Twisted Electrons brings its cult MEGAfm, the FM synth with a Sega-chip snarl, into a plugin that models the first-generation hardware down to its analog output stage. Twelve voices, four operators, eight algorithms, and an intro price of just €39.99.
Frequency modulation synthesis has a reputation for being obscure. Yet it rests on a handful of simple ideas: operators, frequency ratios and modulation depth. Here’s how it builds its bell tones, metallic basses and electric pianos.
sonicLAB has given Creation, its spatial granular instrument driven by a gravitational physics engine, a major version 2. It now handles up to 9,999 sound objects, reworks stereo depth and its resonant filter, and records both audio and video offline, sample-accurate.
REISEI puts spectrum analysis, EQ, dynamics, saturation, stereo imaging and limiting on a single screen, and adds a PARTIAL EQ mode built on additive resynthesis that locks onto each harmonic and follows it as the note moves. macOS Apple Silicon only, $299 at launch.
The line array redefined concert sound, yet its principle is still widely misunderstood. Source coupling, near-field summation, curvature, vertical control and system alignment: here’s what makes a line source carry far and cover evenly — and what it doesn’t do — without the needless jargon.
Five years after it was announced, the BCR32 is up for pre-order at €169. The 32-encoder MIDI controller revives the legendary BCR2000, but this time it bakes the 4-track Zaquencer sequencer straight into the firmware, with four CV/Gate outputs to drive a whole rack of gear.
Suno beefs up its in-browser workstation: MIDI recording and editing on the timeline, a built-in wavetable synth, proper audio effects and a chat bar that can build its own plugins. AI generation edges closer to a real DAW — analysis and opinion.
Boutique maker Ghost In Translation revives its Drone as a 2.0: an 8HP Eurorack module stacking four independent voices, sixteen synthesis algorithms and a gesture recorder onto a fully open platform. Here is why the tiny format is worth a look for texture builders.
Boutique maker VAEMI has launched the Synterra, a standalone bio-interactive synthesizer that reads the shifting signals of a plant, a piece of fruit, ambient light or a simple touch and turns them into melodies. Nine synth engines, eight scales and a bargain price: this one is a genuine oddity.
Yorkville has built a powered subwoofer around a single 24-inch driver and is calling it a world first. 5,000 watts peak, 143 dB SPL and a 30 Hz reach: here is a close look at the monolith aimed at the most demanding low-end reinforcement rigs.