Roland isn’t shy about trying to create a stir with teasing headlines and posters. Last year they set a countdown timer to “Tomorrow Returns” which led to the launch of the TR-1000 Rhythm Creator. Now their socials ask “Ready for a glimpse of what’s coming from Roland?” and welcoming us […]
Bjooks has announced that the physical version of its BEAT GEMS book is to begin shipping this month, September 2026, as well as a new TR-909 feature for Patch & Tweak members. In celebration of 909 Day, there’ll be 30% off the price of Inspire the Music – 50 Years […]
The love for the Commodore 64’s SID chip continues unabated thanks to its warm 8-bit goodness which still evokes the feels, especially for those who had a C64 back in the day. One of the latest additions to the SID love is the launch of SIDLab, a live DJ/remixing tool […]
Scaler Music has announced the next version of its Scaler EQ is due for release on 23rd September. Scaler EQ Pro brings “musical intelligence” to every stage of mixing, mastering and sound design, shaping frequencies in relation to notes, scales and harmony rather than simply the raw frequency itself. Scaler […]
I’ve been a fan of MAME, which most people know as an arcade machine emulator, for many years, but one thing I didn’t know is that its reach has gone some way beyond just arcade games. It has also been used to emulate a number of synths, music keyboards and […]
Full Bucket Music has announced the release of its free FB3 software instrument, simulating the classic Kawai K3/K3m synths from 1986. It started life when developer Björn Arlt noticed increased traffic on his website, and discovered he’d been linked to from an Espen Kraft video showcasing his plugins. Making contact, […]
Hivetune has announced the free Delta6 FM synth that’s built around a fully open modulation matrix. This makes it easier (particularly if you’re not a DX7 guru) to see what’s being affected at every stage, and equally easy to modify, experiment and get usable results. You don’t have to choose […]
Last year, Karma Cassette launched the prototype of its POKI four-track stereo digital audio looper with varispeed control. Each channel can have up to one minute of recorded audio, with varispeed ranging from 25% to 200%. Recording can be at any speed or playback direction, and includes overdub and mixdown. […]
While the Audacity audio editing software may not be a fully-fledged DAW, there’s little doubt it has immense popularity among those needing to work with audio, particularly as it’s free and open source. Version 4 has just been released, offering an updated user interface, a Workspaces feature, and productivity improvements. […]
Yamaha has announced its new EAD20 Electronic Acoustic Drum module that enables recording and hybrid performance of an entire acoustic drum kit. It can operate simply by attaching a sensor unit to the bass drum hoop, which then allows for drummers to monitor their sound through a PA system or […]
One of many ways to create at least a basis for music is via mathematical means, and while that may not appeal to more hands-on instrumentalists, it can produce some very interesting and abstract musical ideas. Mainly suited to more experimental, ambient and less structured musical styles (although there’s an […]
KeySolutions Sounds has announced the release of its Traveler cinematic hybrid synth, artist-built and centred around expression. Aimed at composers, producers and sound designers, combining the depth of classic hardware instruments with the flexibility to forge entirely new sonic territory. Built on three continuously variable oscillators spanning six octaves with […]
DAWJunkie has announced its latest synth plugin — VinylSynth — as well as a free ‘Junior’ version to whet your appetite. VinylSynth uses actual vinyl samples — over 36 smooth, crackly samples recorded from actual vinyl recordings — to enhance your tracks. Add: VinylSynth Jr is totally free and is […]
Yamaha has announced a new member of its GC series of more compact acoustic grand pianos: the GCB, coming 16 years after the GC1, GC2 and GB1K lunched in 2009. Compact is a relative term, of course, and you’ll still need a sizeable space to accommodate any grand piano. That […]
Auduina MK2 is a handmade experimental granular synth by Los Aparatos, designed for musicians, sound artists and curious explorers. This compact instrument, hand built in Argentina, combines granular synthesis, intuitive performance controls and playful interaction in a compact instrument that’s ripe for experimentation. It features an optical light sensor, CV […]
DIYSynths&Sounds has launched its Mettalicum XOR-based noise percussion synth. It’s great for harsh metallic hits, industrial rhythms and unpredictable noise. Unlike traditional subtractive synthesis drum machines, Mettalicum runs multiple square waves through XOR logic chips to generate complex, inharmonic clusters. This circular instrument features six oscillators, decay control, and a […]
Young synth company SynTesla, founded by Pierre-Jean Tardiveau, has publicised a ‘glimpse’ of what’s likely to come in the next 16 months or so (that’s the rest of 2026 and into 2027). “We’re not letting up” is the mantra before the double page. So, lots to look forward to, even […]
Yamaha has announced this year’s TRANSPOSE Innovation Challenge, a global business contest aimed at creating new value through sound, music and entertainment. Running from today, 1st September, through to 31st October, Yamaha is seeking new ideas from startups around the world based on four challenge themes: Last year’s inaugural event […]
AudioThing has announced the launch of its Orbita Euclidean drum machine plugin, designed for creating evolving, interlocking grooves. It features a circular interface of eight distinct tracks, with notes placed on each concentric circle as dots. Arms then extend from the centre to each track, and rotate at a determined […]
With the introduction of Roland’s latest portable digital piano in the FP range, the FP-40, we take a look at the feature set of the entire current range and compare their specifications. Note that the FP series goes back to the 1990s with the FP-8 from 1991. The FP-4 and […]