Music Production Forum

Deadmau5 has candidly admitted that he doesn’t actually enjoy electronic music all that much, but the process of making it is what attracts him to the genre. If we know one thing about Deadmau5, it’s that he’s unfiltered. Whether it’s discussing pre-recorded DJ sets or trolling Grimes for her technical issues at Coachella, he’s often doing or saying some pretty bold things... The post Deadmau5 says he “doesn’t enjoy” dance music, but loves “the process of making it” appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

Welcome to Synth Journal! This new weekly column from the GEARNEWS team of synth writers brings you all the latest stories, news, and gossip from the wonderful world of synthesizers. From fascinating inventions to sound demos to Eurorack modules that venture off the beaten path – Synth Journal is your weekly roundup of everything synth-related. Enjoy! Synth Journal: Love Hultén Y-17 Ferrofluid Synth Let’s kick off this edition of Synth Journal with the latest mesmerizing creation from Love Hultén. We don’t know exactly what’s going on inside of the Y-17 Ferrofluid Synth, but like all of the Swedish designer’s fascinating contraptions, it sounds just as unique as …

“To create great sound design for video games, you need to capture not only the essence of the game itself, but also the expectations of the genre – but what does that look like in practice? In this webinar hosted by sound designer Giorgio Vezzini (Baldur’s Gate 3), and composer Michael Worth (Rush Hour 3), we will create laser weapon sounds in a few different genres – Sci-fi, Retro, and JRPG – showing you how to build a sound pallet for your game that reflects the world you're immersed in.” https://thinkspace.ac.uk/free-sound-design-webinar/

Traditionally, polyphonic synthesizers were priced on the expensive side. Even the DX-7 – which was regarded as more affordable – cost close to $2000 when it was launched back in 1983. Times have changed however and we show you our pick of the best budget polysynths. Browsing the Best Budget Polysynths is a pastime that didn’t always exist! Thankfully in recent years, manufacturers have taken major steps toward making these instruments more accessible. Moreover, the home recording and content creation revolution we are currently experiencing means that the demand for quality at the budget end of the market creates healthy competition. This means we will continue…

Behringer today teased its upcoming 16-voice Sequential Prophet-5 copy, the Pro-16.… Read More Behringer Teases 16-Voice Prophet-5 CopyView the full article

Vocals in Electronic Dance Music (EDM) serve not only as a lyrical narrative but also as a crucial sonic element that can define the vibe and memorability of a track. Whether through sampling iconic hooks or synthesizing vocal-like textures, EDM producers employ various techniques to integrate vocals creatively. This post explores how vocals are used in EDM to enhance musical storytelling and emotional impact. View the full article

Beatmaking plug-ins and hardware drum machines can be tricky the first time around. We look at how to use a drum machine in your studio. In the early 1970s and perhaps even before this time, musicians started using drum machines differently. Initially, drum machines were designed as nothing more than accompaniment tools for musicians. Although the range and functionality of these instruments were limited, pioneering artists such as Sly Stone began layering loops from drum machines as textural and rhythmic elements within their compositions. Most 1970s-era and earlier drum machines offer preset rhythm patterns with extremely limited programmability. Moreover…

This week I want to showcase the work of HyperSynth who make modern storage cartridges for classic vintage digital synths such as the DX1, M1 and D-50! Every week I trawl the interwebs for some great sounds and presets for all manner of synths but this week I wanted to shine a light on a company that not only make presets, but also the cartridges to store them on. In fact, one of the cartridges we will be looking at contains the very first commercial bank of presets for a synth that was released in 1983! HyperSynth has been in business since 2008 and began making and selling hardware and software products. But it was in 2019 that they started producing the …

This week, in our new installment of synth deals, we’ve gathered three pretty nice deals at Thomann! To start with, two editions of the Roland Juno-DS are on sale. Furthermore, Novation’s MiniNova can still be had for a rather steep discount. In addition, Udo Audio’s Super 6 Blue is available at 14 percent off! Roland Juno-DS is 20 percent off! Roland’s Juno series is one of the most popular and legendary synthesizer range ever. And in 2015, the Japanese giant returned with a renewed version of its classic, the Roland Juno-DS. Slated as a successor to the Roland Juno-DI and Juno-D, this new version brings not only the classic epic pad sounds, Juno has always bee…

The upcoming Eternal Research Demon Box promises to convert electromagnetic fields into music. Hold an electrical device near it and out comes… demonic sound. Eternal Research Demon Box When a press release like this appears in your inbox you really have no choice but to write about. Demons? Electromagnetic fields? A “synaesthetic triphonic feeling-sound?” Let’s dive in... The post Eternal Research Demon Box Turns EMFs Into Music appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Full Bucket Music Six-Traq brings the sound of the Sequential Circuits Six-Trak analog polysynth of the 80s to your DAW for FREE! Full Bucket Music Six-Traq: Free Sequential Circuits Six-Trak Emulation If you’re constantly on the hunt for free software synths, you’ve surely come across some of Full Bucket Music’s awesome freebies. The developer’s excellent emulations of vintage analog synths regularly earn top spots on lists of the best free software synths. With the newly released Six-Traq, Full Bucket Music has now added an emulation of the Sequential Circuits Six-Trak to this list... The post Full Bucket Music Six-Traq: FREE Software Synth Brings the Six-…

On Sunday, Soundly made its Shape It parametric EQ free for all Windows and macOS users. Previously, Soundly’s flagship 10-band EQ was behind a subscription paywall, but now they’ve transitioned to freeware. Soundly decided to release Shape It as a standalone plugin due to popular demand. The Norwegian developer stated that the EQ’s “cuts and [...] View post: Soundly’s Shape It 10-band EQ is Now Available for Free Download View the full article

