Bitwig Studio 6.1 now available Bitwig Studio 6.1 brings some major changes to the Sampler device, kitting it out with new slicing options, two new play modes, automatic tempo and pitch detection, improved multi-sample editing and much more. 

Main St Audio Labs Vintage Tuner StompboxVintage Tuner Stompbox is a studio-grade, photorealistic analog needle chromatic tuner engineered specifically for electric guitars, acoustic instruments, drop tunings, and 4/5-string electric basses. Developed by Main St Audio Labs using modern C++ / JUCE, the plugin bridges vintage visual aesthetics with cutting-edge, open-source DSP algorithms (MIT License) to deliver smooth, jitter-free needle ballistics without false octave jumps, screen flickering, or processing overhead. Key Features: • Dual Pitch Detection Engine (MPM & YIN): - MPM Mode (McLeod Pitch Method): Ultra-fast transient tracking tailored for electric and acoustic guitar chords, arpeggios, and solo runs. - YIN Mode: Specifically optimized for low-frequency instruments (4- and 5-string basses, 7/8-string extended-range guitars, and drop tunings), tracking fundamental frequencies down to B0 (Low B at 25 Hz / 30.87 Hz). • True Zero-CPU Passthrough (0.0% Load): - Suspends mathematical DSP analysis threads whenever the plugin GUI is closed or bypassed. - Safe to leave instantiated across every single guitar and bass channel in your DAW project without wasting CPU cycles. • Studio-Grade Ballistics & Anti-Jitter Smoothing: - Physics-based analog needle movement with an exponential smoothing filter. - Central deadzone (+/- 0.6 cents) prevents distracting flutter around the in-tune position. - 18-frame (~0.6s) decay hold window allows seamless tuning on decaying, vibrating strings. • Stage/Studio Mute with Safety Auto-Unmute: - Silent tuning footswitch for live performances and studio sessions. - Automatic unmuting safety trigger when the plugin editor is closed, preventing accidental muted tracks in mixing sessions. • Signal Conditioner & Adaptive AGC: - Automatic Gain Control with up to +41.58 dB of dynamic boost amplifies weak vintage single-coils and quiet notes without digital clipping. - 18 Hz High-Pass and 1000 Hz Low-Pass filtering eliminates sub-bass rumbles and high-frequency pick noise. • Smart Mono-to-Stereo Routing: - Automatically mirrors single-channel interface inputs across stereo monitor buses. Read More

Dreamtonics unveil Instrument X Instrument X sees Dreamtonics step away from vocal synthesis and put their modelling expertise to work on creating an alternative approach to traditional orchestral sample libraries. 

PUNCHDUST is a FREE transient shaper with lo-fi dust and upward compression
MFKNE has released PUNCHDUST, a free character dynamics plugin that combines transient shaping, a reactive lo-fi texture effect, and upward compression. Honestly, this is a slightly weird combination of effects to put in one plugin. I wouldn’t typically pair grainy lo-fi texture with a transient shaper and an upward compressor, but that’s basically why I [...]
View post: PUNCHDUST is a FREE transient shaper with lo-fi dust and upward compression

Samplesonics releases OpenWav Media Browser, a FREE sample management system
From Samplesonics comes OpenWav Media Browser, a free sample management system for macOS, Windows, and Linux. I’ve always planned to use sample library organisers or managers more, but despite trying them over the years, I still end up with samples scattered all over my computer. Popular organising solutions include the ADSR Sample Manager and Waves [...]
View post: Samplesonics releases OpenWav Media Browser, a FREE sample management system

SOMA Laboratory launch the Enigma The latest instrument from SOMA Laboratory is said to be the first synthesizer in the world that is entirely controlled by the positioning and movement of metallic objects. 

