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
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Heart of Gold
  • Vince Clarke's favourite synth
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • The Beatles' medley masterpiece
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps
  3. Plugins

VST/AU plug-in instrument/effect round-up: Week 6

News
By Ben Rogerson published 30 March 2011

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

Makin' it easy

Makin' it easy

We’re noticing a trend at the moment for effects plug-ins with just a few simple controls - and in the case of a new Waves bundle this week, just one control. Some might argue that this is an example of music production being ‘dumbed down’, but if it helps more people create better-sounding records, we’re all for it.

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: Waves OneKnob Series

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
Waves OneKnob Series

Waves OneKnob Series

Having led the way in high-end and sometimes complex native software processing for many years, Waves has now gone for maximum simplicity and released a series of seven plug-ins that have just one knob each. Brighter, Driver, Phatter, Filter, Louder, Pressure and Wetter can all be turned just up or down, the theory being that anyone can use them to improve their sound.

Buy or download demo of Waves OneKnob Series

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
Xfer Records LFOTool

Xfer Records LFOTool

From the makers of the Nerve drum machine comes this effect plug-in that’s designed to enable producers to create tremolo, auto-pan, trance gate, sidechain, compressor simulation and dubstep-style wobble sounds with the minimum of fuss. You can have it for free if you purchase developer Steve Duda’s Fish EP before 10 April.

Buy or download demo of Xfer Records LFOTool

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
Mildon Studios LXR

Mildon Studios LXR

A decidedly simple plug-in that’s designed for widening vocals, instruments and complete mixes. It does this by allowing you to apply minimal amounts of delay to each channel of a stereo audio track and can also be used for creating drone and chorus effects.

Buy Mildon Studios LXR

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
Sonivox Big Bang

Sonivox Big Bang

We were hoping that this instrument would emulate the sound of the start of the universe, but no such luck. That’s OK, though: what it does give you is “explosive” cinematic drums and percussion for your soundtrack work: some 200 patches are included and the Intelligent Rhythm Technology keeps your playing in time. Watch a video demo here.

Buy Sonivox Big Bang

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
Adam Szabo JP6K

Adam Szabo JP6K

The big and beefy supersaw sound, which is much loved by trance producers, made its debut on Roland’s JP-800 synth in 1997, and this software instrument is designed specifically to emulate it. It comes with two super saw oscillators (upper and lower), a noise oscillator, three filter modes, three LFOs, delay and EQ.

Buy or download demos of Adam Szabo JP6K

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
Defective Records M-185

Defective Records M-185

The hardware M185 step sequencer was developed by RYK to run alongside Roland’s System-100M modular analogue synth, and the company has had a hand in designing this software version. It’s a multi-stage step sequencer with stage-selectable gate modes, offering all the main features of the original plus many more of its own.

Buy or download demo of Defective Records M-185

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 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
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
 
 
synths
Tech 5 innovative synth plugins daring to do things differently
 
 
plugins
Tech The ultimate soft synth showdown: Serum 2, Pigments, Phase Plant, Vital and Massive X: But which is best?
 
 
Cherry Audio heading
Plugins Cherry Audio at Synth Week 26: Get up to 60% off all their classic synths, all through May
 
 
Ableton Drift
Soft Synths 5 amazing stock synths that come bundled with your DAW
 
 
Electro-Harmonix has teamed up with MixWave to offer some of its most-famous pedals as plugins.
Guitars Electro-Harmonix launches six of its most-famous pedals as plugins
 
 
Latest in Plugins
sonic charge
Tech Is Synplant 2's new prompt-based patch generator the future of synthesis?
 
 
UA
Tech Universal Audio takes on Auto-Tune with Topline Vocal Tune – and promises pitch-perfect vocals "from the first take"
 
 
Arturia Memory V synth plugin
Tech Arturia Memory V “resurrects the analogue majesty of the Memorymoog with breathtaking authenticity”
 
 
Splice/YouTube
Plugins Thinking of making your next music tech purchase on a rent-to-own plan? Read this first
 
 
Neural DSP Darklgass Ultra
Bass Guitars Neural DSP unveils the Darkglass Ultimate plugin – a fully featured digital platform for studio-quality bass tone
 
 
jimmy jam
Artists Jimmy Jam on sampling, AI and his new EastWest drum machine plugin
 
 
Latest in News
Cherry Audio ESQ-1
Soft Synths Cherry Audio emulates the Ensoniq ESQ-1 for its 40th birthday
 
 
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Jon Bon Jovi during a special announcement of the "Forever Tour" at Wembley Stadium on October 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Kate Green/Getty Images)
Artists Jon Bon Jovi says he’s now “fully recovered” from his vocal cord surgery
 
 
Harry Styles plays piano with the Jules Buckley orchestra
Gigs & Festivals Harry Styles reinterprets his back catalogue with help from Jules Buckley Orchestra and Gospel House Choir
 
 
JZ Microphones MU-1
Microphones The MU-1 mic promises to make the much-loved ribbon-and-condenser recording trick way more accessible
 
 
The Fender American Original 60s Strat leaning against an amp
Guitars “Fender is not suing anybody”: CEO pushes back on the cease-and-desist controversy
 
 
Johnny Marr
Guitarists “This is the record that’s been the most cathartic”: A new Johnny Marr album is on the way
 
 

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...