Unusual Plugins: Some VSTs, both effects and instruments, stand out for various reasons. Unique ideas, crazy concepts, and innovative approaches – these plugins are just different. Some are even free!
Check out these unusual plugins!
Zynaptiq Morph 3 – The most unusual Sound Effect
Zynaptiq’s roster includes many unusual plugins, but Morph, now in its third version, is really special. Morph is a plugin that lets you morph two input signals for some of the wildest sounds you can imagine. Various algorithms are available for this, so you can choose the method that works best for you.
There’s also a dual-morphing function controlled by a cross-fader. This VST lets you do some pretty crazy things and is well-equipped to create outrageous sounds. Zynaptiq Morph 3 is available in two different versions from Thomann*.
Native Instruments Reaktor – One of the most unusual plugins for Modular Sound Design
Reaktor has been around since 1996, and it’s basically the foundation of Native Instruments’ meteoric rise twenty years ago. When it comes to unusual plugins, Reaktor is a must-mention. It’s a kind of meta-plugin that lets you create your own sound generators and effects.
Or, if you’re not feeling creative, you can just use the extremely diverse factory library, most of which is free. And since Reaktor Blocks came along, you can even use the plugin like a virtual modular synthesizer! You can now get NI Reaktor standalone or as part of various bundles, including at Thomann*.
oeksound Soothe 2 – All your resonances belong to us
If you look at the regular price of Soothe 2, you’ll be surprised. This “one-trick pony” regularly costs 199 euros / $199 . It’s best to wait for one of their rare sales! However, the plugin from Oeksound has it all and is a real “time saver” when it comes to ironing out harsh frequencies on individual tracks or your entire mix.
Soothe 2 gets rid of resonances almost automatically, and it does that really well. The plugin is still an insider tip, but it’s worth a look (and the money). You can get Soothe 2 directly from oeksound here. Oh, you should also take a look at Bloom!
Sonic Charge Synplant 2 – Builds your Favorite Synth Sounds for you!
Synplant from Sonic Charge is already one of the most unusual plugins out there. With it, you can create sounds from “seeds” from which various “branches” grow, which you can clone and manipulate note by note. You can then turn these new “plants” back into a new seed. You fine-tune the “DNA strand” of the sound—how crazy is that?
Synplant 2 builds on this concept by feeding the extension called Genopatch with audio samples, which the plugin then uses to create a preset by itself. And it does this without sampling or granular synthesis! Synplant 2 also generates a whole series of alternative versions, which you can, of course, treat with the typical functions. Pretty cool, right? You can get Synplant 2 from Sonic Charge here.
Newfangled Audio Generate – Chaotic sonic destruction
In terms of hardware, there are some interesting pieces, like the Motor Synth, but there are also some unusual plugins, like Generate from Newfangled Audio. Everything in the VST is about “chaos oscillators,” which use the double pendulum model as a sound source.
The names Vortex, Pulsar, Discharge, Turbine, Helix, Crescent, and Magma also indicate how different Generate’s approach is. Concepts inspired by Buchla’s West Coast synthesis also appear. With lots of modulation and great effects, this plugin really makes Generate stand out. Be sure to watch the video and read the specs at Thomann*!
Unusal plugins, but Freeware: PaulXStretch
PaulXStretch is a must-have for any list of unusual plugins! The time stretch algorithm, “Paul’s Extreme Time Stretch,” was originally developed by Nasca Octavian Paul and stretches audio like chewing gum—and like no other VST.
It can easily turn a tiny audio snippet into a complete ambient track. PaulXStretch is a tool for sound design that you shouldn’t miss. It’s also a free plugin. You can get it on the developer’s website.
BLEASS Phase Mutant – FM Audio Effect for weird Sounds
Phase Mutant from BLEASS is an FM effect, not an FM synthesizer. It modulates the incoming signal using different waveforms, or it’s modulated by the incoming signal in the opposite direction. There’s another option: the incoming signal modulates the signal itself.
This results in a type of distortion and some really strange textures that give the audio material a completely new character. Various parameters and a motion sequencer further keep things interesting. Phase Mutant is pretty wild—you can get it here at Plugin Boutique*.
Forever 89 Visco – Organic Drum Sample Mangler
When veterans from Ableton and Teenage Engineering join forces, the result promises to be something rather intriguing. This is precisely the case with Visco, the first plugin from the very young company Forever 89. This VST combines a drum designer and drum sequencer with additional effects.
The special thing here is the way the plugin handles samples. You shape them in the truest sense of the word via the graphic display, which Forever89 calls “blob”. It’s like a painting program, where you operate the drum designer and draw the drums according to your ideas. Visco is designed to free you from the usual limits that recorded audio files usually impose, and it does this quite convincingly! You can get Visco from Plugin Boutique*.
Arturia Efx FRAGMENTS – Granular Audio Effect for endless Ambient soundscapes
Granular synthesis is currently going through its hype phase, and Arturia presents us with Efx FRAGMENTS, a very captivating effect from this sonic world. The plugin is good for glitch and stutter effects, creating cloudy stereo ambiances, new textures, and everything in between.
In short, this is a tool for in-depth sound research, which can sometimes be ice-cold and then warm and cozy again. Efx FRAGMENTS is included in the Arturia FX Collection 5, which you can get here at Thomann*.
And even more unusual plugins
9 unusual plugins are nice, but why stop there? Here are a few more unusual plugins that should definitely be mentioned. The links lead directly to the companies or our partners Thomann and Plugin Boutique. There, you will find more information about the individual products.
Freakshow Industries makes some pretty wild plugins with some pretty wild interfaces. Inear Display is much more streamlined, but the plugins are also pretty special. You might have heard of the rather weird and creative the plugins from Beatsufing*. If not, do check them out! There are also a few crazy plugins from Aberrant DSP*. I’m thinking in particular of Digitalis and Lair.
The guys from Dada Life also make some pretty unique plugins. Sausage Fattener is a great one to have in your plugin collection! The VSTs from Soundhack have long since stopped being an insider tip, and the freeware collection, in particular, is highly recommended! Glitchmachines* not only makes plugins but also sample packs. Weeping Wall by Aqueel Aadam was recommended to me, but I haven’t taken a closer look at it yet – It is said to be an homage to the looper included in Hologram Microcosm.
What’s your favorite of our list of unusual plugins? Which one did we miss? Let us know in the comments!
More on unusual plugins
Originally published on Gearnews.de by Dirk B, translation by Julian Schmauch.
*This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
