DigitalSoundFactory.com has announced re-mastered original Emulator sampler libraries, in addition to the Proteus and other ’synth’ libraries already available for direct download on the site. Working under exclusive license from E-MU Systems and Creative Labs Inc., Digital Sound Factory has converted the factory sample content developed for playback on this legendary sampler product line.
The E-MU [...]

Nucleus SoundLab has introduced OB Resurrection, a new sample library created focused on evolving the classic Oberheim sound into the new millenium.
OB Resurrection relies on a large waveform base drawn from various Xpander and Matrix synths. According to Nucleus, every classic sound is represented: Brass, Strings, Bells, raw Saw/Square/FM waveforms, Clavs, EPs, and more. [...]

 

 OB Resurrection Demo [2:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Puremagnetik has released Analog Bass Volume 1 for Live 6, Kontakt 2 and EXS24. Analog Bass is a large collection of over 50 multisampled analog bass instruments, recorded directly from classic monosynths. Among the sound sources are TB-303, Minimoog, Doepfer Modular and ARP 2600. Puremagnetik has captured the classic character of these instruments and customized [...]

This classic video from the kids’ program 3-2-1 Contact, produced by Children’s Television Workshop, features pioneering synthesist Suzanne Ciani talking about how synthesizers work:

In the video, Ciani is brilliant, gorgeous and geektacular, if you can look beyond the amazing array of sexy classic synth gear.
magneticring via Matrix

Soniccouture have released Synthi AKS For EXS24, a library exploring the legendary sound of the vintage E.M.S. Synthi AKS from 1972.
Sampled at 24 bit throughout, the library features extensively detailed multi- samples, a huge selection of hits and effects patches, sequenced loops and convolution of the famous Synthi Spring reverb programmed for Logic’s Space Designer.
According [...]

GForce has announced that M-Tron, the first of the company’s Universal Binary instruments, the M-Tron, is ready for download.
This virtual keyboard is modelled on the famous tape-based instrument used on classic tracks like the Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever and used by such keyboard luminaries as Rick Wakeman and Tony Banks. More recently bands such as [...]

NAMM: E-MU Systems announced the new Emulator X2 Platinum Streaming Sampling Synthesizer, which offers both 32-bit and native 64-bit applications, multi-processor and multi-threading support, and includes over 20GB of sounds. Its sound library includes over 5,500 instruments that include everything from vintage keyboards and orchestral instruments to the Hip-Hop and Electronica soundsets of E-MU’s legendary [...]

NAMM: E-MU Systems today announced the Xtreme Lead X sound library that delivers every last preset and sample of E-MU’s cutting edge Xtreme Lead-1 Electro/Dance Sound Module to its Emulator X and Proteus X users. Xtreme Lead X offers everything from soothing ethereal pads and screaming digital noise to pounding drumkits and percussion, providing all [...]

Arturia has created a interesting video on the CS-80 and its history. It looks at the synth’s features, famous users, CS-80 recordings, and uses this as a starting point for introducing Arturia’s CS-80V.

2007 Winter NAMM Show: Arturia announced the Jupiter-8V, a software recreation of Roland’s famous Jupiter-8 which was in production from 1981 to 1984.
The Jupiter-8 was a synth that not only inspired a generation of musicians ranging from Prince to Howard Jones, from Depeche Mode to Moby, it was also a unique machine that offered [...]

2007 Winter NAMM Show: Korg announced its latest software synthesizer offering, the Legacy Collection - Analog Edition 2007. It pairs the “MS-20″ and “Polysix” soft synths from the original Legacy Collection with a newly created version of the classic “Mono/Poly.” The Legacy Cell software synthesizer plus MS-20FX and MDE-X effect plug-ins are also included.
Each soft [...]

No Island Media has released three 30-minute interviews with legendary synth engineer Dave Smith via Google Video.
“In the course of reviewing the preliminary interview tapes for our upcoming Dave Smith documentary, we found the depth and breadth of the interview to be of significant worth to music and synth enthusiasts and musicians,” says Lars Sunderflyrr, [...]

Extreme synth restorer Phil Cirocco has documented his amazing restoration work on a rare early synthesizer, the tube-based Hammond Novachord.
Cirocco is no stranger to restoration, having worked with ARP synth modifications and maintenance at CMS. It’s hard to imagine, though, that this would have prepared him for the scope of restoring a Novachord.
“I bought my [...]

Propellerhead Software today announced the discontinuation of development and support of ReBirth, the first software synth emulation software. The legendary product will now be available for free. In addition, Propellerhead Software is creating a dedicated website for ReBirth, RebirthMuseum. It will include articles, interviews, historical information, the ReBirth song and Mod archives, a discussion forum, [...]

Nostalgia is a new ZERO-G virtual instrument powered by Native Instruments, featuring over 1.3 gigabytes of sounds and more than 1,300 patches from four decades of electronic instruments.
Programming wizard and all-round synth enthusiast Steve Howell has used his 30+ years of experience and knowledge of these various instruments to create arguably the best and most [...]