Developer Variety of Sound has released BootEQ mkIV, a free EQ and Preamp plugin for Windows. Variety of Sound is a developer we cover frequently here (long may it continue) and one I know many readers are very fond of. The prolific developer regularly pops up with new releases or updates, like NastyVCS, epicCLOUDS, and [...] View post: Variety of Sound releases BootEQ mkIV, a FREE EQ and Preamp plugin for Windows View the full article

HoRNet Plugins offers the HoRNet DynEq (€10.99 value) dynamic equalizer plugin for free for a limited time, but the offer expires in ten hours. I’m a fan of HoRNet Plugins, but I honestly wish their freebie deals lasted a bit longer. It’s hard to publish an article on time and share it with all of [...] View post: Get The HoRNet DynEq Dynamic Equalizer Plugin For FREE View the full article

A new Release Candidate of the Waldorf M firmware has been released, adding Algorithmic Oscillators based on Mutable Instruments Braids and MPE support! Waldorf M Firmware 1.10 RC3 Update [June 11th, 2024] Although not officially announced or available on Waldorf’s website, a new Release Candidate firmware for the Waldorf M has been made available. Posting on the Gearspace website, the developer, Vladi, made the announcement that includes three major changes. First up is the now obligatory MPE update that many manufacturers are adding to their gear. There are certain limitations to this update but MPE support will be expanded and updated in subsequent firmwa…

Tempera is a tactile, cross-sample granular synthesizer and resampler with a unique interface and approach to sound manipulation.… Read More Tempera Granular Synthesizer In-Depth ReviewView the full article

Creature From the ID is a new virtual instrument for MacOS, inspired by the work of Louis and Bebe Barron.… Read More New Virtual Instrument Specializes In Retro Sci Fi ‘Krell’ SoundsView the full article

Glue compression could be the missing link between how your mixes currently sound and professional results. Applying glue compression to a song produces a tighter, thicker, richer mix – just what every music producer wants. This guide covers what a glue compressor does, when you should use a glue compressor, and how to use a glue compressor. We’ll also cover some popular glue compressor plugins you can demo for free. Follow along by demoing a free MEGA plan trial from Plugin Alliance that gives you access to over 180 professional plugins from 40+ brands... The post What is a glue compressor plugin? How to use it to create a cohesive mix first appeared on Native Instrument…

The developer says that Six-Traq offers a close emulation of the original, but expands on it with up to 96-voice polyphony, micro-tuning and other modern features.… Read More Free Virtual Instrument Recreates Sequential Circuits Six-TrakView the full article

In his latest video, synthesist Starsky Carr offers a head-to-head comparison of the Moog Grandmother and the Behringer Model 15, a Euro-format knockoff.… Read More Behringer Model 15 vs Moog Grandmother Head-To-Head ComparisonView the full article

In this video, Cynthia Millar offers an introduction to the Ondes Martenot, an early electronic instrument that has earned a place in the orchestral repertoire.… Read More An Introduction To The Ondes MartenotView the full article

Arthur Freye and Jannis Müller (who go by AJ) have released a new free synthesizer plugin called Qsynthi. Over the years, we have seen a wide variety of free synthesizers, including the popular Vital and Surge XT, which we have covered before. Some work with wavetables, while some may work with simple waveforms or sample-based [...] View post: AJ Releases FREE Qsynthi Quantum Synthesizer Plugin View the full article

Sinus Plus 2.0 is the latest version of the freeware organ virtual instrument for Windows. Iliadis Instruments claims Sinus Plus isn’t your typical Hammond B3 emulation, which I’d agree with. However, denying the shared common lineage behind such a virtual instrument is hard. As with everything else from the developer, this is a free instrument, [...] View post: Sinus Plus 2.0 Is A FREE Organ Virtual Instrument For Windows (32-bit) View the full article

Full Bucket Music releases Six-Traq, a free Sequential Circuits Six Trak emulation for macOS and Windows. The Six Trak arrived on the scene in 1984, and, like many synths, it garnered mixed reviews. People generally seem to like the factory presets, built-in sequencer, and overall sound of the vintage six-voice synth (albeit not entirely Prophet-like). [...] View post: Full Bucket Music releases Six-Traq, FREE Sequential Circuits Six Trak emulation View the full article

All of Native Instruments' iconic synths are currently only £17 each 🤩 (offer ends 8th July) https://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/summer-of-sound-2024/iconic-synths/ Further details about all their current Summer of Sound deals ... https://blog.native-instruments.com/summer-of-sound/

The Behringer MS-5 build quality is 'OK' and, no matter how close it is to the original, it's an interesting analog synthesizer.… Read More Behringer MS-5 vs Roland SH-5 Head-To-Head ComparisonView the full article

Here's a a behind-the-scenes tour of Korg Berlin with CEO Tatsuya 'Tats' Takahashi.… Read More Inside Korg Berlin With Tatsuya ‘Tats’ TakahashiView the full article

Groove Synthesis' sound designer Kurt Kurasaki demonstrates how to create a beautiful and lush PPG-style pad sound from scratch, using some of the basic concepts and features of the 3rd Wave.… Read More How To Create PPG-Style Sounds On The 3rd Wave SynthesizerView the full article

FuncBud is a unique and fun sequencer that uses simple math functions to generate patterns. … Read More New Sequencer For iOS & Mac, FuncBud, Lets You Create Music With MathView the full article

The Chromaplane "combines the expressivity of traditional acoustic instruments, with the endless experimentation of electronic sound design."… Read More KOMA Elektronik Introduces Chromaplane Polyphonic Electromagnetic SynthesizerView the full article