Until March 31, you can save up to 25% on selected Universal Audio effects pedals with the UAFX Instant Savings Event at Thomann.

UAFX Instant Savings Event

Planning to expand that pedal board? There couldn’t be a better opportunity. Let’s take a closer look at the UAFX offers available, but remember that this sale is until March 31 – so don’t miss out!

You can shop the entire sale here, or take a closer look at the individual offers below:

Orion Tape Echo

A tape-style echo effect with three tape modes, preamp modelling, and selectable true or tails bypass.

• Save nearly 25% on the UAFX Orion Tape Echo now at $158

UAFX Orion Tape Echo

Available for $158 at

Heavenly Plate Reverb

A plate reverb effect with 3 plate variants, modulation, and trails/bypass modes.

• Get nearly 25% off the UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb now at $158

UAFX Heavenly Plate Reverb

Available for $158 at

Evermore Studio Reverb

A digital reverb with 3 reverb styles, modulation, and trails/bypass modes.

• Save nearly 25% on the UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb now at $158

UAFX Evermore Studio Reverb

Available for $158 at

1176 Studio Compressor

The UAFX pedal version of the famous studio compressor with single, dual, and sustain compression modes and a parallel compression function.

• Get over 15% off the UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor now at $158

UAFX 1176 Studio Compressor

Available for $158 at

Max Preamp & Dual Compressor

Equipped with a UA 610 preamp emulation with EQ, as well as the 1176, LA-2A, and Dyna Comp compressors.

• Get over 10% off the UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor now at $269

UAFX Max Preamp & Dual Compressor

Available for $269 at

Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb

A stereo reverb and tape echo pedal with tap tempo, three tape head modes, and UAFX app control.

• Save over 20% on the UAFX Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb now at $269

UAFX Galaxy ’74 Tape Echo & Reverb

Available for $269 at

Del-Verb Ambience Companion

A stereo reverb and delay pedal with three reverb modes, three delay modes, modulation, and UAFX app control.

• Get over 20% off the UAFX Del-Verb Ambience Companion now at $269

UAFX Del-Verb Ambience Companion

Available for $269 at

Dream ’65 Reverb Amp

A stereo amp sim. pedal with three amp simulation modes, three cabinet/speaker models, reverb, vibrato, and more.

• Save over 10% on the UAFX Dream ’65 now at $315

UAFX Dream ’65 Reverb Amp

Available for $315 at

Ruby ’63 Top Boost Amplifier

A stereo amp sim. pedal with three amp simulation modes, three cabinet/speaker models, treble boost, vibrato, and more.

• Get over 10% off the UAFX Ruby ’63 now at $315

UAFX Ruby ’63

Available for $315 at

Woodrow ’55 Instrument Amplifier

A stereo amp sim. pedal with three boost styles, three cabinet/speaker models, Bluetooth, and presets.

• Save over 10% on the UAFX Woodrow ’55 now at $315

UAFX Woodrow ’55

Available for $315 at

Astra Modulation Machine

This stereo modulation effects pedal is equipped with BBD Chorus, Flanger/Doubler, and Amp Tremolo.

• Get over 10% off the UAFX Astra Modulation Machine now at $315

UAFX Astra Modulation Machine

Available for $315 at

Golden Reverberator

A stereo reverb pedal with spring, plate, and hall reverb effects.

• Save over 10% on the UAFX Golden Reverberator now at $315

UAFX Golden Reverberator

Available for $315 at

Starlight Echo Station

A stereo delay pedal with tape, BBD, and digital delay effects.

• Get over 10% off the UAFX Starlight Echo Station now at $315

UAFX Starlight Echo Station

Available for $315 at

More about the UAFX Instant Savings Event:

• Shop the entire sale
• All about Universal Audio
• More Deals

*Note: percentage discounts may vary according to your region and currency conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are guidelines only.

The post UAFX Instant Savings Event: Get up to 25% off Universal Audio pedals appeared first on gearnews.com.

Happy birthday, Plugin Boutique! For no less than 12 years, the software reseller has been quenching our thirst for the latest effect plugins and software instruments. Thanks for that! Plugin Boutique is celebrating its 12th anniversary with a month of sales and huge discounts. What’s more, they even throw in a free synth from Universal Audio as a bonus until the end of February. Check out these Anniversary Deals – there’s something for everyone!

Plugin Boutique turns 12

Here’s to a dozen years! Plugin Boutique is celebrating its 12th anniversary this month, and that means huge discounts and lots of awesome deals for you! Whether you’re looking for software synths or effect plugins and bundles for mixing and mastering – these anniversary deals have got you covered. Compressors, multi-effects, equalizers, delays, reverbs, distortion effects, overdrives, saturators, phasers, flangers, synths – you name it! Check out the deals here.

