Polyend Drums hybrid drum machine Polyend's latest release Drums features eight tracks designed for creating percussion using analogue voices, digital synthesis methods or sample-based instruments.

Shed Valley Labs Chief LP-2Chief LP-2 is a free, 2-channel audio looper for Windows, built for live performance. It pairs a precise audio engine with a fast recording workflow - tap a tempo, record a loop, and it locks to the bar automatically. Core features: - 2 independent loop channels with per-channel gain, mute, and input mute - MIDI learn on all controls - Direct Host VST-instruments (VSTI) and record the output as audio - Metronome-locked recording: loops snap to bar boundaries automatically - Count-in and fixed-length recording modes - Overdub with configurable decay - 1 mute group for instant channel muting - 1 programmable macro button (trigger multiple channel actions in one keystroke or MIDI message) - Per-channel VST3 plugin insert - Per-channel routing: choose any hardware input/output, with mono output option - MIDI clock master and slave (beta) - Chromatic tuner - Song settings save/load - Song templates (save/apply a default rig setup). Coming soon: Upgrade to the Chief LP-6, featuring 6 channels, 4 mute groups, 5 macros, A/B/C sections, and a built-in lyrics/chords screen. Read More

Focusrite: Designing The ISA C8X Audio Interface Learn about the history of the Focusrite ISA preamp circuit, explain what makes it special, and lay bare the intensive development process behind the first ISA audio interface.

Analog Obsession releases MuChild, a FREE Fairchild 660 emulation plugin
uchDeveloper Analog Obsession has released MuChild, a free Fairchild 660 emulation for macOS and Windows. It’s a good day for Analog Obsession fans; we’ve already had LAEA and RazorClip from the developer this year, and here we are getting ready to discuss another new release. This latest release is MuChild, Analog Obsession’s take on the [...]
View post: Analog Obsession releases MuChild, a FREE Fairchild 660 emulation plugin

RME TotalMix FX 2 now available TotalMix FX 2.0 delivers some major updates to the popular mixing and routing tool, introducing a new graphics engine along with a scaleable user interface and a whole host of enhancements.

Pulsar Audio Smasher is FREE for a limited time again
Pulsar Audio is giving away Smasher, its €49 FET compressor plugin, as a free perpetual license. If the name sounds familiar, it should. We’ve covered Smasher being free four times before, going back to 2020. If you’ve somehow missed it every single time, here’s another chance. And I’m having a hard time coming up with [...]
View post: Pulsar Audio Smasher is FREE for a limited time again

Mastering The Mix releases STEREOVAULT, a new stereo width plugin (LAUNCH OFFER)
Mastering The Mix has released STEREOVAULT, a stereo width plugin for macOS and Windows. The plugin addresses a common problem where stereo widening can make audio sound bigger immediately, but it often weakens the low end, blurs the center of the mix, and introduces phase issues that hurt translation outside the studio. STEREOVAULT fixes this [...]
View post: Mastering The Mix releases STEREOVAULT, a new stereo width plugin (LAUNCH OFFER)

Black Lion Audio Auteur 8DAT The Auteur 8DAT is an eight-channel microphone preamplifier and A/D converter designed to expand interface setups via ADAT. The unit combines the company's signature high-speed transparent preamplification with integrated digital conversion, offering a solution for tracking full drum kits or large ensembles within a single rack unit. The Auteur 8DAT features eight channels of Chicago-style transformer-coupled preamps. The first two channels include front-panel Hi-Z inputs for direct instrument tracking. Each channel is equipped with a dedicated gain control, polarity flip, 10dB pad, and 48V phantom power. The analog circuit is designed to provide a wide frequency response and low noise floor, while the IC-based input stages ensure rapid transient response. For digital integration, the unit utilizes high-quality A/D converters capable of resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz. Connectivity is handled via dual ADAT Optical outputs, allowing for full eight-channel counts even at higher sample rates (S/MUX). The unit also includes a Word Clock I/O for synchronization with external digital clocking systems. Key Features Eight-Channel Preamplification: High-speed transparent circuitry with Cinemag output transformers. Integrated A/D Conversion: Supports sample rates from 44.1kHz up to 192kHz. Front-Panel Access: Two Hi-Z instrument inputs for guitars and basses. Flexible Connectivity: Dual ADAT outputs and BNC Word Clock I/O. Per-Channel Controls: Independent 48V phantom power, phase invert, and 10dB pad. Metering: 8-segment LED meters for accurate signal monitoring on every channel. Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable chassis with an external power supply to minimize internal noise. Technical Specifications & Requirements Preamp Type: Solid State (Transformer-coupled output). Digital Outputs: 2 x ADAT Optical (Toslink). Max Sample Rate: 192kHz. Analog Inputs: 8 x XLR (Rear), 2 x 1/4" TS Hi-Z (Front). Word Clock: 1 x BNC In, 1 x BNC Out. Power: External 24V DC Power Supply. Read More

