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
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
Universal Audio Volt 876
Audio Interfaces Best audio interface 2026: For home recording, podcasting, and streaming - tested by experts
Polyend Endless customisable effect pedals
Tech Polyend Endless is a customisable stompbox with a text-to-effect generator that will create any effect you describe
An UDO Super Gemini synthesizer on a white table
Synths Best synthesizers 2026: Top analogue, digital, mono and polysynths
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
Reason Rack plugin
Tech You can now buy Reason’s iconic Rack of virtual outboard as a standalone plugin for the first time
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals Best multi-effects pedals: Our pick of the best all-in-one guitar FX modellers
MXR EVH Modern High Gain: this classy, red high-end stompbox was co-designed with the late Eddie Van Halen in 2015.
Guitars MXR's high-gain Eddie Van Halen collab headlines Jim Dunlop's fresh pedal drop – and there's an Iron Maiden Killers Cry Baby too
stem splitter
Tech I tested 11 of the best stem separation tools – and you might already have the winner in your DAW
A three amp setup from the Neural DSP Archetype John Mayer X guitar plugin
Guitar Plugins "I love that you don’t have to be a Mayer mega-fan to enjoy what’s on offer here": Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X review
Electro-Harmonix Effects Interface
Tech EHX’s new Effects Interface is a stompbox-shaped device that lets you integrate your pedalboard with your DAW
Apple iMac M4
Computers Best PCs for music production 2025: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio
Plugins “A one-stop shop for almost everything a guitarist might need”: Universal Audio Paradise Guitar Studio review
Neural DSP Quad Cortex
Guitar Pedals "Makes the case that you might never need anything else": Neural DSP Quad Cortex review
Music technology gear of the year 2025
Tech Music technology gear of the year 2025: Our favourite new synths, drum machines, plugins and more
More
  • NAMM 2026: live updates
  • Mad World
  • The Cure's "happy land"
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

The 14 best new effects plugins of 2018

News
By MusicRadar Team ( Future Music ) 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.
All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. image
All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more.
Get the latest issue now!
More Info
Read more
Music technology gear of the year 2025
Music technology gear of the year 2025: Our favourite new synths, drum machines, plugins and more
 
 
Soundtoys SpaceBlender
Soundtoys makes some of the best effects plugins we've ever tested - and they're discounted by up to 75% for Black Friday
 
 
Best impulse buy $50 plugins Cyber Monday 2025
19 of the best plugins under $50 for last-minute impulse buying this Cyber Monday
 
 
FabFilter screen grab
FabFilter's killer Black Friday sale just launched, including hefty discounts on the essential production tools I reach for with every mix
 
 
Cyber Monday plugin deals graphic
Cyber Monday plugin deals 2025 LIVE: all of today's most unmissable music software discounts on Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, Plugin Boutique and around the web
 
 
A Macbook with music plugins running on it on a blue background
Black Friday plugin deals 2025: These are the last remaining deals on software
 
 
Latest in Software & Apps
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
 
 
Landr Blueprints and Layers
“A seamless start-to-finish creative workflow”: LANDR announces new “ethical” AI music-making assistants for songwriting and production, but will using them leave you feeling empty inside?
 
 
Reason Rack plugin
You can now buy Reason’s iconic Rack of virtual outboard as a standalone plugin for the first time
 
 
Roland CR-78 plugin
I can go for that: Roland releases an official plugin version of the CR-78 drum machine
 
 
Apple Creator Studio Logic Pro
Apple explains its use of AI in Logic Pro, and why MIDI is still the bedrock of its Session Players
 
 
fender
PreSonus Studio One Pro is dead, long live Fender Studio Pro: Fender launches “music production ecosystem” with rebranded DAW, interfaces and new controller
 
 
Latest in News
JBL BandBox Trio press image
"A brand new amp and speaker with AI vocal and instrument separation tech": JBL’s new BandBox makes it easier than ever to craft the perfect backing track
 
 
Kurzweil SP8
Kurzweil’s performer-focused SP8 looks like a bomb-proof stage piano that’s also a powerful synth
 
 
Magnatone Slash the Lil’ Viper 8-watt combo amp press image
“Its sound kicks the ass of amps three times its size”: Slash’s latest Magnatone Lil’ Viper 8-watt combo can go toe-to-toe with the big boys
 
 
Abasi Córdoba Stage 7 nylon string guitar press image
“Engineered for modern electric players seeking authentic nylon tine without the traditional limitations of classical instruments”: Abasi’s nylon 7-string opens for pre-orders
 
 
Casio sampler NAMM 2026
40 years after the SK-1, Casio is making waves with another fun-looking sampler
 
 
Scorpions
“You get the old albums and listen to them until four in the morning”: Ex-Scorpions bassist Francis Buchholz dies at 71
 
 

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
  • 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...