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As well as being packed with helpful writing tools, Toontrack’s EZKeys 2 covers a huge range of sounds thanks to its ever-growing collection of EKX expansion packs. The latest addition to the range has just been announced, and as well as bringing a new piano to the range, it also includes a selection of synth and effects layers. 

Modern Pop Piano EKX captures the sound of a Grotrian-Steinweg upright, an instrument renowned for its clear and refined tone. The recording sessions took place at Riksmixingsverket studio in Stockholm, Sweden, with engineer Linn Fijal employing an enviable collection of microphones from the likes of Neumann, Shure, Thuresson, Coles, DPA and AKG. What sets it apart from many of its siblings, though, is the inclusion of processed samples designed for more experimental productions and sound-design tasks. Toontrack have taken the core recordings that make up the instrument, applied some granular and time-stretching effects, and then resampled them using a selection of analogue and digital outboard processors. 

The resulting sounds are divided into three categories: Natural, Processed and Experimental. As its name suggests, the Natural category provides a variety of acoustic piano sounds captured from different microphone positions with sparingly used effects; Processed then introduces layered sounds, many of which include non-natural reverbs and effects, while Experimental offers a set of saturated, warped sounds that blend the piano samples with a range of effects and synth textures. 

As with all of Toontrack’s expansions, Modern Pop Piano EKX includes a collection of MIDI parts that are unique to the product, and tailored to the instrument it captures. 

AEA are well-known name in the world of ribbon mics, and as their range has expanded over the years they’ve also introduced a number of preamps designed to pair perfectly with their high-end mics — or indeed, any ribbon mic! Their latest release is a first for the company, though, and sees them turn their attention to compression. 

The AEA 1029 is an all-analogue, stereo VCA compressor housed in a half-rack chassis, making it a great option for those looking for a desktop unit, or hoping to save some space in their rack. As you’d expect from AEA, high-quality components are used throughout, with a proprietary discrete op-amp design by Fred Forssell joined by a pair of THAT 4305 VCA chips that share a single RMS detector fed by the summed input signals.

The company say that the result is a versatile compressor that boasts a clear, balanced sound that excels at everything from taming vocals to squashing drum overheads. It’s been designed to pair perfectly with AEA’s TRP- and RPQ-series preamps, and is ideal for recording or mixing stereo mic arrays. 

The AEA 1029 is housed in a compact half-rack chassis.

IK Multimedia have announced the launch of a whole host of new premium content for their TONEX line-up. With the release of TONEX Factory Content v2, users of all of the company’s TONEX hardware and software products will gain access to up to 150 new Premium Tone Models and presets. 

What’s New?

The new update brings some additional content to all TONEX users. Here’s a breakdown of who gets what:

TONEX Pedal

TONEX Mac/PC

TONEX ONE

Amps & Effects

The first 30 of the new TONEX Pedal banks deliver an expansive range of amp and cab tones, featuring legendary offerings such as a Marshall 1960, ENGL E412V, EVH 412ST and MESA Boogie 4x12 4FB. The amps have been boosted with classic pedals like the Ibanez TS9, MXR Timmy and ProCo RAT, resulting in some all-out high-gain sounds.

The following five banks of 15 presets then explore the depth of TONEX's latest effects — everything from Tweed-inspired tremolo to the surf tones of the new Spring 4 reverb. Users can also enjoy tape-style slapback delays, immersive LCR delay configurations, flangers, dynamic modulation, choruses, stereo panning and ambient reverbs. A whole host of new stompbox captures are included, too, with 15 new models based on the likes of the Fulltone Full-Drive 2, Marshall DriveMaster, Maxon OD808, Klon Centaur, ProCo RAT and more.

As part of their ongoing collaboration with electronics guru Moritz Klein, Erica Synths have announced the launch of a new DIY Eurorack module that blends the ‘punch’ of classic analogue drum voices with the metallic-sounding tones of FM synthesis. 

