From obscurities uncovered during trips down Bandcamp rabbit holes to the latest releases from legendary artists, Crate Digging is here to keep your collection up to date.

1. The Southern – Consciousness [CLR]

The Southern lands on CLR with gnarly, bass-heavy broken techno that hits full-throttle early on and never lets up. “Consciousness” blends dystopian sound design with bone-crushing drums and warped acid sequences.

2. Andrey Sirotkin – Kyiv-Lviv Express [Vyrii Records]

Ukrainian veteran Andrey Sirotkin layers lush, dusty chords over shuffling beats and sharp percussion on “Kyiv-Lviv Express” to create a tunneling groove aimed squarely at the dance floor.

3. Ana Antonova – Can’t You See [Form & Terra Records]

“Can’t You See” harks back to the golden era of tech house, with its warm, melodic lead and precise, mechanical drums.

4. Emmanuel De La Paix – Ekkos [Seven Scales Records]

Inspired by the rugged beauty of nature and the unique perspectives that digital image editing can create, “Ekkos” sees Emmanuel De La Paix combining soaring synths with distorted guitar drones, exploring the overlap between organic and synthetic.

5. Plaster – Lazy Tongues [Pyteca]

One of the final pieces of music written before Plaster sold his Roland SH-101, “Lazy Tongues” is a mostly improvised, low-slung IDM trip into the acid zone.

6. Hurdslenk – False Pretence [Hardgroove]

“False Pretence” is rugged, peak-time techno from Hurdslenk. The U.K.-based producer centers the track around a spiraling, dubby lead and crunchy percussive loops, making it a perfect fit for Ben Sims‘ label, Hardgroove.

7. Desinformant & Hedchef – The Perennial Question [Feed The Void]

Naarm (Melbourne) producers Desinformant and Hedchef team up on “The Perennial Question,” a devastating U.K. bass cut with razor-sharp, stuttering beats and LFO-modulated, overdriven bass.

8. Mike Nasty – Mind Made Up [Nasty Tracks]

Proper, soulful house from New York’s Mike Nasty. “Mind Made Up” is a delightful, jazzy journey through sultry vocals, fluttering pianos, and a welcome surprise in the form of a flute solo.

9. Head Front Panel – Surdo [Dark Machine Funk Recordings]

John Heckle dons his Head Front Panel alias for “Surdo,” balancing light and dark elements by combining rolling percussion with hypnotic pads and a big, funky bassline.

10. Dominic Capello – Not For Instagram DJs [Alien Communications]

“Not For Instagram DJs” is just one of many highlights on Sub Club resident Dominic Capello‘s debut album. True to its name, this is an expansive, slowly unfurling journey with a meticulous attention to detail that rewards patient listeners.

11. Mark Williams – All About The Bass [Music For Change]

Veteran techno producer Mark Williams takes his sound into new territory with “All About The Bass.” His trademark crisp percussion and tightly controlled melodic elements are still present, but they’re twisted into a more melancholy and hypnotic form than in his previous work.

12. Pugilist – Destructor [Self-Released]

Gritty, cross-genre pollination like only Pugilist can deliver. “Destructor” is a unique blend of the sound design typically present in techno and conventional garage or 2-step arrangement, with the end result being more than the sum of its parts.

13. Bassbin Twins – Tuff 125 [Bassbin Beats]

Big, brash, mid-tempo breakbeat from one of the best sample hunters in electronic music. Absolutely chock full of obscure samples and reworked classic breakbeats, “TUFF 125” is quintessential Bassbin Twins.

14. POD & Tamen – Uma [Straight Up Breakbeat]

“Uma” is a raucous yet intelligent slice of jungle from POD and Tamen. Fluttering, trancey synths and washed-out chords are layered over rugged, chopped-up breaks and massive sub hits, creating an engaging interplay of light and shade.

Custom transformer circuitry in the euphonia by Rupert Neve Designs adds what AlphaTheta calls “harmonics to the music.” The four-channel rotary mixer’s circuitry also boasts a high signal output, with 32-bit D/A and A/D converters.

Its output also uses 96khz/64-bit floating point and AlphaTheta’s proprietary DSP mixing operations. A “Boost Level” switch adjusts the volume level of each frequency band by 0dB to +12dB, depending on the users preference.

