GearNews

Looking for a synthesizer to fill out your group’s on-stage sound? These are the best synths for indie bands. Cymbals may eat guitars, to paraphrase Lou Reed, but guitars definitely eat synthesizers. That’s why the synth you choose for your indie band is so important. If all you need are some smooshy strings to fill out the sound, anything will do. But if you, as the keyboardist, want to be heard over the high-gain din of guitars, you’re going to need something with a little more power and character. With that in mind, I’ve chosen seven of the best synths for indie bands currently on the market today. You’re sure to be heard loud and clear with one of these in your rig... The post 7 of the Best Synths for Indie Bands appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Like Fender and Gibson, Roland and Yamaha or Steinway and Bechstein, Rhodes and Wurlitzer are synonymous with their speciality products, in this case, electric pianos. The Rhodes Wurli is their take on their so-called rival’s product. The re-emergence of Rhodes Music is a very welcome one, and their Mark 8 hardware instrument is an impeccable and worthy addition to their legacy. But such quality and workmanship comes at a price. A rather hefty, but unquestionable one... The post Rhodes Wurli – 2 Great Electric Piano Names Collide appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Hold our horses? Not on your life! Here are the seven synths we can’t wait for – some already announced and some that we can just feel in our bones. Writing for Gearnews.com can be a lot of fun, but it does have its downsides. Being exposed to new gear all day, every day, has left me with a permanent case of GAS (that’s Gear Acquisition Syndrome to those of you who aren’t medical professionals). Despite the fact that I’m surrounded by synthesizers, I often find myself fantasizing longingly about the keyboards yet to come. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. Today, let’s dream into action by writing down the seven synths we can’t wait for. These are instruments that companies have already announced but have yet to release, as well as ones that I just have a feeling about. What are the synths that you can’t wait for? Let us know in the comments... The post 7 Synths We Can’t Wait For appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

People speak of the Big Three in Japan. These are the three main musical instrument manufacturers, Yamaha, Roland and Korg. They all have long and rich histories, especially when it comes to their synthesizers. Let’s look back at some of the Japanese synths that have changed the face of music. First up, we look into the history of Yamaha. Founder Torakusu Yamaha started Yamaha Corporation more than 130 years ago making reed organs. They soon added pianos to the sales ledger. After a brief detour into heavy machinery for the Pacific War, it’s now the world’s biggest manufacturer of musical instruments. This, of course, includes synthesizers... The post The History of Yamaha Synthesizers: From GX to MODX appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Gotharman’s Zaturn Zero synth is a new compact hybrid synth with analog filters. That and more in this week’s Synth Journal. It really is amazing, all of the different independent synth manufacturers creating unique instruments exactly in the way that they see fit. A recent one that had my head turning was the Clank Uranograph. Here’s another: Zaturn Zero from Danish outfit Gotharman’s… View the full article

Various plugins from Baby Audio, Cherry Audio synthesizers, and one of my favorite tools from Zynaptiq are now available for a limited time only with huge discounts. Don’t miss this opportunity! ... The post Baby Audio, Cherry Audio, Zynaptiq: 3 Ultimate Software Deals! appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

The AKAI Force just got a massive update! AKAI Force 3.5 brings many features from the MPC 3 OS to the standalone workstation, including support for plugin instruments, MPC stems, and more. Today is an important day for all owners of the AKAI Force! Six years after its introduction, AKAI Professional has released a major firmware update for the standalone workstation. According to AKAI, the 3.5 update brings the Force into the MPC OS 3 era with advanced workflows, deep DAW-style control, and full support for AKAI Pro’s plugin suite, along with many features requested by the community. AKAI Force 3.5 is now available as a free public beta... The post AKAI Force 3.5: The Force Gets Its Biggest Update Yet appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

The Studiologic SL mk2 series marks the latest generation of MIDI controllers from the Italian keyboard experts. Which new features does the SL mk2 bring to the table? Find out in our review of the Studiologic SL73 mk2… The post Studiologic SL mk2 Review: Next-Generation Keyboard Controller appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Modular synths offer almost limitless creative freedom for sound design. If you want try out modular synthesis without investing in an expensive hardware system, virtual modular synths are an affordable alternative. We’ve put together some of the best virtual modular systems... The post Best Virtual Modular Synths: Modular in the Box appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Are you a fan of that authentic industrial look? Then the SOMA Rust Edition is just what you need! The Pulsar-23, Lyra-8, and Cosmos just got a rusty makeover. But you’ll need to be quick – only a few of these will ever be made! ... The post SOMA Rust Edition: Rustic By Design appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Grp Synthesizer A10 is the company’s new flagship analog synth with four VCOs and VCFs, a step sequencer and analog effects. Often, synthesizers are an exercise in compromise. Manufacturers and their engineers would like to design instruments that are full to bursting with parameters and functionality, but there’s always the issue of cost. First, you set the target price, and then you design the instrument to meet that goal... The post Grp Synthesizer A10: Is it the “Ultimate Analog Synthesizer?” appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article Grp Synthesizer A10 · Source: Grp Synthesizer

