LONDON, UK: leading sounds and sample libraries creator Spitfire Audio is proud to add …LOW PERCUSSION CORE, …HIGH PERCUSSION CORE, and …METAL PERCUSSION CORE (collectively also available as the ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: PERCUSSION CORE bundle) to its critically acclaimed ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA… series of sample libraries carefully crafted for discerning musicians and composers seeking deep control, dynamic responsiveness, and an expansive sonic palette performed and recorded in the timeless acoustics of Abbey Road Studios’ celebrated Studio One — including identical feature sets to the already available …LOW PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL, …HIGH PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL, and …METAL PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL products (featuring suites of instruments in their namesake percussion ranges that are highly ranked amongst the world’s most detailed percussion libraries), albeit focusing users with an essential microphone mix and attractively priced accordingly at £99.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$99.00 USD/€99.00 EUR (inc. VAT) each — as of April 10…
Thanks to its attractive pricing, experiencing the ground-shaking power of orchestral low percussion with the …CORE edition of Spitfire Audio’s acclaimed ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: LOW PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL library is now within reach of even more musicians and composers. Indeed, it features the same comprehensive suite of 20 thunderous bass drums all performed by one of Britain’s most diverse percussionists in Joby Burgess (Black Panther, Mission Impossible) — including Bass Drum, Giant Taiko, and Toms, to name but a varied few facilitating that seismic orchestral low end — and all carefully captured in the timeless acoustics of Abbey Road Studios’ celebrated Studio One by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer extraordinaire Simon Rhodes (Avatar, The Banshees of Inisherin) with over 25 microphones per drum. But beyond that, …LOW PERCUSSION CORE also offers identical detail to …LOW PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL in its selection of (323) articulations, beaters, and techniques — think (up to) 12 ROUND ROBINS, (up to) 10 dynamic layers, RIGHT/LEFT MAPPING (recalls left and right hand performances on adjacent keys for playing and programming true-to-life rudiments), and multiple techniques and striking positions per drum, including (up to) seven beater options, all adding up to performing hits, rolls, swirls, and sweeps sampled in incredible detail… albeit it focuses users with an essential microphone mix by Simon Rhodes formed from the Tree 1, Overheads, and Outriggers 1 setups to provide a steadfast, yet potent, foundation for composition.
Effectively elevating grooves with vibrant detail, ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: HIGH PERCUSSION CORE’s clarity and intricate performances come courtesy of using the same selection of 62 incredible instruments included in the ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: HIGH PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL package — ranging from the crisp snap of three pristine snare drums to Congas, Rototoms, and much more besides — that is surely more than enough to bring anyone’s rhythmic aspirations to life. Likewise, …HIGH PERCUSSION CORE also offers identical detail in the selection of its (391) available articulations, beaters, and techniques, all performed by virtuoso percussionist Joby Burgess. Indeed, it is fair to say that …HIGH PERCUSSION CORE re-emphasizes the nuanced features of …LOW PERCUSSION CORE, duly demonstrating their dynamic responsiveness to also include RIGHT/LEFT MAPPING, SOFT TAKEOVER (triggers roll dynamics intuitively via key velocity while also retaining mod wheel functionality), TWO-HANDED LAYOUT (mirrors mapped keys further up the keyboard to enable flexibility and speed when playing), and VOICE CHOKING (precisely controls the end of roll techniques when pressing correspondingly hit keys). All allow for an instinctive and gratifying performance. Put it this way: with everything carefully captured by Simon Rhodes — responsible for the essential microphone mix that locks the incredible sound of Abbey Road Studio One into those grooves, …HIGH PERCUSSION CORE offers an experience that is agile, responsive, and intuitive.
Injecting a metallic edge into orchestral compositions with a comprehensive collection of uniquely sampled metal percussion really represents ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: METAL PERCUSSION CORE’s raison d’être. As an expertly curated collection of 58 percussive instruments — including, but not limited to, a myriad of cymbals, Tam-Tams, and three Triangles with (up to) 10 dynamic layers, (up to) 10 ROUND ROBINS, and 409 articulations, it not only delivers traditional metallic percussion from the orchestral palette, but also includes the resonant clang of Anvils, the otherworldly textures of the Waterphone, plus a range of Agogos, Cowbells, Guira, and more. Moreover, all have been hand-selected by Joby Burgess, mostly from his personal selection that has been extensively used on many major Hollywood productions. “ABBEY ROAD… percussion was born during lockdown in the UK, when, for a period of time, you could only record a single musician in the glorious acoustic of Abbey Road Studio One. Maybe it’s partly because of this that, once we’d started, we really went to town and recorded these solo percussion libraries in unprecedented detail. They are so incredibly full of life and colour that I’m still finding new ways to use them — even now. The mix from Simon Rhodes gives you the absolute definitive sound of each instrument in the space, so I’m very happy that we’re now able to get these incredible performances by Joby Burgess into the hands of many more composers and producers in the new …CORE editions.” So says Paul Thomson, Spitfire Audio co-founder and an active composer — clearly one with an inherent appreciation of production values… be they orchestral percussion related or otherwise.
On top of that, …LOW PERCUSSION CORE, …HIGH PERCUSSION CORE, and …METAL PERCUSSION CORE each include a free MIDI pack of creative workflow-enhancing fundamental drum rudiments — building blocks of specifically-programmed percussion techniques that leverage their intuitive RIGHT/LEFT MAPPING for authentic performance, in other words. When dragging and dropping these rudiments into compositions at any tempo, then freely editing them in the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) being worked with, realistic drum techniques can be added with ease.
