Time is running out for some last-minute Christmas shopping, but fortunately, there have been plenty of new software and hardware releases recently. Here’s a quick round-up of the most notable new releases that might be of interest to synth enthusiasts. 

Max Richter Piano
By SRM Sounds

Link: https://srmsounds.com/products/max-richter-piano
 

Price: $150 (Introductory Price Until 31st January, 2024) / $185 (Regular Price)

Musicians who want to add a touch of class to their compositions should check out the new Max Richter Piano virtual instrument by SRM Sounds. It is based on the pristine Steinway Model D Spirio | r grand piano that is the centerpiece of the main live room at Studio Richter Mahr. The instrument was recorded in great detail with a range of modern and vintage mics. This was done to ensure that the virtual instrument could deliver the same level of emotion and atmosphere typical in Max’s work. 

Key Features

• Two instruments total ~98GB
• Three microphone positions per instrument
• 5 Round Robins
• Ten dynamic layers (ppp to mp)
• Short and long reverb controls
• Action, dampers & pedal volume control
• Velocity sensitivity control
• Kontakt Player library (Version 6.8.0 or higher required)
• NKS compatible

Max Richter Piano is compatible with Kontakt Player or Kontakt V6.8.0 or newer. For more information, check out the official website. 

Mariana Bass Synthesizer
By Moog Software
 

Link: https://software.moogmusic.com/store/mariana
 

Price: $49 MAC/PC (Regular price $99) | iOS $14.99 (Regular Price $29.99)

Moog Software has introduced Mariana for MAC/PC as well as iOS. According to Moog, this bass synthesizer includes all the tools necessary to create deep, pulsating, professional bass sounds and more. It is also a dual-layer synthesizer, so users can mix two completely different synth sounds. These can dynamically complement each other or be played duophonically. Mariana pulls from the lineage of classic Moog bass instruments, such as the Minimoog Model D and Minitaur, to deliver a new bass synth with cutting-edge features. It also features a beautiful, resizeable, and user-friendly interface, so users can control their bass sounds effortlessly.

Mariana is available as a single bundled installer with standalone and VST3, AudioUnit and Pro Tools AAX plugins on Windows and macOS. It is also available as an application with AUv3 plugin on iPadOS. For more information or to download the trial version, visit the official website. 

BLEASS Arpeggiator
By BLEASS
 

Link: https://www.bleass.com/arpeggiator/
 

Price: $39.00 (PC) / $14.99 (iOS)

BLEASS has released a new arpeggiator that takes the inspirationally melodic power of a classic synth arpeggiator and supercharges it with modern features. BEALSS Arpeggiator was developed in collaboration with Canblaster, a top French producer, to deliver something that offers more than the cliched patterns of old-school arpeggiators. This means it can deliver polyrhythms, polyphony, and a large collection of highly configurable arpeggio patterns built in. It has a hands-on user interface that is intuitive, as well as the ability to recognize incoming performance controllers. For more information, check out the official website. 

Xena

By Michigan Synth Works

Link: https://michigansynthworks.com/products/xena?variant=40391909670998
 

Price: $435

Michigan Synth Works has reworked the legendary Mutable Instruments Ambika DIY synth as a fully machine-assembled synthesizer named Xena. It features an updated layout as well as an improved modern power supply and is available with all three of the original Mutable voice cards. Features include six voices with individual outputs, two digital oscillators per voice, one sub-oscillator, pre-filter overdrive, and bit-crushing effect, as well as three ADSR envelopes, three patch-level LFOs, and one voice-level LFO. According to Michigan Synth Works, the first run has sold out, and orders placed before the end of November will ship in the middle of December, while run two will ship in January 2024. 

Ample
By Analogue Solutions

Link: https://www.analoguesolutions.com/ample
 

Price: £1,999.00

Analogue Solutions has released a new compact synthesizer called Ample, which, apart from the MIDI chip, is completely analog. It has no CPU stabilized and quantized circuits, no DCOs, no digital LFO and no digital EGs and instead uses real transistors and op-amps. According to Analogue Solutions, Ample combines the best elements of its products yet also has its own sound. With its large and diverse number of controls, the synth can be as complex or as simple as users want it to be. For more information, check out the official website.