Virtual Instrument

Just months on from its initial release, Baby Audio’s software drum synth has been treated to its first major update.

Electric Keys - Tines has been designed to provide users with a definitive collection of classic sounds, and promises to deliver the bell-like tones and gritty bark that defined a generation of R&B, funk and classic rock tracks.

Polarity Modular has been designed in collaboration with UK-based synthesist Ian Boddy, and has been built around 250 custom waveforms created with his extensive collection of modular gear. 

The latest addition to the GRM line-up draws on the company’s extensive experience, but rather than bringing a new effect or processor to the table, uses their technology to power a new sound-design instrument. 

Virtual Pianist Grit is the second electric piano to join the Virtual Pianist line-up, and is said to offer a distinctly more rugged and expressive voice that its predecessor, Vibe.

Kontrast Expressive Suite brings over a decade of MPE expertise to Tracktion's unique instrument, delivering a collection of carefully designed presets that fully respond to per-note gestures such as pressure, bends, vibrato and aftertouch. 

Designed with “dystopian sound design” in mind, the latest addition to Zero-G’s growing collection of Kontakt instruments promises to deliver a world of “gritty textures, corrupted atmospheres, brooding pulses and fractured tonal elements.”

Refraction has been built using high-quality samples of a premium upright piano, but rather than aiming to recreate the acoustic instrument, it instead uses the recordings to craft an array of evolving pads and hybrid acoustic-electronic soundscapes. 

Designed primarily to generate Clavinet-style parts, Sampleson's latest offering has been trained on an array of “funky grooves”, and is said to be capable of generating organ and bass lines as well as electric piano parts. 

The first instrument from Sound Radix introduces a powerful new additive soft synth that promises to offer a clearer, more intuitive way of working. 

Absynth 6 delivers a completely overhauled and redesigned version of NI's discontinued soft synth, and has been created alongside the much-loved instrument’s original developer, Brian Clevinger.

The latest expansions for Synthesizer V Studio 2 Pro introduce two new English voices and two Chinese voices, all of which boast a selection of Vocal Mode options and support a range of second languages. 

Expressive E's Black Friday sales sees discounts applied to refurbished Osmose units as well as reduced pricing on the company's latest MPE-capable plug-ins and expressive sound suites.

Audio Imperia say that they’d been thinking about adding a free instrument to their software collection for some time, but didn’t want to take the approach of offering a ‘teaser’ or cut-down version of their existing creations.

Aimed at cinematic compositions, Atmosia 3 brings together over 700 sound sources, and has been treated to a ground-up overhaul that includes a fresh new GUI.

SoundGhost's latest instrument combines a| selection of analogue and digital waveforms with noise sources to create continually evolving soundscapes.

UJAM's latest Usynth offerings promise to “embody the energy and experimentation of the online music scene”, delivering everything from distorted nostalgia and glitched textures to hypercharged bass and expressive arpeggios.

EastWest’s annual Black Friday Sale has started early this year, and what’s more, it features some of the biggest discounts in the company's history.