New UAD Plugins, Mono vs. Stereo Recording, and Powerful Discounts

LATEST IN MUSIC SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

AI-Powered Guitar Tone Modeling Arrives

Positive Grid has launched Bias X, an AI-assisted guitar software plugin for DAWs. It generates amplifier and pedal signal chains from text prompts or audio samples, simplifying tone creation for guitarists with an engine trained on over a million guitar sounds.

Vintage Dancehall Drums Sample Pack Released

Renegade Audio and Totally Dubwise Recordings introduce Vintage Dancehall Drums, a new sample pack. Produced by Subtifuge, it features over 300 loops and one-shots, capturing the authentic sounds of 80s and 90s dancehall drum styles.

Deeperfect Unveils Tech House Vocals Pack

Loopmasters and Deeperfect release Tech House Vocals, a royalty-free sample pack for electronic music producers. It offers over 183MB of vocal samples, including hooks, rhythmic phrases, and glitchy cuts, designed to add personality and groove to tracks.

Gibson Reissues Classic Les Paul Custom 70s

Gibson introduces the Les Paul Custom 70s, a reissue capturing the iconic 1970s specifications. This model offers a more accessible alternative to Custom Shop versions, featuring a mahogany body, maple top, and a '70s profile neck, available in four vintage finishes.

Universal Audio Enhances UAD with New Plugins

Universal Audio's UAD v11.8 update introduces two new plugins: the Shadow Hills Class A Mastering Compressor and the Maag EQ4 MS. These tools offer unique audio processing for Apollo interface and UAD Accelerator users, expanding sonic capabilities.

Touch Loops Unveils Transition FX Vol. III

Touch Loops has released Transition FX Vol. III, a royalty-free sample pack designed for dynamic sound design. It includes risers, falls, impacts, and cinematic hits, perfect for adding tension and movement to music productions, film scores, or transitions.

DEALS

• Tone Empire's E-LUX Optical Compressor is now available for a limited time at $15, an 81% discount from its original $79 price, until September 29, 2025.

• 8Dio.com's September Sale offers 50% off all products until September 30th, with a free 'Hybrid Foundations In Soundpaint' for orders over $99.

• ADSR Sounds presents the Epic NI Massive Preset Bundle, featuring 49 packs for Native Instruments Massive, now available for just $20.

• Steinberg's Cubase 14 music production software, including Elements, Artist, and Pro versions, is currently available with a 40% discount until October 1, 2025.

• Plugin Alliance Lindell Audio Sale Plugin Alliance is holding a 96-hour flash sale, offering 4 Lindell Audio effect plugins for $49.99 USD.

• Super 808 Virtual Instrument Sale Analog Legends' Super 808 virtual instrument, designed for unique 808 bass patches, is now available at an 82% discount via VST Alarm.

• UVI Vintage Vault 4 Sale Plugin Boutique is offering a limited-time 60% discount on UVI's extensive Vintage Vault 4 synthesizer collection, featuring 36 products and over 14,000 presets.

• DHPlugins Bass-Face Sale As part of Plugin Boutique's Synth Month, the DHPlugins Bass-Face multi-effect plugin, designed to add presence and distortion, is available for $9 USD.

• Excite Audio Bundle Sale Plugin Boutique is offering a limited-time promotion on the Excite Audio Bundle, providing discounts up to 65%, now available for $279 USD.

DEMOS, REVIEWS & TUTORIALS

• Understanding the fundamental differences between mono and stereo recording significantly enhances audio production. Mono, utilizing a single audio channel, offers focused clarity ideal for lead vocals and bass. Conversely, stereo recording employs two channels to capture intricate spatial details, creating immersive soundscapes for acoustic instruments and drum kits. Explore more about these techniques in Mono vs Stereo Recording. Advanced methods like XY, ORTF, and AB Spaced Pair further refine stereo imaging.

• Plugin Boutique has released an insightful article detailing some of music history's most iconic synth sounds. The guide provides practical techniques and settings for producers to replicate these legendary tones using contemporary software synthesizers and effects.

• Achieve pristine vocal clarity in complex mixes by mastering the Waves F6 Dynamic EQ. This powerful plugin dynamically 'ducks' problematic frequencies within busy beats, creating essential space for vocals to shine through. The technique ensures a balanced, professional sound, preventing frequency masking without sacrificing the beat's energy. Discover how to implement this crucial mixing strategy in this F6 Dynamic EQ tutorial.

• Delve into the classic compressor debate with an in-depth comparison of Waves' CLA-2A and CLA-3A plugins. The tube-based CLA-2A offers a distinct optical compression, while the solid-state CLA-3A provides a different character, both proving indispensable for shaping vocals, bass, and various instruments. Understand their nuances to optimize your mix in this comprehensive CLA-2A vs. CLA-3A analysis.

FREE

Universal Audio has extended its free offer for the iconic LA-2A Tube Compressor plug-in, a legendary optical compressor known for imparting warmth and punch to audio. This essential tool for professional production is available for complimentary download until September 30th.

Daniel Gergely has released a free version of his creative pitch-shifting delay plugin, Spirals. This updated release features an improved preset browser and significant performance upgrades, building on its initial free beta in 2022.

23DSP introduces the 23MS-ED, a free Mid/Side encoder/decoder plugin now available in open beta for macOS and Windows. This stereo tool supports AU and VST3 formats, offering independent processing of mid and side audio channels.