Music Production Forum

Plugin Boutique offers two Braniworx console plugins for $29 each. Over the past month, we’ve looked at free offerings and great deals from no less than Waves, Universal Audio, and more. And if you’re looking for channel strip plugins for your mixes, we’ve got something for you today! For a limited time, you can get [...] View post: Brainworx SSL 9000 J and AMEK 9099 console plugins are $29 each for a limited time View the full article

Sonokinetic recently added Noir 2: Breathe and Colours String Septet to its already stellar lineup of Kontakt libraries, and I’ve had the pleasure of giving them both a try. Both libraries are compatible with the free Kontakt Player 7.10 and above. Even better news is that the boutique sampling experts are offering BPB readers an [...] View post: Sonokinetic Noir 2: Breathe and Colours String Septet – two new orchestral libraries and an exclusive BPB discount View the full article

Prolight + Sound 2025 celebrates its 30th anniversary in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and focuses on the future of event and entertainment technology. From April 8 to 11, 2025, manufacturers, decision-makers, technicians and creative people will meet in Frankfurt to experience the latest developments and to network. In addition to the latest technologies, this year’s focus will be on sustainable concepts, immersive experiences and modern theatre and stage technology. For three decades, Prolight + Sound (formerly Musikmesse Frankfurt) has established itself as a leading international trade fair with a wide range of products and innovations... The post Prolight + S…

Exactly ten years ago, the story of the Pocket Operator began with a simple idea: a cheap and accessible synthesizer that would fit in any pocket. Today, the little machines from Teenage Engineering are among the most popular and iconic devices for musicians and sound tinkerers – including professionals, live performers and hobby sound designers. To celebrate the anniversary, we are not only looking back at the development of the series, but also launching an exciting competition for the community… The post Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator 10th anniversary: A Success Story of the Mini-Synths appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Finding her musical footings in brass bands across West Yorkshire, producer and multi-instrumentalist Emma-Jean Thackray is a fan favourite in the UK jazz scene. Offering a plethora of genres and an impressive array of talent, the artist has returned from a hiatus with the album, Weirdo, with a new perspective on how she approaches music making, as well as a newfound admiration for how music can be valued as a healing tool while mourning her partner… The post Emma-Jean Thackray: “Moog synths are so recognisable in a track but you can make them do anything, it’s an amazing paradox” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

The kick drum is a crucial element in many modern genres, especially in electronic and dance music. It creates the foundation around which the rest of the track can groove, so it’s important to get it right. You could just pick a decent-sounding kick sample and be done, but to get the best results, you’ll probably want to refine your kick to make sure it fits perfectly with the other elements in the track, especially the bass. You could use the tools in your DAW to get meticulous with your 808s and 909s, but for quicker, deeper results, a kick plugin can be a worthy investment. We’ve tested five kick drum instrument plugins that give you fine control over the transie…

Noise Engineering, best known as a maker of synthesizer effects and sound sources, today announced Batverb, a distinctive stereo reverb "with a twist."… Read More Noise Engineering Announces Batverb Pedal: Experimental Reverb, Delay, & Infinite-Tail GeneratorView the full article

Spitfire Audio, in collaboration with BBC Studios, has introduced BBC Radiophonic Workshop, a new sound library based on samples taken from the pioneering BBC Radiophonic Workshop studios. … Read More New Sound Library Brings BBC Radiophonic Workshop To Your DAWView the full article

tubesockor has announced a new project that promises to bring new superpowers to the Korg DW-8000, which was originally introduced 40 years ago.… Read More Korg DW-8000 Getting New Superpowers After 40 YearsView the full article

Oversynth.com let us know that they’ve released a set of overlays for the Korg Drumlogue drum machine. Oversynth makes panel overlays that do two main things. First, they bring additional information to the front panel, so you don’t have to remember alt-key shortcuts and hidden controls. Second, they lets you customize the look of your… Read More New Overlays For Korg DrumlogueView the full article

Behringer today announced that their latest Eurorack module, the Vocoder VC16, is now shipping from their factory, priced at $99.… Read More Behringer Intros $99 Vocoder VC16 Eurorack Module View the full article

