Best Creative Effect Plugins
Here’s another roundup of VST effects and now we look at some of the more out-there creative effect plugins that are supposed to be used with vocals or beats; or effects that morph between sounds and effect types.
Blue Cat Audio MB-7 Mixer. $149.
The MB-7 mixer is a unique plug-in that splits the signal into several frequency bands and lets you mix and process them separately. It’s super handy because it brings a range of tools together in one easy-to-use interface.
Heavyocity PUNISH. $220.
Punish is a multi-saturator and compressor with custom compression, saturation, transient shaping and equalisation, all within one plug-in. It sounds amazing and with the ability to manipulate and automate so many parameters it’s a worthy addition for anyone’s toolbox.
Cableguys Shaperbox. $110.
This one has so many uses, because it’s an effect rack that can host up to five individual effects behind one GUI and can easily be re-ordered, bypassed etc. It’s a super creative and innovative way adding effects to anything. One of our favourite creative effect plugins!
iZotope VocalSynth 2. $230.
VocalSynth represents the first time several of the most popular vocal effect techniques have been combined in a single product. It has four engines for harmonies, vocoder, chip and talk box. It’s well laid out, easy to pick up and a unique plug-in.
Melda Productions MMORPH. $175.
Spectral morphing plug-in that, rather than fading from one sound to another, finds common elements from each to blend smoothly between them. An advanced sound design tool for truly unique creations.
PSP L’otary 2 Modulator. $105.
A plug-in to emulate the swirling effect of a rotary speaker based on the Leslie 122 and 147, associated with the classic Hammond organ sound. A solid speaker emulator that sounds great on a variety of sounds and, of course, organs.
MTransient Transient Shaper. $69.
Transient processor that’s designed to alter the character of attacking sounds in any rhythmic material. For the price, this is a useful and powerful plug-in with a great depth of features.
Output Movement. $170.
A plug-in designed to impart a range of rhythmic qualities onto any number of audio sources you pass through it. Demonstrating the same creative spark as its instruments, Output’s Movement is an inspiring and intriguing audio plug-in.
Zplane ReTune. $175.
Gives you full access to the pitch content of your audio samples and enables you to map each input pitch to any other pitch of the chromatic scale – all in real time. A magical plug-in; it’s both revolutionary and creatively inspiring.
Top Freeware Creative Effect Plugins
Finally, in our mini freeware roundups, we look at some of the more creative effects on offer out there, which you can download for nothing…
Tritik Krush is a bitcrusher with Drive and Krush dials, plus Frequency and Resonance filter controls. There’s a sync’able Modulation section, too.
Cableguys PanCake is a utility effect that crosses over to become more of a creative tool. PanCake is a lovely panner that enables you sync the effect to tempo.
Ohm Force Frohmage is a freeware filter that we wager you will love so much, you’ll overuse it. A great piece of software from a super company.
A1TriggerGate is a rhythmic-gate audio processor that can be used to emulate the popular effects heard in dubstep, house and almost all other electronic music.
CamelCrusher. Perfect for fattening up drums, vocals, synths and practically anything else you want to treat with it. One of our favourite free creative effect plugins for sure!
