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…

DsgDnB, a musician and developer with several interesting projects on the go, is currently offering multiple free plugins for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Current projects include PresetShare (a synth preset-sharing platform and music community) and producing drum & bass music under the name DSG and as part of various collectives. You can find more information [...] View post: DsgDnB offers multiple FREE plugins for macOS, Windows, and Linux View the full article

Eurorack in Techno: The techno genre has always been about more than patterns and presets. It’s about movement, tension, repetition, and the organic development of a track. This is exactly where the various Eurorack modules come in. They are not a shortcut or a “one-knob magic” solution, but rather a toolbox for producers who want to create techno music rather than just arrange it. We want to show you what you need for this. Here, you can find more information about techno and synths or drum machines in techno... The post Eurorack in Techno 2026: Why Does a Modular System Belong in a Modern Techno Setup? appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Combine up to four filters at the same time with the KORG Filter Ark, which finally makes the miniKORG 700s Traveler filter available in plugin form. That plus MS-20, ARP Odyssey, PolySix, and 10 more! The day that I have waited for has finally arrived. Ever since I had a miniKORG 700 way back in the 1990s, I have been in love with the Traveler, the analog synth’s combo high- and lowpass filter. I’ve long wanted this in plugin form, and KORG has finally done this in the form of the Filter Ark. But it’s not just the Traveler; there are 13 more filter models inside (for a total of 14), including versions of the MS-20, PolySix and ARP Odyssey filters taken from the KORG Coll…

KORG has announced the Liano LIVE! The compact digital piano is tailored to the needs of live streamers and content creators, featuring a built-in mixer, rhythm patterns, sound effects, and even a microphone. Yes, you heard that right: KORG’s new digital piano is really named ‘Liano’. I assume this is supposed to mean something along the lines of ‘live piano’, as the shiny new instrument is all about live streaming and content creation. If you publish piano videos on YouTube or TikTok, the Liano LIVE! offers everything you need in a sleek, convenient package... The post KORG Liano LIVE!: Piano for the TikTok Generation appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

NAMM’s not the only event in town. Buchla and Friends provides a more underground alternative to the big musical instrument show with a synthesizer focus and open-door policy. We’ll be covering it too. Get all the information here. Every year, musical instrument manufacturers from around the globe gather in Anaheim, California, for NAMM (the National Association of Music Merchants). We’ll be covering it, of course, but since 2024, there’s been another event happening just up the road in Downtown Los Angeles that, for some, is now even more important than NAMM. I’m talking about Buchla and Friends, and it’s happening again this year... The post Buchla and Friends 2026: Eve…

From @synthandsoftware - Psylead SX4 provides true 3D space for different colors and sound character. The post Eplex7 DSP Releases Psylead SX4 Plugin Synthesizer appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Just bought Pigments 7 and fancy some sonic inspiration? Well, look no further as Mushroom Sounds is giving you 100 free patches! Plus, we have banks for the Waldorf Iridium, KORG wavestate and the brilliant Phase Plant from Kilohearts. Pigments 7 is a sound designer’s dream with all of its amazing synth engines, modulation possibilities and powerful effects. It really is incredibly easy to get lost in it, but all of that capability might be daunting for some... The post 100 Pigments Freebies and Synthwave Patches for Iridium – Sounds and Presets appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

The prevalence of AI-generated music on streaming platforms has been a major talking point in the industry over the last year. Many ‘real’ artists are voicing concerns that such music is both diluting the royalty pools from which they are paid, and diminishing the creative integrity of the music on these platforms in general. Now, Bandcamp – which is famously friendly to up-and-coming artists looking to monetise their music – has made the decision to ban AI-generated music from its platform... The post “Based”: Musicians celebrate as Bandcamp bans AI music from its platform appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Abbey Road Studios and Chandler Limited have teamed up on the REDD Mixing System, the first EMI recording console in 50 years, and a fully modular unit which brings together “every era of EMI’s legendary recording equipment”. The modular nature of the REDD Mixing System allows producers and engineers to design their optimal setup, combining REDD, TG and RS channels and busses in whatever configuration they like to suit everything from home studios to professional control rooms... The post Abbey Road and Chandler team up on the first EMI recording console in 50 years – and it’s fully modular appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