Unique Faders and Weights

The near black-finish mixer is slightly larger but similar-looking than its E&S and Bozak competitors, coming standard with four large rotary faders. Each copper fader comes with vibration-absorbent elastomer knobs for smooth volume control. The “3Band Master Isolator” knobs atop the mixer control the cutoff and slope of the master frequencies.

Special weights are also built into each fader knob, as the AlphaTheta site explains:

“When you turn [the fader] at different speeds… a smooth [weight] load is applied when you turn a knob slowly for delicate fine-tuning… a limited load level is applied when you turn a knob quickly to instantly reach your intended volume level.”

The euphonia’s “Energy Visualizer” digital display carries a spectral analyzer and “4-needle” VU Meter, showing a meter for each channel.

Send Effects and Boost Send

Send effects on the euphonia include Delay, Tape Echo, Echo Verb, Reverb, Shimmer, and HPF (high-pass filter).

These effects are accessed via a send button for each channel, with send/return inputs for external devices. A mechanism controls the clicking on Delay, Echo and Echo Verb effects, setting to its specific parameters on the display. Alternatively, the knob will stop clicking and turn smoothly when Reverb or Shimmer is selected, based on non-BPM parameters.

The “Boost Send” feature also pairs with the 3Band knobs. Using the Boost Send button adds effects to the low, mid and high bands, allowing for one-handed effect and EQ control.

Pricing, Additional Support and Availability

The euphonia costs $3,799 and is available now.

Serato DJ Pro and rekordbox software support is available for the euphonia mixer.

For Serato DJ Pro, support is available now via a paid upgrade. Find more information and download Serato on their website.

For rekordbox, a Core, Creative or Professional plan ($10-$30/monthly) is available to access the DVS support feature for the euphonia. Find out more information on AlphaTheta’s website.

This year’s offerings are a little different, however. Some discounts start on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and continue until the end of the year and beyond.

Read on for a few of the best deals Selector found online from across the internet.

iZotope Creative Mix Bundle

Apple/PC, AU/VST2,VST3, 64-bit 

$49 (originally $545), Plugin Boutique until December 3rd

iZotope‘s Creative Mix Bundle works best for those looking to add more dynamic elements  while making or mixing tracks.

The bundle comes with the VocalSynth 2 vocal production synthesizer plugin, the Neoverb reverb plugin with real-time setting assistance, music producer BT‘s award-winning Stutter Edit 2, and iZotope’s latest mixing plugin (also with real-time assistance) Neutron 4 Elements.

The Creative Mix Bundle comes at a 91% discount, one of the largest out there for modern mixing solutions.

Additionally, Plugin Boutique has three of the four plugins available at a discount until January 15th, 2024. VocalSynth and Stutter Edit 2 cost $31 each, while Neoverb is on sale for $25.

Universal Audio UAD Essentials Edition

Apple/PC, VST3, AAU, AAX

$49 (originally $299) until December 1st

The UAD Essentials Edition boasts 11 plugins, mostly faithful recreations of Universal Audio‘s flagship analogue hardware into plugins.

Teletronix & Pultec

The Teletronix LA-2A offers three different versions based on various histories of the compressor – LA-2A Silver, Gray, and the LA-2. The three models offer distinct variations in time constants, compression knee, headroom, distortion and more.

The Pultec Passive EQ Collection are a collection of three Universal Audio vintage tube equalizers. The EQP-1A crafts bass and low end, the midrange MEQ-5 work best with vocals, and the HLF-3C adds effects to audio as well as correcting issues in higher audio frequencies.

POLYmax

UA’s POLYmax synth plugin is also part of the package, a plugin emulating two analogue circuit systems found in many iconic synthesizers: the Solid State Music (SSM) and Curtis Electronic Music (CEM) chips. Along with this emulation, the POLYmax also features Universal Audio’s classic effects, like the “Hall B” reverb, flangers, tape delay, and more.

Other plugins in the package include the Oxide Tape Recorder, Roland RE-201 delay emulator Galaxy Tape Echo, and the Pure Plate Reverb.