Engineered into existence by some of the world’s best producers in music recording, the three attractively-priced libraries concerned collectively deliver everything from thunderous orchestral drums to shimmering metallic textures, offering orchestral staples and unique cinematic timbres to inspire instinctive and gratifying performances with exceptional realism — thanks, in no small part, to their expansive sonic palette performed and recorded in the timeless acoustics of Abbey Road Studios’ celebrated Studio One.
Priced at £99.00 GBP (inc. VAT)/$99.00 USD/€99.00 EUR (inc. VAT) each, the 5.5 GB download-sized ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: LOW PERCUSSION CORE, 11.9 GB download-sized …HIGH PERCUSSION CORE, and 16.4 GB download-sized …METAL PERCUSSION CORE are all available as dedicated — AAX-, AU-, VST2-, and VST3-compatible — plug-ins for MacOS X 11 to MacOS 14 (Apple Silicon computers supported, 64-bit DAW required) and Windows 10 or 11 (latest Service Pack, 64-bit DAW required) from here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/abbey-road-orchestra
For more in-depth info, including some superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: LOW PERCUSSION CORE webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/abbey-road-orchestra-low-percussion-core
For more in-depth info, including some superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: HIGH PERCUSSION CORE webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/abbey-road-orchestra-high-percussion-core
For more in-depth info, including some superb-sounding audio demos, please visit the dedicated ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: METAL PERCUSSION CORE webpage here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/abbey-road-orchestra-metal-percussion-core
ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: LOW PERCUSSION CORE, …HIGH PERCUSSION CORE, and …METAL PERCUSSION CORE are also collectively available as ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: PERCUSSION CORE (https://www.spitfireaudio.com/abbey-road-orchestra-percussion-core), a 33%-discounted bundle priced at £199.00 GBP/$199.00 USD/€199.00 EUR (inc. VAT). Similarly, Spitfire Audio is also making ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: LOW PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL, …HIGH PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL, and …METAL PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL — previously only available separately — as ABBEY ROAD ORCHESTRA: PERCUSSION PROFESSIONAL (https://www.spitfireaudio.com/abbey-road-orchestra-percussion-professional), a 33%-discounted bundle priced at £799.00 GBP/$899.00 USD/€899.00 EUR (inc. VAT).
About Spitfire Audio (www.spitfireaudio.com)
Founded in 2007 by composers, Spitfire Audio is the leading creator of sounds and sample libraries uniting pioneering artists with pioneering sounds and music technology. Its products are used by composers and music makers around the globe in their compositions and productions, with a major percentage of composers — including Oscar, Emmy, BAFTA, GRAMMY®, and César Awards nominees and winners — utilizing them in their journey to scoring films and other projects.
About Abbey Road Studios (www.abbeyroad.com)
Abbey Road is the home of music making. They’re the world’s first and most iconic recording studio, and a leader in sonic innovation, with the experience and craft to bring out the best music in any vision or idea.
For 93 years they’ve welcomed the artists who have shaped music and popular culture. From the greats — The Beatles, Fela Kuti, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, Yehudi Menuhin, Massive Attack, Amy Winehouse, Oasis, Nick Cave, Stevie Wonder, and Shirley Bassey, to the legends of today — Lady Gaga, Little Simz, The Smile, Florence, Dave, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Frank Ocean, Ezra Collective, Sam Smith, Morgan Wallen, and Stormzy.
Once a nine-bedroom house, they’re now a global community of artists, experts, inventors, and engineers, whose technology and expertise can be access from anywhere in the world. Alongside their studios and writing spaces, they work to develop groundbreaking technology that continues to change the future of music making. And through their learning and events, they’re creating one-off experiences and empowering a new generation of talent.
This home has created soundtracks to nights in, nights out, heartbreaks and first loves. Epic adventures and life-affirming stories. They’ve been home to the greatest film music of the last 45 years. From Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Star Wars and Harry Potter movies, and The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, to Barbie, Gravity, The Shape of Water, Tar, Wakanda Forever, Frankenstein, and all the Marvel titles. Across genres, generations, and continents, Abbey Road helps music makers move the world. Come on in.
© 2025 Spitfire Audio Holdings Limited
Steinberg’s software now fully relies on Steinberg Licensing and announces the end of the eLicenser service on May 20, 2025.
HAMBURG, Germany — Steinberg has announced that, following the gradual changeover to the new, software-based Steinberg Licensing license management system, the previous eLicenser system will be switched off on May 20, 2025.
Customers whose software require Steinberg Licensing are already enjoying the benefits that this new system offers, such as a simplified license activation as well as allowing a single-user license to run on up to three computers without the physical USB-eLicenser dongle.
Giving customers this extra freedom and flexibility, the changeover to the new ID-based Steinberg Licensing system has been in progress since 2022, with various options and offers provided to transition seamlessly from eLicenser-based products to the new system.
Following the close down, the company will continue to ensure that customers are able to update or upgrade eLicenser-based products as long as the eLicenser has been registered accordingly. Existing eLicenser-based products can still be used without limitations, as long as the licenses are available on the USB-eLicenser or Soft-eLicenser. Managing Director Clyde Sendke commented:
“Over several years we have kept our customers posted through the various avenues available to us on the development of a new licensing system. After successfully rolling out our new license system, the time is gradually drawing closer to call an end to the transitional phase from the old eLicenser to the new Steinberg Licensing system.”
For further information and FAQs regarding the end of the eLicenser system, please visit https://www.steinberg.net/licensing/elicenser-end-of-service/About Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
Steinberg is known the world over for its music and audio software and hardware solutions. The company has been developing, manufacturing and selling innovative products for musicians and producers in the music, film, post-production and multimedia industries since 1984. Steinberg products are used by Grammy and Oscar award-winning composers, engineers and producers.
Visit www.steinberg.net for further details.