Native Instruments x Plugin Boutique Digital-Analogue Bundle

Available for $54 at

Universal Audio Electronic Music Bundle

Available for $69 at

Excite Audio Deals

Available for at

The deals include well-known and brand-new products from acclaimed developers such as Arturia, Audified, Audio Damage, Audiority, AudioThing, Boz Digital, DopeSONIX, Glitchmachines, iZotope, Krotos, Loopmasters, MeldaProduction, Native Instruments, Output, Plugin Boutique, Producertech, Softube, Sonnox, Sugar Bytes, UJAM, Universal Audio, zplane, and many more. And the platform says that even more deals will arrive over the next few weeks – so check this link frequently!

Sonnox Plugin Deals

Available for at

Arturia Instrument Plugin Deals

Available for at

More information about the Anniversary Deals

This anniversary offer is only valid during the month of February 2024. And for each order placed during the anniversary month, Plugin Boutique throws in the Universal Audio PolyMAX software synth for FREE – a $199 value! Talk about a sweet deal!

• Deal page
• More from Plugin Boutique

Note: This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!

The post Plugin Boutique Celebrates 12th Anniversary with Mega Deals! appeared first on gearnews.com.

If you’ve been eyeing the massive Synth Stack 4 bundle from Cherry Audio, now is a perfect time to get it! You can also save on software synths and effects from Arturia, D16 Group, Waves, and more. Check out this week’s software deals!

Cherry Audio Winter Sale

Cherry Audio is having a massive Winter Sale with huge discounts on its acclaimed software synths and effects. Pick your favorites from their recreations of legendary synths like the Mercury-6 (Jupiter-6), Miniverse (Minimoog), Eight-Voice (Oberheim), or PS-3300. Mix in style with their Stardust 201 Tape Echo, Galactic Reverb, and Rackmode Signal Processors. Or better yet, get the massive Synth Stack 4 bundle with no less than 21 synths for an amazing price!

Cherry Audio software synths and effects are on sale until March 31 with discounts of up to 77%*!

Cherry Audio Synth Stack 4

Available for $399 at

• More from Cherry Audio

33% off D 16 Group Drumazon 2

Drumazon 2 by D16 Group is without a doubt one of the best virtual recreations of the immortal Roland TR-909. And the new version released last year offers more features than ever before. The most notable new addition are two effect busses, each with five FX slots for giving your drums that extra something. It also features a redesigned GUI with a permanently visible sequencer. TR-909 2.0!

Drumazon 2 is 33% off* at Plugin Boutique until February 4. 

D16 Group Drumazon 2

Available for $79 at

• More from D16 Group

Moog Moogerfooger Bundle: Classic analog FX for your DAW

Here’s your chance to get the full bundle of all eight Moogerfooger plugins for an amazing price! The plugins bring the discontinued hardware effects to your DAW – including the ability to run control voltages between them for cross-modulation. From the classic ladder filter and 12-stage phaser to the unique MuRF and Cluster Flux effects – they’re all there.

THe Moogerfooger Bundle is 46% off* at Plugin Boutique until February 12.

Moogerfooger Effects Plugin Bundle

Available for $149 at

• More from Moog

Arturia Pigments 5: The Polychrome Synthesizer just got even better

Arturia has just released a big update for its powerful Pigments synthesizer. With four different sound engines and insane modulation capabilities, Pigments is one of the most versatile software synths out there. There’s hardly anything it can’t do. And the latest version just got even better with lower CPU consumption, a new performance-friendly Play mode, and a spruced-up sequencer.

Arturia Pigments 5 is 50% off* at Thomann until February 12.

Arturia Pigments Download

Available for $89 at

• More from Arturia

Massive Savings on Waves Plugins

Waves is also currently offering big discounts on most of its plugins. From emulations of classic console channel strips and outboard effects to unique and modern sound design and production tools, the Waves catalog includes something for pretty much any audio processing task that might come your way. Stock up on Waves plugins while these discounts last!

Waves plugins are currently up to 75% off* at Thomann.

Waves Scheps Omni Channel

Available for $37 at

• More from Waves

*Percentage discount will vary based on your territory and conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are used for guidance only.

The post Software Deals: Huge Discounts on Cherry Audio, Arturia, Waves & more appeared first on gearnews.com.

The Casio Dimension Tripper was one of the rather unusual highlights of NAMM 2024. It sits at the upper end of the guitar strap and sends modulation signals as soon as you pull the guitar. Like a B-Bender, but digital and (apparently) trippier.

Casio Dimension Tripper

Casio is not an unknown name in itself in the guitar world, but it’s been a while since we saw something string-related from the Japanese company. The Casio Dimension Tripper works in a similar motion as a B-Bender, and so as you pull down your guitar it triggers the effect.

Three developers at the company have developed the belt attachment virtually on their own. And now it looks like it is only available as part of a new crowdfunding campaign in Japan.

Greenfunding

If we understand the translation of some Japanese guitar YouTubers correctly, the three Casio developers have spent a good three years on the Dimension Tripper. The interest in Japan seems to be so great since the first articles and videos that the crowdfunding goal with approx. 50,000 euros was recently exceeded by the Japanese crowdfunding service Greenfunding.

