In music production, plugins are software add-ons that expand the capabilities of your DAW; these could be virtual instrumentsand creative effects, EQ and compressors, or tools that make editing a lot more manageable.
Below is a rolling list of the new plugin releases that catch our eye, so you can keep on top of any software goodies you may have missed that could be essential to your production process. We update this list every week, so be sure to check back regularly for the latest virtual instruments, effects, mixing plugins and more. Happy producing!
Wavea Flite
Wavea’s debut product, Flite, is a synth and sampler engine that’s sure to put this start-up plugin developer on the map.
It’s hard not to highlight the value of this plugin from the get-go. Users can choose between two versions: Flite Play or Flite Create. The former is completely free, and includes 2.5 GB of bundled samples from iconic synths like the CS-80, Juno, Jupiter, Prophet 5, and a whole lot more — albeit with limited editing capabilities.
Upgrade to Flite Create and you’ll get access to all features, of which there are rather a lot. The synth engine can be used for FM, virtual analogue, or wavetable, and there are four separate multi-samplers with individual sound and group controls. Once you’ve dialled in your foundation, you can develop your sound with three LFOs, three envelopes, a range effects, two 32-step sequencers, and a powerful modulation matrix.
You can download Flite Play for free from Wavea, or purchase the full Flite Create plugin for $99.
Mixland UnFairchild
Looking for some iconic Fairchild tube compression character? You’re in luck, as Mixland has teamed up with Undertone Audio — the brainchild of renowned rock producer Eric Valentine — to recreate the UnFairchild 670M mkII Vari-Mu Compressor in software form.
From subtle dynamic control to aggressive limiting, UnFairchild brings warmth and punch to any mix while retaining the authentic sound of the original hardware. On top, tonal shaping options and mid/side processing make it perfect for both individual tracks and the maser bus alike.
While a hardware unit will cost you upwards of $10,000, this virtual incarnation of the UnFairchild can be had for an introductory price of just $199 (a $50 discount off the RRP of $249) from Undertone Audio.
UVI World Suite 3
UVI has dropped its anticipated update to World Suite, a vast collection of sounds and instruments from around the globe.
The ultimate toolkit for composers wanting to go beyond a more familiar orchestral palette, World Suite 3 includes 430 playable instruments, over 12,000 loops and phrases, and a whopping 80,000+ samples. Within, you’ll find instruments from Ancient Greece, Native American culture, Eastern Europe, and everything in between.
Powering the plugin is a redesigned engine that makes it quicker and easier to explore the library’s incredible depth, plus almost 2,000 presets if you need some inspiration.
World Suite 3 is available from UVI at introductory pricing of $199 (usually $299) or as part of a UVI SonicPass subscription.
STL Tones Tonality: Wes Borland
Known for his innovative approach to the guitar in acts like Limp Bizkit, Black Light Burns, and even as part of Danny Elfman’s band, Wes Borland has forged a unique musical identity throughout his career — and now you can inject some of his signature sound into your own productions.
Part of STL’s Tonality range, this plugin recreates some of the amplifiers and pedals used by Wes himself using advanced modelling algorithms based on real schematics. The three amps are based on a Roland JC-120, a Diezel VH4, and a Selmer Zodiac 50 MKII Tremolo, delivering everything from crystal-clear cleans to heavier noughties nu metal tones.
On the effects side, a handpicked selection of pedals have been emulated, including a Big Muff Pi, an Echoplex delay unit, and an Ibanez CF7 Chorus/Flanger. To finish up, there are a range of impulse responses captured from Borland’s own touring rig.
Tonality: Wes Borland is available for introductory pricing of $99 (usually $149) from STL Tones.
MiMU Kuiper Granular Delay Plugin
Granular delay is one of the easiest ways to transform a simple sound into an intriguing texture. MiMU’s new plugin, Kuiper, is one such effect and it offers five separate lines with independent pitch and amplitude controls.
Named after a region of icy bodies orbiting beyond Neptune, Kuiper offers a diverse array of sounds that perfectly capture the glacial character of its namesake — you can dial in delicate crystalline tones or crank the settings up to create breathtaking sonic vistas.
The plugin supports up to 100 simultaneous grains, each from 20ms to 1,000ms long, with the option to play them forwards or backwards. What’s more, the interface is beautifully designed with a visual representation of each delay line.
Kuiper is available from MiMU for £79, and there’s also a 14-day free trial.
How to install VST and AU plugins on Windows, Mac and iOS
If your plugin came as a .zip file, and not an installer, you may have to manually install it. Here’s how:
VST3 plugins:
- Unzip the plugin folder
- Copy the .VST file to your default plugin folder (Windows default: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3, Mac default: /Library/Audio/Plugins/VST)
- Start your DAW
- Rescan your plugin directory
AUv3 plugins:
- Download and install plugin from the App Store
- Insert plugin in your DAW
- Select the AUv3 plugin from the Audio Unit Extensions tab
Where to download freeware plugins and VSTs
Our freeware section is an excellent place to start; each month, we also compile round-ups of the best free plugins and samples to download.
The production community is full of passionate developers who’ve given away instruments, effects and other plugins as freeware. Some of our favourites include Valhalla’s Supermassive reverb, Apogee’s Soft Limit and Matt Tytel’s Helm polysynth. Remember, most developers also offer free trials for their plugins.
Are DAW stock plugins good enough?
Most major DAWs these days will come with a more-than-serviceable collection of ‘stock’ plugins for music-making: Logic Pro’s software instrument library is rich and varied; Ableton Live’s synth engines cover additive, subtractive and granular methods, and the Pro Tools suite of mixing plugins is still widely used by pro engineers.