BEAT MAGAZINE #186 — Free Download

Overview of the Issue

This edition of Beat Magazine arrives as a special double issue, with the Beat Workzone section expanded to span over a hundred pages. The core focus is a comprehensive look at the current state of studio synthesizers, reviewing a wide selection of new models ranging from affordable monophonic analogues to complex wavetable, FM, and hybrid instruments.

Alongside the synth special, the issue includes a practical guide to mixing with headphones, addressing common challenges like room acoustics and suggesting suitable models. Two exclusive software editions are featured: Overloud’s TH-U Beat Edition for guitar and bass tones, and Syntronik J-60, a virtual instrument inspired by the Roland Juno-60. An interview with the German act Scooter and a dark ambient sound pack for Zampler round out the content.

Studio Synths 2021 Special

The magazine’s main feature reviews a broad range of new synthesizer hardware, categorizing them by type and capability. The goal is to help readers determine which sound generator fits their needs and musical style. The review covers monophonic analogues, polyphonic models, and modular systems, highlighting each unit’s sound character and feature set.

This section serves as a buyer’s guide, offering comparison and context rather than a simple list. It addresses the growing popularity of hardware synths and provides insights into the strengths of different architectures, from classic subtractive to modern wavetable and FM approaches. The detailed reviews aim to clarify the sonic and functional differences between the many available options.

Overloud TH-U Beat Edition

This exclusive plug-in version of Overloud’s TH-U is designed for guitar and bass processing, but it extends beyond traditional string instruments. It includes a range of amplifiers, cabinets, and effects such as overdrive, chorus, delay, and reverb, plus an EQ. The built-in splitter module allows for multi-band effects, making it versatile for synths, drums, and vocals.

The Beat Edition is tailored for music production within a DAW, providing a modular amp modeling environment. Its flexibility means it can serve as a creative tone-shaping tool for various sound sources, not just guitarists. The inclusion of multiple amp types and effect chains enables users to craft custom signal paths, from simple clean tones to complex, layered distortions.

Syntronik J-60 and Voices From The Dark

Syntronik J-60 is a virtual instrument that emulates the sonic character of the Roland Juno-60 analogue synthesizer. Beyond faithful sound reproduction, it includes numerous filter models and a powerful sequencer for creating rhythmic grooves. This makes it a practical tool for producing fat synth basslines, pads, and lead sounds within a DAW.

Additionally, the issue includes ‘Voices From The Dark’, a sound bank containing 64 patches designed for Zampler and MPC platforms. These patches feature spherical pads, deep rumbling textures, and whispered vocal elements, ideal for adding atmospheric depth to techno, ambient, or film-like compositions. The pack focuses on creating immersive, dark moodscapes rather than conventional melodic content.

Key features

• Over 100 pages of content
• Reviews of 31 new synthesizer models
• Headphone mixing guide with practical tips
• Exclusive Overloud TH-U Beat Edition plug-in
• Syntronik J-60 virtual instrument
• Voices From The Dark sound pack with 64 patches
• Interview with the band Scooter

Best for

Electronic music producers and guitarists seeking a comprehensive magazine issue that combines hardware synth reviews, practical mixing advice for headphone users, and exclusive software tools for tone shaping and atmospheric sound design.