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
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water
  • World in Motion
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The genius of Clive Davis
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Plugins

VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 43

News
By Ben Rogerson
Published 2 May 2012

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

Your one-stop release guide

Your one-stop release guide

Arturia gave us the Wurlitzer V and Native Instruments Instruments unveiled Skanner XT, but these aren’t the only plug-in releases from the past week or so. Read on for the best of the rest.

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: Subsonic Labs Wolfram

Page 1 of 9
Page 1 of 9
Subsonic Labs Wolfram

Subsonic Labs Wolfram

Billed as an ‘advanced sound manipulation device’, Wolfram is a slightly eccentric-looking multi-effects unit. It offers the likes of delays, pitch shifting, distortion, chorusing, phasing, panning, filtering, cabinet emulation “and all strange combinations in between”. Plenty of modulation options are included, too. The price rises to $80 on 27 April.

Buy or download demo of Subsonic Labs Wolfram

Page 2 of 9
Page 2 of 9
Modartt Pianoteq 4

Modartt Pianoteq 4

Another update for the acclaimed physically modelled piano. This time we get a brand new grand that’s based on the Steinway D (the D4), which promises an even better sound. There are new effects, too - including a convolution reverb - and a resizable interface.

Buy or download demo of Modartt Pianoteq 4

Page 3 of 9
Page 3 of 9
Sound Magic Hybrid Harpsichord

Sound Magic Hybrid Harpsichord

Now here’s a real vintage emulation: Hybrid Harpsichord is based on an instrument built by Kirckman in the 1770s. It has a single manual with three stops, one of which is a lute stop (you can switch between the stops using key switches). As its name suggests, the plug-in uses a combination of samples and physical modelling.

Buy or download demo of Sound Magic Hybrid Harpsichord

Page 4 of 9
Page 4 of 9
Scuffham Amps S-Gear 2.0

Scuffham Amps S-Gear 2.0

An update for the virtual guitar amp suite - it’s free for existing users. You can now drag ‘n’ drop modules in the effects rack for extra flexibility, there’s a dedicated modulation processor in the shape of ModThing, you’ll find more MIDI controller options and the factory presets have been revised.

Buy or download demo of Scuffham Amps S-Gear 2.0

Page 5 of 9
Page 5 of 9
Mecha Audio Dirty Bits

Mecha Audio Dirty Bits

A rack-style multi-effects unit that comes with three devices that are designed to mess up your audio. These go by the names of Distortion Compressor, Vintage Bit Crusher and Vinyl Damage, and we’re told that they can be used subtly or pushed to the extreme.

Buy or download demo of Mecha Audio Dirty Bits

Page 6 of 9
Page 6 of 9
NTS Audio Labs Drum Loop 2

NTS Audio Labs Drum Loop 2

Designed to create beats and grooves on the fly that can then be triggered via MIDI, Drum Loop 2 comes with a sizeable collection of one-shot samples and can also make loops out of the ones you already own. The price listed above is an introductory one.

Buy or download demo of NTS Audio Labs Drum Loop 2

Page 7 of 9
Page 7 of 9
Voxengo Warmifier 2.0

Voxengo Warmifier 2.0

A valve warming effect that sports valve preamp and console colouration simulators, plus a harmonic enhancer. You can control the strength and colour of the effect using various parameters, and although the overall impact is said to be subtle, the developer believes it can make a difference. The price listed above is an introductory one.

Buy or download demo of Voxengo Warmifier 2.0

Page 8 of 9
Page 8 of 9
Vox JamVox III

Vox JamVox III

Announced at Musikmesse 2012 but only just available, this significant update to JamVOX combines amps and effects, the Guitar Xtracktion feature (which enables you to remove/isolate an instrument track in a song, apparently) and now plug-in support. The price listed above is an introductory one.

Buy or download demo of Vox JamVox III

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
Synth Week 2026 logo
Synths Synth Week 2026: Exhibitor A-Z
 
 
inear
Tech Check out this fantastic treasure trove of free glitch plugins
 
 
Cherry Audio heading
Plugins Cherry Audio at Synth Week 26: Get up to 60% off all their classic synths, all through May
 
 
LANDR AUDIO
Plugins Unlock infinite sound design - inside Reason 14’s new RV-9 reverb and upgraded rack workflow
 
 
Best guitar VSTs: Soundtoys Effects Rack
Plugins The effects the pros reach for first - Why Soundtoys 5 lives on the world's busiest sessions
 
 
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
Latest in Plugins
zplane
Tech Zplane's Peel Stems 2 nearly halves the latency of its real-time stem separation plugin
 
 
ujam
Tech UJAM's Retrocraft is an all-in-one multi-effects plugin for lo-fi vintage vibes
 
 
Arturia Rev Ocean
Tech Arturia’s new Ocean-inspired reverb will turn your sounds “into a living sonic current”
 
 
Fred Again
Artists Unlocking the production tricks that Fred Again swears by
 
 
soothe3
Tech How Oeksound's Soothe became one of modern production's most ubiquitous plugins
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in News
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 27:   Lindsey Buckingham performs at The Brown Theatre on October 27, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images)
Artists Could a Fleetwood Mac Sphere residency be on the cards? Lindsey Buckingham isn’t ruling it out
 
 
Mick Jagger enjoying England vs Norway at the 2026 World Cup
Singles And Albums Have the Stones played their final show? “Maybe I have!” says Mick Jagger. “You never really know, do you?”
 
 
Simon Gallup of The Cure performs at Riot Fest 2023
Gigs & Festivals “Hope you will joining us in wishing Simon the speediest of recoveries. And Eden – thanks”: Son of Gallup saves the day for The Cure
 
 
zplane
Tech Zplane's Peel Stems 2 nearly halves the latency of its real-time stem separation plugin
 
 
Este Haim performs onstage at The Kia Forum on October 09, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for ABA)
Artists Este Haim says sibling rivalry, Princess Peach and Tina Weymouth led her to the bass guitar
 
 
Piano and one hand
Keyboards & Pianos "A very determined young lady”: Meet the Northern Irish teenager who passed her Grade 8 piano – one handed
 
 

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...