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Behringer channels Roland JP-8000 in its new $49 Behringer JP-4000 hardware synthesizer, a synth that even kids can afford.

The JP-4000 is a 4-voice hybrid paraphonic instrument with two analogue modelling oscillators per voice, a 2-operator FM engine, an analogue filter, two LFOs, an arpeggiator and an OLED display.

The name calls to mind Roland JP-8000 – an 8-voice analogue modelling synth that was released in 1996 – and the JP-4000 promises to recreate the sound engine from that instrument, complete with the famous Supersaw waveform.

In addition, you can power the JP-4000 from your phone or another USB source, and 16 touch-sensitive keys enable it to be played without a controller. That said, you can easily hook up a MIDI keyboard should you so wish.

Features:

• Programmable 4-voice hybrid synthesizer with 2 analog modelling oscillators per voice
• Analog filter
• Reproduction of the JP-8k sound engine with Supersaw waveform
• Additional 2-operator FM engine
• Authentic 12-bit DAC for ‘classic sound’
• 32 memory presets, expandable via SynthTribe app
• 16 touch-sensitive keys ‘for great playability’
• Arpeggiator with 3 patterns and hold function
• Individual envelopes for filter and amplifier for creative sound shaping
• 2 powerful LFO’s to control filter and oscillator tuning
• 6 function buttons and bright OLED display
• USB Micro connector allows powering via smartphone, power bank or computer
• USB/MIDI implementation (including NRPN/CC control of all parameters and bulk load/save)

Apparently, it has always been the company founder Uli Behringer’s dream to create a synth that is cheap enough for kids to get their hands on, in-order to enable them to start making music, and looks like this is that synth.

Now, Uli Behringer believes he has fulfilled his dream of creating a synth that even kids can afford.

$49 is a suggested retail price at the moment. Behringer expects the JP-4000 to be ship in June 2022.

Modal Electronics has updated the Argon8, adding 12 new Wavetable Banks, featuring 60 new Waveforms.

Argon8 Firmware 2.6 features two independent wave-groups, each containing 180 carefully crafted wavetables split into 36 banks of 5 morphable waveform sets; there’s even an additional PWM bank and 3 noise/modulation banks accessible on wave-group 2.

In addition, users can now link OSC2 tuning to be linked to OSC1 frequency via a handy OSC2 Tune Mode control.

New Firmware v2.6 Wavetables:

• Chew – This wavetable starts as a fuzzy square-derived waveshape and takes on a more sinister identity as position value increases. Expect good results when used for bass texture or wobbles.
• Grit – A highly versatile table for making anything from hybrid keys to swirling pads. At position 0, this table can be used as a smoother substitute for a sawtooth. From there, you’ll hear a frequency sweep upwards as detain and grit steadily increase to form an energized and highly detailed waveform with its own distinct personality.
• Gnar – We took a trusty sawtooth and gave it a healthy dose of acupuncture therapy. Pins and needles might not be for everyone, but when this table gets a solid injection of phase mod from oscillator 2 (try running feedback on Osc 2!), it’s unstoppable for all things gnarly. Find a low key of choice and push/pull that joystick.
• Wicked – Things can get pretty intense using wicked. This particular wavetable carries a lot of mid frequencies, with noticeable overtones and harmonies. Wicked needs to be modulated to sound its best. Inject some phase mod or sync, along with movements in wavetable positions from either LFO’s or the Mod envelope, and you’ll be off-planet in no time.
• Transient – Created for the sole purpose of making distinct transient hits. You do this with the mod envelope, altering the position with a quick decay time. The far end of the wavetable has punchy highs and mids, while the other side contains much more subdued tones. This is another highly versatile preset, as it also makes an excellent modulation oscillator when used in oscillator 2.
• Feedback – Starts out with a high amount of overtones over what could arguably be a sin wave, and gradually picks up in the mids and highs. Eventually it becomes sort of a cross between an FM infused sin wave and a sawtooth. On its own you can use this without much modulation and still pull off stuff like bells, mallet instruments, or even a mangled lead or bass. The real magic of Feedback is when you use it in conjunction with the Oscillator Mod, particularly phase mod, to shape oscillator 1 into aggressive crunchy wobbles and punches.
• FM Organ – This one’s pretty self explanatory. If you like organs, set this one up on oscillator 1 or 2 and use a little wind sync for another layer of organ overtones.
• Metal – Exactly as named, this one’s full of metalic ting tang texture. Much like Feedback, this one can also do wonders when used as an Oscillator Mod, Especially Phase Modulation.
• Fat – Oscillator shapes sampled from an analogue synthesizer. For classic analogue sounds, this table does well as an alternative to the standard VA table. Expect pleasant results when used with filter envelope stabs and rises.
• Filter – Filter is a saw wave sampled through an analogue filter sweep
• Vsync – is sampled from CRAFTsynth 2.0 Vocaloid Sync modifier.
• Retro2 – Samples from a famous Japanese polysynth.
• Metal – Metalic overtones and tons of texture. If chrome was a sound, this might be what it sounds like. Great for Drum&Bass leads and basses.
• FM Organ – Sourced from organ tones manipulated with FM synthesis.

