Today, AIR Music Tech has introduced IONA, a new virtual instrument that they describe as “a faithful recreation of the legendary SH-101 synthesizer.”
They say that Iona preserves the unmistakable 101 character, while expanding on the original’s designe with a modern 128-step pattern sequencer, intuitive graphical editor, and seamless integration across standalone MPC, MPC Desktop, and DAW environments.
“Iona captures the classic 101 tone we all know and love, then opens it up with a deeper sequencer and workflow refinements that fit today’s production styles,” says AIR’s Neal Gustafson. “Whether you’re sketching on MPC or finishing a track in your DAW, it’s the same instrument—and the same sound—everywhere.”
Features:
Sound Engine –
“Authentic” 101 oscillator section with Pulse, Sawtooth, Sub, and Noise sources
VCO pitch range and modulation controls faithful to the original
Pulse-width modulation via LFO, Envelope, or manual slider
BPM-syncable LFO with 9 waveform shapes
Filter & Modulation
Classic resonant filter with cutoff and resonance controls
Filter envelope, LFO, and keyboard tracking
ADSR envelope assignable to VCA
Portamento and customizable pitch bender controls
Sequencing & Performance
128-step pattern sequencer with classic 101 workflow
Transpose/shift functions and graphical editor
Integrated arpeggiator for expanded creative possibilities
Seamless MPC and DAW integration
Effects & Presets
Onboard FX section: Lo-Fi, Delay, Reverb, and 3-Band EQ
100+ factory presets for instant inspiration
Five visual skins (grey, red, blue, white, yellow) saved per-preset
Iona is available now, with an intro price through November 22, 2025 of $59 (normally $149).
Morphor has announced that the ECHON 6 the world’s first polyphonic synthesizer based around BBD (Bucket-Brigade Delay) resonators — is now available to pre-order.
Each of its six voices features a discrete BBD delay-line resonator that tracks the keyboard, producing organic overtones and complex harmonic depth. The Morphor ECHON 6 will generate anything from plucked and bowed strings, to leads and basses, to big pads and evolving soundscapes.
Other features include comprehensive multi-timbral capabilities, a 9×32 modulation matrix, an analog signal path and a one-knob-per-function design.
The ECHON 6 is scheduled to ship in early February 2026; pre-orders are open for the first batch, with a MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) of €2,295.00 (including VAT).
Developer Jeremiah Klein has introduced Echo Beach, a new iOS sampler that’s designed to make it easy to get ideas “out of your head and into your DAW”.
Klein says that “Echo Beach does what most samplers don’t – it gets out of your way. No menu diving. No trying to be your entire studio. Just fast, tactile sampling for the subway beatbox, the weird door sound, the melody you hummed at 2am.”
Features:
8-Pad Sampler: Load, trim, loop, and play like classic MPCs
Smart Slice Detection: Auto-chop or edit transients manually
Built-In Step Sequencer: Program beats and rhythms instantly
Groove Engine interpolates between 8 templates from quantized to Dilla-esque swing
Studio FX: Reverb, delay, pitch and revesefor a polished sound
Factory Sounds Bank (B): Professional samples included to start immediately
Voice Note Ready: Record directly or import your sounds
DAW Export: Send stems and/or MIDI with full BPM + time-signature metadata
BPM Auto-Detection – automatically syncs loops to tempo
Low Latency playback
MIDI controller support with MIDI Map mode to customize to your controller.
