Underrated Plugins: Hidden Gems
Which plugins have stood the test of time?
4,7 / 5,0 | 
Underrated Plugins: Hidden Gems · Source: Ashin K Suresh / Unsplash / Waves / Sonic Charge / Stillwell Audio
So many plugins are released each week, it’s hard to keep track. We’ve created a list of underrated plugins released over the last 20 years.
In this Article:
If you’re just starting out in music production, you might not have your finger on the pulse of the ever-changing plugin market quite yet, with the ebb and flow of different trends. When it comes to any musical instrument or piece of gear, new does not always equate to a better sound or creative workflow, and the same goes for plugins.
Underrated Plugins: Hidden Gems
The more experienced campaigners will be familiar with this concept. So if you fall into this category, please give us your input in the comments section, with some of your favourite underrated plugins you’ve used over the years.
Before we get into it, though, I’d like to point out that some of the ultimate hidden gems are already in your DAW among the stock plugins, as well as the array of free plugins available today, like Softube’s Saturation Knob. For this reason, please check out this Stock Plugins roundup and be sure to follow our weekly Free Plugins column, because you never know what treasures await.
Underrated Plugins: Stillwell Audio
Although many of the Stillwell Audio plugins made some noise when they arrived on the market years ago, the company remains somewhat of a sleeper, flying under the radar these days. Within the Stillwell ranks, you’ll find a collection of 20 plugins, including recreations of the 1176, 1073, and dbx 160, as well as some interesting synths and effects in the Schwa range.
The experience of using the Stillwell Audio plugins reminds me a lot of Soundtoys, because it really feels like you’re using a piece of gear. While so many new plugins rely on one-knob, AI-assisted workflows, it’s actually refreshing to work with audio software that lets you make your own mistakes.
If you’re a Reaper user, you’ll be thrilled to know that there is a special license, which is half price in many cases, just for you. Some of my personal favourites include the Bombardier bus compressor, the Schwa Olga synth with its Russian GUI, and the Schwa Oligarc effects.
Underrated Plugins: Waves Renaissance Maxx
Old but gold, the Renaissance Maxx plugins have been the hidden gems of the Waves bundle for years. Within this range of essential processors, you’ll find plugins you can depend on for mixing that don’t require too much technical know-how to get results. The magic to processors like RVox and RBass is in the sheer simplicity of their interfaces.
Instead of having an array of controls you’ve yet to master or features you rarely use, most of the key Renaissance plugins have quite basic interfaces with just three or four controls. Because the plugins are designed for specific applications, it demystifies the process of using them, so you can get results quickly and repeatedly.
The Renaissance plugins are also very CPU-friendly, so you can run instances on every channel in your DAW if you like. While the technology is nothing new, it’s reassuring to use tools that have been tried and tested on so many well-known records, especially if you are new to the production game.
Underrated Plugins: Relab Development
Relab Development makes some of the most sonically pleasing reverb plugins available, with emulations of the classic Lexicon 480L, the TC Electronic System 6000, and the Quantec Room Simulator. Each of these reverbs also has an Essentials version that provides an easy entry point, and you can upgrade to the “pro” version later.
Easily the most exciting Relab offering, however, is the Sonsig Rev-A algorithmic reverb. Rather than being a plugin version of a particular hardware unit, Sonsig Rev-A uses what Relab calls Psychoacoustic Spatial Alignment (PSA) technology and a simple interface that lets you dial in sounds quickly. What’s more, there are Quantec and Lexicon 224 modes, as well as an incredible ensemble effect like the one on the famous ARP Solina string machine.
Another great effects plugin is the Sonsig ACE dimensional expander, with a range of widening and modulation options to create lush soundscapes in seconds. More recently, Relab Development has also teamed up with Maselec and created two high-end mastering plugins, the MEA-2 stereo EQ and the MLA-4 multiband dynamics processor.
Underrated Plugins: Wavesfactory
Wavesfactory may have a relatively modest stable of plugins, but they have had some hits over the years in the form of the developer’s debut offering, Trackspacer, back in 2012, and Spectre, the multiband saturation enhancer, in 2018. Besides its range of 6 mainstay plugins, which are all reasonably priced for the most part, there is also a range of free plugins.
