KVR Audio

rod_zero · Post by **rod_zero** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 7:28 am

I have been using more and more the stock effects of my DAW, so plugins have to do something really special and really well to make me consider them.

They have be either very creative, as for example Reaktor or very good at technical tasks like a limiter.

jethrobull · Post by **jethrobull** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 7:32 am

Having enough to begin with is why I rarely buy anything now. GAS was mad for a few years (HW & SW). Now I'm really uninterested in purchasing anything. Spending the spare, precious time I have making music is far more important (obviously). It can be a constant conveyor of trying stuff I absolutely don't need.

legendCNCD · Post by **legendCNCD** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 7:51 am

Something that is not a "my first DSP book" or "llm vibe trash" static one. Fex. Iron Glass EQ, LTL Silver Bullet, Glue V2..

Something which'll bring something new to the table, with better sonics (thats hard when one has mostly TDR stuff

)

cobaia · Post by **cobaia** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 10:52 am

Appeal. The user interface has to invite me.
It must have all the features I need because I am only interested in complete synths that would cover everything I need.
Yes, an easy licensing system is also welcome. I don't like third-party systems being used.
The developer should be solid and fix bugs fast.

D-Fusion · Post by **D-Fusion** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 12:19 pm

I only buy plugins that offer something I want or add something new these days and the same goes for my Hardware synths.

Plugins i won't touch no matter how good they are is online protected software or subscriptions.

I refuse to be a economic slave or live with ransomeware for something that i need to work when I want to make music or create a few presets that can encounter server issues or stop working the day you stop paying.

perox · Post by **perox** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 1:18 pm

After years of GAS which has luckily disappeared the plugin must bring something really original or improve my workflow. I became quite immune to all new compressors, limiters, eqs, channel strips, ...

andy4trance · Post by **andy4trance** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 2:01 pm

Inspiring presets(not necessarily complex - like a song per keypress, but ones that trigger coming up with a melody of my own), and that don't kill my cpu.

IvyBirds · Post by **IvyBirds** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 3:01 pm

At this point I already have emulations of the overwhelming vast majority of Synths that I care about having emulations of. There are a very few I would still love to have and all of them do unique things. Those would be instant buys for me.

Having yet another emulation of something to send a saw wave through a resonating filter isn't going to get me to open my wallet anymore

Beyond that I am finding myself more and more drawn to using just big and deep Synths with lots of options. In particular HALion7, Omnisphere 3, zebra 3 and UVI Falcon. Those give me all kinds of options to send a saw wave through a resonating filter, and then go way way beyond that with all kinds of other things

When I am not using one of those I am looking for synths that do very special and unique things. Phaseplant and Dawsome Myth does that for example

So for me to buy any new synth plugins they have to either have a very large sample library and a myriad of ways to process them alongside other synthesis methods, or offer something new and unique

I don't care if they use iLok or not, I just don't want them needing to phone home or they stop working

yul · Post by **yul** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 3:22 pm

1-Simple UI with good mouse knob control (especially fine tune)
2- Solid sound.. even simple plugins
3- No phone home

Many plugins are too dense and kills my musical vibes especially when tired..
Now I just purchased the Minikorg 700...best purchase since a while.
The PPG plugin maybe an exeption but I can get by with my eyes closed almost at this point

Mike777 · Post by **Mike777** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 4:09 pm

I check if there is a good free version 1st. If not I wait for a sale price of a high quality plugin. On sale is often when I make a purchase. Sound quality is always #1.

rectifried · Post by **rectifried** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 5:19 pm

Number 1: does it do something I can't accomplish with what I already have
Number 2: is it bringing some new workflow or algorithmic magic that might have not been possible given the earlier state of CPUs
Number 3: is it inspiring , do I immediately start composing with it and feel like making music
Number 4: is it on sale?
Number 5: download the demo see if you reach for it ..more than a few times.
Number 6: is it a company I've heard of, and what's their track record of updates and maintaining.

wonshu · Post by **wonshu** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 6:31 pm

yul wrote: Mon Jul 06, 2026 3:22 pm 3- No phone home

1000 times this. Forgot to mention in my post.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 6:35 pm

whassup wrote: Sun Jul 05, 2026 11:38 pm Give me a demo version, that I simply can download.
I don't want to create an account, download your "manager", don't want to feel like a customer in your shop software to get a demo. No, I want the demo, not your newsletter. Only the demo, with fair restrictions and not blasting whatever noise every 30 seconds.

+1

What makes you buy or not buy music software / Plugins?