Plugins (also called VST Plugins) help you make music.
We’ve spent countless hours researching the best VST plugins.
Audio saturation is a soft-clipping compression effect that generates harmonics. The essence of what makes analog gear sound pleasant and attractive is saturation. Great-sounding mixes have long relied on the use of tape, tubes, transistors, and circuitry to drive sounds. The effect dates back to the days when audio recordings
An optical compressor is an analog compressor that modifies the dynamics of an audio stream using a light element and optical cell. The light element emits more light as the audio signal’s amplitude rises, which causes the optical cell to attenuate the output signal’s amplitude. FabFilter Pro-C 2 Since Pro-debut,
Synthwave with its retro-futuristic vibes and nostalgic soundscapes, uses a diverse array of synthesizer sounds, from lush pads to iconic lead tones. Innovators like Vangelis, John Carpenter, and Tangerine Dream were among the first to use synths in music. The 80s synth craze was sparked by the employment of synth
In 2022, “lo-fi” (or “low fidelity”) is the umbrella word for the hazy aural aesthetic seen in genres including as lo-fi hip-hop, chillwave, and bedroom music. The greatest lo-fi plugins in 2023 do more than just mimic the idiosyncrasies and distortions of various tape recorders hardware unit and preamps. The
What is a Channel Strip Plugin? A channel strip plugin is an essential tool in modern music production, replicating the functionality of a traditional analog console in a digital format, including crucial components like the mic pre. These plugins integrate multiple audio processing modules into a single interface, offering a
The process by which chiptune was initially created gives it its name. To create unique sounds, chiptune enthusiasts would program sound chips in arcade games, personal computers or video game consoles to make video game music. The musical style known as chiptune first appeared in the late 1980s. It makes
The piccolo and oboe stand as distinctive voices within the woodwind family, each with its own unique characteristics, playing techniques, and roles in musical ensembles.
What is a Turntable Stylus? A turntable stylus, often referred to as a needle, is a crucial component of a record player that makes direct
What Are IPX Ratings? IPX ratings, or Ingress Protection ratings, signify a device’s ability to withstand the ingress of water and dust. The ‘X’ in
What is a Turntable Cartridge? A turntable cartridge is a crucial component of any record player, responsible for converting the grooves of a vinyl record
What is a Kazoo? A kazoo is a simple yet fascinating musical instrument that falls under the category of membranophones. Unlike traditional wind instruments, which
Understanding Speaker Impedance Understanding speaker impedance is crucial for your audio system’s performance. Speaker impedance affects sound quality and the power needed from your amplifier.
Arturia Augmented Series Bundle is a comprehensive collection of virtual instruments that combines traditional sampled sounds with advanced synthesis techniques. This innovative bundle includes six
Heavyocity MicroFX Collection is a suite of three compact yet powerful audio effect plugins designed for musicians, producers, and sound designers. The collection includes MicroFX
In recent years, numerous developers have demonstrated that Kontakt libraries don’t have to be monotonous. Away from static libraries and toward extremely sophisticated instruments with
Plug-ins are a crucial component of our creativity as music producers. Finding the appropriate plugins, or simply the proper kind of plugins, may be extremely
Universal Audio Triple Crown Compressor Bundle is a collection of three iconic compressor emulations that have shaped the sound of countless recordings over the past
Plugin Boutique Core Collection is a comprehensive bundle of nine audio plugins designed for music production, mixing, and mastering. This collection brings together a diverse
Mastering The Mix EQ Excellence Bundle is a comprehensive package designed to streamline the EQ process for both mixing and mastering. This bundle includes two
Brainworx Heritage Bundle is a collection of 10 classic plugins from Brainworx Audio, a renowned developer of high-end audio software. This exclusive bundle, available through
Ayaic ProMix Bundle is a powerful combination of two unique plugins designed to revolutionize the mixing process for audio professionals. This bundle includes the Hyper-EQ
MeldaProduction MDistortionMB is a versatile distortion plugin that combines the best of analog and digital worlds. It features a generalized amp simulator and a digital
Moogerfooger MF-104S Analog Delay plugin is a digital recreation of Moog’s legendary MF-104 hardware delay pedal. Originally introduced in 2000, the MF-104 quickly became a
Fiedler Audio Spacelab Ignition is a groundbreaking 3D audio plugin that combines reverb, panning, and spatialization into a single, powerful tool. Designed for music producers,
Moogerfooger MF-109S Saturator is a software plugin that emerged from the development of Moog’s Moogerfooger Effects Plug-ins suite. Unlike its counterparts in the collection, which
