6 Mixcraft Plugins You’ll Actually Want to Use in 2025

Finding the right mixcraft plugins can make or break your session. It’s not just about flashy presets; it’s about a fluid workflow, solid compatibility, and tools that actually spark ideas instead of getting in the way.

For those unfamiliar, Acoustica’s Mixcraft is a capable DAW for Windows that handles third-party instruments and effects with surprising grace. With robust VST3 support and a dedicated Plug-In Manager—complete with a “Safe Mode” to isolate troublesome plugins—it’s built to host a serious toolkit.

But with a universe of VSTs out there, which ones are worth your time and hard drive space? We cut through the noise. Here are six plugin makers that actually earn their keep, with our picks from Output, FabFilter, Soundtoys, Valhalla DSP, and more.

1) Output

If you're tired of plugins that fight your workflow in Mixcraft, you'll get along with us. We're Output, and we design instruments and effects that are all about getting good sounds into your project, fast.

Output Features

Because our tools are built as 64-bit VST3s, they slot right into Mixcraft without any fuss. Take our AI-powered tool, Co-Producer, for instance. It analyzes the audio in your project—key, tempo, rhythm—and suggests fitting samples from our library right inside your session. You can even use natural language prompts to describe the sound you're chasing, and it will deliver options you can drag and drop directly onto a track.

• Analyzes your Mixcraft project to find complementary sounds.
• Lets you use plain English to describe the vibe you need.
• Drag and drop suggested samples directly onto a track.
• Integrates with Arcade for deeper sound shaping and manipulation.

Beyond finding sounds, we've got tools for mangling them. Our effects like Portal for granular textures, Thermal for multi-stage distortion, and Movement for rhythmic modulation work just as seamlessly. Just drop them onto any audio or instrument track in Mixcraft’s effects chain to start twisting your audio into something new.

• Load as standard VST3 effects on any Mixcraft track.
• Turn simple pads into complex, evolving soundscapes with Portal.
• Drive your drums or basslines with Thermal's interactive distortion.
• Add tempo-synced motion to static sounds with Movement.

Output Price

We believe getting your hands on tools that actually get used shouldn't require a second mortgage. Our main subscription, Output One, bundles our entire core suite—Arcade, Co-Producer, Portal, Thermal, and Movement—for $14.99 a month. It’s the most direct way to get everything we make without a big upfront investment.

If subscriptions aren't your style, no sweat. You can still grab our effects and Kontakt instruments with a one-time purchase. We keep it flexible so you can build your setup the way you want. For a full rundown of every option, you can explore all of our products and pricing.

2) FabFilter

Next up is FabFilter, a name you’ll find in a lot of plugin folders. They make a popular suite of mixing and mastering tools that run as VSTs, so they’ll play nice with Mixcraft.

FabFilter Features

Once installed, FabFilter’s plugins show up in Mixcraft’s effects browser, ready to be dropped onto a track. You can use them for a variety of processing tasks and automate their parameters just like any other VST in your session.

FabFilter Price

FabFilter sells their plugins individually and in bundles. For the latest numbers, your best bet is to head over to their website.

3) Soundtoys

Soundtoys makes a collection of audio effects plugins that emulate classic analog studio gear. Since they are available as VST2 and VST3 plugins, they load up in Mixcraft without any special workarounds.

Soundtoys Features

Once installed, the plugins show up in Mixcraft’s effects browser, ready to be dropped onto a track. You can use their Effect Rack to build custom processing chains or just use individual plugins like Decapitator for saturation or EchoBoy for delay. All parameters can be automated using Mixcraft’s standard automation lanes.

• Effect Rack: A modular shell for chaining multiple effects together.
• DAW Integration: Automate plugin parameters directly in Mixcraft for evolving sounds.
• Authorization: Requires an iLok account, which can be used with or without the physical USB dongle.

Soundtoys Price

The complete Soundtoys 5 bundle is priced at $499, while individual plugins are sold for between $79 and $199. They offer a 30-day free trial for the entire collection if you want to take it for a spin before committing.

4) Valhalla DSP

Valhalla DSP offers a focused lineup of digital reverb and delay plugins. Their tools are available in VST3 format, making them compatible with Mixcraft for processing tasks.

Valhalla DSP Features

The company’s plugins are known for their minimalist interfaces and specific functions, from echoes to soundscapes. Once installed, they appear in Mixcraft’s effects browser and can be inserted onto any track. Their lineup includes a variety of processors for different spatial effects.

