Dune3 - Synapse Audio

The new and improved Dune 3 is now even better than previous versions. Not onl;y sounding superior but now with a great wavetable editor and dual filters. The FX section has also been expanded with many excellent presets and fantastic EQ's. Nice also to see a dual arpeggiator. Only thing missing really is still no drag and drop modulation and the choice of colored skins has dissapeared. All in all though this is a formidable synth with superlative fat lush sounds.

DUNE 3 builds on the award-winning DUNE 2 synthesizer, adding frequently requested features and innovative ideas, to create the best DUNE experience ever!

DUNE 3 comes with many new patches crafted by expert sound designers. Since DUNE 3 is fully patch-compatible with DUNE 2, it includes its presets as well,
doubling the factory library size to more than 1000 patches.

The revised filter section in Dune 3 now sports a dual multimode filter plus an insert effect. Different routing modes like serial/parallel and seamless blend via the Balance knob allow for unlimited creative input! New filter types have been added as well, and include zero-delay feedback filters derived from our latest analog modeling technology. For creative applications, new insert effects like the formant/vowel filter or phaser greatly increase the range of sound design possibilities.

Dual Arpeggiator

Two arpeggiator units instead of just one greatly increase the sound design capabilities of DUNE 3. The Arpeggiators can be programmed independently and support both classic Up/Down arps, as well as playing back different sequences or even MIDI files. Furthermore, new features like the Random mode or programmable Arp Hold make the arpeggiator more powerful than ever before!

Improved oscillators

At the heart of DUNE 3 are its powerful oscillator blocks. DUNE 3 supports VA, FM and Wavetable synthesis. With a maximum reserve of 8320 oscillators at full polyphony, DUNE 3 is a true unison monster, unlikely to ever run out of oscillators.

New in DUNE 3 is the "Swarm" mode, an evolution of the classic Supersaw oscillator.
Each oscillator gets its own subtle modulation in this mode, breathing a lot more life into the sound than possible previously!

New effects algorithms

DUNE 3 offers many new effect algorithms in all categories like Distortion, Chorus, Phaser, EQ, Delay and Reverb.


One of the most important additions is the new Equalizer, which sports technology from our GQ-7 Graphic Equalizer rack extension.


Designed as a professional mixing and mastering equalizer, the new EQ offers four bands with high-quality parametric and shelving EQs, plus two additional low- and high cut filters with variable slopes. All filters in the EQ are designed to handle modulation without artifacts, such that the EQ can be used for creative purposes outside the realm of traditional EQ applications.


Another great new effect algorithm is the new Shimmer Hall, an exclusive feature of DUNE 3 - ideal for lush ambient sounds, wonderful pads and leads!

Wavetable Editor

The new Wavetable editor introduced in DUNE 3 is one of the most powerful around. Waveforms can be created via free-hand drawing, segments, a dedicated partial editor or by entering formulas. A variety of functions like morphing, fade in/out, normalize, DC remove, Invert/Reverse make creating new wavetables a breeze. Waveforms and Wavetables can be imported and exported in WAV format and are thus compatible with a wide range of third party software.

Riff Generator Pro 2 - Audiomodern

A simple but VERY effective riff generator which is quite easy to use compared to others , as this one does not have to be routed out to a different midi track. For getting ideas down quickly, this does a really excellent job, and the generated midi data can also be written to your track!

Random Riff Generator is a midi tool that generates sequences for you, these midi sequences/riffs can be sent to any synth, software or hardware, sampler, drum machine.. and basically anything that accepts a midi signal.

It is literally a swiss army knife for creating random melodies, sequences and musical riffs on the spot and it goes as far as your imagination can.

You can use Random Riff Generator PRO with any kind of software or hardware synth, sampler, drum machine and so on. You’ll be surprised about its incredible flexibility in producing so inspirational results.

Random Riff Generator PRO has been designed to promote music creation both in studio and live with a simple and convenient user interface.

