EDINBURGH, UK: readily representing its first ‘big’ release in over a year (when the temporarily out-of-circulation GLASS STRINGS was effectively re-released with a totally redesigned GUI and added features as the Edinburgh-based enterprise’s workhorse string library for a new era in more human-sounding music and scores, coinciding with rebranding itself with an aesthetic that truly realised company co-founder and composer Christian Henson’s heartfelt dream of encouraging people to make music and help them on their journey, regardless of whatever point they were at and wherever their journey began), The Crow Hill Company is proud to announce availability of ARCANE STRINGS — taking the sampling rule book and ripping it up, ultimately resulting in a string library featuring amateur players in order to achieve an arcane, primitive, dislocated, microtonal, loose, and sometimes savage sound duly designed for media composers wanting to leave a truly characterful imprint on their next drama score, or, indeed, composers who want to gain extra devilish bite out of their existing string collections — as of August 14…
"A few years ago I restored my childhood Amiga 500, and only recently found a way to use a soft synth, Aegis Sonix V2, with external MIDI control. I saw @magicalsynthadventure3216 video on the topic a while back, and on a whim decided to revisit the idea of using my Amiga as a synth. Thanks to an Amibay.com forum thread, I learned that it's pretty easy to get Aegis Sonix V2 to respond to incoming MIDI, and so I was off to the races. Enjoy!
"A delve into obscure software instruments on the Commodore Amiga. Here I look into both realtime & non-realtime varieties, covering a staggering array of synthesis types!
Additional attributions:
I forgot to give a shout out to uncle Brian! Sorry uncle Brian!
Endless Tunnel Animation: KRITRIMVAULT
Syndicate Intro: BullFrog Productions
Update: An interesting side note is that Sonix was released in 1987 with a beta in 1986. That's 10 years earlier than Dave Smith's Seer Systems Reality, which was released in 1997. Seer Systems Reality is often credited as the world's first soft synth. Curious if the distinction was between an editor/interface for the existing Amiga sound chip vs. a self contained software synthesizer.
I asked Google AI just to see what it would say. Here it is:
The Best Strings Plugin Money CAN'T Buy??? video upload by CROW HILL
Press release follows:
The Crow Hill Company announces availability of popular POCKET STRINGS plug-in for free, bringing broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone
EDINBURGH, UK: around a year after its initial launch, not long after the Edinburgh-based enterprise effectively rebranded itself with an aesthetic that truly realises company co-founder and composer Christian Henson’s heartfelt dream of encouraging people to make music and help them on their journey, regardless of whatever point they were at and wherever their journey began, The Crow Hill Company is proud to announce that it has made its popular POCKET STRINGS — styled as a never-tried-before strings plug-in that aims to bring broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone by combining live cinematic orchestral recordings of some of the best musicians working in the UK with some rarefied vintage synth classics made to measure for added body, depth, and character — available for free with no strings attached (but pun intended), as of August 6…
Playlist:
1. Synterra : Audio Demo : Vaemi
2. Synterra Nedir? : VAEMI’nin Yeni Enstrümanı #synth #generativemusic #sounddesign #synthesizer
3. Synterra : VAEMI’nin Yeni Generatif Enstrümanı : Tüm Özellikleri #Organic #NaturalPatterns #Plants
Click CC in the player controls for subtitles.
"We are delighted to announce Synterra, VAEMI’s new instrument, which many of you have been waiting for. We are truly excited.
Synterra is a unique device designed as a more comprehensive instrument than similar equipment created to date, capable of interacting with organic objects, living organisms, and different surfaces in its surroundings.
Synterra can use changes in the magnetic and electrical fields around it, liquid or solid organic materials, fruits, plants, fungi, trees, light, and the touch-sensitive area on its surface, allowing your own resistance to become part of the music and the patch.
Synterra also determines its initial position during startup by using the magnetic field of its environment as a reference. This allows the device to position itself according to its surroundings each time it is powered on and begin processing incoming signals based on this initial reference.
In addition to these features, the device offers 8 different scale options. Synterra converts signals received from living organisms or other sources into data. It then processes this data through probability and quantizer structures, creating an algorithmic arrangement that generates different notes at different times. In this way, the device establishes a generative synthesis structure within itself.
Synterra features 9 different synth presets. These presets include a variety of synthesis characters based on subtractive synthesis, wavetable, resonator, Karplus–Strong, drums, and noise.
The device can also be used practically without being connected to any living organism, as light and your own resistance can be incorporated into the circuit. In addition, a much wider variety of sensors can be added to the system through the clip cables and the additional sensor input.