GATE-12 is a versatile volume automation plugin, Lushtraq is an AI-assisted multiband compressor, and Gentle Vibes delivers, well, gentle vibes: Free Plugins of the Week! ... The post GATE-12, Lushtraq, Gentle Vibes: Free Plugins of the Week appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Peter Baumann, formerly of Tangerine Dream, has a new album out. We spoke with him to find out the gear he uses, his creative process, and how synthesizers fit in with human evolution. Really... The post Peter Baumann: An Interview With a Berlin School Legend appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Have you recovered from Superbooth yet? Then check out this week’s Synth Journal with Yamaha’s totally bonkers one-off control surfaces, a fascinating software synth based on fluid dynamics, and the gorgeous sound of analog PPG synths... The post Yamaha’s Amazing One-Off Control Surfaces, PROTEAN, PPG: Synth Journal appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Arturia’s littlest controller in their Lab range, the MicroLab, gets the Mk.3 treatment in the hope that it can persuade you to stick it in your backpack for music-making on the go. When it comes to making music on the move, or if your bedroom studio is, how you might say, “capacity-challenged”, then most companies have a miniature version of their controllers to ensure you don’t miss out. Arturia’s MicroLab has been one of the most popular in recent years... The post Arturia MicroLab Mk.3 – Improved Quality, Lower Price! appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

ASM has released a firmware update and the new ASM Manager app for the Hydrasynth family! The new patch manager offers an improved workflow for more intuitive browsing. Ashun Sound Machines (ASM) has released the new and improved ASM Manager app for the Hydrasynth series. The software for macOS and Windows replaces the previous Hydrasynth Manager. ASM says that the new app offers a refreshed GUI and smoother workflow for more efficient and intuitive sound management... The post ASM Hydrasynth: New ASM Manager App and Firmware Update 2.2 appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Looking for a compact but powerful monosynth? Check out MOSS-101, a surprisingly deep virtual analog mono now on Kickstarter. After all of the synth announcements at Superbooth25 you might be all synthed out, but don’t relax yet! Here’s another one that looks to be worth your time. Called MOSS-101, it’s a virtual analog monosynth in a guitar pedal enclosure. Don’t let the tiny size fool you, though, as this appears to be a very capable – and great-sounding – little synth... The post MOSS-101 Is a Sweet-Sounding VA Monosynth in a Guitar Pedal Enclosure appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

We’ve got free sounds for your Moog Muse, a new bank of patches for Xils Labs excellent ‘The Eighty’, and an excellent sound pack for the KORG multi/poly. Who doesn’t like free patches? Well, if you’re a Moog Muse owner, this week we’ve got you covered. We’ve also got some great new multi/poly patches from Limbic Bits and some beautiful sounds for ‘The Eighty’ from Xils Labs... The post Spent All Your Money on a Moog Muse? Get Free Sounds For It Here! – Sounds and Presets appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article Moog Muse · Source: Moog Music

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

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

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? appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Intellijel Jellymix is a compact desktop mixer with five stereo channels for your drum machines, groove boxes, and synths. The perfect mixer for your desktop setup? After Cre8audio released the Assembler only a few weeks ago, Intellijel followed suit at Superbooth and presented their vision of a compact desktop performance mixer with the new Jellymix... The post Intellijel Jellymix: The Desktop Mixer You’ve Been Waiting For? appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

In this week’s highlights, we catch up on some of the most exciting stories from Superbooth25, with releases from Vermona and Moog Music… The post This Week’s Highlights: Superbooth Stories appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

Time Slice by RYK Modular is a 4-channel audio looper for Eurorack. But that’s just scratching the surface: Time Slice can also pitch-shift, delay, and bend your loops into oblivion, all with comprehensive CV control. Whenever RYK Modular introduces a new module, you can be sure it’s something unique and exciting. From the Eurorack remake of the legendary M185 sequencer to the Vector Wave synth voice to the Night Rider quad resonator, RYK modules have always brought something new and inspiring to the table. I’m also a huge fan of the RYK philosophy of visualizing complex processes using numerous strategically placed LEDs. The modules not only look great, they also tell you instinctively what’s going on. The same applies to Time Slice, the manufacturer’s latest creation... The post RYK Modular Time Slice Is a 4-Channel Eurorack Looper That’ll Make Your Head Spin appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article

In this special report on AI synthesis, we try to answer the question: Could an AI-powered soft synth someday mimic a Roland Jupiter-8? AI is everywhere these days, writing your news and helping you mix your songs. Synthesizers powered by AI are few and far between, though. All that is about to change. Read on to find out how… The post AI Synthesis: The Unbelievable Future Of Synthesizers Is Almost Here appeared first on gearnews.com. View the full article