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Knobcon – aka “the original synth convention” – is returning to Chicagoland, Sept 5-7, 2025.

The event, now in its thirteenth year, features performances, workshops and vendors. It’s a great opportunity to not just see the latest electronic music gear, but to spend time with people that are passionate about synths.

VCV Rack demo patch at Knobcon 2017

Knobcon is held just outside Chicago, Ill., at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg.

The event basically takes over the hotel for the weekend, with electronic performances and an annual synth banquet in a huge outdoor tent, vendor rooms where you can try out and buy the latest gear, educational sessions in the conference rooms, a room for DIY synth projects, dedicated performance spaces and more.

And, if you talk to anyone in the lobby, restaurants or bar, they’ll probably be into synths!

Tickets are available now for $75, which gives you access to the entire 3-day event.

There’s an optional synth banquet on Saturday night, which is $75. This year’s Synth Banquet guest of honor will be Cameron Jones, co-inventor of the Synclavier.

Organizers have also arranged for an event rate at the hotel, if you want to stay onsite and make the most of the event.

Quietformat has introduced Melino, a sample-based virtual instrument for Mac & Windows.

Melino features six “vintage style” virtual instruments: Melloflute, Melloviolin, Xylophone, Vintage EP, W-200, and Home Piano. Each instrument can be used individually, or layered together.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“MELINO does not aim for hyper realistic accuracy.

Instead, it embraces warmth, texture, and the subtle imperfections that make sounds feel alive.
Its slightly rough edges give it a distinct personality and make it a perfect fit for retro music, cinematic scoring, and nostalgic sound design.”

Melino is available now, with an intro price of $49 (normally $69).

Native Instruments today announced the release of the 2.0 firmware version for Kontrol S-Series MK3 keyboards. The update adds deeper DAW integration and enhanced accessibility for blind and visually impaired users.

Kontrol S-Series MK3 now offers a unified plugin view, letting you load and tweak both NKS and non-NKS plugins directly from the keyboard for seamless navigation and full parameter control.

The firmware 2.0 release adds plugin and extended control for the following five DAWs:

• Ableton Live: Ableton Instrument Racks are now displayed as container plugins that can be expanded or collapsed from the keyboard. Up to 16 macros per Rack can be controlled directly from the MK3. Customize plugin mappings via ‘Configure Mode’.
• Logic Pro: Up to 8 Logic Smart Controls are automatically mapped
• Cubase: Customize plugin mappings with the Cubase Remote Control Editor
• Bitwig Studio: Bitwig Browser / preset navigation, named pages, and fully customisable mappings via ‘remote controls’ are available in Bitwig Studio. Furthermore, there’s an extensive library of user contributed pre-mapped plugins available on the NI forum. See also Bitwig controller extension doc.
• Digital Performer: Preset navigation

Support for Pro Tools, FL Studio, Studio One, and Reaper are planned in the coming months

Accessibility Helper Support

Additionally, this firmware update introduces support for Native Instruments’ redesigned Accessibility Helper application, offering improved support for blind and visually impaired users, such as:

• Voice Feedback: Descriptions of all physical buttons, encoders, and navigation can be read out loud by the Kontrol MK3.
• Training Mode: All buttons and controls can be read out loud without triggering them, helping musicians learn the layout of the keyboard.
• DAW Integration: All new firmware 2.0 features are fully accessible, making non-NKS parameter control accessible for the first time.
• Hardware Synth Support: By loading a MIDI template onto Kontrol S-series MK3 and using the Accessibility Helper, hardware synth parameters are spoken aloud, providing an industry-first accessibility path for outboard gear.
• OS Integration: The feature respects language, speed, and other system speech settings from operating system accessibility preferences.

Kontrol S-Series MK3 owners can update their hardware in Native Access in the Updates tab, via the Hardware Connection Service.