Synterra can be powered by either batteries or USB. Battery operation allows you to use the device comfortably on nature walks, in outdoor spaces, and in creative environments outside the studio.
The onboard potentiometers allow you to adjust the output level of the internal sounds, as well as the amount and sensitivity values. This enables you to use the device comfortably across a broader range of applications and receive signals at more suitable levels from different living organisms or organic sources.
"Consonant Dissonance is a series of piano improvisations that examine how human expression in piano performance can be emphasized or contrasted by feeding the signals into a bespoke modular synthesizer designed to sample and reprocess the piano in real-time. For each piece the piano signals are handled in different ways. These include granular synthesis, looping, pitch shifting, reverse, analog filtering, delay, and reverberation, all modulated via a function generator, low frequency oscillators, and a sampling touch controller operated by the performer.
Recorded at The University of St Thomas, Schoenecker Center, Audio Studio on a Kawai RX-3 grand piano. Composed, performed, and produced by John C.S. Keston. Gratitude goes out to Alejandro Vega for engineering assistance, and Adam Krinsky for mixing and mastering consultation.
John C.S. Keston is an award winning transdisciplinary artist reimagining how music, video art, and computer science intersect. His work both questions and embraces his backgrounds in music technology, software development, and improvisation leading him toward unconventional compositions that convey a spirit of discovery and exploration through the use of graphic scores, chance and generative techniques, analog and digital synthesis, experimental sound design, signal processing, and acoustic piano. Performers are empowered to use their phonomnesis, or sonic imaginations, while contributing to his collaborative work. Keston founded the sound design resource, AudioCookbook.org, where you will find articles and documentation about his projects and research."
You can find additional pics and details for the release at the following links:
Sync the DS-8 directly to your PC or compatible hardware like the Teenage Engineering OP-XY over USB MIDI. Or connect it to your computer and send multitrack USB audio straight into your DAW for recording and mixing.
New DS8 features:
Multitrack, class-compliant USB audio for recording individual DS-8 tracks directly into a DAW
No drivers needed
MIDI sync over USB: send or receive clock, start and stop
Mixing and workflow improvements:
Dedicated Mixer with left and right panning
Per-track MPC60-style swing
More intuitive extending and shrinking of 16, 32 and 64-step patterns
Simplified track engine selector
Instant note preview when programming melodic synth parts
In the video, we demonstrate multitrack recording into Ableton Live and use the OP-XY as the master clock for a synchronized, laptop-free techno liveset.
Download the latest DS-8 update now, completely free."
"It's easy to laugh at the hokey premise ("the crew of the Enterprise explore never-before-visited space, and encounter... a Moog synthesizer"
Quite a bit of it actually sounds digital. In 1975 digital synths were pretty limited. Remember, the Yamaha DX7 would not come out until 1983. Back then you would have had the RMI Keyboard Computer (Model 300), released in 1974 by Rocky Mount Instruments (RMI). The Synclavier would not come out until 1977 and the DKS synergy in 1982. The Bell Labs Programmable Synthesizer as played by Laurie Spiegal (also known as the Alles Machine or "Alice") was developed in 1976 by engineer Hal Alles, a year later.
If anyone knows what was used for this Star Trek release, feel free to leave a comment.
Interesting side note: they communicate with it by playing music. Note this was before Close Encounters of the Third Kind, released in 1977.
📻 “VHS Memories” is a collection of 64 atmospheric cinematic presets for Synapse Audio Proxima. 🗂 It includes: 11 Keys, 8 Pads, 11 Strings, 12 Synths, 8 Drones, and 14 Textures.
📺 The soundset draws inspiration from sci-fi movies, retro electronica, cinematic soundtracks, dystopian worlds, urban landscapes, noise ambient albums, experimental modern art, and contemporary sound design.
📼 Built around the concept of imperfection, the collection blends gritty, lo-fi textures with constantly shifting timbres shaped through deep modulations.
💾 The timbral range is wide and diverse, covering dark, noisy, lo-fi, warm, deep, retro/vintage, melancholic, atmospheric, detuned, cold, distant, dull, massive, epic, bright, distorted, metallic, tense, atonal, non-harmonic, FX-like, evolving, and sweeping textures.
🎛 All presets respond to Velocity, affecting volume and brightness. ModWheel adds expression to the sound through filter opening, detuning, vibrato, or additional movement.
🧿 These patches are versatile and can be used in any genre where a dark atmosphere is essential, such as techno, ambient, IDM, industrial, drum and bass, and others. This collection is also an invaluable resource for soundtrack composers, game developers, audiobook producers, video creators, advertisers, and social media content creators.
