WORLD OF MUSIC ; PORTABLE KEYBOARD - Latest Portable Music Keyboards, Synthesizers and Music News

YouTuber and musician Venus Theory has announced the launch of a new series of free sample instruments, kicking off with a free library of sounds sampled from the Arturia Polybrute 12.

In this new video, Cameron explains that he was saddened to learn that Spitfire Audio had transformed its beloved LABS series of free software instruments into a paid subscription service, LABS+.

“I think that fucking sucks, really bad,” he says. “Had I not had access to free music-making software like Audacity, or all the free plugins I’ve used over the years… I don’t think I would be making music today.

“This is a huge loss for the aspiring musician and composer community. But instead of just sitting here bitching about it on the internet, I thought: why not just do something about it?”

Cameron’s answer was Auras, his own series of free and professionally-recorded sample instruments designed to run in Decent Sampler, a free sampler plugin. The first instrument in the series is Auras:Polyscape, a collection of “deep and cinematic” sounds crafted with the Arturia Polybrute 12 synthesizer.

The sounds in Polyscape were sourced from Cameron’s custom-built patches and recorded through analogue tube preamps to “capture the glorious and imperfect nature of analogue synthesis”.

“Featuring a brand-new UI design and editor, Polyscape brings the expressive nature of these custom patches featuring ‘motion recording’ to life with new dynamics and expression controls, a re-designed velocity response mode toggle for more organic and realistic velocity performance, custom IR’s captured directly from the Polybrute 12, and a hand selected A-B layer system.”

AURAS free instruments for all. No Strings Attached. No Subscriptions Bullsh*t. Just Sound.

Cameron has put a hell of a lot of time and money into this project, so if you find yourself enjoying Polyscape, you can support him by becoming a patron. Download auras:polyscape from Venus Theory Gumroad.

Today, Expressive E shared this overview of Osmose 2.0, the first major firmware update for the unique expressive synthesizer.

Osmose 2.0 is a free update that introduces 7 new features:

1. Save your favorite presets
2. Make playlists for your projects
3. Switch presets & playlists easily w/ program changes
4. Discover the new preset browser
5. Use press glide in external midi mode
6. Use the mpe arpeggiator in external midi mode
7. Save custom midi config presets

Topics covered:

0:00 intro

0:36 add presets to favorites

1:03 create preset playlists

1:48 switch presets via midi program changes

2:31 discover the new preset browser

3:20 use press glide in ext. midi mode

4:48 use the mpe arpeggiator in ext. midi mode

6:18 save custom midi config presets

7:10 how to update

7:36 what’s next for osmose?

Osmose 2.0 is available now as a free update.

45 years on from its release, Yamaha CS-80 synth seems more popular than ever. Ownership of the original hardware, though, is the preserve of the lucky few, so the market for software emulations is potentially huge.

Now Softube has joined the likes of Arturia and Cherry Audio in releasing its own version of the CS-80. In fact, the Model 77 (the number denoting the year in which the CS-80 was released) actually emulates a couple of other CS synths, as well: the CS-50 and CS-60.

Softube claims to have “component modelled and accurately articulated every detail” of the three instruments, but up on the surface, it has also simplified the interface to make it easier to tweak your sound. While the Model 77 is dual-layer, the focus stays on one layer at a time, and the various sections are laid out to reflect the signal flow.

There is also an additional ageing slider that you can adjust to dial in oscillator drift and variations in filter cutoff, pulse width and envelope time. So you can go for a stable, modern sound or a wobbly, vintage one (or something in between).

If you want those classic CS sounds – they’re all over Vangelis’s Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire soundtracks and ‘80s classics such as Billie Jean, Africa and Human Nature – you’ll be delighted to know that all the factory presets from the three original synths are here, as is support for polyphonic aftertouch.

Stereo processing, DAW sync and a reverb are onboard, too, and you also get seven modules from Softube’s Modular and two from its Amp Room guitar and bass software.

Model 77 Dual Layer Synth Walkthrough:

The Model 77 is available now for the introductory price of $99 (regular price $159) and runs on PC and Mac in VST/AU/AAX formats. Find out more and download a demo on the Softube website.