Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Plugins

VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 21

News
By Ben Rogerson published 31 August 2011

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

Three new tools

Three new tools

Plug-in developers seem to have been easing back on the new releases during this late summer period, but the advantage for those who have put out wares is that it gives them all the more room to shine. Read on for a triple hit of synth, metering and effect goodness.

Also make sure you 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: Dimitry Sches Diversion

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
Dimitry Sches Diversion

Dimitry Sches Diversion

Diversion almost seems too inconsequential a name for what looks like a pretty serious synth. It’s got four oscillators, two bus processors (each of which offers a multimode filter), effects, modulation options and an arpeggiator/trance gate. It’s designed for use in ‘any genre’ of electronic music.

Buy or download demo ofDimitry Sches Diversion

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
Brainworx bx_meter

Brainworx bx_meter

If you want to get a better idea of what’s going on with the levels in your mixes, this metering plug-in might help. It displays both peak and RMS levels, and also the relationship between the two of them with the centred dynamic LEDs. There’s also a Mid/Side mode to go with the standard L/R one.

Buy or download demo of Brainworx bx_meter

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
Kuassa Kratos Maximizer

Kuassa Kratos Maximizer

This is billed as a transparent, mastering-grade look-ahead brickwall limiter and loudness maximizer that can be strapped across your master channel. At its heart is a single Maximize knob, though Texture, Release, Knee and Ceiling parameters can also be tweaked.

Buy or download demo of Kuassa Kratos Maximizer

Liked this? Now read: Free music software: the best audio app and plug-in downloads on the net

Connect with MusicRadar: via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
Social Links Navigation
Deputy Editor

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. 

Read more
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
plugins
Tech The ultimate soft synth showdown: Serum 2, Pigments, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: But which is best?
 
 
Ableton Drift
Soft Synths 5 amazing stock synths that come bundled with your DAW
 
 
Synth Week 2026 logo
Synths Synth Week 2026: Exhibitor A-Z
 
 
Cherry Audio heading
Plugins Cherry Audio at Synth Week 26: Get up to 60% off all their classic synths, all through May
 
 
inear
Tech I just stumbled on a treasure trove of free glitch plugins
 
 
Latest in Plugins
UA
Tech Universal Audio takes on Auto-Tune with Topline Vocal Tune – and promises pitch-perfect vocals "from the first take"
 
 
Arturia Memory V synth plugin
Tech Arturia Memory V “resurrects the analogue majesty of the Memorymoog with breathtaking authenticity”
 
 
Splice/YouTube
Plugins Thinking of making your next music tech purchase on a rent-to-own plan? Read this first
 
 
Neural DSP Darklgass Ultra
Bass Guitars Neural DSP unveils the Darkglass Ultimate plugin – a fully featured digital platform for studio-quality bass tone
 
 
jimmy jam
Artists Jimmy Jam on sampling, AI and his new EastWest drum machine plugin
 
 
Man playing a moog at a desk in a field
Plugins Moog Messenger at Synth Week 26: One year with the new monosynth
 
 
Latest in News
How to buy your first acoustic piano
Tech Scientists finally unravel the mysteries of a pianist’s ‘touch’ after measuring hand and finger movements
 
 
Fender Tone Master Pro & FR-15 cab
Guitars Fender gives the Tone Master Pro a mighty firmware update, adding some classics from its amp archive
 
 
UA
Tech Universal Audio takes on Auto-Tune with Topline Vocal Tune – and promises pitch-perfect vocals "from the first take"
 
 
Singer Barry Manilow, 2025
Singers & Songwriters “I don’t know whether my voice is coming back”: Barry Manilow says he doesn’t “sound like me” after cancer surgery
 
 
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 1904 -- Pictured: Musical guest Paul McCartney performs "Days We Left Behind" on Saturday, May 16, 2026 -- (Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images)
Artists Paul McCartney shows you how to play the mystery guitar chord that kickstarted his new album
 
 
Epiphone Hummingbird Tribute
Guitars Epiphone unveils beginner-friendly $229 ‘Tribute’ to Gibson’s iconic Hummingbird acoustic
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

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

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...