Electronic Music Works (EMW) shared these sneak previews of the WCS-X, a new desktop monophonic synthesizer design that they say is “All about the Sound!”
It’s a hybrid design, combing digital oscillators with an analog signal path.
Here’s what they have to say about it:
“It follows the spirit of the original WCS, offering immediate hands-on control, bold character, and zero dependence on computers or deep menus. There is no patch memory by design. Sounds are shaped in real time, with all essential controls always within reach.
The WCS-X uses digital oscillators at its sound source, while the entire shaping and response is handled in the analog domain, with analog VCF, VCA, ADSR, and an analog LFO dedicated to filter cutoff modulation. A second, independent digital LFO is used for oscillator pitch modulation.
‘These analog circuits have been refined over more than 15 years, resulting in a distinctive, punchy voice with a gritty and acid edge. Users often describe the sound as digital with an analog punch, sometimes hinting at Synclavier-like vibes, while remaining true to the original WCS identity.”
They shared an update with the latest firmware and features:
The EMW WCS-X synthesizer is still in development, and is expected to be available ‘soon’. Details on pricing and availability are to be announced.
Launch Control XL’s first major firmware update is now available.
Novation has released an update for the Launch Control XL 3 control surface, adding deeper customization, support for more DAWs and more.
New in Launch Control XL 3 v1.1:
Mackie HUI support: Launch Control XL 3 now supports additional DAWs — including Pro Tools, Reaper, and Studio One — right out the box.
Expanded MIDI routing: With flexible USB-to-DIN MIDI passthrough, it’s now easy to configure hybrid setups with merged control data and channel filtering.
Encoder acceleration curves: Adjust how the encoders respond for more precise, expressive control.
Fader pickup: Smooth out transitions to prevent disruptive changes while mixing or performing.
Fader preview: Press Shift and move any fader to see the parameter value without altering it.
Faster Custom Mode selection: Just hold down the Mode button, select a Custom Mode, and release it to get back to your flow.
Launch Control XL 3 v1.1 is available now as a free update.
Developer Jonas Eriksson has introduced Tape Fiasco – one of the most creative audio effect plugin.
Tape Fiasco combines together three time-based effects in a single plugin: a granular time-stretcher, a glitchy, rhythmic stutter effect and a tape-style varispeed function. Each of these modules can be used independently or chained up with the others via configurable signal routing. It is designed for real-time performance and sound design, offering tempo-synced operation, envelope follower modulation, and extensive parameter control for each effect section.
It’s Stretch effect records incoming audio into a buffer and plays it back using overlapping grains, offering control over playback speed, grain size, pitch, tempo and stereo spread, with options for randomization and reversing, so there’s a whole lot of flexibility here for creating granular soundscapes.
Tape Fiasco’s tempo-synced Stutter module captures slices of audio and repeats them rhythmically – it’s a classic effect that you’ll have heard before in glitch and IDM, but there’s a huge amount of control available over timing, pitch and dynamics, along with rhythmic and probability-based variation. There’s also a multimode filter built into the Stutter module with with formant and comb modes alongside the conventional resonant low- and high-pass.
Lastly we have the Varispeed effect, which simulates the sound of a tape machine varying in playback speed. Once again, there’s a lot more versatility on offer here than you might expect: tape-modelled wow/flutter, a DJ-style scratch effect, two flavours of distortion and a compressor thrown in for good measure.
All of that adds up to a powerful effects processor that can be utilized across multiple contexts, whether you’re adventuring into experimental sound design or just looking for a way to add a little sonic flavour to a vocal line or guitar riff.
Tape Fiasco is available in VST3/AU formats for macOS and VST3 for Windows, but it’s only been tested on Ableton Live 12.2 with macOS Sequoia 15.1.
Head over to Jonas Eriksson website to download Tape Fiasco.
