Roland revives the SH line (again) with the brand-new tabletop SH-4d synthesizer. Combing virtual analogue, digital synthesis, sample-based drums and a sequencer in one box, it’s packed with goodies! But, is it worthy of the SH name? And now with a 25% discount!

Roland SH-4d on sale with a 25 percent discount!

[Update: 02/21/2024] Only for a short time you can buy the Roland synthesizer SH-4d here at Thomann shop (affiliate) at a special price for only 469.00 USD with 25 % off. You can read more information about the synthesizer below in our review.

Roland SH-4d

Available for $ 469.00 at

Roland SH-4d – Standout Features

• Desktop synth
• Virtual Analogue/Digital synthesis engines
• Sample-based drums/rhythm section
• Dedicated MFX effects section for each slot
• Solid build quality

Roland SH-4d

[from February 23, 2023] Last year was a banner year for Roland, with 2022 being the company’s 50th anniversary. However, Roland didn’t release its first synthesizer, the SH-1000, until a year later, making 2023 the 50th synthesizer anniversary. Fitting then that it should choose this year to give us the SH-4d, a brand new, five-part multitimbral tabletop instrument that combines virtual analogue, digital synthesis, sample-based drums and a sequencer into a clean and compact form factor.

Powering the SH-4d is a new, proprietary sound engine. While there may be some similarities to ZEN-Core, particularly in the fact that there are multiple oscillator models at play here (more on these later), this new synth doesn’t integrate into the ZEN-Core ecosystem. Although I suspect it may share some Zen DNA, it should be thought of as a separate entity.

Look And Feel

Most SH synths, from the original SH-1000 to the uber-popular SH-101 and on up to the most recent, Gaia SH-01, have been keyboard instruments. The SH-4d is a desktop machine and so most closely resembles 2002’s SH-32, the outlier of the series. These days, electronic music producers want boxes for their tables, hence the SH-4d’s keyless form factor. This works perfectly for me as I already have more things with keyboards in my studio than I really need but whether this fits into your workflow will be something for you to decide.

There are plenty of hands-on controls, with knobs for the filter, amp, LFO and effects sections. The oscillator area is special, however, with four mixer-style sliders and buttons complementing the three knobs. Below the synthesis area is a row of LED-lit buttons for the step sequencer and additional parameters, the latter accessible with a shift button. Lastly, there’s an array of buttons across the bottom in the shape of a two-octave keyboard, which is more fun to play than expected. You can, of course, also use an external MIDI controller. An easily visible graphic LCD display completes the front panel.

The SH-4d looks dead cool, with a minimalistic, almost industrial black-and-white design that is miles smarter than many of their recent synths. It appears to have taken some design cues from the Jupiter-X and Xm although with much less colour. You’ll find the same high-quality knobs and buttons as those synths too, with a smooth metal face plate atop a plastic body. There’s a satisfying weight to it though and it doesn’t feel cheap in any way.

Making Connections

Solid build quality continues around the back, with quarter-inch stereo outputs and a headphone jack. There’s a mini jack for audio in (transmitted directly through to the output and not through the filter or effects, sadly) plus another mini jack for taking an external clock pulse. For the old-school producer, there are five-pin MIDI ports, both in and out, with a soft thru option configurable in the settings. Power is supplied by four AA batteries or USB-C, which can also transmit MIDI and audio. There’s no other power supply.

A Multitude of Oscillators

Rather than having just a single oscillator type, the SH-4d instead allows you to select one of 11 different oscillator models for each of the four synthesizers. These include both virtual analogue sound generators as well as traditional digital ones. Much like the MiniFreak, these then pass through filters and an amplifier, although the filter here is digital and not analogue.

Top of the oscillator list is the titular SH-4d model, a four-oscillator construction with various waveforms to mix and match. These include all the usual suspects (sine, sawtooth) plus some of Roland’s greatest hits like supersaw and the modulated sawtooth from the Alpha Juno. Nice.

Next is the SH-3. This a duplicate of the SH-4d model but it replaces one of the oscillators with an LFO. Given that there’s (frustratingly) only a single LFO in the main synthesis section, this is welcome indeed.

Rather than having oscillator sync as a general function, Roland has opted to make Sync its own oscillator model. This virtual analogue oscillator includes a dedicated pitch envelope. They’ve done a similar thing with ring modulation, with a specified Ring model, and chords with Chord.

Analogue Emulations

As it’s done with other recent synths, Roland has also included two popular analogue emulation models. Both the SH-101 and Juno-106 get their oscillators recreated here.

Interestingly, Roland has packed in a whole host of digital oscillator models, including Cross FM (a two-operator FM synth), Wavetable with modulatable wavetable position, a model called Drawing that lets you (you guessed it) draw out your own waveform, plus a small selection of stackable PCM waves.

Lastly, there’s the rhythm part, which is organized into kits of sampled waveforms. More than just an afterthought, the drum section offers north of 480 waveforms, which you can double up, affect with a pitch envelope, and then pass through the filter and amp sections. While it would have been nice to see the FM percussion engine from the TR-8S included, the sample-based system is fairly flexible already.

Working With Oscillators

With such a variety of oscillator engines on hand, Roland has done a commendable job creating an intuitive and adaptable interface for working with them all. When you select an oscillator with the Model knob, the display changes, with pertinent information illustrated graphically. You can make adjustments using the two main parameter knobs plus the sliders, knobs and buttons in the oscillator section, whose functions change depending on the loaded model. It’s all very elegant and goes a long way towards making the SH-4d such a joy to use.

