Why Sequential’s Fourm has a whole new mode of expression“It’s not a toy; it’s a serious, pro-level instrument, just in a smaller form factor. No pun intended.” That’s Sequential product designer Carson Day assuring me that the brand’s latest synthesizer, Fourm, is ready for the big time.
A compact four-voice poly analogue synth that weighs just 4kg and costs £800 ($999), Fourm is diminutive compared to any other instrument that Sequential currently stocks — you can see why some synth-lovers might worry that the brand founded by the late legend Dave Smith has strayed into cheap and cheerful territory. Thankfully, this is not the case. Fourm is a powerful and expressive instrument with a clear goal in mind: to offer a more accessible way into Sequential’s iconic lineup of synthesizers.

READ MORE: Sequential Fourm is like a Prophet, minus one voice and several thousand dollars

Fourm boasts a voice descended from the famed Prophet-5 synthesizer. First released in 1978, the Prophet series were the first programmable synthesizers on the market. The pioneering vision of Dave Smith led to his sound appearing on the records of music royalty going back decades. Kraftwerk, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Radiohead — the ‘Sequential Sound’ has its sonic fingerprints all over the last four and a half decades of music history.
From head to toe, Fourm’s circuitry is fully analogue with callbacks to previous models that core Sequential fans will be happy to hear. As Carson explains, “The foundation for all of our instruments is having a great-sounding base signal path. In this case, it’s 100% analogue. We have VCOs using some SSI chips that are really fantastic. Those go through the analogue filter that we use in the Prophet Rev 4 […] and then into analogue VCAs. We wanted to make something that sounds great and has that classic Sequential Prophet sound.”
Sequential synths have mainly been the domain of dedicated synthesisists willing to pay high premiums. Previously, the Take-5 held the spot for the most affordable synthesizer, and even then, it costs £400-500 more than the Fourm. Being able to access the Sequential sound at a significantly lower price is certainly attractive. Dave Gibbons, CEO of Sequential, makes clear that the company wants to welcome synthesis newcomers. “The primary target was [making] something for people who are not the usual buyer of our stuff and who are looking to get into it for the first time, maybe a bit intimidated by the complexity and the price point of the higher instruments.”
Image: Press
While Fourm boasts a high-quality analogue sound engine and premium build quality, it also keeps its user interface deliberately simple. Most features have been given a physical home on a button or knob, with very little hidden inside the display menu. Its features include two analogue voltage-controlled oscillators, a classic 4-pole resonant lowpass filter with bass compensation, two ADSR envelopes, a Pro-One style top-panel modulation matrix, aftertouch controls, a low-frequency oscillator and an arpeggiator.
The one-function per dial design means the Fourm keeps all the core synthesis tools at easy reach, ideal for quick switching between performance and sound crafting. It’s a design ethos clearly intended to reach average musicians and keyboardists.
“We wanted to make something that’s accessible to non-synthesists,” Carson says. “Let’s say a bassist, or a guitarist, or a drummer, or a lead singer. They can have something that has great sounds, is portable, easily put on stage, but then also has an interface that, if you want to start exploring synthesizers and synthesis, you can just grab knobs and see what happens and start your learning.”
Many of Sequential synths are large instruments with full-size keys, but the Fourm sports smaller-sized ‘slim-keys’ — another reason some might dismiss it as toy-like. But Gibbons assures that, while they are shorter in width, they are still quite long, allowing room for the hand to manoeuvre and stretch out. Smaller keys also means that the Fourm covers 3 full octaves. A dedicated synth player might not have any trouble flipping between octaves using buttons, but a keyboard player, on the other hand, will appreciate having access to a wider range of playable notes in front of them.
Image: Press
Perhaps the biggest drawback is the noticeable lack of onboard effects processing, which cuts into its utility as an all-in-one touring instrument. But Sequential tries to make up for this by providing a rare feature that hasn’t been seen in a Sequential instrument for a long time: a custom-designed polyphonic aftertouch keybed. This is the first time that Sequential has worked with the technology in 40 years.
If you’re not familiar with polyphonic aftertouch, the premise is simpler than it sounds: sensors are installed underneath the keys to record the individual pressure of each note (up to four in this case). So, while you hold down a note or chord, you can simultaneously press and ease the keys to change the sound. Without lifting your hands, you can control settings such as the frequency, filter, LFO and more.
Rubbing, kneading, massaging — however you want to describe the action, it’s an unusual technique to try out, and one that lots of synth players seek out. Sequential’s 20-person team worked on developing the keyboard — now trademarked as Tactive — in a way that was tightly integrated with Fourm’s sound engine. Over regular meetups that brought together mechanical engineers, software engineers, electrical engineers, designers and players, the team laboured over getting the polyphonic aftertouch feature working just right. Refining in this way and choosing not to use off-the-shelf technology is what Gibbons describes as the “magic sauce”, adding that their success was due to “the ability to have control of all those variables, and to have the people who are designing around them react all at the same time.”
Image: Press
Bending notes individually or opening filters with the press of a finger are a couple of ways the Fourm creates a brand new way of playing. In Gibbons’ opinion, aftertouch could even be used to shortcut what normally requires added setup to achieve: “It didn’t take too long after we started playing with it, before you realise ‘I’m kind of doing something with the aftertouch now that I would have set up a split to do on a bi-timbral keyboard before.’”
As a whole, the Fourm fills a long-time gap in Sequential’s catalogue. Its small form-factor, coupled with the classic Prophet sound, will be a drawcard for fans who have never had the ability to invest in a Sequential synth in the past. To bridge the gap left by the lack of onboard effects processing, the polyphonic aftertouch offers an interesting alternative to layering expression and sculpting sounds. With all these features elegantly packed into a small frame, the Fourm is an unusual but powerful analogue synth.
As Carson reflects, the team at Sequential set themselves a clear goal: “Let’s get something that sounds like our instruments and that delivers in a weight, an impact, and a beauty that has been reflected in our instruments for years.”
The post Why Sequential’s Fourm has a whole new mode of expression appeared first on MusicTech.