Gladiator 3 - Tone 2

Often quoted as 'the only synth you will ever need' and quite justifiably so. With it's now resizable interface and a plethora of added content 'Gladiator' is now better than ever. Based around it's own concept of Advanced Harmonic Content Morphing (HCM) Synthesis.Tone2's Gladiator is real workhorse of a synth if ever there was one!

The award-winning Gladiator is a popular synthesizer, which is used for a large number of professional productions. It offers a groundbreaking approach to sound generation. It's exclusive HCM-synthesis covers a new and unique aural territory.

The update to v3.0 is a major update, which is available for free for all Gladiator2 users. It includes a larger and resizable GUI, a patch browser, enhanced sound quality, a bigger sonic range, a more user-friendly interface and many new features. Gladiator3 is downward compatible. Existing song-projects and patches can be loaded without any further steps necessary. They will benefit from the enhanced sound quality.

New features:

Created a new interface, which is nearly twice as large
By clicking on 'EDITOR SIZE' you can select from four different interface sizes
Added a comfortable, new patch browser
New sound-quality mode 'high-end'
18 additional unison modes with a diverse selection of chords
Added context sensitive tooltips with detailed descriptions for all controls
The patches can be ranked by clicking on the stars in the patch browser
The patch rankings are stored within the file "Ranking.rnk"
6 additional lfo waveforms: "Stair 4 up","Stair 8 up","Stair 4 down","Stair 8 down","Stair 4 up/down","Stair 8 up/down"
Added manuals in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian to the new help menu
New loop mode "Noise", which jumps to a random section
New loop mode "/50%", which ping-pong-loops 50% of the spectrum
New loop mode "/25%", which ping-pong-loops 25% of the spectrum
3 additional phase-modifiers "Zzzap", which sound like a laser
3 additional phase-modifiers "Boing", which sound like a reverse laser
2 additional phase-modifiers "Odd noise" and "Even noise", which noisify the spectrum
2 additional phase-modifiers "Odd 90" and "Even 90", which sound like a sub-oscillator
Information tags about the patches are shown in the patch browser
Extended halftone-range for the arpeggiator from -23 to +23
Added cross-product-compatibility: Save->'Export...' exports the sound of osc1 as an Icarus compatible wavetable in wav format
Video tutorials can be shown from the help menu
Updates and additional sounds can be accessed directly from the help menu
176 additional patches

Enhancements in sound:

More linear frequency response for oscillators playing below 100Hz
More precise timing for all sample-rates
Replaced all micro-tuning algorithms with a better ones. The new ones are more subtle and sounds less 'detuned'.
The late-reverb-tail of 'Reverb small' sounds less detuned
The late-reverb-tail of 'Reverb large' sounds less detuned
The late-reverb-tail of 'Reverb ultra' sounds less detuned
All effects do come with default settings now and are more useable
Reworked factory patches

Enhancements for the interface:

Re-rendered the old GUI with sharper texts
The envelope's attack, decay, and release time is displayed in seconds
Registration screen is now also available in German
Renaming a preset is more straightforward
The version number now can be also shown from within help menu
The updated credits can be shown by clicking on help menu
The parameter info display is able to show longer texts now
Mousewheel support for knobs and list selectors
Double-clicking a knob or slider resets it to the default value
More detailed spectrum display
Manuals on the Mac now can be opened from within the plugin
Better init patch
Enhanced graphics
After loading patch names are derived from the fxp file name
Program name and file name are synced after saving a patch
Added messages boxes with info for some possible errors
Step speed is set to 1/1 BPM after initializing a patch
English manual has been updated
Many smaller enhancements
Patches are now in alphabetical order

Changes:

Loading and saving banks can now be accessed with a new menu called 'load' and 'save'
Renamed some parameters to be more consistent with the industry standards
The envelope's fade parameter now works as expected with long attack times
Manuals in PDF format and Gladiatorskin.txt have been moved to Gladiator3_data
On the Mac support files are now stored in /Library/Application Support/Tone2/Gladiator3_data

Updated some texts
Enhanced hardware compatibility for midi program changes
Some sound categories have been renamed

Fixes:

