SYNTH NEWS: The newly released TRK-01 REAKTOR instrument from Native Instruments (NI) marries classic mixing techniques with innovative sound design, sequencing, and modulation. It is designed to inspire creative and exciting kick-bass combinations, of…
Author Archive | Christopher Laird Simmons
UVI Updates Retro Organ Suite to v1.5 with New Yamaha C10-inspired Virtual Instrument
SYNTH NEWS: UVI Updates Retro Organ Suite to v1.5. The new version adds the “Yammy C10,” a new combo organ based on a fully-restored and reinvigorated 1970 Yamaha machine, and new rotary speaker effect improvements from the latest generation of the UVI…
EastWest Sounds Online announces Voices of the Empire cinematic vocal instrument featuring Uyanga Bold
NEWS: EastWest Sounds Online announces Voices of the Empire, a cinematic and ethnic vocal tour de force, featuring the raw, primal vocals of Uyanga Bold. Produced by Doug Rogers and Nick Phoenix, Voices of the Empire is a must-have virtual instrument f…
TC Electronic announce super cool TC2290-DT Digital Delay plugin with included control surface
TC Electronic announce TC2290-DT plugin based on their classic 2290 Digital Delay, with included USB-powered control surface. Adopted by producers, FOH engineers and musicians such as David Gilmour, The Edge and Robben Ford, it set the benchmark for de…
New Spitfire Symphonic Woodwinds Expansion Pack enhances the core Symphonic Woodwinds library
Spitfire Audio has announced its new Spitfire Symphonic Woodwinds Expansion Pack that strengthens and enhances the core Symphonic Woodwinds library, Seminal Orchestral Woodwinds, with over 167GB of additional content. The post New Spitfire Symphonic Wo…
UVI releases UVI Workstation 3 and Falcon 1.5 with FM Oscillator and Scalable Interface
SYNTH NEWS: UVI today announced enhanced versions of its UVI Workstation instrument and class-leading FALCON virtual instrument. Both now allow for scaling of instrument interfaces (finally!). Falcon 1.5 adds a Frequency Shifter, as well as new Event m…
Celtic ERA by Eduardo Tarilonte announced by Best Service with Celtic Brass, String and Percussion Instruments
SYNTH NEWS: Best Service has announced a new sample library, “Celtic ERA” by Eduardo Tarilonte. According to the company, “Tarilonte once again takes you to a fascinating journey through time. This time, he travels far north to the roots of the Celtic …
Eventide Blackhole Reverb Plugin now NI NKS Compatible for use with MASCHINE and KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards and software
SYNTH NEWS: Eventide has announced that its popular Blackhole reverb plug-in is now NKS-ready — reconfigured to support Native Instruments’ Native Kontrol Standard extended plug-in format for use with MASCHINE and KOMPLETE KONTROL keyboards and softwar…
Q Up Arts announces Benny Rietveld Bass Latin Fusion Vol. One for Apple Garageband and Logic Pro
SYNTH NEWS: Q Up Arts recently announced Benny Rietveld Bass Latin Fusion Vol. One for Apple Garageband and Logic Pro. Accorsding to the company, “Benny ignites Latin fusion and pop/rock basslines with his unique spin.” Offered in Apple Loops, wavs and…
New UVI Augmented Piano Virtual Instrument Features 1909 Pleyel Grand Piano
SYNTH NEWS: UVI Augmented Piano is a new one-of-a-kind piano workshop including 24 configurations recorded on a 1909 Pleyel Grand Piano. Full 88-key preparations cover brushed, finger-plucked and muted preparations to haunting eBow resonances and brill…
New Tracktion Waveform 9 Music Production Software DAW adds Multi Sampler Instrument
SYNTH NEWS: Tracktion has announced their latest DAW release, Waveform 9 Music Production Software, which adds a Multi Sampler Instrument and Modular Mixing Tool. The expanded capabilities of the popular MIDI pattern generator include a global chord tr…
UVI Digital Motion explores FM synthesis from vintage digital to visionary hybrid tones
SYNTH NEWS: UVI has announced a new add-on for their flagship FALCON virtual instrument, sampler, workstation: Digital Motion explores FM synthesis from vintage digital to visionary hybrid tones. According to UVI, when utilized within the modular archi…
ContinuuCon 2018 touches down and up in Paris at IRCAM for users and fans of Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression
SYNTH NEWS: ContinuuCon 2018 comes to Paris at IRCAM for users and fans of the Haken Continuum and Multidimensional Polyphonic Expression (MPE). The event will explore the uniquely expressive instrument through music, workshops, lectures and more. Dr. …