Aptly named the EDU DIY FM Drum, the latest addition to the company’s collection of self-build modules is said to be capable of crafting anything from kicks and toms to metallic clangs and more. A pair of large Tune controls are followed by Tune Depth, Tune Decay, Tune CV Level and Decay knobs, while FM and Shape switches dictate the type of sounds that the module will produce. Helpfully, the switches are accompanied by graphic that explains which type of sounds will be generated with each combination of switch positions. 

As with all modules in the EDU DIY series, the FM Drum is provided in kit form, and there’s a comprehensive downloadable manual that walks the user through the build process.

Pricing & Availability

The EDU DIY FM Drum is available now, priced at €75.

UJAM’s latest release blends the realism and playability of their popular Virtual Guitarist series with the more cinematic focus of their Symphonic Elements collection. Inspired by the expansive sonic atmospheres that define the soundtracks of their founding partner Han Zimmer’s scores, Cinedream combines a collection of guitar samples with a set of advanced sound-design tools that allow composers and sound designers to craft everything from subtle guitar phrases to abstract soundscapes.

Users are provided with a choice of 30 different playing styles that range from fingerpicking to driving rhythms, and it’s possible to fine-tune the response of each note using Contour and Character parameters. A selection of amp models offer an array of tonal options, and there’s a Drive control that can be used to push the sounds a little harder and introduce some saturation. Cinedream also includes a pair of multi-effects sections: Stomp Box, which focuses on tone-shaping processors, and Finisher, which can be used to create ambient soundscapes, drones and modulated effects.

UJAM’s instruments are often praised not only for their sound, but also their playability and ease of use. Alongside its wealth of sound-design tools, Cinedream includes a pair of playing modes that provide two distinct ways of working. With Player Mode selected, holding a key or chord will result in the instrument playing slow, cinematic-sounding phrases that are said to be perfect for creating ambient textures and evolving soundscapes; Instrument Mode, meanwhile, provides hands-on control over individual notes, and has been designed for those wishing to play and edit their own melodies and layered parts. 

“In recent years, guitars have started competing with synths when it comes to creating cinematic soundscapes. The sophistication of today’s sound design tools combined with the more organic, less electronic character of guitars can be heard everywhere these days. Cinedream is a true Virtual Guitarist but also incorporates elements of our best-selling Symphonic Elements series. Many users have asked for that, and that’s what always drives us.” - Peter Gorges, Co-Founder, UJAM

Knobula’s latest creation sees the company pack an eight-voice polysynth and a monosynth into a single 12HP Eurorack module! The Monumatic comes equipped with 16 selectable oscillator modes, with its collection of virtual-analogue algorithms covering a wealth of classic and modern sounds.

The oscillator modes draw their inspiration from a number of classic instruments and designs: Super 7 provides users with a Roland-style super-saw, while CZ offers some Casio-inspired phase distortion and Vox delivers Knobula’s take on the Polymoog’s Vox Humana mode. The oscillator selection switch is joined by a large Detune control that’s capable of shiting the oscillator down by an octave, with some fine-tuning provided by a smaller Pitch dial. 

There are six filter types included: a vowel filter that’s capable of creating vocal-style effects; a 24dB/octave low-pass Butterworth design; a 12dB/octave SVF; a dual-peak notch; a phase shifter; and a high-pass. Frequency and Resonance controls are provided, along with a Drive switch and an Env Depth knob that allows the filter to be modulated by its neighbouring Envelope section. The module also boasts a built-in stereo reverb. 

As with all of Knobula’s gear, the Monumatic provides a concise set of controls with no screen in sight, allowing users to get hands-on with their patching and programming without any menu-diving. Those in search of quick chords and layered sounds will be pleased to see eight onboard chord presets, and there are plenty of options for setting up external control. The module boasts a pair of CV inputs that can be assigned to any parameter, alongside dedicated Gate, V/Oct and Filter CV inputs; there’s also a MIDI input, and as well as accepting CC messages, the Monumatic supports MPE. 

iZotope’s latest offering brings a new reverb to their growing software collection, and combines their popular Stratus and Symphony engines into a single plug-in that’s capable of tackling both music and post-production projects. Equinox supports an array of surround and immersive formats, and also promises to ensure clean-sounding mixes thanks to iZotope’s adaptive unmasking technology.

