2023 RECORDING Magazine Premier Plugin Bundle Buyers’ Guide

Plugins! Whether you stuff your AU, VST and AAX folders full of them, or even if you are a die-hard analog purist, at some point we all use them, even if it’s only to do that one thing that only that one plugin will do.

This issue is the perfect time to get reacquainted with what is available in the current plugin landscape. In this buyers' guide, we will look at the premier plugin bundles offered by 27 companies. In most cases, these are complete bundles offering every plugin a company provides—go big, or go home!

Of course, premier plugin bundles often come with premier price tags. Luckily many of these companies also offer smaller, targeted options to explore. More than a few have added monthly/yearly subscription options; some might even be available as rent-to-own through Splice (splice.com).

Because we covered immersive audio plugin bundles two months ago in our June issue, this roundup will focus on “traditional” stereo plugins. While a bundle or two here may be home to some soft synth offerings, the focus here is on plugins, not virtual instruments.

Also, most of the plugins represented here are available for current Mac and Windows operating systems in the most popular formats, and most are Mac M1/M2 compatible. As always, though, do your homework or demo before you buy to ensure any plugin or bundle is compatible with your computer and DAW.

*Note that as you read this, prices are subject to change—and always check for sales, deals and discounts before you buy.