Match Group’s background check provider Garbo ends its partnershipTech nonprofit Garbo announced today it’s ending its formal partnership with Match Group, the dating app giant behind Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Match and other apps. The two companies first teamed up in 2021, when Match made a seven-figure investment in the background check provider, following a series of reports about harm that came to dating app users through Match-owned apps.
In particular, a damning investigative report by ProPublica and Columbia Journalism Investigations published in December 2019 prompted the company to begin to better focus on user safety, which also included a 2020 investment in Noonlight to help it power new safety features inside Tinder and other dating apps.
In March 2022, Tinder rolled out access to background checks powered by Garbo through the app’s in-app safety center. The experience directed users to the Garbo website where they were able to fill in basic information about their match. The company said users typically only needed their match’s first name and a phone number to get started.
Garbo’s unique quality, compared with other background check companies, is that it only focused on public records that contained reports of violence and abuse, including arrests, convictions, restraining orders, harassment and other violent crimes. It didn’t return any non-violent charges, like drug possession and general traffic tickets, excluding DUIs and vehicle manslaughter.
After Tinder, Garbo rolled out to other Match dating apps in July, including Match and the single-parent dating app Stir.
Despite its usefulness, there was some criticism that Match was passing the buck by offloading critical safety checks to a third-party partner which wasn’t deeply integrated into its apps, thus requiring daters to do more work. Others were skeptical about whether background checks were even helpful in terms of predicting the potential for abuse, as many abuse and domestic violence cases aren’t reported.
Today, Garbo says it’s winding down its consumer background check service and also ending its relationship with Match. However, it will continue to honor credits users purchased (for a limited period of time). This includes users who claimed Garbo credits through partnerships with online platforms, including Roomi, HUD and Match Group apps (Tinder, Plenty of Fish, Stir and Match.com). These new and existing credits will be honored through August 31, 2023, Garbo says.
For users who purchased credits directly from Garbo, credits are redeemable through August 31, 2023, or can be refunded through October 31, 2023.
Garbo says the decision to wind down background checks will allow it to focus on “new technology and tools that directly empower individuals to protect themselves in the digital age.” Specifically, the company says it will instead work on a new guidebook to help people protect themselves online across every platform.
There are hints of sour grapes in Garbo’s announcement, as it suggests that the Garbo app was meant to be an easier and more effective and affordable way to uncover histories of harm and violence, but “a lack of commitment from online platforms and the growing problems with public records has compromised the ability of users to harness the full power and potential of Garbo’s technology.”
Garbo’s decision to pivot its business follows leadership changes at Match which saw Match Group CEO Shar Dubey stepping down in May 2022, with Bernard Kim taking over just as Garbo was meant to start rolling out to the company’s dating apps, which may have complicated matters.
A Wall Street Journal report also indicates there were internal disagreements within Match Group about how Garbo tools should work, in addition to difficulties in getting online platforms to pay for its services. It also pegs the Match partnership investment at $1.5 million to get the background check service off the ground.
At Tinder, the report says, execs wanted to add badges to profiles that were background-checked. Garbo disagreed, saying that underreporting of sexual violence means a simple badge doesn’t provide a full picture. Garbo also didn’t feel like Tinder fully promoted the tool to users.
“Garbo is doubling down on our commitment to directly serving individuals over companies, along with more comprehensive engagement with public officials,” said Kathryn Kosmides, founder and CEO of Garbo, in a statement. “Over the next few months, Garbo is exploring a variety of innovations and opportunities to continue empowering people to protect themselves from bad actors. We will not stop advocating for survivors and working to protect those most vulnerable from violent and harmful behavior.”

Tinder rolls out in-app access to background checks, powered by nonprofit Garbo

Lex Borrero’s NEON16 and NTERTAIN expand multi-year partnership with the NFLNEON16 acts will produce four tracks exclusively for the NFL and its 32 clubs to use as part of their soundtrack to the 2023 season
Source

Primary Wave acquires catalog from Dennis DeYoung, founding member of rock band StyxDeYoung penned seven of the band’s eight Top 10 Billboard hits
Source

MIDI Innovation Awards: Finalists announced The MIDI Association have announced the finalists of this year’s MIDI Innovation Awards, with the winners to be revealed in a live stream event taking place on 16 September 2023.

