Absynth 6.1: Audio modulator, LFO retrigger, sound content, more

If you need an excuse to suit up for an extravehicular activity in the cosmos of sound, Absynth is back again. Native Instruments quietly dropped Absynth 6.1, with oft-requested LFO retrigger and undo/redo, plus a surprise: a new audio modulator.

Devious Pocket: standalone, simple digital vinyl from any turntable

Skip the laptops and loads of proprietary hardware with an ultra-simple, portable, affordable add-on that turns any turntable into a digital vinyl turntable. That’s the pitch from NAP Works for crowdfunded, compact hardware built on open-source tech. It might do more than just impress digital vinyl DJs: this has the potential to win over even the CDJ crowd.

Peter Kirn - April 16, 2026

You can now get eight of UA’s best plug-ins free, plus the free LUNA DAW

UAD Explore is a surprise. This is no “intro” or limited pack; eight stand-out Universal Audio plug-ins are available for free. That’s on top of the company’s free Luna DAW — though the plug-ins will also work in your DAW of choice, no special hardware required. For skill sharing or anyone lacking a budget now, that means access to some great tools.

Peter Kirn - April 15, 2026

Intellijel made Swells a playable reverb with faders, rise, fall, ebb, and flow

Peter Kirn - April 14, 2026

Liquid and hypnotic, Sinevibes’ Duality is a different breed of vibrato

Peter Kirn - April 13, 2026

Akai’s pint-sized MPC Sample has already gotten a couple of updates

Peter Kirn - April 13, 2026

Synth Days in Kyiv: inside the wartime Ukrainian modular scene

Kaximia - April 12, 2026

Bastl’s new Déjà vu is the 4HP module for when you need to fader stuff

Peter Kirn - April 10, 2026

Reason 14 beta: new Track Panel, reverb, Dark Mode, more

Peter Kirn - April 8, 2026