AESEF graduate scholarship offered to women studying architectural acoustics
“Nancy was the lynchpin of WSDG for many years – an incredible organizer and powerful spirit who saw us transform from a small, local operation into the global force for architectural acoustics and systems design that we are today,” stated WSDG Co-Founding Partner John Storyk. “To that end, we’re proud to honor her memory through this scholarship program.”
“Education and intellectual diversity have always been core values of WSDG from the very beginning, so we’re glad of the opportunity to elevate women in this niche field.”
The AES Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging the entry of talented students into the pro audio and audio engineering fields. The foundation’s scholarship programs are offered by members and participating organizations affiliated with the AES.
To apply for the scholarship, please visit: https://www.aeseducationalfoundation.org/scholarships
For more information about WSDG, please visit: http://www.wsdg.com/
ABOUT WSDG, LLC
WSDG (Walters-Storyk Design Group) is an 13-time TEC award-winning international firm specializing in architectural acoustic consulting and media systems engineering. Pioneering architect/acoustician, John Storyk (AIA), founded the company in 1969 with the creation of Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios in New York City’s Greenwich Village. WSDG provides a wide portfolio of design and consulting services that support architectural projects throughout all phases of project development. Our international team of consultants have provided timely, detailed and cost-effective advice on highly sensitive and complex architectural construction and renovation projects, from small but critical retrofits to challenging ground up construction projects. WSDG has extensive experience with sensitive architectural issues including historical renovations, additions and new construction projects in media production, corporate, government, transportation, education, broadcasting and cultural / entertainment sectors.
Past clients include Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, J Cole, and Jack Antonoff; corporate entities such as Spotify, Sony, CBS, Novartis, and IBM; global governmental AV installations as well as educational institutions, including Berklee College of Music, UCLA, NYU, Drexel, and USC
Thanks to the new multi-lane timeline, users can effortlessly write complementary lead, bass, and rhythmic parts which will respond to changes in the chord progression. Now for the first time, Scaler users can load third-party instrument and effect plugins (VST/AU) and build out arrangements right inside Scaler 3, making MIDI routing optional. You don’t even need to use a DAW with Scaler 3, which runs as a standalone app or plugin, making it an indispensable, all-in-one tool for songwriters and producers.
Scaler 3 is available to purchase from Plugin Boutique from 25th March, for a special introductory price of $79 (regular price $99). Scaler 1 and 2 owners can upgrade to Scaler 3 for just $29. SCALER 3 More Info Here…
With plugin hosting, Scaler 3 has rewritten the rulebook. Load your go-to instruments and effects from third-party developers, create patches and tweak effects, all from within Scaler. MIDI routing is now an optional workflow choice, not a required step. It’s a boundary-pushing creative environment that seamlessly blends harmonic songwriting, with creative sound design.
Write and arrange multitrack compositions from the new Multi-Lane timeline, just like a DAW. Layer basslines, arpeggios, rhythmic parts and more using phrases from Scaler 3’s expansive Motion browser, then fine-tune them with the feature-rich MIDI editor. Every element in your timeline stays locked to your main chord progression, so your layers work perfectly every time.
The brand-new Explore page offers an entirely new way to write inspiring new chord progressions. The intuitive radial layout makes it easy to explore chords in your chosen key, or interesting, complementary chords outside it. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Dynamic Scale feature makes it easy to modulate between keys, even if you’re a music theory beginner.
Built around three core pages – Browse, Create and Arrange – the reimagined interface inspires an intuitive and efficient workflow while remaining immediately familiar to fans of Scaler 1 and 2.
In addition to VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats, Scaler 3 is now available as a standalone application. Thanks to its new plugin hosting capabilities, and Multi-Track timeline, you can use Scaler 3 as a fully self-contained composition and music production environment – for the first time ever.
Scaler 3 is awash with inspiring chord sets to suit your mood or genre – or choose a chord progression made by an artist. You can also search through scales, add Favorites and select Common Progressions or Uncommon Progressions.
Once you’ve chosen a performance pattern, it appears in a piano roll as editable MIDI data. From here, you can modify this MIDI in two ways: edit individual notes in the piano roll to override the pattern, or change global note properties like Inversion, Density and Range.
Click here: SCALER 3 Available Now From Plugin Boutique
Scaler 3 Introductory price: $79
Scaler 3 full price: $99
Scaler 3 upgrade price from Scaler 1 or 2: $29
Available as VST, VST3, AU, AAX and Standalone.
System requirements: macOS 10.14/Windows 8 or higher
VIENNA, AUSTRIA: custom high-quality studio furniture-maker UNTERLASS Studiomöbel is proud to announce availability of its KEY88 TOPRACK premium studio desk — designed for discerning composers, musicians, and producers pursuing a creativity-conducive combination of ergonomics, flexibility, and precision that collectively come courtesy of versatile top racks, an adjustable and highly-stable keyboard drawer, and an advanced cable management system cleverly coming together to offer seamless gear integration and a clean, organized workspace, while a wide range of custom finishes facilitate tailoring the desk to suit studio aesthetics — as of March 24…
The two top racks from which KEY88 TOPRACK takes its name (in part) can be mounted either at an angle — offering 2U of rack space — or flat — offering 3U of rack space — independently of each other to allow for flexible positioning of outboard equipment or other suitably-sized rack-mountable devices. It is worth noting that — if mounted at an angle — there is still 1U of rack space (in the hidden area above the cable channel) available for power strips or other similar equipment that users need not directly access. As they are positioned directly behind the keyboard drawer, the top racks remain easily reachable from the so-called sweet spot. The top racks themselves can effectively be ‘closed’ with 3U rack panels if not needed, thereby maintaining a clean, professional-looking appearance.