Note that while the SH-4d is multitimbral, there doesn’t seem to be a way to stack all of the tone levels and play them simultaneously like with the Jupiter-X or Juno-X. Think of it as four synths in a box rather than a single, super synth.

Synthesis Signal Path

Once the sound leaves the oscillator section, it passes through the digital filter. In traditional Roland fashion, this includes a dedicated, non-resonant -6dB/Octave highpass filter, and then a resonant multimode filter, with -24dB/Oct lowpass, -12dB/Oct bandpass, and -24db/Oct highpass options. The filter is solid-sounding, with a smoothness that works well across all the oscillator types. For a little more power, there’s a drive circuit for extra oomph. The filter also has a dedicated ADSR envelope, which is always nice to have.

Next comes the amplifier, with ADSR envelope plus pan and level amounts. As mentioned before, there’s only one LFO, although it does offer a variety of shapes, plus a Fade knob for delaying its start. LFO can be sent to pitch, filter and amp. Additional modulation routings can be made with the mod matrix, which changes accordingly depending on the oscillator model. It would have been nice to have a few more LFOs and another envelope at this stage though.

Effects In Effects

You want effects? You’ve got them. There’s an MFX slot for each tone and rhythm section. Going up, the pattern level has a chorus, delay and reverb, plus another MFX slot. If you’re unfamiliar with MFX, it’s Roland’s package of 93 effects, with just about every possible example, from EQ to multis, you could want.

Speaking of EQ, there’s also one for each tone and rhythm instrument, plus an overall system EQ at the end. Throw in a global compressor and this all adds up to some serious tone-shaping possibilities.

Don’t Call It A Groovebox

With the sequencer occupying the top level of the OS, you’d imagine that the sequencer section would be pretty robust. Yes and no. There’s plenty of fun to be had, for sure. You can record sequences up to 64 steps long and input notes via steps or live. It supports probability and ratcheting, making it a solid choice for Berlin School-type jams. You can also record your knob twiddles live or per step.

With four synthesizer lanes plus a rhythm section, you’d be forgiven for thinking of this as a groovebox. So is it? You could certainly use it as such, but without pattern chaining or a song mode, the SH-4d is more geared towards jamming and live performance than song creation. This continues with the arpeggio. Although it’s not a “smart” one like on the recent X instruments, it’s far from dumb as well, with five types plus loads of configurability.

Playful Fun

You might not know it by looking at the workmanlike layout and classic design aesthetics, but the SH-4d has a playful side. Hidden in the main menu is the Visual Arpeggio. Essentially Easter eggs, these offer a variety of scenarios that turn the SH-4d into a game console. Fancy an old-school game of Pong? Wish you could use a synth like an Etch-A-Sketch? Now you can.

More useful, perhaps, is the D-Motion function. Readers of a certain age will remember Roland’s D-Beam controller, where you wave your hand over an infrared beam of light to control synth parameters. D-Motion is similar but instead of waving your hand, you wave the entire instrument itself around in the air, with internal motion sensors reacting to movement. Shake it like a Polaroid picture but don’t lose your grip!

Is The SH-4d For You?

I’m primarily an electronic music producer so after playing with the SH-4d for just a short time, I was hooked. Much like the Juno-X, the sounds, the presets, the focus is on electronic music. Techno pioneer Carl Craig even appears in some promotional materials for the SH-4d. If you don’t techno for an answer then it might not be the instrument for you.

Or maybe it could be. Presets don’t make or break an instrument. And there’s plenty here for even the non-dance music producer to love. With its huge variety of oscillator types, ease of use, and gorgeous sound, it’s sure to find plenty of fans both inside and outside the dance club. It’s also fairly affordable.

If you like to jam DAWless, appreciate a variety of sound types, and don’t need another set of keys, this is the box for you. Just be sure and get a pair of fingerless driving gloves for working with the D-Motion.

Price and availability

You can order Roland’s SH-4d now from Thomann* for 599.00 Euros.

Roland SH-4d

Customer rating:

(4)

Available for 519.00 € at

More information about the Roland SH-4d

• Roland Website
• More on Roland

Videos about the synthesiser

The post Review: Roland SH-4d – now with a 25% discount! appeared first on gearnews.com.

In this week’s edition of Software Deals, we’ve got softsynths and plug-ins galore. If you act fast, you can get some serious savings.

Software Deals

If you’re a music producer, mix engineer, or an artist looking for new ways to create sounds, we’ve picked out an exciting selection of offers that will inspire creativity in your workflow. Let’s take a closer look at the deals currently available:

Soundtoys February Mini Sale

Until February 15, you can get up to 75% off selected processing plug-ins from Sountoys. This sale includes reverbs, delays, and other creative music production effects for your DAW.

You can shop the entire sale here with this link, and the individual offers are as follows:

• 40% off Effect Rack now at $161
• 65% off SuperPlate now at $44
• 75% off EchoBoy now at $44
• 60% off PrimalTap now at $35.25
• Save 60% on Devil-Loc Deluxe now at $35.25
• 60% off PanMan now at $35.25
• More from Soundtoys

Soundtoys Effect Rack

Available for $161 at

Cherry Audio Rackmode

The Cherry Audio Rackmode Signal Processors collection brings eight vintage effects to your DAW, based on the 1970s Moog Rack Effects that accompanied the famous Moog Modular systems of the time.

The Rackmode collection includes both the software instrument and effects plug-in versions of the legendary Moog 16-band Vocoder, as well as the 12-stage Phaser, the Bode Ring Modulator, the String Filter, the Bode Frequency Shifter, the Graphic EQ, and the Parametric EQ.

To get started, you also get over 150 presets for processing different instruments from drums, keyboards, guitars, and more.

