Music Production Forum

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

Today’s Perfect Match focuses on hardware for producing dub techno. We’ll present three hardware products that represent essential building blocks for dub techno and complement each other perfectly. We’ll also mention a few interesting alternatives. It is a genre of techno music that combines two seemingly unrelated styles. In addition to dub – a minimalist variant of Jamaican reggae – Detroit techno also comes into play here, in a fairly stripped-down form... The post Dub Techno: This Gear is a Perfect Match in 2026 appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

GrabTracks is a fairly new ARA sampler plugin for macOS and Windows that offers a tactile, intuitive way to manipulate audio in your DAW. The plugin usually costs $29, but you can download it for free using the promo code “GRABTRACKSPROMO100.” The promotion could end at any time, so grab it while it’s free. ARA [...] View post: GrabTracks ARA Sampler for macOS and Windows is FREE for a limited time View the full article

Developer ZAK Sound has released Echowaves, a free stereo delay for macOS, Windows, and Linux. One of the things I like most about ZAK Sound is that we never quite know what’s coming next. The developer has provided us with a diverse collection of freebies over the last few years, including Orange Dreams 2 Lite, [...] View post: ZAK Sound releases Echowaves, a FREE stereo delay plugin View the full article

The company says that "The union brings together two trailblazers in music technology with one shared mission: to give creators everywhere more power, freedom and inspiration to create."… Read More Reason Studios Acquired By AI-Powered Music Production Firm LANDRView the full article

Developer Sender Spike has released SN Zero, a free FM/vector hybrid synthesizer plugin for Windows. SN Zero is a four-operator FM synthesizer that blends classic FM synthesis with vector-style crossfading. The resulting combo is a hybrid instrument that feels familiar (if you’ve used FM synths before) but ever so slightly off the beaten path thanks [...] View post: Sender Spike releases SN Zero, a FREE hybrid synthesizer plugin for Windows View the full article

In this article, I’ll show you which drum machines for techno are suitable for modern productions, how they differ, and how you can integrate them into your studio setup. While software drums dominate many genres, techno producers often prefer hardware. Not out of nostalgia, but because of the workflow, feel, and sound. A drum machine forces you to make decisions and play patterns instead of drawing them, helping you develop grooves that come alive... The post Drum Machines for Techno 2026: Punch, Workflow, and Character appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Riffosc is a free Logue SDK oscillator for the Korg microKORG2 that offers two supersaw style oscillators per voice. … Read More Free Supersaw Oscillator Plugin For The Microkorg2View the full article

Developer DAWJunkie has released Craze, a free crunchy phaser effect for macOS and Windows. The start of a new year is often when we hope and plan for change. But when it comes to DAWJunkie, I just want more of the same, and, as expected, the increasingly popular developer has delivered. DAWJunkie’s latest release is [...] View post: DAWJunkie releases Craze, a FREE crunchy phaser effect View the full article

Expressive E bring us another collaboration, this time with Dawesome and their excellent Kontrast instrument, with presets made for the Osmose but equally at home with most MPE-compatible synths and controllers. We kick off 2026 with an interesting collection of sounds. We have the latest Expressive Suite collab from Expressive E using Dawesome’s Kontrast, some very specific patches for Michael Jackson fans, a lovely little freebie for Kontakt and a tribute to Dave Smith... The post New Year, New Sounds – Kompare & Kontrast: Sounds and Presets appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Looking to up your mastering game? Lurssen Mastering has enlisted a pair of multi-Grammy-winning engineers to craft the ultimate online mastering course. The 10-episode course is set to guide you through every step of the mastering process, as well as sharing a fool-proof mastering formula. The aptly named How To Master Your Music, the course is led by four-time Grammy winner (and twelve-time nominee) Gavin Lurssen, and Latin Grammy winner Reuben Cohen. The pair have a whole host of iconic albums under their belts, with Lurssen mastering records from the Foo Fighters to Eric Clapton, while Cohen has mastered records by Metallica, Miley Cyrus, The Beatle’s John Lennon and …

The collection includes sample oscillators, tuned tonal beds, drifting textures, and evolving drones, each designed to function as a starting point for additional modulation, layering, and processing.… Read More Ocean Swift Synthesis Intros Spectral Oscillators Toolkit Vol. 3, Evolving Looping Oscillators For Cinematic Sound DesignView the full article

Reason Studios has been acquired by AI-forward music production company, LANDR. The partnership is set to “redefine the future of music creation”, with sights set on enhancing Reason Studio’s classic DAW and Rack with new tools and AI-powered features. Montreal-based LANDR explains that the acquisition will see Reason entering a new creative dawn. “Our vision is to make Reason and the Reason Rack indispensable tools for every producer, regardless of what DAW they use,” Pascal Pilon, CEO of LANDR, explains... The post LANDR acquires Reason Studios: “This isn’t about changing Reason, it’s about giving it room to grow” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

