Blog
Articles for music producers, sound designer, and audio enthusiasts looking to elevate their sound.
Plugin Boutique is the go-to resource for everything related to music plugins, VSTs and other music software. Find expert advice, in-depth tutorials, and comprehensive reviews to discover how you can harness the power of plugins to enhance your productions.
Latest Posts
A Bargain for a Good Cause – Excite Audio & LNADJ Unite for Giving Tuesday
Opportunities in the creative industries are scarce, and this holds even more true for young dreamers coming from challenging backgrounds. Keeping this in mind, we’re delighted to present a noble charity fundraising deal by Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (LNADJ) in collaboration with Excite Audio. Starting on Giving Tuesday (2nd December 2025), and for a total of 48 hours, we’re aiming to round up as much money as possible for LNADJ and make music production more accessible for everyone. Throu
Must-Watch Black Friday / Cyber Monday Videos for Music Production Deals
Black Friday is the perfect time for producers and musicians to level up their studio setup, and this year there are some incredible deals and must-watch videos to guide you. In this blog, we’re rounding up some standout videos from top creators, covering everything from essential plugins and sound design tips to exclusive Black Friday discounts and free tools that Plugin Boutique has to offer. Whether you’re looking to expand your plugin library, improve your mixes, or snag the best hardware de
The Best VST Plugins To Buy in 2025
Where would music be without plugins? Probably in a much worse and less creative place. Producers everywhere have discovered the inspiring and educational uses they get from running third-party VSTs in their DAW of choice, and both they and their fans have never looked back. In this article, we’ll list the best VST plugins available to buy in the world right now, in our considered, expert opinion. Each of these entries is a paid-for plugin – if you’ve got a smaller budget, swivel over to ou
The Craft of Modern Sound Design with Minimal Audio + Lunacy
On November 6th, Plugin Boutique brought together some of today’s most forward-thinking sound designers and creative technologists for “Shaping Your Signature Sound – The Craft of Modern Sound Design with Minimal Audio & Lunacy.” Held in Los Angeles, the event featured an inspiring in-person conversation with Jake Penn (CEO & Co-Founder, Minimal Audio), Casey Kolb (CEO & Co-Founder, Lunacy), and Max Davidoff-Grey (Co-Founder, Lunacy), moderated by Matt Parad (Co-Founder, Jungle Audio
Claim your FREE copy of Moog MoogerFooger MF-103S, Lunacy Time, UAD Galaxy Tape Echo, IK Multimedia MixBox, Native Instrument Massive or Excite Audio's Bloom Vocal Edit Lite
Exclusively free with your purchase this week, you can claim your free copy of Moog MoogerFooger MF-103S 12 Stage Phaser, Lunacy Time, IK Multimedia MixBox, Universal Audio UAD Galaxy Tape Echo, Native Instruments Massive or Excite Audio Bloom Vocal Edit Lite at the checkout with any eligible purchase. Important note: Rent To Own plans are not eligible for the free transaction gift. Ends 8th December 2025 How It Works: Make sure you have a registered Plugin Boutique accoun
John Maciel of Plugin Alley: My Top Five Plugins for Modern Rock and Metal Productions
Plugin Alley, aka John Maciel, has built a career at the intersection of musicianship and production, combining a deep understanding of rock and metal performance with hands-on experience in modern studio techniques. From John's early days as a guitarist focused on crafting polished demos to collaborating with established producers and artists, he has developed an insider’s perspective on the tools and methods that define contemporary heavy music. Today, he brings that expertise to a wider audie
Da Fingaz Shares his Top Five Plugins for Cinematic and Trailer Music
Marcus Manderson, known professionally as DaFingaz, is a composer and educator whose work spans film, TV, trailers, live experiences, and global brand projects. He has scored feature films, created music for Disney, National Geographic, and Monster Energy, and in 2025 achieved his first Netflix trailer placement. Based in Northern Virginia, he combines cinematic sound design with storytelling to craft emotionally powerful music while sharing his expertise at events worldwide. “I’m Marcus (@da
