Version 2 introduced the powerful TransMod modulation system, polyrhythmic sequencing and more.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Best Soft Synths Software Studio AndEnabling anyone with the requisite coding chops to create virtual effects and, a few years later, instruments for use as plugin modules within any compatible DAW, VST at last realised the dream of the entirely-software studio and kickstarted a whole new industry almost overnight.
It was quickly followed by a handful of rival plugin standards, which today comprise Apples Mac-only Audio Units (AU), Avids Pro Tools-only AAX and RTAS. A plugin effect is a signal processing device such as a reverb, delay, compressor or EQ, while plugin instruments take in, amongst other things, synthesizers, samplers, drum machines and sample-based recreations of real-world guitars, drum kits, pianos, etc. The best DAWs 2020: the best music production software for PC and Mac The best audio interface 2020: our pick of the top IO boxes There are literally thousands of amazing free and paid-for examples available in both categories, from emulations of pretty much every classic hardware synth and effect unit ever made, to mind-blowing new designs that could never exist in physical form. Whether youre after a thoroughly convincing Minimoog or Roland TR-808, a Urei 1176 compressor or a granular sample mangling effect, therell be at least a handful of viable options out there to suit your creative needs and budget. ![]() Ultimately, your choice of DAW will determine which format(s) you can use - for example, Cubase only supports VST, Logic Pro only works with Audio Units, and Ableton Live plays ball with both (on Mac). No doubt about it, plugins sit at the very heart of the software-based studio, and in this round-up, well reveal - in our opinion - the finest virtual instruments and effects money can currently buy. Our choices are spread across 12 categories, and you can consider this the best of the best. Best analogue synth plugin u-he Diva MacPCLinux VSTAUAAX 179 (Image credit: Future) There are probably more classic analogue synthesiser emulations peppering the plugin landscape than any other type of virtual instrument, from Native Instruments Monark Minimoog to Arturias magnificent and increasingly comprehensive V Collection of vintage beauties. However, standing proudest among them is u-hes venerable Diva, a semi-modular faux analogue synth that draws influence from a selection of legendary hardware in its roster of oscillators, filters and envelopes, and yields a sound utterly indistinguishable from the real thing. Released in 2012, Diva later saw the addition of a Roland JP-8000-style digital oscillator option, but for us, its all about those VCOs, DCOs and stunning analogue filters. Read u-he Diva review Best wavetable synth plugin Xfer Records Serum MacPC VSTAUAAX 189 (Image credit: Future) Native Instruments genre-shaping Massive unarguably spearheaded the wavetable synth renaissance, but for the last half decade, Steve Dudas Serum has been the go-to for producers of EDM and bass music. Theres so much good stuff here that its hard to know where to start, but the headlines include dual wavetable oscillators with a variety of blending and morphing styles, spectacular unison voicing, a full-on wavetable editor, a huge menu of filter types, an intuitive but supercharged modulation system, and a rack of ten stunning effects modules. And the sound Think punchy, animated basses; scintillating modulated pads; searing leads; and evocative FX. An exemplar of 21st century synth design, Serum is nothing short of essential. ![]() Best Soft Synths Plus The AbilityNot only does Omnisphere 2 offer over 500 analogue waveforms and digital wavetables, over 30 types for each of its two filters, 58 superb effects and an integrated granular synthesis engine, but it also comes with 65GB of top-notch sample-based sound sources for manipulation within its ridiculously powerful architecture plus the ability to import your own Epic in scale and sound, Omnisphere 2 is a synth you could spend a lifetime with and still never tire of. Read Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 review Best sampler plugin Native Instruments Kontakt MacPC VSTAUAAX 399359 (Image credit: Future) With most DAWs including at least a basic means by which to map samples across the keyboard for pitched play, you might think thered be little call for a dedicated plugin sampler on the computer musicians shopping list. But Kontakt would beg to differ, not just because of the deep sound-shaping and multisample layering features it brings to the table, but also the impressive sub-industry of talented third-party sample library developers thats sprung up around it, selling everything from lavish mutlisampled orchestras, quirky old synths and vintage drum machines, to virtual vocalists, multi-textural drone machines and much, much more. Best Soft Synths Update Over TheKontakt is currently at version 6, but that was such a minor update over the long-established Kontakt 5 that we didnt review it separately. Read Native Instruments Kontakt 5 review Best drum machine plugin FXpansion Geist 2 MacPC VSTAUAAX 187159 (Image credit: Future) While, in historic terms, the term is associated with the synth-based likes of D16 Groups Nepheton TR-808 emulation and Sonic Charges seminal Microtonic 3, the modern drum machine is generally thought of as a pad-based sample playback instrument with onboard sequencing, processing and effects. FXpansions take on the concept is a self-contained groove DAW within which entire tracks can conceivably be put together, never mind beats in isolation.
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