Prototype

Now a prototype was also shown at NAMM 2024. And all those who tried the belt modulator seem to have been quite impressed. The Casio Dimension Tripper seems to be aimed primarily at disciples of movement-intensive playing styles à la Angus Young or Tom Morello. But what exactly is it about?

How the Dimension Tripper works

Expression pedals that modulate individual pedal parameters or entire preset pedal changers are almost indispensable in today’s pedalboards.  The Casio Dimension Tripper attempts to place the control on the guitar strap so no attempt to use your feet at the same time as you play. Potentially, making it a great way to add effects/expression as you perform.

Two Part Solution

The set consists of two modules, a pedal, and the device that is placed between the belt and the belt attachment. Both are connected via Bluetooth 5. And if you then pull on your guitar, the device sends a modulation signal. The pedal on the ground in turn emits two modulation signals.

Calibrate

According to Engadget, there is a latency of 20 milliseconds in the translation between movement and modulation. Since each guitar has a slightly different weight, each upper body is a different size and each arm strength is different. Users can also calibrate the spring in the device to their taste.

How much does the Casio Dimension Tripper cost and when will it come to us?

The crowdfunding campaign, which, by the way, will still be until 31 January 2024, states that the Casio Dimension Tripper costs 31,680 yen, which is approx. 199 euros corresponds to.

The fact that the crowdfunding goal was achieved and was recently exhibited at NAMM, however, very much indicates that the device will sooner or later also be available with us.

We’ll keep you up to date on this one.

More Information

• Crowdfunding Page (in Japanese)
• More Casio news 

The post Casio Dimension Tripper – Digital B-Bender that Modulates? appeared first on gearnews.com.

Are you a Steinberg Cubase or an Ableton Live person? No matter which DAW you prefer, you can now score great deals on both of them! Other software deals of the week include amazing offers from Flux, Expressive E, and Softube.

Save up to 15% on Steinberg Cubase & more

Have you been thinking about switching to Steinberg Cubase? Here’s your chance to get the popular DAW software for less! Cubase 13 came out just a couple of months ago with loads of new features, including a new Channel Tab, Mix Console, and Vocal Chain plugin. Cubase 13 comes in three versions: the entry-level Elements version, the intermediate Artist edition, and the fully-featured Pro version that leaves nothing to be desired.

Steinberg software is currently up to 15% off* at Thomann.

Steinberg Cubase 13

Available for $522 at

• More from Steinberg

Up to 40% off Ableton Live

More of an Ableton fan? Then it’s your lucky day! Ableton Live 11 Intro, Standard, and Suite are currently on sale with savings of up to 40%. That’s a perfect opportunity to switch to the popular DAW for loop-based music production. And don’t worry about buying Live 11 now with Live 12 due for release this spring: A free upgrade is included, so you’ll receive the new version at no cost when it’s released.

Ableton Live 11 is on sale at Thomann until January 31 with savings of up to 40%*.

Ableton Live 11 Suite

Available for $439 at

• More from Ableton

Up to 75% off Flux Plugins and Bundles

Flux is known for some of the finest plugins for immersive audio, audio analysis, and processing. And some of the developer’s best plugins for mixing and mastering are now on sale with savings of up to 75%! Choose from the powerful BitterSweet Pro v3 transient shaper, the easy-to-use program-adaptive Syrah v3 compressor, or the versatile Session Analyzer for all your real-time metering needs. Or better yet, add all of these and much more to your collection for less with the Flux Studio Session Pack!

Selected Flux plugins and bundles are on sale at Thomann until January 14 with savings of up to 75%*. 

Flux Studio Session Pack

Available for $55 at

• More from Flux

Save on Expressive E Imagine and Noisy

Expressive E is best known for the incredible Osmose instrument and controller – and for highly innovative software synths! Imagine was developed in collaboration with Applied Acoustics Systems and revolves around the idea of modelling physical objects. Noisy, which is no less imaginative, combines physically modeled resonators and subtractive synthesis. Now you can score great deals on both of these amazing instruments – but hurry up, these offers expire in just a couple of days!

Expressive E Imagine and Noisy are up to 65% off* at Thomann until January 11.

Expressive E Imagine

Available for $76 at

• More from Expressive E

Softube Mix Foundations Bundle

Here’s an amazing deal from Softube! The Mix Foundations Bundle, which is available exclusively through Plugin Boutique for a limited time, gets you an essential collection of Softube plugins for a price that’s almost too good to be true. Impart an analog flavor to your tracks with the Tape tape machine emulation, shape your sound with the three different EQs of the Passive-Active Pack, and then finish it off in style with the Wasted Space lo-fi reverb – all for under 40 bucks. It’s a no-brainer!

The Softube Mix Foundations Bundle is on sale at Plugin Boutique for $39 until January 15 – that’s 87% off* compared to the individual prices of the included plugins.

Softube Mix Foundations Bundle

Available for $39 at

• More from Softube

*Percentage discount will vary based on your territory and conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are used for guidance only.

The post Software Deals: Save on Steinberg Cubase, Ableton, Softube, & more! appeared first on gearnews.com.

