u-he Updates Tyrell N6: Free Juno-Inspired Synth Gets a Modern Refresh

For years, Tyrell N6 has quietly held its place as one of the best free synths around—so good, in fact, that many producers still use it in pro workflows without a second thought. Originally released as a collaboration between u-he and German magazine Amazona, it was meant to be a concept synth inspired by classic Roland gear, particularly the Juno-60 and Juno-106. But thanks to u-he’s design chops, it ended up being far more than a novelty—it became a go-to analog-style soft synth that just happened to be free. Now, in 2025, it’s finally gotten the kind of update longtime users have been hoping for. The new version brings it into the modern production era without losing the simplicity and character that made it great in the first place. Whether you’re already a fan or just exploring your first synths, this update makes a strong case for revisiting—or discovering—Tyrell N6.

What’s New in Tyrell N6 v3.5

The biggest news: Tyrell N6 now runs natively on Apple Silicon. If you're on an M1 or M2 Mac, that means faster performance, better compatibility, and less CPU strain. It’s a quiet but major step forward for producers who’ve had to rely on Rosetta workarounds until now.

You’ll also notice a slick new look—the GUI has been refreshed and scaled up to better fit modern screens. No more squinting at tiny knobs. The updated interface is cleaner, more readable, and feels like it finally belongs in a 2025 DAW setup.

A few subtle but welcome tweaks round out the update. Most notably, the INIT patch now loads on startup, making it easier to build sounds from scratch. That’s a small change, but for sound designers and synth tweakers, it’s a quality-of-life boost.

u-he hasn’t published a full changelog just yet, but this version already feels tighter and more future-proof. If you’ve been sleeping on Tyrell N6—or haven’t touched it in years—it’s a good time to revisit this underrated beast.

Why Tyrell N6 Is Still A Big Deal in 2025?

Tyrell N6 isn’t just a good free synth—it’s a free synth made by u-he, one of the most respected developers in the plugin world. These are the same people behind Diva, Zebra, and Hive, all known for their high-fidelity analog modeling and thoughtful design. So when u-he gives away a synth, it’s not some watered-down demo or stripped-back intro—it’s the real deal. Tyrell N6 might not have the deep modulation or FX chains of their flagship plugins, but the core sound engine is still unmistakably u-he: warm, punchy, and rich in detail.

What makes it even more impressive is how usable it is. Tyrell N6 is built around a clean subtractive architecture, modeled after Roland-style analog synths—think Juno-style choruses, snappy envelopes, and a solid dual-oscillator setup. It’s not bloated with features, but it covers the essentials so well that you can get everything from fat basslines to smooth pads with very little effort. That simplicity, paired with genuinely great sound, is what makes Tyrell N6 still worth downloading in 2025—whether you’re brand new to synthesis or just want a reliable go-to in your collection.

Alternatives to Consider

If Tyrell N6 gets you excited about free synths, there are a few other standouts worth checking out. Vital is the go-to pick for a modern, wavetable-based synth that’s incredibly deep yet surprisingly approachable. It comes with a slick interface, drag-and-drop modulation, and tons of sound design potential—even in the free version. For a more analog-style experience that’s still wildly flexible, Surge XT is an open-source monster that covers everything from subtractive to FM to wavetable synthesis, with multiple engines and MPE support.

And if you’re vibing with the sound of Tyrell N6 and want to explore u-he’s full range, Diva is the natural next step. It’s a paid synth, but one that many producers call the gold standard for analog emulation in software. You’ll get more filter types, deeper modulation, and oscillator models pulled from classic gear—but with the same attention to sonic detail that makes Tyrell so good. It’s a big step up in CPU, too, but the payoff is huge if you want that thick, vintage tone with full control.

Just Download It!

Whether you’ve used Tyrell N6 before or are just hearing about it now, this latest update is the perfect reason to grab it. With Apple Silicon support, a larger, cleaner UI, and some thoughtful tweaks under the hood, it feels like a fresh coat of paint on a classic. It still sounds great, still runs light on your system, and most importantly, still costs nothing—no sign-ups, no nags, just pure u-he quality in a tight, vintage-inspired package.

Tyrell N6 is ideal for anyone looking for a reliable subtractive synth that’s easy to use and hard to outgrow. It’s perfect for analog lovers chasing that Roland vibe, new producers learning synthesis, or anyone who just wants a go-to freebie that actually holds its own in a modern workflow. Free plugins come and go—but this one’s built to last.

You literally have nothing to lose, just download Tyrell N6. You won’t regret it!

Sign up for the Internet Tattoo newsletter and get the best new free plugins, updates, and coolest new DJ tools No spam, just stuff you'll actually use.

Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links, which means Internet Tattoo may receive a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.