Music Production Forum

HoRNet Audio offers the HA2A hardware-inspired opto compressor plugin for macOS and Windows at no cost for a limited time. At the time of writing, there are exactly 48 hours left to claim the plugin for free. HA2A is HoRNet’s take on the legendary LA-2A compressor, and it arrives not long after Universal Audio’s limited-time [...] View post: HoRNet Audio HA2A LA-2A-Style Opto Compressor is FREE for 48 hours only! View the full article

If you want to start your music production journey, NI 360 music production subscriptions are a great way to access all the professional sounds you need to create tracks in any genre without committing to expensive purchases. NI 360 subscriptions have three tiers: Essentials, Plus and Pro. Each of these offers a comprehensive, ever-evolving toolkit of music production tools from industry-standard music software developers Native Instruments, iZotope, and Brainworx, making NI 360 ideal for budget-friendly music production. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make an emotional pop track using just your DAW and NI 360 Essentials. We’ll use Massive X, Kontakt 8 Player, Pl…

The pursuit of perfection and authenticity has brought 4 black buttons to the RD-8 MKII and a lot of redesigning under the hood. Now cheaper! With its combination of analog pressure, advanced control options, and a discount, the Behringer RD-8 MKII is a particularly attractive offer right now. Whether for studio work or live performances, this versatile instrument is suitable for classic rhythm patterns and modern electronic productions alike. It demonstrates how closely tradition and innovation can be linked... The post Behringer RD-8 MKII: Classic sound now 12% cheaper at Thomann appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Finding realistic instrument sounds doesn’t have to drain your wallet. These seven free virtual instruments deliver authentic acoustic and synth experiences—whether you're after vintage synth tones, orchestral textures, or lifelike guitar and saxophone samples. Below, you'll find descriptions and direct links to grab them instantly. View the full article

NUSofting has released Filter4Tongue Free, a creative filter-based effect plugin available as a free download (with optional donations) for Windows. The developer describes Filter4Tongue as a “Hyper Wah,” “Formant Maker,” and a “Drone Shaper.” It’s definitely aimed to be more of a sound design tool than a filter for basic mixing and tone shaping. Sound [...] View post: NUSofting releases Filter4Tongue Free, an experimental filter FX plugin for Windows View the full article

Full FX Media has released Setekh, a free distortion plugin with a minimal interface and a useful input/output gain link. There’s nothing groundbreaking here, but Setekh delivers exactly what you want from a compact distortion tool. You get a solid analog-style distortion sound and a clean interface with one cool feature that helps speed up [...] View post: Full FX Media releases Setekh, a FREE distortion plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux View the full article

Roland has discounted its TR-909 Software Drum Machine to $49 (regular price $149) until October 9th, 2025. This 66% discount is available via Plugin Boutique and includes UVI Relayer as a free bonus plugin. Much like they did on 808 Day, Roland is now celebrating the 909 with this offer. If you’ve been waiting to [...] View post: Roland offers TR-909 plugin for $49 for a limited time + free UVI plugin View the full article

In his latest video, German synthesist Hainbach takes a look a the Sennheiser VSM201 Vocoder, a very rare '70s audio effect. … Read More Secrets Of Kraftwerk’s Vocoder, The Sennheiser VSM201View the full article

This live performance features the Roland SH-5 synthesizer and a compact Eurorack effects box. … Read More Live Looping Ambient Performance With Roland SH-5View the full article

Metal Fetishist v2.0 introduces a new Settings Menu, letting you customize the Metal Fetishist, and introduces new performance and sound design options. … Read More Body Synths Metal Fetishist Firmware v2.0 Walk-throughView the full article

The PRO2021 mkII clones the original Sequential Pro-One, but with much better build quality.… Read More Weston Intros PRO2021 mkII, A Sequential Pro-One Clone You Can Build YourselfView the full article

VAEMI has introduced the VAEMI Analog Sequencer, an inexpensive 8-stage standalone analog step sequencer. … Read More VAEMI Analog Sequencer Features 8-Stages In A Compact FormatView the full article

The event offers attendees to try the latest synthesizers, effects pedals, and modular gear with headphones, in a noise-friendly environment.… Read More Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo Returns October 18-19, 2025View the full article

Dawn of a New Age is an hour of new music and sonic landscapes for meditation and reflection.… Read More New Music From Lisa Bella Donna, ‘Dawn Of A New Age’View the full article

"Ever wished your synth could sound like the legendary Roland Jupiter-8?"… Read More How To Make A Novation Summit Sound Like A $20,000 Roland Jupiter-8View the full article