While it may be hard for veteran recording engineers to accept, there’s no denying that today’s technology makes it possible to record, mix, and prepare entire albums using iPhones and especially iPads. In order to fully realize such projects, you need more than just powerful hardware – a crucial component is the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). But which iOS DAW is the best iOS DAW?

Answering this question is not trivial, as the preferences of music producers vary greatly. There are many different iOS DAWs on the market, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. To find the best iOS DAW, consider the different options while keeping your needs and working methods in mind. Of course, you do need an iPhone or iPad.

It’s all about finding a DAW that offers an intuitive user interface, has a wide range of features, and is reliable. Ultimately, the best iOS DAW is the one that allows the user to realize their creative vision efficiently and effectively.

iOS and iPadOS DAWs: pros and cons

In the world of Apple devices, the operating system plays a central role, with macOS at the heart of Mac computers. Compare with iOS on iPhones, and iPadOS, a version of iOS, designed specifically for iPads with their larger displays and more powerful hardware components.

It’s worth noting how impressive the performance of these mobile devices is, having moved to ARM architecture long before Mac computers. This technological advancement has led to an extensive range of programs, particularly in the area of audio applications.

The distinction between tablets and computers is particularly evident in the way we interact with these devices: Tablets such as the iPad are operated exclusively via a touch display, be it with a finger or a stylus pen. This unique way of interaction requires the software to be designed explicitly for a touch-input workflow, primarily digital audio workstations.

For the best iOS DAW, it is therefore essential that it is not only compatible with the powerful features of iPadOS but also offers intuitive and responsive touch operation. This ensures that music producers and creatives have full control over their musical projects right at the tip of their fingers.

Apple GarageBand belongs in our list of “The best iOS DAW”

Best iOS DAW: Apple Garageband

GarageBand, the free DAW developed by Apple, is perfectly matched to the company’s own hardware, making it an excellent choice for use on iPad and iPhone. GarageBand allows you to start recording immediately and create your songs with various virtual instruments. In addition, the app offers an impressive selection of virtual amps, pianos, effects, loops, and samples that are essential for producing and composing.

The operation of GarageBand may seem unfamiliar initially, but after a bit of getting used to it, the app is exceptionally user-friendly. It is not only suitable for beginners who want to complete their songs from start to finish but also for anyone who wants to record ideas quickly and easily on the go.

GarageBand supports audio and MIDI recordings and allows exporting projects in various formats. However, stem export and pre-mastering in GarageBand is somewhat cumbersome. For these more advanced tasks, switching to a computer and a more fully-fledged DAW is best.

Still, when it comes to the best iOS DAW for fast, efficient, and mobile music production, GarageBand is an excellent choice. Incidentally, finished songs can be imported directly into the professional version Logic Pro, which is also available for the iPad.

GarageBand in the App Store

Apple Logic Pro as the best iOS DAW?

Logic Pro for iOS/iPadOS brings Logic Pro features to mobile devices with almost all of the instruments and effects from the macOS version included. For instance, legendary instruments like Sculpture, Alchemy, some older e-synthesizers, and even multi-effects like Step FX are available. In addition, the app is MPE-capable. However, it lacks Logic’s MIDI environment, pedal board, and special effects.

The app supports AUv3, third-party MIDI effects, and has a touch-optimized interface. It includes Alchemy, Retro Synth, and the new Beat Breaker instrument. Logic Pro for iPad is AUv3 and Ableton Link compatible and allows imports from the macOS version.

It is available for €4.99 per month or €49 per year, including a one-month trial. These features make it a top option for the best iOS DAW. Definitely a contender for a top position as the best iOS DAW.

Logic Pro for iPad in the App Store

Steinberg Cubasis

Cubasis, developed by Steinberg, is the counterpart to the renowned DAWs Cubase and Nuendo for iOS and iPadOS, respectively. As the little sibling, Cubasis offers a powerful alternative for mobile production. Cubasis is as intuitive as Cubase.

Best iOS DAW: Cubasis from Steinberg

In terms of recording capacity, Cubasis allows you to record up to 24 tracks simultaneously at 24-bit quality and a maximum sample rate of 96 kHz. The number of audio and MIDI tracks is not limited, but the CPU performance of the device ultimately sets the limit.

Each track in Cubasis offers eight effect slots, eight send effects, and eight master effects. Some plug-ins are already included, others are unlocked after registration. It is also possible to purchase further effects and synthesizers through in-app purchases.

Steinberg Cubasis presents itself as one of the iPad’s most comprehensive and professional DAWs. This quality comes at a price: at 59.99 Euros, it is one of the more expensive options on the market.

Cubasis in the App Store

Image Line FL Studio Mobile

For users who already use FL Studio from Image-Line on their computer, FL Studio Mobile offers a seamless way to continue their musical projects on their tablet. The mobile DAW comes with 15 effect plug-ins and a selection of virtual sound generators, including a sampler, various drums, and loops.