UAD Native, UAD and UADx Plugins

Universal Audio’s UAD Essentials Edition runs on Mac and PC, with plugins listing in DAWs as “Native UAD” (UADx), meaning no additional hardware such as the Apollo/UAD-2 is needed for the software to work.

In turn, a faster, accelerated version of the plugin package is available for hardware owners of the Apollo and UAD-2 series audio interfaces. These plugins are offered in VST2, AU, and AAX formats and are listed in DAW as “UAD” plugins. As of recently, UAD v11 plugins now carry support for VST3.

Purchasing the bundle gains access keys to both standalone and accelerated hardware versions.

Arturia V Collection 9

Apple/PC, Standalone / VST / Aax / AAU

$299 (originially $599), until December 5th

Arturia‘s V collection 9 is down to its previous introductory discount rate of $299.

The V collection’s massive, 33-instrument plugin suite emulates classic synthesizers from brands like Korg, Yamaha and VOX Continental. In total, 14 sound banks and over 9,000 presets are ready to use in the collection.

V Collection 9’s recent Discovery Update 9.1 comes with customizable MIDI Polyphonic Expression (MPE) support and additional workflow commands for the MiniLAb 3 controller. Faster MIDI mapping across many controllers is also a part of the pack. The 9.1 update is free to current owners of the full plugin suite.

V Collection 9 is compatible with Windows 10 and Apple computers; installation is available via the Arturia Service Center (ASC).

All The Samples From Mars – Full Pack

$49 (originally $2,067)

62GB of 75 sample packs make up the All The Samples From Mars pack, sitting at a staggering $2,018 discount.

Samples From Mars is a popular destination for producers, gathering content from “extensively sampling” rare and vintage drum machines, synthesizers, samplers and more. The group also meticulously pitches each sample to the correct settings as they sound on the authentic devices from which they’re recorded.

Aside from providing high-quality 24-bit WAV samples, each pack is mapped and playable for various DAWs and controllers like Ableton, Logic, Akai‘s MPC, Native Instruments‘ Maschine and more.

At the time of writing, there does not seem to be an expiration on the deal, which means it may remain a deal from not through 2024 or later.

Native Instruments Komplete 14

Apple/PC, 64-Bit AU/AAX/VST

50% off Komplete Select, Standard, Ultimate and Collector’s Edition ($99.50 – 899.50)

Native Instruments‘ recent release of their expansive sound library Komplete 14 is marked down as part of their site-wide Cyber Season sale.

Starting at the Select edition at $99.50, purchasers get 18 instruments and effects, 8 Expansions, and 15,000 sounds.

The Standard edition ($299.50) comes with additions from iZotope, Brainworx and Plugin Alliance, plugin developers now part of Native Instruments. These editions are ideal for the starting producer or sound designer.

Ultimate’s package ($599.50) carries over 80,000 sounds and 62 Expansions, and the Komplete Collector’s edition ($899.50) carries over 103 Expansions and 148 instruments. Both collections are software offerings. According to Native Instruments, they’re more fit for television, film and game composers’ needs.

Additionally, upgrades for each version start at $49.50 for Select, $99.50 for Standard, $199.50, and $249.50 for the Collector’s Edition.

It is also one of the longest-lasting sales on this roundup, continuing until January 15th, 2024.

A statement from their official Facebook page explains the acquisition in more detail:

“Devoted to maintaining the sound, quality, and manufacturing philosophy that our company and instruments are known for, inMusic is able to offer solutions to support the areas that have been ongoing challenges for us as a small manufacturing business. This new partnership will enable us access to inMusic’s efficient global distribution and supply chain network while providing inMusic and its affiliated brands with deep expertise in analogue synthesis.

This new opportunity allows our team to continue focusing on doing what we do best: developing and building the best-sounding electronic musical instruments for artists around the world.”

Moog Music

R. A. Moog Co. was founded in 1952 by Robert Moog and his father. It was later rebranded as Moog Music in 1972. Flagship instruments like the Moog (the first commercial synthesizer) and the Minimoog are hailed as some of the world’s most influential electronic instruments. Moog’s modern products meet the growing demands of modern music, with popular mobile apps and Eurorack instruments.