Why isn’t Hip Hop conquering Live Music as it has Streaming?The new “Return to live” study by MIDiA Research based on data from Bandsintown showed that Hip Hop ranks lower in genres that music listeners prefer to see live. Report. Continue reading
The post Why isn’t Hip Hop conquering Live Music as it has Streaming? appeared first on Hypebot.

Facebook is Out and Fizz is In on College CampusesSocial media platform Fizz IS giving early Facebook users deja vu with how it performs on college campuses. But does it have the potential to stick around? Keep reading to. Continue reading
The post Facebook is Out and Fizz is In on College Campuses appeared first on Hypebot.

GRAMMY U drops college enrollment requirement, opens to anyone 18-29GRAMMY U has dropped its college enrollment requirement and opened membership to anyone between the ages of 18 and 29. Founded by the Recording Academy in 2006, Grammy U provides opportunities for. Continue reading
The post GRAMMY U drops college enrollment requirement, opens to anyone 18-29 appeared first on Hypebot.

“I don’t think people can tell” the difference between original and re-issued Prophet-10, says Jungle’s J LloydJ Lloyd, one half of UK band Jungle, says that “I don’t think people can really tell” the difference between the re-issued version of the Sequential Prophet-10 synthesizer and the original.

READ MORE: Sequential Trigon-6 is Dave Smith’s final love letter to American synth icons

The highly-regarded and sought-after Prophet-10 – the first-ever polyphonic synth – was released in 1977 by Dave Smith’s Sequential brand. Since then, the company rehashed the legendary synth, with a re-issued, cheaper version being launched in 2020.
While a vintage Prophet-10 will set you back about $10k today, and a re-issued Prophet-10 Rev. 4 costs just under $5,000 on Thomann, J Lloyd believes there to be no significant difference in sound between the two.
“I don’t think people can really tell, to be honest with you,” Lloyd says on the latest episode of the My Forever Studio podcast. “I could play a Prophet-10 – the new one – and I don’t think you’d be able to go ‘cool, that’s the old one, that’s the new one’. Do you know, I mean?”
“Okay, if you’re a gear guy, cool, I’ll get an old one but they’re always just a little bit fucked,” he says, referring to the wear and tear state of vintage synths.

J Lloyd isn’t the first artist to publicly praise Sequential’s impressive synth catalogue. Tame Impala recently described the sound of the Sequential Pro One as “crying in outer space”.
“I just thought it sounded incredible, you know?” He said. “The Pro One to this day is still one of my favourite synths. I guess just because of that reason, because of that time. It had this sound that I just fell in love with.”
In 2021, MusicTech reviewed the 2020 Sequential Prophet-10 Rev.4, describing its sound as “fat, lush” and “fantastic”.
We said: “Think about so many of the tricks synths rely on to capture your interest, whether it’s a slew of onboard effects or multiple synthesis personality types. The Rev4 Prophet is the opposite; it’s like climbing into a classic car which has made a couple of small concessions to the modern nature of driving.”
Listen to My Forever Studio via our Podcasts page.
The post “I don’t think people can tell” the difference between original and re-issued Prophet-10, says Jungle’s J Lloyd appeared first on MusicTech.

