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Sulcata Sound is the latest venture of Jason Graves, a two-time British Academy Award-winnning composer, producer and percussionist renowned for his work on titles such as Still Wakes The Deep, Dead Space, Tomb Raider, Far Cry Primal, Until Dawn and Prey. The first release under the new brand sees Jason share two virtual instruments — Jason’s Piano and API Drums — that have been created in collaboration with programmer Frederic Poirier and mix engineer Joël Dollié.

Jason’s Piano

The first of the two instruments, as its name suggests, captures the composer’s piano, a Boston GP-193 Performance Edition II. Performance, recording and editing tasks were carried out by Jason himself, with the instrument’s scripting and GUI design handled by Frederic Poirier, and the final mixing of the sounds taken care of by Joël Dollié. High-end gear employed on the session includes a matched pair of Telefunken ELA M 260 valve mics and API 3124V preamps.

API Drums

The second offering provides users with a carefully recorded drum kit that promises to deliver a punchy, warm sound that boasts plenty of sustain and power. Here’s an overview of the gear used to create the instrument:

The Drum Kit

Microphones

“I’ve been collecting instruments and recording unique sounds for more than fifteen years. Sulcata Sound is my official audio repository for this constantly growing, project-driven collection. Music conveys emotions instantaneously. These instruments are crafted for compositional inspiration. They are designed to tell a story, from the ‘instrument’ itself (a bit of a stretch for many of my more esoteric, found-sound sources) and microphone choice, to the post-processing through specific and often drastic outboard hardware. I hope these sounds inspire users as much as they have me, and, at the very least, encourage them to take the next steps toward their own personal journey of discovery and adventure in the world of music.” - Jason Graves

Boom Library have released World War I Firearms, a high-resolution sound effects collection designed to capture the authentic sound of early 20th-century weaponry. The full library features both unprocessed and processed recordings of original WWI-era firearms, recorded in outdoor settings with multi-mic arrays for spatial realism and precise reverb tails.

World War I Firearms places emphasis on historical accuracy. The library includes the sounds of revolvers, pistols, rifles and shotguns from the era, with mechanical actions such as reloads, cocking and dry fires also documented in detail. All recordings were captured using genuine vintage weapons rather than replicas or modern substitutes. All audio files are delivered in 24-bit 96kHz WAV format suitable for Windows and Mac.

Firearms featured include:

World War I Firearms is available in two editions. Construction Kit offers over 13 GB of raw source material for custom sound design. Intended for layering and Foley work, it includes 4,162 individual sounds recorded across two acoustic environments with multiple mic perspectives. The Designed collection is a curated set of over 400 mixed and mastered gunshots and actions crafted from the material found in the Construction Kit, ready for quick integration into film, games and interactive media.

Vienna Symphonic Library have released Synchron Solo Viola, a new solo string virtual instrument captured at the company’s flagship scoring space, Synchron Stage Vienna. This marks the third entry in the Synchron Solo Strings series, following previous releases for violin and cello which we reviewed in SOS Nov 2024 - read it here.

Performed by violist Anna Firsanova, the library was recorded on Stage A of the Synchron Stage Vienna using multiple microphone positions and setups, aiming to deliver a natural, highly expressive sound suited to film scoring, classical composition and contemporary orchestration.

Synchron Solo Viola includes a broad range of articulations, from short notes like spiccato and staccato to expressive legato, portamento, harmonics, tremolos and col legno. Long notes offer various vibrato types, dynamic swells, and performance nuances. Users can select between multiple stage positions (solo, 1st chair, center) and load pre-mixed presets for immediate results.

Applied Acoustics Systems have released Lounge Lizard EP‑5, the latest version of their electric piano instrument for macOS and Windows. Building on more than two decades of development, EP‑5 features a redesigned physical modelling engine and a dual-instrument architecture which is said to deliver the authentic tone, touch and nuance of both tine- and reed-based electric pianos.

Originally launched (and reviewed by SOS) in 2002, Lounge Lizard EP-1 quickly became a go-to for producers and keyboardists seeking the vibe of vintage gear without the mechanical headaches. With EP‑5, AAS brings the instrument into a new era. The updates to the modelling core are claimed to improve realism and response, while the addition of separate engines for fork- and reed-based instruments expands its expressive range. Each engine comes with its own tailored interface, giving players intuitive control over key aspects of the sound. Whether you want to sculpt the hammer, tweak the tine, adjust pickup response or introduce mechanical imperfections like damper noise, EP‑5 provides deep control over many elements of the sound engine.

