Gibson to show 5 gutsy, cool new models at NAMM 2018

Looks like Gibson are just starting to tease new models for 2018 and amongst this batch, we have some old favourites and a return of a model we haven't seen in years

Solid State Logic (SSL) acquired by Allen & Heath owner Audiotonix

The famed console maker is being acquired by Audiotonix, whose portfolio includes DiGiCo, DiGiGrid, Calrec and Allen & Heath. Hopefully SSL will benefit from Audiotonix' support and resources...

Sensel Morph gets an upgrade to remap everything and MPE support

The recently release Sensel Morph customisable MIDI controller now lets you change the function of all the control areas so you can mix MIDI control with keyboard strokes, and adds MPE support.

Acustica Audio Crimson plug-in blends analog distortion and compression

Acustica Audio has released an ambitious new compression and distortion plug-in to its Aqua series, saying that Crimson can do both "precise" and "colourful". We take a first look.

Animals as Leaders guitarist Tosin Abasi to launch new guitar company at NAMM

Tosin Abasi is a guitar genius and now he has decided to announce the birth of his very own guitar company via his Facebook page, definitely one to check out in 2018

The Vibe Bar – a whammy bar for keyboards (no really)

Give your keyboard solos a bucket full of expression with the Sonic Manipulation Vibe Bar. Roll it and wobble it for pitch bend and expressive vibrato with the natural use of your playing hand.

Shakmat Modular Time Wizard: Cast some Eurorack clock sorcery

The Shakmat Modular Time Wizard can generate complex polyrhythms and weird time signatures through the combination of 6 clock dividers, multipliers, logic and resets - it feels like magic.

Bastl Kastle 1.5 upgrades the noise and sounds “way better”

Bastl's newly upgraded Kastle 1.5 gets a paint job, USB power, new synthesis modes and a greatly improved sound engine. It's still a lot of fun even with the annoyingly small knobs and patch wires.

Uli Behringer opens up about the leak – and promises one user a free 2600

Uli Behringer steps up on Gearslutz to talk about what happened with the synth and drum machine leaks and explains how their development system works. He also promises someone a 2600 as soon as they are ready.

Best free plug-ins this week: Organteq Alpha, 2 synths, and Phasis!

This week saw at least four high quality releases that you can have absolutely free! Just say the magic word at the... hey, there's not even a magic word. Just four excellent free plug-ins...

Line6 Helix Update adds new toys just in time for Christmas

This firmware update adds new effects and features to your Line 6 Helix, Helix Rack, Helix LT and Helix Native - as well as a new editor for Helix Edit.

Phasis: a free holiday gift from Native Instruments!

To celebrate the holidays, Native Instruments released a brand new free effect called Phasis. As you may have guessed from the name, this is a phaser plug-in. It borrows its sounds from classic phaser units...

Vertex T Drive Overdrive – A Trainwreck Express amp in a pedal?

This new pedal from Vertex claims to sound and feel like a boutique Trainwreck amp, if it manages this task then the T Drive could be an absolute bargain for many.

iMPC Pro 2 brings audio tracks and time stretching to the iPad groovebox

iMPC Pro 2 is officially here! Developed by Retronyms and AKAI, the new version turns the groovebox app into a fully functional song creation tool not unlike Apple's GarageBand...

Seymour Duncan and Dave Mustaine issue Thrash Factor humbucker

How did Mustaine get THAT tone on Rust In Peace? Might have been down to an oddly wound stock Seymour Duncan humbucker - so now they have recreated it in the form of the Thrash Factor.

Dr Z and The Eagles’ Joe Walsh collaborate on new Z-Plus guitar amp

Take it easy with classic American Tweed amp tones from the new Z-Plus guitar combo, designed in collaboration with The Eagles' Joe Walsh. Not cheap, but a great amp on paper.

AVP introduce Cosmwave FX prototype multi-effects desktop unit

The march of the desktop effects unit continues with this analog/digital hybrid multi-effects unit from AVP Synthesizers. The Cosmwave FX will offer up Phaser, Flanger and up to 1 minute of delay.

The iMac Pro – for the style professional

Apple has opened pre-orders on the new iMac Pro. Take it up to 18 Cores and 128GB of RAM and expect to part with over $15,000. And you need to aim high because you can't upgrade it later.

Behringer massive synth clone leak was all a dream

Behringer say the accidental leak yesterday of 6 classic synthesizers and 5 drum machines were apparently all just "concepts". Are our classic vintage synths safe or is this just a smoke screen?

Behringer accidentally leaks a whole world of forthcoming vintage clones

For a couple of hours Behringer's website played host to 6 new classic synthesizer clones and 5 vintage drum machines before they were pulled. No images, but were they teasing us or is someone about to get ...

New app Descript lets you edit audio like a word document

A startup called Descript has the technology to generate a text transcription from an audio file and let you make changes to it by editing text like you would do with a document in a word processor...

SYNC24USB: Sync your TR-808 and other DIN sync gear via a USB cable

How do you keep your old TR-808 in time with your DAW? DSP Synthesizers could have the simplest solution yet with the SYNC24USB which is just a USB MIDI to DIN sync cable.

Mayones Duvell Q John Browne signature series guitars: Heather or moss?

You might disagree, but we think these new guitars for John Browne of MONUMENTS and Flux Conduct fame look stunning in their eye-catching finishes. And there's some serious hardware on-board, too.

Electro-Harmonix reissues Op-Amp Big Muff: Pumpkin Pi?

The classic v4 Op Amp Big Muff circuit has finally been re-released by Electro Harmonix as a compact pedal - we expect Billy Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins fans to be queuing up for this one...