Suno and Udio SUED By Indie Musicians – The Lead Attorney Tells AllThis week, Ari is joined by Top Music Attorney, Miss Krystle, to discuss the legality of AI generative music.

BOE signals flexibility on stablecoin caps amid industry pushback: ReportThe Bank of England may relax proposed caps on corporate stablecoin holdings after industry backlash, as the UK races to stay competitive in the $314 billion market.

Trump’s DOE proposes cutting billions in grants for GM, Ford, and lots of startupsTrump's Department of Energy wants to cancel billions more in awards that were granted by the Biden administration, and startups are in the crosshairs.

VINCE GILL SIGNS LIFETIME RECORD DEAL WITH MCAPhoto ID (L-R): MCA’s Mike Haris and Rob Femia, Larry Fitzgerald, Vince Gill, MCA’s Katie McCartney and Stephanie Wright (Photo credit: Chris Hollo)

He's going to be the main feature in our November issue, and news just dropped that MCA has announced that country music icon Vince Gill "has signed a lifetime record deal with the label, cementing decades of partnership and collaboration. As part of this unprecedented agreement, Vince will release an EP featuring new music every month for the next year, giving fans a consistent stream of original material from one of country music’s most celebrated voices."

"The series, titled 50 Years From Home, will showcase Vince’s artistry through a combination of new music and carefully selected catalog tracks that complement each EP’s theme," they said in a statement. "The first EP, 50 Years From Home: I Gave You Everything I Had, is set for release on October 17 and will include the recently 2x Platinum-certified classic, Go Rest High on That Mountain."

“Vince has been a major part of the MCA family for decades,” said Mike Harris , President & CEO, MCA.  “This lifetime agreement reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting his artistic vision and providing him artistic freedom while ensuring his legacy continues to grow.”

“I’m feeling the most creative I’ve ever felt in my career these last few years,” shared Vince Gill. “I’ve collected a treasure trove of songs and with my friends and partners at MCA we’ve come up with a way to release all this new music. It’s a partnership that’s lasted 36 years and I’m grateful for it.” 

