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
Arturia V Collection: A Complete Buyer's Guide
The Arturia V Collection is a serious bundle — here's what to look at before buying, what you're actually getting, and whether it suits your setup.
Common Waves Plugins Mistakes to Avoid
Six common Waves plugins mistakes that have nothing to do with which plugins you own, and how to fix every one of them.
Sampler Plugin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
An introductory guide to sampler plugins, covering recording techniques, keyboard playback, basic editing, common mistakes, and creative applications for transforming audio into instruments.
Loop Packs: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Want to buy loop packs but overwhelmed by choices? Learn how to evaluate quality, identify licensing traps, and find packs worth your money.
Ezdrummer for Beginners: A Complete Guide
EZdrummer makes convincing drum programming accessible to beginners. Learn how to get started, create patterns, and build your first drum tracks.
The Best Xfer Serums for the Money
Getting the best value from Xfer Serum comes down to how you buy it and which free resources you add alongside it. Here's what's actually worth your time and money.
The Ultimate Guide to Volume Meter Plugin
A metering plugin reveals what's really happening in your mix—not just peak levels but loudness, dynamics, and stereo information. Essential for professional mixing and broadcast compliance.
How to Set Up and Use Serum Presets
Installing Serum presets requires placing .fxp files and any associated wavetables in the correct folders on your drive. Here is the full process from download to browsable preset library.
The Best Virtual Preamp Collections for the Money
There's no single best preamp plugin, only the best fit. Here's how the main approaches compare for different producers and budgets.
The Complete Guide to Autotune Mic
An autotune mic is a high-quality vocal microphone chosen for clean, clear recording that responds well to pitch-correction software. Discover the microphone characteristics that work best with autotu...
Xfer Serum: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A practical guide to buying Xfer Serum: covering perpetual licence vs subscription, factory content, preset pack ecosystem, system requirements and alternatives.
Uad: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Native or DSP, Apollo or plug-ins alone, subscription or one-off: the honest, practical guide to what to check before you spend a penny on UAD.
Fabfilter for Beginners: A Complete Guide
FabFilter can look technical from the outside, but it's built to be learned by ear, gently, one plug-in at a time.
The Best Serum Presets for the Money
The best Serum preset pack depends on genre, workflow, and budget. Here is an honest look at what works best across the main production contexts.
Common Uad Plugins Mistakes to Avoid
None of these mistakes are the plugins' fault. Here's every one I keep seeing, and the honest fix.
Piano Vst for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Starting with a piano VST is one of the most accessible ways to learn keyboard and produce music. This beginner's guide covers free options, setup, and common pitfalls.
Everything You Need to Know About Vst Cinematic
Cinematic VSTs let you create orchestral and film score sounds in your DAW. This guide covers what to look for, system requirements, and how to get professional results.
The Complete Guide to Drum And Rhythm Machine
Drum and rhythm machines have evolved from simple beat makers into sophisticated production instruments. This guide explores how these machines work, different styles and how to select one that serves...
Common Drum Samples Mistakes to Avoid
From using uniform velocity to neglecting sample licences, the most common drum samples mistakes are avoidable once you know what to watch for.
Serum Vst for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The Complete Guide to Yamaha Digital Drum Kits
Yamaha digital drum kits are the industry standard for electronic percussion. Learn about their sound quality, pad response, and which model suits your needs.
Autotune Plugin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Autotune doesn't have to feel intimidating. This beginner's guide demystifies vocal pitch correction, walks you through your first session, and shows why autotune is simply a professional tool—not che...
Gate Plugin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
What is a gate plugin and why should you care? A beginner's introduction to using gates to clean up noisy recordings, with simple step-by-step setup.
Common Serum Presets Mistakes to Avoid
Most problems with Serum presets come from predictable errors in installation, use, and expectation. Here is what those mistakes are and how each one is fixed.
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.
