Make Noise 10-Year anniversary Lightning Pack gets you a black Maths and more

For a limited time Make Noise is offering the Lightning Pack featuring a very cool black-fronted Maths, a weird Teleplexer thing and a T-Shirt for $310

Bring VST plugins into your Eurorack via the extraordinary Percussa SSP module

The latest update for the Percussa SSP Quad-Core ARM DSP processing module for Eurorack introduces the running of Linux compiled VST instruments and effects - golly!

ACL System 1 fully configured Eurorack Modular Synthesizer now available

System 1 is an elegantly crafted Eurorack modular synthesizer featuring all of Audiophile Circuits League stereo modules in a 6U, 84HP case with integrated power supply all configured and ready to go.

Top 5 software synthesizers 2018

Here are the Top 5 software synthesizers or virtual electronic instruments that your computer should be chewing on in 2018. Did your favourite get on the list?

Tracktion Retromod recreates a bunch of Nord, Roland and Moog synthesizers

Tracktion Corporation has released Retromod LEAD, 106 and FAT, some meticulously sampled instruments based upon 6 Clavia Nord instruments, a handful of Roland Junos and a big bunch of more modern Moogs.

Ever pondered the history of polyphony? Check out Marc Doty’s new series

Marc Doty has released a new series charting the history of polyphony on his YouTube channel Automatic Gainsay. A master of synthesis and an engaging educator, grab a drink and settle down for some schooling.

Oddball: Grab a ball and start bouncing beats and controlling MIDI

If Steve McQueen in The Great Escape was a DJ then Oddball would be his beat making weapon of choice. Bounce the ball, make beats, repeat. It could also be an interesting physics-based MIDI controller.

Tabletop modular synth modules in guitar pedal style from Hungry Robot Modular

If you find Eurorack too daunting then how about a range of modular synth modules in guitar pedal boxes? Patch them by themselves or to expand your semi-modular. Introducing Hungry Robot Modular

Q170 MIDI Gates: Moog Unit module produces gate signals from MIDI messages

The Q170 MIDI Gates is a useful module that translates MIDI notes and CC messages into 8 channels of gates for your 5U Moog Unit format modular synthesizer

Kick it! Puma announce RS-100: More Roland TR-808 inspired trainers

It's for real this time, Puma is releasing not one but two styles of TR-808 inspired trainers on 808 day in a couple of weeks. The RS-100 joins the RS-0 as the £100 footwear of choice for any drum machine fan.

Mutable Instruments Marbles becomes latest VCV Rack preview module

$20 will get you the Audible Instruments Preview module for virtual Eurorack VCV Rack. You can then run fully functional virtual versions of Mutable Instruments Plaits and now Marbles for free.

Arturia DrumBrute Impact – full and official details

DrumBrute Impact is a neat and exciting little drum machine with a capable sequencer and a lot of performance versatility. It's missing the filter from the DrumBrute but probably has more than your beats need.

IK Multimedia UNO monophonic analog synth now shipping

Designed with Erik Norlander (Alesis Andromeda) this little monosynth really does impress with its sound and capabilities. UNO is now available to own and it'll be interesting to see what people do with it.

Stradivarius EKO: Haunting vintage string synthesizer comes to Kontakt

A splurge of string synths appeared in the 1970's after the success of the Solina Strings. The EKO Stradivarius was one of the more obscure but favoured by Vangelis for its spooky and atmospheric tones.

DrumBrute Impact: Arturia’s baby DrumBrute leaked

Arturia is ready to release the DrumBrute's little brother. DrumBrute Impact is compact, has fewer sounds but picks up an FM drum track, Brute distortion and a very tasty sub-300 Euro price tag. Now with video!

Virtualise your vocals with Vocaloid 5 from Yamaha

When your vocalist is too drunk, late or too self-important to show up, try loading Vocaloid 5 and have a refreshingly hassle-free vocal session in multiple styles, voices and in your own words.

Mode Machines SEQ12: Huge 12 track matrix based hardware MIDI sequencer

The 12 x 16 red LED button matrix is the centrepiece of this chunky hardware MIDI sequencer. 12 tracks of either mono, poly or percussion sequencing with plenty of room for performance and pattern triggering.

ENDLESSS – Is Tim Exile starting a new cult of improvised performance?

Free yourself from the constraints of the studio and be released from the self-imposed feedback loop of perfectionism. Join us on the journey of ENDLESSS as Tim Exile shows us the way.

Our Top 5 Semi-Modular Synthesizers

It's been a bumper year for semi-modular synthesizers. Completely capable of being awesome in their own right but with a willingness to get patched into something greater. Here's our pick of the best.

First fiddle with the Voltage Modular virtual Eurorack beta

Voltage Modular from Cherry Audio is a virtual Eurorack style environment for MacOS and Windows. It's in Beta and we got an early look at what's shaping up to be a very interesting software modular experience.

Korg Gadget gets into Rex Loops with Stockholm by Reason

Propellerhead has ported their Dr. Octo Rex loop player over to the Korg Gadget eco-system. It takes all its looping and slicing as well as the synthesis and sound crafting functionality. That's one cool ...

Surface Go: A £379 iPad killer from Microsoft?

Surface Go is your iPad-sized entry to the Microsoft Surface range at an interesting price that can run desktop music software. It comes with a keyboard and pen but does it have enough power?

Window Transform Function WTF Oscillator morphs waveforms in unique ways

WTF? A new form of waveform morphing? Yes the Window Transform Function blends a front and rear waveform together to produce very pleasing harmonics and tones. WTF Oscillator on Kickstarter now.

Is IK Multimedia going to build a Syntronik-based hardware synth?

In a recent interview, Erik Norlander indicated there were conversations with IK about building hardware synths while developing Syntronik. The UNO synth is a direct result of that - could there be more on the ...