The timing in 44Khz and 48Khz could have been out-of-sync if large block-sizes were used
Fixed some typos
Fixed a couple of wrong pixels
Fixed a possible bug with 'static' loop mode
Compatibility fix for the 'm' key
Fixed a possible crash when the splash-screen was opened during closing

Acid Pro 8 - Magix

Acid Pro has been around for as long as i can remember and has always been a very intuitive and easy to use DAW with its paintable loops etc. It has been though,and stiil is,  left behind by far more capable DAWs such as Ableton and Stdio One. The recent update doesn't really add anything new to the table, except it's now 64 bit and cosmetic wise it is now a lot more pleasing on the eye. Still a great DAW (especially for beginners) if still  a tad dated though, compared to the competition.

ACID Pro 8 is the creative DAW for all music producers. Behind its slick new interface lies a powerful, 64-bit music production powerhouse. It combines ACID's famous easy workflow with pro-level features, over $1000 worth of new instruments, loops and effects, and 9 GB of all-new ACIDized loops. ACID has a world-class, 20-year heritage and, with VST3 support coming soon in a free update, ACID Pro 8 is very much the creative DAW for today's forward-thinking artists

Meet your new creative partner in crime ACID Pro 8 is a powerful 64-bit DAW that has ACID's famous innovative audio looping, powerful multitrack recording and hi-end audio and MIDI features, all set within an easy-to-use interface to help artists of all levels create their dreams. With a brand new GUI, but the same, famous ACID ease of use, this is an immensely creative music production environment. ACID Pro 8 also adds 64-bit processing, no less than 16 new instruments, 13 new effect plug-ins, 9 GB of new ACIDized loops, and there's VST3 support coming soon in a free update giving you access to thousands of third party plug-ins.

New powerful 64-bit architecture
Take advantage of all the power of your 64-bit operating system for creating complex projects with tons of loops, demanding plug-ins and lots of tracks and real-time effects. Power for your music.

Refreshed User Interface
Inspired to inspire! The completely refreshed user interface is designed for the special needs of musicians. Precise mixing, creative composing or professional recording – all at lightning speed.

More instruments. More sounds. More effects.
An incredible suite of 16 instruments including the DN-e1 analogue synth and Vita Sampler. 13 stunning effects: from the Analogue Modelling Suite to Vandal guitar effects, plus an amazing 9 GB of new ACIDized content and free VST3 support coming soon!

Kontakt 6

Don't think Kontakt needs too much of an introduction and with this new updated version it seems song creation has reached an entirely new level with a wealth of deep editing and new  instruments!

With KONTAKT 6, you can sound like a snare drum, a symphony orchestra, or anything in between, from a universe of sampled instruments. It’s a simple sampler when you want it to be, and a deep sonic scripting laboratory when you need something more. The next generation of the world’s favorite sampling platform gives you new instruments and new features under the hood – so you can layer, link, stretch, and shape your sounds any way you can imagine.

What's new?
Over two decades, KONTAKT has become a highly-developed engine for creating and playing sampled instruments. KONTAKT 6 offers more for players and builders alike:

Introducing KONTAKT Play Series: Three new instruments for the KONTAKT library, offering pristine, contemporary sound in a creative and streamlined interface

Wavetable synthesis module: Build hybrid instruments for entirely new sounds

Enhanced effects: Even more effects for your creations, for greater expression and realism

Creator Tools: New standalone application dedicated to improving the library creation and editing process.

THREE NEW INSTRUMENTS
KONTAKT 6 introduces the KONTAKT Play Series: Sonically rich sample libraries that combine powerful sound design with simple playability. Each offers eight intelligently mapped macro knobs giving you a wide-sweeping, intuitive range of control. They all showcase KONTAKT’s new wavetable module, each offering two blendable sound sources and a unique take on a speciality style.

ANALOG DREAMS
Iconic 20th century hardware synthesizers captured with an intricate level of detail, and creatively processed with seminal outboard effects. This hybrid analog/digital instrument utilizes blendable sound sources to deliver a modern take on classic electro and synthwave, which have seen a resurgence in recent cinema.