Features include 14-track recording to SD card, overdubbing, AI noise reduction, built-in effects and compression, Eurorack support and more. … Read More Zoom LiveTrak L6max Features 12-Track Mixing, Recording & Eurorack CompatibilityView the full article

If you’re new to music-making and are looking for free music software, Komplete Start is a great place to begin. All you need is a DAW, and Native Instruments Komplete Start will provide you with all the beats, loops, instrument sounds, and effects necessary for you to create awesome music. In this guide, we’ll show you how to make music for free with NI Komplete Start software, including the new Massive X Player and Kontakt’s new Leap, Chords, and Patterns Tools. This tutorial will focus on creating an emotional ambient jungle track, which is an ideal way to show off Massive X Player’s immaculate synth tones and Kontakt’s wide variety of drum beats and instrument presets…

SMAOLAB has released Akira Filter, a free low-pass filter plugin inspired by the legendary MS-20 filter from KORG. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably tested dozens (if not close to a hundred 😳) of filter plugins over the years. Despite having a few go-to favorites like HY-Filter and our own BPB Dirty Filter, I [...] View post: SMAOLAB releases Akira Filter, a FREE Korg MS-20 low-pass filter plugin View the full article

Uruguayan-Catalan producer Fernando Lagreca has built a name across Europe’s underground for his melodic approach to techno and left-field club tracks. With the upcoming release of Cosmic Tide alongside Pedro Mercado on Chrom Recordings, he blends arpeggiated synths, atmospheric basslines, and modular textures into something functional yet emotionally resonant. The title track’s foundation, which is a processed analog bass and layered Massive X arpeggio, offers a clear snapshot of Lagreca’s process: balancing tone, emotion, and studio pragmatism. We caught up with him to celebrate the release of his EP, which dropped on August 8th, to discuss working efficiently with fami…

Prairie Wires, a Canadian electronic music festival, will be held September 19–20 in Brandon Manitoba. … Read More Prairie Wires Festival Of Electronic Sound Returns To Brandon Manitoba CanadaView the full article

The Chroma Polaris is a classic 6-voice analog synthesizer, released in 1984 by Rhodes.… Read More Rhodes Chroma Polaris Vintage Synth ReviewView the full article

DOTS is a compact, 6-channel Eurorack module designed for generating triggers and gates.… Read More DOTS Eurorack 6-Channel Trigger SequencerView the full article

It’s a familiar music production trope for beatmakers, and we’ve all been there. But if you’ve been starting beats the same way for weeks, it’s time you tried out some new ideas. Get out of a creative block fast using NI 360, a unique music production subscription that offers hundreds of sampled instruments, powerful synths, creative effects, loops, and samples. In this blog, we’ll explore five new beat making ideas using tools from NI 360 that will inspire you to create better beats and enjoy the beat making process more... The post 5 ways to break out of the beat making rut first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

Impact Soundworks has introduced Chro-Nyx, a new virtual instrument that they say is primarily inspired by the Roland JP-8080 synthesizer, but also by other classic hardware synths.… Read More Impact Soundworks Chro-Nyx Virtual Instrument Inspired By Classic Hardware SynthsView the full article

DeepSoundLab has released LittleFuzzE, a fuzz pedal emulation plugin for macOS and Windows, available as a free download with optional paid upgrades. LittleFuzzE is a modern take on a classic square fuzz pedal, designed for guitarists, synth players, and sound designers. It delivers a hardware-like response and tone with high modeling accuracy and controlled CPU [...] View post: DeepSoundLab releases FREE LittleFuzzE fuzz guitar pedal plugin View the full article

Solstice is a new software synth for Mac & Windows, designed to "Turn any sample into an explorable landscape."… Read More New Software Synth, Solstice, Turns Any Sample Into A Playable LandscapeView the full article

At Knobcon 2025, Otter Mods introduced three new modules, which they plan to make available in both Moog and Eurorack modular synth formats.… Read More Otter Mods Intros Three Modules For MU, Eurorack Modular Synthesizers At Knobcon 2025View the full article

Here's a look at how to make music inspired by classic '70s & '80s synth soundtracks.… Read More How To Make ’70s & ’80s Synth SoundtracksView the full article

Elastic OSC for iOS has been updated with support for DX7-style FM synthesis. … Read More Elastic OSC For iOS Updated With Yamaha DX7 Patch SupportView the full article

The review offers a comprehensive introduction to the Tonverk, showcases the instrument's unique capabilities and features musical examples of its capabilities. … Read More Elektron Tonverk ReviewView the full article