Pulsar Modular has released Q BIT, a free bitcrusher that combines digital distortion inspired by vintage hardware with a Time Hold effect for some pretty interesting rhythmic results. We previously covered the developer’s Sahara compressor, but this one explores the digital artifacts found in old samplers, home-computer sound chips, and frozen audio snippets. A typical…
What BPB readers think about AI in music software
More than 2,000 BPB readers took part in our poll about AI in music software. I received 2,096 responses and 762 comments. The consensus is that most readers want BPB to cover at least some of these tools, while drawing a firm line at software that generates music. Thank you to everyone who took the…
Morpheral Machines releases Desense, a FREE lo-fi interference instrument
Morpheral Machines has released Desense, a free instrument that turns stuff like phone interference, electrical hum, and radio noise into sounds you can play from your keyboard. The developer is a new Berlin studio founded by Renoise creator Eduard Müller. Desense actually started as the interference noise in the demo version of its other debut…
Erica Synths: The Best Hardware FX For Electronic Music
Producer Eraldo Bernocchi is no stranger to hardware effects. We asked him to explain how he gets his unique sound, both on guitar and other instruments, and he came back with recommendations for four Erica Synths units: Nightverb, Echolocator, Xenodrive and Rezonator. Countless effects pedals and rack units have followed me on and off stages…
Shehds Lighting
Professional lighting used to mean serious money, complicated setups, and a van full of equipment. But with LED technology becoming cheaper and more capable, DJs can now put together impressive light shows without needing a full production crew. SHEHDS is one of the brands looking to make that happen. For most DJs, the music comes…
quietformat Releases Cernion Wavetable Synthesizer with Full MPE and Cernion FX (AU & VST3)
quietformat has released Cernion, an advanced wavetable synthesizer designed to combine deep sound design with intuitive, hands-on control. Its tools support traditional synthesizer sounds as well as evolving textures, cinematic effects and experimental sound design. Cernion makes complex modulation playable Each modulation assignment can have its own depth and response curve. A single macro can…
MusicDevelopments updates RapidComposer to v6.3
MusicDevelopments has released RapidComposer v6.3, a new update to the composition and arranging software for Windows and macOS. The highlight of v6.3 is a new Chords Play Mode in Live mode. It turns RapidComposer into an advanced arranger keyboard, allowing you to perform your compositions in real time using a split keyboard. Hold down chord…
Vienna Symphonic Library releases Vienna Performer
Vienna Symphonic Library has released Vienna Performer, a plug-in that takes the notes a composer has written and returns them as a performance. The parts are written as usual in a DAW or notation program; Vienna Performer renders them and places the audio back on the track. The AI models behind Vienna Performer were trained…