• Valhalla VintageVerb: Emulates digital reverbs from the ‘70s and ‘80s.
• Valhalla Delay: Provides tape, BBD, and digital delay modes.
• Valhalla Shimmer: Focuses on pitch-shifting and long decay times.

Valhalla DSP Price

Valhalla DSP has a fixed pricing structure. Each of their paid plugins is sold for $50, and they do not run sales or promotional discounts. They also offer a few plugins, like Valhalla Super Massive, for free.

5) iZotope

iZotope develops a suite of software for audio repair, mixing, and mastering. Their plugins are available in VST3 format, so they integrate into Mixcraft for processing audio on individual tracks or the master bus.

iZotope Features

iZotope has worked directly with Mixcraft's developers in the past, even bundling a version of their mastering tools into older versions of Mixcraft Pro Studio. Their broader lineup, including tools for audio repair and mixing, can be loaded as VST plugins on any track in your session. You can use them for tasks ranging from cleaning up noisy recordings to finalizing a full mix.

• RX 11: An audio repair suite for cleaning up noise, clicks, and other artifacts in your recordings.
• Ozone 12: A mastering suite with AI-assisted tools for finalizing your tracks.
• Neutron 5: A mixing channel strip for processing individual instruments and busses.

iZotope Price

iZotope sells its software as individual plugins or in bundles, with prices varying significantly depending on the product. Their flagship mastering and repair tools can run several hundred dollars each, while larger collections bundle multiple products together. For current pricing, check their website.

6) Xfer Serum

Xfer Serum is a wavetable synthesizer from Xfer Records that runs as a VST instrument inside Mixcraft. You can use it to design sounds and then sequence them with MIDI directly in your project.

Xfer Serum Features

The synth is built around two main wavetable oscillators, a sub oscillator, and a noise generator. Once it's loaded in a Mixcraft project, you can automate its parameters—like its filters and built-in effects—using Mixcraft’s automation lanes.

• Features a wavetable editor for importing or drawing waveforms.
• Includes drag-and-drop modulation routing for LFOs and envelopes.
• Comes with an effects rack with 10 modules, including reverb and distortion.

Xfer Serum Price

A full license for Serum is priced at $189. If you don't want to pay upfront, a rent-to-own plan is also available through platforms like Splice. The synth is sold separately, so there are no specific bundles or discounts for Mixcraft users.

How to Pick the Right Plugins for Mixcraft

Sifting through plugins for Mixcraft doesn't have to be a headache; it just comes down to asking the right questions.

1. Compatibility and Stability: Stick with 64-bit VST3 plugins. Mixcraft 10 is built for them, meaning you’ll get a smoother experience and won’t have to lean on the CPU-heavy 'Safe Mode' just to keep your project from crashing.
2. Workflow Integration: Does it actually fit how you work? Mixcraft’s strength is its straightforward workflow. Look for tools that complement that, not complicate it. A plugin that lets you find and drag a sample into your session without breaking your stride is worth its weight in gold.
3. CPU Footprint: How much power does it drain? Before committing, see how a plugin performs with multiple instances running. A lightweight tool lets you stack layers and build dense arrangements without your computer throwing a fit.
4. Inspiration vs. Clutter: Will you actually use it next week? It’s tempting to grab every shiny new toy. Prioritize tools that solve a problem or offer a wellspring of sounds you can turn to again and again. An evolving library often provides more long-term value than a static instrument you’ll exhaust in a month.

How to Add Plugins to Mixcraft

Getting new tools running in Mixcraft is straightforward once you know the drill. Say you’re adding our plugins to your setup; here’s how to get them into your session.

1. Install and Scan: First, run the installer. Our plugins are 64-bit VST3s, which Mixcraft 10 handles natively. The installer places them in the standard VST3 folder, which Mixcraft scans on startup. If needed, you can add custom plugin folders in `Preferences > Plug-Ins`.

2. Load Your Plugin: After restarting Mixcraft, you’re ready to go. To use an instrument like Arcade, add an Instrument Track and select it from the list. For effects like Portal or Thermal, simply open a track’s effects panel and add them to the chain.

3. Troubleshoot if Needed: If a plugin is missing, open the Plug-In Manager from the File menu. This tool lets you rescan your folders and check if Mixcraft has disabled anything. For extra help, Acoustica offers a plugin troubleshooting guide.

Test-Drive Output in Mixcraft and Hear the Difference

Any of the plugins on this list will serve you well in Mixcraft, no question. But if you’re after tools that feel less like add-ons and more like a natural part of your process, we built our entire suite to integrate seamlessly and keep you in the flow.

Ready to hear the difference? Try Output today.