"On September 1st, we at Stagecraft Software (a Chicago-based music software company) will release a new subtractive synth called Cenere. It's designed to combine a vintage character with the power of modern wavetables.
One of the synth's biggest advancements is the Unison Engine, where each voice has its own subtle, independent movement that users can modify for all kinds of unique behaviors [see the Poly Glide video below]. This creates a thick, shifting sound bed that feels organic before it even reaches the filter stage.
Speaking of filters, there's a large selection of analog-modeled filters, including comb, mirror, and continuously morphing ones. Along with any of the synth's parameters, they can be modulated using LFOs, ADSRs, and more for a dynamic sound.
Here's a quick outline of the biggest features:
Vintage style oscillators with true real time hard sync
Large selection of analog modeled filters, including continuous morph filters
Audio rate mod capable parameters
Link parameters to LFOs, ADSRs, and more
Unison engine (9 layers) with spread, gravity, drift control for incredible depth
Velocity / Aftertouch / MPE / note (pitch) modding
Polyphonic portamento
20+ quality effects"
"A quick look at the history and a modern implementation of Polyphonic portamento. Uses our upcoming synth, Cenere, as we just finished implementing this and wanted to take it for a spin!"
"Another DIY instrument! This time I used a famous microcontroller: an Arduino Nano (compatible, tbh), a few buttons, and some code to made a really basic (lo-fi) FM drum machine with a built-in sequencer.
Here are some of its features:
• 4 instruments: kick, snare, hi-hat, and tom
• 4 main sound controls: tune, decay, FM amount, and FM ratio
• 4 secondary sound controls: balance, pitch envelope decay, pitch envelope range, and FM feedback
• A full 16-step sequencer with swing and basic parameter locks and on-grid rolls
At the moment, it only has a basic audio output, so I recorded everything into Ableton and added a bit of filtering and some reverb.
These are four beats I made from scratch using only these basic parameters and the internal sequencer.
"I am very excited to announce that after 20 years, @KeySolutionsSounds is back! TRAVELER is an incredible Virtual Instrument with a multitude of modulation options and extremely straight forward to navigate. and it sounds absolutely huge!!
It has been an absolute pleasure creating 60 of the factory sounds for this amazing VST, It is lush, fat, versatile and very unique! this one really is not to be missed!
"This is how it all began, but I would not be here without the help and support of my friends. Thanks to all that have made this a reality. I can not wait to release TRAVELER to the world."
"Three Nand Gate Oscillators and a built-in delay that adds interesting modulations to the already far-out sounds. Create interesting soundscapes, drones, and audio textures."
- https://potardesign.com
MONOCHORD in under 90 seconds (no talking) video upload by orph
"MONOCHORD is a dream machine, harmony workstation and chord instrument for macOS and Windows. It maps full chords to single keys, so chord progressions, melodies and arp patterns can be performed with one click or key press, no piano or theory training required. It ships with 600+ hand-voiced and adjustable chords (from simple triads to pianistic nine-note chords), 425 multisampled instruments in an 11.8 GB library recorded from hardware instruments from the 1980s to 2000s, 15 effect & modulation engines, MIDI output for routing to hardware and DAWs, and full audio and MIDI export and user multisample & chord import."
MONOCHORD is a chord instrument & harmony workstation for producers, composers and sound artists — 425 vintage instrument sounds captured in the character of iconic 1980s–2000s hardware, 600+ hand-voiced chords, 15 effect engines, full MIDI routing and audio/MIDI export. Build chord-based arrangements from a single key press or mouse click. What normally takes piano and harmony training, a chain of plugins and a slow setup happens here in under a minute, leaving only the music.
FORMATS
Standalone · VST3 · AU
macOS 10.13+ · Windows 10 / 11
Universal · Apple Silicon + Intel
64-bit only
Polyphonic D50 sampler synthesizer with ESP32 in YAMAHA DX21 Hardwer :)
video upload by László Róbert Kasza
"Unfortunately, the motherboard of my dx21 synth is broken beyond repair. So she got new electronics. I have uploaded a code I wrote using Roland D50 sound samples.
So what everyone feared has come true. The Yamaha Roland DX-D50-21 :)
Abilities:
-4 d50samples
-TVA Envelope
Course, Fine, Keyfollow
-The sampling frequency is 48000Hz.
Signal on 16 bits or more
-The device is polyphonic up to 10 tones
2 LFO controlled 2 parametric EQ
-Upper Lower Choruse
-Reverb engine
-Roland D50sysex compatibility...
-hd44780 compatible LCD Display (Not implement more)
-https://data.dynareg.se/breadandbutte...
(If we are bored, we can listen to internet radio on it.)
"I'm so excited that the first custom panel has been released! Meet AMBIOTICA by Charles Vestal, an implementation of his lovely iOs app/VST by the same name for Plinky 12. Its easy to create relaxing ambient beds with this panel and lots of fun to tweak and explore.
