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The return of the synth classics

The Odyssey, CS-80 and Minimoog are all back – and one’s even in hardware!

Get with the programmers

Audified have kindly given us several plugins for our famous suite, so it’s time to get the story behind these popular Czech Republic developers

App watch

We report on the latest developments in phone and tablet music making

10 years back

Our monthly shake-of-thehead at our earlier selves’ news

East West’s String Machine

In what has become quite a retro-focussed news

Ins & outs

IT’S ALL ABOUT THAT REALLY LOW BASS Scientists

Celebrate 30 years of Novation with free classic sounds

PLUS: Enter to win a whole studio’s worth of Novation instruments

FREE SOFTWARE 2023!

ON SALE WED 28 DEC The hottest new

COMPUTER MUSIC

ISSUE 316 JANUARY 2023 Future PLC Quay House,

BECOME A SYNTH POWER USER

This month, we’re going to help you master your instruments and become a power user in every aspect of synthesis. So prepare to load up your favourite plugins and take your programming to another level…

Subtractive synthesis

Considered the baseline of synthesis, subtractive synthesis is

Dr Bob

While there were many explorations into synthetic sonic

Harmonically challenged

Fig 1. Harmonic series represented in music notation

Modulation

Moving beyond the basic elements of subtractive synthesis,

Amps and modulation

Just as the oscillator will flow to the

The bigger the sound

Without wishing to state the obvious, some synths

Taking the pulse

There are many elements to be found lurking

Wavetable synthesis

Taking the subtractive concept a stage further, we explore one of the most interesting synthesis formats, where the waves get bigger and bolder

Other forms of synthesis

In the pursuit of ever more creative ways to create new sounds, let’s see some of the other synthesis formats, some of which you might be using without even knowing it…

6 of the best paid-for subtractive synths

Want subtractive softsynths that are a cut above? Here’s our checklist of the latest and best paid must-haves

UVI Vintage Vault 4

Mac/PC/iOS €599 This epic collection of vintage

6 of the best paid-for nonsubtractive synths sounds

Want to take your synthesist’s knowledge to the next level? Try these paid synths which gravitate away from the subtractive norms towards extreme processing

6 of the best free synths

There’s an abundant supply of free alternatives, across all styles of synthesis. Here are six of our free prize-picks

TAL-NoiseMaker

Mac/PC Fulfilling that perfect space for a basic

ZebraCM filtering harmonics

One of the most identifiable electronic sounds around is created by resonating harmonics using a filter

Wavetable ala Thomas Dolby on Retro Synth

Wavetable synthesis is an excellent medium for creating sound with movement

ZebraCM subtractive – punchy filter bass

Some sounds are exceptionally useful, and one is a straight subtractive bass sound with a sub oscillator

cm/experts

Become a better producer now with pro advice, expert videos and audio examples from our gurus

SYNTH POWER!

> become a synth power user / synth power!

ZebraCM bespoke LFO filter bass

Synth masterclass

From mono to stereo

Mix masterclass

cm/reviews

The latest computer music gear tested and rated!

BLEASS Megalit €99

BLEASS’ product line continues to grow, and Megalit is their most adventurous release by far and could be the sonic wrangler you need

Cherry Audio Sines $59

Cherry Audio’s newest virtual synthesiser is all about the fundamentals. We follow the Sines and head back to some waveform basics

Moog Moogerfoogers $249

One of the most respected synth companies in the world reinvents its much-missed pedal lineup through software

PreSonus Studio One 6 £370

Bulging with new upgrades, Studio One 6 smartly tailors your workflow to be more honed than many other DAWs. But is it worth the switch?

Audio Damage Other Desert Cities (AD054) $79

The latest intriguingly named plugin from Audio Damage provides creative delays and modulation, with inspiration from an unlikely source

Lifeline Console £69

Dial-in sumptuous layers of analogue warmth and tape-y goodness with Excite Audio’s latest multi-moduled mixing tool

Vochlea Dubler 2 £189

Turning hummed melodies into malleable MIDI just got that bit easier thanks to a slick new update to Vochlea’s vocal alchemist

IK Multimedia iLoud Precision 6 €999 each

Desktop music making specialists IK Multimedia have stepped into the pro market with their new monitors, but should you step up with them?

Hydratek M EKKA€29.99

100 cinematic Serum presets to take your futuristic

Ashibah 4 E.V.E.R £29.95

Dancefloor-focused artist pack from the Danish/Egyptian producer with

Ambient Matrix £15.99 or 300 Credits

For their first ever spaced-out ambient sound pack,

Acoustic Jungle Breaks £12

Super crisp set of 87 breaks, played by

LollieVox Vocal Essentials $12.50

EDM, pop, and dance vocals from a Nashville

Warehouse Techno $25.95

Slamming techno samples built for their spiritual home.

Deep Breaks £16.95

Eight loved and laboured-over construction kits, representing the

XILS LAB 3.2 CM EDITION

This month we have an all-new update for the CM Suite – the excellent XILS 3.2 CM gets a 2022 revamp

Psychedelia

Back in issue 277, our master sample creators

1662 Future Drums samples

Roland’s classic Space Echo was put to good

Loopmasters 316 samples

This month’s demo sample selection highlighting Loopmasters’ latest releases