Users can switch between Simple and Expert views to access more of the audio engine's controls.

The updated library includes a wide selection of factory presets which range from classic Rhodes and Wurlitzer emulations to more experimental voices. The improved browser, with search and tagging functionality, makes it easy to quickly find the right tone. The integrated studio effects rack rounds out the package with chorus, delay, reverb, EQ and more.

JMG Sound have introduced HyperspaceCore, a free reverb plug-in based on the algorithms from their Hyperspace reverb plug-in (reviewed in SOS Feb 2020). While streamlined in functionality, HyperspaceCore delivers a surprisingly deep toolbox for producers and sound designers looking to move beyond conventional space emulations.

HyperspaceCore encourages users to shape more experimental and expressive reverbs than the conventional halls and chambers. A dynamic XY pad interface allows users to morph algorithm parameters in real time, altering delay times, frequency response and internal routing to sculpt entirely new spatial effects.

Three levels of randomised control give users quick access to new textures and tonalities, whether through subtle variations or more extreme transformations. This makes it easier to spark ideas or fine-tune unique effects without a lengthy setup.

A colour-coded layout and resizable HDPI-compatible GUI keep the design intuitive, while dedicated wet/dry controls (with optional linking) and tempo-syncable parameters make it easy to musically accommodate reverb within a mix. Smart bypassing ensures clean automation with no clicks, and an intelligent sleep function helps conserve CPU when processing isn’t needed.

Following on from the recent release of the DT 770 PRO X, beyerdynamic have announced the launch of the DT 990 PRO X, a new pair of open-back headphones that improve upon another of their classic designs. 

The latest version of the DT 990 PRO boast a number of enhancements. The first significant upgrade comes courtesy of the company’s new STELLAR.45 driver system, which allows the headphones to reproduce frequencies from 5Hz to 40kHz while offering low distortion figures and an impressive dynamic response. They also delivers a lower impedance (48Ω) than their predecessor, allowing them to be driven by a wider range of playback devices. 

It’s not just the technical side of things that have been improved, though: beyerdynamic have also made some adjustments to the physical design with the aim of making the headphones more comfortable to wear over long sessions. There’s a new padded headband that’s been designed to alleviate pressure on the top of the user’s head, and the earcups are now finished in an ultra-soft velour cushion. The  DT 990 PRO X also features a detachable cable, and has been built with serviceable components to help maximise its lifespan. 

“Most at-home producers have studio monitors that they use to listen back to their mixes. With the DT 990 PRO X, we wanted to create a tool that modern studio professionals didn’t already have. The DT 990 PRO X headphones are engineered to magnify subtle mix imperfections that might otherwise go unnoticed — a true companion for studio monitors. The release of the DT 770 PRO X and DT 990 PRO X marks a new chapter for beyerdynamic — one where we’re adapting to the needs of the constantly evolving music production landscape. We’re proud to serve the next generation of studio professionals and creators by continuing to release products that align with these needs.” - Kevin Nietsch, Product Manager, beyerdynamic

With the launch of Beatmaker 3, virtual instrument experts UJAM have combined all of their Beatmaker titles into a single, unified plug-in that sports a redesigned user interface and enhanced browsing features. It’s also being released alongside Beatmaker CHROMED, a new virtual instrument that’s been designed with fast-paced hyperpop-style productions in mind. 

Beatmaker 3

The Beatmaker series has become a go-to toolkit for producers around the world, offering an intuitive way to create beats in a wide range of musical genres. The company say that the latest v3 update builds on that foundation, reimagining the series as a unified platform that supports every stage of the creative process. Numerous improvements have been made throughout the software, from a new user interface and improved routing system to a new set of tools designed to boost inspiration and make the software easier than ever to use. It includes 15 genre-focused drum instruments — covering everything from Trap and Lofi to EDM, Pop, Dubstep, Reggaeton, and beyond.

