SYNTH JOURNAL
Equipment News, Leaks and Tips
Bitwig Studio 6.1 in Public Beta: New Sampler Brings Spectral, Fragments, and More
18 Jun · Bitwig Studio 6.1 completely reimagines the Sampler: slicing, time-stretching, and granular synthesis in one device. Now in public beta.
AKAI MPC One G2 and MPC Key 37 G2: A Big Power Boost for the Entry-Level MPCs
18 Jun · The AKAI MPC One G2 and MPC Key 37 G2 arrive with a big power and memory boost over their predecessors. Should you sell your MPC Live III? Not quite!
Tim Cook Predicts an Apple Price Increase: Bad News for Your Next Mac Upgrade in 2026?
18 Jun · Tim Cook calls the Apple price increase "unavoidable." What's really going on, and what does it mean for your next studio Mac?
Jackson Pro Rob Cavestany: Death Angel’s Thrash Axe Reimagined
18 Jun · The new Jackson Pro Rob Cavestany features the same iconic X-shaped nyatoh body, but this time, it's a Snow White finish.
Midas HD Series Firmware v2.4.0: Waves Superrack and Sennheiser Wireless Integration
18 Jun · The latest Midas HD Series firmware update introduces some useful workflow improvements and integrations for front-of-house and broadcast applications.
Polyend Tracker Updates: Write Your Own Tracker-Compatible Files With tracker-lib
17 Jun · Polyend has taken the first step towards making its Tracker ecosystem open-source with tracker-lib, a script-based library compatible with the Polyend Tracker series.
GUITAR AMP MICS
Guitar Amp Mics for Studio Recording
17 Jun · Adding an amp cabinet to your recording chain introduces resonance and harmonics to the sound. We explore guitar amp mics for capturing this source.
SOUNDS AND PRESETS
Join the Q! The ESQ-1 Gets a Huge Patch Boost – Sounds and Presets
17 Jun · Cherry Audio's latest release, the Ensoniq ESQ-1, has brought back heaps of nostalgia. Soniq Odysseys gives you 100 more presets!
HK Audio LUNAR and PORTABLE SUB: A New Series of Loudspeakers and Subwoofers
17 Jun · The HK Audio LUNAR and PORTABLE SUB are two new series of full-range loudspeakers and subwoofers for live music events and sound reinforcement.
EQD Sunn O))) HalfLife: Compact Doom!
17 Jun · EQD presents the Sunn O))) HalfLife, with the same brutal sound as the legendary Life pedal!
EHX Percolator: Based on ’70s Harmonic Percolator
17 Jun · The EHX Percolator is a modern take on the the iconic 1970s Interfax HP-1
ADDAC System ADDAC120 Four Strings Series Is an Unbelievable Eurorack Guitar
17 Jun · Who had Eurorack guitar on their 2026 bingo card? The ADDAC120 Four Strings Series is a set of electro-acoustic modules from ADDAC System.
Guitar Journal
Guitar Journal: Höfner Avoid Bankruptcy & more
16 Jun · Höfner is rescued from bankruptcy, ZVEX drops the new DB-1 analog meter, and Dean Guitars' parent company files for Chapter 11.
REVIEW
Cherry Audio Ensoniq ESQ-1 – An Impressive Vintage Hybrid Makes an Official Return
16 Jun · Cherry Audio resurrect a left-field vintage classic with official approval. Can the Ensoniq ESQ-1 deliver the magic of the original hardware?
Software Deals
Moog, Sonnox, Slate Digital: 3 Plugin Deals for Fat Basslines, More Loudness, and Analog Tape Sound
16 Jun · Moog Mariana, Sonnox Oxford Inflator Native, and Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines on sale: bass synth, loudness plugin, and tape emulation at a discount.
Fender James Jamerson Precision Bass: Recreation of the Legendary ’62 P Bass
16 Jun · The most influential bass player of all time gets a signature! This is the James Jamerson Precision Bass, closely modeled after the original.
Stokyo Record Runner: This Impossibly Tiny VW Bus Drives around Your Record and Plays It at the Same Time
16 Jun · The Stokyo Record Runner BT is a miniature VW Bus that drives along your record grooves and plays them back, now with Bluetooth and an Audio Technica cartridge.
The Him DSP Ninja AB: A One-Stop Track Referencing Solution
16 Jun · Introducing The Him DSP Ninja AB, a new track referencing plugin that captures and compares different sections of a song, with extensive visual feedback.
beyerdynamic DT 30 IE: Pro In-Ears for Just Over $100?
16 Jun · The beyerdynamic DT 30 IE is a new and affordable entry-level model in the manufacturer's range of in-ear monitoring earphones for stage performance.
Check out These Amazing Epiphone Deals! Save up to 18% on Les Pauls, SGs, and more!
16 Jun · Summer time is bargain time! Check out these Epiphone deals and save up to 18% on signature models, Les Pauls, and more!
REVIEW
GForce Software Prophet~5 – Legendary, Classic and Official
16 Jun · The Prophet~5 is an instrument that redefined what to expect from a synthesizer, and influenced both artists and synth developers alike. Now it receives its first official software version.
Neumann MT 48 Update: Firmware 2.0 Adds Compatibility for Eventide Blackhole Plugin
16 Jun · The Neumann MT 48 audio interface has been updated with version 2.0 of the firmware, bringing some new creative and workflow features.
Review