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 MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Recording Week '26
  • 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
  • Rodrigo's Cure
  • California Dreamin'
  • "Apotheosis of mediocrity" - Rundgren vs Swift
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Plugins

VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 52

News
By Ben Rogerson
Published 16 August 2012

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

12 recent releases

12 recent releases

New plug-ins have been arriving at a rate of knots since we were with you last, as you’re about to discover. And don’t forget this week’s announcements of iZotope Alloy 2 and Brainworx bx_stereomaker.

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: TubeOhm Gamma Ray

Page 1 of 13
Page 1 of 13
TubeOhm Gamma Ray

TubeOhm Gamma Ray

We covered Tube-Ohm’s Alpha Ray in our free software round-up a few months ago, and this can be seen as a better-sounding, more feature-rich version. It’s a 10-voice polyphonic instrument with effects and a polyphonic sequencer/arpeggiator built-in.

Buy or download demo of TubeOhm Gamma Ray

Page 2 of 13
Page 2 of 13
Minimal System Instruments Punch Evolved Compressor

Minimal System Instruments Punch Evolved Compressor

This is a revised version of the original Punch Compressor. It emulates Universal Audio’s 1176E while also adding sound shaping features such as Mid/Side processing, an EQ and a gate. It’s said to be particularly “fantastic” when used on drums.

Buy or download demo of Minimal System Instruments Punch Evolved Compressor

Page 3 of 13
Page 3 of 13
MuTools MUX VST

MuTools MUX VST

A modular synth and effect plug-in that can be used as everything from a vintage synth to a sample player, a multiband compressor or a stereo reverb. It comes with loads or presets, while also enabling you to build your own instruments and effects.

Buy or download demo of MuTools MUX VST

Page 4 of 13
Page 4 of 13
Synthblitz Audio Nitroflex

Synthblitz Audio Nitroflex

A genre-specific instruments that’s marketed squarely at producers of house music. Nitroflex is said to be capable of creating both ‘old’ and futuristic sounds and comes with 200 presets. These include pianos, basses, plucks, leads, synths, effects and pads.

Buy or download demo of Synthblitz Audio Nitroflex

Page 5 of 13
Page 5 of 13
Mildon Studios R23 Reference Monitor

Mildon Studios R23 Reference Monitor

This is the latest of several plug-ins that are designed to make it more feasible for you to mix on headphones rather than with monitors. It simulates speaker cross-feed, room absorption and room reflection.

Buy or download demo of Mildon Studios R23 Reference Monitor

Page 6 of 13
Page 6 of 13
Centipeak Drum Experience

Centipeak Drum Experience

Not just a drum plug-in, but a drum experience, you understand. Offering 127 velocity layers, 16 controllable mics, insert effects and a flexible internal routing system, this is a sample-based solution that promises short loading times. One kit comes included and you can buy two others as add-ons.

Buy or download demo of Centipeak Drum Experience

Page 7 of 13
Page 7 of 13
SonicXTC Analog Phaser Module 111

SonicXTC Analog Phaser Module 111

This plug-in simulates the sound of two independent phasers working in tandem or in different directions. If that isn’t enough, you can use the Regenerate section to run the signal back through the phasers again. There are also two step LFOs and a vintage delay.

Buy or download demo of SonicXTC Analog Phaser Module 111

Page 8 of 13
Page 8 of 13
LSR Audio Dynamics Detail

LSR Audio Dynamics Detail

A compressor/expander that’s said to feature an ‘original’ compression algorithm. You can use it to reduce or amplify attacks and boost or attenuate sustain. The Mix control is on-hand to help out with parallel compression.

Buy or download demo of LSR Audio Dynamics Detail

Page 9 of 13
Page 9 of 13
Mecha Audio Remus

Mecha Audio Remus

A drum machine that contains 10 virtual analogue percussion instruments. These are purely synthesised - no samples are involved in the tone creation. Everything is automatable and you get built-in delay and reverb.

