The FM-1 and its software community have arguably made it the synth of 2026. You buy the FM-1 for well under $100 and run it with the powerful stock firmware, or use one of dozens of alternate firmware options that give the synth completely new capabilities.
In this video, though, Steinberg looks at going further and building your own firmware. Starting at around 16:39, Steinberg demonstrates how he approached it.
Have you tried creating your own firmware? If so, share how you did it in the comments!
Expressive E’s new GForce Collection combines two GForce software synthesizers with 500 MPE presets designed for expressive, multidimensional performance.
Expressive E has introduced the GForce Collection, a software bundle combining GForce MAP and GForce Prophet~5 with 500 additional presets developed specifically for MPE performance.
The collection brings together two contrasting synthesizer designs. MAP explores experimental, West Coast-inspired synthesis through oscillators, waveshaping, FM, and extensive modulation, while Prophet~5 recreates the architecture and sound of Sequential’s classic analog polyphonic synthesizer.
Each instrument gets 250 Expressive E presets, designed to respond to multidimensional playing gestures. The collection is intended to work particularly closely with Expressive E’s Osmose keyboard, while also providing MPE-compatible sounds for other supported controllers.
Features:
The GForce Collection includes full versions of GForce MAP and GForce Prophet~5, along with 250 additional Expressive E presets for each instrument. The two synthesizers provide different approaches to sound generation, ranging from experimental digital textures to modeled analog synthesis.
The Prophet~5 plugin was developed in collaboration with Sequential and models the characteristics of the instrument’s Rev1, Rev2, and Rev3 versions. This includes the different SSM and Curtis filter and envelope characteristics associated with those revisions.
Prophet~5 uses a dual-layer architecture with Layer, Split, and Alternate modes, supporting up to 10 voices per layer. Its sound-shaping tools include redesigned X-Modulation controls, dedicated envelopes and LFOs, two selectable effects slots, and additional delay, reverb, and pan-spread processing.
The Prophet~5 plugin also includes independent arpeggiator and chord modes for each layer, a searchable preset browser, MIDI CC mapping, and MPE compatibility. Its 250 Expressive E presets are designed to make use of per-note expression rather than treating the instrument as a conventional MIDI keyboard sound source.
GForce MAP takes a different approach, drawing on West Coast experimental synthesis. Its architecture includes three oscillators with waveshaping and FM, dual filters, and a five-band resonant equalizer.
MAP’s modulation system supports MPE, while its generative polyphonic arpeggiator and XY pad provide additional ways to explore evolving patterns and sound changes. Dedicated XY macros control oscillator and filter parameters, and the instrument includes custom delay, reverb, and character effects.
The 250 MAP presets cover a range of sounds built around its oscillator, filter, modulation, and effects architecture. Expressive E’s mappings use MPE gestures to provide additional control over parameters such as waveshaping, resonance, and spatial effects.
The collection is designed to work with the Osmose keyboard, using its three-dimensional keybed and per-note control to shape individual notes during performance. Expressive E also positions the presets for use with other MPE-compatible controllers, although the specific playing experience will depend on the controller and its supported expression dimensions.
Both instruments can also be accessed through Expressive E’s Ctrl-e software environment. The collection provides access to the complete MAP and Prophet~5 interfaces for deeper sound design, in addition to the expressive preset libraries.
The GForce Collection is available now from Expressive E for €119, reduced from a listed regular price of €238. It includes full licenses for both GForce MAP and GForce Prophet~5, along with all 500 Expressive E presets.
Haken Audio has announced a new video competition, offering three synthesizers as prizes for the best Youtube music performance videos.
Show off how you play, and you could win one of three high-end Continuum synthesizers!
To enter, contestants will post a video performance on YouTube showing off a unique playing technique that they developed themselves and mastered on their instrument of choice. Then they will post a 2nd video explaining how they developed their unique personal technique and what it took for them to master it.
Both videos should be 1 min or less, tag @HakenAudio, and have #ContinuumCompetition in the title.
Prizes included a Slim70 Continuum, a Slim46 Continuum, and a Slim21 Continuum. The Continuum is considered to be one of the most expressive and responsive synthesizers ever created.
The competition ends November 16th. At the end of each week, Haken will feature favorite performances from that week on their YouTube channel.
Haken explains their goal for the competition:
“We want to shine a light on the amazing and talented musical pioneers out there who have dared to create something completely unique with their technique and really taken the time and dedication to master it.
And the winners are not a judgment in any way about who is a better musician. It will be based on who the judges think will be the best fit for learning and mastering the Continuum.”
