Music Production Forum

At the 2026 NAMM Show, held Jan 22–24 in Anaheim, California, Korg has officially introduced the phase8, an electro-acoustic instrument, based on the concept of acoustic synthesis.… Read More Korg Phase8 Acoustic Synthesizer Debuts At 2026 NAMM ShowView the full article

Another Behringer prototype breaks cover and appears at NAMM 2026. This time it’s the long-awaited Behringer BMX drum machine. It seems Behringer are continuing their tradition of bringing physical examples of their long-awaited prototypes to NAMM 2026. Alongside the JT-2, their BMX Sampling Drum Machine is also on display at their stand in Anaheim, CA... The post Behringer BMX Finally On Display at NAMM 2026 appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Spied at NAMM 2026 on Press Day yesterday, it appears that Behringer’s JT-2 is about to go on sale! Our sources on the ground in Anaheim, CA at NAMM 2026, have told us that Behringer has an actual JT-2 on their stand. You may recall that the JT-2 is a two-voice desktop/Eurorack module that delivers a two voice recreation of the Jupiter 8... The post Behringer JT-2 Now On Display at NAMM 2026 appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Solid State Logic and IK Multimedia have two heavily discounted offers that are well worth your attention if you’re looking to upgrade your creative effects toolkit or guitar setup. I’ll cover both below, but please note that the one from SSL expires very soon (probably a matter of hours at this point). SSL X-Delay & [...] View post: My two favorite deals this week come from Solid State Logic and IK Multimedia View the full article

Matt Johnson’s (Jamiroquai keyboard player) most used keyboards Of 2025 ...

From @synthandsoftware - An exclusive Synth and Software Interview Every man needs a cave. So does every woman, but Chris Meyer happens be a man. He also happens to be a musician with a very interesting new man-cave synth studio and a new album recorded in it; a synth performer; a bona fide expert who lectures about modular […] The post Chris Meyer Builds The Ultimate Man-Cave Synth Studio appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article

If you've been looking for sound design demos for the new Ashun Sound Machines Leviasynth, look no further. … Read More Shut Up & Play: Sounds Of The ASM LeviasynthView the full article

Roland has introduced the CR-78 Software Rhythm Composer, a plugin emulation of their CR-78 drum machine.… Read More Roland CR-78 Software Rhythm Composer Brings The Sound Of ‘In The Air Tonight’ To Your DAWView the full article

Headless guitar maker Strandberg has teamed up with Jamstik on a new MIDI-infused guitar, allowing players to control software instruments and hardware synths, while assisting in producing, transcribing and other areas of modern digital music production. Strandberg makes some of the most forward-thinking electric guitars around right now, so it’s not all that surprising that it would be the next brand to tinker with adding MIDI to its instruments... The post This headless guitar has MIDI and can control your software instruments and hardware synths appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

If you're going to NAMM, make sure to stop by the Bob Moog Foundation booth to check it out.… Read More Moog Emerson Modular System Prototype Hands-On DemoView the full article

Electronic musician Sarah Belle Reid shared a new video, exploring an extremely rare electronic instrument called the Touché, created by Buchla and Associates in 1980. Filmed at the Buchla Archives in Vancouver – an organization dedicated to the preservation of Donald Buchla’s work – the video offers a rare opportunity to hear and see an… Read More Exploring The Touché, Don Buchla’s Rare Polyphonic Keyboard InstrumentView the full article

Ahead of the 2026 NAMM Show, iConnectivity has introduced PlayAUDIO2U, an all-in-one live performance interface that features 24 balanced XLR output configuration and four low noise microphone preamps.… Read More iConnectivity Intros PlayAUDIO2U All-In-One Live Performance Audio & MIDI InterfaceView the full article

Melbourne Instruments has availability of Logic Pro integration for its ROTO-CONTROL motorized software and hardware MIDI controller.… Read More Melbourne Instruments Roto-Control Gets Logic Pro IntegrationView the full article

FabFilter has announced the immediate availability of Pro-C 3 and a free update to their Pro-Q 4 equalizer.… Read More FabFilter Releases FabFilter Pro-C 3 Compressor Plug-InView the full article

Bastl Instruments has announced that it is open sourcing the firmware for three of its designs, and making them available as DIY kits.… Read More Bastl Intros Alchemist, Kastle & Citadel DIY Kits, Open Sources FirmwareView the full article

As an audio engineer, a surprising amount of time is spent not mixing or mastering, but managing files, links, and feedback. Cloud storage folders multiply, email threads grow long, and important notes get buried. Even with good intentions, projects can quickly become fragmented. Opusonix is designed to remove that friction by combining file storage, structured [...] View post: Opusonix Review: A Cleaner, Smarter Way to Collaborate on Music Projects View the full article

FRCTL has released GRN Lite, a free granular effect plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux. I’m always curious to try new granular tools, especially since some granular plugins can feel a bit intimidating at first, so I like searching for ones that instantly click with me. We recently covered Fractive, which is a more advanced, [...] View post: FRCTL releases GRN Lite FREE granular effect plugin View the full article

