Airwindows Consolidated vs Soundtoys 5

Airwindows Consolidated packages the Airwindows DSP effects library into one DAW plugin. It includes nearly 400 plugins, with new ones added as they are released. Menus let users browse Recommended, Basic, Recent or All Plugins selections. Each effect has a built-in sidebar with its Airwindows release explanation, described as nearly 150,000 words of documentation. The interface can follow the system's dark or light mode or use an override, and users can enter parameter values in text boxes. It supports screen readers that read text aloud. The DAW plugin is available in CLAP, VST3, AU and LV2 formats, with 64-bit Windows, Mac and Linux downloads. The project also describes standalone and VCV Rack forms. Consolidated is free and open source under the MIT license, and the maker says the plugins have no DRM. When a new Airwindows plugin is released, users can download and reinstall a new Consolidated build. Questions can be directed to the project's issue tracker.

Soundtoys 5 is a paid bundle of 23 professional audio effects for reverberation, saturation, compression, distortion, echo, delay, vocal processing, modulation, and related work. Effect Rack lets users arrange custom chains and operate the rack as one plug-in. Version 5.5 adds SpaceBlender to Effect Rack, 67 presets, and resizable interfaces for individual plug-ins. The bundle supports 64-bit AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite, VST 2, VST 3, and Audio Units formats, with sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz. Listed hosts include Pro Tools, Live, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Studio One, Reaper, and Bitwig. It runs on macOS 10.15 or later and Windows 10 or later; ARM-based Windows machines are not compatible. Soundtoys offers a free 30-day trial, activated with a code once. The listed bundle price is $599 as a one-time purchase, with two activations and an internet connection required at activation. Soundtoys describes the tools for professional mix engineers, musicians, and sound designers.