Deep in Serum: six sound tricks to explore just by double-clicking, with maestro Francis Preve

For all the many soft synths out there, maturity and depth matter – and few tools offer those quite like the almighty Serum. Whether you’re just getting around to trying it – or you already think you know all there is to know – sound maven Francis Preve is the perfect guide.

Pipa is a unique vocal synth that’s supremely fun to play [Hands-on]

Lying somewhere between organic and artificial in its sound, the vocal synth Pipa – available as both an iPad app and a Mac and Windows plug-in – is genuinely new and refreshing.

Peter Kirn - January 5, 2021

Freebie watch: Diablo Lite is built to make drums punch, slap, and hit harder

It really sounds like we want our drums to beat us up. Anyway, Diablo Lite, a new free plug-in from Cymatics, is all about harder-hitting drums – and it in fact is some nice boutique software.

Peter Kirn - January 4, 2021

Texture is a free, rich granular reverb plug-in with mid/side for Mac, Windows

Peter Kirn - December 25, 2020

SubLab is an 808 bass synth and more, from makers of Circle

Peter Kirn - June 11, 2019

NI Massive X synth sees first features, interface revealed

Peter Kirn - March 14, 2019

Unique takes on delay and tremolo from K-Devices, now as plug-ins

Peter Kirn - March 8, 2019

Cherry Audio Voltage Modular: a full synth platform, open to developers

Peter Kirn - December 13, 2018

A soft synth that’s made to be played with futuristic, expressive control

Peter Kirn - August 9, 2018

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