The Behringer Vocoder VC16 is a complete vocoder with six digital sound engines in a Eurorack module. First shown in 2023, the module is now finished and ready to order. Behringer first announced the Vocoder VC16 on Facebook in 2023. Back then, the module was bright red. Meanwhile, they’ve decided to make the VC16 the same black color as their other Eurorack modules – a good choice in my opinion... The post Behringer Vocoder VC16: Here Come The Robots appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

The Crow Hill Company has added Solo Bodhrán to its free Vaults series. The Crow Hill Company’s Vaults series has been a source of excellent free sounds since launching over a year ago, with two of my favorites, Amp Bass and Wavering Choir, coming out in recent months. The latest addition to the vault is [...] View post: The Crow Hill Company adds Solo Bodhrán to the FREE Vaults series View the full article

Effective layering in sound design and layering sounds in music production is about finding complementary sounds that work together to create a cohesive result. The best producers understand that great layering involves contrasting sounds that combine the best of different elements to create something truly unique. Longstoryshort exemplifies this in his latest IN MY MIND EP which you can listen to below as we work our way through the interview, following an international tour. His signature sound blends atmospheric, emotional cinematics with gritty, distorted bass design and heartstring-pulling, melodic elements. At the heart of this approach…

The Oberheim Matrix-12 is one of the most legendary analog polyphonic synthesizers of all time. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of this instrument, the Bob Moog Foundation is holding a special raffle: one lucky winner will receive a fully restored Matrix-12 signed by Tom Oberheim, Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic. The provenance of this instrument is particularly noteworthy: it was personally owned by Doug Curtis, the developer of the legendary Curtis chips used in countless synthesizers in the 1970s and 1980s. His widow, Mary Curtis, donated the unit for the raffle, the proceeds of which will support the work of the Bob Moog Foundation... The post Oberheim Matrix-12 Turns…

Here's an in-depth look at the new Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control, a unique MIDI controller with motorized pots.… Read More Roto-Control Motorized MIDI Controller Hands-On Demo & ReviewView the full article

Sound designer Jexus (sounds-for-synths.com) has announced a 300+ patch sound library for the Moog Muse.… Read More It’s Come To Jexus Time For Moog Muse OwnersView the full article

To RTFM or not to RTFM? While concerns rise about AI‘s impact on the music industry, some creatives like producer Myler Melodies have found AI tools that can aid musicians without threatening their artistry. Powered by Google’s Gemini AI technology, NotebookLM is one resource that could help you make sense of those confusing gear manuals. First introduced in July 2023, NotebookLM can wade through documents and PDFs on your behalf. That means, if you upload a complex synth manual, it can process all of the information and understand every feature in under a minute. Then you’re free to ask questions, with NotebookLM serving as an all-knowing teacher... The post Co…

The Behringer Wave looks like a dream come true for all fans of wavetable synthesis. As an affordable clone of the PPG Wave 2.2/2.3, it brings back the legendary instrument that pioneered the synthesis technique in the early 80s. Does the Behringer Wave live up to the expectations? Read our review to find out... The post Behringer Wave Review: Wave Surfing Like It’s 1981 appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Developer Analog Obsession is back with its latest release – Attractor, a dynamic processor with transient manipulation for Mac and Windows (VST3/AU/AAX). Analog Obsession has released a swathe of free plugins in the last couple of years, gaining a solid reputation among both professionals and hobbyists in the audio community. The developer is perhaps best known [...] View post: Analog Obsession Just Released FREE Attractor Dynamics Plugin for Mac and Windows View the full article

Arturia Pigments has been my number one synth plugin since 2021. It’s my go-to instrument for serious projects or when I’m just looking for some sound-design fun, yet I still discover new sounds and techniques almost every time I fire it up. Those pleasant sonic surprises, and moments of inspiration sparked by a new sound, come thick and fast while exploring Pigments 6. Crucial to Pigments’ versatility is a semi-modular design that allows a wide choice of tone generation, filter and effect models to be loaded into various slots that host them. Unsurprisingly, the recently launched sixth generation of the synth features new models in all of these areas… The post Can any ot…