Spitfire Audio walks on the ‘alt’ side with new ALTERNATIVE SOLO STRINGS for Film and Game Scoring
SYNTH NEWS: Spitfire Audio recently announced their new virtual instrument and scoring library ALTERNATIVE SOLO STRINGS — an “alternative take on a sampled solo strings library” putting performances of four of the most interesting and progressive strin…
Synth Legend Rick Wakeman Signed Vintage Minimoog to be Raffled in Support of Bob Moog Foundation
SYNTH NEWS: The non-profit Bob Moog Foundation today announced launch of new raffle for 2018, of a vintage Minimoog Model D synthesizer keyboard, signed by Rick Wakeman, the legendary progressive rock keyboardist whose 50-year career has inspired peopl…
IK Multimedia Announces Syntronik J-60 new bonus content available with 1.2GB of new oscillator samples
SYNTH NEWS: IK Multimedia today announced that registered users of the Syntronik J-60 synth can download a free update from their User Area and enjoy 42 all-new instrument sounds and an additional 1.2GB of new oscillator samples. The J-60 is based on t…
Coffeeshopped Adds Yamaha FS1R Editor in Patch Base 2.10 Update
SYNTH NEWS: Chadwick Wood over at iPad software developer Coffeeshopped recently announced that the latest update to the awesome PATCH BASE synth editor, now includes the somewhat rare FM synth, the FS1R from Yamaha. According to Chad, “Patch Base 2.10…
Native Instruments Expansions offer genre-specific sound packs for MASCHINE, BATTERY and MASSIVE
SYNTH NEWS: Native Instruments today announced release of “Expansions.” Based on the acclaimed MASCHINE Expansions series, these 50+ genre-based sound packs contain everything a musician needs to create a full track in a specific style. From preloaded …
Output Releases ANALOG BRASS & WINDS – Blurs Line from Powerful Orchestral Sounds and Legendary Synths
SYNTH NEWS: Output Inc. has announced ANALOG BRASS & WINDS, “a virtual instrument for those who dare.” The new “Next Level Air” instrument “blurs the line between powerful orchestral sounds and legendary synths.” The company sampled an 18-piece br…
More Swell! UVI Release METEOR Virtual Instrument for Swells and Impactful Visual Scoring
SYNTH NEWS: UVI has announced release of “Meteor,” a swell and impact designer for creating rich and immersive cinematic sound effects for film, games, music and more. Meteor includes a comprehensive library of exclusive sounds and recordings that can …
Native Instruments announces NKS-ready Effects from Major FX Plugin Manufacturers
NAMM 2018: Native Instruments today announced availability of the first NKS-ready effects at the annual NAMM trade show in Anaheim, Calif.. As of Q2 2018, key effects manufacturers, including Waves, Softube, Eventide, and Sugar Bytes will adopt the Nat…
January Treats: Spectrasonics Updates Virtual Instruments with Standalone Modes and Remote Controls
SYNTH NEWS: After many years of user requests (and whole forums filled with workarounds) Spectrasonics has released new Mac and Windows standalone applications of the company’s award-winning Keyscape, Omnisphere 2, Trilian and Stylus RMX virtual instru…
NAMM 2018 – Antelope Audio announces EDGE Strip breakthrough bundle debut
NAMM 2018: High-end professional audio equipment manufacturer Antelope Audio is proud to announce its EDGE Strip — a breakthrough bundle comprising its DISCRETE MP Discrete Dual Ultra-Linear Microphone Preamp and already-available, trailblazing EDGE mo…
Music Expo, the conference to inspire music makers returns to Miami in 2018
MUSIC NEWS: Music Expo Miami, the conference to inspire music makers, announced today its second Miami edition to be held March 24, 2018 at SAE Institute. Hosted in association with Sound On Sound Magazine, the all-day conference will feature productio…
Apple Updates LOGIC PRO X to 10.4 with new beats, reverb and smart tempo
MUSIC NEWS: Apple has announced a new update to its class-leading DAW for MacOS, LOGIC PRO X, to 10.4 with new virtual drummer profiles, smart tempo features and a host of new useful effects plug-ins for both tracking and mastering. Free for existing u…
UVI announces SubCulture, a new Falcon expansion delivering dark subs, stabs, deep bass
SYNTH NEWS: UVI has announced SubCulture expansion pack for Falcon with 110 dark and hard-hitting patches made for producers of modern bass, post-EDM, DnB, garage and more. The second collaboration from sound designers Richard Gale and Carlo de Gregori…
Veteran Cosmic Rocker, Ray Thomas, of The Moody Blues passes away in Surrey