Thanks to the ULGDS (UNTERLASS Linear Guides Drawer System), the pull-out keyboard drawer itself benefits from linear guides that ensure maximum precision and stability. Since it can lock in any position, flexibility for different needs is provided. Put it this way: with the drawer’s maximum extension length of 370mm — further extension is available, if needed, however — and eight adjustable — 95, 108, 121, 134, 147, 160, 173, and 186mm — height levels, it is highly unlikely that any user’s favored keyboard could not be accommodated. The 2mm steel tray provides exceptional durability while maximizing legroom. Let there be no doubt: this drawer is designed to handle even the heaviest of 88-key master keyboards, guaranteeing a reliable and sturdy platform in doing so.
The two cable trays can be mounted in three different positions, thereby adapting to various cable routing needs. Needless to say, dedicated cable outlets are positioned towards the rear of the tabletop on both the left and right sides, allowing for seamless integration into any studio layout, while keyboard cables are additionally guided through the crossbar directly into the cable channel to ensure a clutter-free workspace.
With over 30 color options available — including different powder coatings and a variety of tabletop and leg finishes — the KEY88 TOPRACK premium studio desk can be fully customized to match any studio aesthetic. The 22mm-thick tabletop and 38mm-thick legs are made of powder-coated MDF, providing a durable and stylish finish. Furthermore, real wood veneer finishes are also available for the tabletop and legs, adding a premium touch. Additionally, all NCS or RAL colors are available for lacquered legs, allowing for a truly personalized look, while custom combinations are also possible, such as American walnut legs paired with a black tabletop. The crossbar, keyboard tray, rack angles, and cable channels are crafted from powder-coated steel for enhanced strength and stability.
Speaking of studios — or, indeed, any other workspace, whether that might be a living room or elsewhere, KEY88 TOPRACK can comfortably fit into most, measuring 1650 x 875 x 784mm (L x W x H) and accommodating a maximum keyboard length of 1495mm, while weighing in at approximately 120kg (in its packaging crate). Clearly anyone in need of more rack space could consider adding a 16U 19” Extension Kit or 16U 19” Standalone Rack to either and/or both sides. Steel Nearfield Desktop monitor shelves (https://www.unterlass.info/EN/products/accessories/) are also (optionally) available. And should the studio layout or location change, resulting in less available space, then the KEY88 TOPRACK premium studio desk can easily be returned to its original standalone form factor… Listen to your eyes, as UNTERLASS Studiomöbel is collectively fond of saying!
Saying all that, then, the KEY88 TOPRACK premium studio desk’s design certainly suits discerning composers, musicians, and producers pursuing a creativity-conducive combination of ergonomics, flexibility, and precision. It is a worthy entry into UNTERLASS Studiomöbel’s lengthening line of custom high-quality studio furniture and a worthy investment for anyone wishing to do justice to their studio space.
Priced at €1,660.00 EUR (ex. VAT), KEY88 TOPRACK is available to buy directly from UNTERLASS Studiomöbel here: https://www.unterlass.info/EN/info/buy/
For more in-depth information, please visit the dedicated KEY88 TOPRACK webpage here: https://www.unterlass.info/EN/key88-toprack/
About UNTERLASS Studiomöbel (www.unterlass.info)
UNTERLASS Studiomöbel creates custom-made, high-quality studio furniture in Austria, focusing on craftsmanship, functionality, individuality, and quality since 2009. Its individual range of products are made to order, manufactured to meet its customers’ specific requirements and wishes within weeks. As a result, each piece of furniture — from minimalist keyboard tables to tailor-made consoles with recessed mixer accommodation — stands out from the mass-production crowd.
© 2025 UNTERLASS Studiomöbel
ECHT, THE NETHERLANDS: Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware is proud to announce availability of the all-encompassing eXplorer-10 — the latest incarnation of its inspirational bundle, boosted to 33 plug-ins (including the option to add 10 legacy products, such as the original Blade, RP-Distort, and SubBoomBass) with the welcomed introduction of RAW-2, improving the virtual instrument and effect plug-in developer’s critically-acclaimed cutting-edge EDM (Electronic Dance Music) synthesizer aimed at harder musical styles with a focus on ‘distorted’ sounds by giving it an even grittier-sounding edge while also benefitting from additional features, alongside SynFex, an all-new go-to virtual FX synth suited to anyone creating contemporary music, games content, and movie music, or simply adores FX sounds; speaking of sounds, the boosted bundle also comes complete with BLUE-III eXplorer-X and Albino-3 Legend XPS soundsets (also available for purchase individually) — as of March 7…
Anyone already appreciative of Rob Papen’s so-called ‘distortion’ synthesizer since its introduction over 10 years ago might still be appreciative of its historical background, so let us step back, briefly, in time — to 2014. This was when company founder and sought-after sound designer Rob Papen attended the Dutch Dancefair on his home turf to demonstrate his namesake software products; he later left with an almost fully-formed idea for what would become an all-new virtual synth, thanks to producer Sebastian Hoff (a.k.a. DJ Promo) and producer Freek Vergoossen (a.k.a. DJ Free-K) collectively making an approach to propose a synthesizer that focused more on ‘distorted’ sounds with an easy-to-use layout. RAW resulted from a creatively charged collaboration with the two producers in question, its edgy sound subsequently supporting many notable productions, whether leaning towards harder musical styles or otherwise.
