The Journal

Sound, tools, technique.

Independent reporting, field-tested reviews, and practical production knowledge for people who make music.

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Latest articles

Fresh from the desk.

Idle Foundry CA-72 synthesizer plugin panel modelled on the Minimoog Model D
Software

CA-72: A Free Minimoog Model D Built From Its Circuit

Idle Foundry CA-72 is a free, open-source Minimoog Model D emulation modelled from the real circuit in SPICE. Specs, polyphony, pricing and FAQ.

Marcus FeldOct 5, 20269 min read
Novation FLpad and the smaller FLpad Mini grid controllers for FL Studio
Hardware

Novation FLpad Puts FL Studio's Grid on the Desk

Novation FLpad and FLpad Mini are FL Studio grid controllers at $229.99 and $139.99, with sequencer, channel rack, and graph editor views across 64 pads.

Marcus FeldOct 5, 202610 min read
Parish Audio Warpfield time-manipulation plugin reshaping audio into new melodies and rhythms
Software

Warpfield: Parish Audio's Six-Mode Time Manipulator

Parish Audio Warpfield is a $34.97 intro time-manipulation effect with six modes that turn any audio into new melodies and rhythms. Specs, pricing, FAQ.

Priya RamanOct 5, 20268 min read
Plugin Boutique Analogue Emulations campaign art showing Roland and Universal Audio plugin interfaces
Software

Analogue Emulations: October Picks at Plugin Boutique

Plugin Boutique Analogue Emulations: Roland JUPITER-8 at $69, the polysynth bundle at $199, plus UA Minimoog, Ampex ATR-102, 1176, Distressor, and Pultec.

Priya RamanOct 5, 20268 min read
The six Universal Audio Volt Gen 2 and Volt Max USB-C audio interfaces lined up together
Hardware

Universal Audio Volt Gen 2: Tone Shaping on USB-C

Universal Audio Volt Gen 2 and Volt Max are six USB-C audio interfaces from $149 up to $499, with 32-bit conversion and three-mode Tone Shaping preamps.

Elena MarshOct 5, 202611 min read
Audiomodern Riffer 4 plugin interface showing the MIDI riff sequencer and generation controls
Software

Riffer 4 Adds Five Generation Engines to the Riff Sequencer

Audiomodern Riffer 4 rebuilds the smart MIDI sequencer around five generation engines for hooks, basslines and arpeggios. Intro €49 / $55. Specs, pricing and FAQ.

Theo NakamuraOct 4, 20268 min read
Blue Cat Free Amp 2.0 plugin interface showing an amplifier model with 3D graphics, controls, and cabinet section
Software

Blue Cat Free Amp 2.0: Four Guitar Amps at No Cost

Blue Cat Free Amp 2.0 rebuilds its four amps on the Destructor V2 engine, adds reverb and IR loading, and stays free. Full specs, FAQ, and who it suits.

Marcus FeldOct 3, 20268 min read
W.A. Production Asymo Reverb plugin interface showing the geometric room display with draggable boundary nodes and orbital motion controls
Mixing & Mastering

W.A. Production Asymo Reverb Rotates the Room in Real Time

W.A. Production Asymo Reverb is a dynamic reverb whose room geometry warps and rotates. Launch price is $14.90, regular $49.90. Specs, FAQ, and who it suits.

Priya RamanOct 3, 20267 min read
Westwood Trinity Strings plugin interface showing the full instrument UI with mic mixes and articulation controls
Software

Inside Westwood Trinity Strings: Bleed and Pitch Drift

Westwood Trinity Strings records three players in octaves as one section, keeping the bleed and pitch drift. Launch price is £47, regular £79. Specs and FAQ.

Theo NakamuraOct 3, 20268 min read
AAS Player 2.0 free plugin interface with preset browser and macro controls
Software

AAS Player 2.0: 650 Free Sounds, Six Synth Engines

AAS Player 2.0 is a free plugin bundling six Applied Acoustics Systems physical-modeling engines with 650+ sounds, a new browser, Play-view macros and NKS support.

Elena MarshOct 2, 20266 min read
Jun Murakami Synth81Z plugin showing the TX81Z algorithm diagram, four operator panels, and envelope graphs
Software

Jun Murakami Synth81Z: A Measured TX81Z

Jun Murakami Synth81Z is a measured Yamaha TX81Z with Performance mode and a hardware librarian. The intro price is $39, and the regular price is $59.

Theo NakamuraOct 2, 20269 min read
Mastering The Mix CARBON Q interface with connected EQ curves for the mix, vocals, drums, and bass
Mixing & Mastering

CARBON Q Sets EQ and Level Across the Session

Mastering The Mix CARBON Q sets EQ and level for vocals, drums, bass, and music from one window. The launch price is $55 from $78, or £41.30 from £59.

Marcus FeldOct 2, 20269 min read