Teenage Engineering Dolls, Ariel Posen Strat & Free EQ Match

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LATEST IN MUSIC SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE

New Loops Synthwave Sounds

New Loops has released 'Synthwave Sounds Volume 1' for SynthMaster 3, an expansion bank featuring 50 presets designed for Synthwave, Retrowave, and Cyberpunk genres. An audio demo is available on SoundCloud. This collection is currently part of a summer sale on the SynthMaster website, with presets downloadable directly within the software.

Teenage Engineering's Singing Wooden Dolls

Pixar's upcoming film "Elio" will feature the distinctive, otherworldly sounds of Teenage Engineering's Choir singing wooden dolls in its soundtrack. Composer Rob Simonsen specifically sought an "alien yet familiar" sonic landscape, finding the dolls' "beautiful – electronic, but human" vocalizations to be the perfect fit for the movie's narrative about a boy encountering extraterrestrial life. To achieve this unique score, Teenage Engineering even developed custom firmware to simultaneously control 24 dolls and crafted three bespoke dolls to represent characters within the film, pushing the boundaries of animated scoring.

Odyssey Bowed: Ancient Sounds for Modern Music

Spitfire Audio has launched 'Odyssey Bowed,' a new sound library available on LABS+, designed to infuse compositions with the rich textures of East Mediterranean string instruments. Developed in collaboration with Dimitris Kordis, this collection features the distinctive sounds of the Classical Kemençe, Thracian Lyra, and Cretan Lyra. These instruments offer mellow, expressive, and subtly epic long articulations, ideal for crafting narratives with an ancient, evocative feel. Explore the Odyssey Bowed library on LABS+ and begin your free trial.

Ariel Posen's Signature Stratocaster Debuts

Fender's Custom Shop has unveiled a highly anticipated limited edition Ariel Posen Stratocaster. This distinctive instrument, of which only 100 units will be produced worldwide, features a unique design tailored for Posen's renowned slide playing. It boasts a striking Lake Placid Blue relic finish on a roasted alder body, complemented by a quartersawn AA flame maple neck and a round-laminated rosewood fretboard, echoing a classic 1960s aesthetic. Central to its unique voice are the custom AP-90 pickups, developed with Tim Shaw, which offer a compelling blend of Jazzmaster warmth and soapbar bite. This exclusive model is available for approximately $6000.

WeissKlang L1 Plus Boosts Versatility

The WeissKlang L1 Plus microphone now features versatile switchable polar patterns, significantly enhancing its adaptability for diverse audio recording applications. This evolution builds upon the original L1's success, with the L1 Plus reportedly maintaining the same high-quality sound reproduction that characterized its predecessor. This upgrade positions the WeissKlang L1 Plus as a more flexible tool for audio professionals seeking precision and adaptability in their microphone technology.

DEALS

• 8dio.com is holding an unprecedented sale, offering its entire collection of All Brass We Ever Made sound libraries for just $399.

• KORG is featuring its KORG Collection 5 & Crossgrades, a comprehensive bundle of vintage synthesizers and software instruments. Crossgrade options are available for existing users looking to expand their sound library.

• VSTBUZZ offers Libre Wave's Mexican Marimba virtual instrument at 60% off, now $67 for a limited time, capturing authentic tones from southern Mexico.

• Eva Instruments presents a limited-time 70% discount on their Epic Percussion 2 virtual instrument.

• Lese Audio Technologies unveils Hikari, a groundbreaking reverb plugin inspired by 90s/2000s modules, now available with a 25% summer sale.

• Musicians can now secure the versatile Pigtronix Infinity Looper 2 at an impressive 45% discount, enhancing their creative looping capabilities.

• Seize the final opportunity to save significantly during DealsFest 2025, with major discounts across a wide array of music equipment expiring soon.

• Chocolate Audio's Celestial Celesta virtual instrument is now available at an 82% discount, offering pure, bell-like tones for musical compositions.

DEMOS, REVIEWS & TUTORIALS

• The rare Logal Vocal Synth integrates diverse synthesis methods, reminiscent of 'orchestration' keyboards popular in the 1970s. This instrument's design reflects a historical trend in keyboard development, expanding sonic possibilities through electronic sound generation.

• Kiive Audio offers an insightful tutorial featuring Rhys from Spinlight Studios, addressing common questions about compressor selection for diverse mixing situations. This guide covers effective compression styles for drums, vocals, and bass, providing practical advice for all producers.

• Synthesizer expert Ziv Eliraz recently conducted an in-depth review of the Donner Essential L1 synthesizer in his latest loopop video. This instrument emerges as a contemporary reinterpretation of the revered Roland SH-101, aiming to capture its classic sound while integrating modern functionalities.

• Audio expert Drew Mazurek demonstrates how the UAD A‑Type Multiband Dynamic Enhancer can significantly improve mix clarity and texture, especially for vocals and drums. This powerful tool enhances professional audio production.

• Miranda Lambert's FOH engineer, Todd Wines, masterfully crafts album-quality live sound using Apollo Networked Audio. This sophisticated system ensures consistent, high-fidelity audio for every performance.

• LUNA Digital Audio Workstation now integrates cutting-edge AI-powered tools, including Voice Control and Instrument Detection, streamlining the recording process and fostering creativity for artists and producers.

• A comprehensive guide explores essential gear for hybrid DJs, who seamlessly integrate traditional DJing with live performance elements. Recommendations span drum machines, effects units, mixers, and controllers from leading brands, enabling dynamic electronic music sets.

• Plugin Boutique offers an insightful guide detailing the 14 best tape emulation plugins available. These tools enable music producers to infuse their tracks with the warmth and character of vintage analog tape recordings, perfect for achieving a retro sonic aesthetic.

• The Abbey Road Saturator plugin faithfully emulates the distinct analog saturation of REDD valve and EMI TG12321 consoles. Mirek Stiles from Abbey Road offers expert insights, guiding users through the classic techniques that inspired this powerful tool.

FREE

Ghost Note Audio introduces Spectrum Thief, a new, free EQ-matching plugin compatible with Windows and macOS. This tool allows producers to precisely match the equalization profile of one audio signal to another, marking a notable debut for the developer in the VST plugin market. Discover more about Spectrum Thief.

Universal Audio has launched LUNA v1.9, a significant update to their free DAW, integrating new AI-powered tools. Enhancements include Voice Control for recording, Instrument Detection for track organization, and advanced tempo features like Tempo Listen and Tempo Extraction. Users can download LUNA v1.9 for free on Mac and Windows.

Sonatura is offering its MIDIGator MIDI-controlled audio gate plugin for free, a limited-time promotion for the typically $10 software. Compatible with macOS and Windows, MIDIGator enables precise audio gating via MIDI notes or sustain pedals. Learn more about this versatile MIDI plugin.