Synthtopia

Knob Monster is a new site that’s sort of like iCloud for your vintage synth patches. The site is a browser-based SysEx librarian for your synths. It uses the Web MIDI API to connect directly to hardware like the DX7, Juno-106, Korg M1, CZ-101, Roland D-50 and more, and let you back up your synth to the cloud. There are no drivers or desktop installs – you just plug your synth in, and Knob Monster reads the synth’s memory buffer, parses the patch names from hex and backs everything up to the cloud.

Plastic Factory has introduced Grainsmith Field, a new granular synthesizer for iPad and iPhone. They say the idea behind Grainsmith Field was to make granular approachable, so it sounds great, and you can play it without digging through menus.

Developer Adam Baker let us know that he’s introduced Grip, an iOS app that turns your iPhone or iPad into a wireless remote controller for Ableton Live. Here’s what he has to say about it: “I always felt Ableton was missing an integrated ‘feels like Live’ app for vocalists, guitarists, drummers, synth players, and solo artists who don’t work entirely in the box. Not a totally mappable, customizable canvas, but opinionated, with a consistent, easy to use interface.

In this video, synthesist and developer Stretta demonstrates Smol Sequencer, a browser-based modular sequencing environment. Video Summary: The video explores how how small sequencer modules can be interconnected to create evolving musical patterns. Learn to manipulate note values, introduce randomization, and utilize pitch class rotation for scale-based composition, all before sharing your unique musical ideas through compressed, link-based project files.

Freshwater Instruments has introduced the FI50A CPU Card, a complete modern CPU card for the Fairlight CMI Series I, II and IIx. The CPU card replaces the original computer section of the CMI, while preserving the instruments character, workflow and hardware experience. It runs updated software, derived from the original source code, and dramatically improves speed, reliability, storage and usability of the instrument.

Faded Instruments has introduced Harmonal Binaurics 2, a new “mind control drone synth and experimental sound design tool” for iOS, macOS & Windows. Here’s what they have to say about it: “Harmonal Binaurics 2 combines Binaural Beats with Isochronic Tones and custom tuning systems to hijack your brainwaves and bend your unconscious mind.

Scaepe shared this video demo for Noisferatu, a compact handheld generative texture synthesizer. Noisferatu offers 45 algorithms across 5 banks, producing crackling textures, noisy scapes, evolving drones, harmonic blips and digital chaos. The developer says that results are “Shaped, but never fully controlled, by four knobs.” Noisferatu uses generative wavetables, BitBend address manipulation, probability gates, bitwise logic operations and combinations of these. Pricing and Availability:

Developer Jonas Eriksson has released Tape Fiasco 2, a VST/AU plugin for your DAW that he says “turns a single audio loop into a performance instrument.” Version 2 is a major update that adds four new effects, unlimited modulation, and more ways to “destroy your audio.” Highlights of the Tape Fiasco 2 update include: New FX: Clang (Creative Ring Mod). Aether (Shimmer Reverb). Orbit (Auto-Panner). Tremor (Tremelo). Morph, wreck, or mangle — one controller does it all.

In his latest loopop video, host Ziv Eliraz shares an in-depth review of the Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 multi-effect pedal. The H9 Harmonizer is designed to take everything that made the original a classic and push it further. It offers the complete H90 algorithm lineup, modern ARM processing, and an enhanced workflow. Topics covered: 0:00 Intro 1:25 Overview 2:20 vs H9max 3:15 Only 1 fx?

TheGuacamoleXplosions shared this video demo of a free sound bank that turns the Novation Peak (or Summit) into a drum synthesizer, drum machine or even a groovebox. All Peak Patches in this video were created from scratch. All Peak tracks were recorded through RME audio interfaces (Babyface Pro and Fireface UC) directly into Cubase stereo tracks.