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…

From @synthandsoftware - Reykjavik-based instrument developer Genki Instruments announces the Katla – a Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer inspired by Iceland’s largest subglacial volcano as its natural namesake. NOTE: Synth and Software does not recommend leaving your synths on rocks by the ocean. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Active at the core of the Katla Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer — to give […] The post Katla – A Voice Rotating Polyphonic Synthesizer appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Werkdiscs has released Concrète Waves, a new live album by Actress and Suzanne Ciani.… Read More New Music From Actress and Suzanne Ciani – Concrète WavesView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Kenton announces USB Solo mk2 – a bridge between modern DAWs and vintage analog synthesizers. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT The Kenton USB Solo mk2 is a multi-functional MIDI-to-CV converter and USB MIDI interface designed to bring legendary analog monosynths into the modern production era, offering 16-bit precision, ultra-fast response times, and unparalleled flexibility for studio and live […] The post New Kenton USB Solo mk2 appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

GRE "lets you effortlessly blend total randomness and perfectly locked loops."… Read More Augmatic GRE Algorithmic Drum Sequencer Now Available For Windows, Mac & iOSView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - The Pulsar-23: 1984 is a special edition instrument born from a collaboration between The Midium and the SOMA US Division. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT In an age where every signal is monitored and every voice risks being flattened, new tools are required for artistic originality. Only 84 numbered units of the 1984 PULSAR-23 have been made available […] The post SOMA Laboratory Announces Pulsar-23:1984 appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Developer dBdone has released Glas, a free spectral chaos engine for macOS and Windows. dBdone has been a fairly busy developer early in 2026. In January, we looked at Pentimento (a collaboration with the musician and YouTuber TAETRO), a texture-layering plugin available in both paid and free versions. In February, we covered AI Chords, a [...] View post: dBdone releases Glas, a FREE spectral chaos engine for macOS and Windows View the full article

From developer Wayhan comes Naked EQ, a free stripped-back EQ plugin for Windows. It sometimes seems like we can’t move without falling over another EQ plugin, and that’s not a complaint, horses for courses, and all that. To name a few, we have Dusk Audio’s 4K EQ, TDR Nova, and ZL Equalizer 2, all of [...] View post: Wayhan releases Naked EQ, a FREE stripped-back EQ plugin for Windows View the full article

XLN Audio has released DB-30 Drum Butter, a multi-effect plugin designed for drum processing. It’s available at an introductory price of $99 until April 30th, after which it goes up to $129. A free trial is also available. DB-30 is built around the same workflow philosophy as XLN Audio’s hugely popular RC-20 Retro Color, so [...] View post: XLN Audio releases DB-30 Drum Butter multi-effect plugin ($99 intro price) View the full article

Fantamidi is a step sequencer, synth, and MIDI generator toolkit meant to help producers try different musical ideas effectively. It features a MIDI randomiser that is aware of the musical scale and key you’re in. Key and scale can also be changed on the fly. Additionally, Fantamidi boasts a melody and bass generation section, drag-and-drop [...] View post: Granvia released Fantamidi, a FREE step sequencer and MIDI generator plugin View the full article

Ripple Phaser by Minimal Audio is currently 90% off at Audio Plugin Deals, bringing the price down from $49 to $4.90. Ripple Phaser is a multi-mode phase manipulator that goes beyond conventional phaser effects. It features seven distinct modes covering classic phasing, inverted phase, a clean targeted mode, low pass, high pass, band pass, and [...] View post: Minimal Audio Ripple Phaser is 90% off at Audio Plugin Deals ($4.90) View the full article

WarpCore by ManasWorld is an experimental multiband spectral inversion plugin that can infuse your sounds with a ring-modulated, distorted character that ventures into negative harmony. Similar to the likes of the Wormhole plugin by Zynaptiq or ProSoniq’s PiWarp. The plugin works on macOS, Windows, and Linux and comes in VST3, AU, and LV2 formats. I [...] View post: ManasWorld releases WarpCore, a FREE a multiband spectral inversion plugin View the full article

You can choose from a set of effects, including saturation, lo-fi degradation, ring modulation, delay, and reverb, and blend them precisely within each band.… Read More FAC Intros BANDIT 2 Multiband Multi-Effects ProcessorView the full article

The Bob Moog Foundation has announced a new addition to their archives, a rare Moog Liberation keytar synthesizer, previously owned by composer and synthesist Gary Wright. … Read More Rare Moog Liberation Keytar Synthesizer Donated To Bob Moog Foundation ArchivesView the full article

You’ve probably read our article about the free KERN CHECK spectral mono compatibility analyzer earlier this month. We absolutely loved it. CHECK shows you where your stereo image collapses in mono across 40 frequency bands, and it’s a very useful little diagnostic tool. The developer behind CHECK, Jonas R, also makes three paid mixing plugins [...] View post: KERN Audio offers a complete plugin mixing chain (SMOOTH, WARM, WIDE + free CHECK) View the full article

