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…

I use Kontakt, so I’m not going to pretend it suddenly became useless. The full version of Native Instruments Kontakt is still the sampler format that many commercial library developers build for. Kontakt Player, the free version, is also worth having if you want to use officially licensed libraries from developers like Heavyocity, ProjectSAM, Sonokinetic, [...] View post: I Tested 6 Free Kontakt Alternatives – These 2 Won View the full article

Artists in DSP have officially launched the world’s first plugin remix contest with Amorph. We’ve covered Amorph a few times now, from the initial open-beta release to the latest update; this time, we have something a little bit different to share. Artists in DSP have launched the world’s first plugin remix contest. At the heart [...] View post: Artists in DSP launch the world’s first plugin remix contest with Amorph View the full article

Excite Audio has released Evolve Nest Acoustics, a new sample-based instrument created in collaboration with sound designer and music maker Nest Acoustics. BPB readers can get Evolve Nest Acoustics Lite for $1 at Plugin Boutique using the coupon code “tj1nm34q“. We are also running a giveaway for the full Excite Audio Bundle, worth £718 and [...] View post: Get Excite Audio Evolve Nest Acoustics Lite for $1 and enter our Excite Audio bundle giveaway View the full article

Stereoid Light is the little brother of Stereoid, ANWIDA Soft’s premium stereo enhancer plugin – and it is free for a limited time. Although Stereoid Light is a streamlined plugin, it’s built on the same core principles as the premium version. It uses a subtle decorrelation algorithm, a microtonal detuner, and a calibrated delay to [...] View post: ANWIDA Soft’s Stereoid Light stereo enhancer is FREE for a limited time View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Over a 40-Year Career, the Influential Synthesist and Accomplished Touring Keyboardist Shaped the Sonic Architecture of More Than 100 Landmark Instruments, Including the Historic M1 Workstation. RIP PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT FROM KORG USA Korg USA announces with deep sadness the passing of longtime employee, celebrated sound designer, and musical instrument industry icon Jack Hotop. Joining Korg […] The post The Passing of Jack Hotop, Legendary Sound Designer and Innovator appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Plugin Boutique is offering 80% off Universal Audio’s Studer A800 Tape Recorder plugin, bringing the price down to $39 until June 30th, 2026. Studer A800 Tape Recorder is Universal Audio’s software emulation of the Studer A800 multichannel tape machine. The original 2-inch tape recorder has been used on many well-known recordings, and UA modeled a [...] View post: Get 80% off Universal Audio Studer A800 Tape Recorder at Plugin Boutique View the full article

Kobito has released ResSup, a dynamic resonance suppressor plugin for macOS and Windows. ResSup normally costs $49, but the developer is offering it for free to the first 1000 users before the launch price begins. The $49 discount is applied automatically at checkout, using the code “RESSUPINTRO49”. I downloaded the plugin to test it, and [...] View post: Kobito releases ResSup dynamic resonance suppressor, FREE for the first 1000 users View the full article

Sketch Audio has released Lil’ Doc, a free Detroit-style compressor plugin for macOS, Windows, and iOS. Lil’ Doc is based on the Mix Slammer module from Sketch Audio’s paid Doctor Vibe plugin. The developer describes it as a take on the vinyl compression algorithm from the Roland SP-303 sampler. That unique “Vinyl Simulator” effect became [...] View post: Sketch Audio releases Lil’ Doc, a FREE Detroit-style compressor plugin View the full article

SoundRave is offering ThermVoltGe, a germanium overdrive plugin for macOS and Windows, as a free download for a limited time. ThermVoltGe normally costs $19.99, but you can get it for free with the launch discount code “OGRQVP1USL”. I like using guitar-oriented plugins like this one on synths. Many lead synth patches I make have at [...] View post: Get SoundRave ThermVoltGe germanium overdrive plugin FREE for a limited time View the full article

Arturia today introduced Memory V, a software reimagining of the legendary Memorymoog.… Read More Arturia Memory V Brings The Moog Memorymoog To Your DAWView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - It’s part of the sound of Chick Corea, Rick Ocasek, Paul Haslinger, Mark Mothersbaugh, and many others Does the world need yet another software emulation of a famous analog synth? Absolutely! They all have a unique sound, somewhat different updated features, of course different presets (which may be the biggest difference), and of course Arturia […] The post Arturia Memory V Memorymoog Software Emulation Is Here appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Developer Morphoice has released the beta version of EightySix, a free Juno-6 emulation for macOS and Windows. EightySix is free right now, but this beta version may stop working when a final release is introduced. The final release may be paid only. Morphoice is a producer, composer, and developer based in Germany. As a musician [...] View post: Morphoice releases EightySix (beta), a FREE Juno-6 emulation for macOS and Windows View the full article

