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…

Analog Obsession has released TheBus, a free analog-style compressor plugin for macOS and Windows. Coming from one of my favorite indie developers, I was super excited to test this one. Analog Obsession describes TheBus as a fully custom compressor rather than a clone or variation of a specific hardware unit. My first impressions are good. [...] View post: Analog Obsession releases TheBus, a FREE analog-style compressor plugin View the full article

zplane has launched PEEL STEMS 2, a major update to its real-time stem separation plugin for macOS and Windows. Stem separation is a busy area right now, but PEEL STEMS offers an interesting angle: it works directly inside your DAW. Instead of uploading audio to an online service or bouncing files back and forth between [...] View post: zplane launches PEEL STEMS 2 with improved real-time stem separation View the full article

KVR is celebrating 20 years of its Developer Challenge, as Developer Challenge 26 gets underway! For anyone new to the annual Developer Challenge, it’s a chance for developers to showcase their creativity by creating a new free plugin, app, or sound library/pack that benefits the broader music production community. KVR members vote on their five [...] View post: Get 50+ FREE plugins in the KVR Developer Challenge 26 View the full article

Developer Nextlight has released Next OXX, a free OTT-style multi-band compressor plugin for Windows. It’s been almost two decades since the original OTT Multiband Dynamics preset came on the scene with Ableton Live 8. Although presets are meant to be inspiring, and a lot of effort goes into designing them, this particular preset, designed by [...] View post: Nextlight releases Next OXX, a FREE OTT-style multi-band compressor plugin for Windows View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - It’s an analog FM synth from Italy, with a new firmware update This is a boutique synth – a euphemism that means high-end – that among many other features has a 5-octave keyboard with polyphonic aftertouch (made by Fatar). Listening to the demos, it’s capable of sounding like familiar FM, there’s a track that could […] The post Update: Magnolia Frap Tools 8-Voice Analog Thru-Zero FM Synthesizer appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

Steinberg's SpectraLayers 13 combines spectral editing with AI-assisted audio separation, restoration, and sound design tools for music production and post-production workflows.… Read More SpectraLayers 13 Takes ‘Unmixing’ To A New LevelView the full article

Tom Oberheim is one of the pioneering figures in electronic instrument design, helping to shape the sound of modern music over 6 decades.… Read More Synth World Celebrates Tom Oberheim’s 90th BirthdayView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - MOTU recently completed Milan™ Certification for its 16A, 848, and 10pre audio interfaces. Press Announcement “Milan Certification means that studio engineers, systems integrators, and other audio professionals can now seamlessly incorporate MOTU audio interfaces into networks with other Milan Certified devices from leading pro audio brands such as Meyer Sound, L Acoustics, d&b Audiotechnik, and […] The post MOTU 16A, 848, and 10pre Audio Interfaces Now Milan™ Certified appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

510k Arts has released WOMB intro, a free 909-inspired bass drum synthesizer plugin for macOS and Windows. 510k is built by Alexkid, a producer and DJ with decades of experience, releases on F Communications, and a key role in the 2000s French dance music scene. Alexkid develops the concepts and prototypes in Berlin, while Tadashi, [...] View post: 510k Arts releases WOMB intro, a FREE 909-style kick drum synth View the full article

Plugin Boutique has launched the exclusive Summer Bundle, offering 14 plugins, instruments, and sample packs for $39. The bundle is listed at $700.99 if the products are purchased individually, so the current price saves $661.99. The offer runs until September 1, and Plugin Boutique is also including a free gift with each purchase. At the [...] View post: Plugin Boutique launches exclusive Summer Bundle with 14 products for $39 View the full article

BPB reader Bemused has created a free Audiomodern Soundbox instrument using sounds from Flame Sound’s Heatwave library. For those who don’t know, Flame Sound is my cinematic sound design label, and you can visit it to download a free pack of 50 royalty-free cinematic SFX sounds. Also, I will soon release a premium mix finisher [...] View post: Bemused releases FREE Heatwave instrument for Audiomodern Soundbox View the full article

OTODESK has released LowCutPolice, a free and open-source equalizer plugin for Windows. The repository name is HighPrecisionEQ, which I think gives you a better idea of what the plugin is actually doing. LowCutPolice is mainly built around low-end cleanup, but it is also a full-range surgical EQ with filters and bell bands extending up to [...] View post: OTODESK releases LowCutPolice, a FREE surgical EQ plugin for Windows View the full article

Air-G Audio has released Air-G Plugins Collection, a free/pay-what-you-want bundle of 18 audio plugins built on open-source DSP algorithms from Airwindows. Airwindows plugins have been around for a long time, and they have an almost legendary status among us bedroom producers. Chris Johnson’s approach has always been more about sound and speed than shiny interface [...] View post: Air-G Audio releases 18 FREE Airwindows plugins with custom GUIs View the full article

