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.
Welcome to the Pleasuredome was the audacious debut album by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. But what was used to make this epic slice of 80s pop?
Software versions of hardware synths are commonplace these days, but it is rare to see it happen in reverse. Check out the two Cherry Audio synths that have been reverted back to hardware!
If you've just bought the brand new Osmose 61 by Expressive E, you may well want to invest in their Lounge Lizard Expressive Suite!
Millenium's MPS-350 kit delivers a comprehensive setup for minimal outlay, just in time for Christmas!
We've got some delights for you this week for FM synths, both new and old, plus a big pack for the wavestate and more!
Nearly a decade after its original release, it has spawned numerous versions and clones. Now the original gets a well-deserved refresh with the KeyStep Mk.2.
It's been more than two years since Behringer first teased the SDS-3, but now it is here and ready to buy!
It's Halloween this Friday, so we've got some appropriate sound banks for this time of year, plus some amazing horns and sounds for Omnisphere and Behringer's UB-Xa.
GForce Software gets all deep and trippy with MAP, their new plugin inspired by the West Coast synth experimentalism of the 1970s.
The KORG Collection 6 grows again, which includes a software recreation of the powerful PS-3300, the frequently requested Trinity, and the SGX-2 Piano.
We've got Behringer bargains and some great discounts on plugins in this week's Deals of the Week!
Initially produced as a limited run of units under Dr. Yu Endo's 'Personal Projects' banner, the SONICWARE ELZ_1 play gets a useful firmware update and officially joins the SONICWARE roster in full production!
Synth Journal, where we round up the tidbits of synth news that may have missed your attention, but we know you'll love. We've got the mighty GIORGIO III, but first, some sad news...
There's a definite ambient and atmospheric vibe this week, with Odes for Kontakt and Surfaces for the Ambient Ø, plus a unique electric piano library and evocative guitar tones.
Available now!
After a successful Kickstarter, the DTronics DT-DX is now available in stores for everyone to buy!
A recent purchase got me all nostalgic and brought back some nice memories of my first proper synth experience with a KORG miniKORG 700 in high school.
UVI's stunningly capable software synth becomes Falcon 2026, gets a big chunk of updates and is still a free update to existing owners!
Roland introduce the V-Drums 3 and 5 Series kits based around new modules derived from the stunning V71, and in doing so, simplify their offering.
1010music continues to innovate and deliver super-useful products with the launch of bento, an all-in-one music creation device!
The undisputed king of software synths just got a massive update. Can Omnisphere 3 still cut it all these years on?
Electric Blue is the stunning new guitar sample library from Indiginus and sets new standards in scripted guitar sample libraries.
The CZ-1 Mini pocket synth finally makes it into stores, taking 80's Phase Distortion and squeezing it into a box the size of a paperback!
A tasty bag of treats for your synths this week, including sounds for the latest Cherry Audio Trident Mk.III, Arturia PolyBrute 12 and GS Music's e7.
Cherry Audio continue to put out high-quality, sought-after plugin recreations with the Trident Mk.III, bringing back this much-loved synth with extra features galore!