MOK Filtryg is a dual multimode filter plugin designed to add creative animation and movement to audio tracks. Developed by MOK, the creators of the
With feature-rich enhancements like Audio Triggering, Sidechain View in VolumeShaper, and the new LiquidShaper flanger/phaser, ShaperBox 3 is the go-to plugin for inspiration, musical motion,
AIR Flavor Pro is a multi-effects plugin designed to add vintage character and lo-fi textures to audio. It features six main effect modules: Pitch, Distortion,
Sound Particles inDelay is a revolutionary delay plugin that pushes the boundaries of traditional delay effects. Powered by Sound Particles’ acclaimed 3D audio engine, inDelay
Moogerfooger MF-101S Lowpass Filter plugin is a digital recreation of Moog’s iconic analog hardware pedal, bringing the classic Moog ladder filter sound to the digital
Moogerfooger MF-102S RingMod plugin is a digital recreation of Moog’s iconic MF-102 Ring Modulator hardware pedal. This virtual instrument brings the distinctive sound and functionality
Fiedler Audio Spacelab Interstellar is a cutting-edge 3D audio production plugin that combines reverb, panning, and spatialization into a single powerful tool. Developed in collaboration
IK Multimedia TONEX Max is a powerful and versatile guitar amp and effects modeling plugin that utilizes advanced AI machine learning technology to capture and
Output Analog Brass & Winds is a virtual instrument plugin that revolutionizes the traditional approach to orchestral brass and woodwind sounds. Designed for modern composers,
Arturia Augmented Brass is a cutting-edge software instrument that blends meticulously sampled brass sounds with advanced synthesis engines. This innovative plugin aims to reimagine classical
Cherry Audio Chroma is a virtual instrument plugin that meticulously recreates the iconic Rhodes Chroma polyphonic analog synthesizer from 1982. This software emulation captures the
Air Sub Factory is a powerful bass synthesizer plugin designed to create deep, rich, and impactful bass sounds for modern music production. Developed by Air
UJAM Brute is a virtual instrument plugin designed to deliver powerful, aggressive, and gritty bass sounds for electronic music production. This software synthesizer focuses on
With unprecedented control over every aspect, IK Multimedia MODO Drum 1.5 SE creates tracks for your music that are absolutely accurate and lifelike. Access all
Sonora Cinematic Atlas Flutes is a comprehensive virtual instrument plugin developed in collaboration with German film composer Christoph Zirngibl. This Kontakt Player-based library focuses on
Softube Model 77 Dual Layer Synth is a virtual instrument plugin that emulates the iconic sound of three legendary Japanese synthesizers from 1977, most notably
Cherry Audio Pro Soloist is a virtual instrument plugin that meticulously recreates and expands upon the iconic ARP Pro Soloist synthesizer from 1972. This software
Universal Audio API Vision Channel Strip plugin is a meticulously crafted digital emulation of API’s flagship analog console. This powerful channel strip brings the iconic
Brainworx bx_townhouse Buss Compressor is a meticulously modeled plugin emulation of a unique hardware compressor built in 1978 at the legendary Townhouse Studios in London.
Brainworx bx_SSL Collection is a suite of channel strip plugins that meticulously emulate the sound and functionality of various SSL consoles. This collection includes emulations
Harrison Consoles 32Classic Channel plugin is a digital emulation of the renowned Harrison 32 Series analog console, bringing the iconic sound of this legendary hardware
Brainworx bx_console AMEK 9099 is a meticulously crafted digital emulation of the legendary AMEK 9098i analog mixing console, designed by the renowned audio engineer Rupert
Kiive Audio FilkChannel Strip is a versatile channel strip plugin that aims to bring vintage analog warmth and character to digital audio production. Modeled after
Excite Audio Lifeline Console is a cutting-edge audio processing tool designed for professional mixing and mastering engineers. This hardware unit combines analog warmth with digital
IK Multimedia Lurssen Mastering Console is a unique mastering plugin developed in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning Lurssen Mastering studio. It aims to bring the expertise
NUGEN Audio ISL 2 is a precision true peak limiter designed for mastering and post-production applications. This plugin offers transparent look-ahead limiting, allowing audio professionals
Nugen Audio LM-Correct 2 is a powerful loudness correction plugin designed to streamline audio post-production workflows. This versatile tool offers automatic, faster-than-real-time loudness analysis and
MeterPlugs Perception AB is a powerful mixing and mastering plugin designed to eliminate the “loudness deception” that often plagues audio engineers. This innovative tool allows
MeterPlugs K-Meter is a versatile metering plugin designed to help audio professionals achieve optimal loudness and dynamic range in their mixes and masters. Based on
MeterPlugs Loudness Penalty Studio is a standalone desktop application designed to help audio professionals navigate the complex world of loudness normalization in online streaming platforms.