• Save 70% on Cherry Audio Rackmode now at $35.25
• More from Cherry Audio

Cherry Audio Rackmode Signal Processors

Available for $35.25 at

Arturia Pigments 5

Arturia Pigments 5 is a powerful software synth with four sound-generating engines. These include the Harmonic engine, which can use up to 512 partials, as well as phase modulation.

Meanwhile, the Wavetable engine gives you a choice of 164 wavetables with ring modulation and pulse width controls. What’s more, the Utility engine provides a sub-oscillator with two noise layers.

With a powerful effects section, unison section, extensive mod matrix, vintage filters, and MPE support Pigments 5 is an amazing platform to create any sound from simple leads and basses, to rhythmic soundscapes.

• Get 55% off Arturia Pigments 5 now at $88
• More from Arturia

Arturia Pigments 5

Available for $88 at

AAS Chromaphone 3

Until March 4, you can save 50% on the Chromaphone 3 physical modelling synthesizer plug-in from AAS. The dual-resonator system provides 8 modeling sources like strings, plates, and tube for sound creation.

When combined with the integrated effects rack, Chromaphone becomes a powerful platform for creating very different sounds compared to the average wavetable or virtual analogue synthesizer.

In addition, with performance-based macros and an impressive patch library with plenty of expansion options, Chromaphone is a great tool for sound design, film scoring, and avant-garde music production.

• Save 50% on AAS Chromaphone 3 now at $80
• More from AAS

AAS Chromaphone 3

Available for $80 at

Ableton Live 11 Suite

Ableton Live 11 is a performance-focused DAW system with an incredible time-warping engine. From the get-go, you’re confronted with the clip launch window, which is a catalyst for ideas.

In addition, the Live 11 Suite includes a range of instruments and effects, Max support, as well as an entire library of loops and samples for creating almost any style of music.

However, possibly the most exciting aspect of Live is the way it links with external controllers and instruments. This makes it a great choice for creating music and performing live.

• Get over 40% off Ableton Live 11 Suite now at $433
• More from Ableton

Ableton Live 11 Suite

Available for $433 at

More about Software Deals:

• All about Software
• 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.

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In this week’s edition of Studio Deals, we’ve got a range of professional studio tools for increasing the utility of your audio setup.

Studio Deals

From basic recording essentials to character compressors that can add colour to your tracking and mixing sessions, there’s something interesting here for all recording enthusiasts. Let’s take a closer look at the offers available:

Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro

When you’re tracking vocals, guitars, drums, or any instrument in a studio or at home, the DT-770 Pro remains a trusted choice. Its comfortable circumaural dynamic closed-back design gives you great acoustic isolation, free from headphone spill.

What’s more, once you get familiar with the frequency response, you can also use them for music production and mixing applications. The DT-770 Pro is available with different impedance settings, so make sure you choose the correct model.

As a general rule, headphones with an impedance rating of around 50-80 ohms or lower will function at optimal on a wide range of professional and consumer devices. Meanwhile, 250-ohm headphones will probably perform better with a dedicated preamp.

• Save 25% on the Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro now at $125
• More from Beyerdynamic

Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80 Ohm

Available for $125 at

Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 32 Ohm

Available for $125 at

Genelec 8030C

The Genelec 8030C is a professional studio monitor respected for its clarity and good translation properties. Its bi-amplified design uses a 5-inch woofer (50W) and a 0.75-inch metal dome tweeter (50W) with Directivity Control Waveguide (DCW) technology.

The first thing you’ll notice about Genelec monitors is how they project the vocal frequency range in a very pronounced way. This makes it easy to mix pop and rap vocals, edit dialogue, or balance speech on a podcast.

The 8030 C uses a rugged aluminium housing that is rear-ported. However, there are EQ adjustments you can use on the rear panel to optimize the frequency range for your listening environment.

• Save 25% on the Genelec 8030C now at $515
• More from Genelec

*Please note that the price listed is per unit

Genelec 8030 C

Available for $515 at

Austrian Audio OC818

The OC818 large-diaphragm multipattern condenser mic is a gateway into the world of professional recording. From vocals to guitars and drum overheads, the OC818 will capture every sonic detail of the sound source.

A logical progression of the famous C414, the OC818 is handmade by the original AKG design team and features a CKR12 ceramic capsule based on the CK12.

Although, it’s based on a vintage design, the OC818 offers new technological features like the ability to control the polar pattern with the optional Bluetooth dongle via the PolarDesigner plug-in or the PolarPilot app for iOS and Android.

• Get 28% off the Austrian Audio OC818 now at $899
• More from Austrian Audio

Austrian Audio OC818 Studio Set

Available for $899 at

Austrian Audio OC818 Studio Set (Black)

Available for $899 at

Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig

The AudioFuse 16Rig is a flexible 24-bit 192 kHz USB audio interface that offers powerful features like standalone operation, mix templates, and DC-coupled outputs for controlling Eurorack modular systems.

The 16Rig offers a total of 32 inputs and 28 outputs. On the analogue side, there are 16 ins channels and 12 outs. Meanwhile, there are 16 ADAT channels, as well as word clock, MIDI I/O, and a sync out port.

Overall, the 16Rig has been designed to be the central hub of the modern electronic music studio, linking the hardware with the software realm in a seamless and easy-to-manage fashion.

• Get 15% off the Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig now at $1,111
• More from Arturia

Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig

Available for $1,111 at

Heritage Audio Grandchild 670

Looking for the classic sound of The Rolling Stones? The Grandchild 670 is a recreation of the famous Fairchild 670 stereo vari-mu tube compressor in a dual-slot 500-series format.