The plug-in relies on Exponential Audio’s renowned reverb algorithms, and is said to be a versatile processor that is equally well suited to music and post-production tasks. For music projects, it promises to add a realistic depth to instruments and vocals, as well as facilitating more experimental sounds thanks to its Tempo Sync and Tail Suppression parameters. As for post-production, iZotope say that Equinox can help mixers to naturally place dialogue within scenes, while its creative tools will be welcomed by sound designers. 

Compatibility

Equinox is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or higher, and Macs running macOS 13 and above. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available. 

Pricing & Availability

Equinox is available now, and is being offered at an introductory price of $149.20 until 30 April 2025, when it will increase to its full cost of $249.

Datamind Audio have announced the launch of a new AI-powered plug-in that’s capable of turning any sound into a playable instrument. Described as an “audio mosaicking tool”, Concatenator can be used to create complex new sounds and textures based on any audio file or input source. 

The innovative new instrument relies on a new form of synthesis which has been developed by Datamind Audio. Named Concatenative Sound Synthesis, the approach is said to be similar in concept to granular synthesis, but with the grain selection, amount and size parameters influenced by an audio input signal rather than being chosen at random.

It’s possible to feed just about any audio into Concatenator — it’ll happily accept input signals from a mic or instrument, as well as existing samples — and the instrument will respond by analysing the signal before ‘reconstructing’ it using fragments of other sounds from the user’s sample collection. Created for sound designers and musicians alike, the plug-in offers a quick and easy way to create complex, layered sounds, and is capable of generating everything from foley and soundscapes to synth-like rhythms — all with the user’s existing sample collection. 

Check out the video below to see and hear what Concatenator is capable of.

IMSTA have announced that their IMSTA FESTA event will return to SAE Institute in London on 7 June for another day of fun, learning and networking for musicians. A celebration of music technology, the event provides the music-making community with access to one-on-one product demonstrations from top pro-audio brands, music industry panels, masterclasses, song reviews, prizes and more.

For this year’s event, IMSTA have invited some of the music industry’s top names to deliver keynote presentations and masterclasses. Guests include Grammy-winning mix engineer and producer James Auwarter, renowned music manager John Woolf, and award-winning songwriter Jonny Amos, studio design expert Chris Smout.

IMSTA FESTA welcomes all music creators including professional and semi-professional musicians, songwriters, producers and audio engineers, as well as music students and educators. Admission is free to anyone who registers, and there will be a whole host of raffles and giveaways courtesy of exhibiting pro-audio companies. 

Sound On Sound are proud to be the official Media Partner of this year’s IMSTA FESTA.

The MPG (Music Producers Guild) have announced that Richard Russell, the acclaimed producer and founder of the ground-breaking label XL Recordings, will receive the prestigious MPG Inspiration Award at this year’s MPG Awards ceremony.

Richard is behind the collaborative music project and album, ‘Everything Is Recorded’, which unites a diverse array of voices — including Sampha, Obongjayar, Ibeyi, Giggs and Kamasi Washington — in expansive, emotionally resonant productions that explore the complexities of identity and human connection.

He has worked on several notable projects with Damon Albarn, co-producing his debut solo album ‘Everyday Robots’ and Bobby Womack’s comeback album, ‘The Bravest Man In The Universe’. He also produced Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘I’m New Here’, collaborated with Peter Gabriel on ‘Four Kinds Of Horses’, and most recently, produced ‘Daffodils and Dirt’, the debut album from actress Samantha Morton. 

