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 H9 Harmonizer is designed to take everything that made the original a classic and push it further. It offers the complete H90 algorithm lineup, modern ARM processing, and an enhanced workflow.… Read More Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 Hands-On DemoView the full article

This free sound bank turns your Novation Peak (or Summit) into a drum synthesizer, drum machine or even a groovebox.… Read More Free Soundbank Turns Novation Peak Into A Drum MachineView the full article

Sampleson has introduced Aeronaut, a new audio effect for macOS & Windows that they say can make anything sound cinematic.… Read More Aeronaut Cinematic Texture Generator Now AvailableView the full article

Miltone has announced that the 4Exp - a four-voice expansion module designed as a companion to the legendary Oberheim FVS-1 synthesizer.… Read More Miltone 4Exp Synthesizer Now Available To Pre-OrderView the full article

Anukari Music has released Anukari, a physical modeling synthesizer and effects processor for macOS & Windows that’s based on visually modeling a network of small masses, connected by springs. The masses can be vibrated by striking them via MIDI input, or they can be vibrated directly via audio input, so it can act as an… Read More Anukari 3D Physics Synthesizer Now AvailableView the full article

AudioKit Pro has released Viral Synth 2, a major free update for the virtual analog synth for iPhone, iPad, and AUv3 hosts.… Read More Viral Synth Gets Major Free UpgradeView the full article

Speight Audio has released Waved Studio, a free browser-native wavetable editor for producers and sound designers. I wasn’t expecting too much when the developer first sent this over (I’ve seen quite a few lackluster browser-based tools for music producers), but Waved Studio is far more advanced than a quick browser toy. I’m not sure how [...] View post: Waved Studio is a FREE browser-based wavetable editor View the full article

Minimal Audio has released Memory Rites, a new instrument and Current preset expansion made in collaboration with EPROM. The release is interesting for two reasons. First, it gives you 60 custom-designed EPROM presets built in Minimal Audio’s Current synth. Second, it introduces Current Expansion Player, a new plugin format that lets you play artist-built Current [...] View post: Minimal Audio launches Current Expansion Player with EPROM Memory Rites View the full article

Audiolatry has released Apus, a free/pay-what-you-want lo-fi virtual instrument for macOS and Windows. I haven’t seen anything new from Audiolatry for a while, so I was happy to get an email about this one. We’ve featured quite a few Audiolatry releases on BPB in the past, including LoQuest last year and Easy Strings in 2023. [...] View post: Audiolatry releases Apus, a FREE lo-fi virtual instrument View the full article

Hell Yes Loop Lab has released Burning Stones, a free/pay-what-you-want guitar amp plugin for macOS and Windows. Ricardo from Hell Yes Loop Lab sent this one over after we recently covered HYLL Pressure, the developer’s free soft clipper. I liked the quirky visual design of that plugin, and Burning Stones continues in a similar direction. [...] View post: Hell Yes Loop Lab releases FREE Burning Stones desert amp plugin View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Did you miss the original 40 years ago? If you were around in 1986, chances are good that you drooled over the Ensoniq ESQ-1 when you read about it in all the music magazines you subscribed to. And look where we are today, thanks to Cherry Audio: $69 gets you not just one, but as […] The post Cherry Audio Releases an Ensoniq ESQ-1 Synth in Software (updated with 2026 features) appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Plugin Boutique is offering 50% off KORG Collection 6, dropping the software instrument bundle from $399 to $199 until July 21st. KORG Collection 6 is a huge bundle of official KORG software instruments and effects. It covers A LOT of stuff, including analog classics, digital workstations, physical modeling, pianos, organs, grooveboxes, and effects. If you [...] View post: KORG Collection 6 is 50% OFF at Plugin Boutique View the full article

Mike Sorrentino has released DNA Track Purifier, a free Trackspacer-style sidechain dynamic processor designed to reduce frequency masking between competing tracks. Mike is a musician, composer, producer, and solo developer from Rome, Italy. DNA Track Purifier is his first software release, and it comes as a free plugin with an optional paid PRO version. The [...] View post: DNA Track Purifier is a FREE Trackspacer-style plugin for Windows View the full article

AngelicVibes has released AV Pitchshifter, a free pitch-shifting plugin for macOS and Windows. We’ve covered a few AngelicVibes freebies on BPB over the years, including Basshead Mini in 2025 and the Free Ambient Female Vocals sample pack back in 2020. AV Pitchshifter is the first release in the developer’s AV Essentials FX series. I’m wondering [...] View post: AngelicVibes releases AV Pitchshifter, a FREE pitch-shifting plugin View the full article

