The best of Universal Audio’s native plug-ins, in Spark or standalone

Universal Audio’s Spark subscription (native plug-ins) is on sale for 99 cents for 3 months for new customers through the end of the day Monday the 31st. That seems a good time to check in on the subscription offering, which is on my short list of subscriptions I’d consider. (If you prefer perpetual licenses, though, I’ve got some quick picks on their sale there, too.)

Mix and patch ChowDSP’s tape modeling for free in VCV Rack

No collection of DSP models for work, pleasure, and creative abuse would be complete without the Chowdbury DSP collection. You might know about the plug-in, but it’s also worth noting that these are available in VCV Rack and Cardinal, where you can patch them at will.

Peter Kirn - March 10, 2025

KORG multi/poly native is as satisfying as a desktop plug-in as it in hardware

KORG’s analog-modeling, layered multi-poly was already compelling as hardware. Now, it’s available as a software plug-in, either as a companion to the keyboard version or as a rich plug-in in its own right. I’ve been working with a late build; here are some impressions.

Peter Kirn - March 6, 2025

Arturia’s take on Elka Synthex puts buttery layers, hypnotic arps in reach

Peter Kirn - October 28, 2024

Synthesizers.com in VCV Rack gives you Moog-like 5U in software, for free

Peter Kirn - October 25, 2024

KORG multi/poly – a modeled mono/poly that’s secretly a KAOSS-filled studio

Peter Kirn - October 24, 2024

Rare Oberheim OB-1 is perfect as a plug-in: review, Tom Oberheim vid

Peter Kirn - July 12, 2024

MiniBrute V, a modeled software rendition of Arturia’s baby wonder

Peter Kirn - May 21, 2024

Arturia Pigments 5 audio input: video tutorial, tips and tricks, free presets

Peter Kirn - March 1, 2024

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