
DSK Music Synthopia 2
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This second version of Synthopia has a triple-layer architecture, meaning that it's possible to stack up sounds or pipe each layer through a separate MIDI channel. There are 128 presets in five categories, while filters and LFOs are also part of the synth's makeup.

Nick Crow Lab TubeDriver
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
No, it's not an London Underground train simulator, it's a tube amp plug-in. There's a pre-EQ, Bias, Drive and Volume controls, and also options to dial in noise, adjust the amount of parameter drift and flip the phase of the output signal.

Homegrown Sounds Introjector Lite
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Introjector is best thought of as a loop re-sequencer. The idea is that you load a loop, adapt it using the eight onboard sequencers and then export the results. The Lite version is limited in several respects (you can only load one WAV at a time and there are only two sequencers) but, as its presence here indicates, it has the advantage of being free.

AcmeBarGig Preampus Week
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
AcmeBarGig has been releasing one of its new hybrid amp plug-ins every day recently, with one more to come. As of now, you can download Dick Head, Meat Head, Knuckle Head and Brain 2 – the name of the final amp remains a mystery.

Togu Audio Line TAL-Reverb
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
The latest plug-in to be added to the TAL line is an open-source plate reverb that promises to be easy to use and to produce a smooth sound. Togu claims that slightly modulated delay times should help to keep the reverb tail free of artefacts.

b.serrano Anubis
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Another free virtual analogue synth is released into the wild: this one has two oscillators, two LFOs, a multimode filter and a 7x7 modulation matrix. A selection of effects is also included, namely vibrato, tremolo, delay and chorus. CPU friendliness is another plus point.