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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  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
Oeksound Soothe
Plugins I’ve been a professional producer for decades, and these are the plugins I always call-up when working on a project
 
 
Steinberg Classics Collection
Plugins Steinberg marks 30 years of VST with the Classics Collection, which includes the first VST synth
 
 
Best guitar VSTs: Soundtoys Effects Rack
Plugins The effects the pros reach for first - Why Soundtoys 5 lives on the world's busiest sessions
 
 
inear
Tech Check out this fantastic treasure trove of free glitch plugins
 
 
LANDR AUDIO
Plugins Unlock infinite sound design - inside Reason 14’s new RV-9 reverb and upgraded rack workflow
 
 
A guitar VST running in Kontakt player on a computer
Plugins Best guitar VSTs 2026: Get the best simulated guitar tones for your next production
 
 
Latest in Plugins
Steinberg Classics Collection
Plugins Steinberg marks 30 years of VST with the Classics Collection, which includes the first VST synth
 
 
ua
Tech “Some sounds never go out of style”: Universal Audio makes two classic reverbs used by The Beatles, Radiohead and Brian Eno available natively
 
 
glitch2
Tech Illformed Glitch2 multi-effects plugin made available for free following its creator's passing
 
 
dubbox
Tech Beatbox your ideas into reality with Vochlea's DubBox, an app that converts your voice into drum loops
 
 
charli xcx
Artists How Charli XCX's producers ran a jam session through an AI sampling plugin to make No One Lasts Forever
 
 
Mastering The Mix MixVault
Plugins Eliminate those pesky hours of laborious EQing with MIXVAULT, a new approach to addressing your tonal balance without leaving your creative flow
 
 
Latest in News
Bad Bunny poses with the Album of the Year, Best Música Urbana Album, and Best Global Music Performance Awards during the 68th GRAMMY Awards
Music Industry Bad Bunny caught up in copyright case that could see massive consequences for reggaeton as a genre
 
 
Sid Wilson attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Aren
Bands “We wish him the best in his future endeavours”: Slipknot have given DJ Sid Wilson his P45
 
 
Geddy Lee of band Rush sings at the KIA Forum on Sunday, June 7, 2026
Gigs & Festivals “He has turned back time”: Geddy Lee on the vocal prep he had to do for Rush’s 50 Something tour
 
 
rave
Samples SampleRadar: 505 free rave synths samples
 
 
suno
Tech Suno’s Studio 2.0 adds an AI chatbot that can control your project, transform sounds and generate custom plugins
 
 
mike d
Artists "Thank you, Sir Paul": Mike D on how the Beastie Boys got away with sampling five Beatles songs
 
 

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...