This week’s music production news brings a diverse mix of new plugins, creative tutorials, and free offerings from top developers. From cinematic scoring tools to vocal processing techniques, here’s what’s happening in the audio world.
Bring the legendary sound of Harrison's analog heritage into your DAW with the 32Classic Channel Strip. This comprehensive plugin emulates the iconic Harrison 32Classic console, featuring a musical four-band parametric EQ, famous ultra-wide filters, and a versatile dynamics section with three compression modes. With the addition of a Jensen transformer-modeled "Drive" control for warm harmonic saturation, it provides the same professional workflow and sonic character used on some of the world's most influential records.
8Dio’s Hybrid Emotions: Trust introduces a Kontakt library focused on stable, warm emotional scoring for film and media. This soundset aims to provide supportive textures that enhance scenes without overwhelming them. *Editorial: Perfect for composers seeking subtle yet powerful emotional underpinnings in their work.* (Source: 8Dio)
u-he’s Zebra 3 tutorial explains how to achieve 432 Hz tuning, catering to producers interested in alternative tuning systems. This quick guide simplifies a niche technique for sound design enthusiasts. *Editorial: A handy resource for those exploring esoteric audio concepts.* (Source: u-he)
Autoformer 5 update from United Plugins adds new saturation modes, an improved GUI, and SEER technology for proactive gain staging. This plugin promises to eliminate volume inconsistencies across vocals, bass, drums, and mixes. *Editorial: The enhanced features make it a compelling tool for modern mixing workflows.* (Source: United Plugins)
Universal Audio’s free 610 Tube Preamp offers a native plugin version of their classic tube preamp and EQ collection, available without hardware requirements. This giveaway allows producers to experience vintage analog warmth at no cost. *Editorial: An exceptional freebie that democratizes high-end analog emulation.* (Source: Universal Audio)
W.A. Production’s Detroubler targets muddy and harsh vocal frequencies for quick cleanup. This plugin aims to solve common vocal issues in seconds with focused processing. *Editorial: Could be a time-saver for vocalists and engineers dealing with problematic recordings.* (Source: W.A. Production)
Celemony’s Melodyne tutorial explores advanced creative uses beyond pitch correction, including formant shifting and dynamics editing. Rich’s demonstration highlights underutilized tools for unique vocal processing. *Editorial: Shows Melodyne’s depth as a creative instrument, not just a corrective tool.* (Source: Celemony)
Baby Audio’s Hyperpop Drums tutorial demonstrates how to push the Tekno plugin to create extreme, modern drum sounds using limiters and soft clippers. This technique caters to hyperpop and experimental genres. *Editorial: A creative approach that encourages pushing plugins beyond their intended use.* (Source: Baby Audio)
Arturia’s AstroLab Tribute medley features Berlin musicians performing iconic songs using AstroLab presets, showcasing the instrument’s versatility across genres from funk to rock. *Editorial: An inspiring promotional piece that highlights musicality over technical specs.* (Source: Arturia)
MNTRA’s MNDALA 2 walkthrough with artist Moon Apple demonstrates how to create epic music quickly using the TENEBRAE and GALACTRON libraries within the MNDALA engine. This tutorial emphasizes workflow efficiency for cinematic scoring. *Editorial: Appeals to producers looking for fast, high-impact results in media composition.* (Source: MNTRA Instruments)
Native Instruments’ DJ skills tutorial focuses on mastering the Traktor MX2 controller, offering insights for DJs aiming to improve their technical proficiency. This educational content supports hands-on learning for performance enhancement. *Editorial: Practical guidance that bridges gear knowledge with artistic expression.* (Source: Native Instruments)
Overall, this roundup reflects a trend toward accessibility and creativity in music production, with free tools, in-depth tutorials, and updates that prioritize user-friendly innovation. From free analog emulations to advanced vocal manipulation, developers are empowering producers at all levels to refine their craft and explore new sonic territories.
