Deals of the Week
Equipment News, Leaks and Tips
MODELING SYNTHS
Modeling Synths With Cherry Audio: 5 of Their Biggest Challenges
03 Apr · Few know as much as Cherry Audio about modeling synths. They tell us about the five most challenging emulations they’ve done.
BEST GUITAR TUNERS
Best Guitar Tuners: 5 Top Picks
03 Apr · These are our best guitar tuners for 2026. Looking to tune up reliably? Be that for the stage, studio or bedroom. Here's what to look out for.
Making Your Mix Louder: 3 Steps to a Loud Master – Perfect Match
03 Apr · Most mixes break when pushed louder. Here’s how to control peaks, shape dynamics, and actually mix louder without losing punch.
Roland SP-404 MKII Update: Side Chain All the Things
03 Apr · The long-awaited day has finally come. You can now do side chain compression in your Roland SP-404 MKII. Get the details here.
DI VS MIC RECORDING
DI vs Mic Recording: When to Use Each Method and Why
02 Apr · When it's time to capture your favourite instruments, choosing between DI vs Mic Recording is a crucial decision that can shape the sound of your songs.
SYNTH JOURNAL
Crazy Nintendo Synthesizers, Jean-Michel Jarre Writes a Book, More: Synth Journal
02 Apr · We’ve got two wild Nintendo synths this week, one from Love Hultén and the other a glitchy take on the Game Boy.
Line 6 Helix Stadium: Firmware Update 1.3 Adds “Proxy” Amp Cloning and New Presets!
02 Apr · Firmware updates for the Line 6 Helix Stadium and Stadium XL have arrived! Version 1.3 is here with "Proxy" amp cloning and new sounds!
Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Special Edition: A Masterpiece Reimagined
02 Apr · The Taylor Ben Harper Gold Label 512e Special Edition is an experience in terms of comfort, sound and aesthetics.
Universal Audio Little Labs Voice Of God: Now Available Natively!
02 Apr · The Universal Audio Little Labs Voice Of God plugin is carefully modelled on the popular bass resonance tool used by engineers for more than a decade.
Catalinbread CB Paint: 80s Reverb in a Pedal
02 Apr · The Catalinbread CB Paint recreates the classic Alesis Microverb in a pedal!
MUSIC ECONOMICS
The Economics of Sound: What It Really Costs to Make a Record Today
01 Apr · We discuss the economics of sound, a topic that covers some of the different aspects of record-making in today's digital landscape and the costs involved.
SOUNDS AND PRESETS
Cherry Audio Crumar DS-2 Goes to Deep Space, plus new sounds for COBALT8 – Sounds and Presets
01 Apr · We kick off with a companion bank for Crumar DS-2, Cherry Audio's latest synth, plus we look at new sounds for Modal's COBALT8, Live Suite 12 and the KORG modwave.
Roland SPD-SX PRO: Version 2.0 Firmware Update Adds Workflow Enhancements, Better Time-Stretching and More!
01 Apr · Roland releases a new level of sampling pad in the SPD-SX PRO. With a bunch of road-tested professional enhancements for the most demanding gigs.
Ibanez 2026: New Guitars and Basses with Stunning Finishes!
01 Apr · For the second release of Ibanez 2026, the Japanese guitar maker is introducing even more colors and models for guitars, basses, and acoustics.
Ludwig Drums 2026: New Beginner Drum Kits in Beautiful Colors!
01 Apr · Ludwig Drums 2026 is introducing stunning new finishes in four of their beginner series. Check these colors and drum kits out!
Gibson J-45 Special, Hummingbird Special & L-00 Special: New Colors Available!
01 Apr · Gibson has unveiled new colors for the J-45 Special, Hummingbird Special, and L-00 Special acoustic guitars. Check them out!
Kontakt AI Leak: Native Instruments Plans to Phase Out Kontakt in 2026 and Focus on AI
01 Apr · A leak suggests Kontakt AI could replace all sample libraries. Native Instruments has not commented (yet), and the discussion is gaining momentum.
Lupine Instruments AP-1: An Acoustic Drum Machine?!
01 Apr · Lupine Instruments AP-1 is a new programmable rhythm machine, one that strikes acoustic percussion with a mallet or drumstick.
Swayed Brings Back an Advanced FM and PCM Classic
31 Mar · Swayed takes us back to the 90s, where digital synthesis and sampling collided and showed us what both methods could do when used creatively!
EHX Classics Bundle: Vintage Electro-Harmonix Pedals In Your DAW
31 Mar · The EHX Classics Bundle from MixWave and Electro-Harmonix brings together six of the best and most sought-after pedals in an affordable plugin bundle.
Guitar Journal
Guitar Journal: Strandberg Neck-Thru & More
31 Mar · Strandberg Boden Neck-Thru, Mr. Black Stereo Vintage Ensemble Pro and KMA stereo headphone amp
TAL-J8X Salutes a Classic from 1985!
31 Mar · TAL brings us another chapter in Roland's analogue synth swan song from the mid-80s, before everything went digital for a while. Does TAL-J8X do the JX-8P justice?