Whether you prefer software synthesizers or hardware, plenty of new releases cater to your taste. Here are just a few of the highlights that are worth checking out. 
 

Software

Plugin Buddy

By Modalics

Website: https://www.modalics.com/products/plugin-buddy-free

Price: Free

Modalics has released Plugin Buddy, a free VST3 host that can effortlessly chain MIDI effects, instruments, and processing plugins. It is available as a standalone version or can run PB in any DAW. Plugin Buddy supports cross-host compatibility, allowing users to load VST3 plugins in AAX and AU hosts for greater flexibility. Its zero-latency performance is perfect for live use. Plugin Buddy also includes various MIDI tools, a synth, clipper, and low-pass filter, and a dynamic visualizer for real-time visual cues on audio and MIDI pitch/velocity. Head over to the Modalics website to grab a copy of Plugin Buddy for free, and check out the video embedded below for a tutorial on how to get the most out of it. 

Vocoder for NTS-3

By Boochow Instruments

Website: https://boochow.gumroad.com/l/vocoder_nts3

Price: Pay What You Want

Boochow Instruments, creator of the Lily user oscillator units, and Pitchy, the pitch shifter oscillator for the Korg NTS-1 MKII, are back with a vocoder for the KORG NTS-3. According to Boochow Instruments, it is a classical channel vocoder designed as a generic FX unit. It is able to modulate the sound of the built-in up-to-four-voice paraphonic oscillator using audio input as a modulator. In addition, you can specify the chord that you want to play. Vocoder is available from the official website as a "pay what you want" offering and comes with the FX unit, six preset programs, and a quick start guide. To hear it in action, check out the embedded video below. 

Hardware

P-6 Creative Sampler

By Roland

Website: https://www.roland.com/global/products/p-6/

Price: $220

Roland's P-6 Creative Sampler is a pocket-size gadget that packs sophisticated granular sound design options and a powerful sequencer. It has a built-in mic for quick sample capture and a Chop function for slicing samples into segments that can then be easily played back from the onboard keyboard. Individual split samples can also be created quickly with step sampling and assigned to a single pad or played on the keyboard. Users can also resample internal audio to create new sounds and capture custom loops, trigger any sample on the keyboard using chromatic and polyphonic playback, and use a dedicated filter and envelopes for each sample. 

The extensive granular sound parameters include everything from detuning and head position to head speed, spread, grains, and more. The P-6's 64-step sequencer offers motion recording, probability, micro-timing, off-grid sequencing, sub steps, and more. Sounds can be customized with 20 curated MFX plus dedicated reverb and delay, while connectivity options range from audio and MIDI to sync I/O plus AIRA Link. The P-6 Creative Samper is joining the rest of the AIRA Compact range, which consists of the T-8 Beat Machine, J-6 Chord Synth, E-4 Voice Tweaker, and S-1 Tweak Synth. For more information and to hear the P-6 in action, visit the official website. 

LYRA-4

By SOMA Laboratory

Website: https://somasynths.com/lyra-4/

Price: 360€

SOMA Laboratory has unveiled a revised version of LYRA-4, an organismic synthesizer. It is described as the younger sister of the famous LYRA-8. SOMA also clarified that "organismic" means that the LYRA uses some principles that lie at the base of living organisms. In simple terms, how LYRA's modules interact with each other and the instrument's behavior was designed to resemble that of a "live conversation." 

According to SOMA, LYRA-4 is not only smaller and weighs less but is rugged in design and packs a lot of punch, making it ideal for the road. In addition, playing two LYRA-4s can sound very different than simply using one LYRA-8. For the full specifications, visit the official website and watch the video below. LYRA-4 comes in black and white versions but is only available from SOMA's European production division. SOMA also offers a special launch price to encourage users to purchase two LYRA-4s and experience the magic of stereo LYRA.