Music Production Forum

At the 2025 NAMM Show, Flock Audio introduced Switch, a new device that lets you quickly toggle between 8 mono/stereo Inputs and a set of Stereo Outputs.… Read More Flock Audio Intros Switch Digitally-Controlled Analog RoutingView the full article

Modular without the modules? Here’s a convenient way to get into modular synthesis. We’re looking at some of the best semi-modular synths for starting your own patch-lead spaghetti empire. Semi-modular synths first rose to fame with instruments like the Roland System 100, ARP 2600, the EMS VCS 3 and Synthi AKS, and the Korg MS-20. Although these instruments are revered for their sound, they provided a different approach to sound design than the workflows of classic subtractive synths like the Minimoog... The post The Best Semi-Modular Synths for your Studio Setup appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Ewan Bristow has blessed us with yet another weird and wonderful release: EB-CatNip, a frequency-shifting delay plugin powered by Plugdata. If you’ve used Ewan Bristow’s plugins before, you can no doubt guess that EB-CatNip runs in the free Plugdata programming environment. Plugdata runs on macOS, Windows, Linux, and more as a plugin (VST3, LV2, AU, CLAP) [...] View post: Ewan Bristow releases FREE EB-CatNip Frequency Shifting Delay for Plugdata View the full article

The Crow Hill Company has released Amp Bass, their latest addition to the free Vaults series. The Crow Hill Company’s Vaults series has delivered some inspiring sounds since it came on the scene and is, perhaps, starting to fill a gap left by LABS, as many users jumped ship at the mention of a subscription [...] View post: The Crow Hill Company releases FREE Amp Bass for Vaults View the full article

I know it’s early, but Tespest Audio has given us a contender for the free Kontakt Player instrument of the year (in my opinion) – Sona/Chroma. This free orchestral instrument requires Kontakt Player 8. Sona/Chroma is an experimental Kontakt library featuring sixteen symphonic orchestra instruments across four distinct sections: Woodwind 1, Woodwind 2, Brass, and [...] View post: Tempest Audio releases FREE Sona/Chroma orchestral instrument for Kontakt Player View the full article

The original form of lo-fi electronica, Italo disco helped shape the future sound of dance music with its driving beats, energetic bass lines and catchy melodies. So, what is Italo disco music, and how does it differ from its progenitor disco? In this guide to making an Italo disco track in your DAW, we’ll explore different examples of Italo disco music before learning how to create your own. We’ll use Native Instruments Discoteca Drums, Discoteca Keys, and the Italo Disco Leap Expansion, all of which are compatible with Kontakt 8 and the free Kontakt 8 Player. We’ll also use iZotope Ozone 11 for mastering... The post What is italo disco musi…

It's the first professional analog mixer and USB-C audio interface to run on a rechargeable, swappable battery.… Read More Mackie Debuts ProFX10 GO Battery-Powered Mixer At NAMM 2025View the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, Entropy & Sons was showing their Recursion Studio, described as "a standalone video art platform."… Read More Entropy & Sons’ Recursion Studio Video Synthesizer At NAMM 2025View the full article

Nord introduced the Nord Organ 3, the latest generation of their Organ series, which they say "delivers a massive leap forward in sound, design, and performance."… Read More Nord Organ 3 Now Available To Pre-Order View the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, the MIDI Association officially introduced Network MIDI 2.0 (UDP), a new standard that defines how to connect MIDI devices (MIDI 1.0 and MIDI 2.0 protocol) via Ethernet and wireless LAN.… Read More MIDI Association Intros Network MIDI 2.0 At 2025 NAMM ShowView the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, muSonics debuted an updated version of the Vanilla Synthesizer, an all-in-one, normalized MU-format modular synthesizer, and introduced the Continuo Arpeggiator/Sequencer.… Read More muSonics Debuts Updated Vanilla Synthesizer & Previews Continuo Arpeggiator/SequencerView the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, Enjoy Electronics debuted the DeFeel Modular Monotony Degenerator for Eurorack and desktop form factors.… Read More Enjoy Electronics Debuts DeFeel Modular Monotony Degenerator To Add Interest To Your SequencingView the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, MicroKits had a booth for the first time, and was showcasing their Synth-A-Sette cassette-sized synthesizer, and previewing their upcoming Banana Synth.… Read More MicroKits Synth-A-Sette & Banana Synth At NAMM 2025View the full article

Rast Sound is offering its Lumo loudness enhancer for free (usually €79) until February 24, 2025. Lumo is a 64-bit only macOS and Windows release for AU, VST3, and AAX. The plugin enhances loudness using a multi-stage psychoacoustic method. The developer states this method adds depth, warmth, and clarity while preserving dynamics and avoiding limiting artifacts. The [...] View post: Rast Sound’s Lumo Loudness Enhancer is FREE until Feb 24 View the full article

