Metal Guitar VST article.

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5. Ilya Efimov Acoustic Guitar Plugin

The Ilya Efimov Acoustic Guitar Plugin is a professional solution for those looking for realistic guitar sounds. The Kontakt based library features several details including side noises,  percussive playing and many articulations and rhythm patterns for you to choose from. The realism that this plugin provides is amazing.

Product Specifications

• Kontakt Based Sampled Acoustic Guitar
• 2,1 GB of Samples
• 14 Velocity Layers for Each Note
• Automatic and Manual String Selection
• 3 Modes for Automatic Search of Chord Position
• 14 Different Articulations
• Realistic Legato and Natural Vibrato
• IR Reverb, Delay, Eq, and Compressor
• Price: €99

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• This plugin is one of the most realistic sounding acoustic guitar VST plugins on the list.
• The Ilya Efimov Acoustic Guitar Plugin has 14 velocity layers for each note which contributes to the realism.
• You can choose between automatic and manual string selection.
• There are 3 modes for automatic search of chord position. This feature allows you to easily select chord voicings that are compatible with what you would play in an actual guitar.
• The FX and noises such as fret buzzing are controllable. You can also control how much pick noise is present.
• The built-in effects include IR reverb, delay, eq and compressor.

Cons

• Requires NI Kontakt full.

Conclusion

Being one of the most realistic plugins on the list, the Ilya Efimov Acoustic Guitar Plugin is excellent. Our favorite features were the amount of attention to detail that the company had to this plugin, including the 14 velocity layers for each note and the different controls such as the string selection and articulations.

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6. MusicLab RealGuitar 5

If you’re looking for a realistic acoustic guitar sound, MusicLab RealGuitar 5 is a great choice. The plugin has been designed to be as accurate as possible, with the help of professional guitar players and developers. It offers a wide range of features that can be adjusted depending on your playing style.

Product Specifications

• Sampled Acoustic Guitar Plugin
• Multiple Acoustic Guitar Types Including Nylon and Steel
• Intuitive Keyboard Layout
• Built-in Song Sequencer
• Multiple Techniques and Controls
• 1250 Rhythm Patterns
• Sophisticated Humanization Algorhitm
• Built-In Effects
• Price: $199

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The variety of acoustic guitars included in this plugin is surprising. There are fingered and picked versions for both nylon and steel strings guitars, as well as 7 string, 12 string and baritone ones.
• The keyboard layout is pretty intuitive and easy to understand.
• There is a built-in song sequencer where you can create entire songs by inputing the chord progression.
• There are 1250 rhythm patterns for strummed playing.
• The sophisticated humanization algorhitm makes it easier for music producers to create a guitar part that sounds realistic.
• The built-in effects includes a high-quality reverb and a stereo tremolo.

Cons

• High price.

Conclusion

The MusicLab RealGuitar 5 is, without a doubt, one of our favorite plugins on the list because it includes so many features that the higher-than-average $199 price is justifiable. You get almost 20 types of acoustic guitar models if we consider all of the customization possibilities, including 7 and 12 strings guitar. Definitely one of the best guitar VST plugins out there.

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7. CLASSIC.GTr LITE

The CLASSIC.GTr LITE is simple and direct to the point. This free acoustic guitar plugin features 7 presets that are easy to use and surprisingly realistic. This virtual acoustic guitar is available for free download so there is really no reason not to include it in your plugin collection.

Product Specifications

• Sampled Acoustic Guitar Plugin
• 7 Presets
• In-Depth Modulation Controls
• Built-In Low-Pass Filter
• ADSR Controls
• Price: Free

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• The interface is very simple to understand and to use since the instruments are totally based on presets.
• You can send and receive modulation between tthe parameters of the plugin.
• There are different types of built-in low-pass filters for you to choose.
• Even though the plugin is mostly based on presets, you still get a decent amount of control over it including ADSR controls.
• Free.

Cons

• Not the best looking GUI.

Conclusion

The CLASSIC.GTr LITE is a simple solution for those in need of a virtual acoustic guitar that will work just fine for simple parts and processed melodies such as those used in trap. There aren’t many parameters to choose from, instead, the plugin is mostly based on the 7 presets that you get with it. While the CLASSIC.GTr LITE has some kind of realism, there are other options on the list that perform better on this subject.

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8. Aria’s Classical Guitarist

The Aria’s Classical Guitarist, as the name implies, is a classical guitar plugin meant for those that are looking for the mellow sounds produced by nylon-stringed acoustics. It is fully functional and features a lot of articulations and techniques. The VST is surprisingly affordable but still requires the Kontakt full version to work.

Product Specifications

• Sampled Acoustic Guitar Plugin
• Based on a Classical Guitar with Nylon Strings
• Finger Picking and Strumming Modes
• Up to 3 True Dynamic Levels
• Fully Functional and Controllable True Sampled Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs
• Harmonics Included
• Price: €40

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• This plugin is the best option for those looking for a realistic nylon-stringed classical acoustic guitar.
• There are two modes of playing: finger picking and strumming. These can be changed in real-time via key switches.
• The system employed in this plugin, developed by Aria Sounds, let the instrument keep the full natural attack on every sample/note without added latency.
• Apart of the 3 true dynamic levels, there are 9 variations per note, ensuring realism.
• Articulations such as hammer-ons and pull-offs are included.
• Harmonics are also included in the plugin.

Cons

• Not as many features as other options on the list.
• Requires NI Kontakt (full).

Conclusion

For a price so affordable, the Aria’s Classical Guitarist does an amazing job. The acoustic guitar tone you’ll get is mellow and warm, characteristic of nylon-stringed instruments. Furthermore, the sound quality is excellent and the realism is surprising.