ETHEREAL EARTH
Hybrid organic/electronic instrument that takes myriad acoustic instruments from around the world, and combines it with digital synthesis, organic foley layers, and effects processing. The result fuses traditional and digital, with basses, strings (bowed and plucked), wind instruments, tuned percussion, bells/metals, pads/drones, leads, and textural ambiences.

HYBRID KEYS
A contemporary, creative, and ultimately new take on keys and piano sounds. HYBRID KEYS moves away from conventional sampling processes and instead focuses on inventive techniques such as re-amping, creative mic positioning in interesting spaces, and vari-speed experiments with tape.

NEW FEATURES FOR BUILDERS
KONTAKT has long since grown beyond its origins as a software sampler, and now provides a solid foundation for building advanced sample-based instruments. We’ve been supporting this platform, and the people who use it, with continuous updates to KONTAKT 5, and KONTAKT 6 builds on this strategy with some big additions for you builders out there.

NEW EFFECTS

Replika Delay: Based on the dedicated Native Instruments plug-in REPLIKA XT, it offers multiple delay modes, each with a vastly different sound character.
Room Reverb: A new high-quality algorithmic room reverb that offers options for real time modulation.
Hall Reverb: Another high-quality algorithmic reverb, tuned for hall sounds.
Plate Reverb: Emulates a plate reverberator for for classic vintage metallic sounds.
Cry Wah: Wah-wah effect module, based on the most popular wah pedal of all time.

WAVETABLE MODULE
The latest version of KONTAKT adds wavetable synthesis to the ever expanding KONTAKT toolset. All three of the new Play Series instruments incorporate this new module, and we’re looking forward to hearing what you create with this powerful new building block.

CREATOR TOOLS
Creator Tools is a standalone application designed to improve the workflows of library builders and instrument creators. It consists of two elements: A Debugger, for identifying and fixing problems in KONTAKT script, and an Instrument Editor, which can load and run Lua scripts to automap samples, duplicate and batch rename groups, and copy settings from one part of an instrument to another.

Tone2 - Electra2

One of the most underrated companys, Tone2 have always created exceptionally great sounding and innovative plugins. Electra2 is another fine example and with the recent updates, it's now even better. One of the stand out features of Electra2 is the layering of oscillators , of which contains in essence 4 synths with three independent layers within themselves. This makes for massive sound design mixing, even more so, with the ability to import your own samples which can be edited in various interesting ways. Oh! and i should mention Electra2 each has its own arpeggiator section, per synth, (that's 4 arps going at the same time) which sadly even Synapses Dune2 does not have, although that one has 8 layers but that's another story.

 As in Icarus, and especially so here, check out the semireal presets which has some brilliantly sounding authentic acoustic guitars and flutes etc. 


Electra2 - the only synth you need to create a hit!

Many people say that Electra2 is the most powerful synthesizer on the market. This is a bold claim, but why is it true? Electra2 breathes new life into the term "synthesizer workstation". With its powerful and sonically versatile approach to audio production, it provides you with truly outstanding new sounds.

The instrument is equipped with a high-end quality sound engine with multi-layer support and a wide range of music production features. It's friendly, easy to use interface allows first-timers to easily create sounds and enables experts to delve into sound-design as deeply as they want to. With Tone2's high-end technology at its core, you're not only working with the best sound quality possible, but also a lower CPU usage and larger palette for creating original sounds than with any other type of workstation.
Electra2 comes with an astounding collection of over 1300 production-ready sounds by professional sound designers. A smart patch browser gives you an instant overview of all the available categories and sounds. Just pick the sound you want - it's that easy.

