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Regency is a free phase distortion synth plugin that harks back to Casio CZ keyboards. A slick-looking freebie that supports the new CLAP plugin standard.

Pioneered by Casio in the ‘80s in its CZ keyboards, phase distortion synthesis still rears its head in software plugins today. In fact, it’s inspired a new free one by nakst, known as Regency, which looks pretty accomplished.

Promising a “multi-tiered phase distortion system,” this features two generator layers, each of which has three editable multi-segment curves. These can be applied to distort the phase of each generator in series, in modulatable amounts.

Those are the headlines – dive down a bit and you discover that there are quite a few modulation options on offer. As well as the the four envelopes and three multi-segment LFOs, there are two math modulators, which can be used to shape and warp other modulation sources.

Each modulation unit also has a number of built-in assignment slots, and further fun can be had in the six-slot modulation matrix.

Down at the bottom of the UI you’ll find three effect slots, each of which can host one of Regency’s six effects (bitcrusher, flanger, pattern delay, trancegate, delay line and a five-band EQ). These can be reordered as you wish – it is possible to use the same effect multiple times, as well.

Regency runs on PC, Mac and Linux, and promises to automatically detect which CPU you’re using and select the optimal code to ensure the best possible performance. It arrives in the new CLAP plugin format, which is currently supported by Bitwig Studio, Cockos Reaper, MultitrackStudio and a number of other DAWs. It also runs as a Mac AU plugin, and there’s also a native FL Studio version.

Find out more and download Regency on the nakst’s Audio Plugins website.

OVERSYNTH has introduced a new set of overlays for the Roland MC-101 and TR-6S.

Their overlays let you customize the look of your gear and, in some cases, document hidden shortcuts on the panel:

• The ‘Performer’ designs feature all original front panel labeling, plus several additional key combinations
• The ‘Maximum’ designs feature all the labeling on the ‘Performer’ designs, plus numerous additional key combinations, shortcuts, and cheat-sheet notes
• In addition to these, there are also TR-6S overlay designs reminiscent of select drum machines from Roland’s past

Each of the new designs feature high-contrast graphics and large fonts whenever possible for easy viewing in low light.

The new overlays are available now, price at $27 each.

In his latest video, Alex Theakston of Mylar Melodies offers an in-depth hands-on demo of the new Intellijel Cascadia  semi-modular synthesizer. The video is an official, commissioned Intellijel overview of Cascadia, vs an independent review. It covers the panel in depth and demonstrates how Cascadia sounds, with a wide variety of patches.

Cascadia is an advanced, performance-oriented semi-modular synthesizer, but with the footprint of a laptop. It features a modern analog architecture, with a mix of classic East Coast and West Coast functions. It’s normalized, meaning that the individual modules have internal ‘default’ connections, so you can instantly get started with it. But you can also patch any of the modules together, however you choose, or use them independently with other gear.

Topics covered:

00:00 Hello montage

01:30 Panel Walkthrough

08:00 Sounds Begin: Drone

08:29 Traditional Acid

10:42 Calm Acid

13:03 Itchy Acid

13:27 Majestic Fifths via FX Loop

14:20 Feedback FM Acid

15:15 Calm Foldy Plucks

16:00 Steppy Filter Acid

18:20 Contemplative Acids

19:21 Duophonic Acid

21:14 Wavefolded Helltones

22:39 Righteous Ring Mod Jam

25:38 29 Second Reverb Acid Dream