No-one needs to have a barren plug-in folder these days - not when there are so many excellent freebies on offer.
This week's selection, for example, features instruments for producing synth, organ and decidedly 'out there' sounds, and even an effect that emulates a variety of guitar pickup types and body materials.
Something, we think, for everyone, so let's stop shilly-shallying and dive in…
Ohm Force Cohmpost
Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download
A typically nutty freebie from the chaps at Ohm Force, Cohmpost has a GUI that looks like it was designed on the back of a napkin. We'll leave you to work out what it does, but with an interface that features such labels as British beef, Lorry drivers and Les onions, you'll gather that it's not the most serious of production tools.
The Lower Rhythm Equivibe
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
If you're looking for an effect that will make your electric pianos, strings and pads shimmer, this could be it. It marries EQ and vibrato - first the input is split into nine bands, then each band is individually modulated by its own dedicated oscillator, which is then modulated by a further oscillator.
Tekky Synths CrAzYx
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Operating as a VSTi or standalone, this non-standard tool is designed, predictably enough, to make your audio sound a little 'crazy'. It features a sample player, four FX and three random buttons. If your music is sounding a little too conventional, give it a spin.
AcmeBarGig RedShift Pickup Replacer
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
This is an interesting one - a plug-in that promises to simulate loads of different types of pickup, giving you lots of tonal versatility from just one guitar. That's not the end of the story, though, as Pickup Replacer can also change the body material of your guitar. You can choose from a variety of woods, pyrex, granite and, slightly disturbingly, human tissue.
Alterex ViCON (Modified)
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Our very first free music software round-up featured a synth called ViCON, and now developer Alterex has released a modified version. This adds various features to the spec sheet, including cross-modulation, pulse width modulation and distortion/bitcrusher effects. Oh, and there also seem to be some new smiley faces on the GUI.
Iliadis EfthimiaSM Organ
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
EfthimiaSM models a "Single Manual Hammond Clone Organ". It features nine drawbars and Percussion, Key Click and Vibrato/Chorus sections. Iliadis has also announced that its VH-2 organ plug-in is now free, too
