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…

The Majella Compax is a compact, semi-modular desktop synthesizer incorporating core West Coast synthesis elements, derived from its larger sibling, the Implexus.… Read More Majella Audio Intros Compax Semi-Modular West Coast SynthView the full article

Roland has released a free firmware updated for the TR-1000 drum machine, expanding its sound design and performance capabilities.… Read More Roland TR-1000 Update Expands Sound Design & Performance OptionsView the full article

Buchla USA shared this quick introduction to their new Ziggy synthesizer.… Read More A Quick Introduction To The Buchla Ziggy SynthesizerView the full article

Native Instruments CEO Nick Williams announced today that they - along with iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx - are being acquired by inMusic.… Read More inMusic Buying Native Instruments, iZotopeView the full article

Ahead of Superbooth 2026, 4ms has introduced MESA, high-fidelity reverb module, created in collaboration with Valley Audio.… Read More 4ms MESA Reverb Module For Eurorack SystemsView the full article

The Court decision concludes that the administration exceeded its authority when it applied broad tariffs on nearly all imports. … Read More U.S. Trade Court Blocks Trump’s 10% Global Tariffs, Citing Lack of AuthorityView the full article

Kiviak Instruments has introduced WoFi LE, a compact performance sampler that retains the WoFi’s real-time sampling and sequencing workflow, while moving to a pad-based interface with simplified hardware design.… Read More Kiviak WoFi LE Focuses On Real-Time Sampling, Chopping, & SequencingView the full article

GRP Synthesizer has announced that the Grp Synthesizer A10, a new semi-modular monster synth, is now available to pre-order. … Read More GRP A10 Semi-Modular Synthesizer Available To Pre-Order For €10,000View the full article

Superbooth 2026: In this video, via Stromkult, Nick Kwas offers a hands-on demo of the new Buchla Ziggy synthesizer. Ziggy is a self-contained analog synthesizer designed to distill key elements of West Coast synthesis into a desktop form factor. It features a ‘West Coast’ complex oscillator paired with a modulation oscillator, a low pass gate,… Read More Buchla Ziggy Hands-On DemoView the full article

Make Noise has introduced the Soundhack Plexiphon, a stereo, modeless spatial texturizer which allows for continuously morphing between reverberations and multi-tap echoes.… Read More Make Noise Soundhack Plexiphon Debuts At Superbooth 2026View the full article

The C25 features the Phase 22 synthesis engine, which combines phase modulation, FM-style synthesis, waveshaping, physical modelling, and subtractive techniques within a single architecture.… Read More Nonlinear Labs C25 Intros Next-Generation Expressive Performance SynthesizerView the full article

The Bastl Kalimba is a new instrument that combines microphones, touch sensors, and an accelerometer, with a user interface inspired by the traditional kalimba.… Read More Bastl Kalimba Electroacoustic Instrument Now Available To Pre-OrderView the full article

At Superbooth 2026, Twisted Electrons has debuted the FLEXfm, an upcoming hybrid groovebox that combines FM synthesis, sampling, and performance-focused sequencing.… Read More Twisted Electrons Debuts FLEXfm at Superbooth 2026View the full article

The Modal Electronics Element One is an 8-voice virtual analog synthesizer that they say combines a streamlined interface with a deep synthesis engine derived from the Cobalt architecture.… Read More Modal Electronics Element One Combines Cobalt-Derived Synth Engine With Simplified InterfaceView the full article

Sonicware has introduced the deconstruct MINIMAL, an 11-track groovebox, combining a sampler-integrated drum machine and an analog-modeling bass synthesizer.… Read More Sonicware Intros deconstruct MINIMAL GrooveboxView the full article

Polyend has introduced Drums, a hybrid drum machine that blends analog voice design, digital synthesis, sample playback, advanced sequencing, and flexible I/O in a performance-oriented hardware instrument.… Read More Polyend Drums Debuts At Superbooth 2026View the full article

40 years after it was originally introduced, the Commodore Amiga is getting a brand new groovebox, Quadtrack. … Read More New Groovebox, QuadTrack, For the Commodore Amiga & “More Modern Systems”View the full article

Trillo is a portable hardware instrument combining multi-engine sound generation with flexible sequencing and performance controls designed for live and studio use.… Read More Artinoise Trillo Digital Flute Now Available To Pre-OrderView the full article

Superboth 2026: Elta Music has officially introduced the Polivoks-8, an eight-voice polyphonic, dual-VCF, bi-timbral analog synthesizer, available in both desktop and 4U rack-mount formats.… Read More Elta Music Intros Polivoks-8 Polyphonic SynthesizerView the full article

The Teenage Engineering EP-136 K.O. Sidekick is a compact two-channel mixer, effects processor, and USB audio interface.… Read More Teenage Engineering Intros K.O.–SIDEKICK Compact Mixer & Audio InterfaceView the full article

Boards of Canada shared the first tracks from Inferno, the group's first album of new music in 13 years.… Read More Hear The First Tracks From The New Boards Of Canada Album, InfernoView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - SynthMaster 3 Player iOS is the mobile player version of KV331 Audio’s flagship synthesizer, SynthMaster 3. It is tailored towards users who prefer tweaking existing presets over designing sounds from scratch. It is available for free on the Apple App Store as a standalone app and AUv3 plugin. Features Free Factory Content SynthMaster 3 Player iOS comes with […] The post KV331 Audio Releases SynthMaster 3 Player iOS appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

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