Skip to main content
Become a MusicRadar VIP - it's free
- Join our community
SampleRadar
Access over 90,000 royalty-free samples
The MusicRadar app
Full access and custom feeds
MusicRadar Newsletters
The latest music and gear news inboxed
Earn Member Badges
Climb the MusicRadar charts
Coming soon: VIP-only Giveaways
Win pro-grade music gear and more
Join the conversation
Connect with other musicians and fans
BECOME A MUSICRADAR VIP
For the quickest way to join, enter your email below. We’ll send a confirmation email and sign you up to MusicRadar newsletters with the latest music news, gear reviews, tutorials and exclusive offers.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
Get VIP Access Quick

Become a MusicRadar VIP for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to Become a MusicRadar VIP !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Start reading to unlock your first badge
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Hot music news

Hot music news

The latest news from the hottest artists.

Explore
Make better music

Make better music

Explore tutorials, tips and guides for creating music.

Explore

Your membership perks

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Explore now

Get the MusicRadar Newsletter

Get the latest music news, gear reviews, deals and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign up here

Sign Out
MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Software & Apps
  • Controllers
  • Buying Guides
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • About us
More
  • Dear Prudence
  • Clapton x Kossoff
  • Music news
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Plugins

VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 50

News
By Ben Rogerson
Published 4 July 2012

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

50 up

50 up

We hit a cool half century of plug-in round-ups with a typically diverse selection of instruments and effects. Some are available at pocket money prices; others will set you back rather 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: Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines

Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines

Slate isn’t holding back on the marketing for this one, claiming that it’s “the most advanced, dynamic, true-to-life analogue tape emulation ever achieved”. It sports a 16-track, 2-inch machine and a 1/2-inch mastering deck. There are two tape machines and speeds, plus control over various parameters.

Buy or download demo of Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
EGP Audio Top Ron

EGP Audio Top Ron

This saturation unit can serve as a general purpose dual-stage distortion device on all kinds of material (beats and drum tracks in particular are cited). There are two subtly different modes of operation, while the Timbre control enables you to make fast but significant EQ tweaks.

Buy or download demo of EGP Audio Top Ron

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Ample Sound Ample Guitar bundle

Ample Sound Ample Guitar bundle

A selection of sample-based guitar emulation plug-ins for keyboard players. AGP recreates the PRS Artist Custom 24; AGF apes a Fender Stratocaster Custom ‘50s instrument; and AGG is based on the sound of a Gibson Les Paul Custom R8. Each one is also available separately and supports a range of playing techniques.

Buy Ample Sound Ample Guitar bundle

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Softrave Vintage Analog Ring Shift Modulator

Softrave Vintage Analog Ring Shift Modulator

Designed to stand out, clearly, this FX plug-in provides a mixture of pitch shifting and ring modulation. It can be used to create vibrato and distortion effects, bell-like sounds and more strange sonic stuff. It was inspired by Electro-Harmonix’s Ring Thing pedal.

Buy or download demo of Softrave Vintage Analog Ring Shift Modulator

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
LSR Audio SK_Drive and SK_Bright

LSR Audio SK_Drive and SK_Bright

If one knob at a time is quite enough for you to be dealing with, this pair might catch your eye. SK_Drive is designed to add body to your sound through a combination of compression and attenuation, while SK_Bright adds brightness, presence and harmonics with the help of tube overdrive.

Buy or download demos of LSR Audio SK_Drive and SK_Bright

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
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
kazu
Tech “If you buy one piece of music software this month, make it this one”: 5 plugins you need to know about
 
 
reverb
Tech "We weren’t going to make just another reverb – that would be boring": We tested 7 of the weirdest reverb plugins
 
 
An SSL 2+ MKII audio interface on a desk
Recording I sifted through Sweetwater's massive up to 50% off studio gear sale to bring you the best equipment discounts
 
 
Dreamtonics
Software & Apps Dreamtonics’ Instrument X provides a range of classical instruments - and expressive control over them - with a tiny footprint
 
 
Native Instruments Komplete 26
Soft Synths “We know you want it, but do you really (really) need it?”: Native Instruments Komplete 26 review
 
 
MusicRadar Monthly Guitar Gear Roundup October 2026: ft. Kim Gordon with her Jazzmaster, the Zoom Neurig, Gibson HiFi DNA acoustics and more
Guitars The MusicRadar gear roundup Oct 2026 edit – fresh drops from EBMM, Gibson, JHS Pedals and more
 
 
Latest in Plugins
A hand drawn control knob on a pink background with the MusicRadar deals logo
Plugins Waves is dropping a brand new plugin for exactly $0 - here's how to claim yours before licenses run out
 
 
A selection of Waves plugins on an orange background with the MusicRadar deals logo
Plugins With 86% off the Abbey Road Collection, Waves' early Black Friday sale just made upgrading your DAW way cheaper
 
 
izotope
Tech "Choose your model and let the magic happen": iZotope launches Photon, the company's first plugin developed with new owner Boris FX
 
 
reverb
Tech "We weren’t going to make just another reverb – that would be boring": We tested 7 of the weirdest reverb plugins
 
 
massive xl
Tech Massive XL is here: Native Instruments supersizes its flagship soft synth with AI-powered preset generation, custom wavetables and much more
 
 
vocalign
Plugins Synchro Arts at Recording Week 2026: 5 essential vocal mixing plugins in 2026
 
 
Latest in News
Willie Nelson participates in a press conference during Farm Aid 2026 at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater on September 26, 2026
Singers & Songwriters “It relaxes you so you might think a little different”: Willie Nelson on how cannabis improves his songwriting
 
 
Peter Gabriel performing with Genesis in 1973
Bands “We were this combination of vicious enemies and best friends”: Peter Gabriel on his split from Genesis
 
 
Celine Dion arrives from the Arena concert and waves her fans in front of the Royal Monceau, in Paris on October 14, 2026. (Photo by Magali Cohen / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
Artists Céline Dion plays air bass and headbangs to Enter Sandman as she enters her hard rock era with Metallica
 
 
Guitarist, innovator and inventor Del Casher performs at JP's in Los Angeles, California on February 16, 1998
Guitar Pedals “They thought I was a crackpot”: Wah wah inventor Del Casher has died, aged 88
 
 
A Strandberg Boden Singularity NX 7 electric guitar on a yellow background
Gear & Gadgets I found $1,190 off Mapex and $800 off Strandberg in Sweetwater's massive early Black Friday sale
 
 
Guitarist Richard Lloyd performing with American rock group, Television, on one of their two nights at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, 28th-29th May1977
Guitarists “A seeker and finder and a true inspiration”: Johnny Marr and others pay tribute to Richard Lloyd
 
 

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...