FL Studio Mobile

The extensive MIDI features of FL Studio Mobile are particularly noteworthy and sure to delight many fans. In addition, the app also offers the option of recording and editing audio.

The workflows for recording audio and MIDI and for producing beats in FL Studio Mobile are pleasant and efficient. However, the mixing capabilities of this DAW are rather basic. Another aspect that deserves attention is the neon look of the user interface, which is modern and eye-catching but may not be pleasant for every user in the long term.

For users looking for the best iOS DAW and already familiar with FL Studio, FL Studio Mobile is an exciting option, mainly because of its compatibility and expansion options. However, potential users should remember the above aspects to ensure that the app suits their needs and preferences. It is available for 12.99 USD.

FL Studio Mobile in the App Store

Ableton Note

Ableton Note is the long-awaited mobile notepad for users, live performers, and fans of Ableton Live. This idea has been around for years and has finally been realized by Ableton, the Berlin-based company.

Ableton Note mixing screen

Note is like a miniature version of Live. Working with the app is very similar to the desktop version of Ableton Live. This is my first impression as an Ableton Live fanboy who has been producing music with this DAW for a long time.

“Note” serves as a musical notepad, a kind of notepad for Ableton Live, and therefore only belongs in our top list of “best iOS DAW” to a limited extent. But it is more than just a tool for collecting ideas. With the iOS software, you can record musical sketches easily and intuitively on the go or anywhere with your iDevice. It allows you to bring your creative ideas to life wherever you are. You can find more information here in our checked out section.

Ableton Note in the App Store

Bandlab Music Making Studio as the best iOS DAW?

BandLab is probably known to many for its online DAW or for the acquisition of Sonar, which is now known as Cakewalk by BandLab. In addition, BandLab has something exciting to offer for iPad and iPhone – and it’s even free.

Mixing screen in BandLab

BandLab Music Making Studio, an app for mobile devices, focuses on working with loops. These can be recorded and edited on a total of 12 tracks. The range is complemented by a series of effect plug-ins, groove kits, and around 200 virtual MIDI instruments of varying quality.

One particularly interesting feature is the option to have your songs mastered automatically. Although the result of this automatic mastering will probably not reach the quality of a real pre-mastering, it is often a significant improvement over a completely unprocessed track. And best of all, this tool is entirely free!

If you’re looking for the best iOS DAW and are particularly keen on free, BandLab Music Making Studio is an attractive option. It’s an excellent option for music makers on the go who want to realize their ideas quickly and easily without having to sacrifice essential functions.

BandLab in the App Store

MedlyLabs Medly

Medly occupies a special place in the world of iOS DAWs with a visual design that is characterized by its minimalist, modern style. It reminds me a little of a blue Ableton Live. Medly was even awarded App of the Year in Japan and South Korea in 2016. This app allows you to record audio and MIDI data and divide it into different song parts. With these parts, you can quickly and easily change your track’s structure.

The app provides you with 16 virtual instruments, 100 loops, and several effects. The handling of pitch bends, fades and effect automation is comparatively good. However, I miss a classic editor GUI, and tracks are mixed via a fold-out mixer.

Medley iOS DAW

For music producers who are looking for the best iOS DAW and appreciate a clear, well-organized workspace, Medly could be an interesting option. The intuitive and streamlined user interface makes it particularly attractive to those who value efficiency and speed in the production process. This DAW offers a unique approach that sets it apart from other DAWs on the market and deserves special mention. Medly is free in the App Store and has a variety of in-app purchases available.

Medly in the App Store

n-Track Studio

n-Track Studio for iPad is an excellent option, especially for a free DAW. There are a few options for those who want the full functionality of n-Track Studio. You can either rent the DAW as a monthly subscription for between 1 and 5 euros or buy it for around 30 USD.

This investment gives you unlimited audio and MIDI tracks and a 64-bit audio engine. Sample rates above 48 kHz are possible but require a compatible interface and can reach up to 192 kHz. These impressive technical specifications make n-Track Studio the best iPad DAW for many.

N-Track Studio 9

The operation of n-Track Studio is intuitive and fluid, which makes working with the software very comfortable. Visually, the DAW is appealing and modern, but at the same time retains traditional elements.

N-Track in the App Store

Beatmaker 3

Beatmaker 3 is a must-have app for those who specialize in creating beats. Although it lacks some features you might expect from a genuinely comprehensive audio app, there is still a lot going on to make exciting beats with. You create beats with virtual pads reminiscent of a Launchpad or Push controller.

Beatmaker 3: best iOS DAw

You can do this with virtual instruments and record them in a timeline or sequencer. In addition to audio recording, Beatmaker 3 also allows you to use MIDI controllers. A solid mixer for your tracks helps you complete your song.

Another remarkable aspect of Beatmaker 3 is the user interface, which is very pleasantly designed. This makes it possible to work with the DAW for a long time without tiring your eyes. With a price of 29.99 Euros, Beatmaker 3 is not one of the cheapest options. But the consistently good ratings in the App Store speak for the quality and user-friendliness of the app.

