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
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
A laptop in a music studio with Universal Audio plugins running on it
Plugins UAD's free plugin offer is the biggest no-brainer I've seen this year – but time is running out to get your hands on a world-class studio weapon for nothing
absynth 6
Tech Native Instruments' Absynth returns – here’s the inside story, with developer Brian Clevinger
soundtoys
Tech "This is our way of saying thank you": Soundtoys is giving away six free plugins this Christmas, starting with Little PrimalTap
kv331
Tech KV331 Audio is giving away SynthMaster One for free until January 4
A Fractal Audio VP4 Virtual Pedalboard multi-effects pedal on a concrete floor
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals 2025: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
dnksaus
Tech Stuck for ideas in Ableton Live? This free Max for Live device could snap you out of writer's block
tape double track
Tech This $99 plugin recreates a classic studio technique invented at Abbey Road for The Beatles – and it's free for the next three days
plugin boutique
Tech Save up to 95% on incredible plugins, software and bundles in Plugin Boutique’s Black Friday sale – and grab an exclusive free plugin for MusicRadar readers
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score big savings on music gear ahead of Christmas from the likes of UAD, Casio, Waves, PRS and more
app
Soft Synths KV331 Audio is giving away one of the best iPad synths we've ever tested for free
A Macbook with music plugins running on it on a blue background
Software & Apps Black Friday plugin deals 2025: These are the last remaining deals on software
A selection of free plugins on a lime green background
Plugins I've found 9 free plugin deals for Black Friday, including a killer bundle - help yourself to something for nothing before the offers disappear
steve hauschildt
Artists Ambient maestro Steve Hauschildt on the obscure plugins, generative tools and '00s digital synths behind Aeropsia
Best impulse buy $50 plugins Cyber Monday 2025
Tech 19 of the best plugins under $50 for last-minute impulse buying this Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday plugin deals graphic
Software & Apps Cyber Monday plugin deals 2025 LIVE: all of today's most unmissable music software discounts on Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, Plugin Boutique and around the web
More
  • "The most expensive bit of drumming in history”
  • JoBo x Fuchs
  • Radiohead Daydreaming
  • Vanilla Fudge
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Plugins

VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 46

News
By Ben Rogerson published 24 May 2012

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

The pick of the latest releases

The pick of the latest releases

Not all instruments and effects come as plug-ins – Reason has its new Rack Extensions and we’ve just seen a Minimoog on the Google homepage – but this is still their most natural home.

We’ve got four new ones here; read on to find out more.

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: DMG Audio PitchFunk

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
DMG Audio PitchFunk

DMG Audio PitchFunk

This “modulating multi-FX monster” promises to make “the filthiest noises you’ve ever heard,” which is quite some claim when you consider the dirt that’s passed our ears over the years. It has a pitch shifter which feeds a delay and filter with feedback, while there are plenty of modulation options.

Buy or download demo of DMG Audio PitchFunk

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
HG Fortune Ghost Machine

HG Fortune Ghost Machine

It looks complicated, and it sounds pretty intense, too. Ghost Machine can’t be played like a normal synth; it’s a multipart algorithmic composing machine that sports Pad. HiSq/Bass and Drum parts. Each part has its own sequencer, and there’s also a main sequencer. The price listed above is an introductory one.

Buy or download demo of HG Fortune Ghost Machine

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Mildon Studios SLVR Spreader

Mildon Studios SLVR Spreader

Designed for both mixing and mastering, SLVR Spreader is a stereo widener. It uses various different technologies that, when combined, enable you to apply widening without weakening the overall sound (so we’re told). The price listed above is an introductory one.

Buy or download demo of Mildon Studios SLVR Spreader

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Manx Bit 100

Manx Bit 100

The Crumar Bit One might not be the best-known synth of the 1980s, but the developers of this emulation claim that its sound is “first class”. Bit 100 promises all the best of its hardware forebear (two LFOs, a duophonic unison mode, three waveforms per oscillator) but without the unreliability and poor MIDI spec.

Buy or download demo of Manx Bit 100

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 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
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
Best impulse buy $50 plugins Cyber Monday 2025
19 of the best plugins under $50 for last-minute impulse buying this Cyber Monday
 
 
Cyber Monday plugin deals graphic
Cyber Monday plugin deals 2025 LIVE: all of today's most unmissable music software discounts on Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, Plugin Boutique and around the web
 
 
Soundtoys SpaceBlender
Soundtoys makes some of the best effects plugins we've ever tested - and they're discounted by up to 75% for Black Friday
 
 
kv331
KV331 Audio is giving away SynthMaster One for free until January 4
 
 
A Macbook running Universal Audio plugins on a studio desk
Universal Audio's amazing Black Friday freebie is still live - for now. Take your pick from an 1176, LA-2A, Pultec EQ, and more completely free of charge
 
 
A selection of free plugins on a lime green background
I've found 9 free plugin deals for Black Friday, including a killer bundle - help yourself to something for nothing before the offers disappear
 
 
Latest in Plugins
kv331
KV331 Audio is giving away SynthMaster One for free until January 4
 
 
A laptop in a music studio with Universal Audio plugins running on it
UAD's free plugin offer is the biggest no-brainer I've seen this year – but time is running out to get your hands on a world-class studio weapon for nothing
 
 
absynth 6
Native Instruments' Absynth returns – here’s the inside story, with developer Brian Clevinger
 
 
soundtoys
"This is our way of saying thank you": Soundtoys is giving away six free plugins this Christmas, starting with Little PrimalTap
 
 
tape double track
This $99 plugin recreates a classic studio technique invented at Abbey Road for The Beatles – and it's free for the next three days
 
 
 universal audio
“We built Paradise to make any guitarist feel like they’re playing in a dream studio": Universal Audio releases Paradise Guitar Studio – and it's 25% off for Cyber Monday
 
 
Latest in News
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 19: Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle of Roxette perform on stage on the 'Join The Joyride' tour at Wembley Arena on October 19th, 1991 in London, England. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)
Roxette’s It Must Have Been Love isn’t what you thought it was, says the man who wrote it
 
 
Singers Kirsty MacColl (1959 - 2000) and Shane MacGowan with with toy guns and an inflatable Santa in a festive scenario, circa 1987
“It’s faster, more spunky”: Steve Lillywhite on what he did to brush up a new live version of Fairytale Of New York
 
 
Piano under a Christmas tree with gifts
5 reasons a gift card is the most stress-free present you can get a musician this Christmas
 
 
TORONTO, ONTARIO - NOVEMBER 14: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO STANDALONE PUBLICATION USE (NO SPECIAL INTEREST OR SINGLE ARTIST PUBLICATION USE; NO BOOK USE). Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at Rogers Centre on November 14, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)
Taylor Swift's bass player Amos Heller says he couldn't believe the "insane" length of the Eras Tour setlist
 
 
Cheering audience at music concert
Only When I’m Dancing Do I Feel This Free: Half of clubbers think phones are “ruining” the dancefloor
 
 
Levon Been of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
"It’s just all smoke and mirrors”: How the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club took on the Trump administration, and won
 
 

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
  • 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...