The vintage-style design is equipped with two NOS 6BA6 tubes on each channel, as well as three custom transformers that add colour and character to your recordings and mixes.

The Grandchild’s control panel provides you with a 5-mode switch for different attack and release times. Meanwhile, there is also a variable compression slope control which makes this a very versatile unit.

• Save nearly 10% on the Heritage Audio Grandchild 670 now at $1,809
• More from Heritage Audio

Heritage Audio Grandchild 670

Available for $1,809 at

More about Studio Deals:

• All about Studio Gear
• 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.

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iZotope Ozone, Nectar, Neutron and RX are some of the most powerful tools for mixing and mastering – and they’re now available for less than half the regular price! Other software deals this week include discounts on Universal Audio UAD bundles, Arturia, Cherry Audio, and Softube.

Up to 55% off iZotope Ozone, Neutron & more

iZotope’s powerful tools for mixing, mastering, and audio restoration belong in any producer’s toolkit! Ozone has been the benchmark for software-based mastering for ages, and Ozone 11 takes it to a whole new level with loads of AI-based tools that make quick work of tedious mastering tasks. Nectar 4 is your one stop shop for vocal production with 12 powerful modules. Neutron 4 is one of the most comprehensive mixing suites available, with eight smart plugins for sculpting your mixes. And last but not least, iZotope RX 10 contains everything you need to restore old recordings or clean up noisy voiceover tracks.

Now’s a perfect time to add these capable tools to your arsenal! iZotope software is up to 55% off* at Thomann until February 29.

iZotope Ozone 11 Standard

Available for $89 at

• More from iZotope

Up to 50% off Universal Audio Plugins

Universal Audio’s high-quality plugins need no introduction! From meticulous emulations of the finest outboard gear to powerful synths for creative production sessions, the manufacturer’s line-up of UAD plugins has got you covered. And since most Universal Audio plugins now run natively on Mac and Windows computers, you don’t need UAD hardware anymore to benefit from these essential tools. If you’re just getting into UAD plugins, bundles like the Essentials Edition, Producer Edition, or Studio Edition are a great and affordable way to start.

Universal Audio UAD plugin bundles are up to 50% off* at Thomann until February 29.

Universal Audio UAD Essentials Edition Native

Available for $148 at

• More from Universal Audio

Half off Arturia Analog Lab Pro, FX Collection 4 & more!

Here’s another awesome software deal from Arturia and Plugin Boutique. For the platform’s 12th anniversary, they’ve slashed the prices of Arturia Analog Lab Pro, FX Collection 4, and Pigments 5 by no less than 50%*. Analog Lab Pro is a massive collection of sounds from Arturia’s famous software synths and vintage emulations. FX Collection 4 gets you all the developer’s effect plugins for a great price. And Pigments 5 is probably one of the most powerful software synths currently available. Don’t miss these offers from Arturia and Plugin Boutique!

Arturia Analog Lab Pro, FX Collection 4, and Pigments 5 are 50% off* at Plugin Boutique until February 20.

Arturia Analog Lab Pro

Available for $99 at

• More from Arturia

Cherry Audio Rackmode Signal Processors: Rare Vintage FX for your DAW

If you’re into creative sound design, you’re going to love Cherry Audio’s pristine emulation of the classic Moog Rackmode Signal Processors. This rare series of studio effects includes two vocoders, a phaser, a ring modulator, a string filter, a frequency shifter, and a couple of EQs. All of them are modeled after the historic hardware effects that were used by the likes of Wendy Carlos, Tangerine Dream, Genesis, Jan Hammer, and Giorgio Moroder.

The Cherry Audio Rackmode Signal Processors bundle is 70% off* at Thomann until March 1.

Cherry Audio Rackmode Signal Processors

Available for $35 at

• More from Cherry Audio

Softube February Sale: Up to 70% off!

Softube’s February Sale is a perfect opportunity to add some of the Swedish manufacturer’s high-quality effect plugins and software synths to your collection. Choose from emulations of classic outboard gear like the Drawmer 1973 multi-band compressor, pristine mastering processors like the Weiss series, and vintage synth favorites like the Model 84 (Juno), Model 80 (Prophet-5), and Model 72 (Minimoog).

Softube plugins are up to 70% off* at Plugin Boutique until February 29.

Model 84 Polyphonic Synthesizer

Available for $79 at

• More from Softube

Note: This post about iZotope and other software deals 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!

*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: Massive Discounts on iZotope, UAD, Arturia, and more! appeared first on gearnews.com.

Easily one of the most famous polysynths of all time, the Roland Jupiter-8 was Roland’s first-ever high-end analogue synth keyboard. We take a look at how to recreate its iconic sound with software plug-ins. 

The Legendary Roland Jupiter 8

If you’re into synthesizers, then undoubtedly you’ll have heard the Roland Jupiter 8. Without a doubt one of the most famous polysynths of all time, the Jupiter-8 was Japan’s answer to the American Sequential Circuits Prophet 5.

Released back in 1981, it was Roland’s first-ever high-end analogue synth keyboard. Its architecture and the glistening texture of the sound produced makes it an incredibly unique and versatile instrument.

What Defines The Jupiter 8 Sound?

If you had to define the Jupiter 8 sound, what would you best use to describe it? Complex, evolving pads that seem to engulf you completely along with percussive crystalline tones. The Jupiter 8’s onboard arpeggiator also contributes to its signature touch (think Rio by Duran Duran).

Clearly, it’s a sound that’s as revered and desirable now as it was back in 1981; consequently, these iconic vintage keyboards change hands today at around seven or even eight times their original price!

