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…

Wavetables created in WaveKitchen can be used in Bitwig, SurgeXT, Waldorf, Kyma, Max, Ableton and other synths.… Read More New Mac Application, WaveKitchen, Streamlines Wavetable CreationView the full article

Apple today introduced Apple Creator Studio, a subscription application bundle that brings together a comprehensive collection of tools for content creation on Mac, iPad and iPhone.… Read More Apple Creator Studio Offers New Tools For Electronic Musicians, Subscription OptionView the full article

HoRNet Plugins has made FilterSolo, a multi-mode filter plugin with analog-style saturation and extensive modulation features, available for FREE for the next 48 hours with the coupon code FILTERFREE26. FilterSolo combines multi-mode filtering with modulation, a bit of saturation, and simple hands-on controls. It features four filter types (low pass, high pass, band pass, and [...] View post: HoRNet offers FilterSolo FREE for 48 Hours with coupon code View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Exquis – Dualo Legacy soundbank for decent SAMPLES’ Decent Sampler plug-in — porting the iconic soundbank to the now-fully-MPE-compatible sampler plug-in. Intuitive Instruments’ Exquis – Dualo Legacy ports the iconic soundbank from its (discontinued) du-touch and (available) du-touch S all-in-one instruments to decent|SAMPLES’ Decent Sampler plug-in, packing 158 carefully crafted sounds — some only playable or best to play with MPE or polyphonic aftertouch controllers — across every category […] The post Intuitive Instruments Introduces Exquis – Dualo Legacy Soundbank appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - ILIO and Overloud announce the release of AIR or “Amp In Room.” This new feature is included in the latest version of THU, Overloud’s guitar amp simulation suite. PRESS ANOUNCEMENT Available now as a free update for all THU users, AIR brings a new dimension to amp simulation by recreating the feeling of standing in […] The post Overloud Adds “Amp in Room” Technology to THU appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Virtual Pianist GRIT is the latest addition to its Virtual Pianist series. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Modeled from a rare, customized Wurlitzer 120 electric piano, GRIT delivers a raw, character-driven sound and rhythmic pianist phrases designed to bring edge, movement, and attitude to arrangements and productions. It is the second electric pianist in the series, following VIBE, […] The post UJAM Releases Virtual Pianist GRIT, a One-of-a-Kind Electric Piano appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - The new autoSeries includes autoEQ, autoDYN, and autoBUS, enabling users to access powerful, adaptive profile-based features while focusing on creativity. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT The autoSeries of plug-ins features native AI-assisted analysis, helping users create and adapt processing relative to their source material. Each AI-assisted plug-in analyses the user’s audio’s spectral and dynamic characteristics, suggests adaptive profiles with style-matched settings, and instantly […] The post Solid State Logic Introduces AutoSeries Family of Plug-Ins appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Black Lion Audio’s MIDI Eight: A Class-Compliant 8×8 MIDI Interface With Standalone Routing and Built-In Powered USB Hub. PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Black Lion Audio announces the MIDI Eight, an 8-input/8-output MIDI interface designed to unify even the most sprawling synth and controller setups. With driverless class-compliant operation, flexible standalone modes, and a robust five-port powered USB […] The post Black Lion Audio Introduces the MIDI Eight appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

As we start 2026, the battle for AI music-generating dominance is as fierce as ever. Suno has added Studio to its line-up, and we’re seeing competing products such as Moises AI Studio and ACE Studio flock to market. We are now entering the era of the AI DAW. Up to this point, generative AI music involved inputting a prompt that would create a whole piece of music, but you had little control to edit the specifics beyond just extending the track. These new AI DAWs give you much greater control, with the ability to work on individual stems, generate specific instruments and even extract MIDI data... The post Suno Studio review: Is this AI DAW really the future of music produ…

Universal Audio has released the UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection, a native plugin bundle for macOS and Windows, available as a free download for a limited time. The UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection includes software versions of the UA 610-A and 610-B tube preamp and EQ channel strips. Both of these [...] View post: Universal Audio releases UA 610 Tube Preamp & EQ Collection, FREE for a limited time View the full article

The thing is wonky to begin with, and the video explores how to make it even wonkier.… Read More Circuit Bending The Talk ‘N Learn AlphabetView the full article

Here's an in-depth look at the new SOMA WARP, a new multi-purpose audio processing unit that offers 15 different effects.… Read More SOMA WARP Multi-FX Hands-On ReviewView the full article

Waves recently announced Curves Resolve, a new freebie to kick off 2026, and we have some more information to share. Besides breaking out of their typical Black Friday free plugin schedule, Waves stayed true to form for the most part. After announcing the freebie, the developer provided a sign-up page and minimal information. Now, we [...] View post: Waves Curves Resolve: more info on the latest freebie from Waves View the full article

