The latest issue of Beat (#182, priced €5,49) magazine includes a free copy of the Codex ($59.99 value) wavetable synthesizer by Waves, along with dozens of other software and soundware freebies.
As always, Beat magazine is available in two editions: German and English. The English edition is published several days after the German one, so you might have to wait out a bit to get your copy.
See also: Free Synthesizer VST PluginsMore importantly, the latest Beat issue comes packed with free software and soundware. It features 11 GB of free sounds and music production software, including the Waves Codex synthesizer, the Ænigma expansions for Zampler and Akai MPCs, Tracktion Retromod, Thorn Solo, ADM 606 drum machine, and more.
The star of the show, though, is the Codex synth. Let’s take a closer look at this $59.99 virtual instrument from Waves (who are currently running a sitewide 40% OFF sale when you apply the coupon code LOVE40 at checkout).
Codex by Waves comes as a free download with the latest issue of Beat.
Codex is a wavetable synthesizer. It combines a granular wavetable engine with Waves’ Virtual Voltage synthesis technology. The result is a virtual instrument capable of generating modern electronic sounds and replicating the classic analog tones of vintage hardware synths.
The instrument is easy to program thanks to its straightforward user interface, although I still prefer the modern look of the Vital wavetable synthesizer by Matt Tytel. Either way, you can use Codex to build complex electronic sounds from scratch or check out the hundreds of factory patches that it comes with.
But Waves Codex is not the only software highlight in this month’s edition of Beat. Another gem worth mentioning is the LoFreq Wired RetroMod synthesizer by Tracktion.
Tracktion’s RetroMod also comes free with the latest Beat mag.
LoFreq Wired samples eleven different hardware synths manufactured between 2009 and 2018. It captures the sonic core of modern analog hardware while offering the flexibility of software instruments.
The plugin features a simple but capable synth engine with multiple filters, performance controls, effects, and sixteen-voice unison.
When you’re done playing the free software, read Beat magazine’s in-depth review of the UDO Super 6 synthesizer, the Arturia MicroFreak Vocoder test, and learn about old-school sampling techniques in Ableton.
Find all this and more in the latest issue of Beat.
More info: Beat Magazine #182
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21 Comments
Aris
onPumper 3 by W.A Production is free with any purchase at plugin boutique.
Jamie M.
onAlready picked up the mag – Codex is amazing, retromod is nice but I have others that do better, and of course, another zampler pack is always welcomed ;)
Tzvika M.
onWhere did you find the English version?
Christian H
onhttps://falkemedia-shop.de/sound/beat-english/beat-03/2021-english
Shauny_w
onhttps://www.falkemedia-shop.de/sound/beat-english/
James
onIf your library offers RBDigital magazines, or Libby, they have Beat Magazine online for free.
Jamie M.
oncan you link me pls?
James
onNot really. You need a library card. Then go to your library’s website and see what they offer. For example San Jose Public Library has a ton of stuff listed at https://www.sjpl.org/eresources?subject=24. It’s tricky to navigate, but Libby is listed there and carries Beat magazine. There’s another one called PressReader that carries Computer Music, but for some reason it’s on a different page.
Mike B
onThanks, James. I was able to get Beat Magazine (and Computer Music) for free via Libby. I didn’t realize it before.
Alexandretta
onThe note on their site that Codex is only included on the DVD in the printed version of the magazine.
I write this as a reminder for everyone else.
If someone made a different observation feel free to correct me ;-)
Jamie M.
onno, this is not true!
head to https://www.serialcenter.de/ if you bought it – there select your issue, enter you email and pass a security question, and your code will be in your email for registration and download from waves.
Shauny_w
onNo this is not correct the digital version definitely includes the downloads, I know because I downloaded Codex yesterday and many others from previous editions.
James
onI absolutely love this magazine. Really good journalism and always at least 1, if not 2, high quality plugins for free.
Numanoid
onBeat is smoking the other music magazines now, Computer Music need to gear up a lot if they are gonna keep pace. Both the included magware and journalism/reviews are miles better done by Beat.
Jamie M.
onhonestly, i agree. thought i was the only one comparing these magazines tbh!
Numanoid
onEven more than Waves Codex, I got this for the Zampler Aenigma library. Great sounding and easy to use. To compare I find the samples included with Computer Music and Future Music lacking, as they usually do not come with patches for easy use with SFZ players, Kontakt, Reason, Logic or other sample players like that.
ex-brahma
onGuys I need help. Is there any way how to run waves V12 licenses on windows 8 ?
9x3
onupgrade to window 10 – I upgraded a computer a few days ago from win 8.1 and when I was done the win10 license was activated (even though ms says free win10 licenses ended years ago.) search for “media creation tool” from the ms website.
rex roll
onI tried codex,how they can made a wavetable synth’s control so analog like?And I can only said waves is not good at making synth.Try vital.
rex roll
onforgot to mention,the mag said it’s serum killer,nice joke.
Alex Sladkov
onHello everybody!
Thanks for your work!
I have a problem.
Does anyone know: does the Codex work without a internet connection?
My instance asks to sync licenses.