Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Plugin Week 2023
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • Best free lo-fi plugins
  • Top EQ plugins
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Free music samples
  • Best free music-making software

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Computer Music

8 mad and mind-blowing plugin interfaces

By Computer Music
published 16 August 2016

Cleanliness, clarity, simplicity and unambiguity - the cornerstones of good plugin interface design. And then there's this lot…

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Eye-popping plugins

Eye-popping plugins

With the recent release of Waves Andrew Scheps Parallel Particles getting us thinking about just how far off the dial plugin GUI designers can go when they want to, we decided to round up eight of the most bewildering, overblown and downright bonkers virtual instrument and effect fascias ever committed to screen.

Don't get us wrong: what we have here are some truly amazing and, in a couple of cases, quite beautiful devices. In each case, though, the UI design rulebook has gone right out of the window...

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
1. Dub-Russell 2020

1. Dub-Russell 2020

Ironically-named beat machine. Soon available for Apple Watch.

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
2. Hawk VST Basstard

2. Hawk VST Basstard

A rusty synth clad in leopard print. Need we say more?

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
3. D16 Group Sigmund

3. D16 Group Sigmund

Imagine yourself hurtling towards the future as you dial in delays…

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
4. Kush Audio Pusher

4. Kush Audio Pusher

Sci-fi saturator resembling an extra-terrestrial owl.

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
5. Waves Butch Vig Vocals

5. Waves Butch Vig Vocals

Right, so where’s the bypass button on this thing?

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
6. Admiral Quality Poly-Ana

6. Admiral Quality Poly-Ana

Five minutes staring at this synth will drive you crackers.

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
7. Ohm Force Predatohm

7. Ohm Force Predatohm

You’ll be scratching your own eyes out after a few minutes with this GUI.

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
8. Black Rooster Audio The Canary

8. Black Rooster Audio The Canary

Captain Jack Sparrow wants his portable radio back.

Page 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Computer Music
Computer Music
Social Links Navigation

Computer Music magazine is the world’s best selling publication dedicated solely to making great music with your Mac or PC computer. Each issue it brings its lucky readers the best in cutting-edge tutorials, need-to-know, expert software reviews and even all the tools you actually need to make great music today, courtesy of our legendary CM Plugin Suite.

  1. Signed Minimoog Geddy Lee
    1
    Win a vintage Minimoog signed by Rush’s Geddy Lee: “It has a fat, identifiable tone. I really like that”
  2. 2
    Tom Bukovac on his favourite guitar amp of all time and why the 100-watt version is better than a 50-watt
  3. 3
    Mick Fleetwood describes continuing with Fleetwood Mac as “unthinkable” after the loss of Christine McVie
  4. 4
    Drum kit tour: Alter Bridge, Scott Phillips
  5. 5
    Ovation brings its Ultra electro acoustic guitar series back for 2023
  1. Signed Minimoog Geddy Lee
    1
    Win a vintage Minimoog signed by Rush’s Geddy Lee: “It has a fat, identifiable tone. I really like that”
  2. 2
    Tom Bukovac on his favourite guitar amp of all time and why the 100-watt version is better than a 50-watt
  3. 3
    Mick Fleetwood describes continuing with Fleetwood Mac as “unthinkable” after the loss of Christine McVie
  4. 4
    Drum kit tour: Alter Bridge, Scott Phillips
  5. 5
    Ovation brings its Ultra electro acoustic guitar series back for 2023

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.