So we know that everyone is trying to coop a deal these days, But have you wondered if you really put your cash up what would it get you?
With this thought in mind, I thought I would try and find the answer, This list is a compilation of the most expensive VST plugins and sample packs around, so If you’ve got a few hundred bills spare that you feel like investing into yourself. Then these sounds and plugins will be a perfect match to add to your studio.
(This list was last updated 22nd July 2018)
Also See: The 5 Best VST Plugins of 2017
1. Synthmaster ‘Everything’ Bundle
SynthMaster is an ‘all-around’ semi-modular software synthesizer and effect plug-in that features many different synthesis methods including:
- VA
- Additive
- Wavetable
- Wavescanning
- Phase Modulation
- Frequency Modulation
- Pulse Width Modulation
- Ring Modulation
- Amplitude Modulation
- Physical Modeling
- SFZ Sample Playback synthesis.
With its multi-synthesis oscillators, analogue modelled/digital filters, flexible effects routing with 11 types of high-quality effects and a massive modulation architecture with 95 separate modulation sources and 650+ modulation targets; SynthMaster is a ‘must-have’ for all synthesizer enthusiasts!
Weighing in at $405.83 this synth is a burn on your wallet but a wise investment for any committed any synth head. So if you need a great synth VST I’d consider looking at the SynthMaster Everything Bundle.
Buy It Here – SynthMaster ‘Everything’ Bundle
2. Piano V2
The Piano V now brings to the V Collection the king of all instruments, including a studio full of faithful models of various pianos, plus the ability to shape your piano sounds for a whole new level of control.
The Piano V delivers, not one, but twelve different world-class pianos that we’ve meticulously crafted using our critically acclaimed modelling technology. Because they’re models, you not only get a wide range of truepianos, we’ve been able to give you controls over different components and characteristics that have never been accessible before. You can play piano’s that are the pinnacle of realism or get as radical as you want with unconventional sounds. The versatile Piano V is an indispensable foundational instrument for any keyboardist, writer or producer in any style of music.
Costing $306.44 this piano is an all-around choice for any music producer or musician with enough versatility to keep you going for years because with Piano V there is no need for any other piano library.
Buy It Here – Piano V2
3. Zebra2
Zebra is our wireless modular synthesizer. It combines many different types of synthesis with a powerful modulation engine. Imagine – you can create any additive, freehand or spline-based waveform you like, apply a vast selection of spectral effects, morph between those waves and send them through classic synth filters. Perhaps use that entire sound as a modulator for an FM oscillator, or route it through a comb filter – the building block of physical modelling synthesis. All generator modules, all signal paths, all effects are stereo.
Although the possibilities are practically infinite, you will never be overwhelmed by needless complexity – Zebra’s adaptive interface only shows the modules you are actually using. It’s a fascinating playground for sound designers! That’s what Zebra is all about, that’s why it has become so popular. That’s why thousands of free presets are available online.
Costing $249.28, I’ve had plenty of years of experience using the Zebra line and I can personally vouch for this synth having used it for over 400 beats!
Buy It Here – Zebra2
4. B-3 V
The B-3 V delivers the most authentic tonewheel organ and rotary speaker experience you’ll find anywhere, plus customizations that open up new creative opportunities.
Monarch of electronic organs, the rich sounding B3 has been a staple of jazz, gospel, rock, reggae and R&B—not to mention pro studios everywhere—for over a half-century. Its electromagnetic tonewheel design gave it a beefy quality not found on later transistor organs. Our faithful homage includes an authentic rotary speaker and an array of stomp boxes, plus inspiring updates like analogue circuit mods and drawbar modulation for new animated and syncopated effects.
Costing $244.89, If you need a reliable Organ to use in your productions then the B-3 V is a perfect choice for music producer or musician making Hip-Hop– R&B, Soul, Anything Urban and Gospel.
Buy It Here – B-3 V
5. Buchla Easel V
The Buchla Easel V is the first recreation of Don Buchla’s iconic instrument that helped define experimental West Coast modular synthesis in the early ‘70s. Our enhancements translate to vastly expanded possibilities for sound design and avant-garde music.
You’ve always wanted to paint with sound. Now you can with the Buchla Easel V.
One look at the Buchla Easel V and you know this is a different beast. In fact, it makes you think differently about sound right from the start—and the soundscapes you can design with it are as unique as the front panel array. To put that experience at your fingertips, we meticulously recreated the rare 1973 Buchla Music Easel right down to the component level. As you’ve come to expect from our other V-series instruments, we’ve gone the extra mile by designing in an enhanced feature set including polyphony, innovative new modulation/control sources, step sequencer, effects, and more.
Costing $244.89, If you like to paint outside the lines, Buchla Easel V is the perfect artistic tool for you.
Buy It Here – The Buchla Easel V
6. Matrix 12 V
The massively powerful Oberheim Matrix-12 has been resurrected at last. Using our TAE™ modeling technology, we are able to recapture this beast of a synthesizer and bring it to you.