Key Features

Beatmaker CHROMED

Alongside the launch of Beatmaker 3, UJAM have also launched CHROMED, a new addition to the Beatmaker series that’s been designed specifically for hyperpop, brostep, experimental sound design and other genre-blurring styles. Created in collaboration with genre-pushing artist BABii and sound designer Derek von Krogh, it comes loaded with a collection of mix-ready drum kits and patterns which UJAM say embrace loud, glitchy and unpredictable aesthetics. It’s also been designed to encourage a performative approach to beatmaking, helping users to stray away more conventional ways of working and inject energy into their productions.

Key Features

“This launch is just the beginning. Version 3 introduces a unified platform and the first steps toward cross-title browsing and content discovery. There’s much more to come, and starting now, Beatmaker will continue to grow more powerful with every title a user owns.” - Adam d’Agostino, Product Manager, UJAM

Evergreen Audio have announced the release of Mini Meter, a new free, lightweight metering plug-in designed to provide producers, engineers and content creators with fast visual feedback of audio levels in their DAW and devices. 

Developed as part of Evergreen Audio’s mission to make high-quality metering accessible to all users, and as adaptable as possible for modern setups. It’s capable of monitoring mono or stereo signals, and includes Sample Peak, RMS, K-12, K-14 and K-20 metering modes. As you might imagine, it integrates seamlessly with the company’s other offerings such as Meter Bridge and Massive Meter, and it’s possible to display its readout on an iPad or tablet via a network. 

“Mini Meter is about giving everyone a reliable way to monitor their levels, regardless of setup or budget. It’s a focused, transparent tool that does one thing well — and it’s free because we believe good metering should be a baseline, not a premium.” - Bob Brown, Founder, Evergreen Audio

The company say that Mini Meter is ideal for a wide range of use cases, from musicians and producers looking to keep an eye on their gain structure, to content creators and streamers wanting a simple overview of their levels. It’s also a good solution for engineers who need an additional meter on a secondary monitor or tablet, and offers a way for new users to explore the company’s metering systems before opting for one of their more advanced offerings. 

The latest addition to Heritage Audio’s growing collection of plug-ins has just arrived, delivering an authentic-sounding recreation of the iconic tape delay unit used by the likes of Eddie Van Halen, Brian May, Jimmy Page, Neil Young and many more.

TAPEoPLEX has been carefully modelled on an original unit, and Heritage Audio say that it represents the best-sounding tape delay plug-in currently available, carefully recreating the sound of the legendary effect. The GUI closely replicates the front panel of the original hardware, with Echo Time, Echo Repeat and Echo Volume parameters joined by a Recording Level control, a two-band EQ and a variable Tape control that provides users with the ability to change the condition of the virtual tape. 

Although it’s designed to offer an authentic recreation of the original effect, the new plug-in also expands on the capabilities of the Echoplex. It offers stereo operation — along with the ability to set different delay times for the left and right channels — and is capable of synchronising its time settings to the tempo of the host DAW.

Compatibility

TAPEoPLEX is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or higher, and Macs running macOS 10.15.7 and above. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available. 

Photo: Thea Martre

Music Production for Women (MPW) have announced that they will be running a series of four music production workshops throughout July 2025 with the aim of empowering female and non-gender conforming musicians. The tour, which is titled EmpowHer Sound - Live, will be visiting venues in Dublin, Berlin, Amsterdam and London, with MPW’s award-winning founder Xylo Aria delivering three-hour masterclass events aimed at beginners. Topics covered will include beatmaking, audio effects and synthesis, and thanks to sponsorship from Novation, Kilohearts and DistroKid, will be completely free to attend.

The European tour has been organised due to popular demand, with similar UK-based events held by MPW in previous years attracting almost 200 artists. Luna Sophia, an attendee of last year’s workshops said: “Incredible experience! Lots of lovely like-minded people attending, and fantastic and knowledgeable professional advice and teaching. If you are a woman who is serious about learning production I 10/10 recommend!”, while Anette Thomas added: "I'm absolutely blown away at the quality of the workshop and all the content that was provided. I'll be leaving the workshop energised, feeling motivated and knowing I will be supported by a group of like-minded amazing women".

Although MPW’s primary goal is to provide opportunities for women and gender minorities, they say that their workshops are open to all, and that all genders are more than welcome to attend. 

