Music Production Forum

Below is a list of some of the best software synths & virtual pianos (free & paid). Please reply to this post if you recommended any others There are a huge number of plugins available, here are some other lists I've created for products I recommend https://jamesm.blog/music-production/my-hardware-software/ https://jamesm.blog/music-production/my-hardware-software-wishlist/ https://jamesm.blog/music-production/physical-modeling-synths/ Synths (Free) Vendor Plugin Name Key Features Blamsoft VK-1 Viking Synthesizer Moog Voy…

Roland’s RS-09 string machine becomes AudioThing RES-09, complete with per-note tuning, effects, and additional controls. People may crow over the Roland RS-505 Paraphonic string machine, but I’d honestly rather have an RS-09. It’s simpler yet just as lush, with one of the best ensemble effects ever made. I even had one, restoring it over a long summer to something resembling its former glory. I sold it, which makes me sad. But today’s news about the AudioThing RES-09, a new emulation of the 1979 string machine, has me smiling again… The post AudioThing RES-09: One of Roland’s Lushest Analog Synths Finally Gets an Emulation appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full ar…

Scaler Music‘s celebrated Scaler plugin is now in its third iteration, and you can grab 20 per cent off for a limited time only. Originally launched back in 2018, the plugin has been praised by the likes of Carl Cox and Jean-Michel Jarre, and is a tool for musicians, producers and composers looking to try interesting scales and different chord patterns in their work… The post Plugin Boutique’s Scaler 3 brings huge changes, and you can get 20% off for a limited time appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Launched in 1998 as a simple MIDI drum machine named FruityLoops, FL Studio has become one of the production community’s most beloved DAWs. Its intuitive interface and robust feature set have attracted a diverse user base, from those at the very start of their journey to seasoned pros like Martin Garrix and Metro Boomin. No matter what stage you’re at, incorporating a hardware controller into your setup can transform your workflow. Tactile control over effects, more efficient sequencing and arranging, highly expressive performances of virtual instruments — controllers can foster a more intuitive and hands-on production process. Whether you need a realistic weighted keybed…

Orchestral Tools delivers us Berlin Free Orchestra and UVI caters for the subscription haters in this week’s Sounds and Presets. Orchestral Tools is one of the most respected orchestral sound library developers in the world today, delivering deep, powerful and hugely detailed sample libraries used by some of the biggest composers in the industry. Their flagship product is Berlin Orchestra, which, as its name suggests, is an extensive orchestral sample library made in the company’s home city of Berlin. Recorded with surgical precision and in incredible depth at Teldex Studios, it is widely regarded as one of the best orchestral libraries available... The post Berlin Free O…

The Music Producers Guild has revealed the shortlist of nominees for the annual MPG Awards. Spanning 15 categories, including standout Self-Producing Artist, Breakthrough Producer of the Year, Original Score Recording of the Year, the awards aims to honour the year’s finest production work. The winners will be announced at the official ceremony on the 24th April, but one winner has already been crowned. BBC Radio 6’s Lauren Laverne has been awarded the MPG Special Recognition Award for her dedication to platforming new talent... The post A. G. Cook, Charli xcx and Saltburn shortlisted for Music Producers Guild 2025 awards appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Tymee is a free, easy-to-use delay plugin and the second freebie in the Tritik lineup, alongside the Krush bit crusher. Despite the impressive-looking spectrogram, Tymee is a straightforward plugin with simple controls. The developer initially created Tymee as a tool for teaching audio programming, and that’s why the spectrogram is there, but it looks cool [...] View post: Tritik releases Tymee, a FREE delay plugin for macOS and Windows View the full article

Yes, you heard that right! Dear Reality was recently acquired by Sennheiser and is ceasing operations under its brand, giving away all its plugins for free. Dear Reality is known for its high-quality spatialization, ambisonics, resynthesis, and reverb plugins, among other things. The plugins have been known to be pricy, but for good reason, and [...] View post: Dear Reality are giving away ALL their plugins for FREE View the full article

UJAM offers the Virtual Guitarist SPARKLE 2 plugin for free until May 4, 2025. According to the developers, UJAM Virtual Guitarist SPARKLE 2 is a virtual guitarist that turns “single note inputs into dynamic rhythm guitar tracks.” If you can’t play the guitar and need some decent rhythm tracks, this is the plugin you’ve been [...] View post: UJAM Virtual Guitarist SPARKLE 2 is FREE until May 4 View the full article

