As I do at the end of every month, here’s my personal recap of the audio plugins I’ve tested for you on my YouTube channel. Based on your reactions, comments, and overall feedback, I’ve ranked the ones that stood out the most in terms of creativity, usefulness, and sound quality.
Here’s my Top 10 Audio Plugins of April 2025 — including some real hidden gems you shouldn’t miss.
1. Fire The Cable – Acustica Audio
This plugin is a sonic weapon. Acustica Audio continues to push boundaries with analog-modeled tools, and Fire The Cable is no exception. It simulates the character (and chaos) of a broken or overloaded cable line — with beautiful analog distortion, unpredictability, and a surprising musicality when used subtly. Not your average saturation plugin.
2. FREE Brainworx bx_mastering Studio
A complete mastering suite, currently available for free. This is a serious tool — mid/side processing, multi-band dynamics, stereo width control, and all the usual suspects you’d expect from a Brainworx release. Perfect for tight, balanced masters, even if you’re working entirely in-the-box.
3. AmpliTube (latest update)
AmpliTube keeps evolving, and the latest update takes realism even further. Whether you’re tracking guitars or using it as a reamping tool for synths or drums, it’s become more responsive and versatile than ever. Great tones, great flexibility.
4. FREE KSHMR Essential Kick
KSHMR knows what makes a kick hit hard — and this plugin lets you build yours from the ground up. You can shape the transient, add sub, click, compression, and instantly get that punch modern productions demand. Best of all? It’s free.
5. Waves Audio – Free Plugin Pack
Waves surprised everyone this month with a new free plugin bundle. It includes classics and a few newer tools that are ideal for quick mixing fixes, tone shaping, and creative experiments. A great way to start building your Waves collection without spending a cent.
6. FREE DynaBunny – Bitcrusher
An unexpected standout. DynaBunny combines vintage-style bitcrushing with dynamic control, letting you crush your signal based on input levels. It’s musical, creative, and super fun to automate.
7. Stagecraft Software – Compressor
Stagecraft’s compressor isn’t just another dynamic tool. It features a beautiful visual interface, unique sidechain shaping options, and frequency-dependent compression. A powerful alternative to your go-to compressor.
8. FREE MythPre – Analog Obsession
Analog Obsession strikes again with another high-quality analog-modeled preamp plugin. MythPre adds that subtle harmonic coloration and saturation you’d expect from boutique gear — and it’s free!
9. FREE Inflator
This one mimics the behavior of classic inflator plugins — boosting perceived loudness and punch without destroying dynamics. Great for mastering or adding excitement to vocals and synths.
10. FREE Tube Warmth Saturation Plugin
Simple, effective, and warm. This tube-style saturator adds body and character to sterile digital recordings. Works great on bass, vocals, and even the master bus if used subtly.
BONUS !!! 🎷 Virtual Instruments, Libraries & Sample Packs
🎷 Tenor Saxophone VST
This VST delivers a soulful, expressive sax sound, capturing all the nuance and articulation you need for solo passages or layered arrangements. Whether you’re doing jazz, neo-soul, or cinematic work, it’s got vibe.
💌 Balkan Love Pack
Straight from the heart of Eastern Europe, this pack is rooted in traditional Balkan rhythms and instruments. Perfect for producers looking to fuse folk textures with modern genres, it includes loops, melodies, and MIDI content — made with love (and groove).
🎹 Spitfire LABS (April Additions)
Spitfire LABS just keeps on giving. The latest additions this month offer dreamy textures, subtle keys, and atmospheric layers that fit beautifully in ambient, scoring, and experimental tracks. Still free, still incredible.
🥁 FREE Ryan Wilson’s Legacy Drum Sample Pack
An essential download for beatmakers. This pack includes classic one-shots and processed drum hits that work across multiple genres — clean kicks, warm snares, and textured percussion. A no-brainer if you want drums that cut through the mix.
If you’ve tried any of these, let me know what you think in the comments. And don’t forget: until May 29 (my birthday 🎉), you can get 20% off everything in my shop using the code BALKANLOVE20 at checkout.
See you soon with more gear, more tests, and more sounds — right here on the blog and over on YouTube.
— Endrin Hysa / Sheen ITB
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