News
The best new music plugins this week, free and paid
Every week, we round up the most exciting new plugin releases — from virtual instruments and creative effects to mixing tools and workflow upgrades. There are tons of plugins released every week, both free and paid-for, so be sure to check back here every Friday to find out the software worth adding to your plugin folder.
This week’s new and noteworthy virtual instruments, effects and mixing plugins
EMR Music Group – Tape 16
First up this week isn’t a plugin — it’s a brand-new DAW from EMR Music Group. Designed to bring a classic tape approach to computer-based production, Tape 16’s philosophy might be the perfect antidote to the decision fatigue and endless tweaking that pervades modern workflows.
Rather than a timeline view, users must navigate their arrangement using transport controls. This also means there’s limited editing, with Tape 16 instead forcing you to record full takes or punch in to make specific changes, all with no undo function. Want to record virtual instruments? They’re printed as audio, just like a real synth would be.
Naturally, there’s built-in tape emulation too, with controls like wow, flutter, age, and saturation for dialing in analogue character. If you’ve ever fancied a taste of how things used to be done, Tape 16 comes pretty close.
Tape 16 is available from EMR Music Group for intro pricing of $29 (usually $59).
LANDR – Strata & Horizon
LANDR has launched two new ‘hybrid instruments’ ideal for bringing a cinematic touch to your tracks, both running on a four-layer sound engine that enables detailed sound design.
Horizon takes care of the emotional weight, blending analogue synth samples with organic string performances within a single patch. Strata, on the other hand, mixes real guitar recordings with granular synthesis to create complex movement and depth.
Both plugins include sub-modules for extra shaping and effects, plus simple macro controls for hands-on playability.
Horizon and Strata are both available from LANDR for £63 each, or as part of its Studio Standard (£9.58/month) and Studio Pro (currently £12.80/month with 36% off) subscription plans.
Mastering The Mix – Stereovault
For those looking to meticulously control their stereo field, Mastering The Mix has released Stereovault, an intelligent plugin that can create wider, cleaner, and more focused mixes.
Once users hit the Analyze button, the plugin listens to incoming audio and suggests a smart preset based on the signal. However, myriad controls can be used to perfectly tailor the stereo image, split across six modules including Spread, Creative, Panorama, Width, Rotate, and Clean.
The plugin is designed for use on both individual channels and full mixes. For more advanced sound design, multiband processing can be applied independently across each module. More handy features? All adjustments are automatically level-matched, while a real-time Scope monitors stereo correlation so you can avoid destructive phasing.
Stereovault is available from Mastering The Mix for £59.
MixWave – Benson Monarch
MixWave has released the Monarch Collection, a series of guitar amplifier and effects pedal models based on hand-made equipment from Benson Amps.
The flagship plugin is the Monarch, Benson’s first amp design, which has been recreated using component-level modelling techniques. Controls are spare — there are knobs for volume, tone, and reverb, plus a British/American toggle that swaps the amp’s voicing from brighter chimes to a fuller, rounder sound.
Impulse responses of the Monarch’s original 1×12 cabinet are included too, with further tonal control via 19 virtual microphones that can be placed around the speaker. Also included are recreations of the manufacturer’s pedals: the Florist Dynamic Modulator, Benson Delay, Germanium Boost, Benson Preamp, Germanium Fuzz, and Tall Bird spring reverb.
The Benson Monarch Collection is available from MixWave for intro pricing of $129 (usually $179) plus VAT.
Toontrack – Drumology EZX
Toontrack has released its latest EZX expansion for EZdrummer 3 and Superior Drummer 3, bringing together four kits from session drummer Jeremy Stacey’s personal collection that capture the evolution of the drumkit across four distinct eras.
From the 1960s, there’s a Ludwig Super Classic that’s perfect for modern and vintage pop, while the 1970s kit is a Pearl Phenolic with a knack for fusion. A Yamaha Recording Custom was recorded for the ‘80s, bringing an upfront stadium sound to the mix, while the 1990s are represented by a gritty and grunge-inflected Tama Starclassic.
Each kit was recorded at Livingston Studios in London with Stacey’s brother, Paul, who’s known for his work with Oasis and the Black Keys. As usual, users get a wide range of mic sources to blend together as they please, plus a number of grooves played by Jeremy himself.
Drumology EZX is available from Toontrack for €89, and requires a working installation of EZdrummer 3 or Superior Drummer 3.
Last week’s plugins
Unusable Engineering – Scientist Suite
[products ids=”29Ki2iMzp8tgII9WMt5G3z”]
Unusable Engineering is making a major splash with sound designers, launching an entire portfolio of effects and synths that it describes as ‘over-engineered DSP solutions with simple interfaces’.