MUSIC NEWS: It’s with great sadness that I learned today that an original member of one of my all time favorite bands, The Moody Blues, Ray Thomas, has passed away on Jan. 4, 2018 at his home in Surrey. His passing was confirmed today by his record lab…
ResonanceCircuits launches latest one-off bespoke drone synth, the GEIGER LAB
SYNTH GEAR: ResonanceCircuits has launched its latest one-off bespoke drone synth, the GEIGER LAB, for January 2018. Described as a “bespoke sound generator capable of producing dense, rich dronescapes, haunting evolves, ghostly atmospheric echoes and …
Early Black Friday 2017 and Holiday Synth Deals
SYNTH NEWS: It’s that time of the year again, when some outrageous deals on synths – both hardware and software – plugins, FX, and music tech spin up for both “Black Friday” and the Holidays. For 2017, I’ve collected some great ‘early bird’ buys on syn…
Spitfire Audio takes flight with ORCHESTRAL SWARM, a creative collaboration with Bleeding Fingers
SYNTH NEWS: Spitfire Audio has announced their latest orchestral instrument library, ORCHESTRAL SWARM, the direct result of a creative collaboration with Bleeding Fingers, a next-generation composer collective who wanted to create a new Swarm library i…
Toontrack announces The Rock Foundry SDX for Superior Drummer 3, by Bob Rock
For Toontrack’s annual “Metal Month” 2018, they have announced their first SDX for Superior Drummer 3, “The Rock Foundry” SDX by Bob Rock. According to the company, The Rock Foundry SDX features a staggering 65 GB of raw, unprocessed drum sounds record…
AAS gets ‘Pivotal’ with sound bank for Ultra Analog VA-2 by sound designer Daniel Stawczyk
SYNTH NEWS: Applied Acoustics Systems (AAS) has announced PIVOTAL, a new soundbank (soundset) for its Ultra Analog VA-2 “virtual analog” synth, as well as free AAS Player. For this library, sound designer Daniel Stawczyk created a hefty 158-preset collection of focused and upfront sounds covering all the classic categories—arpeggios, basses, leads, synths, and effects are […]
Super Audio Cart PC virtual synth brings chiptune funtime with waves from 80s and 90s PCs
SYNTH NEWS: Impact Soundworks announces “Super Audio Cart PC” retro PC sampled instrument for KONTAKT, with NKS support. The most complete set of retro computer samples ever produced. Building on the success of Super Audio Cart this NEW instrument feat…
UVI announce OB Legacy synth and Vintage Vault 2 synthesizer collection
SYNTH NEWS: UVI today announced two new products; first a superb virtual synth instrument, OB Legacy, covering the classic sounds of Tom Oberheim’s synthesizers, as well as an updated and expanded edition of their flagship Vintage Vault instrument plug…
NATIVE INSTRUMENTS releases MASCHINE 2.6.8, introduces monophonic bass synth and isomorphic keyboard
SYNTH NEWS: Native Instruments has released MASCHINE 2.6.8 software update, available free for all MASCHINE 2 customers. The update introduces a monophonic bass synth and an isomorphic keyboard. The new MASCHINE bass synth lets users design and shape r…
Synth, Samples, and Plug-ins Deals for August 2017 including Korg, UVI, and Air Music
SYNTH DEALS: In a return to form, I’ve brought back my monthly round-up of great deals on synth gear, such as virtual synths, plug-ins, samples, iOS apps, and more. This list is updated all during August, until the next month when a new list is started…
KV331 Audio updates SynthMaster One wavetable synth to v1.0.5 with AAX support, new presets
SYNTH NEWS: KV331 Audio today announced a major update to the SynthMaster One wavetable synth to v1.0.5 with AAX support for Pro Tools 10 (and above) users plus 100 new factory presets by DeJaVu Sound and BigTone Studios. The post KV331 Audio updates S…
Brainworx celebrates 10 years of premium audio plugins for recording and performing with promotion
PLUGIN NEWS: Brainworx is celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2017, and is offering fans and new users a promotion during August in celebration. The technical achievements of the last 10 years alone are noteworthy enough, but Brainworx’s success is also deep-rooted in company CEO Dirk Ulrich’s extensive experience as a producer and audio engineer, work […]
Surfing an ‘Infinite’ Wave, Wolfgang Palm unleashes PPG Infinite Synth for iOS
Synth News: Wolfgang Palm, the “father of wavetable synthesizers,” has released his latest virtual synth, PPG “Infinite” for Apple iOS devices. To address limitations of past wavetable designs, the frequencies of the overtones created by Infinite can be totally freely defined. Now available. The post Surfing an ‘Infinite’ Wave, Wolfgang Palm unleashes PPG Infinite Synth […]