However, there are ways to achieve similar results sonically using software recreations. Let’s discuss our picks of the best Jupiter-8 software synth recreations, how to recreate the sound and take a look a brief back at its illustrious history in recorded music.

Which plug-ins to use?

Always think ahead before purchasing software. Acquiring a new plug-in just for one sound isn’t the best way forward if you’re new to this, so consider possibilities. Luckily for us all, the Jupiter-8 is incredibly diverse so it’s hard to lose no matter which route you take. Most studios will have one or more of these plug-ins and each has different strengths:

Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2

It might be overkill for simply doing a bit of analogue modeling, but Omnisphere 2 is arguably the most authentic-sounding softsynth available. The ability to use real Jupiter-8 samples from the Soundsource library and combine them with Omnisphere’s ultra-realistic oscillators makes it hard to beat.

There are more cost-effective ways to get similar sounds, but they don’t have the synthesis dream team from Spectrasonics behind them. The combination of the features, interface, and patch library sets it apart from any synth available.

Meanwhile, if you consider the expense of purchasing individual plug-ins for each style of sound you need to create, the value certainly becomes more apparent.

• Find out about Omnisphere Alternatives

U-he Diva

As mentioned before in this series, Diva is a virtual analogue monster that has been around for years. Not only can it recreate Jupiter-8 sounds, but other vintage classics too.

You have the ability to mix and match your oscillator, filter, and envelope sections to capture characteristics from Roland, Moog, and Sequential Circuits architecture.

More than anything though, Diva focuses on details. Apart from its effects and extensive modulation capabilities, you have precise control over individual oscillator voices.

Set the amount of analogue variance for a more realistic emulation, or you can even delve into more experimental territory.

• More from u-he

u-he Diva Download

Customer rating:

(99)

Available for 159.00 € at

Arturia Jup-8 V

Introduced in 2007, the Jup-8 V was the first-ever plug-in Roland Jupiter-8 Software Synth emulation available. Currently, in version 4, Jup-8 V features Arturia’s TAE® (True Analog Emulation) technology. Features such as analogue dispersion affect the drift of certain parameters for added realism.

Additionally, you’ll find more advanced features such as deeper modulation, sequencer, keyboard tracking, and effects sections. Overall, the Jup-8 V does a good job of balancing analogue emulation with more modern synthesis capabilities.

• More from Arturia

Arturia JUP-8 V

Available for $199 at

Roland Cloud Jupiter 8

As one would expect, the Roland Cloud Jupiter 8 plug-in is one of the most convincing emulations available. If your aim is to sound exactly like the original then this will certainly do the job.

Powered by Roland’s ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior) Modeling technology, the RC Jupiter 8 is also PLUG-OUT compatible for complete tactile control.

The plug-in features basic effects, as well as unique features; for example, the condition knob ages the state of the vintage synthesizer you’re trying to replicate. In addition, the Jupiter-8 is available as an expansion model within Zenology.

• More from Roland

Roland Cloud JUPITER-8 Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 222.00 € at

Togu Audio Line TAL-J-8

One of the more recent additions to the family, the J-8 is one of the most detailed plug-ins that TAL has released to date.

Its sound may have a slightly darker character than Arturia or Roland’s Jupiter-8 plug-in versions, but it is every bit as authentic. As with the U-NO-LX, each oscillator can be individually tuned and filtered.

There are a number of additional parameters for analogue realism and the inclusion of the Juno chorus is certainly a welcome one. What’s more, the TAL-J-8 allows two patches to be layered over its two panels and balanced with a mix control – a great feature!

• More from TAL

TAL-J-8

Available for $80 at

The Roland Jupiter-8 in Popular Music

Now that we know what tools to use, let’s look at the Jupiter 8’s role in popular music. Many famous artists have found the Jupiter 8 a source of songwriting inspiration. It’s undoubtedly an instrument that becomes one of the main focal points whenever it is used on a record.

Nick Rhodes began his fascination with the Jupiter-8 on Duran Duran’s Save A Prayer in 1982. Equally, it became the centerpiece of Michael Jackson’s biggest all-time hit, Thriller, released only months later.

The Jupiter 8 is used on countless albums and became the quintessential tool for synth-pop music production. An interesting fact is that both Queen‘s Radio Gaga and We Built This City by Starship were produced from demos written solely with the Jupiter-8 and a Linndrum.

Since those guilty pleasures of the mid-1980s, its sound has endured and reached through many genres. continuing its legacy in modern music.

Recreating the classic Jupiter-8 sound

As such a versatile instrument, your approach when trying to emulate a synth like this is completely dependent on the specific sound you’re working with. Each of the plug-ins we’ve mentioned has analogue circuitry modeling capabilities, so familiarize yourself with these features. Let’s discuss a few tips that should help you along the way:

• The Jupiter-8 is known for its arpeggiator, keep in mind that its feel is far more of a feature than the notes being played.
• The unison function uses all 8 voices to work as one, perfect for creating monster leads and bass sounds.
• Unless you want it to take up the entire mix, roll off some of the low end, and remember, reverb is your friend.
• When playing polyphonically, construct your chords in different octaves over the range of the keyboard as this will produce a richer sound.
• Focus on the pitch of each sound you work with. Polyphonic glide, detune, and modulation are some of the most distinctive features of the Jupiter-8.

More about the Roland Jupiter-8:

• The History of Roland
• Everything vintage
• All about analogue modeling

Videos:

*Note: This article contains promotional links that help us fund our site. Don’t worry: the price for you always stays the same! If you buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!

The post Recreating the Classic Roland Jupiter 8 sound with Software Plugins appeared first on gearnews.com.

From creating minimalistic EBM-style dance music to working with the world’s biggest pop artists, we look into the world of Gesaffelstein.