Beatmaker 3 in the App Store

Audiobus – a perfect companion to the best iOS DAW

For music producers serious about making music with their iPhone or iPad, I strongly recommend getting Audiobus as one of the first apps. This app is indispensable as it allows signal communication between different audio applications.

Audiobus 3

In addition, AUv3 effects and sound generators can also be integrated into Audiobus. This significantly increases the flexibility and versatility of musical production.

An outstanding feature of Audiobus is the way in which everything is clearly displayed in a matrix together with your controllers. This makes navigating much more accessible. In addition, Audiobus offers the option to synchronize everything via a MIDI clock.

Priced at 9.99 USD, Audiobus offers tremendous value. As a central element in the quest for the best iOS DAW, Audiobus proves indispensable. It allows you to create an efficient and seamless music production environment on mobile devices.

Audiobus in the App Store

AUM

AUM is an exciting option for those not entirely satisfied with Audiobus or looking for an alternative. AUM’s range of functions is very similar to that of Audiobus. From routing to effects, virtual sound generators, samples, and MIDI, AUM offers a wide range of functions. One significant difference that makes AUM attractive to many users is the design of the interface.

AUM for iPAd

AUM’s intuitive and user-friendly design makes it possible to perform a variety of musical tasks efficiently and effectively. This makes the app a strong contender in the search for the best iOS DAW. It is a good choice for anyone who values a precise and customizable interface.

AUM in the App Store

The best iOS DAW is …

If you use your iPad and other iOS devices to record and mix sounds or even create entire songs, I’d be interested to hear about your experiences. Is there any software that we may have overlooked in our review? Which app do you think is the best iOS DAW for your musical projects?

Your opinion is very important to us, and we look forward to learning more about your experiences and preferences. Feel free to share your thoughts and recommendations with us in the comments on Facebook and Instagram. Your feedback will help not only us but also other iOS producers find the best iOS DAW for their needs.

More on the best iOS DAWs

• All about Apple
• News from Steinberg

Originally published on Gearnews.de by Marcus Schmahl, translation by Julian Schmauch.

The post The Best iOS DAWs and Apps for iPhone and iPad 2024 appeared first on gearnews.com.

2024 is off to a great start with awesome software deals from Cherry Audio, SSL, XLN Audio, and others! Kick off the new year with great savings on software synths and effects, and don’t miss the freebie of the week!

Get SSL X-Gate for just $30

Here’s your chance to get the SSL X-Gate plugin for just 30 bucks! X-Gate is one of the most feature-laden gate and expander plugins on the market, and now you can add it to your collection for about a fifth of the regular price. With an intuitive traffic light system, loads of visual feedback, and a duck mode with an external sidechain, SSL X-Gate makes short work of all your dynamic processing needs. But you’ll have to be quick – this deal expires in just a couple of days.

SSL X-Gate is on sale at Thomann until January 4 for just $30.

SSL X-Gate

Available for $30 at

• More from SSL

Save on XLN Audio Software Instruments and Effects

XLN Audio’s software instruments, expansion packs, and effect plugins are on sale at Thomann for just a few days more! Load up on ADpaks for the acclaimed Addictive Drums 2 series, build your own virtual drum studio with the Custom Collections, or give your mixes the vintage treatment with the RC-20 Retro Color effect plugin. Don’t miss these fantastic software deals from XLN Audio! These offers are valid until January 7, 2024.

XLN Audio AD 2 Custom Collection

Available for $106 at

• More from XLN Audio

Save on Sugar Bytes Looperator and DrumComputer

Step up your beatmaking game with this pair of innovative plugins from Sugar Bytes! DrumComputeris a feature-rich software drum machine with eight sound engines, built-in filter, compressor, and overdrive effects, and two different kinds of reverb. And Looperator slices, loops, and mangles your audio tracks to create all sorts of exciting stutter edits, rolls, and loops. Both come with smart randomization algorithms to help jump-start your creativity.

Sugar Bytes Looperator and DrumComputer are on sale at Thomann until January 4.

Sugar Bytes Looperator

Available for $73 at

• More from Sugar Bytes

Cherry Audio Mercury-6: Jupiter-6 Emulation for your DAW

Cherry Audio is known for its great-sounding emulations of vintage analog synths, and Mercury-6 is no exception. Modeled after the famed Roland Jupiter-6 polysynth, Mercury-6 provides some variety amidst all the Jupiter-8 emulations. With added features like 16-voice polyphony, velocity sensitivity, an improved split mode, and per-layer stereo panning and detuning, Mercury-6 takes the Jupiter-6 experience to another level.

Save on Cherry Audio Mercury-6 at Plugin Boutique until January 8!

Cherry Audio Mercury-6

Available for $39 at

• More from Cherry Audio

Last Days of the Sonnox Christmas Sale

The Sonnox Christmas Sale is still going on at Plugin Boutique, with savings of up to 76%! The renowned Oxford Inflator limiter has shaped the sound of countless hits and belongs in any producer’s toolkit. You can also save $$$ on the Sonnox Claro EQ, a unique equalizer with three different views, and the Sonnox Voca vocal processing plugin. Don’t miss this opportunity to add these excellent tools to your arsenal!