TeAr from FX-Mechanics is a free, advanced polyrhythmic and polyphonic arpeggiator featuring a text-based language system. The plugin is available in VST/VST3 formats for Windows and Linux. TeAr boasts four independent arpeggiator engines, each with dedicated pattern editors, and controls for subdivision and MIDI output channel. You can also turn engines on/off independently. Four engines [...] View post: FX-Mechanics releases TeAr, a FREE text-based arpeggiator for Windows and Linux View the full article

Developer Cotorro Audio has released Hysterizer Light, a free tape hysteresis effect for Windows. Typically, when we talk about plugins that emulate magnetic tape recorders or their inherent effects, we don’t go much deeper than referencing vibe, warmth, and glue, and that’s enough in most cases. We’re all familiar with the instant nostalgia that a [...] View post: Cotorro Audio releases Hysterizer Light, a FREE tape hysteresis effect for Windows View the full article

NAMM 2026: Karlheinz Brandenburg – best known as the co-inventor of the MP3 audio format – is back with a very different kind of audio technology. His company, Brandenburg Labs, has launched the Okeanos Pro, a headphones-based system that promises an “immersive augmented reality listening experience” by simulating up to 16 virtual multi-channel loudspeakers. At its core, the Okeanos System is designed to remove the need for large, costly physical speaker arrays by moving the entire listening environment into headphones. Using Brandenburg Labs’ Deep Dive Audio (DDA) technology, the system recreates the experience of working in front of a full multichannel speaker setup in …

Apple has unveiled Apple Creator Studio, a new subscription bundle that combines its most powerful creative software – including Logic Pro – into a single monthly or annual plan. For those already paying for Logic Pro’s subscription, the new bundle stands as a reasonably good-value upgrade, folding Apple’s wider pro app ecosystem into one package across Mac, iPad and iPhone... The post Apple Creator Studio: Logic Pro, Final Cut and all your favourite creative apps are now available in one subscription appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

The Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3 is now available in two spectacular new liveries: Meet the KeyLab Essential mk3 Rose Quartz and Aquamarine! According to Wikipedia, the cultural phenomenon of so-called gender reveal parties originated in the United States in the late 2000s. At such events, the gender of an unborn child (who, fortunately, only gets to attend passively) is revealed in a more or less spectacular manner, often through special effects involving the gender stereotypes of pink and blue. Sometimes pink or blue balloons are released, sometimes there is some kind of explosion that rains pink or blue confetti on the jubilant crowd, and sometimes the secret is hidden…

Wavetables created in WaveKitchen can be used in Bitwig, SurgeXT, Waldorf, Kyma, Max, Ableton and other synths.… Read More New Mac Application, WaveKitchen, Streamlines Wavetable CreationView the full article

Apple today introduced Apple Creator Studio, a subscription application bundle that brings together a comprehensive collection of tools for content creation on Mac, iPad and iPhone.… Read More Apple Creator Studio Offers New Tools For Electronic Musicians, Subscription OptionView the full article

