Virtual Instrument

Can NI make Komplete even more complete?

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars. This library is Christian Henson’s attempt to combine the Yorkshire brass tradition with the sound of his favourite film noir soundtracks.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 Stars. MusicLab's new virtual instrument samples the Godin Multiac Spectrum SA, a semi‑solid‑bodied hybrid that shares the qualities of both electric and acoustic guitars.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5/5 Stars. Disco Studio Strings offers a lush and authentic recreation of ’70s disco and funk string sections.

Drum Workshop bring their considerable experience of drum hardware to the virtual world.

NI’s long‑established software sampler gains a raft of new features and other improvements.

Expressive E’s idiosyncratic synth sequel puts MPE front and centre.

The Berlin samplemeisters link up with a Hollywood film composer to create two major string collections.

Synplant 2 takes a more horticultural approach to synthesis than you may be used to...

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 4/5 Stars. DreamWaves is based on the sounds of electric pianos that have been modified and processed to make them sound ambient, ethereal, lo‑fi — and in some instances mildly disturbing.

Trigger physically modelled percussion sounds with your fingers.

No room for a drum kit? No problem! Try one of these Virtual Drum apps.

Toontrack bring the world’s favourite organ to EZkeys 2.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ 4/5 Stars. Supporting all the main plug‑in formats, Bloom Aether Vocal is based on samples of short vocal phrases, both male and female, that can be manipulated in creative ways.

With new and improved instruments, Arturia’s one‑stop synth shop is better value than ever.

Cinesamples’ subscription package promises an awful lot of bang for your monthly bucks.

Strokes has evolved from a clever MIDI sequencer to a sophisticated and original instrument in its own right.

SWAM String Sections combines playability with microscopic levels of control over the sound.

Minimal Audio’s Current is nothing if not ambitious, and not just as an instrument...

Westwood re‑imagine some classic instruments to take familiar sounds to new places.

Cherry Audio have resurrected the venerable ARP Pro Soloist in software.