The Sonnox Christmas Sale is happening at Plugin Boutique until January 7.

Sonnox Oxford Limiter

Available for $40.70 at

• More from Sonnox

Freebie of the Week: Acustica Audio Grey Compressor

If you haven’t grabbed this awesome Christmas present from Acustica Audio yet, you still have a few days to do so. Grey is an emulation of a classic American VCA compressor based on Acustica’s Hyper engine. It comes in two versions: a streamlined standard version and an extended Ultra version with comprehensive real-time metering. After January 7, Grey will become a paid plugin, so grab it for free while it lasts!

• Get Grey here
• More from Acustica Audio

*Percentage discount will vary based on your territory and conversion rates on the day of purchase. Displayed percentage discounts are used for guidance only.

The post Kick off 2024 with Software Deals from SSL, Cherry Audio, & more appeared first on gearnews.com.

2023 was a fantastic year for free plugins! From gorgeous software synths to lush reverbs and other unique effects, our freeware section was filled with lots of fun stuff to discover, week after week. Join us as we look back at the best free plugins of 2023 and enjoy a free Christmas present or two!

Cherry Audio Synthesizer Expander Module: SEM for the People!

Cherry Audio released a string of software synths this year at a breathtaking pace. From Mercury 6 and Octave Cat to the unique Harmonia to an outright mind-blowing emulation of the massive Korg PS-3300, Cherry Audio delivered the goods. Do they ever sleep?

And then, in early December, they put the cherry on top of an amazing year with an early Christmas present to the synth community. By pulling one of the SEMs from their impressive Oberheim Eight Voice emulation, Cherry Audio created the Synthesizer Expander Module plugin – and made it available for free! 

As you might expect, it’s a gorgeous emulation of the module that paved the way for so many great Oberheim classics. From the dual VCOs to the famous state-variable filter, Cherry Audio’s SEM is as faithful to the original as it gets. For added versatility, they’ve even added a delay effect and an emulation of the Oberheim Phasor stomp box. This one is truly a must-have!

The free Cherry Audio Synthesizer Expander Module plugin is available for macOS and Windows in VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and standalone formats.

• Get Synthesizer Expander Module here
• More from Cherry Audio

Fancy more than one voice? Well, it turns out that Cherry Audio also has an excellent and incredibly affordable emulation of the Oberheim Eight Voice – eight SEMs strung together to make one massive polysynth!

Cherry Audio Eight-Voice Synthesizer Download

Customer rating:

(5)

Available for 39.00 € at

Full Bucket Music Bucket ONE: The Crumar Bit 01/99 unleashed

Full Bucket Music also kept themselves busy this year and released a bunch of excellent free software synths, including emulations of the Korg Lambda ES50 and ARP Omni 2 . My favorite one, however, is Bucket ONE, a remake of the Crumar Bit 01 and Bit 99 polysynths from the 80s. 

Despite their sonic qualities, these analog rarities were always the weird kids on the block. That’s because they were unfortunate enough to be born at a time when digital synths were all the rage. Manufacturers like Crumar responded by abolishing all knobs and sliders in favor of a digital-style button interface. Crumar even went as far as calling an analog synth “Bit”, presumably to highlight the digital control interface (and conceal the embarrassing fact that the rest of the synth was analog). Like other victims of the digital takeover such as the Korg Poly 61, Roland JX-8P, and Moog Source, the Bit 01/99 was so cumbersome to program and play that you might as well go and enjoy the presets of your DX7 instead.

Full Bucket Music to the rescue! Bucket ONE not only offers a faithful emulation of this pair of 6-voice analog synths (but with 64 voices of polyphony). It also sports the user interface that the Bit 01 and Bit 99 should have had, with lots of knobs for tweaking. Pair this free software synth with a good MIDI controller and you’ll be scratching your head as to why the Crumar Bit remained a side note in the synth history books. Clearly one of the best free plugins of 2023!

Bucket ONE is available for macOS and Windows in VST, VST3, AU, and CLAP formats.

• Get Bucket ONE here
• More from Full Bucket Music

Ohmforce Frohmager: It’s the 2000s all over again

2023 also brought us the return of Ohmforce. Granted, this name may not ring a bell for our younger readers. But if you were old enough to produce music in the 2000s, the probability that Ohmforce Frohmage was in your plugin folder was close to 100 percent, if not more than that. Originally released in 2001, Frohmage was a very cool filter plugin that ended up being used in countless productions. Everyone had it, everyone used it.

Fast-forward two decades and Ohmforce surprises us with not one, but two excellent news this year. Not only are all of the company’s legacy plugins like Ohmicide, Hematohm, and Ohmboyz now free. They also released Frohmager, the worthy successor to the mighty Frohmage – and it’s also free!

