This year got off to a good start with plenty of new hardware and software releases to tempt synth enthusiasts, and it it looks like this trend is not slowing down. Here are some notable new hardware releases as well as a few free software offerings for those still recovering financially from the holiday season. 

Hardware

Arcana Strum

By Arcana Instruments

Website: https://arcanainstruments.com/product/arcana-instrument/

Price: $1450

Arcana Instruments has released the Arcana Strum instrument, which is aimed at empowering anyone to play guitar. The instrument is played by placing it on your lap and is comprised of two halves. On one end is a set of buttons that can be used for playing single notes and chords, while a joystick on the other end can be manipulated for emulating effects like picking or strumming. Arcana Instruments also carefully studied different ways in which the instrument could be adapted for people with a range of needs and abilities. This has resulted in a series of supporting accessories that can be used by people with physical and cognitive challenges. For example, the “E Box” is an expansion box that enables the Strum to be controlled by standard minijack switches, while the “Air Strum” is a proximity sensor that connects to it to allow for strumming using the movement of hands, head, or feet. 

The Arcana Strum is available for purchase and includes a musical guideline handbook as well as theory and songbook downloads. Visit the official website for more information. 

Drumbrute Impact 1984

By Arturia

Website: https://www.arturia.com/fr/products/hardware-synths/drumbrute-impact-1984

Price: $349

Arturia has released the Drumbrute Impact 1984, a limited-edition analog drum machine. According to Arturia, it fuses a timeless look with a Brute-powered sound and offers per-voice color controls, built-in analog distortion, as well as polyrhythmic sequencing. Since it is a variant of their DrumBrute Impact it packs all the features users expect but with an iconic off-white finish. 

For more information, along with the full specifications for the Drumbrute Impact 1984, visit the official website. 

Software

Paralogy

By Full Bucket Music

Website: https://www.fullbucket.de/music/paralogy.html

Price: Free

Full Bucket Music is back with yet another free software instrument for Microsoft Windows and Apple macOS. This time, it is Paralogy, which simulates the paraphonic Crumar Trilogy and Stratus keyboards from the early 1980s. According to Full Bucket Music, it is written in native C++ code for high performance and low CPU consumption while offering a close simulation of the original hardware. Paralogy has Organ, Synthesizer, and String sections, additional Phaser and Delay effects, and MIDI learn. Visit the official website to download a free copy of the software along with the manual. Those who find it useful and want to help keep the site running can also make a donation to Full Bucket Music to show their appreciation.

Unstable

By Morphoice

Website: https://www.morphoice.com/unstable

Price: Free (While in Beta)

Morphoice has released Unstable, a polyphonic synthesizer inspired by the Yamaha CS-80, describing it as “not intended to be a CS-80 emulator but still probably closer to the real hardware than anything out there”. It features two synthesis layers, each offering a noise, sawtooth, and pulse wave oscillator, a high-pass filter modeled after the original hardware, along with a low-pass filter that features a Moog-style ladder filter. The musical ring modular of the Yamaha CS-80 is also closely modeled, and users can pitch bend their sound up to an octave with the innovative on-screen ribbon controller. Other features include a sophisticated 16-step arpeggiator, a dedicated drive circuit, and the popular effect engines of DarkStar Reverb and Delay as well as the luscious WingMen Chorus. 

Unstable is in an early beta state and provided as is for the unbeatable price of “Free.” However, Morphoice has stated that donations are appreciated. For more information, or to download the software, visit the official website.

SX1000

By AudioThing

Website: https://www.audiothing.net/instruments/sx1000/

Price: $49 (Regular Price $69)

AudioThing has released a faithful software emulation of the JEN SX1000, called the SX1000. This vintage Italian synth from the late 70s was one of the earliest affordable analog synthesizers aimed at musicians on a budget who wanted hands-on control. AudioThing has carefully emulated the SX1000’s M110 chip but also added new features such as a polyphonic mode, a sub-oscillator, and additional controls for legato modes. In addition, it boasts an arpeggiator and four effects featuring flexible routing.

SX1000 is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux, as well as on the App Store for iOS and iPadOS. Visit the official website for more information or to take advantage of the discounted introductory price.