Noise Trip Drive Collection brings 16 overdrive pedals to your DAW (30% OFF + extra BPB discount)
Noise Trip has released Drive Collection, a new plugin that brings 16 classic, modern, and rare guitar overdrive circuits to macOS and Windows. This is the debut release from Noise Trip, a solo independent plugin developer from England. Drive Collection is available at a 30% launch discount until September 9th, and BPB readers get an [...]
View post: Noise Trip Drive Collection brings 16 overdrive pedals to your DAW (30% OFF + extra BPB discount)

Jeesonic releases Metering Cockpit, a FREE loudness meter for macOS and Windows
Developer Jeesonic has released a free loudness meter for macOS and Windows, called Metering Cockpit. Loudness meters or analysers are rarely the first thing on our minds when we have some spare cash for plugins, but they are often the unsung hero of any music-maker’s workflow. Luckily for us, we don’t need to spend a [...]
View post: Jeesonic releases Metering Cockpit, a FREE loudness meter for macOS and Windows

NatLife Sounds ACID & Trance V4 for D16 Phoscyon 2ACID & Trance V4 for D16 Phoscyon 2 – is a fresh soundbank of Phoscyon 2 Presets & Scenes, with reincarnation of famous "Blade movie theme" and "Voodoo People" by Prodigy. You will get the closest and even more refined sound from these famous themes. Also, besides this, there is naturally a large number of new acid sounds, with a previously unheard sound that couldn't only be achieved from the Roland TB-303 & clones. Soundbank contains: 32 presets. 32 Scenes. https://youtu.be/8ACeSUqSvdU Read More

Groove Synthesis update the 3rd Wave Groove Synthesis have just launched a free firmware update that kits the 3rd Wave out with a new Shimmer Reverb and improves the Make Waves wavetable creator.

MONO Music Conference programme announced The first wave of programming for this year's MONO Music Conference in San Francisco has been officially announced.

Studio Kozak releases SK Rust, a FREE lo-fi effect for macOS and Windows
Studio Kozak has released SK Rust, a free lo-fi coloration plugin for macOS and Windows. The developer describes it as “the sound of something forgotten in a damp Eastern European cellar,” which is honestly a pretty good summary, especially regarding the interface (speaking from experience). I really like the GUI because it reminds me of [...]
View post: Studio Kozak releases SK Rust, a FREE lo-fi effect for macOS and Windows

HOFA SYSTEM can now host one third-party plugin for FREE
HOFA-Plugins has released SYSTEM ThirdPartyPluginLoader, allowing the free version of HOFA SYSTEM to host one third-party plugin at a time. HOFA SYSTEM is a modular environment for custom effect chains, routing, and modulation. We previously covered its free DigiDestroy bitcrusher, which works inside SYSTEM or separately. The new loader supports VST2, VST3, and AU plugins, [...]
View post: HOFA SYSTEM can now host one third-party plugin for FREE

Shane Audio Shane FETA FET compressor. Fast, aggressive, and happiest when you push it — with a blend knob so you can keep the transients you just flattened. CONTROLS: THRESHOLD — how hard it grabs, -48 to +12. ATTACK — .1 to 10. RELEASE — 10 to 1k. RATIO — 1:1 up to 20:1. MAKEUP — bring the level back, ±24 dB. BLEND — parallel compression in one knob, 0 to 100%. SC HPF — keep the lows out of the detector, 10 Hz to 1k. LINKED — tie both channels together, or let them work apart. Backlit gain-reduction VU meter, plus a GR indicator lamp. Watch the ghost above the logo — it gets squashed flat right along with everything else. The harder you compress, the flatter it gets. Read More

Rust Romance releases BigBlockPre LE, a FREE API-style preamp plugin
Rust Romance has released BigBlockPre LE, a free discrete console preamp plugin for macOS and Windows. BigBlockPre LE is inspired by the classic API 312-style signal path, combining an input transformer, a 2520-style discrete op-amp gain stage, and an output transformer. It does not emulate one particular hardware unit. Instead, this is a custom channel [...]
View post: Rust Romance releases BigBlockPre LE, a FREE API-style preamp plugin