In any given week, the world's free music software developers tend to release several plug-ins that are variations on existing themes, plus a couple more that offer something rather different.
So it's been the case over the past seven days: as well as a reverb and a cutdown version of a physical-modelling synth, we have an instrument that's specifically designed for touchscreens and a virtual beatboxer.
Read on to find out more - and for those all-important download links.
Rhythm Lab Mo'Verb
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
If there's one type of effect you almost certainly have in your arsenal already, it's reverb, but if you're on the lookout for another, try Rhythm Lab's. It features spring and digital reverbs, and its developers boast that it has a sound that's smooth and clear. More than 30 presets are included to show it off.
Knobster BeatVox
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
If it wasn't for Knobster, this round-up would be all the duller. The company's latest plug-in oddity is BeatVox, a new instrument that "replicates percussion sounds performed by the human voice". There are also two 'voice' chromatic sets based on the phonemes 'too' and 'poo'. You gotta love 'em.
Denis Eismann SuperSynthFX
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
SuperSynthFX is a freeware soft synth and sample player that has its own effects. Nothing unusual about that, but you should also know that it's designed specifically for use with touch panel and tablet PCs (the user interface is optimised for control with a finger or pen). Kind fellow that he is, Denis Eismann even shows you how to build an affordable touch panel PC on his website.
reFuse Software Polarizer
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
OK, it's not very exciting, but it does work on the Mac so we've included it. Polarizer does one very simple job: flips the signal polarity of the channel that it's placed on. reFuse points out that many DAW mixers don't have this functionality built in, which is why we're being offered this.
NUSofting Modelonia Player
Platform/format: PC/VST Download
Modelonia is a physical-modelling synth that can emulate plucked string and trumpet sounds - this free version enables you to load up its presets but only gives you a few controls to play with. There are mix and morph faders that enable you to blend the output of the two resonators and balance the cross-modulation between them, and also rate knobs for LFOs 1 and 2.
