West Coast, with penguins: Aaltoverb on Linux; Aalto 2 coming soon

Madrona Labs’ patchable West Coast synth is one of the most playable, exploration-friendly, unique instruments around — a piece of software to last. And it comes with a reverb companion, now on Linux, too as a free demo you can beta-test. The big news: Aalto 2 is coming this fall for macOS, Windows — and Linux, too.

More Logic Pro 12 tweaks, MainStage 4 with Ableton Link: details

Apple has just made its release notes for MainStage 4 and Logic Pro 12 public, and we get some extra little details, from MIDI 2.0 in the Logic Step Sequencer to Ableton Link support in MainStage.

Peter Kirn - January 28, 2026

AirWindows’ free PointyDeluxe is dangerous, unstable, and wonderful

AirWindows, if you aren’t already in the know, is a planetary treasure. Developer Chris Johnson has built a massive playground of DSP, available for free/Patreon donationware. And this time, he’s created something he says is “not normal.” What was supposed to be a brutal guitar sound went off the rails. But don’t let that stop you from getting onboard.

Peter Kirn - July 29, 2025

Happy Monday; immerse your workday and soundscape in Severance

Peter Kirn - March 17, 2025

Freebies: Universal Audio Pure Plate Reverb

Peter Kirn - December 19, 2024

Transit 2 from Baby Audio, Andrew Huang: more FX, “Motion Modes”

Peter Kirn - October 15, 2024

Dancing “vibes” and 2 more mood-elevating freebies for Live, DAWs

Peter Kirn - August 5, 2024

Tour Collage, a colorful playground for endless custom effects

Peter Kirn - February 16, 2024

Soundtoys shows off the Abbey Road reverb trick – and it’s not just for vocals

Peter Kirn - December 21, 2023