NI’s new Massive XL is nicely overstuffed but easier to morph, mutate, and play

What do you get the music synth user who’s got everything? Here’s what: mutation and generation options that actually lead you into more tweaking, not away from it. Plus goodies from the original Massive and PPG, and some of our favorite NI effects. Massive XL feels like the sequel Massive X wanted to be. Here’s a first hands-on — at just the right time, with a $99 intro price.

Free Friday: GForce’s superb Axxess instrument is free until December

GForce has updated their site, branding, and pricing (now with both lifetime licenses and subscription options). And there are two freebies, time-limited through the end of November: a Mellotron M400 instrument, and the one I suspect most readers will be into, GForce’s take on the 1975 ARP Axxe synthesizer.

Peter Kirn - October 23, 2026

Free Friday: D16 is turning 20 and they’ve got a new free stereo delay

Straight outta Katowice, our friends at D16 Audio Group are celebrating 20 years with an all-new stereo delay: Echolite. And don’t let the “lite” in the name deceive you: this all-new giveaway has some power beneath its simple UI.

Peter Kirn - October 23, 2026

Max 9.2: V8 FFTs, better Windows support, Ableton abl goodies, more

Peter Kirn - October 14, 2026

Time-bending, granular-powered HyperWarp: hands-on, free pack

Peter Kirn - October 6, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - October 4, 2026

Pure Data (Pd) 0.57 inbound, enduring free software for tinkering with sound

Peter Kirn - October 2, 2026

FLpad 8×8 grid comes to FL Studio — can you add a grid to a speedrun?

Peter Kirn - October 1, 2026

Mortal FM Kombat: Plogue’s meticulous OPMZ Yamaha emulation totally slaps

Peter Kirn - September 28, 2026