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…

Looking to up your mastering game? Lurssen Mastering has enlisted a pair of multi-Grammy-winning engineers to craft the ultimate online mastering course. The 10-episode course is set to guide you through every step of the mastering process, as well as sharing a fool-proof mastering formula. The aptly named How To Master Your Music, the course is led by four-time Grammy winner (and twelve-time nominee) Gavin Lurssen, and Latin Grammy winner Reuben Cohen. The pair have a whole host of iconic albums under their belts, with Lurssen mastering records from the Foo Fighters to Eric Clapton, while Cohen has mastered records by Metallica, Miley Cyrus, The Beatle’s John Lennon and …

The collection includes sample oscillators, tuned tonal beds, drifting textures, and evolving drones, each designed to function as a starting point for additional modulation, layering, and processing.… Read More Ocean Swift Synthesis Intros Spectral Oscillators Toolkit Vol. 3, Evolving Looping Oscillators For Cinematic Sound DesignView the full article

Reason Studios has been acquired by AI-forward music production company, LANDR. The partnership is set to “redefine the future of music creation”, with sights set on enhancing Reason Studio’s classic DAW and Rack with new tools and AI-powered features. Montreal-based LANDR explains that the acquisition will see Reason entering a new creative dawn. “Our vision is to make Reason and the Reason Rack indispensable tools for every producer, regardless of what DAW they use,” Pascal Pilon, CEO of LANDR, explains... The post LANDR acquires Reason Studios: “This isn’t about changing Reason, it’s about giving it room to grow” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

This week’s deals are all about Vengeance-Sound, Tone2, and Universal Audio. These three big names are tempting customers with attractive plugin offers. If you’ve been looking for high-quality sound design, synthesis, or mixing tools, now is the time to strike. From the versatile Vengeance-Sound VPS Avenger 2 to the expressive Gladiator and the legendary SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor, each software package offers a genuine studio feel. Now is the perfect opportunity to start the new year with fresh sounds, powerful punch, and plenty of creativity! ... The post Vengeance-Sound, Tone2, Universal Audio: 3 Ultimate Software Deals! appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full art…

As someone with an interest in film and game composing, it’s odd that I’ve managed to dodge Cubase for this long. Over its 36-year history, it’s become the DAW of choice for big name screen composers like Hans Zimmer and Jack Wall. Not only that, but over time, this venerable digital audio workstation has accrued an expansive feature set that extends its utility into pretty much every corner of music production. In truth, the reason I haven’t tried it is simple – I’m kinda lazy. When I need a do-everything DAW, Logic Pro has long been my easy option. Sure, it tends to pre-empt, simplify, and streamline even when I don’t want it to, and, yes, it keeps me locked on overpric…

Tilr, one of the most productive and impressive free plugin developers in 2025, is making a strong start to the new year with the release of QDelay, a free feature-packed dual-delay plugin for macOS, Windows, and Linux. We’re only just into 2026, and Tilr is back with another free plugin that looks set to overdeliver [...] View post: Tilr releases QDelay, a FREE feature-packed dual-delay plugin View the full article

Here's a sneak preview of Tuul - a 12 hp, 4-channel, multi-function Eurorack module.… Read More Gotharman’s Tuul Multi-Function Eurorack Module (Sneak Preview)View the full article

This process is both an intellectual challenge and a way to create unofficial emulations of gear that's no longer available. … Read More Hacking The DSPs Of Famous SynthesizersView the full article

A few years ago, a great track was enough. In 2026, it isn’t. Today, music isn’t judged only by listeners — it’s evaluated by algorithms. And algorithms don’t care about emotion directly. They care about listener behavior: skips, retention, replays, and completion rates. Your mix and structure directly influence those signals. View the full article

New year, fresh ideas – and if your 2026 plans involve finishing more tracks (or starting better ones), Plugin Boutique has a seriously tempting deal to get you moving. Its Core Collection holiday sale slashes 88% off a powerful suite of production, mixing, and mastering plugins, making it one of the easiest ways to overhaul your setup without torching your budget... The post New year, new deals: Plugin Boutique slashes 88% off its Core Collection plugin bundle appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

The performance features sounds of the Super 8, stacked and layered, and features the RBN-1 Ribbon Controller for the "sci-fi super sweeps."… Read More UDO Super 8 Synth Jam, ‘Sigil’View the full article

The performance is based on a hybrid hardware/software setup, featuring Arturia Keystep Pro, iPad and what looks to be a 1010music Blackbox. … Read More Live Synth Performance – ‘The Divide’View the full article

That's the question raised by Funkastic - a new A.I.-powered plugin that generates funk parts for clavinet, electric piano, organs, and bass. … Read More Can AI Be Funky?View the full article

Heads up for FL Studio users: there’s a limited-time deal running with up to 30% off FL Studio upgrades. If you’re still on Fruity Edition and thinking about unlocking audio recording, full playlist functionality, stem separation, and the rest of the grown-up tools, this is a solid moment to move up a tier. Same workflow, a lot more headroom. Plus, save 33% on your first year of FL Cloud Pro Get over 1 million sounds, 85 premium plugins, all FLEX packs, and much more - now for 33% off.