Building on the beloved classic, Frohmager adds a powerful modulation engine with an ADSR envelope, envelope follower, and cross-modulating LFOs. This takes the gritty filter to a whole new level. Thanks, Ohmforce!

Frohmager is available for macOS and Windows in AU, VST, and AAX formats.

• Get Frohmager here
• More from Ohmforce

Adam Szabo Solaris: Best free plugin of the KVR Developer Challenge

To say that Solaris by Adam Szabo won this year’s KVR Developer Challenge by a landslide would be an understatement. The plugin received more than twice as many points as the runner-up, clearly earning a spot on the list of the best free plugins of the year. And once you’ve immersed yourself in Solaris’ mesmerizing soundscapes, you’ll know the reason why.

Solaris is a shimmer reverb that excels at creating cascading washes of sound and sparkling, otherworldly reverberations. With a Chorale section including a vowel filter, two shimmer stages, a pair of filters, and a modulation section, Solaris provides ample opportunities for sound shaping. This isn’t just a reverb – it’s a massive sound designer’s playground.

If you love Valhalla DSP’s Supermassive (also one of the best free plugins of all time), Solaris is sure to tickle your fancy. From dreamy, ethereal soundscapes to complex, evolving textures, this reverb can turn simple signals into all sorts of captivating spaces.

Solaris is a VST/VST3 plugin for Windows.

• Get Solaris here
• More from Adam Szabo

Mensla MS-2: Free 3-OP FM Synth

MS-2 by Mensla is a quirky little FM synthesizer with three operators. That doesn’t sound like much – but this thing can sound massive! Once you get the hang of its slightly crowded UI, you’ll discover a wealth of sounds ranging from plucky FM stuff to deep and gnarly basses to pulsating arpeggios.

The secret lies in MS-2’s modulation section, where you can adjust how the operators modulate and affect each other. Each operator can supply sine, saw, ramp, triangle, or pulse waves, or two different kinds of noise. There’s a choice of phase or frequency modulation, adjustable feedback, various response curves, filter FM, an LFO – you name it. Who would’ve thought an FM synth with just three oscillators could sound so powerful?

But that’s not all. MS-2 also has a convenient Macro control to which you can assign several parameters to control them all at once. There’s a multi-mode filter, a built-in arpeggiator, and even a bunch of effects like distortion, delay, and reverb. In terms of experimental sound design and discovering new timbres, I think this is one of the best free plugins to come out this year – it’s loads of fun!

MS-2 is available for Windows (VST3) and macOS (AU).

• Get MS-2 here
• More from Mensla

Want even more free plugins? Head over to our archive, where you’ll find all the best free plugins that came out this year!

The post Best Free Plugins of 2023: Freeware Picks of the Year appeared first on gearnews.com.

Arturia Efx REFRACT is a unique stereo multi-effect that combines unison processing with a bunch of secondary effects to mangle your audio in all sorts of creative ways. And here’s the best bit: Arturia Efx REFRACT is FREE for a limited time! Don’t miss this awesome Christmas gift from Arturia!

Arturia Efx REFRACT

Arturia’s annual holiday gift has become a beloved tradition. In recent years, the French developer generously stuffed our stockings with limited-time freebies like MS-20 Filter, Tape MELLO-FI, Chorus JUN-6, and Rev PLATE-140. This year, they’ve come up with something extra-special. Arturia Efx REFRACT is a multi-effect unlike any other, and it’s available for FREE for a limited time!

Efx REFRACT revolves around the concept of unison processing. The plugin duplicates your input signal up to eight times, creating a stack of voices. You can then turn up the Refraction amount to introduce slight pitch variations and modulations, thereby thickening and widening the sound. Think orchestra vs. string quartet.

5 Secondary Effects

But that’s just the beginning. Arturia Efx REFRACT also includes a second processing stage that offers a choice of effects, including bandpass and comb filters, a bit crusher, distortion, and a harmonizer. The cool thing is that these are applied to each “refracted” voice individually and differently. The higher the refraction amount, the larger the differences between the effects on each individual voice. There’s also an LFO for modulating the refraction amount and secondary effect.

This unique idea should lend itself to all sorts of creative experiments and unique sounds. According to Arturia, Efx REFRACT can deliver anything from subtle size and character to sweeping transitions and transformations. Fascinating stuff!

Price and compatibility

Arturia Efx REFRACT is now available FOR FREE on Arturia’s website until January 4, 2024. In recent years, Arturia’s servers sometimes struggled to handle the amount of requests, to have a little patience if you don’t get through right away.

After January 4, Efx REFRACT will presumably become part of Arturia’s regular line-up of effect plugins. It should also become part of the next version of the Arturia FX Collection.

Arturia FX Collection 4 Download

Customer rating:

(1)

Available for 489.00 € at

The plugin runs on macOS and Windows in VST, VST3, AU, and AAX formats.

More info about Arturia Efx REFRACT

• Arturia at Thomann
• Manufacturer’s page
• More from Arturia

The post Arturia Efx REFRACT: FREE multi-effect plugin for Xmas! appeared first on gearnews.com.