Here are the Best Plugins of 2023

12 months ago 56

Happy Mag https://happymag.tv Updated weekly by the fine folk at Happy Mag, here is the absolute best new plugins that this week has to offer from Australia and around the world! Happy Mag https://happymag.tv

Happy Mag https://happymag.tv

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a curious novice, our list of the top plugins for 2023 will have you covered for all your sonic needs

Plugins are the secret weapons of music production, giving even novice producers the power to create sounds that would make Mozart himself green with envy. From virtual instruments to dynamic processors, the world of plugins is a never-ending rabbit hole of sonic possibilities.

With the best plugins you don’t need a state-of-the-art studio to achieve a professional sound. So whether you’re a bedroom producer or a seasoned veteran, these top-tier plugins of 2023 will elevate your productions to the next level and beyond.

 

Audio Ease: Altiverb 8

Audio Ease have updated their trusted and true, signature reverb plugin to Alitverb 8.

With even more advanced IR spaces, gear, custom capturing and algorithms, Altiverb continues to be a staple to incorporate in your mixes.

BUY HERE

Plugin

AUDIO EASE
ALTIVERB 8

Acustica Audio: MIDNIGHT

Acustica’s latest VST is MIDNIGHT, a powerful, Vari-mu tube compressor. It includes 4 sampled units from different manufacturers exploring classic Vari-mu compressors like the Manley Vari-mu mastering limiter and compressor.

This reinterpretation provides the highest sound quality in your DAW using Hyper 3 technology, supported by easy-to-use 3D & Flat digital interfaces.

BUY HERE

Acustica

ACUSTICA AUDIO
MIDNIGHT

IK Multimedia: ODS Legends Signature Collection

A brand new VST collection by IK Multimedia for TONEX uniquely provides 4 Overdrive Special amps from legendary boutique brands, artists, studios and collectors, alongside two overdrive pedals using IK’s AI Machine Modeling Technology.

This innovative, digital access to rare, priceless vintage and retro amp emulations is an exciting addition to your plugin collection to be explored in recording and mixing. 

BUY HERE

Amp Sim

IK MULTIMEDIA
ODS LEGENDS SIGNATURE COLLECTION

Solid State Logic: SSL 4K E

Software is giving us lots of ways to get the sound of iconic consoles in the box. But not a whole lot of these plugins are made by the console heavyweights themselves.

The 4000 E console was released in 1979 and broke new ground in 80s and 90s music with its big punchy sound. SSL has just released it’s own emulation of this iconic console strip so you can bet it’ll be as close as you can get to the real deal.

BUY HERE

Console Emulation

SOLID STATE LOGIC
SSL 4K E

UAD: Sound City Studios

Are you looking to record in the famous Sound City studios alongside the likes of Nirvana, Metallica, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and Rage Against the Machine. Well you might have a hard time booking a spot, but here’s a way to sprinkle a little bit of that magic on your tracks.

Sound City Studios is UAD’s most complete studio emulation to date and can recreate the room, mics, outboard gear and mixing console that you would get if you went to record your next track at Sound City. I’m super excited to load my tracks up with character.

What’s more it’s available natively and is included in the Spark Bundle!

BUY HERE

Room Emulation Plugin

UNIVERSAL AUDIO
SOUND CITY STUDIOS

BFD: BFD Player

An acoustic drum sampler is an absolute must in any producers toolkit and BFD has the heritage with countless awards for its flagship BFD3 drum software. Well prepare yourselves because BFD has just released BFD player. A no compromises free entry in the acoustic drum software market.

This free version comes loaded with a 5GB sample library and 340 pre-mapped patterns for immediate inspiration.

I mean it’s a free plugin from a big hitter. Need we say more.

GET IT HERE

Drum Software
BFD
BFD PLAYER

Fab Filter: Pro R2

Fab Filter have given us an update to the revered Pro R2. Nowadays the Fab Filter Pro series is pretty much industry standard.

The new Pro R2 now features; full immersive audio support, all new vintage and plate reverb styles, the ability to import your own impulse responses and extended parameters, controls and preset browsing.

If you’ve been waiting for your excuse to jump on the Fab Filter train, maybe now’s the time.

BUY HERE

 

FABFILTER
PRO R2

Arturia: Efx Motions

Evolving motion plugins to fight static mixes are becoming all the rage, and Arturia is throwing their hat in the ring.