Guitar.com rebrands with a focus on music industry, including a careers section, and a new generation of guitar loversWe’ve got some exciting news for all the guitar players out there… Guitar.com – which, like MusicTech, sits underneath the NME Networks umbrella – has had an exciting new revamp.
It’s been well over 30 years since Guitar Magazine first launched in 1991, and since then the brand has gone from strength to strength.
Now, this brand-new overhaul marks the next step in Guitar.com’s mission to provide an elevated experience for guitarists, music obsessives and industry professionals, fuelling their passions for all things guitar.
If you head over to Guitar.com you’ll see a vibrant new look and colour scheme, which better reflects the energy and creativity of the brand’s audiences and the emerging and legacy talent it continues to champion.
Alongside a fresh look for the website – and all-new content across social media channels including Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok and YouTube – Guitar.com also introduces a new industry hub, a bespoke destination for industry professionals featuring the latest news, expert industry analysis and even a job board.
Credit: Guitar.com
This dynamic revamp and new industry hub signal Guitar.com’s ambition to connect with global audiences through inclusive, entertaining and authentic brand experiences, attracting young audiences and new brand partners across the world.
“We’re beyond excited to unveil a rebranded Guitar.com,” says Holly Bishop, Chief Operating & Commercial Officer at NME Networks.
“This significant milestone in Guitar.com’s evolution delivers on elevating the brand experience for global audiences, partners and industry.
“Through the dynamic, new-look website and introduction of the industry hub, Guitar.com continues to galvanise its position as the destination for all things guitar. And this is just the beginning, with more Guitar.com announcements dropping over the coming weeks.”
So please, go forth to the new and improved Guitar.com and have a look around!
The post Guitar.com rebrands with a focus on music industry, including a careers section, and a new generation of guitar lovers appeared first on MusicTech.

Platone Studio Offers FREE Flex Reverb, Delay Eleven, And DJ Filter Plugins
Platone Studio has released a trio of free plugins in the form of Flex Reverb, Delay Eleven, and DJ Filter. While the market is bloated with reverb and delay effects, it can be refreshing to try new plugins. This is especially true if they are free and well-designed. Platone Studio just released three freeware plugins [...]
View post: Platone Studio Offers FREE Flex Reverb, Delay Eleven, And DJ Filter Plugins

Shreddage 3 Precision Free Is Now Compatible With Kontakt Player
Impact Soundworks have updated Shreddage 3 Precision Free, a donationware bass instrument library that is now compatible with the free Kontakt Player. Shreddage 3 Precision Free offers the same great sample quality and depth as the full version, with two playable octaves and the most important fingerstyle articulation, along with popping and release noises. Thanks [...]
View post: Shreddage 3 Precision Free Is Now Compatible With Kontakt Player

J Lloyd says the horns on Jungle’s first album were him doing “mouth trumpet”The horns on Jungle’s debut album were in fact the work of member J Lloyd’s “mouth trumpet”, says the artist in a surprising revelation.

READ MORE: “What do they do up there? Twiddle filter knobs and clap”: Deadmau5 says most DJs play pre-recorded sets at major festivals

Speaking on a new episode of Musictech’s My Forever Studio podcast, J Lloyd dives into some of the gear used to record the electronic duo’s eponymous debut album, including a cool fact about the horn sound on the track Busy Earnin’.
“Busy Earnin’ horns is basically a mouth trumpet tracked a million times and tuned to create a little brass section,” the artist tells hosts Chris Barker and Will Betts. “It sounds like someone playing kazoo. It’s just basically me doing… ‘Boop, boop, boop’ with my mouth.”
“Yeah, a lot of the horns are all done just pretending with your mouth and giving it a go and stacking them up.”
“I remember we did a track called ‘Julia’,” he adds. “And we’d heard this Justin Timberlake song, believe it or not, and it had these, really cool chords that we really liked, and we sort of tried to make our own versions of those and stack them up with, um, mouth horns essentially, but it was a secret.”
“We didn’t want anyone to know at that time because we thought it’d be a bit embarrassing, you know.”
Elsewhere in the podcast, we also learn about the plug-in J Llyod describes as “the secret Jungle sauce”, saying “If you want to sound like Jungle, then use that Waves Maserati plug-in. That’s what went on a lot of everything really in a weird way.”
“I didn’t really know what it was back then but essentially, it was saturation, a little bit of compression, and a chorus, mostly based on that Boss classic CE-1 pedal, which we eventually got, but it never ever sounded like the Mazz.”
He continues: “We used to call it “Mazz”, as not to give it away. You know, ‘stick the “Mazz” on it’. We really didn’t want anyone knowing…”

Listen to the rest of the My Forever Studio podcast episodes on MusicTech.
The post J Lloyd says the horns on Jungle’s first album were him doing “mouth trumpet” appeared first on MusicTech.