French producer and DJ, Mike Lévy aka Gesaffelstein was born in Lyon, where he began experimenting with synthesizers in his high school days.

His subsequent collaborations with other prominent electronic artists like The Hacker and Brodinski proved to be fruitful, and in 2013 he released his seminal album Aleph on Parlophone Records and later on Skrillex’s OWSLA label.

The Gesaffelstein Sound

As his uniquely dark and minimalist sound became sought after, Mike looked outside of the EDM genre and has since worked with the likes of Jean-Michel Jarre, The Weeknd, Pharrell Williams, Kanye West, A$AP Rocky, Mike Dean, Electric Youth, Haim, Miss Kittin, Daft Punk, and Lil Nas X.

KORG MS-20

As bands like Nizter Ebb and D.A.F. had a huge influence on Mike’s sound and musical vision, it’s not surprising that he’d get hold of a KORG MS-20 for his studio.

This classic semi-modular analogue beast is renowned for the powerful, textured lead sounds we can hear on so many of the early pioneering electronic records from artists like Liaisons Dangereuses.

The MS-20 also has a great-sounding noise oscillator that can be used to design hats, snares, and rises. What’s more, the filter adds extra punch and character to any sound, especially if you shape it with an envelope or LFO.

As a modern alternative, the MS-20 Mini might not have the same rip-roaring sound as the original, but it has the same authentic sound creation process.

• The History of KORG

Korg MS-20 mini

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(168)

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Arturia MiniBrute

Although it’s not exactly an elegant instrument, the Arturia MiniBrute is certainly effective for creating the raw unadulterated synth sounds we hear on Gesaffelstein tracks.

With its simple controls, the MiniBrute is a way to relive the experience of using analogue monosynths from the 1970s and early 1980s. Like the SH-101, the single oscillator architecture, and lack of patch memory add to the overall appeal.

The limitation of the MiniBrute’s design, in fact, becomes a catalyst in the creative process. In turn, this makes creating screaming leads, basses, sweeps, rises, and percussion more organic and fun.

Luckily, this synth is still available in the form of the MiniBrute 2 and it now offers semi-modular capabilities for even more flexible sound creation.

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Arturia MiniBrute 2 Noir

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(3)

Available for 489.00 € at

Roland MC-202

Similar in many ways to the SH-101, the MC-202 was the first instrument in what later became Roland’s MC groovebox line. It combines most of the 101’s controls and a 303-style CV/gate sequencer for a unique overall user experience.

Like the 101 – which is also in Mike’s studio, it’s a single-oscillator synth, but he has often used the MC-202 in his live rig. With a MIDI/sync converter, you can link it to Ableton Live or another MIDI sequencer making it still relevant in a modern electronic workflow.

The onboard sequencer might be a little clunky for simply creating monophonic synth lines. However, with external control, the process of building sounds is very similar to the 101.

As an alternative, the SH-01a is a versatile option for creating both monophonic and polyphonic sounds in the 101-style. What’s more, it also has a built-in sequencer which suits electronic music production.

• The History of Roland

Roland SH-01A grey

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(52)

Available for 379.00 € at

Image-Line FL Studio

Making minimalistic music makes sense in a minimalistic DAW like FL Studio. Rather than being confronted with a workflow that is focussed only on recorded audio, FL Studio throws you instantly into beatmaking.

When you combine the intuitive pattern sequencer and the drag-and-drop sampling workflow, FL Studio becomes a powerful creative tool. The included plug-ins and softsynths may be rather basic, but if you’re getting synth sounds from hardware this is less of a factor.

FL Studio is also a great DAW system to get into when you’re learning to make music. The not-for-experts approach makes the user comfortable to make mistakes and puts your ideas in the forefront rather than technical know-how.

The Producer Edition of FL Studio provides the best value for money, with a good collection of tools to get you started in every area of the music production process.

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Image-Line FL Studio Producer Edition Download

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(320)

Available for 239.00 € at

MFB-Synth II

The MFB-Synth II is another terrific synth that Mike has used in his Ableton Live setup over the years. Its lively analogue sound suits the Gesafellstein sound palette perfectly, and the onboard sequencer is great for programming leads and basslines.

With the Synth II, you get a simple monophonic platform for sound generation with a 3-oscillator engine and a great set of controls for live sound shaping. That being said, the modulation potential is vast, with LFOs that feature a one-shot mode.

What’s more, you can use velocity as a way to control the filter cutoff, amplification level, and pitch. Overall, it gives you a very intuitive and malleable approach to sound creation that suits electronic dance music perfectly.

To produce a similar sound, the compact Roland SE-02 is a great alternative that captures the same ease of use when it comes to making exciting sounds fast.

• More about MFB

Roland SE-02

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(50)

Available for 479.00 € at

This topic was suggested by one of our readers. You can see your favourite artists featured in our Sound-alike series, just let us know who they are in the comments below!

More about Gesaffelstein:

• Official Artist Page
• More Sound-alikes

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The post The Dark Prince Of Techno: How to Sound Like Gesaffelstein appeared first on gearnews.com.

Arturia’s Pigments 5 is their flagship software synthesizer that has found a place in the hearts of most sound designers and now, with version 5, you get more grunt for less effort!

Is it me or does Arturia’s Pigments 5 seem to fly under the radar somewhat? For those of us who have been won over by its power and clever interface, it’s a real sound design powerhouse. Such is its impact, its DNA can be seen in many other Arturia plugins. The highly visual design is now commonplace. Now, we have version 5. What’s new and what’s improved? Time to find out!