Vince’s longtime manager Larry Fitzgerald added, “MCA Records has been Vince’s home since early in his career, and now he knows their partnership will endure into the future. Vince’s fans wanting his music won’t have to look any further than MCA to find it.  My relationship with Vince began 41 years ago and I’m thrilled to stand with him at this important moment.”

"This lifetime deal is a testament to the long-standing partnership between Vince Gill and MCA," they said. "It reflects the enduring trust and commitment that has defined their relationship while positioning Vince as a timeless figure in country music, continuing to influence both the current landscape and future generations of artists and fans alike."

"During his time at MCA, Vince has amassed 1.7 Billion global streams and 19.4 Million in domestic album sales. He is up to 28.5 Million in total RIAA certified units with 24 Million in RIAA album certifications and 3.5 Million in RIAA single certifications. He has 2 Gold albums, 5 Platinum albums, 6 Multi-Platinum albums, 3 Gold singles and 1 Multi-Platinum single."

"Throughout his illustrious career, Vince has earned numerous accolades, including 18 CMA Awards, 22 Grammy Awards, and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1991 and was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012. His songwriting contributions were recognized with induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2014, he was awarded the prestigious BMI Icon Award."The post VINCE GILL SIGNS LIFETIME RECORD DEAL WITH MCA first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.

JawnCon Returns This WeekendFor those local to the Philadelphia area, a “jawn” can be nearly anything or anyone — and at least for this weekend, it can even be a hacker con building up steam as it enters its third year. Kicking off this Friday at Arcadia University, JawnCon0x2 promises to be another can’t-miss event for anyone with a curious mind that lives within a reasonable distance of the Liberty Bell.
The slate of talks leans slightly towards the infosec crowd, but there’s really something for everyone on the schedule. Presentations such as Nothing is Safe: An Introduction to Hardware (In)Security and Making the GameTank – A New, Real 8-Bit Game Machine will certainly appeal to those of us who keep a hot soldering iron within arm’s reach, while Rolling Recon & Tire Prints: Perimeter Intrusion Detection and Remote Shenanigans via Rogue Tire Stem RF and Get More Radio Frequency Curious will certainly appeal to the radio enthusiasts.

Speaking of which, anyone who wants to make their interest in radio official can sit in on the Saturday study group led by Ed “N2XDD” Wilson, the Director of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Hudson Division. After lunch, you can take your exam to become a licensed ham, and still have time to check out the lockpicking demonstrations from the local TOOOL chapter, the Retro Show ‘n Tell area, and rummage through the self-replenishing table of free stuff that’s looking for a new home.
Attendees can also take part in a number of unique challenges and competitions inspired by the shared professional experience of the JawnCon organizers. One of the events will have attendees putting together the fastest Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband connection, as measured by era-appropriate commercial gear. Easy enough with a spool of copper wire, but the trick here is to push the legendary resilience of DSL to the limit by using unusual conductors. Think wet strings and cooked pasta. There’s also a Capture The Flag (CTF) competition that will pit teams against each other as they work their way through customer support tickets at a fictional Internet service provider.
We were on the ground for JawnCon in 2024, and even had the good fortune to be present for the inaugural event back in 2023. While it may not have the name recognition of larger East Coast hacker cons, JawnCon is backed by some of the sharpest and most passionate folks we’ve come across in this community, and we’re eager to see the event grow in 2025 and beyond.

Project: BIAS X from Positive Grid Project: BIAS X promises to transform the way that guitarists and producers craft, explore and refine their sound.

HoRNet HoRNet ZeroCompHoRNet ZeroComp is an intelligent compressor plugin that automatically learns audio material characteristics and configures compression parameters without user intervention. The plugin analyzes crest factor, dynamics, and transients in real-time to calibrate threshold, ratio, attack, release, knee, and makeup gain settings. Key Features: Three Compression Models: Smooth: Musical compression for vocals and master bus applications. Tight: Fast, precise response for drums and acoustic instruments. Fat: Full-bodied compression for bass and aggressive sources. Instant model switching during playback without audio interruption. Intelligent Processing: Real-time crest factor analysis for automatic parameter calibration. Convergence indicators show learning progress for each model. Stable processing engine prevents parameter oscillations. User Controls: Compression (0-100%): Single control for compression amount. Distortion: Pre-compression harmonic saturation. Bypass: A/B comparison switching. Real-time meters: Input, output, and gain reduction monitoring. Read More

Supreme Court snubs Live Nation as multiple cases move forwardThe U.S. Supreme Court has has refused to review whether Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s arbitration plan to deal with customer complaints is protected by federal law. The defeat comes as multiple important federal cases against the concert giant move forward.
The post Supreme Court snubs Live Nation as multiple cases move forward appeared first on Hypebot.