Boom and Sizzle: For 808DAY 2017 Roland Brings Trio of New Synth and Sampler Products
SYNTH NEWS: For #808DAY 2017, Roland Corp. unveiled a new iteration of its classic drum box – the TR-808 Rhythm Composer – called the TR-08 Rhythm Composer as part of its ongoing “Boutique Series” line-up. Additionally, a new analog synth recreation of…
Synth Memories: Bob Moog Foundation Summer 2017 Raffle Proffers Moog Memorymoog to Aid Charity
Today, the Bob Moog Foundation announced its Summer 2017 Raffle for a vintage Memorymoog Plus Synthesizer. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the non-profit Foundation’s educational and historic preservation initiatives. The vintage Memorymoog Plus synthesizer is described as a very unusual and powerful polyphonic synthesizer with six voices for each of the three oscillators, MIDI, […]
RAINLINK Virtual Music Application joint-development announced by Roland Virtual Sonics and SONY
Beginning in early 2018, Roland Virtual Sonics will release a series of RAINLINK-enabled software products through Roland Cloud, featuring audio recordings made at Sony Pictures Post Production Services sound facilities in Culver City, Calif. These new RAINLINK products will be designed to assist audio professionals working in today’s mixed media industries. The post RAINLINK Virtual […]
Apple Updates Logic Pro X DAW to 10.3.2 with enhancements for Alchemy Synth and New Virtual Drummers
Apple today announced and released an update to their Logic Pro X DAW (aka “Logic 10”) to version 10.3.2. Highlights include three new Drummers who play percussion in the styles of Pop, Songwriter, and Latin; and Alchemy now includes an automatic time …
Continuum Fingerboard 8.5 released with New System Presets and EaganMatrix Synth Capabilities
SYNTH NEWS: Haken Audio has announced Continuum Fingerboard Version 8.50 is now available. The new software/firmware update for the Haken Continuum instrument adds many new System Presets and new EaganMatrix capabilities. The brilliant new External Not…
UVI announces Falcon expansion ‘Cinematic Shades’ for composers and modern producers
VIRTUAL SYNTH NEWS: UVI has announced “Cinematic Shades” for their Falcon virtual instrument/sampler software. A joint collaboration from sound designers Richard Gale and Carlo de Gregorio, Cinematic Shades dives deep into the “dark and experimental side of music and sound culminating from of over 15 years of sound design experience.” The post UVI announces Falcon […]
Spitfire Audio Scares Up New Bernard Herrmann Composer Toolkit with Classic Sounds for Orchestration
MUSIC GEAR: Spitfire Audio has announced a new virtual orchestra sound sample library that brings to life the classic and iconic vibe of composer Bernard Herrmann, known for “Psycho,” “Vertigo,” and many other classic films. This is Spitfire’s first dry scoring stage ensemble library and the company worked closely with the Herrmann estate to examine […]
4ms Spectral Multiband Resonator (SMR) for Softube Modular System offers Six Filter Channels
MUSIC TECH: Softube recently announced the new 4ms SMR for Modular plugin, which “can process audio like a classic filter bank, ring like a marimba when plucked/struck, vocode, re-mix tracks, harmonize, output spectral data, quantize other oscillators to scales and much more. It’s deep, versatile and infinitely expands what is possible to achieve with Modular.” […]
ASCAP and YouTube sign multi-year agreement for US public performance rights and data collaboration
INDUSTRY NEWS: Today ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and YouTube have signed a multi-year agreement, effective immediately, for U.S. public performance rights and data collaboration. According to the annoncement, “The …
DrumCore 4 Virtual Celebrity Drummer Plugin Adds GUI Zooming for Best Fit with DAWs and Screens
VIRTUAL INSTRUMENT NEWS: Sonoma Wire Works recently announced release of an update to their DrumCore 4, the critically acclaimed AAX/VST3/AU plug-in with tempo-stretchable audio and MIDI drum loops of performances by celebrity drummers, plus multi-velo…
Native Instruments’ New ‘THRILL’ Bites with Thrills and Chills in a Virtual Instrument Sound Design Tool
Native Instruments has unveiled THRILL, a new virtual sound design softare instrument that enables the introduction of “terrifying live scores to movies, games, sound installations, or theater productions.” THRILL was cooked up in the lab in collaboration with sound master Uli Baronowsky of Galaxy Instruments. The post Native Instruments’ New ‘THRILL’ Bites with Thrills and […]