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…

GARUC Audio has released Prism Sat, a free analog-style saturation plugin for macOS and Windows. The prism on the interface immediately reminded me of Pink Floyd, though I’m not sure if it’s an intentional reference. Either way, it gets bonus points from me, even though I’m more of a The Wall fan than a Dark [...] View post: GARUC Audio releases Prism Sat, a FREE analog saturation plugin View the full article

Overload Audio has made MOODYSIX free, a six-voice analog-style synth modeled on the 1981 Korg Polysix. MOODYSIX was originally a $6 release (a dollar per voice, as developer Andy Morrison put it), but he just informed me that the price has been dropped to free on Gumroad. It’s a pay-what-you-want listing, so enter $0 at [...] View post: Overload Audio releases MOODYSIX, a FREE modded Korg Polysix emulation View the full article

Excite Audio and Plugin Boutique are giving away Bloom Mura Masa Lite ($29 value) for free with the coupon code NEXTLEVELFREE at checkout on Plugin Boutique. Before anything else, the usual heads-up. This is clearly a limited-time offer, but I don’t know the exact end date, and these codes can stop working without warning. If [...] View post: Get Bloom Mura Masa Lite for FREE for a limited time View the full article

Audio Wanderer has introduced Noise Maker, described as an "ultra-niche synth created for those who want to make awful digital noise that would terrorize the neighborhood and make the cops go to your place several times a week".… Read More Audio Wanderer Intros Noise Maker Glitch Synth (Sneak Preview)View the full article

Developer Momo Müller let us know that he's released a Patch Editor and Soundbank for the Behringer CZ-1 MINI synthesizer. … Read More Momo Intros Standalone Editor & Soundbank For The Behringer CZ-1 mini SynthView the full article

Indie developer cloph-dsp has released Freeze95, a free zero-latency stutter and freeze effect with a Windows 95-era CRT interface. Freeze95 is a three-band glitch engine designed to add motion to static audio. The signal is split with a phase-coherent LR4 crossover, and each band is then independently glitched using randomized capture, reverse, slow-mo, and granular [...] View post: cloph-dsp releases Freeze95, a FREE stochastic stutter and freeze plugin View the full article

Sample Scout is a new sample curation app, designed to make short work of managing and working with large sample libraries. … Read More New App, Sample Scout, Streamlines Sample CurationView the full article

At Superbooth 2026, AJH Synth is showing Hans Zimmer’s RadioPhonic System – an all-in-one Eurorack synthesizer that they describe as “the ultimate analogue modular system.”… Read More AJH Synth RadioPhonic System At Superbooth 2026View the full article

At Superbooth 2026, Experts Sleepers introduced two new modules, NTX8CV & Forever.… Read More Expert Sleepers Intros NTX8CV, Forever Modules At Superbooth 2026View the full article

inMusic to acquire Native Instruments: industry powerhouses reach a definitive agreement. For some, Native Instruments’ journey from industry frontrunners to preliminary insolvency felt as inexplicable as an M. Night Shyamalan plot twist. For others, in hindsight, the apparent downfall of Native Instruments came as no real surprise, much like an M. Night Shyamalan plot twist. [...] View post: inMusic to acquire Native Instruments: industry powerhouses reach a definitive agreement. View the full article

Body Synths previews their upcoming Laboratory dual-channel effects processor and feedback synthesizer.… Read More Body Synths Laboratory Debuts At Superbooth 2026 (Sneak Preview)View the full article

FMS is designed for quick and intuitive programming of sounds and music, for live performance and studio recording and for just having fun.… Read More Fors FMS Turns Game Boy Advance Into A FM GrooveboxView the full article

Developer Nick Culbertson shared this video intro to Mighty Synth Sampler, a free software synth for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.… Read More Free Mighty Synth Sampler For iOS & MacView the full article

Tubbutec has introduced Tubbutec Custom Controller, a new option for creating custom hardware MIDI controllers. … Read More Tubbutec Intros DIY Custom MIDI Controller SolutionView the full article

The lecture features a live performance demonstration, followed by a discussion of the new hardware and software. … Read More u-he Intros Quad VCO, Zebra 3 & More At Superbooth 2026View the full article

Here's a first look at the Miltone 4EXP - a full-size replica of the original Oberheim Four Voice synthesizer. … Read More Miltone 4EXP (Oberheim Four Voice Replica) Debuts At Superbooth 2026View the full article

The KOMA Elektronik Monoplex is a performance-driven Eurorack sequencer that they say is "built for evolving melodic control".… Read More KOMA Monoplex Melodic Microtonal Sequencer Debuts At Superbooth 2026View the full article

Roland Future Design Lab and Tokyo-based AI music technology company Neutone have announced Project LYDIA Phase 2, an update on their experimental AI-powered neural sampling pedal concept.… Read More Roland Announces Project LYDIA Phase 2 Neural Sampling PedalView the full article

At Superbooth 2026, Erica Synths introduced the Resonant Filterbank, a standalone analog stereo filterbank.… Read More Erica Synths Intros Resonant Filterbank At Superbooth 2026View the full article

The annual event features a trade show, lectures, synth DIY, live performances, a synth banquet and more. … Read More Knobcon Returns To Chicagoland Sept 11-13, 2026View the full article

Goodhertz has released LA-210, a free saturation plugin that combines an opto compressor, soft clipper, and cassette tape model in a single interface designed to look like a Southern California freeway map. I have to point this out right away. I’m a huge fan of Goodhertz plugins, both for the way they sound and for [...] View post: Goodhertz releases LA-210, a FREE compressor/clipper/saturation plugin View the full article

The Majella Compax is a compact, semi-modular desktop synthesizer incorporating core West Coast synthesis elements, derived from its larger sibling, the Implexus.… Read More Majella Audio Intros Compax Semi-Modular West Coast SynthView the full article

Roland has released a free firmware updated for the TR-1000 drum machine, expanding its sound design and performance capabilities.… Read More Roland TR-1000 Update Expands Sound Design & Performance OptionsView the full article

Buchla USA shared this quick introduction to their new Ziggy synthesizer.… Read More A Quick Introduction To The Buchla Ziggy SynthesizerView the full article

Native Instruments CEO Nick Williams announced today that they - along with iZotope, Plugin Alliance, and Brainworx - are being acquired by inMusic.… Read More inMusic Buying Native Instruments, iZotopeView the full article

Ahead of Superbooth 2026, 4ms has introduced MESA, high-fidelity reverb module, created in collaboration with Valley Audio.… Read More 4ms MESA Reverb Module For Eurorack SystemsView the full article

The new modules has four stereo granular engines that can be used independently or in combination, plus a built-in convolution reverb.… Read More New Polyphonic Granular Sampler, Zerua Nahasi, For Eurorack Modular SystemsView the full article

The Court decision concludes that the administration exceeded its authority when it applied broad tariffs on nearly all imports. … Read More U.S. Trade Court Blocks Trump’s 10% Global Tariffs, Citing Lack of AuthorityView the full article

Kiviak Instruments has introduced WoFi LE, a compact performance sampler that retains the WoFi’s real-time sampling and sequencing workflow, while moving to a pad-based interface with simplified hardware design.… Read More Kiviak WoFi LE Focuses On Real-Time Sampling, Chopping, & SequencingView the full article