💡 Ensure that you are using the latest software version. To add presets to the collection, open the plugin Browser, click Menu in the upper left corner, then select Import Folder, and specify the folder on your computer.
"The folks at @synidotech asked me to help launch their latest MIDI controller, the TempoKey K32. It's unique in that it's not just a MIDI controller but also includes a synth engine. In this video, I take a look at a pre-release model."
Intro - 0:00
Unboxing & Overview - 1:26
Internal Synth Engine - 3:31
Using the Editor - 5:24
Direct Audio - 6:47
Using with Soft Synth - 8:15
Using the Arpeggiator - 10:08
Additional Features - 11:30
Using with Hardware Synth - 12:45
Final Thoughts - 14:24
And one from 2-Minute Warning:
The Key - 4-Minute Jam (TempoKEY K32 Play + Taiga + DFAM)
"This video is a little different for two reasons!
First, it's the first time I'm featuring an instrument kindly provided by a manufacturer. Synido sent me the TempoKEY K32 Play to explore in my own workflow and share my honest impressions.
They didn't ask for a scripted review, so I simply approached it the same way I approach every other instrument on this channel: by making music with it.
Secondly... this is exceptionally a 4-minute jam!
Think of it as two consecutive 2-minute performances before I take a short summer break. 😊
Rather than trying to showcase every feature of the K32 as a MIDI controller (Bluetooth MIDI, battery power, USB/MIDI connectivity, pads, knobs, etc.), I wanted to focus on what intrigued me the most: its built-in General MIDI sound engine.
For this performance, the Hapax sequences the entire setup. The Taiga handles the bass, the DFAM takes care of the analog drums (synchronized by the Hapax), while the K32 Play provides everything else: guitars, strings, bells, plucks, additional drum sounds… and occasionally runs through the Eventide H90 for a bit of extra space and texture.
As always, the musical performance itself was recorded in a single take. Mixing/mastering was done afterwards in Ableton Live, but the performance you hear is exactly as it happened.
A sincere thank you to Synido. Without their message, this musical experiment probably wouldn't have happened."
✅ PLAY THE MOMENT INSPIRATION HITS
Most MIDI keyboards need a computer and software to make a sound. K32 doesn't. Built-in sounds and speakers let you play instantly--couch,classroom, anywhere.
✅ 32 KEYS, MORE ROOM
25 keys feel cramped for chords and melody together. The K32's 32-key layout gives your hands space to play naturally.
✅ WIRELESS, GO ANYWHERE
BLE MIDI + Battery. Create from the couch, backstage, in class, or on a plane.
✅ GROWS WITH YOU
Connect another MIDI controller and use the K32 as a standalone sound module. Compact setup, maximum flexibility.
✅ INSTANT SOUND SWITCHING
Save favorite instruments to the KEY Sound buttons. Jump from piano to synth to bass with one press. No menu-diving.
✅ HANDS-ON CONTROL
8 assignable knobs, 8 drum pads, and a clear OLED display. Adjust, beat, and perform in real time—no mouse needed.
✅ FOR EVERY STAGE OF YOUR JOURNEY
From first beat to live performance, K32 adapts to your workflow. Start simple. Grow into it. Create without limits.
📻 “Nostalgic Flow” is a bank of 50 arpeggio presets for Synapse Audio Dune 3. In this bank, I wanted to explore the plugin's broad sonic capabilities, including various filter modes, filter FX, different oscillator types, and effects. I extensively modulated the parameters of these modules using tempo-synced LFOs and MSEGs to create dynamic sound. I also carefully worked with arpeggio parameters to add complexity—some presets even sound like sequences or chords.
💾 The bank covers a wide range of timbres: warm, deep, dreamy, soft, noisy, bright, dark, distorted, cold, metallic. They will fit many genres, styles, arrangements, and mixes.
🎛 All presets respond to Velocity, affecting volume and brightness, allowing for accents in the pattern. ModWheel adds expression to the sound through filter opening, detuning, vibrato, or additional movement.
💎 The soundset is universal, the arpeggios are suitable for all genres of electronic music, including Techno, House, Trance, Lounge, Downtempo, Funk, Disco, Pop, Acid, Hardcore, IDM, Drum'n'Bass, Breaks, Breakbeat, Trap, Electro, Ambient, Dubstep, EDM, Synth-Pop and others.
💡 Ensure that you are using the latest software version. To add presets to the collection, open the plugin Browser, click Menu in the upper left corner, then select Import Folder, and specify the folder on your computer.
"Learn how to create a complete lo-fi track from scratch with the WoFi sampler. In this music production tutorial, film composer Josh Madoff demonstrates his creative workflow, from sampling and sound design to arranging a finished song using WoFi's powerful standalone features.