Gianni Chiarello, a UK-based guitarist and educator with a wealth of experience in the music industry, has released Nice Stomps! Plugins – a collection of free guitar-based plugins for macOS, Windows, and Linux. From Berklee College of Music to iconic studios and stages around the world, his résumé has some stellar highlights. Gianni has put [...] View post: Gianni Chiarello releases Nice Stomps! A collection of FREE guitar-based plugins View the full article

Tuesday, Rane announced the release of the Rane System One, blending advanced standalone DJ technology with the trusted feel and control of motorized platters. As the first Rane product with onboard Engine DJ, the System One lets open-format DJs simultaneously mix among USB drives, SD cards, music streaming services, and DJ software sources like Serato DJ and Algoriddim djay all without interruption. Paired with an array of FX features and multiple ways to DJ with Stems, the SYSTEM ONE was designed to unlock new levels of creativity while fueling DJs’ passion for the artform.… Read More Rane Debuts System One, World’s First Motorized Stand-alone DJ SystemView the full art…

Studiologic has announced the Numa X Piano GT SE. The second-generation stage piano is more than an eye-catching facelift: it boasts more samples, a completely new synth engine, new effects, and more! The Studiologic Numa X Piano GT was first unveiled in 2021. At NAMM 2026, the manufacturer presents the second generation of its flagship stage piano. Sporting a bright orange metallic finish and wooden sides, the Numa X Piano GT SE is a real stunner. What’s even more interesting, however, is what Studiologic has done to the sound engines... The post Studiologic Numa X Piano GT SE: Metallic Paint and a new Synth Engine! appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

LFO Store has released Klaus Schulze Tribute, a new sound library for the Korg modWave, inspired by the pioneering Berlin School master. … Read More Klaus Schulze Tribute Sound Library For The Korg modWave SynthesizerView the full article

Baby Audio is kicking off this week’s software deals with a highlight for producers looking for more sound control in their mixes. Together with Softube and KORG, the focus is on three unique tools that complement each other well in your DAW, ranging from a smart spectral processor to a powerful FM synthesizer. Smooth Operator Pro provides silky dynamics, Weiss MM-1 delivers precision in mastering and opsix native proves that FM synthesis can still sound exciting in 2026. If you’re thinking about new plugins, take a closer look at these deals before they disappear... The post Baby Audio, Softube, KORG: 3 Ultimate Software Deals! appeared first on gearnews.com. View the fu…

Tape Fiasco is a brand-new plugin from Jonas Eriksson that combines three distinct time-based effects: Stretch, Stutter, and Varispeed. I haven’t had much time with Tape Fiasco since installing the plugin, but I have to say right off the bat, it’s a lot of fun! Whether you’re using all three effects simultaneously or one at [...] View post: Jonas Eriksson releases Tape Fiasco, a FREE time-based multi-effect plugin View the full article

Developer Riot Audio has released Industry Lite, a free cinematic synth/sampler for Kontakt Player. Industry Lite is the little brother of the premium Industry instrument (£119), and it runs in the free Kontakt Player v8.7 or higher. Industry Lite is listed at £3 (a donation to help the developer with bandwidth costs), but you can [...] View post: Riot Audio releases Industry Lite, a FREE cinematic synth/sampler for Kontakt Player View the full article

Sync Audio has released Fractiv, a granular effect and sampler instrument for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It is designed for intuitive and repeatable granular processing rather than randomness, which is the main focus of many other granular tools. Fractiv works by continuously capturing incoming audio into a rolling buffer (up to 10 seconds) and then [...] View post: Sync Audio launches Fractiv granular sampler with Intro Price View the full article

Developer Decadebridge has offered several free instruments, which includes BalterLITE for macOS and Windows. We’ve featured a few Decadebridge releases over the years, with the most recent being Shallow Grave in September, 2025. If you haven’t checked it out already, Shallow Grave is a cascading filter plugin for macOS and Windows. This time, we’re looking [...] View post: Decadebridge offers several FREE instruments, including BalterLITE for macOS and Windows View the full article

Over 3,500 music gear manufacturers arrive in Anaheim this week for the annual National Association of Music Merchants Show. The Anaheim Convention Centre in California is brimming with all the latest music technology gear, software, and innovations that will shape music studios and production workflows in 2026... The post NAMM 2026: All the news, gear, and innovations from the biggest music gear event appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Go big or go home as they say, and Akai Professional has done just that with the official launch of the MPC XL – its most powerful MPC model to date with souped-up processing power. Following a leak prior to Christmas last year, Akai has officially confirmed that the MPC XL is available now, and describes this beastly version of its flagship workstation line as “a studio centrepiece built for modern production”... The post Akai MPC XL: The most powerful MPC model to date with 4x the processing power of previous models appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

On Tuesday, Akai Professional announced the launch of the MPC XL, adding the flagship standalone music production tool to their lineup of music production equipment. This powerful studio "centerpiece" delivers unprecedented processing capabilities, expressive control, and professional I/O connectivity, all without requiring a computer. Designed to give beat-makers, producers, and musicians complete creative freedom, MPC XL puts the power of a full studio right at the user's fingertips.… Read More Akai Pro Unveils MPC XL For Beat Making, Music ProductionView the full article

Orbit is designed to make it easy to "create rises, impacts, and textures that feel alive, nuanced, layered, and intentional."… Read More UVI Intros Orbit Rise, Impact & Texture DesignerView the full article