“Whether in the studio or guiding from behind the scenes, Richard Russell continues to inspire through his fearless approach to creativity and unwavering commitment to artistic freedom. The MPG is proud to honour a visionary whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the evolution and trajectory of contemporary music; from ‘Kicks Like a Mule’, to ‘Everything Is Recorded’, via ‘Young’ and countless highlights in between.” - Anu Pillai, Executive Director, MPG

When Universal Audio announced their Guitar Month promotion at the start of April 2025, they gave a sneak preview of an upcoming plug-in version of their Tweed-inspired UAFX amp simulation pedal. A few weeks on, and UAD Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier has officially launched, bringing the pedal’s renowned tones into the hands of DAW users.

The plug-in promises to capture every nuance of the iconic amp’s circuitry, providing users with the punchy clean tones and valve-driven overdrives that graced the records of legendary artists such as Chuck Berry and Neil Young, and continue to define the sounds of modern players such as Jason Isbell, Joe Bonamassa and Ariel Posen. 

UAD Woodrow has been designed to make quick work of dialling in the ideal sound, with a single Tone control blending seamlessly from cleans to overdriven ‘crunch’ sounds, and some fine-tuning provided by a selection of microphone options and a set of six cabinet choices. A set of presets spanning country, blues and rock tones are included, offering a collection of mix-ready sounds or serving as a starting point for those in search of some inspiration.

“This is the amp that defined what electric guitar sounds like — from the first fuzzed-out rock records to today’s alt-country and Americana. With UAD Woodrow ’55, we’ve made that iconic tone accessible to anyone producing music in the box.” - Lev Perrey, VP of Product at Universal Audio

Blue FX Devices have announced an upcoming Kickstarter campaign that will fund the production of a new modulated fuzz pedal. Combining an analogue fuzz circuit with three modulation voices, the Fuzz Fields is capable of generating a wealth of new and interesting sounds, and promises to keep users busy exploring new tones for hours on end. 

The pedal kits users out with plenty of tonal options, with low- and high-gain modes offering everything from smooth, drive-like sounds to more aggressive fuzz tones. There’s also a Freq mode that allows an internal oscillator to be triggered by one of the Fuzz Fields’ footswitches, causing the pedal to “scream, squeal and growl” — when the mode is active, the pedal runs at maximum gain and the Fuzz knob can be used to determine the oscillator’s frequency. 

Next up is Gravity mode, which applies gain reduction to the fuzz engine based on playing dynamics. The feature’s sensitivity is governed by an Envelope control, and facilitates everything from subtle pumping effects to more obvious-sounding signal dropouts. The mode is said to pair brilliantly with the Freq mode, and the company say that combining the two creates a unique screaming effect that they consider to be the spirit of the Fuzz Fields. The pedal also includes an octave effect and Gate parameter that react differently with each of the operating modes, further increasing its tonal range. 

Of course, the headline feature of the Fuzz Fields is its built-in set of modulation capabilities. There’s an envelope follower that’s responsible for the aforementioned dynamics-tracking function, as well as a footswitch-operated phase-shifter circuit that opens up a range of phaser and vibrato-like effects. Its intensity can be modulated by the envelope follower, by external devices — the Fuzz Fields is equipped with CV and expression pedal connectivity — or even a mixture of the two!

The latest version of Harrison’s console-inspired DAW software has just been released, delivering a wealth of new features and functions designed to help users streamline their recording, production and mixing processes. In addition to its new-found abilities, Mixbus 11 has also been treated to a visual overhaul, and is being offered alongside a new flagship Mixbus 11 Pro version that caters to those working in immersive audio.

The core approach of the DAW remains the same, with Harrison drawing on their expertise in the analogue world to deliver a user-friendly environment that replicates the process of working on a large-format console. Every mixer channel is kitted out with the highly regarded Harrison 32C EQ, signal processing and analogue console-inspired saturation, while Mixbus 11 Pro adds a switchable SSL 9000J channel strip EQ. The newly introduced Pro variant also comes loaded with a powerful set of tools aimed at those working in Dolby Atmos, including 3D object-based panning, dynamic automation tools and loudness optimisation, as well as support for both binaural and 7.1.4 speaker monitoring.