A drum synth, percussion sequencer and sequenced percussion synth VST/AU plugin for one drum voice at a time. Two oscillators, noise and click layers, filters, drive, six decay envelopes, and four per-step lanes. Run one instance per drum.
Engine
Two oscillators, noise and click layers feed a switchable low-pass / high-pass filter section, pre/post drive, and six independent decay envelopes.
"In this video, I showcase the true power of the Neiro Audio N106 plugin. We are doing a direct comparison: Digital Emulation vs Real Analog Hardware Render! You will hear the huge difference when the digital preset is suddenly processed through the actual analog circuitry.
How does it work? The N106 is not just a standard VST. You compose your track using their high-quality digital emulation without any streaming latency. Once your MIDI and automations are locked in, the plugin sends your data directly to Neiro Studios. There, it is fed through a real physical Roland Juno-106 (specifically a hardware Kiwi 106 synth). The analog output is recorded using high-end RME Fireface UCX interfaces and automatically downloaded right back into your DAW as a WAV audio file. It's exactly like owning the real vintage analog synthesizer remotely.
To sit perfectly in a mix, I've also processed these sounds through external hardware-style reverb and delay.
🎧 Best experienced with studio monitors or high-quality headphones.
"Connect to a classic analog synthesizer revered for its lush, warm sounds. The Neiro N106 features a rich chorus effect that’s instantly recognizable from classic tracks like 'Jump' and 'Tom Sawyer'.
Connect directly to the Roland Juno-106 unit today."
"MathSynth is a free iOS platform where mathematical functions become musical instruments. The idea is to explore the connection between mathematics and sound, not simply as an educational tool, but as an actual instrument for making music, learning, sharing and experimenting with different types of synthesis.
Beta users get a 3-months free Premium Pass using the coupon code shown on the website. There's also a Founding Member challenge: save 10 sounds during your trial and qualify for a Founding Member reward when MathSynth officially launches.
I reached out to MathSynth asking if there were any demos on YouTube. They said they would be coming. I'll be sure to follow up with them. Until then, feel free to give the Beta a try.
"Exciting times, our friends from Analogue Renaissance have developed a new BA662a clone which seems to be 2 levels above known clones. It performs exactly the same as the original chip and you can listen to it in the RE-303 here (this chip is also used in various other Roland synths and drum machines of that time, which makes it even more exciting). The comparison isn't highly scientific just with some extreme settings of the parameters, but you can get the idea that with some more penible pot adjustment they are pretty much indistinguishable. As always with a lovely resonance, which doesn't sound harsh or sibilant but always has this silky nice tone to it, where all the smd clones fail for a reason :)"
Use the player controls to skip through videos once started.
Playlist:
1. OktaDie, plugins and iOS app inspired by LYRA-8 ....Coming soon! #synth #sounddesign
"Eight touch-sensitive voices, a cross-modulation matrix, a dual modulated delay and an overdrive — no keyboard, no scale, no quantization anywhere.
It drifts on its own and never makes the same sound twice.
The plugin will be available on Mac, Windows and iPad.
VST3 / AU / AAX / AUv3, instrument and FX.
SwarmaDie 2 is an unofficial emulator of the legendary Swarmatron analog synthesizer, available as a VST3, AU, and AAX plugin for Mac and Windows.
The Swarmatron is iconic for its hypnotic, swarming sound — multiple oscillators slightly detuned against each other, creating that signature ethereal drone. Made famous by artists like Jonny Greenwood, it's a rare and expensive hardware piece. SwarmaDie 2 brings that unique character straight into your DAW at an affordable price.
MUSIC: "Hollow Light — Piano & Swarmatron (SwarmaDie 2 Demo)" (Diego Capoccitti - 2026)
3. SwarmaDie 2 iOS — Raw Screen & Audio Capture on iPad (Swarm Synth Jam)
4. JenDie — The JEN SX-1000 Reborn on iPad | Analog Synth Plugin Test
JenDie is an analog synthesizer inspired by the legendary JEN SX-1000 — the iconic Italian mono synth of the late '70s — faithfully recreated with its warm, gritty and unmistakable vintage character.
In this video you can see JenDie running on iPad, tested in standalone (also AUv3 plugin available!), showing how easy it is to bring that classic analog tone into a modern mobile setup. Plug in, play, and enjoy pure vintage synth vibes — anywhere.
🎛️ ABOUT THE PLUGIN
JenDie captures the soul of the JEN SX-1000: rich oscillators, a characterful filter and that raw, organic analog warmth that made the original a cult classic. Perfect for basslines, leads, retro sequences and anyone chasing that authentic vintage synth sound.
5. AlchemDie — Make Noise Strega (Unofficial) Emulator | Overview & Demo (VST3 / AU / AAX)
AlchemDie is an unofficial emulator of the "alchemical" Make Noise Strega, available as a VST3, AU, and AAX plugin for Mac and Windows.