This week’s deals are all about Vengeance-Sound, Tone2, and Universal Audio. These three big names are tempting customers with attractive plugin offers. If you’ve been looking for high-quality sound design, synthesis, or mixing tools, now is the time to strike. From the versatile Vengeance-Sound VPS Avenger 2 to the expressive Gladiator and the legendary SSL 4000 G Bus Compressor, each software package offers a genuine studio feel. Now is the perfect opportunity to start the new year with fresh sounds, powerful punch, and plenty of creativity! ... The post Vengeance-Sound, Tone2, Universal Audio: 3 Ultimate Software Deals! appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full art…

As someone with an interest in film and game composing, it’s odd that I’ve managed to dodge Cubase for this long. Over its 36-year history, it’s become the DAW of choice for big name screen composers like Hans Zimmer and Jack Wall. Not only that, but over time, this venerable digital audio workstation has accrued an expansive feature set that extends its utility into pretty much every corner of music production. In truth, the reason I haven’t tried it is simple – I’m kinda lazy. When I need a do-everything DAW, Logic Pro has long been my easy option. Sure, it tends to pre-empt, simplify, and streamline even when I don’t want it to, and, yes, it keeps me locked on overpric…

Tilr, one of the most productive and impressive free plugin developers in 2025, is making a strong start to the new year with the release of QDelay, a free feature-packed dual-delay plugin for macOS, Windows, and Linux. We’re only just into 2026, and Tilr is back with another free plugin that looks set to overdeliver [...] View post: Tilr releases QDelay, a FREE feature-packed dual-delay plugin View the full article

Here's a sneak preview of Tuul - a 12 hp, 4-channel, multi-function Eurorack module.… Read More Gotharman’s Tuul Multi-Function Eurorack Module (Sneak Preview)View the full article

This process is both an intellectual challenge and a way to create unofficial emulations of gear that's no longer available. … Read More Hacking The DSPs Of Famous SynthesizersView the full article

A few years ago, a great track was enough. In 2026, it isn’t. Today, music isn’t judged only by listeners — it’s evaluated by algorithms. And algorithms don’t care about emotion directly. They care about listener behavior: skips, retention, replays, and completion rates. Your mix and structure directly influence those signals. View the full article

New year, fresh ideas – and if your 2026 plans involve finishing more tracks (or starting better ones), Plugin Boutique has a seriously tempting deal to get you moving. Its Core Collection holiday sale slashes 88% off a powerful suite of production, mixing, and mastering plugins, making it one of the easiest ways to overhaul your setup without torching your budget... The post New year, new deals: Plugin Boutique slashes 88% off its Core Collection plugin bundle appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

The performance features sounds of the Super 8, stacked and layered, and features the RBN-1 Ribbon Controller for the "sci-fi super sweeps."… Read More UDO Super 8 Synth Jam, ‘Sigil’View the full article

The performance is based on a hybrid hardware/software setup, featuring Arturia Keystep Pro, iPad and what looks to be a 1010music Blackbox. … Read More Live Synth Performance – ‘The Divide’View the full article

That's the question raised by Funkastic - a new A.I.-powered plugin that generates funk parts for clavinet, electric piano, organs, and bass. … Read More Can AI Be Funky?View the full article

Heads up for FL Studio users: there’s a limited-time deal running with up to 30% off FL Studio upgrades. If you’re still on Fruity Edition and thinking about unlocking audio recording, full playlist functionality, stem separation, and the rest of the grown-up tools, this is a solid moment to move up a tier. Same workflow, a lot more headroom. Plus, save 33% on your first year of FL Cloud Pro Get over 1 million sounds, 85 premium plugins, all FLEX packs, and much more - now for 33% off.

Happy New Year, everyone! We’re kicking off what’s surely shaping up to be a great year of free plugins with three awesome freebies released at the end of 2025. Here’s AmenBreak VST, Skew v2, and Strum Plate... The post AmenBreak VST, Skew v2, Strum Plate: Free Plugins of the Week appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Here's a sneak preview of the Diapasonix - a portable electronic musical instrument and MIDI controller that is played similarly to a stringed instrument.… Read More Diapasonix Electronic Musical Instrument Sneak PreviewView the full article

Favor pure sound quality over lots of modulation possibilities? These are the synths for you: the best sounding synthesizers around. I had a realization not too long ago: I kind of don’t care about modulation. I mean, I do, but not nearly as much as some people. Check out the comments for a new synth release, and you’ll invariably see people complaining about the lack of LFOs. That’s definitely not me. One or two is fine. I’m much more focused on the sound of the thing: the oscillators and filter and saturation. That’s what I like. I had a think about it, about my favorite synths of past and present. They all tend to be light on the modulation and heavy on the sound. Whet…

(https://jamesm.blog/music-production/roland-tr-8s-vs-mc-707/) Roland has long been a cornerstone of electronic music hardware, and two of its most popular modern devices - the TR-8S Rhythm Performer (2018) and the MC-707 Groovebox (2019) - often come up in the same conversation. While they overlap in some areas, they’re built with very different goals in mind. This post brings together everything you need to know to decide TR-8S vs MC-707, including workflow, genres, live use, and how they can even work together. OverviewRoland TR-8S Rhythm PerformerType: Dedicated drum machine Best known for: Hands-on performance, classic TR sounds, live tweaking The TR-8S is all about …