“When you’re new to the music production space, it can often feel overwhelming to know where to start and how to start building a network. We designed these events to be that perfect first step where artists, particularly women, can get a taste of music production, while making new friends in a safe and encouraging space.” - Xylo Aria, Founder, MPW

Following on from last year’s release of Gradient Synth — which reached #6 on the App Store’s Paid Music charts —  Soulyft Audio have announced the launch of their latest creation.

Named Chime, the new addition to the company’s line-up is a gesture-based soft synth that turns noise into soundscapes using a combination of touch control, filters, delay and reverb. It employs an audio engine that has been developed in collaboration with Sketch Audio, and its GUI has been designed to encourage immediate musical exploration. It offers a minimalist, icon-based layout that features no explicit labels, and aims to invite users to trust their ears while sculpting soundscapes through interactive gestures. 

“With Chime, the goal was to design an App where making music felt playful and exploratory, but still capable of serious, inspiring results. Partnering with Sketch Audio was key to creating Chime’s powerful yet intuitive audio engine. It’s a blend of approachable design and deep sonic potential.” - Corey Lofthus, Founder, Soulyft Audio

Compatibility

Chime is supported on iPhone and iPads running iOS/iPadOS 17.5 or later. It’s available as a standalone App and an AUv3 plug-in. 

Arturia have announced the launch of the MiniFreak Vocoder Edition, a new special-edition version of their popular compact hybrid polysynth that offers a wealth of new sounds thanks to a dedicated vocoder engine. 

Everything that made the original instrument so popular remains (if you’re not familiar with the MiniFreak, you can check out our review here), but with the addition of a 16-band vocoder engine that’s capable of processing both internal and external sources. It’s possible to achieve classic voice effects by combining synth patches with an incoming vocal — the Vocoder Edition comes supplied with a gooseneck mic that can be connected to its external audio input — and more dramatic sounds are on offer thanks to a set of four dedicated effects modes and the instrument’s modulation matrix. 

Take a look at the video below to hear the MiniFreak Vocoder Edition being put to work in a live performance by vocalist Daniela Pes.

Pricing & Availability

The MiniFreak Vocoder Edition is available now, priced at $649€629.

Universal Audio have announced that the latest two Dante-equipped additions to their Apollo line-up are now shipping worldwide. Announced back in March 2025, the Apollo e1x Remote-controllable Unison Preamp and Apollo e2m Stereo Headphone Amplifier and Line Interface expand the capabilities of Dante-based AoIP systems and UA’s Apollo x16D audio interface, allowing engineers to seamlessly integrate Unison preamp emulation, personal monitoring and UAD plug-in processing into live sound, broadcast and networked studio environments.

Apollo e1x Key Features

Apollo e2m Key Features

Pricing & Availability

The Apollo e1X and Apollo e2m are shipping now, and are priced at $399 and $499 respectively. 

www.uaudio.com/audio-interfaces/apollo.html

Iceland-based audio experts Atomic Analog have announced that the Tonograf, a 500-series module that draws inspiration from the legendary TAB W95 equaliser module produced in the early 1960s, is now available in the UK through Make Noise Pro Audio.

The module was launched in January 2025, and is the result of Atomic Analog aquiring a rare original TAB W95 and falling in love with its sound. It employs a discrete germanium circuit which the company say makes a “blissful impression” on everything that passes through it, and can be pushed into saturation when driving the levels hard. 

The EQ a three-band design that includes low and high shelves, the latter of which offers a choice of three frequencies, along with a inductive midrange band with six frequency options. Both shelf filters feature gentle roll-offs, while the midrange band uses a proportional Q that offers a wide curve when applying subtle boosts and cuts, narrowing to a tight bell filter at its minimum and maximum values.

Pricing & Availability

The Tonograf is available now directly from Atomic Analog. Pricing information can be found on the company’s product page.

Casio Music UK have announced that their Casio Sessions competition has returned for 2025, and is now open to entires from UK-based piano-playing singer-songwriters until 31 July 2025. Now in its third year, Casio Sessions gives musicians the opportunity to showcase their talent, as well as being in with a chance of winning a Casio PX-S7000 piano worth £2249, an exclusive mastering session for their winning song and a limited run of vinyl courtesy of competition partner and physical music manufacturer Breed Media.

