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
  • "She knew what she'd created": Back to Black
  • Trower's '80s supergroup
  • Music theory tricks
  • Stage Tour game
  • 95k+ free music samples
  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
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
 
 
Arturia Rev Ocean
Tech Arturia’s new Ocean-inspired reverb will turn your sounds “into a living sonic current”
 
 
ujam
Tech UJAM's Retrocraft is an all-in-one multi-effects plugin for lo-fi vintage vibes
 
 
MusicRadar monthly guitar gear roundup, ft. Lzzy Hale's signature Epiphone Explorer Custom, plus new gear from Hotone, Gibson, JHS Pedals, Death By Audio and more
Guitars “His effects are bonkers in the best way possible”: The MusicRadar guitar gear roundup Aug 2026 edit
 
 
Native Instruments Komplete 26
Soft Synths “We know you want it, but do you really (really) need it?”: Native Instruments Komplete 26 review
 
 
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
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
An Arturia MiniFreak synthesizer on a table
Hybrid Synths One of our favourite synths of recent years now lets you upload your own sounds
 
 
zplane
Tech Zplane's Timbre is a formant-shifting plugin with a few tricks up its sleeve
 
 
lunacy
Tech Lunacy launches Nova platform with five free virtual instruments – but bigger things are on the way
 
 
luna
Tech Universal Audio launches major update to the free Luna DAW that the company is calling its “biggest software release to date”
 
 
Acon Digital Acoustica 8 audio editor
Software & Apps Acon Digital’s Acoustica 8 audio editor is the company’s “most ambitious release to date”
 
 
topline
Tech Universal Audio's Topline Vocal Tune is now available for Apollo and UAD hardware
 
 
Latest in News
suno
Tech “Suno’s v6 is not a fresh start”: Universal and Sony sue AI firm over copyright infringement in its new model
 
 
An Arturia MiniFreak synthesizer on a table
Hybrid Synths One of our favourite synths of recent years now lets you upload your own sounds
 
 
 Broken Record with Blank Label
Music Industry A criminal record: The man behind the UK’s biggest fake vinyl factory goes down for three and a half years
 
 
Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom 1964 Eric Clapton ES-335
Guitars Epiphone to unveil replica of Eric Clapton’s 1964 ES-335TDC at Crossroads Guitar Festival 2026
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 17: (Exclusive Coverage) Miley Cyrus attends the Miley Cyrus "Bass Persuades" Album Release Party at Chateau Marmont on September 17, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Atlantic Records)
Artists “It works – I’ve done it": Miley Cyrus on the bulletproof songwriting trick she learned from Max Martin
 
 
David Bowie pictured when he was known as Davie Jones, 1965
Singles And Albums “There was a bit of an Indiana Jones moment”: How some lost David Bowie songs were discovered in a Californian loft
 
 

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...