Watch as he transforms raw sounds into a moody lo-fi composition, processing breakbeats, layering drums, recording instruments, and shaping textures with WoFi's built-in effects and intuitive sampling engine.
Whether you're a beginner exploring sampling for the first time or an experienced producer looking for new sound design techniques, WoFi makes it easy to capture ideas, manipulate audio, and stay in a creative flow without a computer.
🎛️ In this video you'll learn:
• Breakbeat processing techniques
• Lo-fi drum layering and snare design
• Creative rimshot sound design
• Direct sampling workflows
• Field recording and instrument sampling
• Using the myWoFi companion app
• Bass recording and arrangement
• Vintage-inspired sound design
• Building a complete lo-fi track from scratch"
FM-1 Features: ● Built-in speaker: No external speakers needed, turn on and play instantly, your stage anytime, anywhere. ● Built-in arpeggio: Rich rhythmic layers, giving you endless possibilities for musical performance. ● Built-in sequencer: Supports saving 16 preset sequences. ● Built-in 6-band integrated effects chain. ● Built-in rechargeable lithium battery with power indicator: Ready to use anytime, anywhere – on the street, in a cafe, or in your bedroom. ● Built-in 145-parameter FM tone editing system: Supports importing original DX7 SysEx tone files, and batch loading of single tones and entire tone sets. ● Built-in sound source: This device features a built-in sound source (FM synthesizer engine) that emulates the classic Yamaha DX-7 FM synthesizer, fully replicating 6 operators and 32 algorithms. ● BT audio function: Wirelessly stream backing tracks from your mobile phone to the FM-1 for improvisation using the built-in speakers or headphones. ● 27-key silicone keyboard, covering two octaves, offering a supple touch and rapid rebound for a comfortable playing experience. ● 1.54-inch color display screen, providing real-time display of tone, parameters, and spectrum information. ● Backlit silicone buttons for silent operation and sensitive feedback. ● 7 sets of 360-degree rotary encoders for precise and intuitive control. ● 12 function keys for one-touch access to core functions. ● OCT± octave/transposition switch, covering the full range even on narrow keys. ● 3.5mm headphone jack with automatic speaker mute when headphones are plugged in, ensuring undisturbed creative work and immersive monitoring of every detail of the tone. ● 3.5mm MIDI input jack for supporting external MIDI device control. ● USB-C interface: USB Audio + USB MIDI composite device, automatically recognized upon connection to a computer.
user video:
M‑VAVE FM‑1 Review & Sound Demo – Fun Pocket FM Synth
"How does this under‑$70 FM synthesizer perform? Check out this video for a full feature walkthrough, sound demos, and my honest thoughts.
I first spotted the M‑VAVE FM‑1 at this year's Guangzhou Musical Instrument Fair, and picked one up shortly after for about 300 RMB (around $60). The packaging is minimal, the unit itself is compact (16×9 cm), yet it packs everything you'd need. Connectivity is surprisingly generous, with both wired and wireless MIDI and audio support – really well‑equipped for its size.
Inside, you get a 6‑operator FM engine, essentially a recreation of a classic 1980s Japanese synth. It comes with 128 preset sounds, plus an effects chain, a 16‑step sequencer, an arpeggiator, and deeper editing tools. Pair it with an external MIDI keyboard and the playability expands even further.
Are there minor software quirks? Sure. But at this price, they're hardly worth mentioning. Compared to other portable sound gadgets in its class, the FM‑1 is just plain fun. And for the money, the build quality and feature set far exceeded my expectations."
"Wildwood Lightning is a handmade digital sampler, sequencer and synthesizer designed and produced by Wildwood Soundworks in Penn Valley, California. It provides the following features:
Sampler - record your own samples or use standard WAVE files.
Sequencer - compose on up to 16 channels with channel mute and solo.
Synthesizer - produce polyphonic audio with a sample based synthesizer.
Touch Pads - play notes, select chord and drum patterns and strum with touch sensitive pads.
Display - view notes and channels or navigate menus to select from numerous features.
Multiple Views - create and update your songs using piano roll, song or step views.
Multiple Menus - discover features and create or edit your song with 14 menus.
Two Trautonium inspired floating touch bars allow for continuous volume and pitch control. This expressive interface is paired with a streamlined knob per function synth, so you can start playing right away. Despite the constrained feature set, the sensitive bars allow for weeks, months, and years of rewarding practice.
