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
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

The 14 best new effects plugins of 2018

News
By MusicRadar Team
Published 29 December 2018

Add these ace effects to your sonic arsenal

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

10. Sound Radix Powair

10. Sound Radix Powair

The Future Music/Computer Music/MusicRadar Best in music tech 2018 polls received thousands of votes, and we're now ready to roll out the winners. The nominees were what we considered to be the personalities and gear that have excelled in 2018. Here, we present the best new effects plugins of 2018.

Taking up positions 14 to 11 are:

14. Gothic Instruments Dronar Master Edition
13. Kush Audio REDDI
12. Audiority Tube Modulator
11. Kush Audio Novatron

Kicking off the top 10 we have Sound Radix Powair...

We say: An absolutely stunning compressor and leveller that no one should be without.

Read the review: Sound Radix Powair review

Page 1 of 10
Page 1 of 10
9. Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2

9. Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2

We say: Positive Grid has raised the amp plugin game with this fully featured, tone-filled update.

Read the review: Positive Grid BIAS Amp 2 review

Page 2 of 10
Page 2 of 10
8. eaReckon EARevolve

8. eaReckon EARevolve

We say: With its two layers of rotary speaker action and sublime dual chorus, EARevolve is a stereo modulation powerhouse.

Read the review: eaReckon EARevolve review

Page 3 of 10
Page 3 of 10
7. D16 Group Toraverb 2

7. D16 Group Toraverb 2

We say: Even at its increased price-point, Toraverb 2 is still one of the biggest bargains in music software - don’t miss it.

Read the review: D16 Group Toraverb 2 review

Page 4 of 10
Page 4 of 10
6. Softube Weiss DS1-MK3

6. Softube Weiss DS1-MK3

We say: If you can’t afford five grand for the second hand hardware, Softube’s plugin Weiss DS1- MK3 is a more than worthy substitute.

Read the review: Softube Weiss DS1-MK3 review

Page 5 of 10
Page 5 of 10
5. Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

5. Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor

We say: Like having a real Distressor inside your DAW, EL8 Distressor brings one of the greatest dynamics processors ever made to Apollo and UAD-2 in style.

Read the review: Universal Audio Empirical Labs EL8 Distressor review

Page 6 of 10
Page 6 of 10
4. Waves Abbey Road Chambers

4. Waves Abbey Road Chambers

We say: A superb reverb/delay that offers much more than ‘just’ a flawless emulation of Abbey Road’s Studio Two chamber.

Read the review: Waves Abbey Road Chambers review

Page 7 of 10
Page 7 of 10
3. DMG Audio TrackComp

3. DMG Audio TrackComp

We say: Integrating five brilliantly realised virtual compressors within an intuitive homogeneous GUI, TrackComp rocks.

Read the review: DMG Audio TrackComp review

Page 8 of 10
Page 8 of 10
2. u-he Colour Copy

2. u-he Colour Copy

We say: The German maestro strikes gold again with this gorgeous-sounding, wonderfully creative delay effect. Essential.

Read the review: u-he Colour Copy review

Page 9 of 10
Page 9 of 10
Winner: FabFilter Pro-L 2

Winner: FabFilter Pro-L 2

We say: What was already a first-choice limiter is now even more essential, with expanded scope for both mixing and mastering.

Read the review: FabFilter Pro-L 2 review

Page 10 of 10
Page 10 of 10
MusicRadar Team
MusicRadar Team
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number 1 website for music makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, djs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high- quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the actual craft of music making that no other music website can.
Read more
Best guitar VSTs: Soundtoys Effects Rack
Plugins The effects the pros reach for first - Why Soundtoys 5 lives on the world's busiest sessions
 
 
Oeksound Soothe
Plugins I’ve been a professional producer for decades, and these are the plugins I always call-up when working on a project
 
 
Plugins
Plugins How to get recognisable pop sounds and effects using only Logic’s stock plugins
 
 
Arturia Rev Ocean
Tech Arturia’s new Ocean-inspired reverb will turn your sounds “into a living sonic current”
 
 
inear
Tech Check out this fantastic treasure trove of free glitch plugins
 
 
LANDR AUDIO
Plugins Unlock infinite sound design - inside Reason 14’s new RV-9 reverb and upgraded rack workflow
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
IK Multimedia TONEX 2.0 Player
Guitars IK Multimedia just totally revamped its Tonex Player and made its tone ecosystem a lot easier to use
 
 
Steinberg Classics Collection
Plugins Steinberg marks 30 years of VST with the Classics Collection, which includes the first VST synth
 
 
Line 6 Helix Stadium Native Plugin
Guitars “Craft tones practically at the speed of thought”: Line 6 unveils Helix Stadium Native plugin
 
 
ua
Tech “Some sounds never go out of style”: Universal Audio makes two classic reverbs used by The Beatles, Radiohead and Brian Eno available natively
 
 
glitch2
Tech Illformed Glitch2 multi-effects plugin made available for free following its creator's passing
 
 
dubbox
Tech Beatbox your ideas into reality with Vochlea's DubBox, an app that converts your voice into drum loops
 
 
Latest in News
mike d
Artists “I don’t want to say The Beatles cleared it, but somebody at EMI or Apple. So whoever you were that did it, thank you. Thank you, Sir Paul”: Mike D on how the Beastie Boys got away with sampling five Beatles songs on Paul's Boutique
 
 
Contra Ice logo
Singles And Albums “Passionately fighting against fascism”: Tom Morello, Kathleen Hanna and others team up for Anti-ICE benefit album
 
 
Ritchie Blackmore performs with Deep Purple for the first time in more than 30 years
Guitarists Watch Ritchie Blackmore perform onstage with Deep Purple for the first time in more than 30 years
 
 
Joe Bonamassa with his two new signature Martin acoustics
Artists Martin unveils a pair of Joe Bonamassa signature acoustics based on his 1937 pre-War vintage unicorn
 
 
AI-generated image of 5 people
Guitarists “So this is the kind of intelligence that will soon be ruling the world?” Brian May uses AI to recreate cover to The Game
 
 
Morrissey And Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Morrissey And Johnny Marr, 1985
Bands Reissue, Repackage, re-evaluate the songs: Morrissey And Marr have collaborated on Rough Trade archive release
 
 

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...