MeterPlugs Dynameter is a specialized metering plugin designed to help audio professionals optimize the dynamics of their music for modern loudness-normalized playback platforms. Developed by
Sound Particles AudioMatrix is a versatile channel routing utility plugin designed to simplify complex audio routing tasks in professional audio production environments. This powerful tool
Zplane Fennek is a powerful audio restoration and noise reduction plugin designed for professional audio engineers, music producers, and post-production specialists. This versatile tool offers
MeterPlugs LCAST Stereo is a comprehensive loudness metering plugin designed for content creators, broadcasters, and audio professionals. This powerful tool provides accurate measurements of integrated
IK Multimedia ARC 4 is a comprehensive room correction system designed to optimize the acoustic environment of home and professional studios. This software-based solution combines
Black Octopus offers a fantastic bundle to spark your creative imagination for your upcoming studio session. There are 15 premium packs with over 7000 motivating,
XLN Audio Drum Vault TrigPak is a comprehensive drum sample library designed to enhance the capabilities of Addictive Trigger, XLN Audio’s drum replacement and layering
The Speech Vocals Bundle is a comprehensive, multi-genre vocal collection geared for producers looking for believable, distinctive professional vocals for any composition. Every piece of
Real instruments give any project an expressive, musical, emotional flair, and Black Octopus Live Instruments Sample Pack Bundle is brimming with top-notch samples. This sample
Realsamples’ 3-in-1 Harpsichords Bundle to hear the tones of three different harpsichords. The French, English, and Austrian harpsichords are all included in this collection. Beautiful
An FX collection unlike any other, Astronaut SciFi FX will transport you to a another world! It includes effects shots, loops, and construction kits with
Softube vs Brainworx: A Comprehensive Comparison of Audio Software Giants In the world of digital audio production, two names stand
Soundiron Hopkin Instrumentarium: Squiggly Amejewar is a unique virtual instrument that brings the exotic sounds of a custom-built stringed instrument
Zynaptiq PitchMap Colors is a creative audio plugin designed for sound design and music production. Developed in collaboration with music
AIR Soft Clipper is a digital audio plugin designed to emulate the soft clipping characteristics of analog hardware. Developed by
Kiive Audio FilkChannel Strip is a versatile channel strip plugin that aims to bring vintage analog warmth and character to
Zynaptiq Adaptiverb is a unique and innovative reverb plugin that pushes the boundaries of traditional reverb processing. Unlike conventional reverb
Excite Audio Bloom Vocal Edit is a specialized audio plugin designed to enhance and manipulate vocal recordings in music production.
Excite Audio Bloom Bass Impulse is a cutting-edge audio plugin designed to enhance and shape the low-end frequencies in music
Antares Articulator is a digital talkbox plugin designed to emulate the classic talkbox effect popularized by artists like Peter Frampton
Brainworx bx_rockergain100 is a digital emulation of the iconic Orange Rockerverb 100 amplifier, renowned for its powerful high-gain tones and
Sound Particles AudioMatrix is a versatile channel routing utility plugin designed to simplify complex audio routing tasks in professional audio
Rob Papen Blue-III is a powerful and versatile virtual synthesizer that builds upon the legacy of its predecessors. This third
Unquestionably the most renowned and beloved synthesizer of all time, the Moog Minimoog has influenced a number of VST emulation
Zynaptiq Unmix Drums is a groundbreaking audio plugin that allows users to manipulate the level of drums in mixed music
MeldaProduction MWaveShaperMB is a versatile multiband waveshaping plugin developed by MeldaProduction. This powerful audio processing tool allows users to split
© 2025 Audiophiles
Disclosure: We may receive commissions when you purchase using our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.