Samantha Saturn exits role as Chief Marketing Officer at SESAC Music GroupSaturn says she's about to start "a new chapter" in the music industry, but hasn't offered details
Source

What is a key change and why does it matter?
In this guide, we explore what a key change is and how you can use the technique in your own music.

Artists announced for ROSTR & Bandsintown EARLY showcaseROSTR x Bandsintown's new live showcase EARLY debuts on October 16, 2025 in Los Angeles.
The post Artists announced for ROSTR & Bandsintown EARLY showcase appeared first on Hypebot.

Prime Day is all about Amazon, but these music retailers are also hosting killer deals on synths, controllers and pro audio gearAmazon’s October Prime Day is well under way, and most of the top music retailers are also hosting killer deals on music tech gear in order to compete. And that’s where you can swoop in and grab a bargain…
We’ve seen top deals on synths, controllers, keyboards, plugins and more at Sweetwater, Reverb and Plugin Boutique, and have taken the liberty to collate a few of the best below in this here article, eliminating the slog of deals hunting for you and getting you closer to your new favourite piece of gear, faster.

READ MORE: Akai’s new MPC Live III has launched: here’s everything you need to know about features, pricing, and availability

Take Sweetwater, for example; there’s currently up to 50% off microphones, interfaces, monitors and software in its current Studio & Recording Sale. Highlights include up to $150 off select ADAM Audio A Series studio monitors, $50 off select Focusrite Scarlett USB-C audio interfaces, and an amazing $100 off Universal Audio’s Pro Vocal Plug-in Bundle, which includes the brand’s Classic Leveler plug-in collection, Pure Plate reverb, Oxide Tape Recorder, and more. For the latter, pay just $49 instead of $149.
[deals ids=”7dO5RjUaPZgC6AsW38XzTa”]
Elsewhere, we’ve spotted a number of excellent deals to be had right now over at Reverb, including a cool £200 off this 2010s Access Virus TI2 Desktop Digital Synthesizer, and a sweet 10% off this limited-edition Korg Minilogue Bass 37-Key 4-Voice Polyphonic Synthesizer. Click the button below to browse all the latest deals over at Reverb.
[deals ids=”1EKMQ8ZdBptXrTiIAbn8y4″]
At Plugin Boutique, Prime Day happens to fall during its Analog Emulation Month, which sees fantastic discounts on a whole host of analogue-inspired plugins. For example, you can get up to 88% off a range of Softube mixing plugins, with prices starting at just £9.
You can also get a ma-hoosive 87% off Solid State Logic’s Greatest Hits Bundle, which includes Native Channel Strip 2, G2 MultiBus Comp, and FlexVerb. Get it now for just £44 down from £355. View all the latest deals at Plugin Boutique by clicking the button below.
[deals ids=”177WGQwxDbJpqvV0WoHSbL”]
The post Prime Day is all about Amazon, but these music retailers are also hosting killer deals on synths, controllers and pro audio gear appeared first on MusicTech.

Alesis Drums Nitro Ultimate kit announced Alesis' new Nitro Ultimate is a nine-piece kit that’s been designed to offer a complete practice-to-performance solution, and promises to bridge the gap between entry-level and professional electronic drumming.

MIDIpushr MK2 is a FREE browser-based MIDI chord player for your DAW
Alex from Germany, the creator behind MIDI Pusher MK2, has released MIDIpushr, a free browser-based virtual MIDI controller that lets you play and send chords directly to your DAW or hardware synths. Funny timing with this one. Just the other day, while watching the awesome “How to Orchid” marketing video for the Orchid ORC—1 chord [...]
View post: MIDIpushr MK2 is a FREE browser-based MIDI chord player for your DAW