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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.