Hainbach and AudioThing made the HP Word Generator into sonic software

The Hewlett-Packard Word Generator 8006A has become an unintentional legend of sound lovers, transforming this obscure lab equipment into a kind of instrument. So you knew that a Hainbach/AudioThing collab to produce a software version was inevitable. B00GA is available now as a macOS, Windows, or Linux plug-in, or an iOS/iPadOS AUv3 plug-in or app.

UZU is a new rubbery spectral smearing phaser effect from CRQL, Ewan Bristow

Ewan Bristow and CRQL have created pure, manic magic with this one. UZU mangles sounds through a wormhole, via what is technically a spectral Frequency Domain Filter. And yes, FL Studio fans may recognize some of the characteristics of the phaser in Image-Line’s wonderful Harmor synth.

Peter Kirn - October 11, 2025

plugdata 0.9.2 is huge update for this free sound exploration powerhouse

plugdata, the visual programming environment for sound and media based on Pure Data (Pd), is becoming its own scene. It’s a great place to start patching your own sonic experiments, and if you haven’t already done that, you should. But it’s also becoming a treasure trove of free and paid tools and toys for musicians even if you never touch the wires inside. v.0.9.2 makes that better for developers and users alike. And did I mention it’s free, on Mac, Windows, Linux, and iOS/iPad?

Peter Kirn - September 24, 2025

LOCD is the free phase lock effect you didn’t know you needed

Peter Kirn - September 4, 2025

AirWindows’ free PointyDeluxe is dangerous, unstable, and wonderful

Peter Kirn - July 29, 2025

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

Peter Kirn - May 13, 2025

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

Peter Kirn - May 6, 2025

This site is promoting Linux plug-ins with resources for developers and users

Peter Kirn - May 4, 2025

Linux DAW is a one-stop catalog of free and proprietary plug-ins for Linux

Peter Kirn - November 8, 2024

CDM Newswire

brings together the latest breaking news on music, technology, gear, and live visuals. Got a project, found a news tip, or want to share your product? Submit to us directly.

Submit to CDM NEWSWIRE