Physical Audio is a London-based plugin developer specializing in real-time physical modelling synthesis. The company was founded by Dr. Craig J. Webb following his PhD with the NESS (Next-generation Sound Synthesis) research project at the University of Edinburgh, in collaboration with Dr. Stefan Bilbao and Dr. Michele Ducceschi. Its plugins are built from pure numerical models of acoustic systems — bars, strings, plates, springs and connecting elements — using finite-difference time-domain and modal schemes, rather than samples or impulse responses.

The product line includes physical modelling instruments such as Modus, Derailer, Tetrad and Preparation 2, alongside effects like the Dual Spring Reverb and Dynamic Plate Reverb. The instruments emphasize nonlinear collision behaviour and dynamic expression, producing sounds ranging from subtle pitch glides to high-energy crescendos. Plugins are released in Audio Unit, VST3 and AAX formats for macOS, and VST3 and AAX for Windows.

The company occupies a niche alongside other physical modelling developers such as Applied Acoustics Systems and Madrona Labs, with a research-driven approach rooted in academic acoustics and audio signal processing.

Physical Audio has 3 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Synth Plugins.