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…

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

GRP Synthesizer has announced that the Grp Synthesizer A10, a new semi-modular monster synth, is now available to pre-order. … Read More GRP A10 Semi-Modular Synthesizer Available To Pre-Order For €10,000View the full article

Superbooth 2026: In this video, via Stromkult, Nick Kwas offers a hands-on demo of the new Buchla Ziggy synthesizer. Ziggy is a self-contained analog synthesizer designed to distill key elements of West Coast synthesis into a desktop form factor. It features a ‘West Coast’ complex oscillator paired with a modulation oscillator, a low pass gate,… Read More Buchla Ziggy Hands-On DemoView the full article

Make Noise has introduced the Soundhack Plexiphon, a stereo, modeless spatial texturizer which allows for continuously morphing between reverberations and multi-tap echoes.… Read More Make Noise Soundhack Plexiphon Debuts At Superbooth 2026View the full article

The C25 features the Phase 22 synthesis engine, which combines phase modulation, FM-style synthesis, waveshaping, physical modelling, and subtractive techniques within a single architecture.… Read More Nonlinear Labs C25 Intros Next-Generation Expressive Performance SynthesizerView the full article

The Bastl Kalimba is a new instrument that combines microphones, touch sensors, and an accelerometer, with a user interface inspired by the traditional kalimba.… Read More Bastl Kalimba Electroacoustic Instrument Now Available To Pre-OrderView the full article

At Superbooth 2026, Twisted Electrons has debuted the FLEXfm, an upcoming hybrid groovebox that combines FM synthesis, sampling, and performance-focused sequencing.… Read More Twisted Electrons Debuts FLEXfm at Superbooth 2026View the full article

The Modal Electronics Element One is an 8-voice virtual analog synthesizer that they say combines a streamlined interface with a deep synthesis engine derived from the Cobalt architecture.… Read More Modal Electronics Element One Combines Cobalt-Derived Synth Engine With Simplified InterfaceView the full article

Sonicware has introduced the deconstruct MINIMAL, an 11-track groovebox, combining a sampler-integrated drum machine and an analog-modeling bass synthesizer.… Read More Sonicware Intros deconstruct MINIMAL GrooveboxView the full article

Polyend has introduced Drums, a hybrid drum machine that blends analog voice design, digital synthesis, sample playback, advanced sequencing, and flexible I/O in a performance-oriented hardware instrument.… Read More Polyend Drums Debuts At Superbooth 2026View the full article