Free emulations of 80s Alesis MIDIVERB II, MicroVerb, in plug-in form

Beloved by digital reverb buffs and shoegaze aficionados, not one but two classic reverbs are now in unofficial plug-in emulations — the MicroVerb and the MIDIVERB II. That includes the full range of MIDIVERB multi-effects, from gated reverbs to chorus and triggered flange, plus the grit and reverse of the Micro. Let’s travel back to the hottest gear of the late 1980s, for free.

Every kind of sonic mayhem: Soundtoys Decapitator, Radiator, Devil-Loc

Soundtoys’ Decapitator, Radiator, and Little Radiator (they’re different!) each is capable of nuanced saturation, compression, drive, and tone for mix tasks. Or you can unleash bloody murder. So if you’re in the need of a way to direct rage into sound for some reason — we’ve got you.

Peter Kirn - April 27, 2026

Ableton has a rare flash sale with 25% off for a week, including upgrades

Ableton tends to discount its products only a couple of times a year, so this flash sale is worth noting. They’re offering 25% off Live 12 Suite and Standard, upgrades, and all Packs, now through Wednesday, April 29. So if you’ve fallen behind on Live versions, or been eyeing those Max for Live Devices I’m constantly writing up, here’s your chance. Let’s refresh our brains on what’s in the upgrades.

Peter Kirn - April 23, 2026

Zebra 3 is here, a sprawling semi-modular plug-in that runs deep

Peter Kirn - April 21, 2026

Absynth 6.1: Audio modulator, LFO retrigger, sound content, more

Peter Kirn - April 17, 2026

You can now get eight of UA’s best plug-ins free, plus the free LUNA DAW

Peter Kirn - April 15, 2026

Liquid and hypnotic, Sinevibes’ Duality is a different breed of vibrato

Peter Kirn - April 13, 2026

Reason 14 beta: new Track Panel, reverb, Dark Mode, more

Peter Kirn - April 8, 2026

Objeq Delay 2 hands-on: AAS acoustic resonator modeling in a multi-effect

Peter Kirn - April 7, 2026