Music Production Forum

Can’t afford a vintage synthesizer or don’t want to bother with endless maintenance? These five synth clones sit at the centre of the synthesizer Venn diagram between authenticity, reliability and affordability. What a time to be alive. It used to be that if you wanted a classic synthesizer, you had to trawl the back pages of music mags, scanning the classifieds with a magnifying glass for something good for sale. These days, enterprising companies of all sizes are giving the people what they want, with all manner of re-releases, updates and upgrades, and outright clones now just a Buy It Now button click away... The post 5 of the Best Modern Synth Clones: Affordable Clas…

Software-based instruments like VSTs and samplers offer modern producers access to an expansive range of sounds. However, this digital flexibility can lead to endless tweaking and the loss of the human touch that traditional instruments provide. AFFKT bridges this gap by recording himself in real-time as he automates and manipulates high-power samplers like Kontakt... The post AFFKT on resampling Kontakt: Real-time recording and mixing advice first appeared on Native Instruments Blog. View the full article

You can now get Signalbash, a time tracking utility plugin for Windows, macOS, and Linux, for free! Ever wondered how much time you’ve spent rotting in front of the computer, justifying it with an unimpressive amount of subpar DAW projects? Alternatively, have you ever wanted to track your “ingame” DAW time and see how you [...] View post: Track your DAW time and challenge your friends with Signalbash, a FREE Time Tracking VST Plugin View the full article

H90 Harmonizer is the name of the new effects pedal from hardware and software developer Eventide. The name is, of course, a reference to one of the company’s most famous effects units, the H8000 and H9000. And now it comes in the form of a stompbox. The smaller version, the H9, is also popular and can be upgraded with new effects via a paid software update (or the plug-in versions). The latest update gives the pedal a major upgrade focused on vocal and harmonization processing. The new features come directly from the legendary H910 Harmonizer, a 1975 studio classic known for its characteristic pitch-shifting sound... The post Eventide’s H90 Harmonizer Features Legendary …

TBProAudio has released TBPAVolume, a free volume control utility plugin for macOS and Windows built for precision gain staging and volume automation inside your DAW. Obviously, all modern DAWs already offer basic volume controls. However, TBPAVolume is one of those tools you don’t even know you need until you see them. It is a dedicated [...] View post: TBProAudio Releases TBPAVolume, a FREE Precision Gain Plugin for macOS and Windows View the full article

Developer Fracture Sounds has released the free Blueprint: Textural Cello for Kontakt Player. As some of you will already know and are probably sick of hearing, I love a good orchestral library. Nothing beats having the best players in the world and an incredible sound stage, but unless you’re scoring a AAA movie or video [...] View post: Fracture Sounds release the FREE Blueprint Textural Cello for Kontakt Player View the full article

When it comes to vintage synth emulations, Full Bucket Music has given us some absolute gems. Their latest release, Fury-68, is a reimagining of Korg’s 80s classic. We’ve had the Six-Traq (Sequential Circuits Six Trak), Paralogy (Crumar Trilogy/Stratus), and the slightly bonkers but brilliant Broken Mini (Minimoog). And let’s not forget the Fury-800, which emulates the [...] View post: Full Bucket Music releases Fury-68, a reimagining of Korg’s 80s classic View the full article

Audible Genius just updated their Primer synth VST to version 2.0.019, and is now offering the software for free. Primer works on both macOS and Windows, and comes in AU, VST, and VST3 formats. The new update includes 400 factory presets and introduces the Famous Sounds Preset Library, where a slew of iconic synth sounds [...] View post: Get the Primer Synthesizer by Audible Genius for FREE View the full article

SpaceBlender is designed to create massive waves of lush, organic, and evolving spatial effects.… Read More Soundtoys Intros SpaceBlender ‘Experimental Reverb’ And It’s Free Through May 22View the full article

Datamind Audio released the Concatenator, an AI-powered audio mosaicing tool that turns any sound into a playable instrument. Distinctly different from sampling, the Concatenator can use any microphone, instrument or audio file as real-time input to create complex and idiosyncratic sounds and textures. Using proprietary machine learning techniques that analyze live audio input in real-time,… Read More Datamind Audio Releases Concatenator, AI-powered Audio Mosaic ToolView the full article

Soundtoys offers the SpaceBender reverb plugin for free until May 22, 2025. Soundtoys is one of the most generous non-indie developers on the market. I recall them offering the Soundtoys Effect Rack for free during the pandemic. And they provided various premium plugins for free on different occasions. Our reader Wiseman summed it up nicely [...] View post: Soundtoys SpaceBender is FREE until May 22 View the full article

Erica Synths has introduced the Pikocore, a lo-fi music mangler developed by Zack Scholl that's available as a DIY kit. … Read More Erica Synths Intros Pikocore XL ‘Lo-Fi Music Mangler’View the full article

Expressive E shared this preview of Osmose 2.1, a free update that adds 80 'analog' style presets, new filter options, 2 new built-in FX and more.… Read More Expressive E Osmose Update Adds ‘Analog’ Patches, New Effects & MoreView the full article

