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
  • 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
  • Footloose!
  • Di Meola on Pastorius and more
  • Frank Ocean
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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
kazu
Tech “If you buy one piece of music software this month, make it this one”: 5 plugins you need to know about
 
 
Steinberg Classics Collection
Plugins Steinberg marks 30 years of VST with the Classics Collection, which includes the first VST synth
 
 
Baby Audio HyperWarp
Plugins Baby Audio HyperWarp wants to be your new quick-fix for glitches, stutters and out-there inspiration
 
 
Bit Layer
Tech This free multiband bitcrusher is a surgical tool for lo-fi sound design
 
 
Reason Free
Plugins Reason Free puts 15 classic Reason devices in one free plugin that you can use in your existing DAW
 
 
Native Instruments Komplete 26
Soft Synths “We know you want it, but do you really (really) need it?”: Native Instruments Komplete 26 review
 
 
Latest in Plugins
vocalign
Plugins Synchro Arts at Recording Week 2026: 5 essential vocal mixing plugins in 2026
 
 
kazu
Tech “If you buy one piece of music software this month, make it this one”: 5 plugins you need to know about
 
 
bubblegum
Tech Bubblegum is a free Melodyne-style note editor for 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
 
 
Latest in News
Billy Corgan and Marilyn Manson attend SiriusXM's Town Hall With Marilyn Manson And Billy Corgan on August 6, 2015
Singers & Songwriters “Basically a part of our family”: Billy Corgan defends his continued friendship with Marilyn Manson
 
 
UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 28:  SHEPHERD'S BUSH EMPIRE  Photo of Amy WINEHOUSE, Amy Winehouse performing on stage  (Photo by Chris Christoforou/Redferns)
Artists Amy Winehouse's bass player and MD recalls his final conversation with her on the night before she died
 
 
Harry Styles, Kraftwerk, Bon Jovi, Sam Fender
Gigs & Festivals Fender? Swift? Bon Jovi? Speculation rises about the identity of next year’s Glastonbury headliners…
 
 
Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and producer Rick Rubin pose onstage during Black Sabbath Reunion Press Conference at Whisky a Go Go on November 11, 2011
Guitarists “An awkward situation": Tony Iommi on 13 and Sabbath’s difficult relationship with Rick Rubin
 
 
R&B musician Stevie Wonder in the recording studio circa 1972.  (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Artists Stevie Wonder’s '70s synth guru Robert Margouleff on the moment he knew their partnership was over
 
 
teenage engineering
Tech Teenage Engineering's EP-35 is a multi-input amplifier with onboard effects, a stackable Bluetooth speaker, an audio interface, a karaoke machine and an FM radio... all for $349
 
 

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...