Happy New Year, everyone! We’re kicking off what’s surely shaping up to be a great year of free plugins with three awesome freebies released at the end of 2025. Here’s AmenBreak VST, Skew v2, and Strum Plate... The post AmenBreak VST, Skew v2, Strum Plate: Free Plugins of the Week appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Here's a sneak preview of the Diapasonix - a portable electronic musical instrument and MIDI controller that is played similarly to a stringed instrument.… Read More Diapasonix Electronic Musical Instrument Sneak PreviewView the full article

Favor pure sound quality over lots of modulation possibilities? These are the synths for you: the best sounding synthesizers around. I had a realization not too long ago: I kind of don’t care about modulation. I mean, I do, but not nearly as much as some people. Check out the comments for a new synth release, and you’ll invariably see people complaining about the lack of LFOs. That’s definitely not me. One or two is fine. I’m much more focused on the sound of the thing: the oscillators and filter and saturation. That’s what I like. I had a think about it, about my favorite synths of past and present. They all tend to be light on the modulation and heavy on the sound. Whet…

(https://jamesm.blog/music-production/roland-tr-8s-vs-mc-707/) Roland has long been a cornerstone of electronic music hardware, and two of its most popular modern devices - the TR-8S Rhythm Performer (2018) and the MC-707 Groovebox (2019) - often come up in the same conversation. While they overlap in some areas, they’re built with very different goals in mind. This post brings together everything you need to know to decide TR-8S vs MC-707, including workflow, genres, live use, and how they can even work together. OverviewRoland TR-8S Rhythm PerformerType: Dedicated drum machine Best known for: Hands-on performance, classic TR sounds, live tweaking The TR-8S is all about …

Apatite has shared Magic Mellotron - a free collection of Serum 2 presets, inspired by one of the most iconic instruments ever made. … Read More Free Serum 2 Mellotron PresetsView the full article

Forget Akihabara and Mt. Fuji: Japan is all about synths! Book your Japan synthesizer tour with the help of this guide to the top synth sites in the country. Japan is the hottest country in the world to visit right now. Most tourists will be hitting the major Japanese spots, like manga-crazy Akihabara and the ancient temples and shrines of Kyoto. This is all well and good but if you stick to this basic itinerary, you’ll be missing on what makes Japan truly special: synthesizers... The post Japan Synthesizer Tour: Synth Secrets from the Rising Sun appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

This is a tool for creative musicians. With 64 (2×32) steps, the AS500 offers flexible step/row combinations that break up the structural pattern of a classic sequencer. In addition, the… Read More The post AS500 – a slightly different kind of analog step sequencer. appeared first on GreatSynthesizers. View the full article

GCS Strum Plate is a plugin that lets you 'strum' notes to play your software instruments.… Read More Free Plugin, Strum Plate, Lets You Play Any Software Synth Like An OmnichordView the full article

The PM-80 is designed to bring the hardware experience of patching an original CS-80 to virtual instrument versions. … Read More GLT Audio Intros PM-80 Yamaha CS-80 MIDI ControllerView the full article

Universal Audio has discounted its Moog Minimoog instrument to just $29, marking one of the best software synth deals to close out 2025. This is also my final article of the year, so before diving in, I just want to say thank you for being part of BPB in 2025. Your support, comments, and daily [...] View post: Universal Audio’s Moog Minimoog is just $29 until January 1st View the full article

In just a few hours, 2025 will be history. Here are a couple of awesome modular jams to get your New Year’s Eve party started! Some say that most owners of modular systems don’t actually use them to make real music, let alone perform. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Not all modular enthusiasts are introverted nerds holed up in a mess of spaghetti wires and making bleep noises! I don’t know about you, but I could lose myself in these extended modular jams forever. The perfect soundtrack for a relaxed transition into the new year – or a wild party! ... The post Modular Jams for New Year’s Eve: From Ambient to Techno appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full…

London-based producer Hilit Kolet has built a reputation for high-impact, groove-driven club tracks that balance sharp sound design with a clear sense of fun. Her new Transatlantic Kiki EP with The Illustrious Blacks is a vibrant celebration of the shared energy between London and New York. The record fuses playful vocals, bold percussion, and driving bass with Kolet’s unmistakable mix precision and feel for rhythm. Behind that clarity is a workflow designed for speed. Using Komplete Kontrol and the A61 keyboard, Hilit builds her ideas quickly and keeps the creative spark alive. Her setup gives her instant access to her personal sound library and favorite Kontakt presets,…

194db Audio has released Vox Relief Lite, a free vocal processing plugin for macOS and Windows, designed to quickly clean up vocal tone and help vocals sit better in the mix. In plugin-land, the word “Lite” in a plugin’s name usually suggests a stripped-down free version with a paid upgrade coming later. That might be [...] View post: 194db Audio releases FREE Vox Relief Lite vocal processing plugin View the full article