New music platform Myvox lets artists licence and monetise their own AI voice modelsArtists who want to clone, protect, licence and monetise their voice can now do so via a new AI music platform named Myvox.

READ MORE: The first prototype of Behringer’s OB-X clone, the UB-X, is here

Founded by musicians and producers Maeve (Arianna Broderick) and John Clancy, Myvox is an AI vocal and music distribution platform allowing users to transform their vocals into the vocals of their favourite artists using licensed AI voice models.
Per the website, users can create original songs with these AI-cloned vocals, distribute directly to all streaming platforms, collect royalties and share in the revenue with the artist, who maintains full control over the whole process by defining their own royalty splits.
To create your AI voice model, all you have to do is upload an acapella vocal or record a vocal directly on the Myvox platform. The firm’s AI technology will then transform your vocal into the vocal of a licensed artist.
The platform is said to be the first of its kind to allow direct distribution of licensed AI voices to streaming services, with the aim of making music production more collaborative, accessible and obtainable for those without access to swanky studios.
The service, which launched on 14 August, now offers a growing voice library of licensed studio quality artist vocals and royalty-free vocals for bedroom producers to create music they previously had no access to.
Myvox has also introduced their first AI artist, Dahlia, an AI voice model created by Iranian-Dutch singer-songwriter Sevdaliza. Creators can transform their vocals into Dahlia’s and release subsequent tracks on all streaming platforms, with a 50/50 royalty split with the artist. Sevdaliza introduced Dahlia last year via the video for OH MY GOD, which has since amassed 1.5 million views.
The first Dahlia track is slated to arrive on 24 August.
Currently, the free version of Myvox entitles you to two artist vocal conversions per week and unlimited royalty-free conversions; the premium version, which includes unlimited artist conversions, unlimited royalty-free conversions, two releases to all streaming services per month, automated royalty payments and artist distribution dashboard will cost you $14.99 per month.

Learn more at myvox.
The post New music platform Myvox lets artists licence and monetise their own AI voice models appeared first on MusicTech.

Best synthesizers to buy in 2023: 18 of the best synths under $600Although software synths are outrageously powerful and affordable, getting hands-on with their hardware counterparts can reward a different workflow. A synthesizer used to be an extortionate investment – a Yamaha DX7 would set you back $1,995 upon its initial 1983 release which, adjusted for inflation, is over $5,000 today. But music technology companies have been working hard to save you thousands of dollars for hardware synthesizers. Yamaha’s modern revival of the DX7, the dinky Reface DX, will cost you just $300. That sounds a lot less terrifying than the 1983 price tag.

READ MORE: Best drum machines to buy in 2023: 13 best drum machines under $400

Korg is a renowned affordable synth specialist. Behringer is recreating legendary synths with a legendary price. Roland has created compact, modern versions of its analogue classics. All these companies, and many more, understand that the modern producer can’t always afford to break the bank on a sweet new synth. To show you what we mean, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite hardware synths that sit below $600.
The best synthesizers under $600 at a glance:

Behringer Odyssey
Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator
Dreadbox Typhon
Dreadbox Nymphes
Behringer Pro-800
Behringer Poly-D
Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-1
Behringer TD-3-MO
Korg Minilogue
Modal Electronics COBALT5S 5-voice
Roland JU-06A
Roland Aira Compact S-1 Tweak Synth
Arturia MicroFreak
Roland/Studio Electronics SE-02
Behringer Neutron
1010music Nanobox Lemondrop
IK Multimedia UNO Synth PRO X
Yamaha Reface DX

Behringer Odyssey
Behringer Odyssey. Image: Behringer
 
ARP’s 1970s duophonic space-age synth, the Odyssey, could be found in studios and live settings for early pioneers such as Kraftwerk, Jean-Michel Jarre and the BBC Radiophonic Workshop. It was equally at home with the likes of ABBA and ELO, with a significant following from jazz legends, such as Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Behringer’s fully-analogue revival of the Odyssey comes with an onboard arpeggiator and sequencer, MIDI via MIDI I/O and USB, a multi-effects section and three filter types with overdrive.
In our review of Behringer’s Odyssey, we said: “It’s a full-blown hats-off homage to the ARP Odyssey and it delivers on many levels as a fully functional duophonic synthesizer, with a build quality which is very good indeed. Far better, in fact, than you would find on a vintage machine nowadays. Is it identical? Well, it’s very close, but there are a couple of minor points that just seem to make it not quite the same. Should this put you off? Absolutely not”.
Features:

37 keys
Fully formed true analogue synthesizer
Recreation of the original ARP Odyssey
Onboard arpeggiator and sequencer
Reverbs, delays & echoes, phasers & other modulation effects
Duophonic capability
MIDI available via conventional MIDI I/O or USB
Price: $549

Read our full review of the Behringer Odyssey here. Learn more at behringer.com.
Find deals at thomann.
Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator
Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator. Image: Teenage Engineering
Teenage Engineering is a brand that oozes design excellence. The Swedish brand rarely miss the mark with innovative, beautiful and downright cute products that inspire – although not so innovative on the desktable front. While the Pocket Operator isn’t as flashy as some of TE’s other more lavish products like the OP-1 Field and its miniature TX-6 mixer, it’s a powerful synth.
It’s a nifty, calculator-sized gadget with a screen that will take you back to the days of Tamagochi and early Pokémon games. The Pocket Operator comes in several different forms with varying sounds, such as Sub, Rhythm, Arcade, Factory and so on. If you’re looking to buy something cheap and fun to use, a TE Pocket Operator is a good choice.
Features:

Multiple real synthesizer engines
15 sounds + micro drum
16 punch-in effects
16 punch-in arpeggio and chord play styles
16 pattern chaining
Price: £ 89

Find out more at Teenage Engineering.
Dreadbox Typhon
Dreadbox Typhon. Image: Dreadbox
In recent years, Dreadbox has introduced a slew of well-regarded music-making products, including modular building blocks, DIY boxes and modules, and portable effects, synthesizers and sequencers. Like the many-headed monster after which it’s named, the Typhon combines many facets into one powerful, noisy, fire-spitting unit – a monophonic analogue synth with digital control, sequencing and effects.
In our review, we said: “The Typhon is a fun, flexible and surprisingly powerful synthesizer. The core analogue sound engine is strong and the fact that much of the synth is controlled digitally means that thrilling new features can be added along the way. The Typhon might not live up to the cataclysmic might of its serpentine namesake quite yet but we’re confident that this monophonic synth will only grow in power”.
Features:

Two analogue VCOs
4-pole low-pass analogue filter
Two envelope generators (filter and amp), plus three modulators with four modes
Three-stage stereo effects developed by Sinevibes
32-step sequencer
256 preset memories
Price: $449

Read our full review here. Learn more at dreadbox-fx.com.
Find deals at thomann.
Dreadbox Nymphes
Dreadbox Nymphes. Image: Dreadbox
Dreadbox’s Nymphes is a quirky synthesizer ideal for producers looking for something a little different. While its functions can be a fiddle at first, the analogue warmth it produces is a sufficient reward for your toils. For such an affordable price, you get MIDI control over every parameter, a lush sounding reverb and a weighty slab of complex sound design options.
In our review of Nymphes, we said: “Nymphes offers multiple sonic personalities, with rasping basses, ethereal pads, spiky, wonky melodies, blunt sounds perfect for sequencing and a host of options for electronic percussion. Its sound is deep, broad and versatile but, just as significantly, it’s not awash with flashy gimmicks trying to impress you.”
Features:

All analogue, six-voice structure
Digital Reverb with a spring-like, unusual quality
Multiple Play Modes
Bus power and MIDI Connectivity over USB
Separate MIDI breakout cable included
Fully controllable via MIDI CC
Map-able Velocity, Mod Wheel and Aftertouch routings per patch
49 presets and 49 user patches
Price: $599

Read the full review here. Learn more at dreadbox-fx.com.
Behringer Pro-800
Behringer Pro-800. Image: Behringer
Behringer’s polyphonic Eurorack synth, the Pro-800, is notably inspired by the renowned Sequential Prophet-600.
The Pro-800 boasts 16 oscillators and 8-voice polyphony, emulating the 1982 synth’s analogue sound. It offers modern features without losing its classic character. Ideal for both studio and performance setups, it covers rumbling basses and scorching leads with iconic and contemporary appeal.
Features:

