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 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.
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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