Free and discounted music content to keep you inspired in isolation

With many of us stuck indoors (thanks, coronavirus), many are looking for some new tools to keep happy and inspired. Here's a list of free and discounted music gear to put a smile on your face.

Kemper Kabinet FRFR cab and Kone DSP speaker now shipping

The Kemper Kabinet FRFR cab and Kemper Kone Celestion speaker are now available to buy - the new system was announced at NAMM 2019 and is finally shipping to dealers.

Euphoria amp sim uses neural networking to recreate a Bogner Ecstasy

Based on an iconic tube guitar amplifier Bogner Ecstasy 101B, Mercuriall Audio's Euphoria uses neural networking to create some - frankly stunning - amp tones in your DAW.

SYNTHR3: An analogue, 3-oscillator synthesizer with a choice of filters

From the workshop of SynthR comes the mighty SYNTHR3, a triple oscillator analogue synthesizer with up to 3-note paraphonic modes and a choice of classic filters.

Charvel USA Select DK24 2PT: Tasty new HSS models from the Custom Shop

Charvel has just added some new premium USA Select DK24 2PT models to its line-up, all built at its Californian Custom Shop, with great looks, HSS pickups and tasty finishes.

Wolfgang Palm retires, hands PPG to Brainworx and Plugin Alliance

Synth pioneer Wolfgang Palm, founder of PPG in 1975, retires and hands on his immense legacy to Brainworx, who pledge to take those VST Instruments and iOS synthesizer apps into the future.

Neural networking for better guitar tone? Mercuriall teases new amp sim!

Neural Networks amp modelling is being teased by Mercuriall Audio in their latest video for a new mystery software amp plugin.

Beat Bars intros EX3 MIDI expression pedal and FS3 MIDI foot switch

Have you ever wished you had an expression pedal with a MIDI output? The Beat Bars EX3 and FS3 pedals connect directly via MIDI or USB and can send a variety of MIDI messages, including clock. Useful!

Fender debuts stylish Made in Japan Heritage Series

Fender has just announced a gorgeous new "Made in Japan Heritage Series" including basses and guitars with '50s. '60s and '70s vintage styling. There's only one snag: you can only get them in Japan!

SOMA Labs Pulsar-23 organismic drum machine is released!

Vlad Kreimer's mind and circuit bending Pulsar-23 drum machine has been teasing us with its conduction infused rhythms and modulations for ages. It's officially released but there's a waiting list.

Baby Audio Comeback Kid: a versatile delay with many creative options

Need a versatile but easy to use delay? Baby Audio has released Comeback Kid. With various shaping, modulation and tone degrading options, it looks like a great addition to any delay collection.

iOptigan: classic 70’s chord organ scratches its lo-fi auto-accompaniment onto iPad

iOptigan authentically recreates the Optigan chord organ that pulled pre-recorded rhythms and accompaniments off LP-sized film discs that you could then play along to. Sounds mad and fun!

Apple news: iPad Pro 2020, MacBook Air 2020, more SSD for Mac Mini

The new iPad Pro and MacBook Air offer little in the way of music production, but the souped-up laptop can be a great little computer for live performances and lite production.

GranuRise: immersive sonic interaction and complex sound structures of samples and synthesis

GranuRise is strange and deeply fascinating using expressive interaction to process sample-based sources through semi-prepared generative structures. It's a bit granular, complex and looks amazing.

Waves MultiMod Rack: assemble a multiband distortion and mod monster!

Waves' MultiMod Rack lets you drop the Abbey Road Saturator, Berzerk and MDMX distortions into its three slots and dial in multi-band distortion while modulating nearly every parameter!

Ruismaker Drum Synth Oscillator turns the NTS-1 into an analog-style drum synth

Bram Bos has released a video of their forthcoming Ruismaker Drum Synth Oscillator which can be loaded into the Korg NTS-1, Minilogue XD or Prologue to give you a simple analog-style drum synth.

LEAK: MPC Live 2 is in the works at AKAI!

Images have surfaced on Reddit showing a putative MPC Live 2, showing - if genuine - added CV outputs, an armrest, and more shortcuts to aid live performers in the heat of the action.

Dial in some 800 and 900! Fuchs launches the Mantis 89 all-tube amp head

Combining two different circuits inspired by two well-known amp heads, the Fuchs Audio Mantis 89 is all about classic high-gain tones derived from two famous models by a certain UK-based amp maker.

Acustica Audio Lime2: the Neve channel strip gets an update

Acustica Audio has released Lime2. The Neve-inspired channel strip has been updated to the new Core 15 engine. Lime2 also features an additional EQ model based on a console from the early 80s.

Get Voltage Modular Nucleus with 22 modules completely free!

Cherry Audio has announced that their entry-level version of Voltage Modular is now free to download. It comes with 22 modules that you can patch together in a virtual Eurorack. Normally it costs €29.

Diezel VHX: A 100W amp head mixes full-on tube tone with DSP and IRs

The best of both worlds? The Diezel VHX amp head mixes tube tones with digital IRs and DSP control, adds in a ton of features, modern technology and some serious valve amp pedigree. Whew!

NerdSEQ Portable: the handheld Sampling Tracker Workstation

In a device about the size of a GameBoy XOR Electronics is introducing the NerdSEQ Portable featuring 8 tracks of tracker style sequencing, sampling, modulation, effects and synthesis. Now with video!

Godin Radium: Mixing a Radiator and a Stadium!

Godin's new Radium combines its Radiator and Stadium models into one new guitar style, available in Carbon Black and Winchester Brown with HSH pickups and tasty natural wood finishes.

Zeppelin Design Labs VPM1: A Volume Pedal mod with no strings attached!

This clever modification from Zeppelin Design Labs for the Ernie Ball VPM1 Volume Pedal allows you to lose the string and other old tech from this popular pedal and add some serious clout.