8 analogue voices, 2 VCOs per voice
Dedicated LFO with six waveforms
Additional noise generators, one said to be from “ultra-rare Japanese models”
Built-in polyphonic track sequencer
VCA overdrive for additional harmonics
MIDI CC control for all parameters
400 preset slots
Price: $399

Find deals at thomann.
Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-1
Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-1. Image: Korg
Ever wanted to build your own synth? Korg’s delightful little digital mini synth comes as a set of parts, with tools included for you to piece it together. It takes about 30 minutes to get it fully functional and you’ll feel pretty good when that oscillator starts working. The Nu:Tekt NTS-1 is also surprisingly powerful, with 16 oscillator types, five delay and reverb algorithms and a multi-mode filter.
“For £99, the Nu:Tekt NTS-1 is an absolute steal. Once you get into the effects, you can quickly make massive sounds from mundane beginnings, and this little beast has enough quirks to keep you entertained for a long time. Despite its miniature stature and similarly small price, this is a unit that packs a serious punch. It’s not without its issues but the joy and portability it brings should be enough to overcome them”.
Features:

User expandable synthesiser
Monophonic operation with up to 16 user oscillator types
Multi-mode filter
Five delay and reverb algorithms
3.5mm MIDI-in
3.5mm sync I/O
USB-powered
Audio input for use as an effects unit
Built-in arpeggiator
Price: $120

Read our full review of the Korg Nu:Tekt NTS-1 here. Learn more at korg.com.
Behringer TD-3-MO
Behringer TD-3-MO. Image: Behringer
What do you think of when we say 303? Squelchy, distinctive acid basslines, old-school acid house, raves in fields, and of course the iconic smiley face, right? Well, Behringer knows this all too well and did a stellar job taking the risk of recreating the legendary Roland TB-303 with its TD-3 synth. Even more impressive is the release of the TD-3-MO, its take on the revered TB-303 Devilfish Mod by Robin Whittle.
Get iconic sounds at a staggeringly affordable price and have endless fun making music when you pick up the TD-3-MO. It packs in a deep sub-oscillator alongside its main square/sawtooth oscillator, an expanded filter range with FM and overdrive controls, and further patching points so you can connect more gear.
Our tip: hook this bad boy up with a BOSS pedal or a RAT pedal and get it sounding extremely sonically gloopy.
Features:

Modded interpretation of iconic bass synth
One oscillator with sawtooth/squarewave waveforms
All-analog VCO, VCF, VCA signal path design
4-pole resonant filter
16-step sequencer with 7 tracks and 250 user pattern slots
Programmable accents, slides, filter FM, sub-oscillator, overdrive, and real-time parameter manipulation
Price: $259

Find out more at behringer.com.
Find deals at thomann.
Korg Minilogue
Korg Minilogue. Image: Korg
The sleek and minimal-looking Minilogue is Korg’s portable polyphonic synth with analogue architecture. With a recent firmware update to 2.0, there’s not been a better time to consider getting your hands on one. The synth boasts a 16-step polyphonic sequencer, plus a range of voice modes to change polyphony. The OLED display is a nice way to keep track of parameters and settings, too.
In our review, we said: “If you are in line for a versatile analogue synth, this is an excellent choice, particularly if you have other analogue gear, such as Eurorack or any of the Korg Volcas. I would have to say that the creative possibilities with a Volca Beats and Bass, and a Minilogue could keep you busy for hours, with plenty to explore.”
Features:

37 mini keys
Four-voice polyphonic analogue synthesiser
Full subtractive synthesis architecture
Mono, Duo and Poly voice modes
Arpeggiator and Polyphonic Sequencer
Sync’able with other analogue devices
Price: $550

