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…

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

From developer SoliderSound comes Go-Splitter, a free stem separation app for macOS and Windows. We’ve had a few stem separation tools come along over the last handful of years, especially since terms like neural networks have become a regular feature of conversations about audio software. Since LALAL.AI in 2021, we’ve had more recent additions, like [...] View post: SoliderSound releases Go-Splitter, a FREE stem separation app for macOS and Windows View the full article

Developer Factor8 has released the Constellations Sequencer, a free Euclidean-algorithm-based polyrhythmic sequencer. The Euclidean algorithm is commonly used in various audio devices, such as synths, DAWs, and sequencers, to generate rhythmic patterns. It does so by distributing a particular number of hits across a particular number of steps. These patterns can be popular/common percussion rhythms, [...] View post: Factor8 releases the Constellations Sequencer, a FREE Euclidean-algorithm-based polyrhythmic sequencer View the full article

Developer SLM Audio has released Gleo, a free dystopian-themed virtual instrument for macOS and Windows. Some of you may remember a plugin called Gait Runner from earlier this year. It was something a little different because it came with a distinct backstory all the way from the planet Symphagos. I mention it here because SLM [...] View post: SLM Audio releases Gleo, a FREE dystopian-themed virtual instrument View the full article

In this live performance, Nonlinear Labs demonstrates their C25 48-voice performance synthesizer. … Read More Nonlinear Labs C25 Synthesizer Live PerformanceView the full article

Viiri Audio has released Aava, a creative convolution processor for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Convolution plugins usually make me think of realistic spaces, speaker cabinets, springs, plates, and other practical IR-based effects. But the thing with IRs is that, once captured, they remain static. Aava takes a more experimental route by treating impulse responses as [...] View post: Viiri Audio releases Aava creative convolution plugin with intro offer View the full article