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How Should I Complete My Beatport Studio Plugins Collection?

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Looking for inspiration to make your membership’s plugin count up to 10? Here are some bright ideas for VSTs you may not have considered

Beatport Studio is a great membership for practical, real-world producers, giving you access to ten plugins of your choice that can be swapped worry-free thanks to ‘frozen-state’ technology.

There’s plenty of plugins to choose from for Beatport Studio members, but with so much quality on display, we wouldn’t blame you for feeling spoiled for choice. You might have made your mind up for some of your ten plugins, but perhaps you could use some ideas and inspiration to make up your mind about the rest of your list.

In this article, we’ll highlight some hidden gems, leftfield ideas and future classics that you should really pay attention to. We’ve kept the list fresh and diverse so you can discover a range of plugins that you never knew you wanted!

As a fundamental component of electronic music, kick drums are absolutely essential to get right. While there are an abundance of kick drum samples out there, we’re all familiar with the feeling you get when you scroll through a hundred kick drums and none of them quite fit the bill. A kick synthesis plugin like our very own BigKick is the remedy for that, so you can tweak every last parameter of your kick to your heart's content.

BigKick’s simple layout includes a sample section at the top of the plugin, designed for creating the attack section of your kick. Within it, you can set two different samples and independently control their settings. The synthesiser section below is for creating the body of the kick, and lets you adjust the amplitude and pitch settings of your sound.

Grab BigKick now to take control of the low-frequency foundation of your tracks.

Klevgrand - Ting

Ideal for layering drums and adding that special something to percussion

Price:	£22.96
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Virtual Instrument
Format:	VST2, VST3, AU, AAX
Features:	28 high quality sounds, built in EQ, room convolution reverb, algorithmic reverb and master compressor

Swedish developer Klevgrand has a huge catalogue of interesting devices for a range of purposes. This particular device, Ting, gives you the chance to tweak and play a range of household objects as instruments. You get 28 sounds which include hands and cutlery hitting each other or separate objects, as well as more specific objects such as keys jingling, boxes being struck and toy drums. Across the 28 sounds, there are over 1500 recordings in this plugin which can be spread out across 12 pads, or T(h)ings.

You can alter the Pan, Gain, Dynamics and Pitch, as well as the Room and Reverb send amounts. In addition to the per-sound adjustments, you get a global effects section on the right of the plugin for finishing off your overall sound. This includes a three band EQ, a convolution and algorithmic reverb, plus a compressor on the output to tie it all together.

Download Ting now and see how household sounds can make your productions sound more organic.

Audiomodern - Playbeat 3

Generate exciting, evolving MIDI patterns with ease

Price:	£59
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	MIDI Sequencer
Format:	VST, VST3, AU, AAX and Standalone
Features:	Unique pattern randomisation, temporary random functionality, eight intelligent sequencer engines, smart remix algorithm, infinite patterns and grooves and more

One thing that many DAWs are missing in their included native devices, is a high-quality and comprehensive sequencer. Audiomodern’s Playbeat 3 fills that gap, and gives producers of all styles of music the ability to create complex, ever-evolving melodies and patterns with ease. It does this using advanced musical algorithms that are designed to fuel inspiration and creativity.

Playbeat 3 lets you load up to eight separate samples and sequence them over 32 steps. The plugin offers three main tabs for creating your patterns: Steps, Density, Pitch, Flam, Volume and Pan. Playbeat 3 is a hugely capable sequencer, and their full plugin overview video gives you an idea of just how deep you can go with it. For those who just want to quickly spark some ideas, the Randomize button that is found in many Audiomodern plugins lets you get to work with a single click.

Grab Playbeat 3 now and start sequencing with control and inspiration.

Karanyi Sounds - Midnite

Captivating soundscapes aplenty with this virtual instrument

Price:	£56.95
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Soundscape Generator
Format:	VST3, AU
Features:	160 factory presets, four main audio layers, one sub layer, studio-grade DSP effect modules, smart randomisation technology

You could argue that this plugin has one of the best looking graphical user interfaces on this list, but it’s most certainly not just a pretty face. Midnite was inspired by ethereal and ominous video game soundscapes, and describes this plugin as a hybrid guitar atmosphere generator. The hybrid title stems from its use of granular processing and its five-module multi-layer engine.

You only have to cycle through a couple of the 160+ factory presets to get an idea of the breadth and quality of this virtual instrument. You can then tweak your chosen preset with the seven analog-modelled DSP effects which include granular reverb, vintage delay, overdrive, dimension, filter, glue compressor and tonal EQ. The smart randomisation functionality lets you scramble a range of parameters for truly unique and unexpected results.

If you’re scoring a video game or film, composing ambient music or just want to create lush tones and textures as a bed for your next release, you can buy Midnite now.

EVAbeat - Melody Sauce 2

Create unlimited melodies based on your chosen genre or style

Price:	£49.00
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Melody Generation Plugin
Format:	VST, AU
Features:	Write engaging melodies based on genre and style, inbuilt sound engine with over 100 sounds and three effects, advanced generative algorithms, add harmonies to generated melodies and more

If you’re looking for a tool to take the music theory side of production out of your hands, Melody Sauce 2 might just be the answer. With over 300 style settings that cover a range of the most popular contemporary genres, Melody Sauce 2 will slot into your production process, whatever your style.

Using advanced generative algorithms, you can conjure up an infinite number of engaging melodies for your productions. You can either route the plugin to a separate MIDI channel to trigger your own instruments, or use the 100+ sounds that ship with Melody Sauce 2.

Get Melody Sauce 2 now for instant melodic inspiration.

