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…

Pigments 7 is the latest (brand-new) version of Arturia’s flagship multi-engine synth, and there are a few ways to get a great deal right now. Pigments 7 is available for $99 (usually $199) from Arturia until January 5, 2026. It’s available for the same price at Plugin Boutique, along with a gift. Before I get [...] View post: Get 50% off Arturia’s brand-new Pigments 7 synthesizer View the full article

The Cinematic Metal Whooshes by Slava Pogorelsky is a sample pack that is free for a limited time via A Free Sound Effect. I’m a self-confessed hoarder of cinematic sounds, some of which have never seen the light of day. But I know I’ll need every single one of them one day, and it would [...] View post: The Cinematic Metal Whooshes sample pack is FREE for a limited time View the full article

Audio Deluxe is currently offering MeldaProduction’s new MMicSim microphone simulator plugin for just $17.10 (normally $79) when you use the additional XMAS10 code at checkout. MMicSim is a 64-bit exclusive release for macOS (VST, VST3, AU, AAX) and Windows (VST, VST3, AAX). The introductory deal sets MMicSim’s price at $19, but after you add the [...] View post: MeldaProduction MMicSim Plugin is just $17 in 78% Off Deal View the full article

2B Played Music offers the QFX Mash, a one-knob sound degradation plugin for macOS and Windows, for free until December 26 by using the coupon code XMAS25 at checkout. If you’ve followed 2B Played Music releases for a while, you’ll know they regularly turn their QFX series plugins into limited-time freebies around Black Friday and [...] View post: 2B Played Music offers QFX Mash FREE for a limited time with XMAS25 coupon View the full article

Artists in DSP has released Euclyd, a multitap delay plugin for macOS and Windows that takes a unique approach to rhythmic echo effects. BPB readers get a 50% off discount with the coupon code EUCLYDBPB50. Instead of thinking in terms of simple repeats, Euclyd is built around Euclidean rhythm, turning delay taps into evenly distributed [...] View post: Artists in DSP releases Euclyd, a Euclidean multitap delay with an exclusive BPB discount View the full article

As producers and mix engineers, we all know the fatigue that begins to set in after a long session in front of the screen. It’s routinely recommended by the top professionals to take regular breaks while working with audio in order to keep our ears sharp. But these breaks are often when those golden moments of inspiration actually happen... The post This app lets you effortlessly send a DAW mix to your mobile device – and record ideas wherever inspiration strikes appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

When the press release dropped on the Gearnews desk, a colleague was overheard saying, “How do they still come up with new stuff to add to this thing?” We chuckled, but seriously, how do Arturia do it? How can they continue to improve upon what is already a great instrument? Well, it’s time to find out as I put it through its paces... The post Arturia Pigments 7 – Magnificent and Deadly: Review appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Developer unAbleton has released Volture, a free distortion plugin for Windows, available in 64-bit VST3 format only. Volture is a stompbox-style distortion with a bright yellow GUI that clearly nods toward classic overdrive pedals like the SD-1. And the interface looks like it was designed for a guitarist’s pedalboard. But at the same time, the [...] View post: unAbleton releases Volture, a FREE distortion plugin for Windows View the full article

2025 has been an incredible year for free orchestral instruments. Whatever the reason you have to use orchestral plugins (producing music in a bedroom studio, writing cinematic scores, working on game audio, or designing experimental textures), this year was fantastic for building an orchestral toolkit without spending a cent. We’ve seen everything from full symphony [...] View post: The Best Free Orchestral Instruments released in 2025 (So Far) View the full article

Soundtoys offers the Little Plate plate reverb plugin for free until December 18th as part of the 12 Days of Soundtoys promotion. The free offer on Little MicroShift (my absolutely favorite Soundtoys plugin from the Little lineup) just expired, but the next freebie is equally sweet. If you’ve ever wanted the lush sound of a [...] View post: Soundtoys is giving away Little Plate for FREE until December 18 View the full article

Which were the best-selling synths of this year? We got an exclusive look at Thomann’s sales figures in 2025. Get ready for some surprises! We asked our retail partner Thomann which synths flew off the shelves this year, sorted by number of units sold. Not surprisingly, the list of best-selling synths is dominated by budget instruments. Nevertheless, some of this year’s best-sellers came as real surprises to me! ... The post Top 10 Best-Selling Synths of 2025 appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Upon its 2024 release, Arturia’s AstroLab was described by company co-founder Frédéric Brunas as “everything we’ve ever wanted to achieve.” Back then, I noted in my cover story for MusicTech that the story of the AstroLab, a keyboard that places presets from the Analog Lab software plugin into a computerless hardware setup, is really the story of Arturia. The France-based developer was initially founded by Frédéric Brun and Gilles Pommereuil as a software-only company, but its offering soon diversified with hardware synths, controllers and more. AstroLab ties them back together... The post Arturia’s AstroLab 37 review: Big sounds, small footprint appeared first on MusicTe…

Zebralette 3 is based on a single oscillator from Zebra 3.… Read More U-He Zebralette 3 Now Available As A Free DownloadView the full article

Parrot creates rhythmic patterns by sampling small slices of incoming audio, and repeating it in a sequenced loop.… Read More Klevgrand Intros Parrot Audio Repeater EffectView the full article