On the face of it, then, RAW-2 effectively represents Rob Papen getting out the soft sandpaper, so-to-speak, to give RAW a virtual rub-down, resulting in an even grittier-sounding edge while also benefitting from additional features. RAW-2 retains its predecessor’s feature-packed OSC 1 and OSC 2 sections, each with an X/Y field to distort the waveforms (using phase distortion), while users can continue to draw their own ‘waveforms’ to be used as LFO waveforms, enabling the creation of unique ‘wobble’ sound movements — perfect for dubstep and other EDM styles. An additional feature well worth noting now is the ‘Ribbon Controller’ carried over from the likes of BIT-2, allowing RAW-2 users to, likewise, dynamically change their sound with its innovative tempo-based SPRING BACK feature. Although all of Rob Papen’s superb-sounding filters are included in RAW-2, EQ, WAVESHAPE, DISTORT, and LOW-FI have all been added on a per-voice synthesis level to allow for further flexibility. Further effects such as CHORUS, FLANGER, PHASER, STEREO DELAY, and Rob Papen’s proprietary high-quality REVERB all add to the superlative sound sculpting possibilities on offer, while the super-cool 32-step sequencer/arpeggiator and, last but by no means least, a preset bank manager are all included as standard. Speaking of which, RAW-2 comes complete with an abundance of new presets alongside the the original RAW presets, with contributions from several well-known DJs and producers for instant inspiration.
An all-new virtual FX synth appropriately called SynFex is included in eXplorer-10; everybody has heard the noise rises and low drops that have become so prevalent in today’s film and contemporary music, so SynFeX ensures that its users need not waste time searching for an appropriate tempo-based audio FX sound. Indeed, its MOVEMENT section allows anyone to quickly adjust their rises and drops to suit their needs. Reveals Rob Papen: “Each SynFeX preset holds at least three variations that are available by simply selecting a different type of MOVEMENT; most of the FX sounds are tempo-based, and, by changing the speed, you can adjust the tempo of the MOVEMENT. This section also has controls to adjust how the MOVEMENT changes — for example, >FILTER FREQUENCY, >PITCH, >VOLUME, >PAN, and so on, but more creative control of the sound is possible when using the ‘Ribbon Controller’ that even has a tempo-based SPRING BANK feature for introducing smooth dynamic changes to the sound. If you like to create your own FX sounds, SynFeX has plenty of features to offer. The source audio material can be analogue-modelled noise, tuned noise, synced noise, waveforms, and built-in samples, and you can load your own samples! Setting Sample as SOURCE allows you to switch to Granular playback mode and even add an additional NOISE MIX and a SUB oscillator. The FILTER section offers 32 filter types, as well as Ring and Amp modulation. A dedicated LFO can be tempo-based as well, while LOW-FI, MOD-FX, DELAY, and a top-tier REVERB are also on offer; the order of the FX in series can be adjusted in the PATH section. Then there is a four-path MOD matrix for addressing the ‘Ribbon Controller’ or any other target. SynFeX comes with various play modes, and the bank manager helps you to quickly find the type of preset you seek.”
And as if all that was not enough to be getting on with, eXplorer-10 also comes complete with BLUE-III eXplorer-X and Albino-3 Legend XPS soundsets (also available for purchase individually), the former created by Gerald Arend (a.k.a. Klangwelt) and Rob Papen himself, resulting in 130 exciting new presets for BLUE-III (included in eXplorer-10 as a phenomenally powerful virtual instrument representing an amazing journey into ‘Cross-fusion synthesis’), while the latter adds over 850 presets converted to the also-included Albino-3 Legend (effectively resurrecting Albino-3, originally released as a groundbreaking virtual instrument many moons ago as the result of a collaboration between virtual instrument developer Peter Linsener and a certain Dutch sound designer and musician later lending his notable name to the well-respected Rob Papen Inspiration Soundware musical marque).
If including PRISMA (available for free after registering), eXplorer-10 is available — as an all-encompassing 33-product inspirational bundle of 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible virtual instrument and effect plug-ins for Mac (OS X 10.15 or higher, ARM processor compatible) and 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument and effect plug-ins for PC (Windows 7 or higher) with 64-bit AAX compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) — at a consumer price of €499.00 EUR/$499.00 USD from authorized Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage, which also features more in-depth information, here: https://www.robpapen.com/explorer-10.html (Owners of eXplorer-9 can upgrade to eXplorer-10 for €74.00 EUR/$74.00 USD, owners of eXplorer-6 through to eXplorer-8 can upgrade to eXplorer-10 for €99.00 EUR/$99.00 USD, and owners of eXplorer-1 through to eXplorer-5 can upgrade to eXplorer-10 for €149.00 EUR/$149.00 USD.)
RAW-2 is available — as a 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for Mac (OS X 10.15 or higher, ARM processor compatible) and as a 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for PC (Windows 7 or higher) with 64-bit AAX compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) — for individual purchase at a consumer price of €99.00 EUR/$99.00 USD from authorized Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage, which also features more in-depth information, here: https://www.robpapen.com/RAW-2.html (Owners of RAW can upgrade to RAW-2 for €39.00 EUR/$39.00 USD.)
