Future Music

Editor-In-Chief Si Truss, simon.truss@futurenet.com Reviews Editor, Music Technology Simon

Awards time!

SCAN TO GET OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER It’s that

ADAM AUDIO

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MOST WANTED FOR 2023…

Korg DrumLogue (again…) 12 months on, Korg’s long

Sequential unveil the Trigon-6, Dave Smith’s final synth

> When he died earlier this year, Sequential’s

Newfangled Audio says that its Invigorate plugin is a bus compressor like no other

>If your current bus compressor isn’t getting you

Korg head back to the ’90s and ’00s with microKorg, Electribe and Kaoss

> Korg have added microKorg, Electribe and Kaoss

Sonicware’s Liven Lofi-12 revives gritty ’80s samplers

> Sonicware have added another product to the

reFX releases Vanguard 2: much-loved soft synth returns

>Released in 2004, reFX’s Vanguard used to be

Aodyo’s Anyma Omega puts physical modelling into a hybrid hardware synth

>Cast your mind back a couple of years

Waldorf’s Streichfett plugin brings that ’70s adult movie sound to your DAW

>When Waldorf launched their Streichfett hardware string synth

Generate new musical ideas in Ableton Live

How to create massive bass sounds using Live’s Wavetable

The Wiseguys Executive Suite

Wall of Sound, 1996

Track by track with DJ Regal

Intro “That was [DJ Touché] Theo’s find, as

GEAR OF THE YEAR

We crown 2022’s finest synths, software, studio gear and more

Synths in 2022: past vs future

Are we still obsessed with vintage synths, or is digital becoming the new analogue? The jury’s still out...

6 MUST-TRY SYNTHS FROM 2022

BEST NEW SYNTH 1 ARTURIA MINIFREAK 1Arturia’s latest

NOVATION CIRCUIT RHYTHM

What’s better than new gear? A significant free update to something you already own. Let’s celebrate 2022’s best freebies

The state of software in 2022

AI and Spatial Audio might be the future, but we all still love a retro synth or two…

6 ESSENTIAL PLUGINS FROM 2022

1 DEVIOUS MACHINES INFILTRATOR 2 MAC/PC 1An update

8 MUST-HAVE MODULES FROM 2022

>There has been less of an established theme

POLYEND PLAY

Polyend’s performance groovebox, Play, is some of the most fun we’ve had with hardware, with its open and inspiring sequencing workflow

ELEKTRON SYNTAKT

>Elektron’s instrument lineup in recent years has touched

AKAI PRO MPC KEY 61

>Akai’s MPC range has taken a multitude of

Notable mentions…

AKAI PRO, MPK MINI Mk3 Version 3 of

RØDE NTH-100

>Despite being best known for their mics, Røde

AUDIENT EVO 16

>Audient have been consistently impressing us with their

Notable mentions…

PRESONUS, R80 MONITORS Their ribbon-based tweeters might not

SSL BIG SIX

SSL’s latest home studio mixer follows in the footsteps of the two-track SiX in bringing console quality to project studios – at a price

Moog Moogerfooger effect plugins

Moog have recreated their classic Moogerfooger stompboxes in plugin form. Leo Maymind goes in-depth to unearth some tips and tricks...

HOW DO THEY COMPARE?

>While this isn’t the first time the set

Getting to know Cluster Flux

What exactly is a Cluster Flux? Combine chorus, flanger, vibrato, and more in one single effect and you’re almost there…

THREE QUICK TIPS

1 Directly to the right of the preset

Create a trippy, delay with MF-104S

While many plugins can modulate the delay time internally, few have the options that the MF-104S has

UNDER THE HOOD OF THE MF-104S

While most of the plugins in the new

Utilising Moog’s MuRF filter bank in your DAW

Moog’s MF-105S, also known as the MuRF, is a great, quick way to add movement to your grooves

UNDERSTANDING: Gain staging

WHAT IS IT? Also known as gain structure,

Quick Synth Tips: Part 1

Get more out of your synths with our series of quick-and-dirty synthesis tips

ESSENTIAL ALBUMS 2022

Kelly Lee Owens LP.8 Smalltown Supersound For her

Ataxia

The Detroit duo on their love of drum machines and the raw production approach behind debut LP, Out Of Step

SAOIRSE

A born-to-be radio host and DJ, Saoirse’s switch to production came just as naturally. Danny Turner explores her hard-hitting, bass-driven sound

TYLER POPE

The LCD Soundsystem bassist goes solo with a sizzling funk/electro-punk blend. Danny Turner finds a man on an analogue mission

NOSAJ THING & SUNNY LEVINE

Undecided on how to finish his first vocalbased album, Nosaj Thing summoned Grammy-winning producer Sunny Levine. The duo talk to Danny Turner

RABIT

After a four-year break, left field grime producer Rabit takes an ambitious left turn. Danny Turner reveals his ‘Frankenstein’ approach

Arturia MiniFreak €599

The MicroFreak gets a new, polyphonic sibling. Si Truss lets the ’Freak off the leash

Moog Moogerfooger effects plugins $249

The stompbox line enters virtual form, adding extras unavailable on its analogue ancestor. Robbie Stamp gets chained up

RødeCaster Pro II £699

If you produce podcasts, this will make your life much easier. Jon Musgrave fires up this latest task-specific workstation

Roland Fantom-0 Series From £1,250

The flyweight Fantom is here, but has shedding those few pounds come at a cost? Ben Rogerson gets the measure of it…

Befaco Pony VCO £205

Rob Redman finds this useful, compact VCO is more than just a one-trick-pony

Audiomodern Loopmix €69

A six-track looper with controlled randomisation at its heart. Si Truss gets in the loop

Sennheiser XSW IEM Set £529

Wireless in-ear monitoring is great for performing. Jon Musgrave connects up this latest all-in-one entry level bundle

Elgato Wave DX £110

Jon Musgrave weighs up this latest podcast-ready mic from media manufacturer Elgato

UVI–Soul Bass €99 (or with a SonicPass subscription)

>Whilst UVI’s extensive instrument library is filled with many

Audiotent – Optic

Standard: $56 Deluxe: $67

5Pin Media – Keeping It House £19.95

>A slamming set of full-track construction kits, pumped

Element One – Dark Jungle £14.95

> Pitch-black drum & bass business in this

Splice – OFF RECORD PRESENTS: Extra Sturdy Sample Pack From $7.99/mth

> Serious set of samples picking up on

Sample Magic – Shoegaze From $7.99/mth

>A wavy wonderland of woozy WAVs for all

Signum Audio Skye Clipper

> Clipping is a time-honoured staple of music