In June of 2022, Moog workers began a unionization campaign to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

CEO Joe Richardson concludes in his statement regarding the acquisition on Moog Music’s website:

“We are excited to introduce you to the many innovative hardware and software instruments our team has on the horizon…The future is bright for Moog and the incredible community that has embraced our instruments and all we stand for. We’re grateful for your loyalty and support along the way, and we can’t wait for you to see (and hear) all that’s ahead.”

inMusic

Rhode Island-based inMusic cites innovation and access to music technology as their main mission. Starting in 1992, CEO Jack O’Donnell bought DJ equipment manufacturer Numark Electronics. In 2001, O’Donnell purchased Alesis then MPC inventor Akai in 2005. Now with ownership of 19 popular music companies including Moog Music, inMusic is a leader in the music retail market.

Find more information on the inMusic acquisition on the Moog Music website.

“One of the primary [considerations] in design was an extreme high degree of speech intelligibility, even under severe circumstances, like noisy surroundings and high music sound pressure levels (during rehearsals and performance),” the Axxent datasheet states.

Its workings are simple: It carries a line and microphone I/O, volume control, as well as buttons for call lights, buzzers and the like. Each unit comes with a 12V cigarette lighter and can double as a mobile charger. It also comes with a front compartment to hold cigarettes or other small items of the user’s choosing.

Looking out for the safety of its users, Axxent also adds a warning message to the MS-100 underneath its cigarette compartment: “Smoking is dangerous to your health.”

The Thomann website lists the MS-100 at $535 and “on request,” which is atypical of the fulfillment process of most pro audio gear.

Still yet others offer their wares at no cost. Read on for a list Selector has compiled of 100% free plugins and products from across the internet. 

DR-84 Retro Drum Machine

Pepto Audio‘s DR-84 is a freeware drum machine VST for Windows and macOS. The plugin takes elements from drum machines like Linn Drum, the Roland TR-707, the E-MU Drumulator, the Oberheim DMX, the Yamaha RX11, and the Simmons SDSV module. There are also three custom kits tailored to modern synthwave and retro producers.

Download DR-84 Drum Machine on the Wave Foundry website.

UJAM Usynth Drive

The Pharrell Williams and Hans Zimmer-run UJAM have released the Usynth Drive, a plugin whose ease of use echoes that of “using Instagram.”

”Intuitively tweak to your heart’s content,” reads a description. “Think Instagram filters, or [a] steering wheel and two pedals — that’s how you operate Usynth.” The device is split up into three sections with over 200 presets to choose from: Sequencer, Synthesizer and Finisher. Sequencer acts like an arpeggiator or phrase player; Synthesizer carries a variety of pads, leads and basses; and the Finisher works as an effects unit.

While Usynth Drive is free to download, the rest of the Usynth collection (Drive, Deluxe, Core, 2080, Euphoria, and Caramel) costs $124.

Download Usynth Drive on the UJAM website.

Full Bucket Music PECS String Machine

Full Bucket’s PECS aims to offer a faithful recreation of Korg’s 1976 Poly-Ensemble String Machine instrument. The PE-2000 has four core sounds—Pipe Organ, Chorus, Brass, and Strings—with two variations of each.

While the original instrument is more difficult to adjust, PECS’ Tweak Mode allows adjustments to parameters to provide more versatility.

Download PECS on the Full Bucket website.

Xynth Audio Le Phonk

The Le Phonk plugin provides six different settings for distortion, Over-The-Top (OTT) compression, and soft clipping in one package. A visualization screen at the center of the plugin reflects the transfer curve and shape as it is being used.

Most of Le Phonk’s controls are reminiscent of Xfer Records’ OTT plugin and Ableton’s Multiband Dynamics compressor.

Le Phonk is available in VST3 for Windows computers and VST3 and AU formats for macOS.

Download LePhonk on the Xynth Audio website.

MusicPutty Vocal Pitch Editor

Autumn Rock Software Development’s MusicPutty is a note-based vocal pitch editor app for iOS. This plugin works as a handy tool for musicians on the go, providing multi-track elastic pitch and vocal editing abilities. 

Users can fine-tune the pitch of each note individually or change the pitch altogether for unique results.

