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Brains could be the beginning of Behringer’s move into music software.

Behringer today introduced the Brains Multi-Engine Oscillator Module for Eurorack modular synthesizers, a clone of the Mutable Instruments Plaits.

Like the Plaits, Brains features a wide range of digital oscillator modes, ranging from virtual analog to FM to drum synthesis. The Behringer version adds a waveform display and a USB connector on the front of the module.

Here is what they say about it:

“Brains comes with multi-functional Timbre, Harmonics, Frequency and Morph controls that can be used to tweak each of the 20 synth models. Just select the active synth mode with the model button then start turning the controls to change the character of your sound source until you get your desired tone.

Set any of BRAINS’ 20 synth or percussion and noise engines such as Virtual Analog, Waveshaper, FM, Grains, Rain, Noise, Dust, Modal Strings, Bass, Snare or Hi Hat to generate dark pulsating beats, bright and spicy tones, ripping leads, lush chords or ethereal pads to really breathe life into your music.”

Plaits uses open source software and hardware licensing, which means that anyone can make a clone, but they are required to follow the restrictions of the license – for example, releasing the source code for GPL’d projects and giving proper attribution for Creative Commons licensed projects.

The Behringer Brains is  priced at $149.

Joakim Frostegård has introduced OctaSine, a free and open source FM VST2 synthesizer plugin that the developer say “draws inspiration from the Elektron Monomachine, as well as from NI’s FM8”.

Features:

• Works on macOS, Windows and Linux
• Four operators with independent parameters such as volume, panning, modulation index, feedback, three different frequency modifiers (ratio, free and fine) and ADSR volume envelope parameters. The operators can be independently switched to white noise mode
• Flexible routing allowing setting the output operator (with some limitations) as well as the percentage of signal that is simply added to the final output, enabling additive synthesis. By default, operator 4 is routed to operator 3, operator 3 to operator 2 and operator 2 to operator 1.
• Modulation panning (!), not present in FM8
• Master volume and master frequency parameters
• Four LFOs capable of targeting most operator parameters as well as most parameters of lower index LFOs.
• 128 voices
• Fully automatable
• Preset handling
• SIMD-accelerated audio synthesis with runtime feature detection for less CPU usage

OctaSine is available now as a free download. The source code is also available.

Splice has just improved its offering with new Bridge, Beatmaker and Astra plugins.

The Splice Bridge lets you match samples to the key and tempo of your track. Bridge is designed to speed up your Splice workflow by syncing the Splice Sounds app with your DAW. This enables you to match samples that you’re previewing to the key and tempo of your track, so that you can try them ‘in situ’ before committing to purchasing.

Bridge is included with the Sounds+, Creator and Creator+ subscription plans, which cost $10, $20 and $30 a month respectively.

The Beatmaker a lean and lightweight drum groove creation plugin that offers both Pads and Sequencer views. Kit presets come supplied, and you can also drag and drop samples onto pads directly from the Splice app. Sample editing is included, as well, while the 32-step sequencer looks nice and straightforward. Finished patterns can be exported as audio or MIDI to your DAW.

Lastly, Astra – a soft synth that Splice says has been in development since 2018. Royalty-free sample provider Splice promises to keep things simple, and includes two oscillators that offer analogue, FM, granular, sampler and wavetable options. Additionally, there is also a sub oscillator, noise generator, multimode filter, two envelope generators, two LFOs, a sample & hold section, and an effects engine.

Beatmaker and Astra are included in the Creator and Creator+ plans.

Find out more about all the new features on the Splice website.