Voting has closed in the KVR Developer Challenge 2026, the tenth free-for-all audio plugin / audio application / soundware design event. With a record 56 entries this year it was quite a challenge just to make the time to download them and put them through their paces, even with the one week extension. You can, of course, continue to explore this fantastic selection of free software at www.kvraudio.com/kvr-developer-challenge/2026 (and donations will remain open for one more week).
Anyway, what we want to know… The winners are…
1st: Scintillate – Reverb Plugin by Sweet Audio and Signalsmith Audio
Created by Signalsmith Audio (DSP) and Sweet Audio (everything else) and available for Windows and macOS in VST3, AU and CLAP plugin formats, Scintillate, described as a “Sparkle Engine”, takes the overall winners crown for 2026.
Sparkles are generated within the spectrum of a conventional reverb. At different spawn and decay rates, these sparkles can sprinkle fairy dust on your instruments, turn them into a fluttering wall of sound, and even create trippy reverse effects. Reducing the density lets only the loudest sparkles through, making for color-ful spectral gate effects.
As a multi-format, multi-OS entry, Scintillate will receive 60% of the prize fund. Congratulations to Sweet Audio and Signalsmith Audio.
2nd: Vocal Box – Vocal Mixing Suite Plugin by Maciel Audio
Vocal Box by Maciel Audio, available for Windows and macOS in VST3, AU and AAX plugin formats, is a “Vocal Mixing Suite”. As the next highest placed entry, Vocal Box takes 20% of the prize fund. Well done Maciel Audio.
Vocal Box combines the essential vocal processing behind professional mixes into one streamlined tool, helping you clean up, push forward, and finish vocals faster without rebuilding the same plugin chain every session.
Everything your vocal needs before you start mixing.
3rd: Parrot – Delay Plugin by Darkpalace Studio
Available for Windows, macOS and Linux in VST3, AU, CLAP and LV2 plugin formats, Parrot by Darkpalace Studio, a multi-modal delay with a lot of character, takes third place. Parrot is awarded the wildcard prize of 10% and a huge congrats for coming in third.
Most delays give you one echo. Parrot gives you three modes, each with a mind of its own. Parrot is like a 3-band parallel sound-design playground. Where do you want your delay or textures to happen? Filter your frequencies with a menu full of unique per-band effects including a disperser, crazy frequency shifter, punchy saturation and tube. Choose how you want your delay to happen per band. But delay is optional. Bypass the delay entirely to use it as a powerful parallel multiband texturizer. The three modes run in parallel, so a single instance can add a 16th-note tap on the low end, a 200ms pitch-shifted shimmer delay, and a feedback-driven drone in one cohesive voice.
Highest Placed Soundware – Osiris Piano – sfz Library by Karoryfer and Versilian Studios
The highest placed soundware entry, thus receiving the remaining 10% of the prize fund, Osiris Piano is another collaboration between Karoryfer and Versilian Studios.
Osiris Piano is a quiet sample library of a Yamaha C2 piano, recorded played quietly with the soft pedal engaged and at half-stick. The goal was to avoid the problems with noise and inconsistent playability which affect many soft pianos.
Osiris Piano requires the free Plogue Sforzando (1.981 or newer).
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The KVR Developer Challenge Story
The KVR Developer Challenge began in 2006 and has occurred every 2-3 years ever since. It’s for anyone who develops Audio Plugins, Applications or Soundware. The challenge is to create and release a brand new free audio plugin, application or sound library / pack / set that will benefit the community at large. Creativity is always key, it can be as simple or as complex as you want – KVR members will vote on the entries and pick the eventual winner using whatever criteria they choose.
2023 was won by the excellent Solaris reverb plugin by Adam Szabo, with MONSTER OctaChord v1 by Monster DAW, Wave Breaker by Press Play, and Northern Trumpets by VG Trumpet making up the top four and Roundels by XiiixxiQ taking the wildcard prize.
2021 gave us WhispAir by Full Bucket Music, GR-8 by Phuturetone, Virtuosity Drums by Versilian Studios, and FKFX Influx by FKFX.
2018 delivered gems such as ProF.E.T. by Ignite Amps, Deducktion by Dead Duck Software and MPS by Full Bucket Music. We had Youlean Loudness Meter, Lagrange by Ursa DSP and Spaceship Delay from Musical Entropy in 2016, Multiply by Acon Digital, Nova-67P by vladg/sound and Emissary by Ignite Amps in 2014, and so it goes on…
Check out 2012, 2009, 2007, and the original in 2006 when Triple Cheese by u-he won the show.
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