From wavetable to FM, additive to granular; digital synth engines are having a resurgence in both hardware and plugin form. But how do all these complex-sounding setups work, and when should you reach for each variety?
This issue, let’s explore all that digital synths have to offer...
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Interviews
Mano Le Tough – The Irish producer-DJ tells us how he dug into his garage band roots for his latest album for Pampa Records
Japanese Breakfast – Michelle Zauner on refining her studio sound, creating video game soundtracks and excellent new LP, Jubilee
The Track: Rhode & Brown – The Munich duo took a trip back to Italo disco days for their track Wave 200 – and brought us along for the ride
Classic Album – Holy Ghost! break down their self-titled DFA classic
Technique
Digital synthesis – Granular, FM, wavetable, additive… We break down how digital synths work and when to use each
Producer’s Guide – Build custom effect setups with Native Instruments Guitar Rig Pro 6
Retrospective – We explore the roots of dancehall
Reviews
Korg Modwave
Bitwig Studio 4
M-Audio Oxygen 49 MkV
Arturia FX Collection 2
Lewitt LCT 140 Air
Audient iD4 Mk2
Tracktion F.’em!
Antelope Audio Zen GO
& more
Samples
’80s Synths – Part 2 – Our jaunt through the history of synthesis continues with this fresh pack of retro pads, arps and leads.
Digital Nature – We blur the boundaries between artifice and reality with a pack of synthesised natural tones, digitised field recordings and more.
Access the FM sample archive: Download the ‘Archive’ packs and get over 18GB of loops, hits and instruments from our back catalogue of high-quality and royalty-free samples. From vintage synths and drum machines to esoteric instruments and FX – think of it as our best of. All the samples you need to create great music!
![A comped image with a young George Harrison [left] onstage with the Beatles in Hamburg, a Gretsch Duo Jet strapped to his shoulder. On the right is his Futurama electric](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b8Kr55ksRwtGJHnbs2GZvg-1280-80.jpg.webp)
