UJAM Invites Music Makers to Create Iconic 80s Sci-Fi Synth Sounds with Usynth STRANGER
Berlin, Germany, October 23, 2025 — UJAM has announced a sale on its Usynth STRANGER plugin, available for $5 through December 14, 2025. STRANGER is a software synthesizer designed for 80s-inspired atmospheres and cinematic textures, capable of evoking the eerie, otherworldly synth sounds that defined the soundtracks of iconic television and film. For years, achieving those tones meant investing in expensive, hard-to-find hardware. However, UJAM is challenging that idea, believing that with the right tools, software can sound just as good as hardware.
“I sold all my hardware synthesizers ten years ago because I no longer needed them,” says Peter Gorges, co-founder of UJAM. “Today, even free or inexpensive software lets anyone create the same rich, cinematic sounds that once demanded expensive hardware.”
Exploring the difference
Paired with Finisher RETRO, a multi-effect plugin available as a free download through December 7, 2025, users can recreate the analog warmth and character of vintage synthesizers using software. UJAM has prepared A/B audio samples of analog recordings alongside software-based recreations, inviting listeners to decide for themselves whether they can hear the difference on the UJAM website.
Building on the A/B comparison, UJAM is inviting users to take the next step and create their own tracks using Usynth STRANGER and Finisher RETRO. Participants can submit their work in the dedicated #usynth-stranger-contest channel on UJAM’s Discord server by November 10, 2025, for a chance to be featured during the winner announcement livestream on November 19, 2025.
The judging panel includes legendary sound designer Derek von Krogh, UJAM co-founder Peter Gorges, and composer Ryan Baxter, who will review the top submissions. During the livestream, von Krogh will share feedback on the winning tracks and announce the final results. Prizes include UJAM’s Music Creation Suite, Baby Audio’s Synthwave Essentials, and a Rhodes V8 Pro plug-in. For complete details on how to enter, please visit: https://www.ujam.com/stranger-halloween-special/#contest
Availability
Usynth STRANGER is available now for $5 through December 14, 2025, and Finisher RETRO is available as a free download through December 7, 2025. Both plug-ins are available in VST 3, AU 2, and AAX formats for macOS and Windows, with native support for Apple Silicon.
To learn more about Usynth STRANGER and Finisher RETRO, visit www.ujam.com.
About UJAM
UJAM was co-founded by Hans Zimmer and Pharrell Williams, both musicians whose careers have been significantly supported by technology. The vision behind UJAM is to make technology even more accessible and encourage even more people to make music.
This vision is being realized by a team of virtual instrument pioneers who had previously developed legendary virtual instruments from Steinberg and Digidesign — from Steinberg Hypersonic to Virtual Guitarist, from Digidesign Xpand to Transfuser — and who finally want to realize their vision of shortening the path from the idea to the perfect track. More fun, better results, less complexity.
Hunter Williams