Download MusicPutty on the App Store.

Valhalla Supermassive

Valhalla‘s Supermassive remains a free delay and echo plugin since its origin, recently adding two new presets in its 2.5.0 update.

The “Scorpio” mode has a “fast attack, rapid build of echo density, more of a ‘conventional’ reverb,” Valhalla’s press release explains. It says the Libra preset is best “for lush, modulated reverbs with a natural decay.”

Download Valhalla Supermassive 2.5.0 on the Vahalla DSP website.

TAL-Reverb-4

Like Supermassive, Togu Audio Line’s TAL-Reverb-4 is always free to download and comes with new features. TAL improves the reverb quality, adds tune control, a dampener, and ducking for side chain compression. 

TAL-Reverb-4 is available in VST2, VST3, AAX, and CLAP formats for Windows. Mac users can download TAL-Reverb-4 in VST2, VST3, AAX, AU, and CLAP formats.

Download TAL-Reverb-4 on the Togu Audio Line website.

Workflow and productivity improvements are where Cubase 12’s new updates shine. Support for newer models of controllers is available for all three versions of Cubase 12 (Pro, Artist and Elements). When detected, Cubase 12 will automatically adjust mapping options to respond to each controller’s physical features like knobs and transport.

FX Modulator in Cubase 12. Image credit: Steinberg

Other standout enhancements also include FX modulators, a Chord Track converting MIDI to audio via drag-and-drop, and a Scale feature added to VariAudio for smoother timing and pitch corrections. In addition to this, each version of Cubase 12 has improvements to editing and provide near sample-accurate volume automation.

Features that were also available in Steinberg’s other DAW, Nuendo, are now part of Cubase 12’s build. Cubase 12 now grants the ability to use two video tracks for projects like scoring film.

Using the Steinberg login instead of a physical copy-protection device. Image credit: Steinberg

Cubase 12 no longer requires a physical copy-protection device for access to the DAW. Steinberg software users can sign into Cubase simply using their login information. Apple Silicon support for Macs with the new processor comes ready in Cubase 12; audio support for Dolby Atmos is coming in a later maintenance update.

Cubase Pro 12, Cubase Artist 12 and Cubase Elements 12 are available now priced at $580, $330 and $100, respectively. Upgrades for older versions and educational packages for schools are also available.

Find more information and Purchase Cubase 12 on Steinberg’s website. 

From obscurities uncovered during trips down Bandcamp rabbit holes to the latest releases from legendary artists, Crate Digging is here to keep your collection up to date.

1. Issu – Bleep [Science Cult]

Hard-edged, quirky electro from talented, up-and-coming artist Issu, who is becoming a regular fixture on the Dallas-based label. This is a dark, heady trip through tight beats, gritty, acid-tinged bass, and sci-fi aesthetics.

2. Mattr – Shutter [Renaissance]

Absolutely perfect for the dance floor in the early morning or for the stereo at the afterparty, this leftfield breakbeat cut channels the spirit of classic progressive breaks while giving a nod to contemporary electronica. Its beautiful, uplifting vocals and chords are perfectly complemented by the shuffling, dusty drums and warm bass line.

3. J-SHADOW – Mist Over Sequoia [Beat Machine Records]

Influenced by the works of Carl Sagan, London’s J-SHADOW uses “Mist Over Sequoia” to explore the idea of multiple dimensions that we can’t fully perceive interacting with one another. By seamlessly combining elements of IDM, breakcore, braindance, and jungle, he creates a collage of controlled chaos that is equal parts melancholic and abrasive.

4. Souldynamic – Turbulence [Excedo]

Written during lockdown as part of an EP that is presented as a soundtrack to an adventurous space journey, “Turbulence” is darker and tougher than Italian duo Souldynamic‘s usual output. With its driving bass line, tense percussion, eerie chords, and crackly effects that weave around one another, it conjures images of a ship hurtling through an asteroid field at high speeds.

5. D.Vices – Concrete Criminal [Particle Music]

Portland-based DJ, live act, and promoter Jack Coleman dons his electro alias, D.Vices, for a chunky slice of machine funk. Propelled by a rolling bass line and snappy beats, and topped with a gnarly acid line and robotic effects, there’s plenty to latch onto without the track ever feeling overcrowded.