Telequencer takes inspiration from the Make Noise Rene, bringing the experimental spirit of modular synthesis into the digital realm.… Read More New Generative Step Sequencer For Ableton Live, TelequencerView the full article

Developer Alexander Zolotov has introduced Low Poly Synth, described as "a generator of melodic atmospheric sounds with billions of unique timbres."… Read More Low Poly Synth Now Available For Android, iOS, Linux, Mac & WindowsView the full article

At the Show, you’ll be able to see one of five Keith Emerson Moog Modular System (KEMMS) reissues and a panel celebrating Emerson and his work. … Read More Keith Emerson Moog Modular Reissue & Memorial Panel At 2026 NAMM ShowView the full article

Owners of the Behringer Edge will want to check out the latest firmware, which the company says delivers important improvements to overall MIDI performance and system stability.… Read More Behringer Edge Update Fixes MIDI Timing IssuesView the full article

Every schematic, PCB, panel, and part list is available and ready for DIY.… Read More New Open Source Synth, Shmøergh Moduleur, Features ‘Tons Of Fun Sh**’View the full article

Image-Line CEO Constantin Koenche has announced FL Studio Web, a browser-based version of the beloved DAW, FL Studio — better known to many as FruityLoops. FL Studio Web isn’t a complete port of FL Studio desktop, but it boasts the same workflow, FL Cloud integration, stock FL Studio plugins, and a strikingly similar GUI. Koenche says the DAW is designed as both a “gateway into music production” and a powerful on-the-go companion for experienced users. In practice, that means that you can start a track in the browser, save the project, and access it later at FL Studio desktop, complete with the full suite of Image-Line plugins. At least, that’s the theory — MusicTech hasn…

IK Multimedia has kicked off its December AmpliTube 5 CS giveaway, and it’s a huge one, with six guitar gear module giveaways. IK’s AmpliTube 5 CS is a free guitar and bass workstation, and a 64-bit exclusive release for macOS and Windows. The gear freebies for December 2025 are the Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb head, [...] View post: IK Multimedia drops huge AmpliTube 5 CS December promo with 6 freebies View the full article

We’ve had quite a few Zebralette updates in recent months, as the highly anticipated third edition neared the end of a lengthy beta phase – and now, Zebralette 3 is out! After immeasurable hard work and dedication from Urs Heckman and his team at u-he, we can finally say the wait is over, and Zebralette [...] View post: Zebralette 3 is here: The latest version of u-he’s freeware classic is official View the full article

Developer Orchestral Tools has released FFOSSO, a freemium instrument player for macOS and Windows. We’ve seen freebies from Orchestral Tools before, like the Berlin Free Orchestra for SINE Player, but FFOSSO is a little different. You can use FFOSSO in two ways: with a free account, or with a paid subscription (€10 per month). Orchestral [...] View post: Orchestral Tools releases FFOSSO, a freemium instrument player for macOS and Windows View the full article

Kushview is the developer behind the recent DuckDuck and Goose one-knob dynamics plugins, and ReTuner is the latest addition to their catalog. ReTuner is a free and open-source pitch-shifting plugin for music tuning conversion. The ReTuner plugin is available in AU, VST3, CLAP, LV2, and Standalone formats for macOS, Windows, and Linux. You can download [...] View post: Kushview releases ReTuner, a FREE tuning conversion plugin View the full article

Infinite Digits has released AmenBreak VST, a performance-based beat slicer and sample mangler for macOS, Windows, and Linux, with a generous free version that’s well worth your time. I appreciate it when a paid plugin comes with a free edition that isn’t crippled or constantly nagging you to upgrade, and AmenBreak VST gets this part [...] View post: AmenBreak VST offers a generous FREE edition and a hands-on approach to break mangling View the full article

Inlet Audio has released ANIMATE and SPHERE, two free sample libraries for Native Instruments Kontakt (they also require the Pulse Downloader), aimed at composers and producers who enjoy atmospheric, organic, and cinematic textures. Before getting into the sounds, there’s one important thing to mention upfront: both libraries require the full version of Kontakt (6.8.0 or [...] View post: Inlet Audio releases ANIMATE and SPHERE, two FREE atmospheric Kontakt libraries View the full article

Solid State Logic has released SpringVerb, a vintage-inspired spring reverb plugin for macOS and Windows, and it’s currently available at a discount along with some pretty awesome bonus freebies at Plugin Boutique. I’ve had a soft spot for spring reverb ever since I fell down the dub music rabbit hole roughly 25 years ago (Your [...] View post: Get the new Solid State Logic SpringVerb for $29 + a Plugin Boutique freebie View the full article

When a software instrument becomes a standard in multiple industries— the way that Omnisphere did almost immediately after its release in 2008— it’s easy for a developer to become progressively complacent. Omnisphere is such a household name by now that I’ve even heard naysayers refer to it as a “mere ROMpler” in an attempt to discredit or invalidate its status... The post Spectrasonics’ Omnisphere 3 review: Still ahead of the competition appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Boutique synth designer Love Hultén has announced Works II - a new retrospective of his recent custom synthesizer designs and mods. … Read More New Book Looks At Unique Synth Designs Of Love HulténView the full article