Reviews

If you’re looking for a software synthesizer that can handle everything from warm pads and atmospheric textures to aggressive basses, bright plucks, and modern leads, u-he Hive 2 deserves a serious look. Hive 2 is a virtual synthesizer from u-he, the company behind popular instruments such as Diva and Repro. While those synths lean heavily … Read more

If you love the warmth, character, and imperfections of classic analog synthesizers but don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on vintage hardware, u-he Repro is a plugin that deserves serious attention. Repro takes inspiration from two legendary Sequential synthesizers and turns them into a software package designed to capture the sound and behavior of … Read more

Cherry Audio Ensoniq ESQ-1 Review: Vintage Hybrid Sound Reborn The original Ensoniq ESQ-1 arrived in 1986, when synthesizers were rapidly transitioning from analog circuitry to digital sound generation. Instead of choosing one approach, Ensoniq combined digital oscillators with an analog filter to create an instrument capable of producing warm pads, metallic bells, gritty basses, evolving … Read more

Excite Audio Motion: Dimension Review 2026: Creative Reverb & Delay for Modern Producers If you’re looking for a plugin that goes beyond traditional reverb, Excite Audio Motion: Dimension is worth a serious look. Instead of simply adding ambience to your tracks, Motion: Dimension combines reverb, delay, modulation, and creative movement into one intuitive effects processor. … Read more

Arturia FX Collection 6 Pro Review (2026): Is This the Ultimate Effects Bundle? When it comes to premium audio plugins, Arturia has earned a reputation for combining vintage analog character with modern workflows. While many producers know the company for its acclaimed software instruments, its effects lineup has quietly become one of the strongest collections … Read more

Artificial intelligence continues to reshape music production, and vocal processing is one of the areas seeing the biggest advancements. IK Multimedia’s ReSing SE aims to make AI-powered voice transformation accessible to producers, songwriters, and content creators by allowing users to transform recorded vocals into entirely new vocal performances—all while processing audio locally on your computer. … Read more

Modern producers rarely suffer from a shortage of effects. Most DAWs already include delays, reverbs, filters, distortion processors, modulation effects, and other creative tools. The real challenge is combining those effects quickly enough to capture an idea before the inspiration disappears. Serato Hex FX approaches that problem by placing more than 45 effects inside one … Read more

The original Korg Trident was an ambitious analog instrument that combined a polyphonic synthesizer with dedicated brass and string sections. Released during the early 1980s, it became known for lush pads, sweeping strings, warm brass, and the colorful analog textures associated with that era. Cherry Audio’s Trident Mk III Synthesizer brings that concept into the … Read more

If you’ve spent any time searching for the best analog synthesizer plugins, you’ve almost certainly come across u-he Diva. Despite being on the market for years, Diva continues to earn praise from producers, sound designers, and composers who want authentic analog warmth without investing in expensive hardware. But with newer synthesizers like Pigments, Serum, and … Read more

Roland D-50 Review: Is This Legendary Digital Synth Still Worth It In VST Form? Few synthesizers have achieved legendary status quite like the Roland D-50. Originally released in 1987, it helped define the sound of late-’80s pop, film scores, new age music, and countless chart-topping records. Today, Roland has faithfully recreated this classic through the … Read more