"MIDI EXPANDER, HARMONY COMPUTER, AND PRESET SYNTH FOR AMP DEVICES. www.melodyoracle.com
HARMONICONSTELLATION is a 3 channel AMP LINK to MIDI expander and harmony computer, with built-in three channel preset synthesizer. Converts AMP Obliquencer, Melody Oracle, Touch Tones, and Star Song to 3 channels (or up to three voices on one channel) of MIDI control signal.
Master settings control root note and mode, to format the incoming AMP control stream to a set of MIDI note values within a specified scale (9 harmonic modes over the full chromatic range). Each channel has Octave and Harmony Offset settings, creating spontaneous harmony to the incoming note stream, within the scale set by the master settings. CV inputs (0-3.3v, diode protected) for Octave and Harmony Offset on each channel allow modulation from Obliquencer CV outputs or other CV sources. Octave and Harmony Offset selectors become CV attenuators when jacks have been patched.
HARMONICONSTELLATION outputs MIDI master clock if connected to Obliquencer or Melody Oracle, allowing MIDI sequencers and drum machines to sync.
Each TRS MIDI output carries all three internal channels over MIDI, and each channel can be routed to any of the 16 MIDI channels using the recessed touch controls.
Built-in polyphonic, multi-timbral synthesizer output creates an audio preview of your sequences without needing to connect an external MIDI synthesizer. 16 preset sounds, with a variety of waveform and envelope profiles, correspond to the MIDI channel settings.
Multiple HARMONICONSTELLATIONs can be chained to control additional synthesizers. Can also be chained with AMP Expandoor and Wave Expander.
SPECIFICATIONS: Connection: Shielded connector RJ45, ethernet cable. Dimensions: 8.66” x 5.25” x 3” Power: Bus power, no additional power supply required MIDI Output 3.5” TRS Type A CV inputs: 3.5mm 0-3.3V unipolar diode protected."
"Today, we’re launching a new music hardware platform! Meet the AMYboard, a 10HP modular-sized synthesizer brimming with inputs and outputs for digital and analog audio, MIDI, and two CV channels. The AMYboard firmware runs Micropython, and can be controlled and programmed over the web, where you can share your own creations with others. You can also use AMYboard in Arduino to create music devices of your own design. It’s only US$29.90 - a very inexpensive way to get started making your own modular-capable synths. It can be powered over USB or a 10-pin modular power cable, and comes with a 10HP laser-cut faceplate. You can buy one today!
AMYboard is powered by AMY, the synthesis and effects toolkit that DAn Ellis and I have been working on for the past few years. AMY is a beautiful-sounding, efficient re-creation of classic analog synths – like the Juno-6 – and FM synths – like the DX-7. It can also act as a sampler, play WAV files, or let you make your own synthesizer setups in code from bare oscillators, effects, and filters. AMY is open-source and runs on all sorts of hardware. It already powers some neat synths like the Diapasonix, the Spark, and our own Tulip Creative Computer. AMYboard is our “reference hardware” for AMY - running the same ESP32-S3 as Tulip with 8MB of RAM, but with new features including both analog and S/PDIF (digital) audio input and output, enabling live effects, sampling, and filters. We’ve also added an SD card for sample storage, and an I2C host port for connecting your own displays and knobs!"
AMYboard launches with AMYboard online – a web based simulator and control surface for the AMYboard. You can experience AMYboard online before even buying an AMYboard. AMYboard online runs the same core engine as the AMYboard hardware (ported to WebAssembly) so you can set up and interact with the synthesizer over the web. When you’re ready, you plug in your AMYboard, download your patch, or control it in real time over the web, including the capability to edit and store code on your hardware that will boot up the next time you turn it on. AMYboard’s default firmware allows anyone to code their synth creations in MicroPython running on the hardware; the AMY synthesis engine itself runs in bare-metal C, but you can load your own “sketches” onto the board to build complex environments. For example, here’s a generative house track with a Derrick May custom “WOODPIANO” FM patch. Or here’s a TB303 + 808 acid setup. Or add a filter and reverb to a DX7 patch. AMYboard online also comes with AMYboard World, an online community for AMYboard users to share sketches with each other. We’re really excited to see your cool creations, please do share them!
"The Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums looks lie a toy but has hidden depths. In this video I give you a complete hands-on review, a live demo built from scratch, and a full manual walkthrough so you know exactly what this drum machine can do before you buy.
The Bullfrog Drums is the follow-up to the Bullfrog Synth — a collaboration between Erica Synths and Richie Hawtin, designed to be approachable for beginners but deep enough for professionals. Spoiler: it absolutely delivers on both fronts."
"Audio.Computer have been busy working on a new instrument that aims to take time-stretching to new heights. We take a look and listen to a very early prototype, which is currently known as the Machine 2."
"A multi-loop time stretcher for textural soundscapes"