Excite Audio - Motion:Harmonic

Add expressive movement to any signal with this unique distortion plugin

Price:	£89.00
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Distortion
Format:	VST, VST3, AU, AAX, Standalone
Features:	Four effects sections including bitcrush, distortion, peak, low pass and high pass filters, create movement according to Cursor, Path and Timeline, Reactive 3D Visualiser, six macro sliders, over 250 presets

The next plugin on this list is designed for adding movement to any signal through a series of filters, distortion and bitcrushing. You can control the movement with a range of inputs including the six macro sliders, the expressive Hexagon Controller, cursor movement, envelope follower and more.

Once you’ve added movement, you can control its speed and direction using the timeline. Motion:Harmonic has been praised by the likes of Noisia’s Martijn Van Sonderen and Dam Swindle as being an interesting and playful plugin, and you can buy it now on Plugin Boutique.

Audified - MixChecker Pro

Reference your mixes on a range of playback systems

Price:	£77.92
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Referencing Tool
Format:	VST3, AU, AAX
Features:	Simulate a range of consumer playback systems, device distortion, background noise, control from iOS, Android or browser

Some plugins such as this next one are considered to be utilitarian mixing plugins as opposed to creative production plugins, but if they help you get your mixes to a professional level more quickly, then they can afford you more time creating.

MixChecker Pro lets you simulate the sound of a wide range of playback systems, ideal for referencing and monitoring your mix to see how it will translate in the real world. Choose from headphones, portable speakers and devices, a TV or car. You can even emulate distortion and background noise for maximum realism.

Download MixChecker Pro now and give your mixes a thorough listen without leaving your studio.

BABY Audio - Super VHS

Half a dozen one knob plugins, built into one 80s-inspired multi-effects unit

Price:	£49.00
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Multi Effect
Format:	VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Features:	Six one-knob effects, built in EQ, bitcrusher and limiter, simple architecture for quickly dialling in a range of processing

One knob effect plugins are nothing new, but what about plugins with six effects built into one? Well, that’s what SuperVHS does. The Static, Heat, Shape, Magic, Drift and Wash all serve a different purpose, but they are all intended to create an overall sound that is reminiscent of the 80s, hence the title.

With a single knob per effect, SuperVHS encourages you to focus on creating rather than endlessly fiddling. You can buy SuperVHS now and quickly give your productions a unique 80s feel.

Audiomodern - Chordjam

Generate musically-engaging chords at the click of a button

Price:	£44.00
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Chord Generator
Format:	VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Features:	MPE Compatibility, generate random chords, intelligent sequencer engine, arp mode, chord progression, generate infinite chord progressions and more

As the second compositional tool from Audiomodern, it’s safe to assume that these guys know what they’re doing when it comes to generative MIDI plugins. Where Playbeat 3 focuses on writing melodic sequences, predictably, Chordjam is focused on writing chords.

The intelligent-randomisation controls feature here too, along with the sleek and intuitive user interfaces that Audiomodern plugins are known for. The result is a plugin that sparks captivating ideas with every click, and is sure to lubricate the creative process in a range of applications.

Pick up Chordjam now and start generating exciting polyphonic MIDI with ease.

Excite Audio - KSHMR Chain

Supercharge your signal routing and mixing workflow with this mix utility

Price:	£49.00
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Advanced Routing Utility
Format:	VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Features:	Revolutionary leader/follower technology, customisable effects chains, automatic plugin categorisation, macro controls, parallel processing and advanced metering

Born out of a desire to streamline the vocal mixing process, KSHMR Chain allows you to copy a plugin chain from one channel to any other within your project, without copying or duplicating multiple instances of the same plugin.

The Leader part of the plugin is where you set up your desired chain, then you can place a Follower plugin on any other channel that you want to apply the same chain to. Not only will it apply the same plugins in the same order, but it’ll seamlessly apply their settings and configuration too.

If you want to streamline your mixing process with a simple yet effective plugin, buy KSHMR Chain now.

Caelum Audio - Flux Pro

Add subtle movement or total transformation with this deep modulation plugin

Price:	£49.99
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Modulator
Format:	VST3, AU, AAX
Features:	Three custom modulation graphs, 10 effects to apply with four effects slots, 48 premade shapes, one shot and retrigger MIDI triggering modes, output MIDI CC to other devices and more

This comprehensive modulation plugin applies a range of effects to add movement, excitement and variation to just about any audio signal you chuck at it. The four effect slots can be loaded with any of the 10 inbuilt effects which include filters, time based effects, rate and ring modulation and more.

Draw your own modulation shapes in for totally custom movements, or use one of the 48 built in shapes to quickly add some movement to your signal. If you are simply looking for some instant inspiration, the 115 presets ought to start you off nicely.

Buy Flux Pro now to add an effective and capable modulation powerhouse to your plugin folder.

BLEASS - Motion EQ

Modulatable EQ with a few tricks up its sleeve

Price:	£13.99
Platforms:	Windows or Mac
Type:	Equaliser
Format:	VST3, AU, AAX
Features:	Three band EQ, output each band to different output busses, two assignable and syncable LFOs, configurable as low pass, high pass, band pass or all pass filter

The last (but not least) plugin on this list is an equaliser with a difference. At the core of the plugin, you get a three-band parametric EQ that can also be used as a filter by muting bands.

Things get interesting when you start to apply the two inbuilt assignable LFOs, letting you create rhythmic or beating effects, or gently evolving movement that never repeats itself. The real USP of this device is the ability to route each EQ band to its own output, allowing you to apply further processing as necessary.

BLEASS Motion EQ is a unique take on equalisation, and you can pick it up now.