Not a week goes by without some interesting releases in the world of music and synthesizers. Here are just a few of the ones for fans of hardware, software, and other things related to synths. 

Hardware:

E490 Ladder VCF

By Synthesis Technology

Link: https://synthtech.com/eurorack/E490/

Price: $249.00

Earlier in 2024, it was announced that Synthesis Technology, based in Texas, would shut its doors. However, things have changed, and they are back with the E490 Ladder VCF. This 10HP, Moog 904A 4-pole lowpass filter uses modern transistors but matches the characteristics of the original. Synthesis Technology also claims that it is able to offer lower noise and better tracking than the 904A thanks to the new matched dual and quad transistors. Best of all, it does so without changing any of the "quirks" in the sound. 

The E490 is available in black or silver and is limited to 220 pieces due to parts constraints. It is also exclusive to Analogue Haven (https://www.analoguehaven.com/synthesis-technology/e490/), although this might change in the future. Visit the official website to listen to demos of the E490, check out the full specifications, or download the user manual. 

Software:

Sessions

By Open Planet Software

Link: https://www.sessions-app.com/

Price: $29.99

Most plugin hosts are designed for producers, but Open Planet Software has released Sessions, a plugin host built for musicians who want to play live. According to them, it is refreshingly simple and has nothing that gets in the way of just playing music. However, it is still a powerful creative hub for musicians of every kind.

Sessions consist of a main interface called The Mixer, which features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface designed to put plugins front and center. It also has a library to store all your Audio Unit plugins, mixer channels, and more. An always-on recorder continuously records the last 15 minutes of audio, and a beat clock keeps everything in sync. Sessions is available to download on the Mac App Store, but a free trial version is also available from the official website. 

Other:

The Minimoog book

By Bjooks

Link: https://bjooks.com/products/the-minimoog-book

Price: $75

Anyone who missed out on The Minimoog Book Kickstarter can now purchase a copy of Bjooks' latest release. Backers will receive their copies first, but everyone else can order from the official website, where The Minimoog Book is available for $75. 

The book is one of the most comprehensive yet from Bjooks and opens with a foreword from Geddy Lee of Rush fame. Written by JoE Silva, a journalist and music historian, it results from more than a decade's worth of research. In the book, readers will find exclusive interviews with Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, Chick Corea, Kraftwerk, Gary Numan, and many others. It is also filled with detailed photos, schematics, historical promotional materials, illustrated sound patches, and more. 

For more information, check out the official Bjooks website. Other books, such as Patch & Tweak with Moog and Inspire the Music, are also still available.