Once I’d heard ‘Are Friends’ Electric?” by Tubeway Army, I knew synthesizers would be a huge part of my life. Despite drums becoming my main instrument for many years, I dabbled and lusted after countless pieces of gear and started using computers to help me make my own music with a Commodore 64 and a copy of Electrosound.
Over the years, I eventually progressed to more professional tools and began to truly indulge my love of electronic music making, slowly building a collection of gear that covered most synthesis methods, from sampling to physical modelling and beyond. However, my love of the gear that soundtracked my formative years was strong and I was fortunate enough to be asked to work with the inventor of the Fairlight CMI on their more recent projects. This then led to me restoring Fairlight CMI’s, something I still do to this day.
My home studio is now filled with classic vintage gear of the 80s and 90s, as well as modern classics. In recent years, I have been producing podcasts for Sound On Sound, as well as writing articles for them and I also present a weekly live stream for the Pro Synth Network. I still drum, albeit now on e-Drum kits, which are far easier to move around and a lot quieter when practising! You can often find me delivering seminars & lectures and at various synth shows around the world, talking about and demonstrating iconic synths.
Imagine never having to save up the hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds to buy a hardware synth again. With Patch Play from Synth Palace, that's exactly what they're asking you to do!
Electronic Wind Instruments might appear to be a niche market, but they're far from it. Roland adds the Brisa to its already impressive DWI lineup.
This week, we have the latest Bob Moog Foundation Minimoog raffle, a rather sumptuous 5U modular from muSonics and a couple of ingenious desktop synths.
A unique cello sample library in the form of Archetypes from Sonixinema, and a 'Dark Mandolin' from Edu Prado in this week's Sounds and Presets.
Roland set out to achieve the impossible and make drummers quieter! Do the VQD106 succeed or is this a gimmick? Read on...
If you've been holding out for Cubase 14 to drop in price, now's the time to open your wallet! Also, snag yourself an audio interface bargain, too!
Waldorf finally update their software version of the wavetable classic as their PPG Wave 3.V gets a 2.0 upgrade!
From the hallowed rooms at Peter Gabriel's Real World studio complex comes Real to Reel, Toontrack's latest SDX expansion for Superior Drummer.
Liquid Sky's new PPG W2.2x4 module, made in conjunction with Cornel Hecht, is shipping now!
SONICWARE's Lofi-12 XT has just received a significant update to v1.5, bringing a bunch of very cool new features!
A gorgeous prepared piano in the form of Mule Piano, plus sounds for Pigments 6, OB-X8 and the Moog Muse!
Roland’s new flagship V-Drums kit, the TD716, redefines the e-Drum experience, aided by the stunning V71 module.
Taking circuit designs that were over 40 years old, Bad Dog Designs has recreated and refined three drum synth designs to create OSPRAY-8, a "vintage" 21st-century drum synthesizer.
Captured on April 19th, 2005, a symposium featuring five of the greatest American synth legends took place. 20 years later, we can now bear witness to their collective genius.
Atonal atmospheric sounds aren't everyone's cup of tea, and Polarity | Tension from Soniccouture is an instrument that might be sonic gold for some, or painful listening for others.
The Crumar Spirit, one of those frequently forgotten about Italian synths with a rich heritage and illustrious parentage, returns courtesy of Cherry Audio!
A classic piano gets the Spitfire Audio treatment in the form of Château Piano and we've got Prophet sounds galore!
An eclectic mix of sounds this week, featuring guitars, synths and an Irish Concertina, no less!
Available now!
The wait is finally over: The Behringer RD-78 is now available! Behringer's recreation of the classic Roland CR-78 is now in stock at Thomann.
Whether you're in a tribute band or just a real die-hard fan, capturing the sound of your musical idol is something we have all tried to do. With Arturia's Software Season, you can get close for a lot less!
Three great deals on Behringer synths could be all an aspiring electronic musician ever needs for under €1,500!
Arturia delivers on its promised update to its VST in a Box concept, AstroLab, with almost full support for V Collection 11 and a raft of other improvements.
Studio Electronics SE-3X gets some love in the form of Strong Foundations, plus more TEO-5 sounds from Scott McAuley.
Finding the weird stuff that slips past our regular news gathering antics, it's this week's Synth Journal with Candy Castle leading the way!