ANIMEVOX by castpixel is a free retro anime-style sound fx generator

Sparkle! Slash! PowerUP! This deceptively simple, stupidly fun free browser tool/download generates sound effects in the style of 80s and 90s Japanese animation, all thanks to a clever signal chain. And you can export WAV files, so you could use it to build instruments/drum racks, too.

Fractiv wants to make granular sound easier to shape, sculpt, and play

More, granular — less random. That’s the pitch from Fractiv, a new sampling granular instrument and effect from Sync Audio. Just when you thought you couldn’t squeeze more ideas out of granular sound, they’ve got some smart ideas, including a more playable, precise interface, and grain-based modulation. Mac, Windows, and Linux. Here’s a first look.

Peter Kirn - January 16, 2026

JW-Modules free Grains, Buffer are must-downloads for VCV Rack

We’ve had a deluge of superb VCV Rack modules, carrying straight over into the first days of the new year. But let’s skip to this one: Jeremy Wentworth’s free Grains is the granular sampler you’ve been waiting for, now available for VCV Rack and 4ms MetaModule. Bonus: my guide to other granular modules in Rack… and a surprise teaser.

Peter Kirn - January 6, 2026

A free emulator of Roland JP-8000 and the love of supersaws and trance

Peter Kirn - December 30, 2025

Mudjaq TapeLeap, a freaky tape/lo-fi looper that can blink, be broken

Peter Kirn - December 11, 2025

ADPTR Utopia: what makes this spectral reverb one of the best effects of 2025

Peter Kirn - December 3, 2025

Airwindows VerbThic, VerbTiny let you go even more rabid for reverb, for free

Peter Kirn - December 3, 2025

Valhalla’s all-new reverb, 8 years in development, goes clean and natural

Peter Kirn - November 13, 2025

Guide: Create unique effects with Max for Live and Ableton DSP objects (pt. 2)

Peter Kirn - October 14, 2025

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