Studio One 4
Price: £179 (education). Upgrades/crossgrades available
Presonus's flagship DAW has been given an overhaul and re-launched as version four. Most of the updates are aimed at improving workflow, including a major alteration to the data editing tools to allow better control of MIDI and automation data.
LABS
Price: FREE
Most famous for its extensive (and expensive) software instruments, Spitfire audio has just launched a new platform called LABS: a totally free plugin and sample library with a mixture of traditional and experimental instruments which will be regularly updated. Definitely worth downloading to complement your DAW.
Europa
Price: £134 (retail)
Originally launched in Reason 10 at the end of last year, Europa has now been launched by Propellerheads as a standalone instrument, a first for the manufacturer. It's a wavetable synth with an incredible array of sound engines, filters and effects – and there is also a free version available that runs in a web browser.
Chorus WS-1
Price: FREE
Another free download, but this time recreating a classic chorus pedal, with very simple controls and a pleasing sound. A quick way for students to add modulation to their guitar in lessons.
SigMod
Price: £19 (retail) introductory price
Designed as a suite of plugins to do things that most DAWs won't do (or at least not without being extremely complicated), and primarily aimed at higher end users, from A-level and BTEC Music Tech, SigMod has 11 modules including one-click mono switching.