This plugin doesn’t have as many features as other options on the list such as being able to choose between nylon and steel strings, so this virtual guitar is very specific on the sound and playing styles that it brings.

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9. Echo Sound Works Vinyl Guitar

Last year, Echo Sound Works released the Vinyl Guitar. This free virtual instrument is inspired by trap songs and lo-fi hip hop. The result is a highly processed guitar that sounds fairly realistic and includes lot of features and controls over the sound of the instrument, including fret noise, string buzz and pick noise.

Product Specifications

• Sampled Acoustic Guitar Plugin
• Nylon and Steel Strings
• Fret Noise, String Buzz and Pick Noise Control Knobs
• Built-In Reverb
• ASDR Control
• Price: Free

Advantages & Disadvantages

Pros

• You can choose between nylon and steel strings.
• There are knobs for controlling the fret noise, string buzz and pick noise, making it highly versatile.
• There’s a one-knob built-in reverb inside the plugin that sounds very nice.
• This plugin was sampled from a real guitar and processed through an actual vinyl player to give it the maximum amount of lo-fi flavor.
• You have total control over the ASDR of your sound.
• We gotta say that the interface looks pretty polished and it is very easy to use.
• This plugin is excellent for trap and lo-fi music production.
• Free.

Cons

• None.

Conclusion

Especially if you’re into trap and lo-fi music, we highly recommend you try this plugin. Echo Sound Works did an amazing job with the Vinyl Guitar VST and it is hard to be believe that this plugin is 100% free.

Furthermore, we recommend that you also check the other free products from the company such as the House Pianos plugin and the Serum presets. They are extremely well crafted.

Tip: Also check our Best Country Guitar VST article

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Tips for Making an Acoustic Guitar VST Sound Realistic

There are a few tips and tricks you can use to make your acoustic guitar emulations sound as realistic as possible. We will list them below.

Humanize your MIDI

While drawing in the piano roll, it is tempting to put everything under the grid. The reality is that live guitar performances are never 100% perfect, so you must include some off-grid notes on your MIDI track. This is called humanizing.

Another humanizing technique is to use different velocities. On human-played guitar tracks, the force that each string is played is never the same across the whole performance, there are always some inconsistencies and deliberate dynamic choices. You should also take that into account when creating your MIDI track.

Pay Atention to the Chord Voicings

The chord voicings you play on a guitar are not the same you would play on a keyboard or piano. With that in mind, when playing chords with a virtual guitar plugin, make sure that they match what would be played on the actual instrument.

Play It With a MIDI Keyboard

Playing guitar VSTs with a MIDI keyboard eliminates much of the hassle you will have humanizing the MIDI later on. Many plugins have intuitive keyboard layouts that you can use to your advantage for creating a performance that sounds more realistic.

Process It Carefully

The amount of processing you put after the initial performance with your plugin also matters. Make sure you know how to EQ and compress your acoustic guitar track. Those tasks are often tricky, but there are tons of tutorials on YouTube to help you.

Acoustic Guitar VST – Buyers Guide

Here are some key features to consider when shopping for acoustic guitar VSTs.

Sample-Based vs Modeled

Sample-based plugins, as the name implies, are based on guitar samples recorded from the real instrument. These virtual instruments usually have multiple samples for the same note so as to bring more realism to your guitar tones and performances.

Modeled plugins, such as the Applied Acoustic Systems Strum-GS2 have no samples. The sound of the acoustic guitar is entirely synthesized inside the plugin. The benefit with this type is that you have more control over certain details of the instrument.

Articulations

Make sure that the plugin you’re buying provide enough articulations to make your music composition more realistic and give you an organic sound. Those include hammer-on, pull-offs, and other guitar techniques that are usually employed by real life guitarists.

Pattern vs Single-Note Based Plugins

Many plugins, especially those dedicated to strummed chords, features patterns and a sophisticated chord voicing library that helps you achieve the best guitar sound more easily. This is great because it eliminates much of the hassle you would have programming or playing these parts by yourself, but takes alway some of the freedom.

Single-note based plugins allows you to play each note of the guitar separatedly, therefore giving you more freedom, however, the time you have to spend fine tuning the performance is significantly longer. Some plugins on our list feature both styles.

Built-In Effects

While you can always process your sound after you program your guitar part, having built-in effects on your plugin is useful so as to get to a mix-ready sound faster and more easily. Most plugins on the list feature some sort of built-in effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

These are the 9 best acoustic guitar VST. We recommend that you download the demos of all plugins and try them for yourself. Also consider the free options such as the DSK Dynamic Guitars and the Echo Sound Works Vinyl Guitar. In most cases, they can give a result that is just as good as the paid ones.

With that being said, we picked the MusicLab RealGuitar 5 as our favorite from the list due to the amount of features and versatility that it have. We also decided to include the DSK Dynamic Guitar as a free plugin choice for those who are on a budget. Keep reading to learn more about our choices.

MusicLab RealGuitar 5 – Best Acoustic Guitar VST

The MusicLab RealGuitar 5 was our favorite plugin on the list because it has so many features. You can choose between a steel and nylon guitar, 6, 7 and 12 strings, baritone instruments, and many other features such as articulations and humanization. It is definitely one of the most realistic-sounding plugins on the list as well.

DSK Dynamic Guitars – Best Free Acoustic Guitar VST

For those on a budget, the CLASSIC.GTr LITE will do a pretty good job. While it is not as advanced as more expensive options on the list, it is realistic enough to be used on a professional song. The plugin is free so there’s no reason not to download it.

How to Buy

You can find the link to each product’s page at their respective titles on the list. Again, make sure to download the demos and try different plugins before you buy one. Also check our related articles about music production and share this post with your friends!