Efx Motions allows you to easily automate; filters, noise, drive, volume, pan and effects and map them over time to create interesting evolving sound sources or transitions in your tunes.

If you’re looking for a new way to bring some excitement to your music, this could be your sign to check out Efx Motions

BUY HERE

 

Movement
ARTURIA
EFX MOTIONS

AudioThing: Lines

Inspired by the rare Axel Line Simulator, AudioThings Lines is self described as an ‘audio mangler’ – lo-fi telephone sounds, lush phasing, warm distortions, crushing feedback, ring modulation, and unique frequency shifting – all are possible with Lines.

Here’s a super cool one for those who are looking to get some easy modular synth vibes in your track in a plugin. You can of course put this on your audio tracks but honestly leaving it to do it’s own thing is half of the fun.

BUY HERE

 

Audio Mangler
AUDIOTHING
LINES

APU: Loudness Compressor

This ones a little bit out of the box. But if you take a moment to actually think things through, it makes actually makes perfect sense.

APU has put together a compressor plugin that’s designed to respond to the loudness types that we’re so used to working with in todays streaming focused world – LUFS and True Peak. The result is a plugin that works for the way that listeners actually perceive loudness.

This here could become your new secret weapon for mastering.

BUY HERE

 

LUFS Compressor
APU
LOUDNESS COMPRESSOR

Slate Digital: Infinity Bass

Slate digital has released a simple but powerful bass processing plugin that adds punch to your low-end where it’s needed and creates it where it’s missing.

It’s got 4 different processing modes with 4 different control knobs and a listen button which solo’s out just the processing that you’re applying.It’s a no brainer for EDM producers but it’s also killer for rock and pop kick drums, bass DIs, acoustic bass, drum groups and even full mixes.

BUY HERE

 

Bass processing plugin
SLATE DIGITAL
INFINITY BASS

Audified: 1A Equaliser

A pultec style EQ is an absolute must have in your plugin toolbox. If you haven’t heard of it, go and google the pultec trick, you can thank us later.

The new Audified 1A Equaliser plug-in, combines vintage schematics with modern technological know-how to, as Audified states, teach an old Pultec new sonic tricks.

A plugin will never quite replace the real thing, but we’re loving having the Audified 1A EQ under our belt.

BUY HERE

 

Pultec EQ
AUDIFIED
1A EQUALIZER

Kazrog: Avalon VT-747SP

Kazrog and Avalon have worked together to bring us a fresh new native plugin version of the classic VT-747SP and everyone seems to be talking about it.

Combining a tube/discrete (take your pic!) modelled Class A opto-compressor and a musical six-band program equaliser the Kazrog Avalon VT-747SP is set to become a go to Swiss army knife for your mixing and mastering needs.

BUY HERE

 

Native Plugin
KAZROG
AVALON VT-747SP

Cableguys: FilterShaper XL

Remember your good old fashioned analog filters on your favourite synthesisers. It’s finally time to throw em out! Ok no, maybe don’t do that, they’re pretty freaking cool, and they have some awesome synths attached to them.

But maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself reaching for something new, that sounds pretty damn cool and will get the job done in no time at all.

The Cableguys FilterShaper XL is the big brother of the Filtershaper Core Module included in their ShaperBox 3 Bundle.

This time we’re presented with dual filters that can be used in a variety of different configurations, paired with a really powerful and creative modulation framework to get your tracks to writhe, pulse, scream or anything in between.

BUY HERE

Cableguys Filter Plugin

CABLEGUYS
FILTERSHAPER XL

Acustica Audio: Mystic

Built on using their cutting edge Hyper 3 technology, Acustica are coming in hot with ‘Mystic’ and all tube channel strip that will add a whole lot of analog colour and presence to your tracks.

Packed with a preamp section, a baxandall style eq section and a compressor section, Mystic will bring a whole lot of life and vintage vibes to your individual tracks, busses and masters.

BUY HERE

Acustica All-Tube Channel Strip

ACUSTICA AUDIO
MYSTIC

Baby Audio: Transit

They’re back with another game changer plugin, this time to get those pesky transitions to hit hard. ‘Transit’ is a transition designer which has been built from the ground up in collaboration with producer and YouTube sensation ‘Andrew Huang’.

Map multiple parameters of different effects modules to one big mix knob to save you time otherwise spent messing around with a million different automation lanes and make your chorus slap with minimal fuss and maximum fun.

