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Hornet Plugins’ new HoRNet VHS plugin offers the advantage of being simple and very affordable.

Can Hornet’s affordable VHS plugin help you to create better mixes while wearing headphone.

VHS does not emulate the warbly sound of old video tapes, but instead applies frequency correction and room simulation to your cans. The theory is that this will enable you to produce mixes that translate well to multiple systems.

There are more than 100 preset headphone models in the database, and the room simulation algorithms promise to recreate the acoustics of a pro studio. No worry if you want to replicate the sound of high-end monitors and natural reverb, HoRNet VHS can does that.

Once you have chosen your headphone model you get a graphic representation of the correction EQ being applied, and you can also adjust the position of the speakers and listener in the virtual ‘room’.

Features:

• Frequency response correction for more than 100 headphones models
• Graphic display of correction EQ applied
• Room simulation with physically modeled reflections
• Frequency response of speakers changes depending on their position
• Listener position adjustable in room simulation
• Speakers position adjustable in room simulation
• Vector user interface which is sharp on every resolution
• Support for light and dark mode on both windows and mac
• Apple Silicon native support
• macOS (10.11 and later) and Windows (Vista and later) support.
• 64-bit on Mac and Windows.
• Audio Units, VST, VST3 and AAX format.

Find out more on the Hornet Plugins website.

VHS runs on PC and Mac in VST/AU/AAX format sand costs just €11. There’s also a demo version.

With 11 Oscillator Models, a multi-part sequencer and a hands-on workflow.

Roland SH-4d is a unique instrument that packs 50 years of the company’s history into a portable “future retro” synth.

Roland has launched the SH-4d, one of its more intriguing products. This “future retro” box of synthesis tricks offers 11 oscillator models, a multi-part sequencer and an interface that’s built for hands-on sound design and experimentation.

What they say about it:

“Fifty years ago, Roland launched its first synthesizer, the groundbreaking SH-1000. The SH name has represented the company’s core synthesizer instruments ever since, merging innovative new technologies with tactile interfaces for quickly designing sounds in the moment.

The SH-4d opens the next chapter in the long-running series, offering Roland’s latest analog modeling advancements and a deep-yet-inviting panel that catalyzes creativity and rewards exploration at every turn.”

The SH-4d features a sample-based PCM Model, a flexible drum synthesizer, with rich tone-shaping capabilities for creating custom kits from scratch.

The SH-4d also features 32 knobs, four sliders and a slew of multi-function buttons. The sliders, buttons and LCD screen all automatically reconfigure themselves depending on which mode you’re working in, and there are dedicated Filter, Amp and LFO sections. Modulation is covered off in the Matrix section, which enables you to route the output of the LFO or envelope generator to parameters in an oscillator model.

Among its many tricks, the SH-4d also features built-in motion sensors that allow that spring into life when you pick the synth up and physically move it around. The D-Motion mode offers X/Y control over two parameters, and the Visual Arpeggio feature enables you to shape note patterns using interactive displays.

The SH-4d sequencer enables you create sequences with up to 60 notes of total polyphony. There’s also a versatile selection of Roland effects.

You can play the SH-4d via a ‘two-plus’ octave button keyboard, and there’s also MIDI I/O so you can plug in something a little more practical or use the instrument in conjunction with other studio gear.

The SH-4d also functions as a USB-C audio/MIDI interface with 12 discrete audio channels. It can be powered via a standard USB-C phone charger or with AA batteries for up to four hours.

A performance demo, featuring Detroit techno legend Carl Craig:

“That machine is a little monster,” says Craig. “So many options to not only shape sound but to shape the musical composition too.”

Find out more on the SH-4d on the Roland website. The Roland SH-4d Synthesizer will be available in the Amazon  U.S. in March for $649.

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Behringer has shared a sneak preview of the JT-2 – a Eurorack-format monophonic synth voice, based on the voice of the Roland Jupiter-8.

You might think that Behringer would be keen to release one of its two already-announced takes on Roland Jupiter-8 before it started teasing another one, but no. Behringer is planning a Eurorack-compatible desktop synth inspired by Roland’s Jupiter range.

It now transpires that, as well as a full-size clone and a mini version, the company is also working on a paraphonic, Eurorack-compatible desktop Jupiter synth using the same analogue oscillators and filters, plus automatic tuning and arpeggiator functions.

The styling is certainly in keeping with Roland’s original synth. There are (from left to right) LFO, VCO modulator, VCO-1 and VCO-2 sections, followed by a VCO mix dial and filter section. The two envelopes and VCA are below.

The company has previously teased plans for two other synths based on the Jupiter-8: a knockoff or clone of the Jupiter-8 keyboard, and an inexpensive Volca-style synth module, the Saturn Soul Synthesizer. Neither product has so far been released.

Whether the Eurorack model will beat them to market remains to be seen, but, given that it’s just a prototype at this stage, we’d guess that it’s unlikely.

Roland previously released its own mini Jupiter-8 – the JD-08 – as part of its Boutique range, though this used digital technology to model the analogue circuitry.

What they say about the Behringer JT-2:

“While we’re currently working on a full key version of the Jupiter, here is a new prototype in a smaller and more affordable Eurorack package. It features an authentic Jupiter voice based on the same VCOs and VCFs, plus an autotune and arpeggiator function.

We believe we could make it for US$ 299.”

Availability is to be announced. Behringer has previously indicated that it is moving full steam ahead on designing new synths, but it will be unable to manufacture many of these designs until recent global supply chain issues for electronic components get resolved.

Would you be interested in a monophonic Jupiter-8 in Euro format? Share your thoughts in the comments!