As we approach the second quarter of 2024, synthesizer enthusiasts have already experienced plenty of great releases. There are also plenty of upcoming hardware and software to get excited about, but for now, here is a roundup of notable releases that recently hit the market. 

Updates

Live 12

By Ableton

Website: https://www.ableton.com/en/live/

Price: Intro - $99 / Standard - $279 / Suite $749

Ableton has released Live 12, a significant update with many new tools and features for the popular DAW. New additions include MIDI transformations, MIDI generators, MIDI editing improvements, and expanded probability. It also boasts new instruments and effects like Meld, Roar, Granulator III, and new modulation behavior. New packs like Lost and Found, Trap Drums, and Golden Era Hip Hop Drums allow for greater creativity. In contrast, new themes, keyboard shortcuts, and accessibility improvements will enable you to work more intuitively. 

Those already owning Ableton Live can see the upgrading pricing when logging into their accounts. The official website also offers a free 30-day trial of Live 12 Suite. 

Analog Heat +FX

By Elektron

Website: https://www.elektron.se/se/download-support-analog-heat-fx#resources

Price: Free

Elektron has released a new 1.01 OS update for Analog Heat +FX that allows users to ramp up the randomness of their instrument. The free update adds parameter randomization, a random name generator for presets, LFO slew, extra parameters, and the ability to toggle the Heat +FX to active or not. In addition, the update improves performance, navigation, and display. The 1.01 OS update is available as a free download from the Elektron website. Check out the release notes for a guide on how to upgrade and a list of all the new features (https://www.elektron.se/se/analog-heat-fx-os-release-notes).

Hardware

Taiga Keyboard

By Pitssburgh Modular

Website: https://pittsburghmodular.com/taiga

Price: $1299.99

Pittsburgh Modular has released the Taiga Keyboard Expendable Analog Synthesizer, based on its award-winning Taiga Desktop synth. It features a newly designed full-sized keybed with a classic feel and a robust steel chassis with solid wood sides. Thanks to the synth's size, Pittsburgh Modular was able to spread out the user interface and expand the modulation options on offer. Some new additions include full-range oscillators with both coarse and fine-tune and a second LFO. Best of all, it includes a 24hp Eurorack format modular expansion bay, which is a first-of-its-kind and allows the Keyboard to be inserted into any point of the signal path. For more information, watch the video below or check out the official Pittsburgh Modular website.

The Wave Transformer

By Earthquaker Devices

Website: https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/the-wave-transformer

Price: $199.00

New from Earthquaker Devices is The Wave Transformer, which is an analog, vintage-voiced, voltage-controlled oscillator. It features eight octaves of accurate pitch tracking along with seven simultaneous wave outputs. The most unique is the Complex output that, in conjunction with the Transform control, allows for what ED describes as a "complex, gnarled mass of audio mutations." This novel circuit can also be combined with Hard Sync, Soft Sync, Linear FM, and Exponential FM inputs for countless variations. The Wave Transformer can also be used as a voice unto itself by muting the source waveform and using the circuit as a harmonic gate/VCA. Visit the official website for more information or to listen to audio samples of The Wave Transformer in action.

Software

Auto Fills Drum Fill Generator 

By Cem Olcay

Website: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/auto-fills-drum-fill-generator/id6476319733

Price: $5.99

Cem Olcay has released a new random MIDI generator app for musicians who want to automatically create drum fills for their drum synths apps or hardware synths. It is available as an Audio Unit AUV3 plugin supporting host apps like AUM, Loopy Pro, Logic Pro, and more. Users can use a kit template from the settings menu or create their own kits by adding drum parts and assigning them to the MIDI notes/channels manually. Check out the video below to see Auto Fills in action.