SynFex is available — as a 64-bit AAX-, AU-, VST-, and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for Mac (OS X 10.15 or higher, ARM processor compatible) and as a 64-bit VST- and VST3-compatible virtual instrument plug-in for PC (Windows 7 or higher) with 64-bit AAX compatibility available for PT 12 or higher (PC) — for individual purchase at a consumer price of €49.00 EUR/$49.00 USD from authorized Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage, which also features more in-depth information, here: https://www.robpapen.com/SynFeX.html
BLUE-III eXplorer-X is available for individual purchase as a soundset for BLUE-III at a consumer price of €25.00 EUR/$25.00 USD from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage, which also features more in-depth information, here: https://www.robpapen.com/blue-3-soundsets.html
See and hear some BLUE-III eXplorer-X presets in action in Rob Papen’s preview video here:
Albino-3 Legend XPS is available for individual purchase as a soundset for Albino-3 Legend at a consumer price of €25.00 EUR/$25.00 USD from authorised Rob Papen dealers worldwide or as a download directly from Rob Papen for those same prices via its dedicated webpage, which also features more in-depth information, here: https://www.robpapen.com/Albino-3_Legend_SoundSets.html
About Rob Papen (www.robpapen.com)
Self-confessed synth freak and world-renowned sound designer Rob Papen started working with synthesizers at the tender age of 15 when purchasing an analogue Korg MS-20 semi-modular monosynth and accompanying analogue SQ-10 sequencer. Suitably inspired, he subsequently released several albums as part of Dutch electronic music groups Peru and Nova — the latter featuring the same members as Peru, but with a more commercial slant — with whom he enjoyed number one hit singles in The Netherlands (Nova) in 1982 and Austria (Peru) in 1988. Though Peru disbanded in 1993, Rob Papen had already established himself as a sought-after sound designer, creating presets for the likes of Access, E-mu, Ensoniq, and Waldorf, subsequently founding his namesake company in pursuit of creating a sound designer’s dream synth. Since that software dream became reality — starting in 2005 with BLUE as an exciting-sounding, self-styled ‘Crossfusion Synthesis’ affair (combining FM, Phase Distortion, Wave Shaping, and Subtractive synthesis into one powerful dream synth) upon forming the RPCX (Rob Papen ConcreteFX) partnership with music software developer Jon Ayres to develop new Rob Papen-branded virtual instrument and effect plug-ins, today Rob Papen’s products define cutting-edge contemporary music production: powerful virtual instrument and effect plug-ins that intermix innovative design, uncompromising sound quality, and musical-plus-production-grade presets to make tracks truly shine, whatever the genre… Inspiration Soundware, indeed!
© 2025 Rob Papen Inspiration Software
Introducing a new plug-in module based on the renowned stereo tube EQ,a cherished mastering tool behind countless GRAMMY® awards.
March 20, 2025 – IK Multimedia, the leading innovator in music software and hardware, announces the release of T-RackS 6 Lurssen Mastering EQ. This faithful emulation of the renowned stereo tube EQ is a classic studio tool cherished in mastering circles for its warm, musical character and unique tonal coloration. It has become a benchmark for analog equalization.
Initially custom-developed for mastering legends Gavin Lurssen and Reuben Cohen, who have long relied on this sonic approach, the plug-in offers smooth, nuanced curves that deliver a stunning high and low end, enabling subtle yet powerful tonal enhancements.
Thanks to the detailed emulation of the preamp section, a unique “Color” control adds precise adjustment of harmonic saturation. This allows the user to fine-tune the unit’s overall character for a cleaner sound or one enriched with harmonics.
Lurssen Mastering EQ Overview
GRAMMY-winning Sound
Senior Mastering Engineers Gavin Lurssen and Reuben Cohen lead Lurssen Mastering. Gavin is a 12-time GRAMMY nominee and a 4-time GRAMMY winner. Reuben has received a Latin GRAMMY and a TEC Award, and he boasts a lengthy list of radio hits in his mastering credits.
Since IK modeled the original stereo tube EQ exclusively for their use, the Lurssen Mastering team has used Lurssen Mastering EQ on all their mastering projects. The plug-in faithfully emulates the original device and even adds features like the Color knob and mid/side processing to match their preferred workflow. Lurssen Mastering depends on it to achieve optimal mastering results, and now users can, too.
Pairing Science and Art
Leveraging decades of experience modeling analog gear, IK’s state-of-the-art technology captures every nuance of Lurssen Mastering’s original stereo tube EQ. The result is a digital version that preserves the sonic magic while offering modern precision and some powerful new controls the Lurssen Mastering team requested.
Intuitive Precision
Lurssen Mastering EQ replicates the original’s left/right EQ controls while introducing output controls, parameter linking, adjustable preamp input levels, and Mid/Side processing. Shelving filters offer intuitive manipulation of both high- and low-frequency ranges, and three tuned semi-parametric filters enable precise sound shaping.
Flexible Integration
Lurssen Mastering EQ can be used as a standalone module or inside the T-RackS 6 plug-in shell to build custom channel strips combining other T-RackS modules. Users can save and quickly reapply favorite signal chains, easily tailoring their setup to their creative needs.
Mastering Like a Master
The authentic sonic character and intuitive controls of Lurssen Mastering EQ make it an indispensable tool for achieving professional mastering quality. It includes a variety of presets used by Gavin Lurssen and Reuben Cohen, saving valuable time and making it easy to achieve exceptional results.
Compatibility and Accessibility
Like all T-RackS 6 plug-in processors, Lurssen Mastering EQ is designed to be fully compatible with Mac and Windows platforms. It supports all major plug-in formats, Audio Units, VST 3 and AAX.
Pricing and Availability
Lurssen Mastering EQ is available now from the IK Multimedia online store and through IK authorized dealers worldwide as a single product or part of a bundle with the following pricing:
*All pricing excluding taxes.
For more information about T-RackS 6 and the Lurssen Mastering EQ, please visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/tr6
www.ikmultimedia.com/
EDINBURGH, UK: music-making community tools-maker The Crow Hill Company is proud to announce availability of VAULTS – ACID SYNTH as the latest entry into its lengthening line of free and accessible virtual instruments arising from company co-founder and composer Christian Henson effectively opening his ‘vaults’ for everyone to enjoy — this time creating an homage to the revered Roland TB-303 Bass Line, launched with high hopes in 1981 as a so-called Computer Controlled bass synth by the Japanese giant of electronic musical instrument manufacturing responsible for its creation before being deemed a commercial failure and discontinued quite quickly thereafter, though it was later instrumental in driving Acid House into the musical mainstream as a whole new EDM (Electronic Dance Music) genre and associated cultural movement, the popularity of which triggered a dramatic rise in the price of used units — as of March 19…
It is fair to say that when Roland released its TB-303 Bass Line in 1981 as a so-called Computer Controlled bass synth with the intention of mimicking the characteristics of an electric bass guitar, there were far fewer tools to create electronic music available. But buyers of the TB-303 Bass Line were possibly swayed by the fact that it could be time-synced — using Roland’s proprietary five-pin DIN sync interface (later superseded by MIDI) — to its contemporarily-released Computer Controlled sibling, the TR-606 Drumatix drum machine, making for an affordable rhythm section that could conceivably fit into a small briefcase as a beautiful backing combination for the solo gigging musician, further helped by both devices being battery operated as an attractive alternative to their (included) AC adapters… or so Roland had hoped.