HoRNet Plugins has made FilterSolo, a multi-mode filter plugin with analog-style saturation and extensive modulation features, available for FREE for the next 48 hours with the coupon code FILTERFREE26. FilterSolo combines multi-mode filtering with modulation, a bit of saturation, and simple hands-on controls. It features four filter types (low pass, high pass, band pass, and [...] View post: HoRNet offers FilterSolo FREE for 48 Hours with coupon code View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Exquis – Dualo Legacy soundbank for decent SAMPLES’ Decent Sampler plug-in — porting the iconic soundbank to the now-fully-MPE-compatible sampler plug-in. Intuitive Instruments’ Exquis – Dualo Legacy ports the iconic soundbank from its (discontinued) du-touch and (available) du-touch S all-in-one instruments to decent|SAMPLES’ Decent Sampler plug-in, packing 158 carefully crafted sounds — some only playable or best to play with MPE or polyphonic aftertouch controllers — across every category […] The post Intuitive Instruments Introduces Exquis – Dualo Legacy Soundbank appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - ILIO and Overloud announce the release of AIR or “Amp In Room.” This new feature is included in the latest version of THU, Overloud’s guitar amp simulation suite. PRESS ANOUNCEMENT Available now as a free update for all THU users, AIR brings a new dimension to amp simulation by recreating the feeling of standing in […] The post Overloud Adds “Amp in Room” Technology to THU appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Virtual Pianist GRIT is the latest addition to its Virtual Pianist series. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Modeled from a rare, customized Wurlitzer 120 electric piano, GRIT delivers a raw, character-driven sound and rhythmic pianist phrases designed to bring edge, movement, and attitude to arrangements and productions. It is the second electric pianist in the series, following VIBE, […] The post UJAM Releases Virtual Pianist GRIT, a One-of-a-Kind Electric Piano appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - The new autoSeries includes autoEQ, autoDYN, and autoBUS, enabling users to access powerful, adaptive profile-based features while focusing on creativity. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT The autoSeries of plug-ins features native AI-assisted analysis, helping users create and adapt processing relative to their source material. Each AI-assisted plug-in analyses the user’s audio’s spectral and dynamic characteristics, suggests adaptive profiles with style-matched settings, and instantly […] The post Solid State Logic Introduces AutoSeries Family of Plug-Ins appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Black Lion Audio’s MIDI Eight: A Class-Compliant 8×8 MIDI Interface With Standalone Routing and Built-In Powered USB Hub. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Black Lion Audio announces the MIDI Eight, an 8-input/8-output MIDI interface designed to unify even the most sprawling synth and controller setups. With driverless class-compliant operation, flexible standalone modes, and a robust five-port powered USB […] The post Black Lion Audio Introduces the MIDI Eight appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

As we start 2026, the battle for AI music-generating dominance is as fierce as ever. Suno has added Studio to its line-up, and we’re seeing competing products such as Moises AI Studio and ACE Studio flock to market. We are now entering the era of the AI DAW. Up to this point, generative AI music involved inputting a prompt that would create a whole piece of music, but you had little control to edit the specifics beyond just extending the track. These new AI DAWs give you much greater control, with the ability to work on individual stems, generate specific instruments and even extract MIDI data... The post Suno Studio review: Is this AI DAW really the future of music produ…

Universal Audio has released the UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection, a native plugin bundle for macOS and Windows, available as a free download for a limited time. The UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection includes software versions of the UA 610-A and 610-B tube preamp and EQ channel strips. Both of these [...] View post: Universal Audio releases UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection, FREE for a limited time View the full article

The thing is wonky to begin with, and the video explores how to make it even wonkier.… Read More Circuit Bending The Talk ‘N Learn AlphabetView the full article

Here's an in-depth look at the new SOMA WARP, a new multi-purpose audio processing unit that offers 15 different effects.… Read More SOMA WARP Multi-FX Hands-On ReviewView the full article

Waves recently announced Curves Resolve, a new freebie to kick off 2026, and we have some more information to share. Besides breaking out of their typical Black Friday free plugin schedule, Waves stayed true to form for the most part. After announcing the freebie, the developer provided a sign-up page and minimal information. Now, we [...] View post: Waves Curves Resolve: more info on the latest freebie from Waves View the full article

Desktop effects for synths, grooveboxes, and drum machines are the perfect addition to any DAWless production and performance setup. We check out the best desktop effects in 2026... The post Best Desktop Effects for Synths appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article