El Jaguar: re-amped Colombian Picó sound systems as instrument

El Jaguar, out now, is a rhythmic excursion from sound library sameness. This toolkit from boutique house MNTRA produces a deeply customizable sound world by re-amping through the legendary Picó sound systems of Barranquilla, Colombia. It’s something new, melding Montréal synth love and afro-Caribbean percussion into a new hybrid playground for producers.

Free GATE-12 gives you envelopes and patterns on Mac, Windows, and Linux

Trigger envelopes and synced patterns of shapes and gates on macOS, Windows, and Linux – for free. GATE-12 by tiagolr has some features you’ve probably seen before, but combined in clever ways and elegantly integrated, plus the price is right.

Peter Kirn - May 13, 2025

Dirty, punchy, free: this plug-in rendition of the Korg Poly-61 is raw and perfect

The 1982 Poly-61 was a grimy, cheap, raw-sounding quintessential 80s synth. It doesn’t have any of the star power of other Korg instruments or rivals from Roland and Sequential. So instead of a commercial remake, what we get is free. But it’s fantastic. It’s way better than you’d expect from a free plug-in. Meet the Full Bucket Music FURY-68.

Peter Kirn - May 6, 2025

3D masses, springs, soundmakers: Anukari physics-based instrument

Peter Kirn - May 4, 2025

SpaceBlender, swarming experimental reverb, free from Soundtoys now

Peter Kirn - May 1, 2025

Vela reverb, now in open beta, opens up rich reverbs you can reshape

Peter Kirn - April 14, 2025

Smooth Operator Pro spectral tool adds precise control, more: deep dive

Peter Kirn - April 8, 2025

Waverazor, MOK’s insane wave-slicing synth, just got a huge free update

Peter Kirn - February 17, 2025

Minimal Audio Wave Shifter hands-on: warped frequency modulator effect

Peter Kirn - February 12, 2025

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