Sinevibes has released Droplet v2, a major update to their delay effect that adds support for Korg's second-generation platforms, including the NTS-1 mkII, NTS-3 and microKORG2. … Read More Sinevibes Intros Droplet v2 For Korg ‘Logue SynthsView the full article

Audio Plugin Deals is offering Legendary, a cinematic sound design library for Kontakt and WAV, as a free download for a limited time. Legendary normally costs $39, and the free version includes both the Kontakt instrument and standalone WAV files. The library contains 459 sounds recorded at 96 kHz / 24-bit. The included categories cover [...] View post: Get Legendary cinematic sound design library FREE for Kontakt and WAV View the full article

Krystal Dynamics has released KrystalPeak, a free limiter plugin for macOS and Windows. We covered Krystal Dynamics earlier this year when the developer launched with three free plugins: KrystalField, KrystalClip, and KrystalComp. My first impressions of those releases were very positive, and KrystalPeak makes an even better first impression for me. The thing I like [...] View post: Krystal Dynamics releases KrystalPeak, a FREE limiter plugin for macOS and Windows View the full article

Orra Audio has released Orra Press ($49), a multi-module serial compressor plugin for macOS and Windows. We are taking a closer look at the plugin and giving away two free licenses, kindly provided for BPB readers by Orra Audio. We recently covered Orra Tone Zone, the developer’s free tonal curve corrector, and Orra Press moves [...] View post: Orra Audio launches Orra Press multi-module serial compressor (GIVEAWAY) View the full article

Elektron MonoMachine owners will want to check out new a custom firmware for all versions of the device that adds Trig Conditions, bug fixes and more. … Read More Unofficial Firmware Update For Elektron MonoMachine Adds Trig Conditions & MoreView the full article

Unfiltered Audio has introduced a free multi-effect plugin for Mac & Windows, BattleFX. … Read More Free Multi-Effects Plugin For Mac & Windows, BattleFXView the full article

Here's a new interview with synth legend Suzanne Ciani. … Read More New Interview With Synthesist Suzanne CianiView the full article

midiphy has updated the firmware for its zetaSID chiptune synth Eurorack module to add a new bassline synth engine. … Read More midiphy zetaSID Update Adds New Bassline EngineView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Now is your opportunity to enter to win a Sequential Fourm. It’s worldwide (some country restrictions in the T&Cs) and ends May 31st. To enter, sign up for the Sequential mailing list. You can get a second entry by signing up for Oberheim as well. Fourm is a compact analog synthesizer that invites you to […] The post Enter the Win a Sequential Fourm! Ends May 31, 2026 appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Sequential is giving away a Fourm synthesizer at their site. … Read More Win a Sequential FourmView the full article

Fundamental 4.1 an update that lets you use AI prompts to accelerate your sound creation and composition. … Read More Do You Want To Use AI As A Tool For Synthesis Or Composition?View the full article

VST Alarm is offering the W.A. Production Orchid chorus plugin as a free download until June 4th, 2026. Orchid normally costs $39.90, so this is a good time to grab it if you want another chorus effect in your plugin folder for free. Instead of simply doubling the signal, Orchid creates four chorus layers and [...] View post: Get W.A. Production Orchid chorus plugin FREE until June 4th View the full article

LALAL.AI has released an updated version of its AI stem separation plugin for DAWs, adding local six-stem processing directly inside your session. The main idea is that you load an audio track in your DAW, insert the LALAL.AI plugin, choose the stem you want to extract or remove, and the plugin generates the separated audio [...] View post: LALAL.AI releases offline AI stem separation plugin for DAWs View the full article

You can now get Krampfstadt Studio’s Brick Toys sound pack for free from A Sound Effect. When it comes to sample packs, there’s no shortage of great options, deals, and freebies. Despite the consistent availability of fantastic sounds, most of us are always keen to hear more because we never know what sound we need [...] View post: Get Krampfstadt Studio’s Brick Toys sound pack FREE from A Sound Effect View the full article

Legendary filmmaker, composer & synthesist John Carpenter has announced a new book and album project, Cathedral. … Read More John Carpenter Goes Metal With New Book & Companion Album, CathedralView the full article

Here's a look at the Erica Synths Syntrx II , the second generation of the three-voice synth that offers an original, modern take on the EMS VCS 3 concept. … Read More Erica Synths Syntrx II Not Just For Crazy Sci-Fi Sound EffectsView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Interactive sound shaping in real time You’ve been yearning for an instrument for “conjuring an iridescent palette of resonating harmonics that add colour, texture, and contrast to your audio.” Better yet, check out this video. Among many other things, it’s an instant Daft Punk machine – not to be confused with the Russian Police Choir. […] The post BLEASS Spectral Resonator – That Robotic Sound appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article