S1gns of L1fe Shares his Top Five Plugins for Ambient Music
Chris Bryant, known professionally as S1gns Of L1fe, is an ambient music producer, sound designer, and co-founder of Synphaera Records, a label devoted to forward-thinking electronic and space ambient music. With over 12 years of experience crafting immersive soundscapes, his work, including acclaimed projects like Ascendant and Starterra, blends cinematic atmospheres with deep emotional resonance. Beyond his own productions, Chris shares his expertise through his YouTube channel and Patreon, of
2025's Black Friday Guide: VST, Plugin & Music Software Deals
As Black Friday 2025 arrives, the rush for seasonal savings, big bundles and limited-edition discounts takes on a different rhythm in the world of music production. While the high streets fill with queues and chaos, producers are quietly loading up their carts with exclusive digital deals. But how can you discover and compare the best deals on offer, and choose which ones are right for you? This year, Loopmasters and Plugin Boutique are offering unbeatable discounts from a huge number of deve
Caleb I. Tilley: The Best Plugins for Leveling up your Drums
“Hey, I’m Caleb! I’m a session musician, producer, and creator behind the YouTube channel Caleb I. Tilley, where I help producers discover the tools they need to create dynamic tracks that value feel over perfection. My background as a drummer heavily shapes how I approach music production; I’ve always believed that the feel and tone of the drums can completely define a song’s emotional impact and identity. Whether it’s heavy rock drums, pocket soul grooves, or tight pop tracks, drums play a hug
Discover the One Plugin Greg Kocis Can’t Live Without
In the fast-paced world of music production, even seasoned creators are always on the lookout for tools that make their workflow smoother and their mixes more polished. Greg Kocis has spent years experimenting with plugins, searching for ways to bring clarity, balance, and professional quality to his tracks. Among all the tools he’s tried, one stands out: Trackspacer. With its ability to instantly carve space in a mix and create cleaner, more balanced sounds, it has become an indispensable part
Sean Divine Divulges his Top Five Plugins for Vocal Mixing
Sean Divine has built a multifaceted career as a producer, mixing and mastering engineer, sound designer, and educator. Known for his work across Hip-Hop, R\&B, and Electronic music, his credits include chart-topping albums, film soundtracks, and Grammy-nominated projects. Beyond the studio, Sean’s sound design work has been featured in factory libraries for leading plugins and digital audio workstations, influencing producers worldwide. Through his widely respected YouTube channel, which bo
Databroth Chooses Five Plugins for Creative Glitch Effects
“This is DATABROTH, and I make glitchy, industrial IDM and dark ambient music. I love the sound of malfunctioning computers, metallic percussion, liquid textures and morphing ambience. Plugins allow me to explore a wide variety of these sounds with far more freedom than most any hardware, being able to layer instances and recall presets makes it easy to compound processing and get experimental. Here are a few of my favorite plugins for exploring glitchy textures and chaotic experiments.” “I’m
Badhabit on his Top Five Plugins for Electronic and House Music
“Hey I’m Badhabit, I’m a producer, artist and DJ originally from Italy and currently based in LA. I’ve been producing electronic music for over a decade. I started my career in 2014 as an EDM DJ/Producer, and I’ve written and produced records for artists like Zara Larsson and Dillon Francis, collecting over 500 million streams overall. In 2023, I started sharing my knowledge online through my YouTube channel (@badhabit) and so far I’ve built a community of around 75k people.” “Even though
Praisetracks: My Top Five Effects
Simeon Amburgey, the joyful personality behind PraiseTracks, has spent more than 45 years sharing his musical gifts across the U.S. and around the world. Known for his uplifting energy and musical versatility, he has served as a pianist and accompanist for soloists, vocal groups, and Christian artists – including over two decades with Grammy and Dove Award-winning artist Larnelle Harris. Through PraiseTracks and his growing YouTube channel, Simeon offers encouragement, guidance, and inspiration