Music Production Forum

MQA Labs has launched two new plugins to give producers “unprecedented control” over the “critical details” in their recordings. The new plugins – named Inspira and Endura – both offer a different set of tools which each address different challenges in digital audio. They were previously teased during NAMM back in January under different names (simply called Input and Output plugins)... The post These new plugins from MQA Labs give you in-depth control over “critical details” in your recordings appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Kontakt can bring new worlds of sound into your tracks. Whether you’re looking for punchy modern drums, vintage keys, or characterful instruments from across the globe, there’s probably a Kontakt library (or several) that will scratch the itch. What’s more, many of these instruments are free. In this article, we’ll run down five of the best free Kontakt libraries for hip hop production. Some of these instruments offer handy free hip hop samples to get you started on a track. Others deliver compelling soundworlds that will give your finished productions extra polish and depth. You can start using these samples, sounds, and more using the free Kontakt Player, a streamlined …

For a limited time, you can save up to 25 per cent off Ableton Live 12 Standard and Suite purchases, including upgrades, at Sweetwater and Thomann. That equals a saving of up to $225, so now is probably the best time to download the DAW if you’ve been holding out… The post Ableton Live 12 is now 25% off — but not for long appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Dorico SE is Steinberg’s free music notation software for macOS and Windows, and it was recently updated to version 6. Music notation software has come a long way since the likes of SCORE in the late 1960s and even the early days of Sibelius. These days, there’s no shortage of useful options, including a few [...] View post: Dorico SE6: Steinberg updates FREE music notation software for macOS and Windows View the full article

HydraTek and Spektralisk have teamed up once again to release Nihil, a new sound pack for Xfer Records’ Serum 2, as well as a standalone WAV sample collection. They are also giving away the collection for free to three lucky BPB readers. Nihil is designed for producers and composers craving raw intensity and deep cinematic [...] View post: BPB Exclusive: 30% OFF Nihil By HydraTek & Spektralisk + Giveaway! View the full article

Developer Andrew John March has launched a Kickstarter project to fund production of the MOSS-101, a virtual analog monosynth, packed into a compact, rugged guitar pedal enclosure.… Read More New MOSS-101 Synth Fits In Your PocketView the full article

At Superbooth 2025, Analog Sweden & Nyström previewed the Crum 2 Generative Percussive Harmonic Machine, a collaboration with Sweden instrument designer Love Hultén.… Read More Crum 2 Drum Synthesizer First Look At Superbooth 2025View the full article

A new update for the Kodamo EssenceFM adds a 16-track step sequencer, second LFO and more to the already powerhouse FM synth. There are a lot of synthesizers out there. With so many choices, not every synth can get the attention it deserves, especially when it comes from an independent manufacturer without big bucks for marketing. Kodamo’s EssenceFM is one such synth. A 300-voice FM poly with some unique features and parameters, it often tends to get overlooked for other, more well-known FM instruments. IYKYK though... The post Kodamo EssenceFM Update v7.0 Makes This 300-Voice Digital Poly More Powerful Than Ever appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

sonicLAB has introduced Protean, a new software synth and audiovisual instrument for macOS & Windows that uses fluid dynamics and particle forces/interactions to render and organize hundreds of sine waves.… Read More sonicLAB Protean Uses Fluid Dynamics As A Unique Approch To SynthesisView the full article

Tone Empire has released EDYNpre, a tube saturation plugin based on the classic Electrodyne 1204 console, and it’s completely free to download until May 20th. EDYNpre brings the character of a vintage mixing console to your DAW, offering a bold, punchy sound with plenty of analog vibe. Based on the image on Tone Empire’s website, [...] View post: Tone Empire EDYNpre analog-style saturation plugin is FREE until May 20 View the full article

Emotive Brass is the latest addition to the free Origins Series from Sonixinema. Sonixinema’s Origins Series has been nothing short of exceptional so far; the free series, including Delicate Strings and Whispering Woodwinds, is a must for anyone interested in media scoring. Brass is often a tricky section for developers because it’s a very unforgiving [...] View post: Sonixinema releases Emotive Brass, the latest addition to the FREE Origins Series View the full article

Despacio – the mighty sound system created by James Murphy, Soulwax, and audio expert John Klett – is coming to Portola music festival this September. The sound system is not like any other out there, and MusicTech went as far to call it the “world’s greatest” when we got to take a look inside the system itself back in 2019, prior to its appearance at Meltdown Festival... The post We called Despacio the “world’s greatest sound system” – here’s what to expect at Portola 2025 appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Plugin Boutique is currently offering Comeback Kid by BABY Audio for just $9.99—a massive drop from its regular $69 price tag. If you’ve been holding out for a top-tier delay plugin, this is your cue. BABY Audio is one of my favorite developers. They have a lineup of easy-to-use but epic-sounding plugins like I Heart [...] View post: BABY Audio Comeback Kid Delay Plugin Now $9.99 at Plugin Boutique View the full article

Until May 16th, you can grab the UVI Relayer plugin from AudioDeluxe for only $29. This plugin usually sells for $99, which makes this exclusive deal a 71% discount. AudioDeluxe is currently running an exclusive deal that only lasts for a couple more days, and if you’re looking for a versatile delay plugin, don’t miss [...] View post: Get UVI’s multi-tap delay plugin Relayer for 71% OFF View the full article

IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube 5 CS gear giveaways are back in 2025! For May, the company is giving away three high-gain amps and a Tube Screamer-style pedal to users of the free guitar and bass workstation. During May, AmpliTube 5 CS users can score the following freebies: the Custom Modern Hi-Gain head and cab, the German [...] View post: IK Multimedia offers FREE High Gain Amps and a Tube Screamer Pedal for AmpliTube 5 CS View the full article

pointblank Music School has created two new courses for budding music producers using either Ableton Live or Logic Pro. Each course consists of over 30 video tutorials crafted with help from music industry experts that you can watch at your own pace. Feeling lost in the vast complexity of a DAW is probably a common [...] View post: pointblank Music School releases two FREE courses for Logic Pro and Ableton Live View the full article

French producer Myd wants you to know that even the best musicians are intimidated by a blank DAW. The artist, real name Quentin Lepoutre, recently wrapped up a week-long Twitch livestream from his LED-drenched studio in France, where he cooked meals, did yoga, slept, hosted DJ sets, and – importantly – made music in front of a live audience… The post “A lot of artists need to understand that it’s part of music production”: Myd on overcoming the fear of a blank DAW appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Allan J. Hall had no intention of building synthesizers for a living when he first created the MiniMod. It was a DIY project purely for himself. He’d played guitar and dabbled in keyboards for years as a hobby, but it wasn’t a career. Then, he sold the company he owned and, suddenly, Hall says, “I didn’t really need to do much and I had a lot of spare time.” Free from the responsibility of running a 25,000 square-foot factory building decorative fireplaces (and a few million dollars richer), he threw himself into his hobby, and specifically spent a lot of time on the technology side. Hall built some guitar pedals, tackled a few DIY synth projects, and even spent time as a…

In this episode of My Forever Studio, brought to you in partnership with Audient, we speak with self-taught production prodigy Charlie Deakin Davies. After kickstarting their professional career as a teenager recording in their shed, Davies went on to become the youngest producer ever to get BBC Radio 2 airplay, and has worked with huge artists like Fred Again, Laura Marling, and other My Forever Studio guests, Gary Barlow and Ellie Dixon... The post My Forever Studio: Charlie Deakin Davies’ perfect vocal chain is attainable appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

The Patterns Tool is a new feature in Kontakt that combines the ease-of-use of an arpeggiator with the powerful flexibility of a sequencer, making it easier than ever to create exciting new rhythms and musical sequences. In this guide to using patterns in Kontakt we’ll show you how to add the Patterns Tool to instruments, how to edit patterns, and how to create new rhythmic patterns in Kontakt. This will enable you to create exciting sequences more quickly, regardless of which style of music you make… The post Patterns in Kontakt: How to add rhythm to your music first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

Remixing is a cornerstone of electronic dance music (EDM), allowing producers to reimagine existing songs by infusing them with new energy, style, and sound design. A great remix honors the essence of the original while transforming it into something uniquely its own. This blog explores the creative and technical sides of remixing, its role in EDM culture, and tips for making remixes that resonate. View the full article

Part classical instrument, part envelope-pushing synthesizer, part effects processor, the Clank Uranograph is a weird, wild and wonderful machine. I admit it: I dropped the ball. I’ve been seeing the Clank Uranograph pop up on Instagram and the occasional YouTube video, but with all of the other Superbooth things happening, I let it slip past me. Today, I finally had a chance to check it out, and whoah, this thing looks amazing. No wonder Sonic State awarded it best in show at this year’s Superbooth... The post Clank Uranograph: What in the World Is This Amazing-Sounding Machine? appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Flame Instruments has introduced the Maeander-M wavetable synthesizer with analog filterbank and sequencer in 56HP.… Read More Flame Instruments Intros Maeander-M Wavetable SynthesizerView the full article

Morphor has introduced the Echon 6, a new 6-voice polyphonic synthesizer based on physical modeling synthesis.… Read More Morphor Intros Echon 6 Physical Modeling Synthesizer At Superbooth 2025View the full article

Elektron teased Overbridge for iPad at Superbooth – and it looks amazing. But when will you be able to download it? Superbooth25 is over, and while the bulk of the stories are written, logged and published, there are a few more to get out. Like this one, about Elektron and Overbridge for iPad. Yes, you read that right. Everybody’s favorite black box manufacturer has been busy cooking up a version of its Overbridge software for the Apple iPad, allowing you to stream devices like the Digitone II (which just recently got Overbridge support) into apps like Logic Pro for iPad and AUM... The post Elektron Overbridge for iPad: How Soon Could You Be Streaming Your Digitone II? ap…

The drumDING features an analog drum voice that can be used to create a wide range of percussive sounds, plus the ability to sample and sequence these sounds.… Read More Verona drumDING Drum Machine (Sneak Preview)View the full article

Longtime electronic music journalist and former Keyboard magazine editor Stephen Fortner suffered a stroke last week and is recovering in the hospital.… Read More Stephen Fortner, Electronic Music Journalist & Keyboard Editor, Recovering From StrokeView the full article

The Crystal decides what, when, and how frequently to intervene.… Read More Enjoy Electronics Intros ELFO With ‘Magic Crystal Function’View the full article

Teenage Engineering has introduced Field System Black, new versions of their flagship mobile audio devices, with black styling. … Read More Teenage Engineering Intros Field System Black At Superbooth 2025View the full article

Genki Instruments has officially introduced KATLA, a five-voice analog synthesizer that they say features "volcanic modulation, tactile sliders, and lava rock knobs and side-panels."… Read More Genki Instruments Introduces KATLA, A Five-Voice Analog Synth With Lava Rock KnobsView the full article