Changes in Electra v2.6:

New synthesis mode: Analog oscillators (Saw, Square, Triangle, Sine, Half Sine, Comb, Pulse 25%).
New synthesis mode: Soft sync (is active if the target oscillator is analog; works well with triangle).
New synthesis mode: Analog pulsewidth modulation (select Analog->’Pulse PW’; PW knob controls the pulsewidth).
New effect: ‘Gated Reverb’ which syncs to the BPM rate.
New effect: ‘Gated Reverb Echo’ is Gated Reverb with a delay which syncs to BPM.
New effect: ‘Reverse Reverb’ which syncs to the BPM rate.
New effect: ‘Stereo Width’ allows to spread the panorama from mono to surround.
New effect: ‘Laser Punch’ adds additional punch. Use it with a sawtooth to gereate a zzapping ‘Rubber Bass’ sound.
New effect: ‘Stereo flanger’.
New effect: ‘Surround pan’ with dolby prologic compatible surround encoding.
New filter: ‘LP Butter’ is an analog modeled butterworth filter with 24dB. The analog knob controls the noisyness.
New filter: ‘LP Tone2’ is an analog modeled leapfrog filter with 24dB. The analog knob controls non-linearity.
New filter: ‘LP Elliptic’ is a digital filter with 40dB slope.
The patch browser shows a scrollbar if more than 26 categories exist.
Doubleclick on a knob resets it to the default value.
Custom Wave->’Load wave’ now shows a popup menu with all available waveforms in ElectraX_wavetables.
Custom waveforms can quickly be selected with the mouswheel.
Custom Wave->’Random wave’ generates a random waveform.
‘Save Wave’ exports a wav file with the oscillator’s waveform.
New Sample effect: ‘Phase shifter’ creates a very similar sounding sample. It can be used for ‘sample clearing’, since it is difficult to proove the origin of the sample.
New halftone mode for the arpeggiator: 3/4 selects a minor or major third which depends on the root key .
‘Natural scrolling’ support for the mousewheel on Mac.
List selectors now have checkmarks.
40 additional patches.
Enhanced sound of ‘Reverb Hall’, especially for for small sizes.
Enhanced sound of ‘Reverb Room’ for small sizes.
Enhanced sound of ‘Reverb Cathedral’.
Slightly enhanced sound of ‘Reverb Big’ with reduced low frequency rumble.
Slightly enhanced sound of ‘Reverb Infinity’ with reduced low frequency rumble.
A hand symbol is shown for text-style parameters which can be altered with the mouse.
More detailed description for some tooltips.
If tooltips are hidden the info boxes for the knobs are also hidden.
Better default settings for Chorus.
Better default settings for Ensemble.
Mousewheel on PC has a more aggressive focus.
No more clipping in the waveform displays.
More clean sound of PWM modulation on ‘custom wave’.
Filter frequency response display is more precise.
Higher precision of triangle, square and saw LFO at high frequencies.
More linear frequency response of ‘Dynamic loud’, ‘Bright’ and ‘Loudness’.
Init->’Reset All’ sets Pitchwheel to +-12.
Cleaned up some tooltips.
Several small enhancements.
More smooth looking waveform displays.
Reworked some ‘init patch’ templates.
Fixed: The timing in 44kHz and 48 kHz samplerate was incorrect .
Fixed: One some PC hosts the mouse cursor showed a wait circle when a knob was moved.
Fixed: LFO ‘Fade’ did not work with some waveforms.
Fixed: The checkmark ‘Multilayer edit’ was not shown after closing and opening the GUI.
Fixed: Fixed a denormal in the Reverb effect.
Fixed: Fixed a click that could be audible when volume envelope sustain was set to 0.
Fixed: Monophonic arpeggiators sometimes did not play if keys were hit while loading a patch.
Fixed: ‘Hold’ time in the envelope section was displayed incorrectly.
Fixed: LFO speed text did display a mouse up/down arrow on mouseover.
Fixed: STEP Lfo speed display was incorrect.
Fixed: Modulation depth of knobs could have been incorrect if matrix target was switched.
Text-style parameters do not longer display a “*”.

Midi Madness 3

The original Midi Madness was a great tool for creating random ideas and this updated third version has much improvements. Very similar to the original but with several great new features , such as a new cleaner GUI and wth the ability to create chords and chord progressions. The macros are also a nice addition and the CC mapping is now much easier. One of the best new features though, is that one doesn't now have to route Midi Madness to your selected VST, they are now hosted within the plugin. I always thought Midi Madness was a fantaastic tool for creating new ideas that one would not necassarily come up with by ones self. The best just got BETTER!