VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 10

More weapons for your sonic arsenal

Another varied selection of plug-ins this week, with the instruments ranging from analogue synth to ancient Chinese banjo emulations, and the effects processors including a software version of a classic Roland chorus and a dedicated pianists’ EQ.

Also check out these regularly updated features:

The 17 best VST plug-in synths in the world today

The 14 best VST plug-in drum machines in the world today

If you've got a new PC or Mac plug-in, make sure you let us know about it by emailing musicradar.pressreleases@futurenet.com with all the details.

NEXT: Manx Synthesizers MM+ and XS-1

Manx Synthesizers MM+ and XS-1

Two new synths from a developer which reckons that it can offer instruments that have a “warmer, thicker analogue sound” than some of its rivals. The MM+ looks like a Minimoog-inspired monosynth, while the XS-1 is a polysynth with three 6-stage envelope generators.

Buy or download demos of Manx Synthesizers MM+ and XS-1

Sound Magic PianoQ

If you’re struggling to create your ideal piano sound, this dedicated ivory-tinklers’ EQ could help. It’s a 5-band parametric affair: three bands are specially designed for pianos while the other two are left to be employed at the user’s discretion.

Buy Sound Magic PianoQ

Audio Spillage MiniSpillage Pro

The free MiniSpillage is soon to get a more advanced sibling in the shape of MiniSpillage Pro. This is a drum machine that blends modelling, sample playback and sequencing - it won’t be available until the third quarter of 2011 but if you pre-order you can get it for almost half price.

Pre-order Audio Spillage MiniSpillage Pro

Empty Room Systems Dim D

This is an emulation of Roland’s SDD-320 Dimension D chorus unit, but one that also offers a few enhanced features. These include Freq, Depth and Mix knobs and a large bank of presets. The introductory price applies until June 15.

Buy Empty Room Systems Dim D

Tek'it Audio 8eqf

Another EQ plug-in from Tek’it Audio, this one’s an 8-band semi-parametric model with selectable bandwidth (choose between narrow and wide). For each band, you can tweak center frequency, gain, bandwidth and bypass parameters.

Buy or download demo of Tek’it Audio 8eqf

Kong Audio ChineeSanXian

The SanXian (which means three strings) is a banjo-esque instrument that can apparently be traced back to the Qin dynasty, third century BC, but is still used today. This is a sample-based emulation that’s powered by Kong Audio’s new QIN engine.

Buy Kong Audio ChineeSanXian

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I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.