The Matrix 12 was the first programmable analog synthesizer that took the best features of a preset voice path and modular flexibility. This bold combination made it a force of nature and something that had not been seen before. It also had a 15 mode filter system that enabled it to have sounds that had never been heard before.
Costing $245.49 if classic synth emulation is what you need in your productions, I wouldn’t give this one a miss.
Buy It Here – Matrix 12 V
7. DX7 V
The DX7 V accurately models the FM digital synthesizer that became synonymous with the sound of the ‘80s. Our enhancements add more of everything to make the new DX7 V a sound for all time.
In 1983, the DX7 changed the world of music. Today, the DX7 V gives you the power to change it again.
Nothing says ‘80s like the sound of the DX7. Our authentic recreation gives you all the same FM digital technology and sounds that earned the instrument a revered place in the history of both keyboards and contemporary music. We didn’t stop at just replicating it, though —we re-imagined it. New operator waves, extensive modulation additions, arpeggiator and onboard FX chains enhance your sonic possibilities exponentially. For bonus points, an intuitive graphic interface makes what was once a daunting programming task a creative joy today.
We put booster rockets on the instrument that created innumerable ‘80s hits. Now you can create the definitive sounds of today and tomorrow.
Costing $244.83 the DX7 V is perfect for any synthesis maniac.
Buy It Here – DX7 V
8. Diva
The oscillators, filters and envelopes closely model components found in some of the great monophonic and polyphonic synthesizers of yesteryear. Modules can be mixed and matched so you can build hybrids, but what sets DIVA apart is the sheer authenticity of the analogue sound. This comes at the cost of quite a high CPU-hit, but we think it was worth it: Diva is the first native software synth that applies methods from industrial circuit simulators (e.g. PSpice) in real-time. The behaviour of zero-delay-feedback filters when pushed to the limit clearly demonstrates the advantages of this groundbreaking approach.
Costing $227 Diva is a complicated synth for truly seasoned Sound Designers, If you need a synth that packs a punch and is rich in features then Diva is for you!
Buy It Here – Diva
9. Spire
Spire is a software polyphonic synthesizer that combines powerful sound engine modulation and flexible architecture, a graphical interface provides unparalleled usability. Spire is the embodiment of the best opportunities, within software and hardware synthesizers.
Costing $207.93 is essential for any music producer looking for a powerful synth that can do it all!
Buy It Here – Spire
10. Serum
The dream synthesizer did not seem to exist: a wavetable synthesizer with a truly high-quality sound, visual and creative workflow-oriented interface to make creating and altering sounds fun instead of tedious, and the ability to “go deep” when desired – to create / import / edit / morph wavetables, and manipulate these on playback in real-time.
Serum has a Wavetable editor built right in- you can create your own wavetables in a variety of ways. Import audio directly from audio files – Serum has a variety of methods and options for analyzing audio for breaking it apart into individual waveforms. You can import single-cycle wavetables of course, as well as many at once (with in-built sorting options, or manual re-ordering). Morph between various wavetables using standard linear interpolation (crossfading) or via harmonic/spectral morphing. Draw directly on the waveform, with optional grid-size snapping and a variety of shape tools. Generate or modify waveforms using FFT (additive). Create or process waveforms using formula functions. Processing menu options allow you to do the other tasks you would want, such as apply fades, crossfades, normalize, export, and much more.
Costing $198.64 and arguably one of the most popular wavetable synthesisers around, Serum is the closest you can come to perfection.
Buy It Here – Serum
11. Solina Redux
Solina Redux gives you access to the original Solina sounds, including a model of the Ensemble chorus effect, but includes a modern virtual analog synthesizer as a sidecar. The combination of these two synthesizers provides a sound palette that is both retro and modern or anything in between at your discretion. Each synth includes a multi-mode filter, amplitude and filter envelopes, LFO modulations and send effects.
To top it off, Solina Redux adds in two fully programmable step sequencers, one for the Solina instrument and one for the analog synthesizer. Play one note and out comes a modern orchestra unlike any you’ve heard. Each step sequencer gives you per step control over the pitch of each note, the volume of each note, the filter cutoff of each note, and the panning of each note. Other controls include gate time, tempo sync, time division, swing, note order and octave shift.
Costing $151.63 Solina Redux makes complex synthesis easy.
Buy It Here – Solina Redux
12. NOVO Modern Strings
Heavyocity had one goal in mind when they set out to create NOVO: “make strings new again.” Recorded at the famous Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Bros. Studios, of course NOVO is a world-class, deeply-sampled orchestral strings instrument. But that’s where its similarities to other orchestral VI’s end. Beyond the almost 40GB of fully-customizable sound-designed string samples, NOVO enables composers to tweak, process, layer, and sequence like no virtual instrument ever has before. Imagine the possibility of fusing superior orchestral strings with Heavyocity’s signature sound design; it’s a new frontier in hybrid film, game, and television scoring. Simply put, there has never been a cinematic strings instrument quite like NOVO. And in all likelihood, there probably never will be.