What’s New?

Mixbus 11 now offers a two-tiered pricing model to help users choose the product that best suits their production requirements. Mixbus 11 introduces the following features:

Mixbus Pro, meanwhile, includes some powerful extras such as:

One of pointblank Music School's new Dolby Atmos studios.

pointblank Music School have announced the grand opening of a new 30,000-square-foot campus in Shoreditch, London. Aiming to set a new standard in music education, the cutting-edge facility houses no fewer than 13 world-class studios, providing an innovative learning environment tailored to the next generation of music producers, DJs, vocalists, songwriters, music business and creative software professionals. 

The institution say that they are committed to providing exceptional music education, with their courses all delivered by expert lecturers who are also active professionals in their respective industries. They been awarded TEF Gold (Teaching Excellence Framework) status, the highest rating given by the UK government for outstanding teaching and learning quality. 

“Our new Shoreditch campus is more than just a school, it’s a creative hub designed to inspire the next generation of music professionals. With cutting-edge technology, immersive learning spaces and a strong focus on hands-on experience, our students are in the best possible environment to launch their careers in music.” - Rob Cowan, CEO & Founder, pointblank Music School

Studio Facilities

At the heart of the new campus are 13 state-of-the-art studios, including:

Australian microphone designer DrAlienSmith have announced the launch of the Alien8, a new dynamic mic that has been designed to capture the low-end punch and attack of kick drums and bass cabinets. Although inspired by the likes of the AKG D30 and beyerdynamic M380, the mic isn’t intended as a clone or remake, and is said to offer a distinct sound of its own. 

The Alien8 employs a pair of identical 50mm figure-of-eight capsules facing in opposing directions, with one placed directly above the other. The rear lobe of each capsule sounds different to the front, and the company have implemented a three-position switch that offers a choice of three tonal options. Users are able to select just the top capsule for a brighter sound, while the lower capsule delivers a more ‘weighty’ tone; the third position then combines both capsules, offering the best of both worlds. The mic retains its figure-of-eight pattern in all three modes, and is transformer balanced, so is unaffected by phantom power.

The availability of DrAlienSmith mics has been made possible thanks to the launch of One Louder Audio, a new distributor that also supplies kit from AudioScape and SessionDesk. The company say they are committed to hassle-free purchasing, and have been set up to ensure that UK-based customers can avoid the hidden costs of international shipping while enjoying UK-based warranty product support.

Pricing & Availability

The Alien8 is available now, and is currently (15 April 2025) being offered at an introductory price of £349, reduced from its full price of £369. Prices include VAT. Each mic is supplied with a mount and a hard case. 

The latest addition to Audeze’s much-loved LCD headphone family makes the precise sound of the company’s high-end headphones available in an affordable closed-back model for the first time. The LCD-S20 feature the new SLAM technology, and are said to deliver extended, dynamic bass while retaining a clean sound even at high listening levels.

Thanks to their closed-back design, the new model offers an ideal solution for tracking, while the planar magnetic drivers deliver the signature clean sound for which Audeze have become well known. Although they’re more keenly priced than their siblings, the LCD-S20 still boast a high-quality design, and are constructed from magnesium, aluminium and steel, with an adjustable suspension headband and gel-filled earpads ensuring a comfortable fit over long listening sessions. The replaceable earpads are attached magnetically, and helpfully, the cable can be attached to either side of the headphones. 

The LCD-S20 also feature Audeze’s SLAM (Symmetric Linear Acoustic Modulator) technology, which debuted recently in the CBRN2, the new flagship model in the company’s audiophile range. It relies on acoustic channels in the ring that connects the earcups to the drivers, the length, cross-section and shape of which are tuned to influence the headphones’ low-frequency response. The result is a significant bass enhancement — around a 6dB boost that extends all the way down to 10Hz — along with reduced distortion and more open, clear sound. 

