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…

You can now get Krampfstadt Studio’s Brick Toys sound pack for free from A Sound Effect. When it comes to sample packs, there’s no shortage of great options, deals, and freebies. Despite the consistent availability of fantastic sounds, most of us are always keen to hear more because we never know what sound we need [...] View post: Get Krampfstadt Studio’s Brick Toys sound pack FREE from A Sound Effect View the full article

Legendary filmmaker, composer & synthesist John Carpenter has announced a new book and album project, Cathedral. … Read More John Carpenter Goes Metal With New Book & Companion Album, CathedralView the full article

Here's a look at the Erica Synths Syntrx II , the second generation of the three-voice synth that offers an original, modern take on the EMS VCS 3 concept. … Read More Erica Synths Syntrx II Not Just For Crazy Sci-Fi Sound EffectsView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Interactive sound shaping in real time You’ve been yearning for an instrument for “conjuring an iridescent palette of resonating harmonics that add colour, texture, and contrast to your audio.” Better yet, check out this video. Among many other things, it’s an instant Daft Punk machine – not to be confused with the Russian Police Choir. […] The post BLEASS Spectral Resonator – That Robotic Sound appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From developer SoliderSound comes Go-Splitter, a free stem separation app for macOS and Windows. We’ve had a few stem separation tools come along over the last handful of years, especially since terms like neural networks have become a regular feature of conversations about audio software. Since LALAL.AI in 2021, we’ve had more recent additions, like [...] View post: SoliderSound releases Go-Splitter, a FREE stem separation app for macOS and Windows View the full article

Developer Factor8 has released the Constellations Sequencer, a free Euclidean-algorithm-based polyrhythmic sequencer. The Euclidean algorithm is commonly used in various audio devices, such as synths, DAWs, and sequencers, to generate rhythmic patterns. It does so by distributing a particular number of hits across a particular number of steps. These patterns can be popular/common percussion rhythms, [...] View post: Factor8 releases the Constellations Sequencer, a FREE Euclidean-algorithm-based polyrhythmic sequencer View the full article

Developer SLM Audio has released Gleo, a free dystopian-themed virtual instrument for macOS and Windows. Some of you may remember a plugin called Gait Runner from earlier this year. It was something a little different because it came with a distinct backstory all the way from the planet Symphagos. I mention it here because SLM [...] View post: SLM Audio releases Gleo, a FREE dystopian-themed virtual instrument View the full article

In this live performance, Nonlinear Labs demonstrates their C25 48-voice performance synthesizer. … Read More Nonlinear Labs C25 Synthesizer Live PerformanceView the full article

Viiri Audio has released Aava, a creative convolution processor for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Convolution plugins usually make me think of realistic spaces, speaker cabinets, springs, plates, and other practical IR-based effects. But the thing with IRs is that, once captured, they remain static. Aava takes a more experimental route by treating impulse responses as [...] View post: Viiri Audio releases Aava creative convolution plugin with intro offer View the full article

Moby Pixel has released Mighty Synth Sampler, a free synth and sampler app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It is an app that lets you turn any sound into a playable instrument. This is possible with other workflows, of course, but Mighty Synth Sampler was designed to save a great deal of time. I keep [...] View post: Mighty Synth Sampler is a FREE synth and sampler for Apple Devices View the full article

In this video, JoMoX founder Jürgen Michaelis offers an overview of the new Transcendor and a demo of its sonic possibilities.… Read More JoMoX Previews Transcendor SynthesizerView the full article

DsgDnB gave us several freebies earlier this year, including DuckTool, Scyllascope, and KickSpace. Their latest release, albeit still in testing, is Cartridge, a free sampler/slicer for macOS, Windows, and Linux. You might remember that those plugins were at differing stages of development when released. Cartridge is a similar release, in that it’s still in testing. [...] View post: DsgDnB releases Cartridge (still in testing), a FREE sampler/slicer plugin View the full article

From JB Project Studio comes Auralizer, a free stereo image processor for macOS, Windows, and Linux. JB Project Studio is a recording studio based in Viterbo, Italy, offering everything from artistic guidance and arrangement to mixing and mastering. Auralizer is a free plugin developed by JB Project Studio to replicate acoustic physics concepts used in [...] View post: JB Project Studio releases Auralizer, a FREE stereo image processor View the full article

KERN Audio has released PUSH, a three-character compressor plugin for macOS and Windows. You can get the complete KERN Audio bundle for $59 (down from $69) until Sunday, May 25. PUSH is the fifth plugin in the KERN lineup, following SMOOTH, WARM, WIDE, and the free CHECK mono compatibility analyzer. We had covered the developer’s [...] View post: KERN Audio adds PUSH compressor to its plugin lineup View the full article

