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
Novation Bass Station Vst: A Complete Guide
Bass VST plugins deliver authentic and synthesised bass sounds essential to contemporary music production, enabling sophisticated bass creation within digital audio workstations.
Everything You Need to Know About Collecting Urine Sample from Foley Catheter
Foley samples are recorded sound effects essential for film, video and game production. This guide covers libraries, quality evaluation and creative application.
Mpc Sample: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Is the Akai MPC Sample worth your money? Here's what to check before you buy, and where it fits next to Akai's bigger standalone units.
The Ultimate Guide to Reverb
What reverb really is, the five types worth knowing, and the handful of controls that decide whether your mix sounds spacious or just muddy.
The Best Vitals for the Money
The features are identical across every Vital tier. Here's which edition actually gives you the most for your money, and why the best upgrade is free.
Kontakt Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Kontakt isn't just a way of triggering samples — it's a full instrument-building platform. Here's what it does, the shapes it comes in, and how to get comfortable with it fast.
Www Toontrack Com Ezdrummer: A Complete Guide
EZdrummer is drum software that lets producers add realistic drum recordings to projects. Create patterns, choose from professional kits and mix drums without a live drummer.
Channel Strip Plugin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A channel strip plugin seems complex, but it's actually simpler than it looks. This beginner's guide walks you through the main sections, presets, and practical tips to start polishing your tracks tod...
Metering Plugin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
An introductory guide to metering plugins and audio level monitoring, covering essential metering types, practical setup, clipping prevention, and professional loudness standards.
Multiband Compressor Plugin for Beginners: A Complete Guide
Your first attempt at using a multiband compressor plugin might feel intimidating. This beginner's guide removes the mystery and shows you how to start using multiband compression practically.
One Shot Samples: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Purchasing one shot samples requires knowing what to listen for in previews, understanding pack contents, and avoiding filler. This guide helps you invest in samples that actually work.
The Complete Guide to 8 Channel Mixing Console
An 8 channel mixing console offers practical capability for recording, live sound, and podcasting. Discover what to look for in a mixer and how to choose the right one for your setup.
Drum Vst for Beginners: A Complete Guide
A practical guide to using drum VSTs for music production. Understand different interfaces, create your first patterns, and avoid common beginner mistakes.
Uad Explained: Features, Types and Tips
Universal Audio's plug-in world explained in plain terms: Native versus DSP, what Unison actually does, and the classic hardware it all tries to recreate.
Fabfilter: A Complete Buyer's Guide
FabFilter's a safe bet, but the catalogue's bigger than people think. Here's how to actually decide what to buy first.
The Ultimate Guide to Vst Plugins
VST plugins are the instruments and effects that run inside your DAW — virtual synths, compressors, reverbs and more. Here is everything you need to understand them.
Superior Drummer: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A practical buyer's guide to Superior Drummer covering system requirements, library storage, licensing, expansion packs and how it compares to EZdrummer.
Izotope Explained: Features, Types and Tips
iZotope keeps coming up in mixing forums for a reason. Here's what the range actually does, once you understand how the pieces fit together.
8 Channel Mixing Console: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Choosing the right 8 channel mixing console means knowing which specs matter and where the value sits at each price point.
Addictive Drums: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Addictive Drums 2 is worth the attention — but the buying process is modular. Here's what you actually get, what to buy first, and what to skip for now.
Common Serum Mistakes to Avoid
I have made every one of these Serum mistakes myself. Here are nine of the most common, why they happen, and the quick fix for each.
Channel Strip Plugin: A Complete Buyer's Guide
Whether you're mixing your first song or working in a professional studio, choosing the right channel strip plugin can streamline your workflow and improve your mixing consistency.
Virtual Preamp Collection: A Complete Buyer's Guide
A hype-free look at whether this plug-in actually solves your problem, plus licensing, compatibility and how it stacks up against the alternatives.
Slate Digital for Beginners: A Complete Guide
The catalogue looks huge from the outside. Here's where to actually start with Slate Digital if mixing plug-ins are completely new to you.
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.