6. Ian Pooley – 101202 [Rekids]

Lush, melodic house grooves from German hardware aficionado Ian Pooley, which showcase his knack for getting the most out of classic machines. Floaty, filtered pads drift above chunky kicks and shuffled, skittering percussion, coming together to create a timeless groove.

7. ALOKA – Digeridoo [Nehza Records]

Offering up a more psychedelic take on breakbeat hardcore, Welshman ALOKA combines crunchy, frenetic breaks with squelchy acid sequences, echoed vocals, sub-rattling bass stabs, and an ever-evolving background layer that gives the track its namesake.

8. Warehousz – Love Message [Urban Kickz Recordings]

Fierce, funky, and full of attitude, this jacking techno cut will get even the most hardened veterans of the genre dancing. Built around a classic disco sample, catchy bass line, and punchy drums, “Love Message” by Warehousz is an inescapable boogie monster.

9. PANG – ULTRA 1 (Naco Remix) [Failed Units]

This is for anyone who likes their bass music on the challenging, experimental tip. Massive, grinding bass wobbles keep things dance floor friendly on the whole, but the chopped-up drum breaks, warped effects, and gnarly vocal samples demand closer listening and attentive appreciation.

10. Glo Phase – Sun Ghosts [Whiskey Pickle]

Produced primarily with a Prophet 6 synthesizer and some old analogue drum machines, Glo Phase‘s latest midtempo, shimmering house journey will work equally as well in headphones as it will on dance floors that appreciate deeper sounds.

Support Issues

Legacy Audio Damage users unable to upgrade when newer operating systems arrive leaves the company overwhelmed with emails. “Whenever Apple or Microsoft [introduces] a significant change to their respective platforms, hundreds or thousands of old customers come out of the woodwork looking for a 20-year-old installer… Just having these products out in the open will solve that issue,” the site explains.

Piracy

The rise of torrenting and popularity with unlicensed, underground plugin-sharing sites led to many pirated copies of the Audio Damage library. “Most of these installers are readily available in ‘cracked’ form, and someone that wants to use one of them is putting their computer (and thus their creative life) at risk of malware’, the site mentions in detail. “Having ‘blessed’ installers readily available from the source ensures that nobody will ever be punished for simply wanting to use one of our old products.”

Costly Updates

Making plugins is a time and money consuming task, a risk that Audio Damage would rather avoid.
The company writes, “Updating these older products to work on contemporary systems just doesn’t make much sense… the code libraries on which they’re based simply no longer exist… updating them would entail rewriting them almost in their entirety.”

Side Notes

Audio Damage mentions a few important things for user to take into consideration when downloading these plugins. While these plugins will remain free forever, future support for them has ended. This means older programs provided on the list may not work on newer operating systems and computers and newer plugins will eventually stop working. Older products may require registration codes, which are also given in select zip files.

As a final result of this giveaway, Audio Damage legacy plugin customers will receive a discount code – multi-version upgrading will no longer be supported.

Download the plugins and find more information on the Audio Damage website. 

2022 year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, which will take place September 1st-5th at The Garden Resort as well as Barbarellas Discotheque, both in Tisno, Croatia. They plan to celebrate with exclusive back-to-back sets, label parties, debut sets, and more.

A contingent of Detroit-based artists is set to appear, including Detroit in Effect, Marcellus Pittman, and DJ Stingray 313. Trommel, a music blog and platform “focusing on events, music and producers from the minimal scene,” will also curate a show. The festival explores a wide variety of genres ranging from bass, house, techno, electro, garage, and more.

Launched in 2012 in Fort Punta Christo before moving to Tisno in 2021, Dimensions is known for its meticulous attention to sound and light during its shows. On their website, organizers promise to “bring with us the same commitment to programming, sound quality, spirit, and a continued nurturing of a close-knit community” to the Croatian city. Tickets are on sale now, with the first tier of general admission going for £140.00. 

Organizers have not been forced to cancel any of their shows due to COVID-19, with festivals taking place in both 2020 and 2021. Organizers followed state and local precaution.