Features
- 38 GB uncompressed (25 GB on Disk with NI lossless compression)
- Available as direct download only
- 21,254 Samples
- 308 Snapshot Presets
- 57 NKAs
- 8 NKIs
- 6 Traditional Sections (Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, High Ensemble, Low Ensemble)
- String Designer
- Loop Designer
- Intuitive Sample Browser
- CYCLE page for advanced granular & rhythmic playback
- MACRO knob for dynamic multi-parameter control
- Stand-alone, VST, AU, AAX
Costing $617.24 Modern Novo Strings is provides an amazing go-to option for any producer and easily adaptable to any genre.
Buy It Here – Modern Novo Strings
13. Gravity
GRAVITY is not just another virtual instrument – it’s like having an award-winning sound design team at your fingertips. Experience the most dynamic collection of Modern Scoring Tools ever assembled.
Developed by Heavyocity’s award-winning team of professional composers and sound designers (Interstellar, Gone Girl, Godzilla), GRAVITY covers the gamut of intangible scoring elements; complex Pads, evocative Risers, other-worldly Stings, and earth-shattering Hits. With over 12GB of production-ready instruments in an inspiring new interface, GRAVITY delivers a stunning sound and visual aesthetic. Get Pulled In and make the Heavyocity sound your own.
Features
- 12 GB uncompressed (9.2GB on Disk with NI lossless compression)
- Available as direct download only
- 2200+ Sound Sources
- 815+ Snapshots
- 325+ Motion Presets (NKA’s)
- 1200+ NKIs
- 780+ Pads
- 390+ Stings
- 19 Riser Menus
- 9 Hit Menus
- Two new “Designers” for Hits and Risers
- Motion page for advanced volume, pitch, and pan pattern creation
- Playable Trigger FX™ for real-time control
- Stand-alone, VST, AU, AAX
Costing $509.50 Gravity is an expensive option but packs a punch for any studio set up.
Buy It Here – Gravity
14. AEON Collection
The AEON Collection delivers over 720 presets with 27 GB (14GB on disk) of organic and synth Melodic Instruments, cutting-edge Loops, Arpeggiated Instruments and epic One-Shots. This unique collection combines traditional, ethnic, and orchestral instruments with searing synths and edgy samples, all created with Heavyocity’s signature quality. Create lush melodies, dark lyrical phrases and devastating synth and bass lines directly within a deeply customized user interface. Also be sure to get both The AEON ‘Melodic’ and ‘Rhythmic’ component either as a bundle to the AEON Collection or separately.
The AEON Collection is available as a download only. (AEON also runs in the free KONTAKT 5 Player or in KONTAKT 5)
Features
- 14 GB (compressed)
- Available as direct download only
- 10,100+ samples, 48kHz/24-Bit
- 725+ NKIs
- AEON Melodic
- 130+ Organic Presets
- 160+ Synth and Hybrid Presets
- 39 Signature AEON Hits
- AEON Rhythmic
- 9 Tonal Loop Menus
- 315 Single Loop Presets
- 46 Loop ARP Presets
- 43 Three Loop Combo Presets
- Distortion, Modulation, Delay, Reverb, ADSR, Filter, EQ, and LFO controls
- Advanced Trigger FXTM performance controls
- Advanced Arpeggiator (AEON Melodic)
- Loop Mutator (AEON Rhythmic)
- Stand-alone, VST, AU, AAX
Costing $450.40 The AEON Collection is an excellent choice for any dedicated beat maker looking to expand their colletion of melodic instruments and organic synths.
Buy It Here – AEON Collection
15. Regroover Pro
Discover the magic inside your drum loops which you’ve wanted to extract for years. Create new sounds from old or simply adjust the volume of individual elements inside a loop. Regroover uses Artificial-Intelligence to extract layers from within your previously recorded beats and samples. Once Regroover analyzes the audio file, you are able to make your own drum kits and combine external sounds to make new beats, loops and your own unique Expansion Kits.
Use Regroover to:
- Unmix your loops into distinct sound layers.
- Get previously unreachable sounds from inside your loops.
- Craft the isolated beat elements and form your unique rhythmic signature.
Regroover Pro Only Features:
- Grab that magic kick, snare or clap and place it on its own trigger pad.
- Or Build your own Expansion Kit with any element inside your loop which makes for rapid-fire MIDI triggering of samples to make new beats and grooves.
- Create Regroover Projects with both external and found sounds from inside your loops.
Who’s It For?
Regroover is for music producers, beatmakers and DJs who use sampling, drum programming, and beat slicing to remix and compose.
Who should never use Regroover?
Musical snobs who don’t like fun sample manipulation tools and new ways to work with samples.
Costing only $233.70 Regroover Pro makes the list because of its incredible power, whoever siad that sampling could be challenging is wrong, With Regroover Pro tasks that would of taken forever, now only take seconds.
Buy It Here – Regroover Pro