Musicians can enter online by submitting a video of them performing an original composition on the piano — covers will not be accepted. Twelve musicians will then be picked to perform in a live final at the stylish east London jazz bar, Ninety One Living Room, on Wednesday 17 September 2025. The event will be attended by passionate music fans, and will feature a panel of judges who will assess each performer on their songwriting and technical skills as well as their stage presence. During their performance, the artists will use Casio’s award-winning PX-S7000 in the fetching Harmonious Mustard finish — the same model that will be presented to the winner — the flagship model of Casio’s premium Priva series which has served as the Ninety One Living Room’s house piano for the past two years.

For the past two years, the judges have been so blown away by the talent on display that they have been unable to choose just one winner, instead awarding two artists with the top prize. Last year, Crispin Burton and Dilettante (aka Francesca Pidgeon) were crowned the winners. Crispin captivated the audience with his deeply personal rendition of ‘If You Hear My Voice' while Dilettante got the audience swaying along to her soulful ballad, ‘I’m in Love with Falling In Love'. Since winning the competition, Dilettante has released a new album, ‘Life of the Party’, and Crispin is busy working on an exciting new music project.

“Now in its third year, we are delighted to see the sustained growth of Casio Sessions. Casio is passionate about championing up-and-coming talent, so it's been our delight to give a platform to such talented artists and to see a real sense of community grow among our finalists. We can’t wait to see the talent that is on display this year, so good luck to all who enter.” - Neil Evans, Head of Casio Music UK

Majetone have recently announced the launch of a new virtual instrument that offers a new take on drums, reimagining the drum kit as a fully chromatic, synthesizer-style sound source. Designed and built by producer and engineer James Yates, Dream Kit: Zenith combines meticulous multisampling with analogue synth-inspired features, resulting in an inspiring and deeply tactile instrument.

Born from its creator’s decades-long obsession with playing drums, building custom drums and sound design, Dream Kit: Zenith is said to be far from your typical drum plug-in. Majetone say that it takes the entire anatomy of a drum kit and repurposes it into an expressive instrument that’s playable across five octaves. It’s not just the drums themselves that have been sampled, either, with a wealth of component parts such as lugs, shells, hoops, squeaky pedals and more all making an appearance!

“The goal was to treat every part of a drum kit like a musical note, not just a percussive hit. I wanted to see what would happen if I treated those sounds as waveforms in a synth. Tuning and re-amping them into a real space, giving the impression of being both real and not real at the same time. Then it became a game of opposites — going against the nature of a drum from staccato to legato or incorporating performance techniques and embracing, in places, chaos, often leading to unexpected beauty not often associated with the drum kit. This instrument represents a decade of experimentation and four years of development. I hope it demonstrates my deep love for drums and that you love it as much as I do.” - James Yates, Founder, Majetone

Compatibility

Dream Kit: Zenith is supported on macOS and Windows systems, and is available as a VST3 or AU plug-in.

SKnote have just announced the launch of the Etna-C, a new DAW control surface and MIDI controller that’s been designed for a variety of tasks including synth programming, real-time performance control and providing hands-on control over a DAW session.

The unit features eight 100mm motorised, touch-sensitive faders, eight touch-sensitive rotary encoders and a set of 16 backlit buttons, with visual parameter feedback provided by a row of eight LCD displays — for those who are looking to get some additional limbs involved, it also includes a trio of rear-panel inputs that can be used to connect external pedals. As for protocols, the Etna-C supports MIDI, OSC and MCU, and will communicate with other devices via USB, Ethernet and MIDI (five-pin DIN) connections. It also requires no additional software for programming, and users are able to configure the unit using its own internal editor. 

Pricing & Availability

The Etna-C is available now, priced at €$1150.

www.sknoteaudio.com/wp/2025/06/09/etna-c-midi-and-daw-controller

DPA have just announced the upcoming launch of the 4099 CORE+, a new and improved version of their renowned instrument microphone. Set to make its debut at InfoComm 2025, the latest iteration of the popular design promises to deliver a wider dynamic range and improved transparency, as well as benefitting from a new mounting clip.

