Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Dirk Ulrich reacquires Plugin Alliance & Brainworx

17/07/2026

Original founder now back at the helm

In a message posted on his personal social media accounts, Dirk Ulrich has announced that both Plugin Alliance and Brainworx are now back under his personal leadership. As of 15 July 2026, both brands are now officially owned by Ulrich, joining high-end hardware companies Manley and Apogee as part of the new RCKFRC audio group.

The announcement follows InMusic's acquisition of Native Instruments and the news of iZotope's departure to their new home at Boris FX, and will answer some important questions for users who were wondering what the latest move would mean for their Plugin Alliance & Brainworx licenses.

Dirks Statement Here's what Dirk has to say about the decision, and what it means for both brands' existing customers:

This marks the beginning of the next chapter for all our companies, our teams, our partners, and you! Over the past few months, I have seen that many Plugin Alliance users were asking the same questions on social media: What will happen to my plugins? Will my licenses continue to work? Whats the future for Brainworx & Plugin Alliance? Today, I can finally start to answer those questions!

This isnt a restart. Its a continuation - with renewed focus and renewed responsibility.

Our priorities are simple:

Continue supporting the products you rely on.

Invest in engineering and innovation.

Keep what's great and fix what may be broken.

Build an exciting future for Brainworx & Plugin Alliance as part of the new RCKFRC universe (with Apogee and Manley!).

Over the next few weeks, Ill introduce the teams behind the next chapter and share our vision. Please give us a bit of time to adapt to the new situation - we will keep you posted every step of the way. For today, I simply wanted you to hear the news directly from me, and tell you that I am genuinely happy about this full-circle moment!

Thank you for your continued trust. Im excited about the future for PA/BX!

www.plugin-alliance.com

brainworx.audio
LINK: https://www.soundonsound.com/news/dirk-ulrich-reacquires-plugin-allian...
See more stories from soundonsound

More from SOS

19/07/2026

Acustica reveal Mystic 2

Channel strip plug-in gets upgraded Acustica Audio's vintage-inspired channel strip plug-in has just been treated to an update that expands its tonal ra...

18/07/2026

IK Multimedia add Brown Panel Signature Collection to TONEX

Captures nine sought-after Fender amps IK Multimedia's latest TONEX expansion captures a selection of nine rare Brown Panel' Fender amps that were ...

18/07/2026

Frap Tools update the Magnolia

Latest batch ships alongside firmware update Since being unveiled at Superbooth 2025, Frap Tools' debut polysynth has been met with widespread praise, a...

17/07/2026

Sonuscore introduce Elysion Elements

Full engine access with reduced soundset Sonuscore have steadily been introducing a selection of reduced-cost and free versions of their flagship products r...

17/07/2026

Arturia AstroLab Silver & KeyLab Mk3 Ultra

Two new special-edition models revealed Over the past week, Arturia have launched special-edition versions of both their premium MIDI controller and stage p...

17/07/2026

Dirk Ulrich reacquires Plugin Alliance & Brainworx

Original founder now back at the helm In a message posted on his personal social media accounts, Dirk Ulrich has announced that both Plugin Alliance and Bra...

16/07/2026

Baby Audio release SubCulture

A new benchmark in bass enhancement Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...

16/07/2026

Other Worlds Evolved from Zero G

Popular library rebuilt in new Orbita Engine Other Worlds Evolved is the latest of Zero G's sample libraries to be treated to a ground-up rebuild using ...

16/07/2026

Native Instruments announce Super*Saw

Created in collaboration with A. G. Cook The newest addition to Native Instruments' software collection introduces a new synth created by A. G. Cook, a ...

15/07/2026

Freqport unveil the Dual FreqInOut FO1-2RK

Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...

15/07/2026

Expressive E's Summer Offers

Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026 Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...

15/07/2026

Peel Stems 2 from zplane

Real-time stem-separation tool updated zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...

15/07/2026

Baby Audio SubCulture

A new benchmark in bass enhancement Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...

14/07/2026

Avalanche Tones debut with Chainsaw Suite

Plug-ins for heavy music Avalanche Tones is the brainchild of Ava Toton, a 17-year-old musician and developer who says her goal is to make the lives of gui...

14/07/2026

IK Multimedia introduce ReSing Voices Brazilian Pack

Launched alongside new Singer Showcase purchase model IK Multimedia's innovative vocal-synthesis software has just gained its latest voice add-on, the R...

14/07/2026

MIDI Innovations Awards 2026

Registration open until 1 September 2026 The MIDI Association have revealed that the registration deadline for this year's MIDI Innovation Awards has no...

14/07/2026

Launchkey MK4 88 joins Novation line-up

88-note model completes MK4 range Novation have just introduced the final model in their flagship MIDI controller keyboard range, the Launchkey MK4 88. Roun...

13/07/2026

Techivation release M-Compressor 2

Adds new intelligent Mix Assistant feature With their product range now featuring numerous processors across two distinct line-ups, the M-Series and T-Serie...

13/07/2026

Avalanche Tones release Chainsaw Suite

Plug-ins for heavy music Avalanche Tones is the brainchild of Ava Toton, a 17-year-old musician and developer who says her goal is to make the lives of gui...

13/07/2026

Gamechanger Audio launch the Plus Pedal II

Popular sustain effect overhauled Latvia-based innovators Gamechanger Audio have just launched a new and improved version of their popular sustainer unit. B...

12/07/2026

Korg NTS-4: DIY analogue performance mixer

Offers six-channels and built-in effects Korg's latest release introduces a new analogue mixer that's been designed to act as a hub for live electro...