More Grunt, Less Hog

Pigments 5 has always been a very powerful software synth. That power requires some decent ability under your computer’s hood. And now, Pigments 5 gives you a hand in that department. It now utilises multi-core processing which delivers much improved CPU efficiency. If you’re running a high-end computer such as a Mac with Apple Silicon, you may not notice the improvements too much. Arturia have made these improvements to find new users who may have swerved it because of CPU issues.

A Pig in Lipstick

Ok, I promise to cut down on the pig puns. After all, Pigments is about sonic colours, not our mud-loving friends. With the new Play Mode, Pigments presents the user with the most appropriate and common features for performance. This can be likened to Analog Lab. All the right controls, right there, in your face.

Speaking of performances, Pigments now boasts a significantly enhanced sequencer. We now have one-click sequence generation and new play modes. You can also create and browse sequencer presets and use the sequencer lock to use your sequence settings on any sound. The sequencer can also output its notes to other instruments.

Bring The Outside In

Pigments 5 can now process external audio! Connect your audio input and route it through the track sidechain input. There’s also new FX routing which can be sent pre or post the insert FX. This means you can send processed audio into spatial effects.

New Content

Pigments 5 comes with 100 new factory presets. At launch, Arturia are also offering three new preset expansion packs to show off its new abilities. The sound engine has new wavetable and samples so even the seasoned user will have great fun exploring the features.

More Information

Arturia’s Pigments 5 is a free update for all existing Pigments owners who also get introductory discounts on the new preset packs. Everyone else get a great introductory offer on both the plugin and the sound packs.

Arturia Pigments Download

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(6)

Available for 98.00 € at

• Arturia’s Website
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The one and only Minimoog is the epitome of innovative musical instrument design. We take a look at its heritage in music history and find out how to recreate its iconic sound with the best Minimoog plugins.

If you’ve listened to records released any time between 1970 and the present day, chances are you’ve heard the Minimoog. Its unmistakably warm organic sound is responsible for countless earworms over the years.

That Minimoog magic

At first, synthesizers were seen as obscurities rather than commodities. However, as more music began featuring synth sounds the demand became greater. Bob Moog was one of the engineers that realized the potential early on.

He imagined a tool with diverse sonic potential and was even against using a keyboard in the early Moog designs, as he felt it could limit the user. A natural progression on this journey, the Minimoog was designed as an instrument for any musician to truly make their own.

More than its commercial success, and even its role in music – it was the highly intuitive design that would have a profound influence on music instrument manufacturing and sound synthesis. The Minimoog brought accessibility to a scientific instrument you might have thought you needed a lab coat to play.

• Check out the

Which Minimoog plugins to use?

The Minimoog is still such a popular sound. So, it only makes sense that there are numerous software instruments with which you can accurately recreate its characteristics. Everyone wants something different in a plugin.

Some softsynths offer huge patch libraries, built-in effects, and expansive interfaces. Others have simple layouts modelled on the hardware and just sound great. Let’s take a look at the benefits of each plugin and find one that fits your workflow:

AAS Ultra Analog VA-3

Those in the know will be familiar with Applied Acoustics Systems(AAS) and its reputation for creating extremely high-quality software instruments. The Ultra Analog VA-3 is a comprehensive virtual analogue workstation with a detailed interface.

When it comes to analogue modelling, this is one of the better softsynths available and not just for creating Minimoog sounds. Here, you have access to a whole range of specialized features for serious analogue sound sculpting.

Ultra Analog gives you a completely modular interface, an arpeggiator, an effects rack, and macro controls. In addition, the patch library has presets from some great sound designers like Richard Devine.

Applied Acoustics Systems Ultra-Analog VA-3 Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 89.00 € at

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UAD Minimoog

Now available through the UAD Spark subscription, the UAD Minimoog is one of the most realistic emulations available. It captures the raw character of the original incredibly well and there are a few extra features that make it worthwhile.

Overall, the sound of the oscillators, the tone of the filter, and the responsiveness of the envelopes all come across realistically. Moreover, the preset library also has some great-sounding patches and a few additional modulation parameters modeled on the unique customizations of well-known Minimoog owners.

UAD plug-ins are now available natively, so you can get the UAD Minimoog within the UAD Creative Edition. 

Universal Audio UAD Creative Edition Native Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 546.00 € at

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Native Instruments Monark

If you’re a Reaktor user, you’ll be familiar with Monark. It might not be the most hyper-realistic Minimoog emulation around, but it’s still a great sounding softsynth.

The interface is slightly simplified in areas like the envelope section, however, you can still tune and mix your oscillators to achieve detailed sounds. The layout is presented in a way that gives you great sound manipulation tools without being too technical.

Even if you’ve never seen a real Minimoog, you can get great results. Monark is also available in Reaktor Blocks, which gives you the flexibility to build your own modular synth designs.

Native Instruments Komplete 14 Standard Download

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(7)

Available for 599.00 € at

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Arturia Mini V

The Arturia Mini V is one of the original Model D plug-ins. On the surface, it looks identical to the classic, but as you start diving into the features you’ll find it goes far beyond what the Minimoog was designed to do.

Up to 32-voice polyphony, an extensive mod matrix, and a versatile effects section make the Mini V useful for far more than just basic Minimoog sounds. Like every Arturia plug-in emulation, the Mini V is meticulously modeled on the original and comes with a great bank of patches.

Apart from the affordability, what’s great is the addition of unique sound design features like the motion recorder gives you powerful time-based synthesis capabilities.

Arturia Mini V

Available for $161.81 at

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IK Multimedia Syntronik 2 Minimod

The Minimod is one of 33 classic synths recreated in Syntronik 2. It brings together characteristics from the Model D, the Voyager, and the Moog Modular.