Norrland Samples now offers their entire Solo Trumpet instrument and Kontakt sample library for free. There are a lot of cheesy-sounding brass synths floating around. If you’ve felt your current arsenal in the orchestral domain fall short, we has some good news for you. This enormous package includes almost 6,000 samples recorded with five types [...] View post: Norrland samples offers FREE Solo Trumpet instrument for Kontakt View the full article

If you’ve been eyeing high-quality plugins for your music production setup, now’s the perfect time to grab them at a massive discount. As part of Plugin Boutique’s 13th anniversary sale, the site is offering over 90 per cent off Output and Solid State Logic plugins and bundles, with prices starting at just $9.99. This is a rare opportunity to upgrade your production setup with professional-grade tools at unbeatable prices. The post Save up to 93% on Output and Solid State Logic plugins over at Plugin Boutique appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

The Explorations Vol. 3 expansion is designed for producers pushing sonic boundaries. Three distinct soundbanks, each with 150 expertly crafted presets, let you explore the cutting edge of modern sound design: Granular Explorations – Deep pads, keys, and ethereal textures crafted with Pigments’ advanced granular engine. Lo-Fi Explorations – Nostalgic warmth, dusty basses, and soulful acoustic textures infused with imperfection. Bass Explorations – Thunderous subs, hard-hitting mids, and evolving low-end for bass-driven genres. 450 new presets designed to elevate your productions. https://www.arturia.com/products/software-instruments/pigments…

The Universal Synth Editor and Controller Synth Bridge is designed to be used with any synth, sampler, drum machine and device that can be controlled with Midi Control Change data (MIDI CC).… Read More Universal Synth Editor & Controller Synth BridgeView the full article

Music producers have access to a huge amount of raw material to work from. For example, Komplete 15 Ultimate Collector’s Edition includes over 150,000 sounds, and that’s before you start making your own patches. This is an embarrassment of riches. So, how do we ensure that all these options are a benefit rather than a problem? There’s only one answer: organization. With an organized approach to sound management, you’ll spend less time searching for the right sounds, and more time turning your musical ideas into reality. Thankfully, organizing your sound library doesn’t have to be a chore. In this guide we’ll show you five simple tips that you…

If you’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to upgrade your studio with SSL plugins, the time is now! Other fantastic offers are coming from IK Multimedia, Sonible, and Zynaptiq this week. SSL is currently offering awesome deals on its X-series plugins. X-Limit, X-Gate, X-ValveComp, X-Phase, and X-Saturator are all on sale with discounts of up to 94%! I guess that’s what they call a no-brainer. Don’t miss this opportunity to add these acclaimed audio tools to your plugin folder. These SSL plugin deals * are good through February 24... The post Up to 94% Off: Awesome Software Deals from SSL, IK Multimedia & More appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full arti…

Universal Audio’s Apollo series has become a benchmark in the audio interface world, thanks to a combination of top-spec audio converters, innovative modelling preamps, and flexible on-board digital signal processing (DSP), all backed by a large library of excellent plugins. But with manufacturers such as Antelope Audio, Heritage Audio, Apogee and others increasingly encroaching on UA’s skilfully-manicured lawn, Apollo’s unique selling points no longer look so unique... The post Is Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Gen 2 really a “disappointing” update to the audio interface range? appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Nearly two years after it was first announced, Soma Laboratory’s FLUX synth is finally shipping. The highly anticipated instrument reimagines expressive electronic performance by allowing musicians to control sound entirely through hand motions. Unlike traditional synthesizers, FLUX eliminates the need for physical touch, using magnetic sensors and handheld bows to shape pitch, volume, and synthesis parameters in real time... The post FLUX, Soma’s wild theremin-inspired synthesizer controlled by hand motions, is shipping now appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Most music production setups include a laptop or a computer — but these don’t usually come with the dedicated inputs and outputs required by those working with sound. That’s where an audio interface enters the picture. At its core, an audio interface is essential hardware that converts analogue signals into digital audio. Among other uses, the digital audio can be recorded by your DAW while providing low-latency monitoring through outputs for your monitor speakers or headphones… The post Best audio interfaces for for studios, bedrooms and podcasters in 2025 appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article