Driven by years of user feedback and made possible by technical advancements, the changes introduced in the 4099 CORE+ deliver some impressive results. Its dynamic range measurements have been improved by 10dB, and the mic also boasts a higher clipping point than its predecessor. The company say that their patent-pending CORE+ technology sets a new standard for distortion-free sound by eliminating the non-linearities typically generated by the membrane and electronic components of a microphone, redefining what’s possible in audio capture.

In addition to the upgrades to the mic itself, DPA have also taken the opportunity to redesign its mounting system. The 4099 CORE+ comes equipped with a new Gooseneck Mount (G-MOUNT) that employs a two-step locking mechanism that allows for precise placement with just one hand, as well as improving isolation from vibrations and increasing its overall stability.

Select clips, such as those for cello, piano and microphone stands, have also been refined to enhance usability, adaptability and acoustic performance. while a new addition to the line-up, the XLR-MOUNT, makes it possible to mount 19mm pencil mics or XLR adapters. Those who already own DPA mics will be pleased to hear that the new mount is backwards compatible with many of the company’s existing clip designs. Last but not least, the latest offering features DPA’s new MicroLock connector, offering greater connection reliability. 

Sony have announced that they are expanding access to their 360 Virtual Mixing Environment technology, which is now widely available to creators working in music, education, film and TV for the first time. 360VME, which until now has been available exclusively to professional facilities, is capable of recreating the acoustic field of a multi-speaker immersive studio over headphones, allowing users to produce immersive audio mixes in any location. 

The technology combines personalised head-related transfer function (HRTF) data with Sony’s proprietary binaural processing, and following a one-time measurement, is able to reproduce the acoustic environment of any reference sound mixing studio in a pair of headphones. The company say that the results offer a portable yet professional-grade monitoring environment that preserves spatial accuracy across platforms, allowing sound engineers and creators to work on complex projects — such as object-based audio mixes for film, gaming or music — and remain confident in the fidelity of their mix regardless of location.

Thanks to a series of collaborations with industry leaders including Custom House and GC Pro, and Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), Sony are making 360VME accessible to a far wider range of audio professionals. The technology is also being adopted by educational institutions, who are integrating 360VME into their curriculum, as well as by those working in film and television, where it allows engineers to create immersive mixes outside of traditional studio setups. Sony say that these strategic partnerships mark the first time that the 360VME technology is accessible to the public, and “underscores their commitment to empowering creators and enhancing their workflows with innovative solutions”.

More information can be found on the Sony website. 

The latest plug-in to join Arturia’s line-up has been designed to provide a quick and intuitive way to craft impactful drum sounds without the complexity of using multiple processors. Developed in collaboration with acclaimed producer and mixer Emre Ramazanoglu (Brian Eno, Lily Allen, David Holmes), Mix Drums combines phase-coherent parallel processing, distortion, tone shaping, transient control and more, providing an all-in-one toolkit for adding weight and presence to drum tracks.

The plug-in features automatic input ceiling calibration, meaning users can simply play a section of their drum tracks while Mix Drums analyses the average levels and adjusts its internal gain structure accordingly. From there, the signal is split into two bands (Low and Mid/High), each of which are kitted out with their own set of dedicated distortion, dynamics and tonal-shaping controls. The Low band includes Warmth, Level and Dry controls in its saturation section, while the Mid/High band offers Tape and Triode Drive parameters along with Level, Tone and Tilt EQ dials; both bands offer Attack and Body parameters for shaping transients, along with a built-in clipper. 

A Space section follows, housing a versatile delay and reverb processor that includes a convolution reverb with multiple room options, an algorithmic reverb, a tape delay and digital delay. Some further tonal shaping is then provided by an EQ module that complements the Tilt EQ control found in the Mid/High band section, and allows users to balance the levels of the two bands before they reach the plug-in’s output. 

“This plug-in recreates, and actually improves upon, one particular workflow I use when creating characterful drum sounds in a mix, or for increasing the impact of delivered stereo drum loops without raising peak level. I wanted an all-in-one solution to achieve the retro-inspired but full-range and weighty drum sounds that I get hired to deliver — as well as everything from fully creative transformational processes to very subtle drum bus enhancements. Working with Arturia, we’ve developed a phase-coherent processor that allows the user to instantly dial in a huge variety of tones. Peak control is at the heart of this processor; you’ll find you’re able to effect huge changes in density, punch and tone without the peak level budging.” - Emre Ramazanoglu