XOR Electronics has announced a major firmware update for their NerdSEQ tracker-based CV and trigger sequencer module for Eurorack systems.… Read More NerdSEQ Update Adds Video Synthesis CapabilitiesView the full article

Native Instruments has introduced Crosstalk Modular, a new virtual instrument that combines modular samples with the unique layering and processing options of their Crosstalk engine.… Read More Native Instruments Intros Crosstalk Modular Software SynthView the full article

Doepfer - the creator of the Eurorack standard - has announced six new modules.… Read More Doepfer Intros Six New Eurorack Modules Ahead Of Superbooth 2025View the full article

Make Noise has introduced Jumbler, a six by six analog signal router that features 36 VCAs. … Read More Make Noise Jumbler Offers 6×6 Analog Signal Routing, 36 VCAsView the full article

Eternal Research shared this preview for the Demon Box, an instrument that lets you explore the hidden world of electromagnetic frequencies.… Read More Eternal Research Previews Demon Box Ahead Of Superbooth 2025View the full article

The bundle features a wide range of virtual instruments, studio-grade effects, mixing and mastering tools, and more.… Read More IK Multimedia Intros Total Studio 5 MAX, ‘The Most Complete Music Production Suite’View the full article

This week, we show you some great Analog Lab banks created specifically for Arturia’s V Collection, which just got updated to 11! So maybe you’ve just upgraded to V Collection 11, or you’ve finally taken the plunge and bought into it for the first time. Either way, you will be astounded by the wealth of presets that come with each instrument. But they might not float everyone’s boat, so here are some suggestions to expand and enhance your V Collection experience. And before you rush to buy these individually, make sure you read through to the end! ... The post Expand and Enhance Your V Collection – Sounds and Presets appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Writing music, crafting melodies, and arranging chord progressions can be incredibly rewarding. However, an equally crucial aspect of a music producer’s job is selecting the right samples and sounds. The sounds you choose for your melodies, drums, and other elements are just as important as the melodies and chord progressions themselves. It’s tempting for producers to constantly download or purchase new samples to expand their libraries, but this can lead to an overwhelming number of options, diluting your sonic identity and draining your wallet. No one understands this better than Grammy-nominated producer and recording artist Bluey Thomas. Known for his diverse, yet tru…

Bastl Instruments has launched a new “experimental”, patchable sample player, inspired by its popular Kastle Drum synth launched in 2020. The new Kastle 2 Wave Bard brings the Kastle range “to the next level”, according to the brand, with user-uploadable samples, stereo, effects, plus better sync and patch capabilities. It’s compact and runs on 3 AA batteries or USB-C, and it “loves to jam” with other portable gear thanks to sync in/out ports and an audio input... The post Bastl Instruments’ Kastle 2 Wave Bard is a “semi-autonomous” patchable sample player for discovering new rhythms and riffs appeared first on MusicTech. View the full article

With IK Multimedia Total Studio 5, there are three differently priced bundle options covering music production, mixing, and mastering. The IK Multimedia software landscape stretches far and wide, with a range of instruments, amp simulation, audio processing, and acoustic room optimization... The post IK Multimedia Total Studio 5 includes Pianoverse and TONEX Signature Collections Vol. 1 appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Connect all your live performance gear to one master MIDI and CV controller, the new Neuzeit Instruments Drop. One drop to rule them all? That seems to be the case with the upcoming Neuzeit Instruments Drop, a dizzyingly comprehensive snapshot-based MIDI controller. Debuting at Superbooth25 next week, the Drop is the first controller from the Eurorack module company, and once you get a load of what it can do, you may not be able to wait until it’s out... The post Neuzeit Instruments Drop Is a Ridiculously Comprehensive Snapshot-Based MIDI Control Center for Live Performance appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Future Retro says that they're putting manufacturing of new synths on hold because of the Trump administration's tariffs on imports.… Read More Future Retro Puts Manufacturing On Hold Because Of TariffsView the full article

GForce, in collaboration with Oberheim, has introduced Oberheim TVS Pro, a software emulation of the original Two Voice Synthesizer from 1975.… Read More GForce Intros Oberheim TVS ProView the full article

Waldorf has released Blofeld for iPad, a port of the hardware synth engine.… Read More Waldorf Blofeld for iPad Now AvailableView the full article

Neuzeit Instruments has introduced Drop, described as "a snapshot-based MIDI control center for live performance".… Read More Ahead Of Superbooth 2025, Neuzeit Intros Drop MIDI Control CenterView the full article

The Artemis is a 6-voice desktop polyphonic analog synthesizer, with 2 VCOs with wave shaping, PWM and FM, High and Low Pass VCFs, 4 Sinevibes effects, polyphonic sequencer and 640 presets on board.… Read More Shut Up & Play: Sounds Of The Dreadbox Artemis SynthesizerView the full article

From @synthandsoftware - Your outboard gear shows up as a plug-in inside your DAW Even if you’re not a Eurorack GUY, you’re familiar with patchbays. Well, Freqport has updated that concept for today’s world of DAW production, turning the routing connections for outboard equipment into a plug-in. Their FreqInOut FO1 is a very clever combination of a hardware […] The post Freqport FreqInOut FO1 Hardware Interface: the Synth and Software Review appeared first on Synth and Software. View the full article