At WWDC 2026, Apple introduced the Music Understanding framework, an on-device audio analysis tool for Apple platforms. … Read More Apple Intros Music Understanding Framework At WWDCView the full article

Orra Audio has released Orra Pump, a free (pay-what-you-can) tempo-synced modulation filter for macOS and Windows. David from Orra Audio reached out to let me know about the new release, and I was very happy to see another freebie from their team. We covered Orra Audio’s Tone Zone in April, and that one got a [...] View post: Orra Audio releases Orra Pump, a FREE tempo-synced modulation filter View the full article

Thomann has taken legal action against Fender, adding another chapter to the Stratocaster copyright story. Until now, this has mostly looked like Fender sending cease-and-desist letters and smaller guitar makers trying to figure out how much legal firepower they could afford. Now Thomann, one of the biggest names in music retail, is stepping in, and [...] View post: Thomann Is Taking Fender’s Stratocaster Fight to Court View the full article

Loop 2 Kit automatically slices, groups, and creates round robins from your audio, unlocking new workflows for making music with loops.… Read More New App, Loop 2 Kit, Turns Any Loop Into A Playable KitView the full article

Session Pro offers a multi-threaded audio engine, Session Mix performer's view, backing track playback and flexible file-based projects. … Read More New App, Session Pro, Promises To Make Your Computer A ‘DAW-less’ HubView the full article

In modular synthesis, control voltages (CV) are low-voltage electrical signals used to control parameters of the sound, rather than carry audio.… Read More An Introduction To Modular Synthesizer Control VoltageView the full article

OTODESK has released ANATOMY, a free and open-source VST3 plugin for Windows. This is the third free plugin from OTODESK we’ve covered on BPB in June, following Ambience and Quad Morph Filter. Both received some very cool comments from the BPB community, although I especially liked Quad Morph Filter. ANATOMY is different from any transient [...] View post: OTODESK releases ANATOMY, a FREE transient sound design plugin for Windows View the full article

United Plugins has released TrapTune Core, a free automatic vocal tuning plugin by Soundevice Digital. TrapTune Core is part of the UnitedFree Bundle, which means you can run it for free through the UnitedPlugins Manager. You create a free account, go to the downloads section, install the manager, and you get access to the free [...] View post: United Plugins releases TrapTune Core, a FREE (with ads) autotune plugin View the full article

HoRNet Plugins is offering HoRNet DeeLay as a free download for 48 hours with the coupon code DLYFREE. Huge thanks to BPB readers Piti Acho and Javier Emanuel for sharing this one in the BPB Community. The offer expires soon, so I’m keeping this short and getting it out as fast as possible. We’ve covered [...] View post: HoRNet DeeLay is FREE for 48 hours with coupon code View the full article

CapybaraSoftware is offering CapySynth as a free download for 24 hours, with roughly 12 hours left at the time of writing. Thanks to BPB community member N. Robin for sharing this in the BPB Community. It was perfect timing. I saw the comment as soon as I woke up this morning, so I’m trying to [...] View post: CapySynth synthwave synthesizer is FREE for the next few hours View the full article

Developer Oliver Greshke shared this live drum and bass jam session, captured outside at the Funkhaus in Berlin.… Read More Live Drum & Bass On iPad At The Funkhaus BerlinView the full article

Catalyst Audio’s Mig Series is a new family of Eurorack modules built around NOS Soviet-era vacuum tubes, covering oscillator, filter, amplifier, mixer, and noise-source duties in fully analog designs.… Read More Catalyst Audio Brings Soviet Vacuum Tube Synthesis To EurorackView the full article

The latest video from synthesist Julian "J3PO" Pollack captures a live improvisation, centered around the Arturia KeyStep Pro. … Read More Live Improvisation With KeyStep Pro SequencerView the full article

Synthesizer enthusiasts everywhere look forward to SUPERBOOTH (SB) every May. In its relatively short history, this trade show for sound generators and sound effects has grown into one of the… Read More The post SUPERBOOTH26 – Synth Expo Berlin (Part 1) appeared first on GreatSynthesizers. View the full article

Jynth is a synth app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac that combines an analog-style subtractive voice architecture with a physics-based modulation engine, AUv3 support, and built-in effects.… Read More Fingerlab’s Jynth Brings Analog-Style Synthesis, Physics Engine Control To iOS & macOSView the full article