Reffrey is a FREE reference track plugin for Mac and Windows
Reffrey is a free reference track plugin available in VST3 and AU formats for Mac and Windows, with no account required to download. Plugins like this one are useful when you want to quickly compare your track to your favorite mixes, and referencing is one of the most important parts of mixing, in my opinion. [...]
View post: Reffrey is a FREE reference track plugin for Mac and Windows

Native Instruments release Komplete 26 Available in four versions, Komplete 26 delivers everything from virtual synths and orchestral sample libraries to high-quality mixing and mastering processors, and as you’d expect, offers tight integration with NI’s hardware controllers. 

Native Instruments releases Komplete 26
Native Instruments has released Komplete 26, the latest version of its flagship production collection. The bundle brings together over 190 instruments and effects with more than 180,000 sounds, including professional mixing tools from iZotope and Brainworx. It’s available in four paid tiers, ranging from $99 for Select up to $1,949 for Collector’s Edition. Several new [...]
View post: Native Instruments releases Komplete 26

Bjooks to launch Beat Gems Kickstarter Written by Oli Freke, Beat Gems will offer an “in-depth exploration of the sounds, circuits and culture of drum machines and their profound influence on modern music”.

Anode Labs bitcrustBitcrust is a polyphonic synthesizer built on in-house MOS 6581/8580 style DSP. Twelve voices, three oscillators per voice, thirty-six independent chip instances. 64-bit float internally. Synth: 12-voice polyphony, 3 oscillators per voice with independent volume, pan, and ADSR. TPT state-variable filter with simultaneous LP, BP, and HP outputs; switch between 6581 and 8580 curves. Modulation: 8-slot matrix, 9 sources, 65 destinations across synth, arp, and FX. 3 global LFOs (7 shapes, tempo-sync, retrig) and a dedicated modulation envelope. Bipolar depth per slot. Effects: 6-slot rack, freely reorderable, per-slot bypass and dry/wet. Drive, Bitcrusher, Delay, Chorus, Reverb, Compressor, Limiter. Sequencing: Tempo-synced arpeggiator (Up, Down, UpDown, Random). 16-step sequencer with per-step pitch, gate, velocity, and slide. Presets and themes: 115 factory presets across 10 categories, with search, tag filters, favourites, and import/export. 14 bundled themes. Monitors 7 real-time displays: oscilloscope, vectorscope, spectrum analyser, 3D spectrogram, correlation history, LUFS loudness, stereo field. Rail, full-screen, and hidden modes. Formats and platforms: macOS / iPadOS: AUv3, Standalone. App Store, $1.99, universal purchase. Windows x64: VST3, Standalone. Gumroad, €1.99. Linux x64/arm64: VST3, LV2, Standalone. Gumroad, free. While the Apple App Store sits on the review of the MacOS desktop version, get it for free here. Manual, changelog, etc: anode-labs.com/bitcrust Read More

DAWJunkie releases Knobs, a FREE random-effects processor plugin
Developer DAWJunkie has released Knobs, a free random-effects processor for macOS and Windows. We’ve been featuring DAWJunkie regularly for a little while now, and over that time, there are a few things we’ve come to expect from every release. The first thing we’ve come to expect is seriously usable sounds wrapped up in a playful [...]
View post: DAWJunkie releases Knobs, a FREE random-effects processor plugin

Avid introduce Pro Tools 2026.4 The latest version of Pro Tools introduces a powerful new Track Pin function, support for the MPEG‑H immersive broadcast standard, built-in Dolby Headphone Personalization and more.