Inspired by the mysterious and esoteric hardware designed by Make Noise in collaboration with Alessandro Cortini, AlchemDie is more than a synthesizer: it’s a laboratory for sonic experimentation. It transforms a simple digital oscillator into an unpredictable, evolving sound machine by routing its output through a feedback delay experiment that blurs the line between synthesis, processing, and noise.
From haunting drones to screeching feedback and organic textures, AlchemDie brings that unique "strega" soul straight into your DAW at an affordable price.
Tonic Oscillator: Includes a sub-harmonic generator and continuous waveform morphing. Vactrol-style Activation: VCA with asymmetric slew response for organic, acoustic-like behavior. Time/Filter Loop: BBD-style delay emulation with dynamic lowpass and feedback. Agitation Function: Generator with continuous trapezoid modulation to stir the sound. Gesture Pads: Six momentary pads for multi-parameter macro control and performance. External Substance: Input for processing external audio through the alchemical engine. Character Section: Analog-style tape companding and stereo width controls.
DroneDie is an unofficial emulator of the legendary Grendel Drone Commander Classic, available as a VST3, AU, and AAX plugin for Mac and Windows.
The Grendel Drone Commander Classic is a cult hardware drone synthesizer, beloved in experimental, industrial, and noise music for its raw, abrasive, hypnotic character — a machine that turns simple oscillators into visceral sonic textures. Rare, quirky, and deeply expressive, it occupies a unique niche that no conventional synth can fill.
DroneDie brings that savage analog soul straight into your DAW at an affordable price.
"Panacousticon by Emiliano Pennisi is one of the most unconventional plugin collections available for sound designers, electronic music producers, and experimental musicians. We explore the range of evolving textures, haunting ambiences, fractured rhythms, and cinematic industrial soundscapes it makes. Whether you're producing industrial techno, IDM, dark ambient, experimental electronic music, or searching for fresh sounds inside your DAW, this deep dive demonstrates inspiring ways to push your music beyond traditional means.
"Oktopus is a powerful, deep synthesizer and production environment built from the ground up for advanced sound design, live performance, and music creation on Windows/Mac/iOS.
Features:
8-block synth architecture for layered and evolving sounds
MPE and MIDI input support
AUv3 instrument support for compatible hosts
Sample loading, slicing, and playback tools
Built-in recording and sample export workflow
Per-block arpeggiator and sequencing controls
LFOs, modulation routing, and performance macros
Factory presets and factory samples included
Flexible effects chain with EQ, distortion, bitcrusher, compressor, phaser, flanger, chorus, filter, delay, and reverb
Touch-friendly interface for iPhone and iPad music creation
Oktopus is made for producers, composers, and experimental musicians who want a powerful synth environment that can move from quick ideas to detailed sound design."
"Kepra is a rhythm instrument developed through detailed analysis of an original Japanese vintage programmable rhythm machine.
Rather than relying on sampled sounds, Kepra recreates each instrument by studying the original analog circuits, measuring waveforms, analyzing spectral content, and reproducing their behavior in software.
Developing Kepra felt less like sampling a drum machine and more like studying an archaeological artifact.
Every instrument was investigated through circuit analysis, waveform measurements, timing analysis, and spectral comparison to better understand how the original hardware produced its sound.
Rather than reproducing recordings, Kepra attempts to reconstruct the behavior behind them.
The Missing Instrument
One voice in Kepra did not exist on the original hardware.
The Shaker was designed as an 'imaginary expansion'—a voice inspired by the architecture and character of the original instrument.
Instead of adding a modern sample-based shaker, it was developed by asking a simple question:
'If the original designers had decided to include a shaker, how might they have built it using the same technology?'
The result is not a historical reproduction, but a speculative reconstruction that aims to remain faithful to the design philosophy of the original machine.
Not an Emulator
Kepra is not intended to be a museum piece.
It is a modern rhythm instrument built from careful hardware analysis, extending the ideas of a classic Japanese drum machine into new creative territory."
Note the above demos and following description are from March 5, 2025. I spotted the Elfin in Hainbach's A Hundred Suns, posted below. There appears to be two synths, an Elfin-08: 8-Voice Functional Prototype Synthesizer, and an Elfin-04 Polysynth.
"Introducing Elfin-04, Hideaway Studio's Compact New 4-Voice Polysynth...
I have been working round the clock for weeks now on my dinky little 8-bit 4-Voice (4 x [2osc+1sub+LFO]) VA Poly Expander with 1960's style transformer-mixed output voicing and finally No's.000 thru 010 are born to the world and receiving very positive feedback from their new owners...... this 4-voice polysynth measuring just 16x12x3cm has full real-time control over her 32 parameters via simple midi ccs and 16 built-in patches.