The interface is simple enough and the patches are instantly gratifying, but if you want to dig deeper there are plenty of added features to keep you busy. Apart from the basics like the effects rack and the arpeggiator/sequencer section, the actual synthesis tools are extensive.

With banks of single and multi-oscillator waveforms and four patch layers, you can quickly build your own sounds without needing much experience with analogue synthesis.

IK Multimedia Syntronik 2 SE Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 115.00 € at

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Moog MiniMoog Model D app

The Model D app is a really great software iteration of the Minimoog. The phenomenal sound engine reproduces the warm analogue goodness with ease and the touch-optimized interface allows easy navigation.

As you browse through the patches, each one seems to sound more gargantuan and tonally detailed than the last. Meanwhile, the app runs on iOS version 10.3 or later, as well as MacOS and supports formats such as AUv3, Ableton Link, Inter-App, and Audiobus.

In addition, you have MIDI CC mapping, Bluetooth MIDI, and MPE capabilities. All you require is a decent interface and you are good to go. Get it here from the App Store.

Moog Mariana Download No customer rating available yet

Available for 105.00 € at

• More from Moog Music

More Model D plugins worth checking out:

We haven’t mentioned every plug-in version of the Minimoog Model D, but here are some more options to investigate.

• Moog Mariana
• Cherry Audio Minimode
• Softube Model 72
• Synapse Audio The Legend
• GForce Minimonsta

More about Minimoog Plugins:

• Everything vintage
• Reaktor resources

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The post How to recreate the classic Minimoog sound with plugins appeared first on gearnews.com.

We get the year started with an array of Synth Deals ranging from grooveboxes, hybrid synths, and useful Eurorack modules for your setup.

Synth Deals

Looking for the missing piece in your dawless music setup? This is the perfect opportunity to save on some exciting instruments. Let’s take a closer look at the offers currently available:

Elektron Model:Cycles

The Elektron Model:Cycles is a 6-track FM groovebox and sound creation machine with Kick, Snare, Metal, Perc, Tone, and Chord engines. When you select the type of sound you’re creating, you have four controls to manipulate it: colour, shape, sweep, and contour.

In addition, the 6 audio tracks also function as MIDI tracks, so you can sequence other instruments. The sequencer itself is intuitive and allows step input, with the capacity to store 96 projects with up to 96 patterns per project.

Moreover, there is also built-in reverb and delay so you can add some extra expression and dimensionality to your sounds without needing external processors.

• Get 15% off the Elektron Model:Cycles now at $300

Elektron Model:Cycles

Available for $300 at

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Polyend Play and Play+

With the Polyend Play and Play+ you get some exciting creative solutions for making beats without a DAW. Both units provide 8 audio tracks for playing back recorded and imported audio, along with 8 MIDI tracks for sequencing the onboard synth engines or external instruments.

Sequencing operations are focussed within the 8 x 16 LED button grid and the performance mode gives you real-time and punch-in effects. What’s more, the sequencer can store up to 128 patterns per project.

The main difference between the two models is the four synth engines in the Play+. With these, you have a powerful platform for creating new sounds, while still having the onboard library of 3000 samples.

• Save 10% on the Polyend Play now at $456
• Get nearly 10% off Polyend Play+ now at $733

Polyend Play

Available for $456 at

Polyend Play+

Available for $733 at

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Nano Modules Performance Mixer

Once your Eurorack system reaches critical mass, it’s time to add a mixer module like the Nano Modules Performance Mixer. With this 28 HP mixer, you have 2 mono and 2 stereo channels with aux sends as well as cue and headphones output.

What’s more, each channel has a set of CV inputs that allow you to modulate different parameters like the volume, pan/balance, and aux send amount. This provides a creative platform for signal management within your Eurorack synth rig.

In addition, there’s a built-in CV looper, so you can record volume automation for each channel. This is incredibly useful for giving your compositions a more finished feel.

• Save over 15% on the Nano Modules Performance Mixer now at $529

Nano Modules Performance Mixer

Available for $529 at

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Arturia MicroFreak and MiniFreak

Although they are different in many ways, the Arturia MicroFreak and MiniFreak present the same approach with performance-orientated hybrid synthesis.

The digital oscillators have different modes to choose from, including Karplus Strong, Harmonic OSC, Superwave, and Texturer. Meanwhile, both the MicroFreak and MiniFreak feature analogue multimode filters with versatile sound-shaping capabilities.

In addition, there are step sequencers with automation tracks and extensive effects sections for adding colour and depth to your sounds. Whichever one you choose, it’s likely to work well in tandem with other synths and drum machines both in studio or on stage.

• Get 15% off the Arturia MicroFreak now at $299
• Save 15% on the Arturia MiniFreak now at $515

Arturia MicroFreak

Available for $299 at

Arturia MiniFreak

Available for $515 at

• More from Arturia

Expressive E Osmose

If you’re looking to approach synthesis from a performance perspective, the Expressive E Osmose is a 24-voice polysynth with a unique keyboard that allows you to alter the velocity, aftertouch, and pitch with each key.

With the Haken Audio EaganMatrix Sound Engine, you get five oscillators, five multimode filters, five envelopes, two filter banks, and the capabilities to work with physical modelling, FM, subtractive and additive synthesis.

In addition, the Osmose also has a built-in effects section and functions as a controller with an MPE MIDI operating mode. No matter how you use it in your setup, the Osmose is bound to produce some interesting results.

• Get nearly 10% off the Expressive E Osmose now at $1,655

Expressive E Osmose

Available for $1,655 at

• More from Expressive E

More about Synth Deals:

• All about Synthesizers
• 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.

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