BUY HERE

Baby Audio Transition Designer

BABY AUDIO
TRANSIT

Wavesfactory: Equalizer

There’s a new equalizer in town, it’s intelligent and automatic and does all the heavy lifting for you: Wavesfactory’s Equalizer.

It works by dividing the incoming signal into 32 frequency bands. For each band, it calculates the gain and then determines a target volume. Once it’s done its maths, Equalizer independently adjusts — either boosting or cutting — the gain for each band to achieve the desired target volume.

Equalizer, effectively makes all frequencies have the same volume, and to top it off it’s not a CPU hog!

BUY HERE

wavesfactory equalizer

WAVESFACTORY
EQUALIZER

Tegeler: Raummaschine

What’s a hardware company doing in this list? Tegeler — known for their stunning hardware both in sound and vision — has just dropped the Raummaschine: a tube analog reverb unit painstakingly recreated as a plugin.

The Raummaschine is a software version of their Raumzeitmaschine otherworldly reverb hardware unit. It makes fascinating and floating resonances using different algorithms to create more interesting spaces and effects all while having this strange yet wonderful magic eye type design in the middle of it.

The GUI is stunning, you’ve got all the standard controls like pre delay, mix, density and decay, and it’s compatible with all major DAWs as well as being available in AU, AAX, VST, VST3.

BUY HERE

Raummaschine

TEGELER
RAUMMASCHINE

Baby Audio: BA-1

Baby Audio are responsible for some of the best creative soundsculpting/manipulating/mutilating tools of the last 5 years, and have come forth with their first soft-synth offering; the BA-1. The BA-1 is a faithfully expanded reproduction of the 1982 Yamaha CS01, the legendary, (originally) cheap monosynth that somehow captured the sound of a decade, with heavy users like Depeche Mode, the Dust Brothers, Radiohead, and practically the entire digi-dancehall scene.

The CS01 may have looked like a toy but it brought forth the sounds of a bubbling, growling 80s beast that appropriately ended up all over the Stranger Things soundtrack. Baby Audio have authentically imprisoned this FM synthesis monster in software form, levelled up it’s XP, and massively evolved its original application with a second analog-styled oscillator, polyphony, an era appropriate FX section, plus the ability the circuit bend this creature into lo-fi synth texture valhalla.

BUY HERE

Baby audio The BA-1

BABY AUDIO 
BA-1

Eventide Audio: SplitEQ

Winner of the NAMM TEC Awards category of Signal Processing Software (Dynamics / EQ / Utilities) SplitEQ is one new release you should get. We live in a fast paced, home studio, capture-the-moment recording world. SplitEQ will support you in these moments of grief when you open the recordings you’ve done and found issues that didn’t present themselves in the heat of the moment.

Unlike other EQs, SplitEQ intelligently splits audio into two sections — Transient (noise, pops, mic plosives, vocal sibilance, attacks) and Tonal (sustained notes, harmonics, tone, ambiance). Farewell to losing low end warmth while removing plosives!

As well as this, Eventide Audio has some brilliant bundles that include this corrective and creative tool.

BUY HERE

EVENTIDE AUDIO 
SPLITEQ

Spitfire Audio: Spitfire Audio Abbey Road Orchestra: Low Percussion

Spitfire Audio’s Abbey Road Orchestra: Low Percussion is a sampling library that offers impressive and deep percussion sounds for your music. It includes bone-shaking Taiko and massive ?-daiko drums, as well as an extensive selection of other percussion instruments.

What sets it apart is the attention to detail given by Spitfire Audio in capturing every inch of Abbey Road studio, and with multiple microphone options, you can mix and match to create the perfect sonic landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a novice, this plugin will undoubtedly level up your sound game.

BUY HERE

 

SPITFIRE AUDIO 
ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA

UnitedPlugins : FireMaximizer

UnitedPlugins’ FireMaximizer is a powerful loudness maximizer that promises to revolutionize music production. With an XY pad and a powerful drive control, it can make your music cut through the mix with ease. It offers four types of blendable limiting, including Clip, Saturate, Limit, and Multiband limiting, that help you squeeze the maximum level out of your instruments or entire mix while preserving its detail and depth.

Whether you’re a novice or a professional, the FireMaximizer’s innovative features will help your tracks stand out in any setting. If you’re looking for a tool to give your music an edge and make it shine brighter, the FireMaximizer is the plugin for you.