Sometimes, a track sounds flat, dry, and boring, and there is an urgent need for movement. Developer brand0 has just released a tool to ameliorate that problem with a new modulation effect, aptly named Gooper. The plugin utilizes 5 comb filters that interact with each other to create anything from goopy and gooey to robotic [...] View post: Gooper is a unique FREE modulation plugin by brand0 View the full article

Blue Lue is a new slot-driven drum machine inspired by Fanan Team Pro’s Betelgeuse arranger machine. Blue Lue functions as a MIDI tool sequencer; It doesn’t generate any sound, but you can use it to sequence drum sounds in your DAW. MIDI Sequencer and arranger plugins/software can be real timesavers; composers for all media types [...] View post: Fanan Team Pro releases Blue Lue, a FREE drum machine for Windows View the full article

Timeless sound in music production is a concept that often defies easy explanation but is that ephemeral gold standard that all music producers seem to chase. For St. Lucia, it’s about blending the foundational elements of past eras with subtle modern touches, crafting something that feels familiar yet distinct. Their latest album, Fata Morgana: Dawn, expands on this approach, drawing inspiration from 1960s and 1970s psychedelic pop, the pre-1980s NYC dance scene, and classic film scores. Mixed by Chris Zane (Jack Antonoff, Passion Pit, The Walkmen), the record balances organic band performances with orchestral elements, pushing their sound further than ever... The post T…

Immersive audio plugin developer Dear Reality has ceased operations. As part of the shutdown, all 11 of its audio plugins are now available as free downloads. Founded in 2015, Dear Reality was an early innovator in spatial audio software. Sennheiser acquired the company in 2019, but now, the audio giant is consolidating its immersive audio initiatives and discontinuing Dear Reality as an independent brand. The post Audio software company Dear Reality ceases operation, all plugins now free to download appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Solid State Logic has been producing affordable USB audio interfaces for the past four-or-so years, its SSL 2, 2+ and 12 bringing a slice of SSL quality and kudos to even the humblest of recording rigs. These desktop boxes are well-matched to the needs of a small home studio or mobile setup, but are inadequate for producers with bigger fish to fry – those recording full bands, or working with large amounts of analogue gear, for example. The new SSL 18 doesn’t so much close this gap as slam it shut... The post SSL 18 brings higher channel counts to Solid State Logic’s interface range appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Today Klevgrand released their latest instrument, Elpiano – Classic Keys Collection, an electric piano plug-in. Elpiano, Swedish for electric piano, is designed to capture the authentic feel and sounds of classic electric pianos thanks to the new custom algorithm that powers the plug-in. Tobias Engström, CEO & Co-founder of Klevgrand said, “With 20 years of… Read More Klevgrand Launches Elpiano – Classic Keys Collection View the full article

After a number of years building up an awesome aritist career, Mad Zach is back on the DJ Techtools YouTube channel this week. In a fresh new video, he explains some of the advantages of using the Midi Fighter Spectra for performing soundpacks live. He also talks through some of the things that make playing […] The post Mad Zach Returns: Playing soundpacks in 2025 appeared first on DJ TechTools. View the full article

Scaler 3Scaler 3 has arrived and is available to purchase and download. Those who have purchased Scaler 2 since January 15th will find their copy of Scaler 3 in their account. Existing Scaler 2 owners can now upgrade for $29. I honestly can't recommend this plugin highly enough !!! 😁 Linkshttps://scalermusic.com/products/scaler-3/ https://www.pluginboutique.com/meta_products/6414-Scaler-3 About ScalerScaler is a music theory plugin that helps producers and songwriters create inspiring melodies and chord progressions. It analyzes MIDI or audio to identify keys and scales, offering a vast library of scales, modes, and chords, including artist and genre-based presets. Users …

In this week’s edition of Software Deals, you can save on creative effects from iZotope, a fantastic collection of orchestral samples from EastWest, and emulations of iconic hardware from Universal Audio. Save up to 96 %! Plugin Boutique has some great offers on creative FX plugins from iZotope right now. Perfect for adding these inspiring plugins to your collection! iZotope VocalSynth 2 is a suite of creative vocal effects that lets you turn a simple vocal line into something really unique. Mangle your vocals using the Vocoder, Compuvox, Polyvox, Talkbox, and Biovox modules, control the pitch via MIDI, and apply stompbox-style effects to create vocal sounds unlike any ot…