Buy or download demo of Mecha Audio Remus

Page 10 of 13
Page 10 of 13
SonicXTC ARM 101

SonicXTC ARM 101

At heart, this is a ring modulator, but a dual-channel tube amp, a tube echo unit, a 2-pole ladder filter and a chorus/flanger pedal are also included in the ARM 101 signal chain. As a result, SonicXTC believes that it’s come up with a ring modulator that’s “musical useful”.

Buy or download demo of SonicXTC ARM 101

Page 11 of 13
Page 11 of 13
kiloHearts Faturator

kiloHearts Faturator

Designed to add a bit of grit to your sounds, Faturator is said to be capable of everything from gentle warming to heavy saturation and digital fuzz. It promises to do this while preserving dynamics, while stereo widening is on the agenda, too.

Buy or download demo of kiloHearts Faturator

Page 12 of 13
Page 12 of 13
Inear Display Eurydice

Inear Display Eurydice

There are two parallel processors in this sound mangler. Each one offers a granulizer/stutter effect, a multimode filter, a bitcrusher and an LFO, giving you the tools you need to create lo-fi sounds, drills and glitches.

Buy or download demo of Inear Display Eurydice

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 13 of 13
Page 13 of 13
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
Native Instruments Komplete 26
Soft Synths “We know you want it, but do you really (really) need it?”: Native Instruments Komplete 26 review
 
 
Steinberg Classics Collection
Plugins Steinberg marks 30 years of VST with the Classics Collection, which includes the first VST synth
 
 
Reason Free
Plugins Reason Free puts 15 classic Reason devices in one free plugin that you can use in your existing DAW
 
 
A guitar VST running in Kontakt player on a computer
Plugins Best guitar VSTs 2026: Get the best simulated guitar tones for your next production
 
 
lucid
Tech Minimal Audio's Lucid is a granular powerhouse with scale locking, deep modulation and much more
 
 
Baby Audio HyperWarp
Plugins Baby Audio HyperWarp wants to be your new quick-fix for glitches, stutters and out-there inspiration
 
 
Latest in Plugins
bubblegum
Tech This free pitch editor brings Melodyne-style note editing to Windows, Mac and Linux
 
 
Baby Audio HyperWarp
Plugins Baby Audio HyperWarp wants to be your new quick-fix for glitches, stutters and out-there inspiration
 
 
cherry
Plugins "It's one of the rarest synthesizers ever made": Cherry Audio brings a forgotten ‘80s synth back to life
 
 
Mastering The Mix CARBON Q
Plugins Mastering The Mix CARBON Q balances your vocals, music, drums and bass – all from a single window
 
 
phoenix
Tech "This is a dream inspiration engine": BT and Spitfire Audio team up for Phoenix hybrid synth
 
 
Bit Layer
Tech This free multiband bitcrusher is a surgical tool for lo-fi sound design
 
 
Latest in News
bubblegum
Tech This free pitch editor brings Melodyne-style note editing to Windows, Mac and Linux
 
 
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 19: Slash performs onstage at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 19, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Guitarists "I cherish the relationship we had": Slash is honoured with the Les Paul Spirit Award for 2026
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 08: Don Black, OBE attends the "From The Heart" Opening Night Gala at the Garrick Theatre on October 08, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Carlo Paloni/Getty Images)
Singers & Songwriters “Harry Styles or Taylor Swift or something”: Songwriter Don Black on who might get the next Bond theme
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Emily Armstrong attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Linkin Park: Unshatter" at AMC The Grove 14 on September 24, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)
Singers & Songwriters “We changed a bunch of the keys”: Linkin Park explain the adjustments that had to be made for Emily Armstrong
 
 
Lindsey Buckingham and Sombr
Artists Sombr stumbles over his lyrics but Lindsey Buckingham delivers a blistering guitar solo as they duet
 
 
matthew herbert
Tech "Pasta, cereal, toilet roll and tinned fruit": Matthew Herbert has made an entire album from samples of everyday food items
 
 

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...