Here's a vintage gear review of the Korg Electribe EMX-1 - a groovebox that's loved by many for its combination of ease of use and capabilities.… Read More Korg Electribe EMX-1 Vintage Groovebox ReviewView the full article

MotionTones is a physics-driven generative instrument that creates melodies from simulated collisions while providing MIDI input, MIDI output, and standalone sound generation.… Read More New App, MotionTones, Explores Generative Composition Through Interactive PhysicsView the full article

Frap Tools has released a firmware update for their Magnolia keyboard synthesizer that expands memory slots, adds new MIDI capabilities and more.… Read More Frap Magnolia Synthesizer UpdatedView the full article

Developer Pixelsncodes has released Lumen, a free Windows-only open-source synth that turns images into sound. Lumen is a free and open-source wavetable synth that turns images into sound. Pixelsncodes created Lumen using the Claude AI coding agent. The synth features two wavetable oscillators, each with dedicated controls, including Morph, Pan, Unison, Detune, Width, and Blend. [...] View post: Pixelsncodes releases Lumen, a FREE open-source Windows synth that turns images into sound View the full article

Plugin Boutique is offering Solid State Logic’s SSL Native X-Comp for $10, down from $99. The 89% discount runs until July 13, and Plugin Boutique is also including a free gift with the purchase. At the time of writing, the available gifts shown on the product page are Cloudmax Breeze Black Edition by Karanyi Sounds, [...] View post: Get SSL Native X-Comp for $10 at Plugin Boutique View the full article

CRB Uranus 1 VST is a free emulation of a rare 1970s Italian synth for Windows. We’re used to emulations of vintage synths, like EightyEight by Morphoice, a free Roland Jupiter-8 emulation. And we get some virtual instruments inspired by rare synths, like The Crow Hill Company’s Vintage String Synth, based on the Wersi String [...] View post: CRB Uranus 1 VST is a FREE emulation of a rare 1970s Italian synth for Windows View the full article

Developer Rust Romance has released Drive in my head, a free saturation plugin for Windows and macOS. Drive in my head is a physically modeled op-amp line-driver plugin. The developer says it is not designed as an obvious distortion or fuzz effect. Instead, the idea here is to give clean sources the feel of passing [...] View post: Rust Romance releases Drive in my head, a FREE saturation plugin View the full article

Rhodes has announced the MK8/80AE, an 80th Anniversary edition of its flagship electro-mechanical piano, limited to 80 instruments worldwide.… Read More Rhodes Celebrates 80 Years With Limited-Edition MK8/80AE Electric PianoView the full article

The Quantum MIDI Sequencer is generative music sequencer that translates nuclear radiation into MIDI notes. … Read More Quantum MIDI Sequencer Turns Radiation Into MusicView the full article

TIDAL has introduced a new AI policy that will label wholly AI-generated music, deny it royalty payments, and remove AI-generated content associated with fraud or impersonation.… Read More TIDAL Will Label AI-Generated Music, Block It From Earning RoyaltiesView the full article

This video takes a look at the rare, vintage Moog Minitmoog synthesizer keyboard.… Read More Vintage Synth Demo Of The Rare Moog MinitmoogView the full article

Safari Audio’s Sun Bear Bus Compressor is on sale at Plugin Boutique for $4.99, down from $129. The 96% discount runs until July 31, and Plugin Boutique is also including a choice of free gifts with the purchase. At the time of writing, the available gifts are Cloudmax Breeze Black Edition by Karanyi Sounds, AXXESS [...] View post: Get Safari Audio Sun Bear Bus Compressor for $4.99 (96% OFF) View the full article

iZotope has been acquired by Boris FX. It’s fair to say 2026 has been an eventful year so far for Native Instruments and all involved with the audio industry powerhouse, including iZotope. Recent months have been a time of uncertainty for staff and customers alike, with the future of multiple well-established brands hanging in the [...] View post: iZotope leaves the Native Instruments family after being acquired by Boris FX View the full article

VRAC is a free plugin from Beatsurfing that allows you to Drumify any sample/sound. You can take any sound, whether it’s originally percussive or not, and turn it into a punchy percussive hit. VRAC is available in AU, VST3, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows. One of the first things people want to know [...] View post: Beatsurfing releases VRAC: turn any sample into a drum kit for FREE View the full article

Low End Candy has released The Clap, a free crowd-clap synthesizer for macOS. The interesting part here is that The Clap does not use samples. It synthesizes handclaps from scratch by modeling everything from the skin smack to the body of cupped palms, and a adding bit of snap for more impact. I often use [...] View post: Low End Candy releases The Clap, a FREE crowd-clap plugin for macOS View the full article

Golden DSP has released Shatter Clip, a free clipper plugin for macOS and Windows. If there is one type of plugin I have seen dozens and dozens of over the past several years, it has to be the clipper. There are countless free clippers out there, and I doubt that most producers need another one [...] View post: Golden DSP releases Shatter Clip, a FREE visual clipper plugin View the full article