Though the engineers involved tried their best to imitate the sound of an electric bass guitar with the technology of the time, the TB-303 Bass Line fell short in capturing its subtleties as an instrument, sadly, so it was discontinued within a couple of years, with Roland cheaply selling off the last of the 10,000 units manufactured. Now, normally this would be the end of the story, yet something incredible happened…
Helpfully, for the benefit of anyone not already in the know, The Crow Hill Company’s Theo Le Derf picks up what is an incredible story in itself: “DJ Pierre and his band called Phuture found a used TB-303 in a music shop in Chicago for a bargain price. They started experimenting with the bass sequencer and a drum machine while playing about randomly with the filter and resonance knobs. The sound they produced was so unique and, frankly, weird that they decided to commit the jam session to tape. With the release of this experiment on Trax Records in 1987, they unwittingly birthed a new genre: Acid House. This slimy, hypnotic, subversive sound subsequently built a cultural movement, and was the soundtrack to many illegal warehouse parties of the late Eighties — all of this from a tiny synth that was used ‘incorrectly’.”
Thanks to VAULTS – ACID SYNTH’s GUI (Graphical User Interface) being as intuitive as always, correct — or ‘incorrect’ — usage of the virtual instrument in question comes quickly. “The first large dial — CUT OFF — is a 24dB lowpass filter that controls what high frequencies you cut out, and it is automatically assigned to MIDI CC1.” So starts Theo Le Derf by way of an appropriately quick guided tour, before continuing: “RESONANCE determines the peak of the filter as it opens and closes, which creates that characteristically ‘squelchy’ sound that the synth is known for. The small dials are more concentrated effects — MOD controls how much voltage is being sent to the filter, so you can get some really interesting sounds by adjusting the CUT OFF dial and MOD simultaneously; DECAY controls the decay for all the envelopes; and, of course, there is also our standard ECHO and SPLOSH, with the SPLOSH being an algorithmic imitation of a cave, which suits this synth so brilliantly.”
It is as easy as that, though Theo Le Derf is keen to add: “Another thing to mention is that you can obviously play staccato, but when you play legato — MIDI notes overlapping with one another, you get a glide between the notes. This glide effect is another characteristic that the ’303 is renowned for.”
No need, necessarily, then, to risk dropping a bank-balance-busting four-figure sum on a decades-old Roland TB-303 Bass Line when The Crow Hill Company’s ‘tribute’ truly captures the essence of its distinctive sound for all to enjoy for literally nothing. Notes Theo Le Derf, ending on a high note: “The story arc of this synth is so amazing — from its unpromising beginning to completely defining a genre and an era, it’s so exciting to have this celebrated instrument at my fingertips for free!”
VAULTS – ACID SYNTH is free for everyone — as are all VAULTS… releases from The Crow Hill Company — from here: https://thecrowhillcompany.com/vaults/
VAULTS – ACID SYNTH installation and activation requires installation of The Crow Hill App — an easy-to-use app designed by the best in the business to provide seamless download, installation, integration, calibration, and organisation of The Crow Hill Company tools — available for free from here: https://thecrowhillcompany.com/crow-hill-app/
It is worth noting that each VAULTS… release will not be available to add to an account forever, however, since once a new ‘vault’ is ‘opened’ and goes live, another one is ‘closed’ and no longer available, meaning only six such instruments are available at any given time on The Crow Hill Company website. What this means for those who have already added a VAULTS… release to their account is that it is there forever and accessible through The Crow Hill App. As such, loyal fans can add a brand-new instrument to their arsenal every month, collecting and keeping them all. As each VAULTS… release will only be live for around six months, it is worth making sure that it is added to an account while it is live in order to have permanent access.
Access an ever-growing collection of free, professional tools and resources by simply signing up to become a Crow Hill member here: https://thecrowhillcompany.com/join-crow-hill/
About The Crow Hill Company (www.thecrowhillcompany.com)
Based in Edinburgh, Scotland, The Crow Hill Company is a small team obsessed with all things audio, existing to make tools that support the music-making community. From free plug-ins and resources all the way through to premium professional-grade libraries, its aim is to build and nurture an inclusive community of sound enthusiasts, music-makers, and VST (Virtual Studio Technology) advocates alike, all the while abiding by its motto: Make Music, Your Music
© 2025 Crow Hill Productions Ltd
Paris, March 19th, 2025 – UVI announces flagship SonicBundle, the ultimate collection from UVI, including their entire catalog of products at an exceptional discount. SonicBundle gives users the industry’s most well respected and innovative music production tools, powerful synths, cutting-edge effects, sound FX and foley, premium solo instruments, orchestras, and award-winning multi-instrument collections as a single, permanent license. With 116 products representing over 1,000 instruments and effects, over 37,000 hand-crafted presets, and 2 million samples, SonicBundle is a powerful, versatile, and endlessly inspiring resource for musicians and audio professionals of any background. A $12,000+ value, SonicBundle is available now for $799, with a special tiered upgrade price for existing customers (available through April 14th, 2025).
