Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Guitar Amps
  • Drums
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Radiohead theory
  • Steely Dan's drum machine
  • Deep Purple in the dungeon
  • Prince's drummers
  • 95k+ free music samples
Don't miss these
Pluginweek logo
Plugins Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
Plugins
Plugins To mark Plugin Week, here’s our pick of the most out-there sound design plugins you should grab now
plugins
Tech "It's a stupendously powerful tool": 10 of the best sampler plugins in 2025
plugins
Tech The ultimate soft synth showdown: Serum 2, Pigments 6, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: But which is best?
Sonic Charge Synplant 2
Software & Apps "This really is the ultimate sound design tool": 6 of the most creative plugin synths for sound design
Plugins Future owns
Plugins Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
Plugins
Plugins Our go-to plugins for adding flavour to our sounds
iZotope FXEQ
Gear & Gadgets iZotopeʼs colourful new FXEQ multi-effects plugin lets you “paint” with saturation, reverb, and delay
Odin 2
Synths Fantastic (free) plugins and how to use them: The Wave Warden Odin 2
Best VST synths
Plugins Don't know where to start with virtual instruments? We're here to help
API
Plugins Our pick of the very best VCA compressor software emulation plugins for any music project
Arturia V Collection 11
Soft Synths “Still the synth and keyboard collection to beat”: Arturia V Collection 11 Pro review
linux
Digital Audio Workstation 14 of the best plugins and DAWs you can use on Linux
Plugins
Plugins How to get famous sounds and effects using only Logic’s stock plugins
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Plugins

VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 30

News
By Ben Rogerson published 24 November 2011

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

The next generation

The next generation

We might have only just concluded our 2011 search to find the best VST plug-in synths in the world today, but this market doesn’t stand still, and there are plenty of new instruments and effects for you to consider, too. Who knows - one of this lot might become your new favourite plug-in…

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: Nomad Factory Magnetic II

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Nomad Factory Magnetic II

Nomad Factory Magnetic II

This tape warming effect now features nine tape models, a Real Tape mode, a Wow & Flutter knob and more. Its aim is simple: to give your music a warm, vintage tape sound. It can be used on individual parts or the master bus, and sports an easy-to-use interface. The current price is an introductory one.

Buy or download demo of Nomad Factory Magnetic II

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Brainworx Vertigo VSC-2

Brainworx Vertigo VSC-2

Billed as ‘the Mercedes of VCA compressors’, this is based on Vertigo’s $6,000 flagship hardware model. It actually features four VCAs and, although it’s primarily designed for mastering and stereo mix bus use, it can also be employed on individual tracks. The current price is an introductory one.

Buy or download demo of Brainworx Vertigo VSC-2

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
DDMF LinComp

DDMF LinComp

Another compressor, this is a linear phase multiband model for mastering. The idea is that you deal with the levels and response times of four frequency bands independently, with the linear phase crossover ensuring that the audio remains pristine. You can also use LinComp as a brickwall limiter.

Buy or download demo of DDMF LinComp

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Big Melon Audio PSIonic

Big Melon Audio PSIonic

Promising precise and artifact-free control of the stereo field, you can use this stereo imager for ‘natural-sounding’ pan sweeps. What’s more, the built-in crossover enables you to separate the bass from other vocals and instruments.

Buy or download demo of Big Melon Audio PSIonic

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
G-Sonique Mid-Side: Creative Stereophase Filter+

G-Sonique Mid-Side: Creative Stereophase Filter+

The name isn’t the catchiest we’ve ever heard for a plug-in, but if you want to create “3D modulation effects with phasing/filtering and the illusion of effected sound that will fly around your head while the centre (mid) of the sound stays untouched,” this new processor could be for you.

Buy or download demo of G-Sonique Mid-Side: Creative Stereophase filter+

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
Steinberg Yamaha Vintage Plug-in Collection

Steinberg Yamaha Vintage Plug-in Collection

They made their debut at the Frankfurt Musikmesse 2011, and now these plug-ins have been released. There are three collections: the Vintage Channel Strip (EQ and compressors); Vintage Open Deck (tape machines); and Vintage Stomp Pack (phasers, flanger and wah).

Buy or download demo of Steinberg Yamaha Vintage Plug-in Collection

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
ToneBytes Analog Noise

ToneBytes Analog Noise

The name says it all, really: if you want to add “the sound and atmosphere” of analogue recordings to your digital projects, give it a whirl. The 21 sound profiles include magnetic tape, vinyl records and various tube and transistor devices. You can add everything from gentle saturation to massive distortion.

Buy or download demo of ToneBytes Analog Noise

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
TubeOhm T-FM

TubeOhm T-FM

An FM synth, but one that the developer believes shows another side to this sound generation method. TubeOhm claims that T-FM has its own character: it sports DSP, Effects and Arp/Step Sequencer pages. Check out the demo video here.

Buy or download demo of TubeOhm T-FM

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 9 of 9
Page 9 of 9
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
Pluginweek logo
Plugin Week 2025: Exhibitor A-Z
 
 
Plugins
To mark Plugin Week, here’s our pick of the most out-there sound design plugins you should grab now
 
 
plugins
"It's a stupendously powerful tool": 10 of the best sampler plugins in 2025
 
 
plugins
The ultimate soft synth showdown: Serum 2, Pigments 6, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: But which is best?
 
 
Sonic Charge Synplant 2
"This really is the ultimate sound design tool": 6 of the most creative plugin synths for sound design
 
 
Plugins Future owns
Our resident platinum award-winning mixer and producer shares 10 of his go-to plugins
 
 
Latest in Plugins
Mk.pre
Audio Hertz's Mk.pre emulates the Tascam Portastudio preamp that colours Mk.gee's sought-after guitar tone
 
 
minimal audio plugin
Minimal Audio drops Formant, a free formant-shifting plugin for creative vocal production
 
 
Baby Audio Tekno
“The hardest hitting synthesized drums ever put in a plugin”: Baby Audio Tekno isn’t pulling its punches
 
 
A selection of Waves plugins on a yellow and orange background
I've been through Waves entire Labor Day plugin sale and these 5 gems at $34.99 each are unmissable - plus get 2 free when you buy 2
 
 
the crow hill
"No strings attached": The Crow Hill Company releases Lo-Fi Strings, a free tape-treated string library with a warm and nostalgic sound
 
 
ablaze
"Take your pig squeals to the next level": Ablaze's Screamer is a vocal production plugin "crafted for metalheads, by metalheads"
 
 
Latest in News
Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste answers the internet’s piano queries and agrees with one potentially controversial musical statement
 
 
Flava D in the studio
Flava D on why drum & bass is the toughest genre to produce
 
 
SCM All Stars logo
“I’m so grateful that our music can be a vehicle for their spirits to fly”: Students at Flea’s music school pay tribute to Chili Peppers
 
 
Musician Dave Grohl, founding member of Nirvana and The Foo Fighters
“Ladies and gentlemen, will you please welcome Ilan Rubin”: Dave Grohl introduces new drummer at Foos secret gig
 
 
Brian May
“I missed a couple of things": Brian May critiques his Last Night of the Proms performance
 
 
Ed Sheeran attends the European Premiere of F1 ® The Movie at Cineworld, Leicester Square on June 23, 2025
“It would be ‘Stop’ and then ‘Eject’”: Ed Sheeran reveals that plans for posthumous album are in his will
 
 

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

  • 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...