Making music doesn’t always have to be expensive and for those without hardware synthesizers, the following recently released softsynths and plug-ins can be really useful.

Filterscape 

By u-he

Website: https://u-he.com/products/filterscape/

Price: 129 €

Filterscape by u-he has been around since 2004 and since then the company’s first cross-platform, multi-format plugin has become a staple for many musicians. According to u-he Filterscape may have been overlooked in recent years, but this will no longer be the case. With the 1.5 update for Filterscape, u-he has given the plug-in a “future-proof” design to make it more visually appealing as well as more comfortable to use. Also new to the update is nine additional analog filter options (2-pol, 3-pole, 4-pole). In addition, u-he is using a new multiband EQ based on an analog model which has been optimized for rapid modulation. This means users can now expect significantly improved audio quality when pushing it to the limits. 

Filterscape 1.5 is available now for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Existing users will find that it requires a new license, which can be retrieved from the “My Licenses” section (https://u-he.com/my-licenses/) of the official website. 

Kickshaper

By W.A. Production

Website: https://www.waproduction.com/plugins/view/kickshaper

Price: Special Price - $16.00 ($39.90 after promotion ends)

W.A. Production has released a new Multi-FX plug-in called Kickshaper for users who want their kicks to “punch harder and sound better than ever before.” To accomplish this W.A. Production has captured the power of cutting-edge algorithms that were painstakingly tested on thousands of kick samples. 

Users can expect natural-sounding tails, well-defined transients, and depth all while maximizing the digital ream’s full dynamic range. According to W.A. Production, even users who are new to mixing and mastering will be able to create the perfect kick in seconds thanks to the streamlined interface and intuitive workflow. Check out the full list of features below and visit the official website to grab Kickshaper at a special introductory price. A free demo version is also available to try out. 

• Kick designer plugin with advanced features
• Unique processing modules
• Frequency finder
• Shape sculpting: Tail, Deboom, Thump & Click
• Tone frequency adjustment
• Enhancement features
• AB comparison & Undo / Redo
• Resizable interface
• Responsive & CPU friendly
• Genre-spanning factory presets
• Full PDF Manual & Tutorial video

LowSane

By Rob Papen

Website: https://www.robpapen.com/lowsane.html

Price: $25

LowSane is a new lo-fi effects processor by Rob Papen featuring LoFi FX with additional distortion, Band Pass / Notch Filter, Hi-Pass, Filter, Low-Pass Filter, and Noise Gate. FX changes can be controlled with what Rob Papen calls a “Disrupt Sphere” featuring eight available controls that can be connected to LowSane parameters. LowSane presets are stored as files in clear categorized bank folders and the quick browser function has “recently browsed” as well as “favorite” functions. Visit the official website to view the full list of features (https://www.robpapen.com/LowSane-features.html) or to try out the demo version of the software. 

NoInputMixer

By Igor Vasiliev

Website: https://motion-soundscape.blogspot.com/2023/09/noinputmixer-feedback-based-instrument.html

Price: $15.99

Igor Vasiliev has released NoInPutMixer, an experimental feedback-based musical instrument that models an analog mixing console. According to Vasiliev, it is designed to create a wide range of amazing, otherworldly electronic sounds by feeding the mixer’s output back to its input. It consists of a seven-channel mixer and an effects rack with eight slots. 

Thump One

By Toybox

Website: https://www.toyboxaudio.com/pages/thump-one

Price: Free ($3.99 on App Store)

Toybox has released Thump One, an easy-to-use music synthesizer plugin featuring a fun glitchy “wavetable” engine and a bank of flexible multi-segment envelopes. It has two powerful engines that users can layer together to create complex sounds and textures along with flexible envelopes for each major parameter. According to ToyBox, Thump One is not just another vintage “mono-synth” but offers an easy-to-use and intuitive layout with a modern twist. To get users started Thump One includes 150 presets from professional sound designers. Thump One is available as a free download for MacOS VST3 & AU from the official website or a $3.99 app for iPad on the App Store (https://apps.apple.com/app/6449721702).