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 Voyager emulation, strong basses Digital Suburban Dexed Yamaha DX7 emulation, FM synthesis discoDSP OB-Xd Oberheim OB-X emulation, analog sounds M…

Developer Sender Spike has released DR.89, a free Roland TR-909 inspired drum machine plugin for Windows. If the name Sender Spike sounds familiar, that’s because we’ve covered a few of this developer’s plugins recently, including the SN Zero hybrid FM synthesizer, the qb (Kyubi) multimode distortion, and the filter.tank dual filter. SN Zero is one [...] View post: Sender Spike releases DR.89, a FREE Roland TR-909 drum machine emulation for Windows View the full article

Karanyi Sounds regularly offers limited-time discounts on new and existing products, with the newly released Cloudmax 3 texture resonator now available at a limited-time $20 discount. Recently, we’ve had discounts on the multi-FX plugins Wavesurfer and Playmod. One potential downside of these limited-time offers (if there is such a thing) is that the window of opportunity [...] View post: Karanyi Sounds releases Cloudmax 3 texture resonator with a limited-time $20 discount View the full article

The Apaeron AFOUR is a compact, knob-dense four-channel desktop synthesizer featuring dual-oscillator architecture, extensive modulation, and a performance-focused interface with onboard sequencing and effects.… Read More New Apaeron AFOUR Synth Emphasizes Tactile Control, Deep Sound DesignView the full article

The SynTesla MegaHertz is a handcrafted 5U analog modular synthesizer system featuring a two-voice architecture, a variety West Coast and East Coast-style modules, and a deep modulation and utility section housed in a custom wooden cabinet.… Read More New SynTesla MegaHertz Two-Voice 5U Modular SynthesizerView the full article

Schmidt Synthesizer has announced Schmidt Vi, a software recreation of its flagship Schmidt 8-voice Analog Synthesizer, a $25k monster synth. … Read More Schmidt Vi Recreates $25,000 Monster Synth In SoftwareView the full article

Live 12.4 introduces new ways to create and collaborate in Live, plus new features and improvements for Push, Move and Note.… Read More Ableton Live 12.4 Available NowView the full article

The TR-6oh6 mod adds an improved sequencer, additional instruments, live performance features and MIDI.… Read More Tubbutec TR-6oh6 Upgrades Your Roland TR-606 Drum Machine With New Sounds & MoreView the full article

You can now create sounds anywhere and use them anywhere.… Read More Plaits-Based Elastic OSC Now Available For Mac & WindowsView the full article

Komplete 26 is Native Instruments’ updated music production bundle combining synthesizers, sampled instruments, effects, and sound libraries into a tiered software ecosystem for music creation.… Read More Native Instruments Komplete 26 Expands Flagship Production BundleView the full article

The Tasty Chips GR-2 is a hardware granular workstation featuring a touchscreen-driven interface, four synthesis engines, multi-layer polyphony, and extensive audio and MIDI connectivity for sound design and performance.… Read More Tasty Chips GR-2 Granular Workstation Now Available To Pre-OrderView the full article

The Cyma Forma RND synth is a compact, one-button instrument that generates unique multi-layer musical ideas by randomizing parameters across eight synthesis engines and integrated sequences with every press.… Read More Ultra-Minimal RND Synth Generates New Sounds & Sequences On DemandView the full article

The 1010music Blackbox 2 is a next-generation compact sampler and music workstation with a high-resolution color touchscreen, expanded multi-track sampling engine, integrated sequencing, effects, and both USB-C and analog I/O for DAWless creation and performance.… Read More 1010music Blackbox 2 Brings Expanded Track Engine, Professional I/O & MoreView the full article

Sketch Audio has updated its effects plugin lineup to version 2.0, adding Windows support, new plugin formats, and additional modulation and workflow features.… Read More Sketch Audio Effects Updated To V2.0 With New Features And FormatsView the full article

uchDeveloper Analog Obsession has released MuChild, a free Fairchild 660 emulation for macOS and Windows. It’s a good day for Analog Obsession fans; we’ve already had LAEA and RazorClip from the developer this year, and here we are getting ready to discuss another new release. This latest release is MuChild, Analog Obsession’s take on the [...] View post: Analog Obsession releases MuChild, a FREE Fairchild 660 emulation plugin View the full article

Pulsar Audio is giving away Smasher, its €49 FET compressor plugin, as a free perpetual license. If the name sounds familiar, it should. We’ve covered Smasher being free four times before, going back to 2020. If you’ve somehow missed it every single time, here’s another chance. And I’m having a hard time coming up with [...] View post: Pulsar Audio Smasher is FREE for a limited time again View the full article