BUY HERE

UNITEDPLUGINS 
FIRE MAXIMISER

 

Arturia: Minifreak

Arturia’s MiniFreak V is an exceptional emulation of the coveted MiniFreak hybrid polysynth hardware. Boasting 250 patches, this synth offers an intricate tapestry of analog filters and digital voices that come together seamlessly, resulting in a varied modulation that will blow your mind.

Customizing the MiniFreak V is a breeze as it can be mapped to any controller. If you’re lucky enough to own the hardware MiniFreak, you’ll benefit from perfectly mirrored controls. From big hoover polysynths to deep basses, to leads and pads, the MiniFreak V is a limitless synth. Designed with the help of legendary designer Alex Hartman, check out our exclusive interview with him to gain insights into this amazing synth.

BUY HERE

ARTURIA
MINIFREAK

Polyverse Music – Supermodal

Polyverse Music has done it again with their latest plugin, Supermodal. If you’re in the know, you’ll already be familiar with their widely loved plugin, Wider. But Supermodal takes things to the next level. This powerhouse of a modal filter offers a wild and warped world of sound sculpting and filtering. And the best part? You can trigger its features via MIDI, making it an even more versatile tool for your creative arsenal. Say goodbye to creative blocks and hello to a new level of sonic exploration with Supermodal.

BUY HERE

POLYVERSE MUSIC
SUPERMODAL 

Softube Icons – Compressor Collection

Softube has done it again with their latest offering, the Icons: The Compressor Collection. This bundle packs in not one, not two, but three of the most sought-after compressors in the game, all with their own unique characteristics. The FET Compressor Mk II, OPTO Compressor, and VCA Compressor have all been meticulously modeled with no detail spared.

Softube’s commitment to capturing the essence of these legendary originals is unparalleled. And not only do they sound incredible, but the modern features and sleek design make them a joy to use. We can’t get enough of these compressors, and we’re pretty sure you won’t be able to either.

BUY HERE

SOFTUBE ICONS
COMPRESSION COLLECTION

FabFilter – Twin 3

Step right up, creative types, because FabFilter’s Twin 3 Software Synthesizer is here to take the technicality out of your synth game. Featuring four old-school oscillators that ooze vintage charm, this soft synth is a creative playground with intuitive drag-and-drop modulation, stunning filters that have earned their stripes, and a diverse suite of FX to play with.

With four vintage-sounding oscillators, award-winning filters that sound great, drag-and-drop modulation, and a suite of FX with loads of variation.  It’s an absolute beast of a synth that’s incredibly easy to bend to your will.

BUY HERE

FABFILTER
TWIN 3

Antares –  Auto tune Vocal Compressor

Antares Tech, the reigning champion of vocal plugins, has unveiled an AI/machine learning compressor that aims to perfect your vocal recordings. Known for their popular Auto-Tune plugin, Antares has now released a new plugin that offers a starting point for your vocal processing.

With the ability to select the Input Type, Compression mode, and desired Style, the plugin takes the reins and assists with the heavy lifting. What’s more impressive is the plugin’s Auto-Tune Pitch Filter function, which intelligently tracks and follows the fundamental pitch of your vocals for even more seamless processing.

BUY HERE

ANTARES
AUTO TUNE COMPRESSOR

Rhodes – V8 and V8 Pro Plugins

The Rhodes V8 and Rhodes V8 Pro are the new official Rhodes music plugins that are set to make a big impact in the music industry. These plugins are the rebirth of the legendary Rhodes keyboard that has been an icon for decades.

Designed by Axel Hartmann, the Rhodes MK8 features his latest innovations, making it a truly unique instrument. With the brand’s stamp of approval, using the Rhodes V8 plugin is an exciting experience. Its sound quality is exceptional – we tested it against a real Rhodes in the studio, and the results were remarkable. The Rhodes V8 is in a league of its own in the plugin world.

BUY HERE

RHODES
V8 AND V8 PRO PLUGINS

Sinevibes – Vague

Step right up, and witness the mind-bending madness of Sinevibes Vague, a plugin that defies categorization and takes your sound on a cosmic joyride. This binaural time diffuser is unlike anything else in the production and mixing realm, featuring a multifaceted stereo universe of strange phasing, granular chirps, chorusing, and creative delays.

As your audio signal journeys through Vague’s virtual space, it navigates 16 all-pass comb filter stages with gradually increasing delay times, resulting in a beautifully blurred and smeared sound that transports your sonic creations to a new dimension. Embrace the weirdness and explore the endless possibilities of Vague.

BUY HERE

SINEVIBES
VAGUE

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