Pricing & Availability

The LCD-S20 is available now, priced at $£499 including VAT.

The latest free update for Sonarworks’ voice-transformation plug-in introduces a powerful new AI-powered double-tracking function that’s capable of generating up to eight unison parts from a single voice recording. 

The Perpetual version of SoundID VoiceAI now comes equipped Unison Mode, a new function that offers an alternative to manually tracking multiple vocal takes. Up to eight unison doubles can be generated from a vocal track, and a set of controls makes it possible to introduce subtle pitch- and time-based variations to ensure that the results deliver a natural, human-like feel. 

It’s worth mentioning that the feature is currently exclusive to the Perpetual License version of SoundID VoiceAI — it is not currently available for those using the subscription-based Pay-as-you-go Mode. 

Here’s a quick look at what’s on offer thanks to the new Unison Mode:

The latest release from Fuse Audio Labs provides users with a way to turn mono sources into natural-sounding stereo signals. OCELOT Upmixer uses spectral diffusion to emulate a stereo image, and is said to offer results that are free from artefacts while maintaining mono compatibility.

OCELOT Upmixer comes equipped with a simple set of controls that make quick work of creating a realistic-sounding stereo field from a mono source. First up is a Tune dial that makes it possible to match the tone of the ‘upmixed’ signal to the character of the source material, with some fine-tuning on offer courtesy of high- and low-pass filters. A Width control then defines how extreme the resulting effect is, and is followed by a Level control that offers ±12dB of gain at the plug-in’s output. The plug-in also features a dedicated metering section that houses a pair of level meters alongside a vector scope display that provides real-time phase information.  

“OCELOT Upmixer is all about bringing a natural sense of width and depth to mono sources without sacrificing phase integrity. It makes stereo enhancement both effortless and transparent, ensuring a mix stays true to its original character while gaining extra dimension.” - Reimund Dratwa, CEO, Fuse Audio Labs

Compatibility

OCELOT Upmixer is supported on PCs running Windows 7 or above, and Macs running macOS 10.12 and higher. VST2, VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.

If you’re struggling to get your head around acoustic treatment — the terminology involved, how the size of a room affects its sound, common practices and so on — it’s well worth taking a look at The Basics of Room Acoustics, an informative video produced by the experts at GIK Acoustics. 

The short video breaks down some of the common issues faced when converting an existing room into a studio, explaining how the interaction between the speakers and the physical space around them lead to the uneven response encountered by so many studio users. It then provides a quick overview of a range of absorption- and diffusion-based treatment options and how they can be used to tackle different acoustic issues. 

www.gikacoustics.com

Following on from the success of their Tines Duo instalment, which introduced Diamond and Phoenix to the Electric Keys range, Native Instruments have announced the launch of Electric Keys - Reeds Duo. The latest instalment in the popular series includes Jade and Ivory, a new pair of electric piano sample libraries that capture the sound of two reed-based instruments. 

While the previous release sampled a pair of tine-based instruments, Reeds Duo focuses instead on two instruments that generate their sound using vibrating metal reeds. The first of the two instruments, Jade, captures a solid-state reed piano that delivers a bright, punchy sound that is said to be ideal for creating funky rhythms, cutting leads and rich-sounding chords. Ivory then samples a vintage valve-driven instrument with a diverse tonal range that spans from smooth and mellow to rough and fiery. Both have been created in collaboration with Galaxy Instruments, the expert team behind other Native Instruments favourites such as Claire, Noire and The Giant. 

Compatibility

Electric Keys - Reeds Duo runs in Native Instruments Kontakt (or the free Kontakt Player) versions 8.2.0 and above, which are supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 13 and higher. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available, along with a standalone application. 

Pricing & Availability

Electric Keys - Reeds Duo is available now, priced at $149£129. Electric Keys Jade and Ivory are also available separately, priced at $99£89 each. Prices include VAT.