The start of the year often means tighter finances as everyone recovers from the holiday season, but that hasn’t stopped companies from releasing a host of tempting new hardware and software synths. Here’s a quick round-up of the most notable new releases. 

Hardware

Synth Buddy
By Heritage Audio

Website: https://heritageaudio.com/synth-buddy/

Price: $200 

Heritage Audio released Synth Buddy, describing it as the first desktop 10-to-1 reversible and fully passive stereo switch. This handy device makes it easy to seamlessly connect up to ten stereo or 20 mono line level sources and then toggle between them with the turn of a knob. Since it features an all-passive design it can provide crystal clear line level signals with no added coloration, and with no power source required. 

According to Heritage Audio, the idea behind Synth Buddy is that when creativity hits there’s no time for plugging cables and switching gear. Instead, it enables users to have everything connected and available with the twist of a knob. It is even possible to use Synth Buddy backward, turning it into a 1 input 10 output selector. Visit the official website for the full specifications or to order your own Synth Buddy. 

Fisa Suprema C

By Korg

Website: https://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/fisa_suprema_c/

Price: $7000

Korg has announced that the Fisa Suprema C is now available for pre-order, combining the realistic performance, versatile tones, and immersive sound of the standard Suprema model with a focus on portability and comfort. This means it offers all the advanced technology and authentic playing experience of the original but in a lighter, smaller format. According to Korg, this makes it ideal for longer, more comfortable performances. 

To accomplish the smaller size, Korga has downsized the built-in speakers and reduced the number of physical register switches from 14 to 12. However, the Fisa Sumprema still maintains access to all 14 register options. In addition to simplifying advanced features such as the master bar and after-touch the keyboard has also been streamlined from 41 keys to 37. Visit the official website for more information and the full technical specifications.

Photosynthesis
By Olydian Musical Instruments

Link: https://www.olydianmusic.com/

Price: $799

Olydian Musical Instruments has announced that its portable, solar-powered, generative MIDI synthesizer and drum machine, Photosynthesis, will be available soon. It boasts a unique tonal touch keyboard, allowing users to play in any key and 16 different musical scales. Photosynthesis also features a powerful arpeggiator and sequencer that can be controlled very precisely or in the words of Olydian Musical Instruments “let loose” to create new and unexpected results.

In addition to the built-in sounds made with wavetable synthesis, Photosynthesis also has a MIDI out to control other instruments and has built-in effects like Reverb, Delay, and Chorus. The eye-catching instrument is housed in a case made from North American Cherry, which is a hardwood and the solar charging top piece of the case comes standard. According to the official website, Photosynthesis has a ten-hour battery and can be charged via the solar charger, 5v USB C, or 2.1mm barrel jack. 

Olydian Musical Instruments is a very small company and has stated that Photosynthesis will only be for sale in sets of ten units at a time. Anyone interested in being emailed when new units are ready to buy can visit the official website and sign up for the waitlist.
 

Software

Choplifter
By Potato Audio

Link: https://potatoaudio.gumroad.com/

Price: £19.96

Potato Audio released Choplifter a while back for users who want to “chop” their audio and “lift” their spirits. It is a creative multi-band audio gate that was designed to bring new energy to music with sequenced chops across the frequency spectrum and deep integration with Ableton Live.

Notable features include three gate sequencers with conjoined output sequencers, individual outputs from each sequencer, multiple send options per layer, and combined master processing. It also has a filter with various mixer models and added dirt, amplitude curvature, and control, classic DJ mixer EQ settings along with extensive MIDI automation, mapping, and control. Potato Audio recently released the 1.1 update, which adds wet/dry mix, panning for each layer, and gain control from -inf to +24dB. 

According to Potato Audio a VST (Windows) and AU (Apple) version of the software will be released in the coming months, but for now Choplifter requires Max4Live to be installed and is compatible with Ableton Live Suite, version 10 and up.