NovoNotes has released SnapClip, a free clipper plugin for macOS and Windows. I use clippers a lot in my sound design work, and my go-to approach is to put one before the limiter every time. Taming the extreme peaks with a clipper first means the limiter has an easier job, and, to me, the result [...] View post: NovoNotes releases SnapClip, a free clipper plugin with graph-based control View the full article

Mastering The Mix has released STEREOVAULT, a stereo width plugin for macOS and Windows. The plugin addresses a common problem where stereo widening can make audio sound bigger immediately, but it often weakens the low end, blurs the center of the mix, and introduces phase issues that hurt translation outside the studio. STEREOVAULT fixes this [...] View post: Mastering The Mix releases STEREOVAULT, a new stereo width plugin (LAUNCH OFFER) View the full article

They say that "Überding is an excellent multi effects chain, a massive synthesizer engine, a drum synthesizer and sampler and more".… Read More Noisy Fruits Lab Intros Überding Multi-Function Eurorack ModuleView the full article

The free update for Live 12 users introduces real-time audio streaming over local networks, improved Stem Separation and more. Ableton has released Live 12.4, a major free update for all Live 12 users that expands creative workflows while pushing collaboration and hardware integration forward. The headline addition is Link Audio, a new feature that allows [...] The post Ableton Live 12.4 Arrives With Updates, Expansions appeared first on DJ LIFE Magazine. View the full article

Here's an overview of the Behringer UB-Xa Mini synthesizer. … Read More Behringer UB-Xa Mini Hands-On DemoView the full article

Reffrey is a free reference track plugin available in VST3 and AU formats for Mac and Windows, with no account required to download. Plugins like this one are useful when you want to quickly compare your track to your favorite mixes, and referencing is one of the most important parts of mixing, in my opinion. [...] View post: Reffrey is a FREE reference track plugin for Mac and Windows View the full article

deFORM is a brand-new free cinematic synth from ebbandflow, and it’s available for macOS (Monterey to Tahoe) and Windows (10-11). While discussing cinematic sounds, I should mention Venus Theory’s recent forms:tongue, too. If you haven’t tried it yet, go check it out. After adding deFORM to your basket, you’ll be asked to provide an email [...] View post: ebbandflow releases deFORM, a FREE cinematic synth for macOS and Windows View the full article

From developer Deadloop comes MoonVerb, a free shimmer reverb plugin for macOS and Windows. Reverb is an effect that we couldn’t live without because it plays so many roles in our music production and mixing. It’s anything from taking the edge off vocals so they feel like part of a mix to otherworldly sound design, [...] View post: Deadloop releases MoonVerb, a FREE shimmer reverb plugin View the full article

Developer Mannix Squared has released a free plugin bundle consisting of eight refreshed and rebuilt plugins. It’s been a couple of years, or thereabouts, since I first covered Mannix Squared on BPB, and that was the free Mix Space plugin. Super Saturator followed shortly after Mix Space, and a couple of plugins soon became a [...] View post: Mannix Squared FREE plugin bundle refreshed and rebuilt (includes eight plugins) View the full article

The Buchla Ziggy is a monophonic analog desktop instrument built around Buchla’s complex oscillator architecture, offering gestural modulation, onboard effects, digital patch storage, and multiple connection formats.… Read More Buchla Ziggy Synth Combines Analog Sound With Digital ControlView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Available as a free firmware update, all 45 Braids synthesis models run across NINA’s 12 true polyphonic voices, each shaped by a dedicated overdrive-able analogue filter. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Users can now layer Braids and analogue VCOs (Voltage Controlled Oscillators) across four multitimbral parts, morph between presets, and sequence everything. Duly described by Mutable Instruments as […] The post Melbourne Instruments brings Braids engine to desktop NINA analog polysynth appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Ultimate Patches partnered with Behringer to create the premium-quality factory presets shipped in the UB-1 Micro synthesizer. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Ultimate Patches created all of the premium-quality factory presets that ship in the UB-1. Now, Ultimate Patches releases the next-level UB-1 Ultimate Patches (Volumes 1-3): 100 all-new patches for the UB-1 Micro, with classic sounds from the […] The post New For Behringer UB-1 Micro: 100 Ultimate Patches appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Oddment Audio has introduced ODD-1, a desktop granular synthesizer and sound design instrument built around a microsonic processing engine.… Read More Oddment Audio Announces ODD-1 Granular Desktop SynthesizerView the full article

The annual Superbooth event returns to Berlin this week, with hundreds of exhibitors and a focus on new synths, modular gear, and music technology.… Read More Superbooth 2026 Returns To Berlin May 7–9View the full article