Dreadbox Reissues, Free ReBirth Clone & Oxygene Turns 50: Synth Journal
Dreadbox Reissues, Free ReBirth Clone & Oxygene Turns 50: Synth Journal · Source: GitHub / pingw33n
In this edition of Synth Journal: Dreadbox reissues three classic synths, a free ReBirth clone takes you back to the heyday of computer-based music production, and Jean-Michel Jarre re-releases Oxygene yet again.
Synth Journal
OpenRB-338: Let This Free ReBirth RB-338 Clone Take You Down Memory Lane
I was a senior in high school in 1997. Around the same time, I developed a serious interest in music production. And luckily, 1997 was also the year Propellerhead released a piece of software that was so groundbreaking that it changed the way an entire generation of musicians approached production.
These days, we take it for granted that our computers have become the most versatile and powerful instruments in our arsenal, capable of delivering any imaginable sound using a plethora of software synths and sample libraries. Back when I was first getting my feet wet, however, being able to run virtual replicas of the iconic Roland TR-808, TR-909 and TB-303 on my computer was nothing short of a revelation. It completely changed the way I thought about music production, and I reckon it did the same for many others in my generation. Looking back, what seems most baffling about ReBirth RB-338 is that it ran just fine on my run-of-the-mill Pentium PC, which wasn’t even capable of playing back multiple audio tracks simultaneously at the time.
Almost 30 years on, you can now rediscover the joy of jamming with the trio of classic Roland machines on your computer. OpenRB-338 is a free and open-source recreation of ReBirth. Like most of today’s free plugins and alternate firmwares, it probably wouldn’t have happened were it not for the coding superpowers of AI, so if that raises a red flag for you, you should probably skip this one. But if you don’t mind a little help from AI, OpenRB-338 looks and feels very much like the original.
And it also sounds like it: The developer claims that the program is a bit-accurate emulation of ReBirth, meaning that it sounds exactly the same. That, of course, doesn’t mean it sounds like a real 808, 909 and 303, but it’s sure to bring back memories for many who first dabbled in music production in the late ‘90s. It certainly does for me.
OpenRB-338 is a standalone application for macOS, Windows, and Linux. There’s no plugin version, and the software unfortunately doesn’t support MIDI and ReWire, so there’s no way to sync it up to your other gear. You can, however, export loops as audio files.
By the way, ReCycle – Propellerhead’s other must-have piece of software from back in the day – is also back for free, having been officially reissued by Reason Studios in 2025!
Dreadbox Reissues: Dysphonia, Antiphon and Hypnosis are back for a Limited Run!
Dreadbox has brought back three classic desktop devices that were originally available as DIY kits. If you’ve missed the opportunity to grab the Dysphonia, Antiphon or Hypnosis when they first came out, these Dreadbox Reissues are your chance to pick them up as fully assembled modules!
Dreadbox Hypnosis first appeared as an ‘80s-inspired analog desktop effects unit back in 2019. In 2021, the manufacturer reworked it into a patchable, Eurorack-compatible FX module and released it as a DIY kit that has long since sold out. And now, you can get it again as a fully assembled unit! Featuring an analog BBD chorus/flanger circuit, a hybrid delay lifted from the Erebus, a real spring reverb, and dual LFOs for modulation, Hypnosis is heaps of fun, so get it while it lasts!
Dreadbox describes Dysphonia as ‘patching heaven’, and they’ve hit the nail on the head. This inspiring modular synth voice packs an analog oscillator with four waveforms, dual analog filters, a hybrid echo effect, and, most importantly, plenty of modulation into a compact module that can be used stand-alone or as part of a larger Eurorack system.
The third of the Dreadbox reissues is Antiphon. A bit of a strange one, this analog synth voice and drone synth originally came out in 2019. Antiphon features eight sine wave oscillators, each with its own pitch and level controls, individual output, and CV input. Oscillators 7 and 8 can also be used as LFOs. Antiphon also offers a pair of non-resonant filters and a digital reverb effect. As everything is patchable, this synth voice also doubles as an effects processor for external signals.
All three Dreadbox reissues are now available in limited quantities from the manufacturer’s website for €315 plus tax each. Note that they’re listed in the DIY section of the website, but come as fully assembled modules.
50 Years of Oxygene: The Legendary Album Gets an Anniversary Remaster
Released 50 years ago, Oxygene by Jean-Michel Jarre went on to become one of the best-selling electronic music albums of all time. And if it all goes to plan, it looks like it’ll sell a few more copies this holiday season.
According to Jean-Michel’s website, the Oxygene 50th Anniversary Edition has been remastered at London’s Abbey Road Studios using the original tapes from the Paris apartment where it was recorded in 1976. And as even an icon like Jarre has to go with the times, they also made a Dolby Atmos version for the first time.
“When I created OXYGENE, I was working directly with analogue instruments and tape, and the sound had a particular depth, movement and life of its own. For this anniversary edition, we returned to the original tapes with the aim of preserving that character rather than changing it. Of all the masters of OXYGENE that have been produced over the years, I believe this new remaster is the most true to what I originally created in 1976.”
The Oxygene 50th Anniversary Edition will be released on November 20 and is available for pre-order from the website, with various vinyl editions, CD, and Blu-ray to choose from.
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