The MARF is a powerful voltage generator that can be used for a wide range of purposes, including sequencing, modulating, envelopes and more.… Read More Tiptop Audio & Buchla 248t Multiple Arbitrary Function Generator (MARF) Now AvailableView the full article

Zimmerman admits to being a G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) addict, and, at one point, even says he built out his Modcan modular synth to 'one-up Daft Punk'.… Read More Deadmau5 Studio Tour – “I Wanted To One-Up Daft Punk!”View the full article

AI is finally most useful where producers actually lose time: stem extraction, cleanup, transcription, fast mastering, and idea generation. The best tools in 2026 aren’t “make a hit song” buttons — they’re time-savers that slot into your existing workflow. Below are 10 AI tools (and categories) that producers are actively using, with specific, practical use cases and a quick “when to skip it” reality check. View the full article

1986 is the latest addition to The Crow Hill Company’s Vaults series, and it’s available in AU, VST, VST3, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows. As always, Vaults releases are free to download for six months before moving into the donationware category. At which point, they are available to purchase with a £3 donation, [...] View post: The Crow Hill Company has added 1986, a Prophet-VS-inspired synth plugin, to the FREE Vaults series View the full article

Temecula DSP has introduced MDV-II, a free virtual effects unit, inspired by the Alesis MIDIVerb II. … Read More Free Reverb For Mac, Windows Recreates Vintage Alesis MidiVerb II SoundView the full article

Lupine Instruments has launched a Kickstarter project to fund production of the AP-1 MIDI-controlled 'acoustic drum machine'. … Read More Lupine Instruments AP-1 Acoustic Drum Machine Now Available To Pre-OrderView the full article

Each channel outputs a variable-staged slope that can act as a complex envelope, flexible LFO, or step sequence.… Read More ALM Intros Quaid Gigaslope Four-Channel Multi-Mode ModularView the full article

Elektron has updated Tonverk OS to version 1.3.0, adding Wavefinder, a wavetable synthesis Machine that greatly expands Tonverk’s sonic possibilities.… Read More Free Elektron Tonverk Update Adds Wavetable SynthesisView the full article

Shadaloo Audio DSP has released H, a free tone and loudness enhancer plugin for macOS and Windows. H was built by Fabio “Shadaloo” Caterino, an Italian multi-platinum certified mix and mastering engineer. He originally designed the plugin for his own mixes and then decided to release it publicly as a pay-what-you-want download. First of all, [...] View post: Shadaloo Audio DSP releases H, a FREE tone and loudness enhancer plugin View the full article

Impact Soundworks has introduced Shreddage 3 Electro Sitar, a new virtual instrument that they say offers "the signature sound of the psychedelic era".… Read More Impact Soundworks Intros Psychedelic Shreddage 3 Electro Sitar Virtual InstrumentView the full article

Strange Audio is giving away two free copies of maniFold Omega FULL (worth €29 each) to BPB readers. We featured the free maniFold Σ experimental microlooper from the same developer last year, and it was included in our popular roundup of unusual free plugins released in 2025. maniFold Omega is a hybrid real-time effect processor [...] View post: Win a FREE copy of maniFold Omega FULL by Strange Audio View the full article

Cross The Bridge is a new free guitar amp suite by Marco Dodin, featuring ten vintage-style amplifier emulations and a treble booster in a single VST3 plugin. This is Marco Dodin’s first release, and I’m happy to feature it here. Indie developers are responsible for many of the best freeware plugins we’ve covered over the [...] View post: Marco Dodin releases Cross The Bridge, a FREE guitar amp suite plugin View the full article

Audio Plugin Deals is offering the Singularis piano by SampleTekk for free for the next two weeks. The plugin normally costs $49. Singularis is a virtual piano instrument designed to recreate the sound of recordings from the late 1950s and early 1960s. Back then, studios worked with a few microphones, limited tape tracks, and most [...] View post: SampleTekk Singularis vintage piano plugin is FREE for two weeks ($49 value) View the full article

Kenton has introduced the USB Solo mk2, a new MIDI-to-CV converter and USB MIDI interface, designed to let you control vintage analog monosynths via MIDI.… Read More Kenton Intros USB Solo mk2 High-Specification MID-To-CV ConverterView the full article

Ronald Klarenbeek has released WetReverb and WetDelay, two free and open-source VST3 plugins with an 80s rack unit aesthetic. Both are part of the WET VST project, which is a growing line of plugins built directly on the Steinberg VST3 SDK without JUCE or any third-party framework. In a recent email conversation, Ronald told me [...] View post: WET VST releases WetReverb and WetDelay, two FREE open-source 80s-style effect plugins View the full article