Read the full review of the Korg Minilogue here. Learn more at korg.com.
Find deals at thomann.
Modal Electronics COBALT5S 5-voice
Modal Electronics COBALT5S 5-voice. Image: Modal Electronics
Don’t be put off by the simplistic look of Modal Electronics’ COBALT5S 5-Voice synthesizer – it packs one hell of a punch. The smaller and more portable sibling to the Cobalt8, this five-voice polysynth is a solid piece of kit for its inviting price tag, with 37 keys, eight oscillators per voice, and 40 sound-shaping algorithms on offer. These range from ring mod, waveform morphing, cross modulation, PWM and more.
Yes, the COBALT5S might not display 8-bit figures dancing on a screen, nor will it recreate the northern lights in its dazzling backlit pads, or attract the stoned hardware synth hipsters looking to make their studio look good, but it will deliver. This incredibly versatile synth offers its users an unlimited array of analogue sounds inspired by analogue icons. Create swooping, emotional pads, grungy bass sounds and loads more for a delicious price.
Features:

37 keys
2 LFOs with 7 shapes to choose from
8 mod slots & 4 extra fixed modulation routings with 11 selectable sources and 41 destinations
32-step arpeggiator
Five-axis XYZ touch-sensitive pad for pitch bending, mod wheel and more
300 patches with 200n factory presets
Comes with free Modal app
Price $449

Read more about the Modal Electronics COBALT5S here. Learn more at modalelectronics.com.
Find deals at thomann.
Roland JU-06A
Roland JU-06A. Image: Roland
The Roland Juno synths are tremendously sought-after pieces of kit, with a plethora of software emulations developed in recent years. Roland’s caught on and made the classic Juno-106 and Juno-60 available in the form of the Boutique JU-06A, with a much smaller form factor and lower price tag. You’ll get many of the frills from the original synths here, including the legendary Juno Chorus modes and arpeggiator. This synth is ideal for anyone looking for a Juno replica with awesome tactility.
In our review, we said: “If you want a module which works well as an all-rounder but whose sound has lots of personality, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. Throw in its hybrid sonic engine, a capable, inspiring pattern sequencer, all the portability you could want (including battery power and an internal speaker) and the JU-06A has plenty to recommend it. It’s a great vibe machine too; when inspiration is low, it’ll get the juices flowing”.
Features:

4 voice polyphony
Juno-60 and 160 ‘hybrid’ sound engines
DCO, LFO, HPF, VCF, VCA and envelope stages
Arpeggiator and pattern sequencer
MIDI In/Out
External clock input
Headphone and line outputs
Audio input
Chorus and delay effects
Price $399

Read the full review of the Roland JU-06A here. Learn more at roland.com.
Find deals at thomann.
Arturia MicroFreak
Arturia MicroFreak. Image: Arturia
Getting weird with Arturia’s erratic four-voice freak is a breeze, thanks to its versatile modulation matrix and 11 oscillator modes. The oscillator was created with some help from modular synth brand, Mutable Instruments, and sports subtractive-style waves, a wavetable, an FM-tone generator, among other awesome oscillator modes. This all feeds into a 12dB/2-pole state-variable analogue filter, which is a nice addition to the digital beast. MicroFreak V3 has been recently released, bringing more presets, more oscillator modes and more fun.
In our review, we said: “The MicroFreak represents very good value for money, providing basic synthesis possibilities alongside more complicated and highly inspiring digitised formats. Add this to the included analogue filter and comprehensive routing and modulation capabilities and you have a powerful synth in a highly compact form that is very appealing.”
Features:

Versatile monophonic/paraphonic synthesizer
Digital oscillator offers 11 voice modes
Up to four voices available
State-variable analogue filter
Flexible modulation routing via the matrix
Arpeggiator and sequencer onboard
ADSR and cycling envelopes
MIDI/USB connectivity
Price $349