11/07/2026

Handcrafted Mallets from Handcrafted Audio

Promises a vividness and depth rarely found in software Switzerland-based Handcrafted Audio's latest creation is an interesting hybrid instrument that...

10/07/2026

AES Show Nashville: Early Bird registration opens

Discounted rates available through 27 August 2026 The Audio Engineering Society (AES) have announced that Early Bird registration is now open for the AES Sh...

10/07/2026

Sony introduce the IER-M500

New in-ear monitors to launch in August 2026 Sony have announced the upcoming launch of a new pair of in-ear monitors that promise to deliver a secure, stab...

09/07/2026

Universal Audio Black Box HG-2 & elysia karacter

Latest analogue-emulation plug-ins revealed Universal Audio have just added two new analogue-emulation plug-ins to their DSP-powered UAD line-up. Developed ...

09/07/2026

Neumann launch U 47 FET Bon Scott Edition

Limited-edition mic celebrates rock icon Neumann have partnered with the Bon Scott Estate to create a limited-edition version of the U 47 FET that honours b...

09/07/2026

Plugin Station: Plug-in management software

Handles organisation, updates, troubleshooting & more Created by pro-audio software developer Julian Worden, Plugin Station from Julian Michael Technologies...

09/07/2026

LANDR expand Fair Trade AI programme

Introduces new $1 million advance programme LANDR have just announced the next phase of their Fair Trade AI programme, a pioneering opt-in music-licensing p...

09/07/2026

Spitfire Audio expand low-cost Originals range

Four new titles now available Spitfire Audio have just introduced four new titles in their Originals range, bringing the total count of libraries in the low...

08/07/2026

Universal Audio introduce Black Box HG-2 & elysia karacter

Latest analogue-emulation plug-ins revealed Universal Audio have just added two new analogue-emulation plug-ins to their DSP-powered UAD line-up. Developed ...

08/07/2026

Pitch Innovations release Loop2Kit

Turn any audio loop into a playable kit Pitch Innovations have recently introduced an interesting new tool that's capable of creating playable kits from...

08/07/2026

MonkeyC update Rando sampler plug-in

Adds new keyboard-split function MonkeyC have recently launched an update that overhauls their powerful software sampler. Described as the sampler that mad...

08/07/2026

Strymon unveil the TimeLine MX

Four new delay algorithms & dual-engine functionality Strymon have just announced that the much-anticipated MX version of their hugely popular delay pedal i...

07/07/2026

Mix Buddy instrument mixer from Heritage Audio

New mixer aimed squarely at instrument-level sources Heritage Audio have clearly been busy recently, as alongside their all-new Tubestrip, they've also ...

07/07/2026

Heritage Audio unveil the Tubestrip

New channel strip combines popular hardware designs The latest arrival to the Heritage Audio line-up brings together a selection of their praised hardware d...

06/07/2026

Synth Anthology 5 From UVI

Bundle gains 100 new synths & more Synth Anthology 5 the largest and most feature-packed edition of UVI's hardware synth emulation bundle, bringing toge...

06/07/2026

MOTU 16A, 848 & 10pre gain Milan certification

Available now via free firmware update MOTU have just announced that three of their popular audio interfaces now boast official Milan Certification. The 16A...

05/07/2026

Free Behringer Synth Editor

Browser-based and desktop apps available Digital Sunset Studios have been busy working on an interesting project: a free software tool that provides compute...

04/07/2026

Rhodes to launch the MK8/80AE

Celebrates company's 80th anniversary Rhodes have recently revealed that they will be producing a limited run of electric pianos in celebration of their...

03/07/2026

VSL reveal Synchron Brass (muted)

New bundle & three Single Packs Continuing to expand their already sizeable orchestral collection, VSL's latest release introduces three new Single Pack...

03/07/2026

London Symphony Orchestra upgrade LSO St Luke's

Venue installs new ATC-equipped control room LSO St Luke's, a unique music venue that also serves as the home of the London Symphony Orchestra, have rec...

02/07/2026

The Crow Hill Company introduce Brackish Pads

Stammering, stuttering, strangulated tones The Crow Hill Company's latest creation promises to be the most original sound set they've produced to d...

02/07/2026

Steinberg SpectraLayers 13 now available

A new era in unmixing and spectral editing The latest version of Steinberg's spectral audio-editing software has just arrived, building on the strength...

02/07/2026

Sine Machine from Melatonin

Aims to simplify additive synthesis Sine Machine is the debut launch from Melatonin, a Vienna-based developer who have spent the past six years creating wha...

02/07/2026

iZotope acquired by Boris FX

Products to remain fully active & supported Following the news of Native Instruments joining the inMusic brand line-up, Academy and Emmy Award-winning visua...

02/07/2026

GearExpo UK 2026

What you missed! Last weekend, Saturday 27 June 2026, saw the debut of Sound On Sounds new GearExpo UK event, the largest dedicated pro-audio event to take ...

01/07/2026

Tracktion unleash Waveform 14 DAW

New AI Assistant, Multi-channel Audio, ARA2 improvements & more Tracktion's DAW software has just received its latest major update, gaining a selection ...

01/07/2026

The Crow Hill Company release Brackish Pads

Stammering, stuttering, strangulated tones The Crow Hill Company's latest creation promises to be the most original sound set they've produced to d...

01/07/2026

Sweetwater & Andertons launch Darkglass Anagram Limited Edition Guitar Essentials

Exclusive run of limited-edition modelling pedals Sweetwater and Andertons M...

30/06/2026

UJAM release Retrocraft multi-effects

Brings together saturation & lo-fi effects Following on from the release of their Voxcraft vocal-processing plug-in, UJAM have announced the launch of Retro...