Plugin and virtual instrument purveyor Output has unveiled Output Co-Producer, a plugin designed to help find the perfect samples to compliment your music projects. Compatible with any DAW, Output Co-Producer uses AI to analyse your track’s harmony and rhythm, serving up the perfect musician-made, royalty-free samples in order to reduce your time spent searching. The post Output’s new Co-Producer plugin uses AI to curate the perfect samples for your project – all from within your DAW appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Alongside chorus and flanger effects, phasers complete the trilogy of popular “modulation” effects. Modulation effects change the texture sound over time, and phasers are often used to give sounds a smooth textural movement. Unlike chorus and flanger effects, phasers don’t use delay lines to create their characteristic sounds, rather using a special type of filter, and give a slightly less dramatic result compared to flangers. Phasers can be used to add stereo width to sounds, thin them out in the mix, and give them an intriguing textural movement. In this guide we’ll show you how to use phaser effects both creatively and in a mixing context to help you make your best tra…

Output Co-Producer is a new plugin that uses AI to help you find the right samples for your music – with no credits. You may know Output as the company behind the sample subscription instrument, Arcade. Output is back with a new sample subscription service called Co-Producer. The difference is that it’s not an instrument, it’s a sample provider, but it uses AI to help you find the best sample for your track... The post Output Co-Producer: “AI that can help real music makers be creative, not replace them” appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

With the update to version 2.4, the Avenger 2 software synthesizer from Vengeance Sound once again gets a lot of new and interesting features that should appeal to both sound designers and music producers. At the heart of the new version is a revised arpeggiator mode, now called “Custom”, which allows for completely free pattern design. But that’s not all! The post Vengeance-Sound Avenger 2.4: Major Update with Phase Puncher, Custom Arps and More! appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Recently, we’ve seen a flurry of flagships being added to popular USB audio interface lines. These interfaces are loaded with additional monitoring and preamp functions, plus higher input/output counts required by producers who want to track a whole band simultaneously or dabble with analogue outboard gear... The post Audient’s iD48 goes all-out for channel count and routing flexibility appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Moog and UJAM have teamed up on a cheap and cheerful plugin based on a preset used on Gary Numan’s famous track, Cars. The plugin, called Vox Humana, keeps the same name as the original preset, originally from the Polymoog 280A synth. Priced at just $19, all proceeds will be going to the Bob Moog Foundation, supporting its efforts in education, preservation, and the Moogseum… The post Moog and UJAM’s new $19 plugin is based on an iconic preset used by Gary Numan – and all proceeds are going to charity appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Welcome to the BPB Community Weekly Freebie Thread for March 24-30, 2025! 😊 Read the Thread Guidelines 💬 This section of our community is where BPB readers can share links to the latest freeware news and deals with fellow music producers in the comments. Thank you for contributing! To keep the discussion helpful and relevant, please [...] View post: 💬 🔥 Weekly Deals & Freebies Thread View the full article

Welcome to the BPB Community Weekly Production Thread for March 24–30, 2025! 😊 This week’s topic is: EQ. Feel free to ask our team and fellow BPB readers for help about any EQ-related production issues. Also, you can share your EQ tips, tricks, and ideas with others. Thank you! Last week’s topic was compression. Read the [...] View post: 💬 🎹 Weekly Production Thread: Compression View the full article

Many plugin developers have tackled the famed TB-303 Bass Line, whether it’s the Roland-inspired Imaginando TV3, Ronan Fed’s RF-AB303, or Roland’s own direct software emulation. Now, The Crow Hill Company is taking its turn to pay homage to the TB-303 with Acid Synth, the latest addition to the free Vaults series. Roland’s TB-303 is an [...] View post: The Crow Hill Company adds Acid Synth to its FREE Vaults collection View the full article

Ocean Swift Synthesis offers a batch of legacy VST plugins for Windows free of charge. These synths and effects were initially available for purchase until 2020 but are now back with VST3 functionality and huge preset packs to boot. The VST plugins are Windows only and are provided without any guarantee or support. What you see [...] View post: Ocean Swift Synthesis released their legacy plugins for FREE (Windows) View the full article

Welcome to the BPB Community Production Feedback Thread for March 24–30, 2025! 😊 Feel free to post links to your SoundCloud tracks for feedback from other BPB readers. Read the Thread Guidelines 💬 This section of our community is where BPB readers can share questions and tips about music production with fellow music producers in the [...] View post: 💬 🎧 Weekly Production Feedback Thread View the full article

Recording the perfect synthesizer, guitar or bass sound can be a real challenge. Often, after recording, the desired character, dynamics, or punch is missing from the mix. If you are thinking of re-recording, i.e. looping recorded tracks or sounds created by plug-ins through external effects, you should instead consider a proven technique: re-amping. This technique opens up a multitude of creative possibilities and allows you to drastically (and most importantly, positively) change the sound of an already recorded track. Whether it is guitar, synthesizer or even drum tracks, re-amping allows you to make sounds more organic, spatial and individual with just a few extras! R…