Vienna Symphonic Library VSL Special Edition
Recording an orchestra is expensive and beyond the scope of the project studio. Keith Gemmell samples the virtual solution.

Best Service Ethno World 4
World music sample libraries are plentiful, but few are quite as diverse as this. Keith Gemmell broadens his horizons...

Sample Modeling The Trumpet
Notoriously difficult to emulate, the trumpet has finally arrived in virtual form. Keith Gemmell samples a model instrument...

WaveMachine Labs Drumagog
Drumagog promises to make the task of drum replacement intuitive and easy. Mark Cousins swaps out his snares...

FXpansion BFD2
Rebuilt from the ground up, FXpansion claims that BFD2 is the most powerful drum workstation ever – but does it live up to the hype? Keith Gemmell gets behind the kit...

Arturia Analog Factory Experience

Big Fish Audio Hadeeth 2

Loopmasters Progressive House & Electronica - Trafik

EastWest/Quantum Leap Quantum Leap Gypsy

XLN Audio AD Retro

Loopmasters Soundbwoy Killah Drum n Bass

Platinum Samples Joe Barresi Evil Drums

Propellerhead Software Abbey Road Keyboards
The Prop’s latest release comprises seven vintage instruments recorded in the legendary Studio Two. Keith Gemmell explains...

IK Multimedia Miroslav Classik
Miroslav Classik Edition extends the life of some of the best-loved orchestral samples. Mark Cousins conducts his tests...

Gary Garritan Stradivari Solo Violin 2.0
Garritan adds warmth of tone and NI’s Kontakt Player to the Stradivari Solo Violin. Keith Gemmell bows out once again...

XLN Audio Addictive Drums
Addictive Drums augments the usual multi-sampled kit sounds with impressive mixing options. Mark Cousins gets hooked...

Roger Nichols Digital Digital Plug-ins
Roger Nichols Digital proves there’s more than one way of approaching compression and EQ. Mark Cousins finds out more.

Propellerhead Reason Pianos
Can’t fit a concert grand in your studio? Help is at hand courtesy of Propellerhead, as Hollin Jones finds out...

Sonic Implants Symphonic Harp
Sonic Implants continues to bring instruments from the orchestra into your studio. Mark Cousins harps on...

Arturia Analog Factory
If vintage synths are your thing, you’ll find plenty to choose from in this neat bundle. Mike Hillier plugs in...

Yamaha M08
Yamaha’s newest workstation certainly boasts a wealth of player-oriented features, but does it cover all the bases? Hollin Jones test-drives the MO8.

Steinberg Virtual Guitarist 2
Steinberg’s new virtual instrument does the work of two previous plug-ins and more. Mike Hillier goes virtual...

Garritan Stradivari Solo Violin
Stradivari Solo Violin puts the sound of one of the most revered instruments in the world into the hands of any musician with a computer and keyboard. Keith Gemmell bows out.

Garritan Libraries Jazz & Big Band
It’s been a long time coming, but the world’s first jazz and big band sample library for composers and educators has finally arrived. Keith Gemmell strikes up the band.

Native Instruments Bandstand
GM plug-ins are few and far between, but NI’s new release looks set to raise the standard. Keith Gemmell is on the Bandstand.

M-Audio ProKeys 88
The days of using one dedicated keyboard in the studio and another on the stage are seemingly numbered. Hollin Jones tinkles the ivories of M-Audio’s new ProKeys 88.

FXpansion BFD Deluxe Collection
FXpansion drummed up the support of legendary producer Steve Albini to create one of the most ambitious drum samplers yet. Mike Hillier stays ahead of the beat.

Steinberg Hypersonic 2
The latest version of Steinberg’s virtual workstation includes 800 new patches, but won’t force you to upgrade your computer. Mike Hillier engages Hypersonic.

Native Instruments B4 II
Can Native Instruments’ latest virtual instrument improve on a design widely acknowledged as a classic? Mike Hillier rides the storm...

Native Instruments Akoustik Piano
Four famous pianos and four virtual rooms – all in just a single plug-in. Mike Hillier limbers up his fingers...

IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik
Working with a full-size symphony orchestra needn’t break the bank. Mark Cousins checks out the score...

Scarbee Keyboard Gold Bundle
Scarbee’s latest offering is a vintage keyboard collection. Mike Hillier tickles the ivories.

Steinberg The Grand 2
Steinberg has given its flagship virtual concert piano a makeover. Hollin Jones looks forward to a Grand day out...

Ueberschall Liquid Saxophone
The limitations of sampled saxophone libraries are now a thing of the past. Keith Gemmell rewrites the course notes with the help of Liquid Saxophone.

Steinberg Virtual Bassist
Steinberg’s virtual band has a new member. Mike Hillier checks out his chops.

EastWest/Quantum Leap Symphonic Choirs
As well as providing three microphone positions and 24-bit samples, Symphonic Choirs also promises the ability to sing your lyrics. Mark Cousins voices his opinion…

Toontrack Custom & Vintage
Toontrack’s Custom & Vintage lavishes an astonishing 35GB of samples on the humble drum kit. Mark Cousins finds out if it’s space well used…

Yellow Tools Candy
Saxophones are notoriously difficult to sample, but Yellow Tools has taken on the challenge. Mark Cousins assesses the results.

