Shik has announced its S32 standalone MIDI processor/macro controller is due to ship in September. DAW users have been able to manipulate MIDI with all manner of plugins, but this standalone hardware unit does a whole heap of functions on its own, including building and executing complex macros, using real-time […]
Honestly, I’ve not heard of the Synido brand until today, but perhaps that’s not too surprising as they’re a young company (launched in 2021), with a mission to building a series of voice and live audio products, particularly aimed at younger and beginning musicians and content creators. So their latest […]
It’s fair to say the Stylophone range has come on a lot since the original instrument was revamped, with the latest teased version diving into sampling. We’re used to portable samplers with buttons, keys and touchscreens, but the iconic Stylophone treatment is sure to lend a new spin on it. […]
SOMA Labs’ ENIGMA is an innovative synth instrument which produces sound based on metallic objects placed on its surface. Almost no objects are off limits, and their shape, size and type will influence the sounds produced. Even fractional movements can alter the sound. It works using a sensing field, a […]
The compact Blackbox 2 sampler from 1010 Music is now shipping, having been demonstrated at this year’s Superbooth. Intended for DAWless music creation and performance, it offers a professional way for creating and manipulating samples, including loops, one-shots, slices and multisamples. It’s had a design revamp compared to the original […]
Yamaha has reported overview financials for the first quarter of 2026, and not only is it overall in a healthy position, but its musical instrument division seems to be growing in nearly all markets. The key drivers of this are acoustic pianos — thanks to higher sales in Europe, North […]
With very little noise, Arturia has released a “Play” version of its Arturia software synth, and it’s available as a free download. Pigments Play is powered by Pigments but is a much cut-down and simplified synth, offering 100 presets which can be played and tweaked in an intuitive interface. It’s […]
Steinberg has announced the launch, with initial discount, of its HALion Sonic Play workstation for Apple and Android mobile devices. Perhaps ironically during Steinberg’s VST 30th anniversary celebrations, this is an AUv3-based app — required due to Apple only using its proprietary format and not VST — bringing “the spirit […]
Steinberg has announced a number of big discounts and free updates to mark the 30th anniversary of Virtual Studio Technology (VST) and 25th anniversary of the HALion synth and sampler platform. VST Over three decades, VST has transformed how musicians and other audio professionals have worked with computer-based music, allowing […]
The Demon Box electromagnetic field synth, a successful Kickstarter project, has now gone on general release. This groundbreaking instrument was featured in a one-night multimedia performance by Suzanne Ciani and the Eternal Research team in San Francisco. The show — Rite of the Demon: Summer — blended live electronic performance, […]
Novation has announced an update to its Play software instrument, with the version 1.1.2 download now including the Content Store. As well as the 100 or so customisable presets which already come with Play, users have the option to add to the collection with a continually updated selection of Sound […]
Fingerlab has announced its latest synth app for the Mac and Apple devices: Flynth. It’s a synth and arpeggiator designed to be versatile and intuitive. It can be used for all manner of sounds, from lead and bass to organs and pads. There are a number of presets plus the […]
Kickstarter project Orphea is a one-octave (13 key) portable electric piano with built-in sound, headphones, MIDI, and octave controls, for playing anywhere. Creator Jordan Daniels says that the product design and working prototype are ready, with the next step being the production process, including tooling, manufacturing, assembly and then first […]
August 2026 will mark the start of the 20th anniversary year of the Bob Moog Foundation, which was started on limited resources by Bob Moog’s daughter, Michelle Moog-Koussa, and now boasts Dr Bob’s SoundSchool, a comprehensive archive, and the Moogseum. The Foundation began on 21st August 2006 and became a […]
This year’s New Orleans International Piano Competition, whose 30th edition ran from July 18-26, has announced its winners. In first place came Evgeny Konnov (Russia), followed by Shangru Du (China) and Adria Ye (USA). The Jury Discretionary Award when to Yu-Ang Fan (China). The Best Performance of the Commissioned Work […]
Rhodes Music has announced the availability of its Clav Pro plugin which faithfully recreates the rare 1977 Clav D6 “Transition” model. Experience the sharp attack, expressive response and rhythmic character which defined ’70s funk, soul, disco and rock, from the comfort of your DAW. The Clav D6 was used on […]
IceGear Instruments has announced the availability of its Mochizuki 4-oscillator polyphonic synthesiser. Each voice contains four oscillators, two filters and an amplifier, with signals generated by the oscillators routed through the filters and amp, mixed together, and then passed through the effects section. Oscillators can operate independently or be chained, […]
AnalogFX has announced a limited run of fifty units of its new Larynx expressive analog performance synthesiser is due to launch in September, and will include a 10% early adopter discount. Larynx is built on the foundation of AnalogFX’s SER-2020, continuing the legacy of the Synton Syrinx, known for its […]
Emute Lab Instruments has announced its Myriad pataphonic multi-oscillator synth is now available. A pataphonic instrument is one “which explores the contrast between everyday music making and the surreal, abstract and absurd edges of sound synthesis.” Myriad can behave like a conventional paraphonic oscillator, but also veer wildly into unconventional […]
Excite Audio has announced the release of the next in its line of Bloom instruments: Bloom Synth Analogue. Bloom Synth Analogue captures the warmth and character of classic hardware. The instrument is built from chords, leads, basses, arps and phrases sampled from vintage synths, then shaped for modern production. It […]