Perhaps the best example of this design ethos is Spectral Pressure Chamber, a multiband compressor inspired by the laws of thermodynamics. The plugin tracks spectral energy over time across low, mid, and high bands, which independently ‘build and release pressure’ to affect the compression. Or, why not inject some unstable and evolving distortion controlled by a fluid dynamics simulation with Cavitation Fractures?
Curves & Membranes is another exciting addition, a monosynth that uses just a single oscillator with animated harmonics introduced via wave shaping, clipping, and folding that can be controlled by ‘orbital’ modulators.
All three plugins are included in the Scientist Suite, available from Unusable Engineering for intro pricing of €69 (usually €88). The Full Suite bundle is €89 (usually €233), but single plugin licences are also available.
UJAM – Symphonic Elements CHOOIR
[products ids=”4tbOf9tLjN5oGUlliXEGvE”]
Those seeking more traditional sounds can look to UJAM this week, who’s launched Symphonic Elements CHOOIR — an orchestral plugin built with sounds plucked from Hans Zimer’s personal library.
Included are male, female, and boys choir ensembles with a full range of vowels and consonants, ideal for modern film scoring, epic soundtracks, and ethereal atmospheres. In total, users get 70 different styles and 100 presets, along with signature UJAM effects for further sculpting.
Symphonic Elements CHOOIR is available to preorder from UJAM for £130, with licences available to download on 13 May.
Universal Audio – UAD Enigmatic ‘82 Overdrive Special Amp
[products ids=”4Zxvlaov1kpHTtdHXdt6qQ”]
Universal Audio has released the Engimatic ‘82 Overdrive Special Amp, a plugin version of its guitar pedal that captures the iconic character of Dumble-style amps used by legendary players like Clapton, Santana, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
These hand-built boutique amps were known for their creamy overdrive and singing sustain, and with only a few hundred made, they often fetch six figures on the used market. Thanks to UAD Enigmatic ‘82, there’s no need to remortgage the house. The plugin emulates several Dumble models across four decades — but users can also design their own signature sound by mixing power sections, tone stacks, and the ‘Hot Rubber Monkey’ mod, and tweak it further through various mic and speaker setups.
Enigmatic ‘82 Overdrive Special Amp is available from Universal Audio for intro pricing of $49 (usually $99), and it’s also included in UAD Spark Subscriptions.
Techivation – Tilt EQ
[products ids=”6tlrhKqsxOr6dms8lS4EBU”]
Techivation has launched Tilt EQ, a free tone-shaping plugin designed to deliver instant warmth and clarity.
Making adjustments is incredibly quick thanks to the Tilt Gain control for brightening or darkening sounds, while Drive adds harmonics to the reduced side of the spectrum to prevent adjustments from feeling dull or lifeless.
Users can also get surgical switchable L/R and M/S modes, low and high cut filters with adjustable slopes, gain compensation, and a handy spectrum display.
Tilt EQ is available for free download from Techivation.
Iconic Instruments – Model 660 X Exciting Compressor
[products ids=”5EtmIDwDhOeGV6VCgAPpL1″]
Iconic Instruments’ latest hardware emulation, the Model 660 X Exciting Compressor, gives producers access to the classic sound of the Fairchild 660 — a renowned ‘Vari-Mu’ compressor that uses vacuum tubes to control gain reduction.
Iconic has built unique Excite controls into the plugin, based on Lawrence Horn’s ‘exciting compressor’ technique that involves boosting 5–6 kHz, heavily compressing the signal, and blending it in parallel with the clean signal for added sparkle and punch. Users can boost up to 12dB between 1 and 10 kHz with the Model 660 X, and Iconic has also added Knee and Drive controls for greater tonal flexibility.
Model 660 X is available from Iconic Instruments for intro pricing of $59 (usually $79) plus VAT.
Where to download free plugins and VSTs
Looking for free plugins? 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 and Matt Tytel’s Helm polysynth. Remember, most developers also offer free trials for their plugins.
How to install VST and AU plugins on Windows, macOS and iOS
If your plugin came as a zip file, 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 FilesCommon FilesVST3, Mac default: /Library/Audio/Plugins/VST)
- Start your DAW
- Rescan your plugin directory
AUv3 plugins:
- Download and install the plugin from the App Store
- Insert the plugin in your DAW
- Select the AUv3 plugin from the Audio Unit Extensions tab
The post The best new music plugins this week, free and paid appeared first on MusicTech.