Desktop effects for synths, grooveboxes, and drum machines are the perfect addition to any DAWless production and performance setup. We check out the best desktop effects in 2026... The post Best Desktop Effects for Synths appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Phantom Sounds has released Orbit, a free reverb plugin in AU, VST3, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows. We aren’t exactly short of reverb options, so when a new plugin comes along, it’s nice if it has a bit of a twist, like the fantastic SOL by S1gns Of L1fe. Phantom Sound’s Orbit has [...] View post: Phantom Sounds releases Orbit, a FREE spatial reverb plugin View the full article

Aqeel Aadam Sound has released Outgrowth, a sample-based instrument for macOS, Windows, and iOS, developed in collaboration with Brooklyn-based electronic and jazz musician BlankFor.ms. Outgrowth is based on the simple idea of turning your existing samples into an expressive instrument as quickly as possible. I generally enjoy using plugins that help me flip and transform [...] View post: Aqeel Aadam Sound releases Outgrowth instrument for sample manipulation View the full article

AudioDeluxe is currently running an excellent combo deal where you can grab UJAM Finisher BOOST for just $5, down from its usual $59 price. That’s a solid 92% discount on its own, but the real prize is that you also get a free bonus plugin with your purchase. One of the two available free add-ons [...] View post: Get UJAM Finisher BOOST for $5 + FREE IK Multimedia Tape Machine 80 View the full article

Rockheyday has released SlowWave, a free, standalone Windows app that instantly applies slowed-down playback and lush reverb to any audio file. At 40 (someone recently called me unc and I had to Google it), I’m definitely not in the target age group for this kind of effect. But even so, I instantly figured out what [...] View post: Rockheyday releases SlowWave, a free slow + reverb standalone app for Windows View the full article

This video captures a live ambient music performance featuring Prophet 12, Moog Muse, Pro 2 and Eurorack Modular.… Read More Ambient Music For A Danish Winter (Live Performance)View the full article

The creator of the Linux operating system, Linus Torvalds, has released a new open source hobby project, AudioNoise, a digital guitar effects pedal. … Read More Linux Creator AI ‘Vibe Codes’ AudioNoise Hardware Effects PedalView the full article

The book explores the impact of the war on musicians. … Read More Ukrainian Field Notes: Sound, Music & Voices From Ukraine After the Full-Scale InvasionView the full article

The sixth edition of the Korg Collection has arrived, bringing three new additions to the stable of classic instruments from the Japanese synth giant. Among the new inclusions are plugin versions of the monstrous and incredibly rare PS-3300 semi-modular divide-down synthesizer, the TRINITY multitimbral workstation synth, and the SGX-2 piano software instrument. Like all the plugins in Collection 6, each of these provides a completely different sonic ecosystem suitable for creative applications like music production in a wide range of styles, as well as film and video game scoring... The post Korg Collection 6 is immensely powerful — but it’s also inconsistent appeared fir…

Relive the sound of the Millennium with these five best 2000s synths, including amazing hardware and software instruments from Korg, Access, Native Instruments, and more. I hate to break it to you, but the 2000s were 20 years ago. If that’s not making you feel old, consider this: the synthesizers released in that decade are now officially vintage. You may want to sit down before you throw your back out from hearing that news. Today, let’s revisit the naughty oughties with five of the best 2000s synths, including both hardware and software instruments. This is, after all, when we all started selling our physical gear and going in the box. (How did that work out, by the wa…

If you’ve still got a little bit of cash left over after the holidays, then you might wanna snatch up this huge Excite Audio plugin bundle that’s on sale with over 50 percent off. The complete Excite Audio collection bundle available from Plugin Boutique packs in all Excite Audio plugins, and you pay as little as €15 / $15 per plugin. The offer ends on 11 January though, so you’ll need to get moving... The post You’ve got 2 days left to get Excite Audio’s complete professional plugin collection at half price appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

The latest episode of Score: The Podcast features an interview with Daniel Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never) about his synth-heavy score for the new movie Marty Supreme and more. … Read More Daniel Lopatin Interview On The Marty Supreme Soundtrack & MoreView the full article

Once again, Waves has announced that it will be giving away a free plugin to kick off 2026 – Curves Resolve. Over the last couple of years, Waves has given us freebies like Magma StressBox and IDX Intelligent Dynamics. The thing both plugins have in common is that they were Black Friday freebies, which is [...] View post: Waves has announced Curves Resolve, a FREE plugin to kick off 2026 View the full article

Tension is a newly released free clipper plugin from Carbon Fiber Plugins, available in VST3 format for Windows, with additional OS support currently “in development.” Tension features a custom “Deep Fix” architecture under the hood, which the developer says sets it apart from typical hard clippers. Tension employs 4X oversampling and uses 2nd-order maths to [...] View post: Carbon Fiber Plugins releases Tension, a FREE character clipper plugin for Windows View the full article

Solid State Logic has partnered with sonible for a new family of plugins that bring together its “best-in-class” 4000 E modelling with sonible’s AI-assisted audio analysis. The trio of new plugins, known as the autoSeries family, include autoEQ, autoDYN, and autoBUS, and are the only official SSL 4000 Series plugins on the market to harness sonible’s AI capabilities... The post “The sonic legacy of SSL with AI-assisted audio analysis”: Solid State Logic partners with sonible on new plugin range appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article