Add effects, synths, samplers and processors to your DAW with plugins and virtual instruments for any studio setup.
- 119 topics
- 378 articles
- Music Software & DAWs
Inside Plugins & Virtual Instruments
All 119 topicsThe 12 most-searched of 119 topics. The full index is at the foot of the page.
Serum
Serum is a leading wavetable synth for UK producers, used for basses, leads, pads and advanced sound design.
Childrens Drum Kits
Children's drum kits help young players learn rhythm comfortably with smaller, beginner-friendly setups.
Instruments Strings
Virtual string instruments and libraries for detailed arrangements, cinematic writing and expressive production.
Spitfire Audio
Spitfire Audio offers cinematic sample libraries for orchestral writing, scoring and richly detailed music production.
Drum and Rhythm Machine
Find drum and rhythm machines for beat making, songwriting and live performance with fast, hands-on control.
Vital
Explore a powerful wavetable synth with clear sound design tools, deep modulation and versatile modern tones.
Sample
Samples are the building blocks of modern production, used for beats, hooks, textures and creative arranging in any genr...
3 topics
Fabfilter
FabFilter delivers high-end EQ, compression and mastering plugins with precise control and clear workflow.
1 topic
Soundtoys
Soundtoys plug-ins add analogue-style colour, movement and creative effects for distinctive mixes and sound design.
Plugin Types
Explore the main kinds of music software plug-ins, from effects and instruments to mixing, mastering and creative tools.
Autotune
Pitch correction and vocal effect software for polished, modern music production.
1 topic
Izotope
Professional mixing, mastering and repair software for cleaner, faster and more polished productions.
Articles on Plugins & Virtual Instruments
All news
The Best Serum Vsts for the Money
Cinematic Samples for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The prospect of creating dramatic film scores intimidates many producers, but cinematic samples make this accessible even for beginners. This guide shows you the easiest path to compelling soundtrack...
Midi Packs: A Complete Buyer's Guide
MIDI packs are powerful production tools, but purchasing wisely is critical. Discover how to evaluate quality, assess seller reputation, and invest in MIDI packs that genuinely enhance your production...
How to Set Up and Use Addictive Drums
Getting Addictive Drums 2 running involves a few more steps than a standard installer. Here's the exact order of operations, from download to first pattern.
Native Instruments Komplete for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Native Instruments Komplete can be overwhelming for new users. Here is a practical guide to getting started with the bundle from day one.
8 Channel Mixing Console for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A beginner's guide to 8-channel mixing consoles, covering basic layout, setup, channel controls, your first mixing session, and common mistakes to avoid.
Serum Presets: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The market for Serum presets is large and uneven. Here is how to identify packs worth buying for your specific genre, and how to read past the marketing to find real quality.
Construction Kits: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Construction kits offer pre-built musical elements for remixing and production. This guide covers quality indicators, pricing tiers, common mistakes, and how to choose kits that match your production...
Autotune Mic for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Autotune is pitch correction software that keeps your vocals in tune. This beginner's guide covers what it does, how to use it, and common mistakes to avoid.
Royalty Free Samples: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Purchasing royalty free samples means understanding licensing rights, file quality, and pricing tiers. Learn what to check before buying and which platforms deliver real value.
The Ultimate Guide to Plugin Types
Open a DAW's plugin browser and it's a lot. Here's how the main plugin types break down, so choosing the right tool stops being guesswork.
Uad Audio Plugins for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The learning curve with UAD plugins is mostly in the setup, not the plugins. Here's the beginner-friendly way through it, step by step.
Autotune Plugin: A Complete Buyer's Guide
With dozens of autotune plugin options ranging from free tools to professional-grade software, understanding what distinguishes one from another is essential for making an informed purchase decision.
Choir Vst: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choir VST plugins range from budget samples to world-class professional libraries. This buying guide breaks down price tiers, essential specs and common mistakes so you pick the right choir VST for yo...
Ezdrummer: A Complete Buyer's Guide
EZdrummer is the go-to virtual drum plugin for songwriters and producers. Here's how to choose the right version for your needs and budget.
Common Virtual Preamp Collection Mistakes to Avoid
The same handful of avoidable habits trip up most new users. Here's what to check before you decide something doesn't sound right.
Waves Pitch Correction Plugin: A Complete Guide
Pitch correction plugins are essential for polished vocal and instrumental recordings. This guide explains automatic versus manual approaches, top options, and how to choose the pitch correction plugi...
The Ultimate Guide to Plugin Boutique
It isn't a plugin brand - it's the shop window for hundreds of them. Here's what Plugin Boutique actually is, where it came from, and how it fits into the wider software market.
Drum Machine Vst for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Nervous about drum machine VSTs? This beginner's guide walks you through your first beat step-by-step, without jargon or overwhelming detail.
Everything You Need to Know About Unison Midi Chord Pack
MIDI packs are collections of pre-recorded MIDI files—chord progressions, drum patterns, basslines and melodies—that you can load into your DAW and personalise with your own sounds. They're not shortc...
The Complete Guide to Digital Mixing Consoles
Digital mixing consoles offer recall, flexibility, and integrated effects impossible with analogue gear. Master their features to elevate your recording and live sound capabilities.
Common Autotune Mistakes to Avoid
Wrong key settings, a retune speed left on zero, a messy take fed straight in — here are the autotune mistakes almost everyone makes at least once.
Omnisphere for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A patient, step-by-step guide for complete beginners: the key terms, loading your first sound, and what to leave for later.
Drum Machine Vst: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Not all drum machine VSTs are created equal. Learn how to compare options and avoid expensive mistakes when choosing yours.
Plugins and virtual instruments for every studio
Plugins & Virtual Instruments cover the tools you load inside a DAW to shape, enhance and perform music. This category includes effects, synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, amp simulators and mixing processors.
Expand your sound palette
Plugins and virtual instruments let you add new tones, textures and processing power without changing your main software. They are essential for mixing, sound design, beat-making, composing and building realistic or experimental instrument parts.
Compatible with modern production workflows
Most plugins and virtual instruments are designed to work across popular DAWs, making them a practical upgrade for home studios and professional setups alike. For UK musicians, they are one of the easiest ways to customise a production environment.
