If you’ve ever used a Roland D-50 plugin to design sounds, you already know how much easier it is compared to programming directly on the hardware.

But there’s one problem.

Read more: Roland D-50 VST to Hardware Converter (Mac & Windows Download)

discoDSP has just released Retromulator, a plugin that bundles several classic synthesizer emulations derived from The Usual Suspects open-source project.

The release has already sparked discussion in the synth community, particularly around the topic of open-source redistribution and commercial packaging.

Is this simply a convenient way to access several classic synth engines in a single plugin?
Does it add meaningful value compared to the original open-source instruments?
And more broadly, what is the right balance between open-source collaboration and commercial products built on top of it?

In the video I take a closer look at the plugin itself, explore some of the sounds, and briefly discuss the debate that has been unfolding around its release.

Zebra 3 by u-he is finally here, and it’s a major step forward compared to previous versions.

This isn’t just an update — it’s a completely redesigned instrument, with a new synthesis engine and expanded sound design possibilities. From wavetable and additive synthesis to a more flexible modular structure, Zebra 3 feels like a much deeper and more modern platform.

In this video, I kept things simple: no deep dive, no technical breakdown — just a selection of presets so you can focus entirely on the sound.

Zebra has always been known for its versatility, and this new version seems to push that even further. It will be interesting to see how it evolves and how sound designers take advantage of the new engine.

With the recent PCG import feature in the Korg Trinity Plugin, interest in the original Korg Trinity has surged again.
In this article and accompanying video, I focus on the other side of the loop: how to perform a true Korg Trinity factory restore on real hardware, using the same methods available in the mid-1990s.

This guide shows how original Korg Trinity factory Programs and Combinations can be recovered, reloaded, and preserved using SysEx data transfers and floppy disks, exactly as intended when the instrument was first released.

Read more: Korg Trinity Factory Restore: SysEx & Floppy Disk Method