From the industry’s most powerful hybrid instrument, Falcon, to our premium line of innovative studio effects including Opal, Shade, Dual Delay X, Thorus, and others, to our massive collection of vintage synths including Synth Anthology 4, HX-Oddy, OB Legacy, Emulation II+, FM Suite, and so many more, to modern production tools like Mosaiq and Percussion Factory, multi-instrument collections like World Suite 3, Key Suite, and Orchestral Suite, to sound FX and foley instruments like XTreme FX 2, Meteor, Drone, and Whoosh, to our collection of premier experimental instruments like IRCAM Prepared Piano 2, Glass Orchestra, and Toy Suite, SonicBundle gives users everything they need to take their productions to the next level, delivering a world of unique and inspirational tools with endless sonic possibility.
SonicBundle is compatible with all major DAWs, and includes support for concurrent activation on up to 3 computers or iLok keys.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
SonicBundle is available immediately for $799 at uvi.net
An introductory tiered upgrade price is available for existing customers (log in to see discount) Upgrade pricing is available through April 14th, 2025
ADDITIONAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
Additional information on SonicBundle is available at: https://www.uvi.net/sonicbundl
Unlock 19 powerful tools from MeldaProduction, W. A. Production, and UnitedPlugins for just €149/$149 https://www.imageline.com/specials/friends-of-fl-studio-bundle
(BELGIUM – MARCH 20, 2025) – FL Studio, the world’s most popular Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) developed by Image-Line, today announced an exclusive, limited-time plugin bundle featuring 19 premium plugins from MeldaProduction, W. A. Production, and UnitedPlugins. Designed to elevate music production across all genres, this bundle delivers an unbeatable 90% discount, making world-class effects and instruments accessible to all producers.
Available from March 20 to April 3, 2025, the bundle is a game-changing offer, reducing the total value of €1,848/$1,848 to just €149/$149. Best of all, these plugins are compatible with any DAW, so you don’t need FL Studio to take advantage of this deal. The bundle is available exclusively through Image-Line’s website. For more information, visit: https://www.imageline.com/specials/friends-of-fl-studio-bundle
This exclusive bundle includes 19 top-of-the-line plugins spanning creative effects, sound design units, and powerful instruments:
MeldaProduction
● MUnison – Add rich, natural-sounding unison to your tracks.
● MChorusMB – A multiband chorus effect with deep customization.
● MSoundFactoryLE – A modular sound design powerhouse.
● MTurboReverbLE – A versatile reverb engine with limitless possibilities.
W. A. Production
● Babylon 2 + Designer Pack Wavetables Bundle – A modern wavetable synthesizer
with expansive sound design options.
● InstaComposer 2 + All Current and Future Expansions – AI-powered MIDI chord and
harmony generation for effortless composition.
● Trivox – A dynamic vocal processing tool.
● BeatQuake – A rhythmic powerhouse for creating unique grooves.
● KickShaper – Precision shaping for punchy, professional kicks.
● ChromaBox – Colorful multi-effects processing for creative sound shaping.
UnitedPlugins
● Voxessor – Smart voice processing for polished, professional vocals.
● TrapTune – Auto-tuning and vocal effects designed for modern popular music.
● FireSpacer – Innovative spectral processing for mix clarity.
● FireMaximizer – A high-quality maximizer to enhance loudness without distortion.
● QuickMuse – Instant inspiration with generative sound design.
● BassRift – A deep and expressive bass enhancement tool.
● Cyberdrive – Futuristic distortion for hard-hitting sound design.
● Dropkick – Punchy, club-ready kick enhancement.
● MorphVerb – A hybrid reverb with seamless blending capabilities.
This offer unites three powerhouse developers to deliver a one-stop production toolkit for musicians, producers, and sound designers alike. The bundle will be available exclusively through Image-Line’s official channels from March 20 to April 3, 2025, ending at 11:59 PM PT.
About FL Studio:
FL Studio is one of the world’s most popular music production tools, trusted by millions of
creators across the globe for its unique, easy-to-use workflow and comprehensive capabilities.
Designed to inspire and empower music producers at every stage of their journey, FL Studio is
a go-to solution for aspiring musicians and chart-topping artists alike.
Developed by Image-Line, FL Studio revolutionized music production by bringing electronic
music creation into home studios worldwide. Today, it continues to lead the industry with an
intuitive suite of tools for composing, arranging, recording, editing, and mastering professional-
quality music — backed by its unique Lifetime Free Updates promise since 1998, ensuring
every FL Studio user always has access to the latest and best version at no extra cost.
With the addition of FL Cloud, creators can now access a seamlessly integrated creative toolkit
within FL Studio. Featuring an ever-growing sample library, exclusive plugins, AI-powered
mastering, and music distribution services, FL Cloud enhances FL Studio’s powerful workflow,
offering creators everything they need to bring their music to life, right inside their favorite DAW.
About Image-Line:
Image-Line is a pioneering software company focused on delivering cutting-edge audio
production tools and technology solutions. Since 1994, Image-Line has crafted a diverse range
of innovative software, from virtual instruments and effects to its renowned flagship product, FL
Studio. Headquartered in Belgium, Image-Line continues to drive creativity in the music industry
with a commitment to Lifetime Free Updates and accessible tools for musicians, producers, and
creatives worldwide.
About UnitedPlugins:
UnitedPlugins brings together independent developer teams, all led by music industry experts,
to create innovative audio plugins. Our name reflects our collaborative spirit and commitment to
delivering high-quality solutions for music producers worldwide.
About MeldaProduction:
MeldaProduction creates audio plugins and processors, blending analog inspiration with modern
innovation. Our plugins offer top-tier sound, intuitive UI, endless versatility, and free-for-life
updates — constantly evolving to make music production faster, easier, and more creative.
About W. A. Production:
Founded in 2014, W. A. Production provides electronic music producers with affordable, high-
quality devices to elevate their sound. Originally focused on professional audio samples, the
company has grown into a globally recognized developer of plugins, DAW templates, and
production courses.