Need a MIDI controller to work with your DAW? Get excited about the new Nektar Impact LX MK3 keyboards with 25, 49 and 61 keys. There are lots of companies making MIDI controllers and they all offer something different. Nektar has gone after the market that prizes DAW control over piano-like playability. Its latest MIDI controller series, Nektar Impact LX MK3, will offer 25-, 49-, and 61-key controllers with deep DAW integration and even NKS compatibility... The post Nektar Impact LX MK3: New MIDI Controllers Offer Deeper DAW Integration, NKS Support, Amazing Price appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article Nektar Impact LX MK3 · Source: Nek…

Arturia has released a major firmware update for the AudioFuse 16Rig.… Read More Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig Gets Major UpdateView the full article

Here's a shut up and play style demo of the new Behringer BX1 FM synthesizer.… Read More Shut Up And Play: Sounds Of The Behringer BX1 FM Synthesizer View the full article

ESI introduced the XSynth, a new synthesizer, derived from the CME XKey MIDI controller.… Read More ESI XSynth Offers Polyphony, Polyphonic Aftertouch In A Portable Keyboard Synthesizer View the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, Korg is previewing the microAUDIO 22 & 722, two new desktop audio interfaces.… Read More NAMM Show 2025: Korg Previews microAUDIO 22 / 722 Audio Interfaces View the full article

2025 NAMM Show: Melbourne Instruments has introduced Roto-Control, a unique motorized MIDI controller. The Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control features fully assignable motorized touch-sensitive knobs, user definable haptics for detailed control, high-res screens that provide easy-to-read labels for every control, and internal memory with storage for over 8000 assignments. The motorized knobs use brushless drone motors with… Read More Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control Is A MIDI Controller With Motorized KnobsView the full article

Stylophone has announced the Stylophone Gen X-2, the latest take on its classic Stylophone stylus instrument.… Read More Stylophone Gen X-2 Adds Modular Connectivity & MoreView the full article

Use field recordings as oscillators with the ESI Xsynth, a cute little digital synth that’s also an MPE controller! ESI is joining the synthesizer battle with the Xsynth, the first synthesizer from the company best known for its portable MIDI controllers like the Xkey series and Xjam. The ESI Xsynth actually looks a lot like an Xkey 25, although it has a number of differences, including shorter keys and a coral design... The post ESI Xsynth: Cute Digital Synth With Strange Waveforms, Polyphonic Aftertouch appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

It’s only in alpha but U-he Zebra 3 is already shaping up to be an oceans-deep sound design playground with vector synthesis and other new modules. U-he is one of my favorite software developers. The company’s instruments like Diva, Repro and Hive 2 are all fantastic. U-he originally made its name with Zebra (almost two decades ago now!) and is currently in development on Zebra 3, which it’s showing at NAMM. Although only in alpha stage, it already looks to be an incredible instrument, what founder Urs Heckman calls a “sound design shop” in the Sonicstate video (below)... The post U-he Zebra 3: “Like Photoshop for Synthesis” appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full a…

The fully integrated, touchless solution expands the capabilities of the iconic instrument, letting you use it to control MIDI instruments, and even to add expression with polyphonic aftertouch. … Read More Rhodes Music Intros MIDI MK8 System With Polyphonic Aftertouch View the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, large format synth maker Synthesizers.com has a booth for the first time, where they are showcasing a large Studio System modular synthesizer.… Read More Synthesizers.com Brings Big Modular To The 2025 NAMM ShowView the full article

Version 2 of the firmware and companion software introduces several new features and a complete graphic redesign, offering enhanced customization options for the keyboard.… Read More Exquis MPE Controller Gets Major Firmware UpdateView the full article

"Captured at 1:1 scale, this faithful recreation replicates the look and feel of this legendary synthesizer inside and out."… Read More Full-Size LEGO Minimoog Is Obsessive And AwesomeView the full article

MIDI cables are not inherently interesting, but CME is changing that with the C2MIDI Pro, a dual-purpose USB-C MIDI cable that also functions as a standalone MIDI filter, mapper, and router.… Read More CME Figures Out How To Make MIDI Cables Interesting With The C2MIDI ProView the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, Behringer is offering a sneak preview of its Pro-16 synthesizer, which copies the classic Sequential Prophet 5/10.… Read More Behringer Pro-16 Synthesizer At NAMM 2025 (Sneak Preview) View the full article

At the 2025 NAMM Show, Behringer is offering a sneak preview of a new synthesizer, the JT-16.… Read More Behringer JT-16 Copies The Classic Roland Jupiter-8, But With Double The Polyphony View the full article