Music Lab Real Guitar
Add acoustic guitar parts to your compositions without having to attend a single lesson. Mick Taylor wields the virtual axe.

Steinberg Groove Agent 2
Drummers are a notoriously fickle bunch, but can they ever be replaced by a software-based beat generator? Mike Hillier packs away his sticks...

IK Multimedia Sonik Synth 2
With over 5,000 vintage and modern instrument sounds, Sonik Synth 2 might just might be the ultimate workstation. Keith Gemmell gives it a workout.

Bornemark Broomstick Bass
Broomstick Bass looks set to sweep the cobwebs away from the lower register. Mike Hillier gets busy spring cleaning.

Wizoo Darbuka and Latigo
Mike Hillier chills out with two virtual percussionists, bringing Latin American, Arabic and Middle Eastern grooves to your next software jam session.

Ultimate Sound Bank X-treme FX
With a huge library of sound effects at its disposal, USB’s new instrument could expand your musical horizons. Mike Hillier takes it to the X-treme.

Applied Acoustics Systems Ultra Analog VA-1
Big analogue sounds without the cables and headaches? Hollin Jones finds out if the Ultra Analog VA-1 can deliver…

Swar Systems SwarPlug VST/AU Full Edition
Mike Hillier adds a touch of Indian spice to his recordings.

Ultimate Sound Bank Ultra Focus Synth Anthology
Using a vast array of classic synths as its sample base, this new software instrument offers huge sonic potential – but can one synth do it all? Nigel Lord is Focussed...

e-LAB Obsession
Looking for a great-sounding, groove-based instrument with that essential urban credibility? Nigel Lord checks out the latest Swedish Obsession…

Ultimate SoundBank Charlie - Virtual Retro Organ Module
Looking for a tone-wheel organ and rotary cabinet speaker in a simple-to-use plug-in format? Keith Gemmell wonders: could Charlie be your darlin’?

Roland Fantom-X8
Roland dispatches a new variant of its battleship class of audio workstations. Joe Silva discovers whether she’s seaworthy…

Yellow Tools Majestic
Majestic, one of the new range of Modular Virtual Instruments from Yellow Tools, combines high-end bass samples with an innovative audio engine. Keith Gemmell has the low-down…

Korg Triton Extreme 88
Korg’s Triton gets some new toys, including a real-life valve for warming up your sound. Hollin Jones takes it to the Extreme….

Native Instruments Elektrik Piano
Native Instruments’ Elektrik Piano is something of a blast from the past – but are these sounds still all-time classics? Ian Waugh tickles the virtual ivories…

Korg The Legacy Collection
Korg has resurrected its legendary MS-20, Polysix and Wavestation synthesisers as software instruments – but do they sound as good as the originals? Keith Gemmell listens closely...

Wizoo Hyper Modules
Wizoo has created three new modules to expand your Hypersonic workstation – but are they really an asset to your existing setup? Keith Gemmell gets Hyper active…

Garritan Personal Orchestra
Garritan Personal Orchestra claims to fit an entire symphony orchestra inside your computer. But, as Mark Jenkins asks, does the GPO deliver?

FXpansion BFD
BFD – an acoustic drum library module – is FXpansion’s latest foray into the sampled drum machine market. Ian Waugh sees if it lives up to its name...

Akai MPC1000
Akai has released the latest model in a long line of sampling drum machines – but is it an adequate compositional tool? Mark Jenkins is set adrift on an MPC...

Ueberschall & Best Service VLP Vintage Licks + Phrases; Best Service PLP120 Percussion Live Performances
A collection of dance and pop samples wrapped up in a plug-in format that makes looping a breeze? Pete Crisp finds radar love…

Kurzweil PC1X Performance Controller
Always fancied a Kurzweil synth but couldn’t muster the readies? As David Etheridge discovers, the new PC1X may well be within your reach…

Steinberg Hypersonic
Hypersonic transports the music workstation concept to the computer-based environment – but is it worth the journey? Keith Gemmell tests the hype…

EastWest/Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra
Recording a full symphony orchestra requires money, space and a great deal of time. Lewis Brangwyn samples a virtual alternative...

Ableton Live 3
Ableton Live has generated a lot of excitement among both musicians and DJs, but will version 3 extend its user base even further? Bob Dormon finds out…

E-mu PX-7 Command System
E-mu’s new PX-7 sets out to make you commander of your own drum station. Mark Jenkins gives it a beating…

Steinberg Groove Agent
With its vast groove library covering 50 years of rhythmic styles, Steinberg’s new VSTi offers a radical new way of creating drum tracks. Nigel Lord contacts his Agent…

Ultimate Sound Bank Plugsound Box
Offering a simplified approach to plug-in synthesis, Plugsound modules have gained a loyal following since their first appearance. Nigel Lord receives six of the best…

FXpansion DR-008 VST2 Virtual Drum Machine
If you’re into sequencing drums you’re going to love the DR-008. Daniel Duffell takes a quick tour...

Yellow Tools Culture
Could this be the ultimate software percussion instrument collection? Ian Waugh picks up his sticks and gets a dose of Culture...