Best Sample Packs This Week: Vintage drums, orchestral samples, epic science fiction sounds

The best sample packs this week: 3 drum bundles with vintage vibes, samples for Serum and Sylenth1, orchestral audio and sci-fi sounds from the 70s and 80s. Enjoy!

Softwire Synthesis Press Controller for expressing some CV into your Eurorack

Possibly the oddest and most intriguing CV generator we've come across is the Press Controller from Softwire Synthesis that uses a chunky "button" to convert pressure into control voltage.

OSC/PILOT: deadmau5’s performance controller is now available to everyone

Want to perform like deadmau5? The artist's customizable OSC/PILOT control surface is now available to everyone. Set up your own touch-screen performance controller!

Steinberg releases VST 3.7 SDK with many feature enhancements

Steinberg has released the VST 3.7 Software Developer Kit (SDK) with new features designed to facilitate VST3 plug-in development. It also includes support for Apple's ARM processors.

HoRNet MasterTool: a magic mastering formula for instant results?

HoRNet MasterTool is a mastering plug-in that "makes your tracks sound good with no effort". Has HoRNet Plugins finally found the magic formula for mastering?

Deal: Mad Professor Amber Overdrive with Midas Touch mod for 20% off

For a limited time you can get 20% off this special run Mad Professor Amber Overdrive with the Midas Touch mod, introduced this year during lockdown. Grab one now while stocks last.

TheoryBoard Thy333 – never play a wrong note again

The TheoryBoard returns in a slightly different form called Thy333 and hits Kickstarter as a colourful MIDI controller, composition tool, chord generator and music instrument.

Milkman Sound teases amp head version of The Amp on Instagram

Milkman Sound has posted a teaser on Instagram and it looks like they are planning to put The Amp pedal into an amp head.

PRS Experience 2020 Modern Eagle V: Premium looks, features (and price)

The new PRS Experience PRS 2020 Modern Eagle V is a limited-run model marketed to commemorate the company's annual get together. An event that this year was held online.

Singular Audio f-48: an affordable, hand-built FET condenser microphone

Singular Audio has announced the f-48 large diaphragm FET condenser microphone. Does the hand-built mic deliver that classic U47 sound at an affordable price?

Can the UrsaDSP Boost loudness maximizer reveal hidden detail in a mix?

Applying the method of Upward Maximizing in place of peak limiting, UrsaDSP Boost brings up the quiet parts rather than squashing the loud ones. An appealing new approach to maximizing audio?

Wooden legs for my Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII MIDI Controller? Yes please!

The Arturia KeyLab 88 MkII is a chunky beast of a controller with a fat weighted keyboard but it lacked something to stand on - until now! Here are some stylish wooden legs that are just the job.

sonible wants to reinvent digital reverbs with smart: reverb

A refreshing new approach to reverb? Due August 10, smart: reverb is a source-adaptive reverb plug-in that works by generating harmonics off the audio it processes.

Will Apple’s upcoming ARM Macbook Pros trump current Intel-based Macs?

The first ARM-based Mac runs better than the current Macbook Pro 13 with Intel Core i5 according to new benchmarks - good news for musicians hoping for better performance on next-gen Macbooks.

Acustica Audio Green4 models George Massenburg EQs and compressor

Acustica Audio has updated its George Massenburg gear-modeling Green suite to version 4, totaling 3 parametric EQs and a versatile limiter/compressor.

Analogue Pocket: Nanoloop infused futuristic Game Boy opens preorders next week

Stunningly futuristic portable games machine with built-in Nanoloop sequencer and synthesizer for making music is opening for preorders on the 3rd August.

Sitek Joss Allen Freya signature Overdrive/Booster: Love and war in one pedal

The new Sitek Joss Allen Freya signature Overdrive/Booster combines low/mid-gain drive with 12 dB of clean gain and some versatile features to cover a lot of bases for the money.

The Gold Channel analogue live vocal channel: A U47 sound on your SM58?

This boutique, all-analogue floor-mounted live vocal channel strip can kill feedback, remove noises and propel your SM58 mic sound into U47 territory. And at this eye-watering price, you'd hope so!

Blackstar’s Live Logic integrates your guitar with a DAW and MIDI with ease

The new Blackstar Live Logic controller integrates with your DAW and MIDI devices, allowing you to control them with your feet, and freeing up your hands to concentrate on playing.

DC-Junior FAT LTD Ferris Blue: A new version of Harley Benton’s rock’n’roll animal

Harley Benton and YouTuber Andy Ferris of The Guitar Geek channel teamed up for this new DC-Junior FAT LTD Ferris Blue model, a no-nonsense guitar in a sweet finish and ready to rock!

Deal: Sennheiser XSW-D wireless pedalboard set at 35% off!

Thomann has a nice little deal on a Sennheiser XSW-D wireless setup for your pedalboard - if you're thinking of freeing up your live rig from some of that pesky cabling, this should be on your radar.

Best Sample Packs This Week: Ambient atmospheres, Chinese bells, trumpets, free drums

This week's best sample packs: ambient, atmospheric sounds with a VHS tape flavour, expertly sampled ancient Chinese chime bells, fantastic-sounding trumpets and a versatile free drum sampler.

D&D Modules Elvis Filter, Lord of the Wah and upcoming Heaven 16 sequencer

The retro-style Heaven 16 sequencer is the latest in a line of intriguing analogue, handmade Eurorack from D&D Modules that you might not have come across before.

midierror RATCHETEER: semi-automatic MIDI pattern generator for Ableton Live

RATCHETEER is able to generate MIDI patterns all by itself, providing new MIDI loops for your projects in control by MIDI keyboards and automation. Neat!