Modal Electronics Argon8 Firmware v2.6 is available now as a free download.

Cherry Audio has introduced Rackmode Signal Processors, a bundle of eight software plugins, based on Moog Signal Processors of the 1970s and ‘80s.

The Rackmode Signal Processors are circuit-modeled emulations, based on the original rack hardware.

The collection includes:

• Rackmode Vocoder (instrument and effects versions)
• Rackmode Phaser
• Rackmode Ring Modulator
• Rackmode String Filter
• Rackmode Frequency Shifter
• Rackmode Graphic EQ
• Rackmode Parametric EQ

What Cherry Audio says about them:

“In the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Moog (then owned by Norlin Music, Inc.) wanted to extend their reach further into the production studio. One effort was the Signal Processor family of rack-mounted products featuring the 16 Channel Vocoder, 12 Stage Phaser, and the Ten Band Graphic and Three Band Parametric Equalizers. Other related rack products were the Frequency Shifter and Ring Modulator, based on the designs of pioneer Harald Bode, and the singular String Filter created by Moog’s Custom Engineering group.

The Moog Signal Processors have found a place in production facilities worldwide, both past and present. Artists like Wendy Carlos, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Tangerine Dream, John Carpenter, Genesis, Jan Hammer, Mouse on Mars, and Coldplay have used them to shape their distinctive sounds. And producers as diverse as Giorgio Moroder, Mike Elizondo, and Sylvia Massy have cited these black boxes as treasured parts of their studio gear. Today these units are increasingly scarce and fetch prices far above their original value – that is, if they can be found at all.”

Features:

• Rackmode Vocoder – Rackmode includes two versions for this 16 channel classic: an instrument plugin with a built-in polyphonic dual oscillator, and an effects plugin to modify other input formats and DAW tracks for unlimited processing flexibility.
• Rackmode Phaser – Based upon the definitive 12 stage original known for its lush, sweeping textures.
• Rackmode Ring Modulator – Based on Moog’s Harald Bode Ring Modulator with Squelch control.
• Rackmode String Filter – This effect utilizes filter arrays that mimic acoustic string instruments, drawing from the extremely rare system created by Moog’s Custom Engineering Group.
• Rackmode Frequency Shifter – Mixes two external inputs or sidechains a single input with its own built-in oscillator. The Frequency Shifter creates colorful, often metallic effects by modifying the ratio of incoming frequency components.
• Rackmode Graphic EQ – Ten selectable frequency bands with Drive and Gain controls, capable of creating exotic effects when used with other instruments and effects.
• Rackmode Parametric EQ – Three bands for sculpting Low, Mid, and High-frequency ranges.

Additionally, Cherry Audio has expanded on the original designs, adding presets, LFOs, stereo processing, and more.

The Cherry Audio Rackmode Signal Processors collection is available now for $99, MSRP $129.