AJH Synth MiniMod Keyz review By Dave Gale published 4 December 23 £2795 €2998 $3216 An integrated Eurorack system with the benefits of a Minimoog, and more? We say ‘yes, please’ to the MiniMod Keyz
Audio Imperia Dolce review By Dave Gale published 28 October 23 $499 Audio Imperia brings us a package of chamber-sized strings, inspired by a golden Hollywood age. Who said romance is dead?
GForce Software M-Tron Pro IV review By Dave Gale published 28 October 23 £150 €196 $190 With an update to an established icon, GForce makes the case for the tape-based arts (albeit in software form)
Sound Dust Plankton Drummer review By Dave Gale published 27 October 23 £60 €70 $80 Sound Dust’s new Kontakt instrument blurs the waves between percussion and harmony. But is it sea-worthy? We set sail…
Kurzweil K2700 review By Dave Gale published 24 October 23 £2969 €2999 $2755 With its vast array of synthesis and performance technologies, Kurzweil continues its legendary workstation ethic, through an updated workhorse
How to design a glassy and ethereal pad sound By Dave Gale published 13 October 23 If you need a pad that shimmers but doesn’t get in the way of your mix, try this patch out for size
Who needs a mastering engineer? How to master your music without a professional studio or expensive gear By Dave Gale published 13 October 23 Budget won’t stretch to a trip to an engineer, or fancy some DIY? Get started with our ultimate guide to mastering in the box
How to design a punchy, radio-ready synth bass sound By Dave Gale published 18 September 23 Recreating the impactful bass sound of pop hits like Jax Jones’ Whistle needn’t be difficult. Let’s learn how…
Exonic UK AI Master review By Dave Gale published 15 September 23 £79 While the world asks if it’s time to limit AI's exposure to humanity, we ask if it’s time to expose AI to limiters? It’s time to automate (meet) your Master
Orchestral Tools Peteris Vasks Strings review By Dave Gale published 30 August 23 €549 Proving the point that it’s not the size of the orchestra, it’s what you do with it, OT’s new suite shrinks the string section to chamber size
Cherry Audio Novachord + Solovox review By Dave Gale published 24 August 23 £34 €38 $36 It doesn’t get much more vintage than Cherry Audio’s latest, as virtual valves are warmed up, and two legacy synths unite in one package
How to make a Gorillaz‑style synth string patch By Dave Gale published 21 August 23 We show you how to use a retro sound in an über-contemporary setting as synth strings get the Gorillaz treatment
Toontrack EZKeys 2 review By Dave Gale published 17 August 23 £155 €179 $166 We can all use a little pianistic virtuosity in our productions, and Toontrack’s much anticipated update keeps you right on the EZ track
EastWest Hollywood Fantasy Orchestra – String and Brass Sections review By Dave Gale published 16 August 23 £360 €415 $399 Magic awaits us in this new orchestral library, as we prepare to be transported to another world via the back of a wardrobe, or Platform 9¾!
How to make '80s stereo synth stabs By Dave Gale published 10 August 23 Ever wondered how you can make your short and snappy synth sounds even more interesting? It’s all about the stereo
Spitfire Audio British Drama Toolkit: Brass and Reeds review By Dave Gale published 27 July 23 £169 €199 $199 Whether you’re scoring a film or scouting for evocative textures, Spitfire has a dramatic new proposition to capture your imagination
Sonora Cinematic Verticale review By Dave Gale published 21 July 23 £49 €59 $59 Creating the perfect felted upright piano takes time, perseverance and four layers of vertical felt!
Classic keys on a budget: Six cheap MiniMoogs! By Andy Jones published 2 July 23 Get the fabled sound of a Moog synth for less with four recent software recreations and two super cheap hardware clones
Classic keys on a budget: Iconic organ sounds for less By Andy Jones published 1 July 23 The organ is one of the most popular instruments across many music genres. Here's how to get its mighty sound without breaking the bank
How to modulate gates on synth pads like Kraftwerk By Dave Gale published 19 June 23 Gating a pad has long been considered a classic effect. Adding real-time control takes pad-gating to the next level!
Toontrack EZKeys Synthwave & EZX Expansion review By Dave Gale published 2 June 23 £152 / £79 €169 / €89 $159 / $82 Want your track to sound like it was birthed in the technicolor 80s? Toontrack is on hand, transporting us to when synths ruled the waves
Spectrasonics Twisted Trees Sonic Extension review By Dave Gale published 1 June 23 $149 If you go down to the woods today, you’ll be surprised to find a sound-designer not so much hugging trees as hitting and twisting them!
How to create the 'perfect fifths' synth pad By Dave Gale published 30 May 23 Get your fifths and ninths in order as we explore one of the most identifiable pad sounds around
Cherry Audio Mercury-6 review By Dave Gale published 23 May 23 £44 €69 $69 Cherry Audio’s latest softsynth arrives from the orbit of Mercury, with vintage stimulus from one of the biggest gas giants of them all
Rhodes V8 review By Dave Gale published 29 April 23 £149.95 The Rhodes is back! The new Mk8 electric piano is now joined by the V8 software, with plenty of surprises under the virtual Rhodes lid