Read our full review of the Arturia MicroFreak here. Learn more at arturia.com.
Find deals at thomann.
Roland Boutique SE-02
Roland Boutique SE-02. Image: Roland
Another one of Roland’s Boutique synths to consider is the SE-02, which comes in collaboration with Studio Electronics. The analogue monosynth boasts three oscillators, plus a noise generator, feeding into a fixed 24dB/octave low-pass VCF with envelope and keyboard tracking options. Three cross-modulators take you into new sonic territories, wildly warping waveforms, along with an LFO for filter and oscillator modulations and a delay section. The SE-02’s 16-step sequencer makes it easy to create patterns, featuring a glide control for smooth transitions.
In our review, we said: “There’s a lovely sonorous depth to the SE-02’s sound, which will just sit beautifully in a mix, but it also has the capacity to shriek in various ways. The filter sounds terrific; add in the levels of distortion available through the Feedback control and X-Mod, and you’ve got yourself a very flexible device full of wondrous sonic capabilities. So much so, in fact, you’ll probably just want to get your hands dirty and create great sounds.”
Features:

Monophonic analogue synthesiser
Authentic discrete circuit design
Knob-per-function interface
Lots of modulation possibilities
MIDI, USB and CV connectivity
Audio over USB
128 user-memory locations/384 presets
Onboard sequencer
Price $449

Read our full review of the Roland Boutique SE-02 here. Learn more at roland.com.
Find deals at thomann.
Behringer Neutron
Behringer Neutron. Image: Behringer
The Behringer Neutron isn’t a reproduction of a classic synth. Can you believe it? Built from the ground up, this is Behringer’s totally original semi-modular synth that gives you more ways to contort your sound and is a brilliant way to introduce yourself to the world of modular synthesis.
This offers a punchy, raw sound as a basis with tons of options to shape it into something unique. With 56 patch points and two oscillators, Neutron stands up against many fully modular synths, giving you fistfuls of hardware to play with. If you love hardware and are either a recent or seasoned collector, the semi-modular synth offers hours of music-making pleasure.
Also, be sure to keep an eye out for the Proton, a step up from the Neutron which Behringer is bravely dubbing “the most powerful and complex semi-modular synth ever designed”. Behringer really is pulling out all the stops.
Features:

2 voltage-controlled oscillators
Noise oscillator
56 Patch Points
Lowpass/Highpass VCF
Filter and Amp Envelopes
LFO
CV I/O
Delay & overdrive
Price $329

Read more about the Behringer Neutron here. Learn more at behringer.com.
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1010music Nanobox Lemondrop
1010music Nanobox Lemondrop. Image: 1010music
A zesty little number is 1010music’s 3.75″ x 3″ x 1.5″ Nanobox Lemondrop. It’s a compact polyphonic granular synthesizer offering touch-based control. With four voice polyphony, dual granulators, and an oscillator, it covers a diverse sonic range from lush pads to glitched-out textures.
Its touchscreen makes for hands on sound manipulation, while filters, envelopes, LFOs, and a modulation sequencer allow for detailed shaping. It’s designed for both tabletop and portable use, featuring a small form factor, USB power, and various connectivity options.
Features:

X/Y control touchscreen
4 voice polyphony
2 granulators & 1 oscillator
2 filters, 2 envelopes, 2 LFOs, & 1 modulation sequencer
6 combinable on-board effects
Price: $494

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Yamaha Reface DX
Yamaha Reface DX. Image: Yamaha
Yamaha’s DX7 is an FM synthesis pioneer, renowned for its ability to generate unique sounds and for its frustratingly complex programming interface. Four operators and 12 algorithms are featured in Yamaha’s DX reboot, the Reface DX. This is two operators less than the DX7, but a pair of effects processors still lets you create complex tones. A Phrase Looper lets you record up to 2,000 notes or 10 minutes worth of notes, and the screen will help you visualise your FM routing.
In our review, we said: “What it does well is bring easy, hands-on DX sound mangling one step closer to reality, albeit a cut-down four-operator version of FM. We love that it offers a great taste of the original and what you can do with the sounds, especially in such a short space of time, and this overall level of ease of use is something you would never once associate with the letters ‘DX’.”
Features:

Eight voices of polyphony
37 keys
Effects: Distortion, chorus, wah flanger, phaser, delay, reverb
4-operator FM sound engine
Onboard multi-effects for adding depth to your sound
32 memory locations
Phrase looper
Price $299

Read our full review of the Yamaha Reface DX here. Learn more at yamaha.com.
Find deals at thomann.
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