This short video captures a previously unreleased synth jam by the late composer and synthesist Vangelis. … Read More ‘Lost’ Vangelis Synth JamView the full article

The updated FLkey line offers deeper integration with FL Studio, new creative tools, an OLED display and more.… Read More Novation FLkey Intros Next Generation FL Studio Control KeyboardView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - It’s because there’s a dearth of service techs. How should that affect your buying decisions? (Hint: we don’t pretend to know!) The ’90s vintage Kurzweil K2500X workstation that served as my project studio’s master keyboard works fine, but years of pounding have worn down its felt, which needs replacing to get rid of some nasty […] The post Synth Repairs: Long Waits, High Prices appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

sonicLAB Cosmosƒ FX8 is a major update to the unique stochastic audio processor for Mac & Windows. … Read More Cosmosƒ FX8 Stochastic Audio Processor Now AvailableView the full article

Synth pioneer Wolfgang Palm shared this preview of his latest synthesis project. … Read More Wolfgang Palm Teases New WaveTermView the full article

Sound designer Scott McAuley has introduced Korg Minilogue XD Evolution Vol 1, a new sound library for the Korg Minilogue XD. … Read More New Sounds For The Korg Minilogue XDView the full article

The Bob Moog Foundation has announced a new fundraising raffle, featuring a new Bob Moog Tribute Edition Minimoog Model D.… Read More Win The Bob Moog Tribute Edition Minimoog Model D Serial #001View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Novation announces the release of the successor to its popular FLkey range of MIDI keyboard controllers. Officially supported by Image-Line, FLkey 2 builds upon the capabilities of its predecessor with upgraded hardware and even deeper connections to essential FL Studio tools and workflows. FLkey 2 incorporates a range of headline upgrades, including semi-weighted […] The post Novation Announces Release of the Successor to its Popular FLkey Range of MIDI Keyboard Controllers appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Developer Indossa Sounds has launched REAKTR Map Maker, a free Reaktor sample map generator. Native Instruments Reaktor isn’t something we talk about every week around here, but we do see related releases pop up from time to time. Sound Author’s Pristine FDN-style reverb, and the MRX90 cassette tape emulation are a couple of good examples. [...] View post: Indossa Sounds launches REAKTR Map Maker, a FREE Reaktor sample map generator View the full article

DAWJunkie, the developer behind DT-600 Mini, Padness 2 Jr, Knobs, and many more interesting freebies, is back with another: Mini-Menace. Mini-Menace is available in AU, VST, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows. Mini-Menace is a throwback to the modern resurgence of analog synths, with all sounds sourced from the Arturia MicroBrute. It’s easy to [...] View post: DAWJunkie releases Mini-Menace, a FREE MicroBrute-based synth View the full article

The 1176 is one of the most-recommended compressors in music production history. It’s been used in countless hits on vocals, drum bus, bass, parallel chains, you name it. Hardware units run $2,600+ new, and major plugin emulations have historically cost $100 or more. Free alternatives have existed for years, and we’ve covered most of them [...] View post: I tested two best free 1176 plugins in 2026, and one won’t stay free for long View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - A scaled-down but still formidable version of this choir library, recorded in historic Sunset Sound Studios The full Ultimate version is an excellent, unique sampled choir library – hold your breath for my review here the near future – but there’s also room for a light version at a lower price. And here you have […] The post Realitone IntroducesSunset Choir Lite appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

The AMYboard is a 10HP Eurorack-compatible synthesizer that lets you load a variety of synths, with digital and analog audio, MIDI, and two CV channels.… Read More New AMYboard Offers Open Source Synth Platform For Under $30View the full article

Plugin Boutique has launched an exclusive Roland Manufacturer Focus Sale, with discounts of up to 80% across the Roland Cloud plugin catalog. The sale runs from today through May 31, 2026. Two deals stand out the most for me. The JUNO-106 is down to $49 (75% off the usual $199), and the TR-808 is also [...] View post: Save up to 80% on Roland plugins in Plugin Boutique’s exclusive Manufacturer Focus Sale View the full article

UChord is a MIDI chord progression generator, available in VST and VST3 formats for Windows. The plugin is available for free until June 15, 2026. If you’re looking for a chord generator plugin, but you’re on macOS, check out Bloomer Free, a chord engine focusing on emotion. Like all chord generators, UChord comes with a [...] View post: UChord by Ultimate MIDI Plugin is FREE for a limited time (Windows-only) View the full article