This includes the Flash transient shaper, the Snare Buzz psychoacoustic effect, the SK10 sub kick emulator, and the Cassette Transport tape playback emulation tool, which is a scaled-down version of Cassette. Overall, these are some really interesting effects that you can use to add character and depth to your productions.
For producers and composers, Wavesfactory also offers an impressive range of unique Kontakt libraries. Here, you can find a tasty selection of characterful Lo-Fi instruments, as well as some rare world music instruments that can inspire creativity. There is also a range of free Kontakt libraries, so be sure to check these out.
Underrated Plugins: Sonic Charge
Sonic Charge is easily one of my favourite music software developers of all time, because of its unique design approach and the way that some of the instruments and effects have free expansion features that add value. For instance, the Microtonic drum synthesizer has a free online patch generator called the Microtonic Patternarium.
In addition, the Permut8 vintage digital effects plugin has “Alternative Firmware” that you can import to modify the processing functionality in a range of exciting ways. Aside from its innovative instruments, Sonic Charge has some exciting effects like the Echobode, which combines the functions of the Bode Frequency Shifter and a tape echo.
Besides the sheer creativity of effects like Bitspeek, which has incredible sonic range despite its simplicity, the way Sonic Charge plugins are presented comes across with a great sense of humour. Meanwhile, old-school sampler fans will enjoy the Cyclone plugin, which is a free recreation of the Yamaha TX16W.
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2 responses to “Underrated Plugins: Hidden Gems”
Thanks for the article!
Sonic Charge! I always mean to check their drum machine and I never do! It’s got some serious backing by producers worldwide apparently…
Rchannel is another “sleeper”.
I would definitely warmestly 😎 recommend Sonalksis. Still some of the very best eq and compressors around! (SV315 and SV 517. Also the Digi Grime! I use it in every track! Then the over the top Über Compressor and the awesome Creative Filter, with sweet juicy filters! (Tip: if PA’s Bx Subfilter is too heavy handed on occasion TRY the Creative filter on a kick or bass!)
Then denise audio, pretty much all amazing, albeit a little quirky in the case of Noise, Arcade… (Now part of Baby Audio)
HalfTime by Cableguys is INSANE value for super creative outcomes!
Kiive Audio Distinct! Although that is probably not so much of a “sleeper”… the discontinued Xtressor is my go-to compressor for MOST tasks (also love Sonalksis, Kilohearts Compressor, Shaperbox Volume shaper, Supercharger-FREE, SuperchargerGT and Rcomp)
Don’t see it often so I’ll mention it:
KORG’s Wavestation plugin is a WORLD of sound if you are willing to put the time (speak: dial the wavesequences yourself) in!
Being a Logic man for most of my life I must add Ringshifter, the ChannelEq, Logic’s compressor, and really all stock plugins are amazing! Es2 is my ABSOLUTE MASTER Synth (together with Serum for anything bass and psytrance fx like prawns, squeaks and critters..) nearly forgot it!! Audio Damge FuzzPlus3, sensationally fun distortion filter! Free! And BedroomProducers’ Saturator, Dirty Filter and Dirty LA, the VHS Tape plugin!!!! Ridiculously good sounds to be had, ALL for nothing!)
Evade by SoundSpot is fantastic for “sidechaining”, and so are most of their plugins, unbelievably cheap. Now they are part of beatport I believe… W.A production (U can find them on PluginBoutique) Some serious stuff there Transient helper, Saturation (many!) compression, mono/widening, just super simple with awesome results! Softube’s FET compressor I don’t see much but together with PA’s MC77 and PSP’s Fetpressor the best out there for FET compression! PSP! For my old machine a little hungry compared to others but gorgeous plugins! Eqs, Vintage Warmer, NobleQ for a thick version of Pultec!! HerzRider! Avedis’s E27 as a plugin, SO GOOD!!!! Delays, Verbs!!! The FREE Pianoverb 1 and 2!! One of the absolute TOP companies out there!!!!!!
It would be useful when recommending older plugins to provide disclaimers that some of these do not support Apple Silicon very well and, due to heavy CPU, are only really suited for Master Bus use. Oh, and they are not on sale or even discounted in most cases.