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

VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 40

By Ben Rogerson
published 7 March 2012

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
The best of the rest

The best of the rest

We’ve already briefed you on FabFilter’s Saturn and Arturia’s Spark Vintage Drum Machines, but these represent just the tip of this week’s plug-in release iceberg. Join us now as we delve below the waterline.

Also make sure you check out these regularly updated features:

The 20 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: HG Sounds Vortex VSTi

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
HG Sounds Vortex VSTi
PC, Mac/VST, $70

HG Sounds Vortex VSTi

Still in beta but deemed stable enough to be usable, Vortex contains 12 sequencers and dedicated synths for each of them. It’s designed to be a performance instrument, and comes with real-time triggers that enable you to manipulate the sequencers with effects. The price listed above is an introductory one.

Buy or download demo of HG Sounds Vortex VSTi

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Mandelbrot Drummer VST Rhythm Maker
PC/VST, $19

Mandelbrot Drummer VST Rhythm Maker

This MIDI sequencer plug-in is designed to make it easier to program drum patterns. It uses Mandelbrot Fractals to alter velocities rhythmically and enables you to experiment with poly-rhythms and unusual time signatures. You’ll need another drum plug-in to generate sounds, too.

Buy or download demo of Mandelbrot Drummer VST Rhythm Maker

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
discoDSP ThrillMe
PC/VST, €19

discoDSP ThrillMe

discoDSP has now been in business for 10 years, but rather than throwing a party, it’s releasing this multi-effects unit to celebrate. It features a 3-band compressor, 4-band spectral enhancer and mathematical waveshaping limiter.

Buy or download demo of discoDSP ThrillMe

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
OverTone DSP PTC-2A Vintage Program EQ
PC/VST, £39.95

OverTone DSP PTC-2A Vintage Program EQ

Yet another EQ that takes inspiration from the classic Pultec hardware designs, this one offers separate LF Boost and Attenuate controls, passive filters and a transformer-coupled gain stage that promises to add to the vintage tone. There’s a de-cramped mid-range filter, too.

Buy or download demo of OverTone DSP PTC-2A Vintage Program EQ

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Sound Magic Neo MasteringQ
PC/VST, €69

Sound Magic Neo MasteringQ

This mastering EQ promises to implement a “revolutionary concept” in EQ. It works, we’re told, by automatically detecting and locking in on the most audible/sensitive frequency, making the EQ process much simpler.

Buy or download demo of Sound Magic Neo MasteringQ

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 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson
Social Links Navigation

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. 

  1. Paul McCartney and Rick Rubin
    1
    Rick Rubin on Paul McCartney's bass playing and 'simple' songwriting: "He’s using this technique that any child could do, then it morphs into one of the greatest songs of all time"
  2. 2
    "He got a lot of his style playing with Ringo, because Ringo’s a very basic drummer" - Denny Laine on Wings as a three-piece with Paul McCartney on drums
  3. 3
    Pete Thorn demos his touring pedalboard for classic rock tones
  4. 4
    Fortin's latest Meshuggah amp sounds as chugging great as you'd hope
  5. 5
    This new Fender Charcoal Frost Player Plus Strat with US pickups is giving us serious GAS
  1. IK Multimedia ToneX Capture
    1
    IK Multimedia ToneX Capture review
  2. 2
    Rick Astley hires Blurred Lines lawyer to sue rap artist over vocal impersonation
  3. 3
    Trikk: "FL Studio allowed me to become who I am today as an artist. It gives you a platform, it empowers you - it's more than just software"
  4. 4
    This new Fender Charcoal Frost Player Plus Strat with US pickups is giving us serious GAS
  5. 5
    Rick Rubin on Paul McCartney's bass playing and 'simple' songwriting: "He’s using this technique that any child could do, then it morphs into one of the greatest songs of all time"

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.