It’s a different vision of a festival and exhibition, one that bubbles up from the Kiez instead of being collected in modern palaces. For the next few days, artists from the Berlin neighborhood around Kottbusser Tor will reveal their self-image in communities in exile.

Bitwig is boldly going where other DAW vendors have gone before – making its own audio interface. And there’s control surface integration. But for Eurorack and analog gear lovers, there’s something you don’t normally find: pre-calibrated CV with convenient dedicated minijack connections. (Also: Linux support!)

Take one part “reviving classic gear brands,” mix it with several parts of the legendary Vestax portable turntable, then blend different flavors from digital and effects to hi-fi to tube, and what you get is KORG’s new handytraxx line. There’s not one but four new turntables here, each with its own approach. It’s “portablism” all over again.

Sometimes it’s the little things. Sinevibes’ Switch gate effect plug-in was just updated to 3.1.0 with a new UI and refined controls. That’s a good reminder to use this one, as it’s the easiest way not just to add classic trancegate effects but also generally add gated motion to your tracks.

Nothing punches like the Novation Bass Station, the UK company’s 1993 analog original. GForce Software makes a pretty good argument for making this a plug-in: emulate all the powerful sound of the synth and its filter, but add awesome modulation, effects, and sequencer/arp, unison mode, up to 16-voice polyphony, and make it mega-affordable (or free with a keyboard controller).

Need to chill out? How about two-plus hours of Brian Eno music generated in 1996, running on Windows 3.11?

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the USA. It’s a chance to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy of activism and how it connects to music. And that reflection shouldn’t be dimmed by today’s inauguration, even as the incoming administration promises to erase some of the country’s memory.

The Alan Parsons/Keith Adkins handmade, one-of-a-kind Frequency Translator was a key component of The Dark Side of the Moon. And its sound has been hard to describe, let alone recreate – until now. PSP Audioware worked with the one and only Alan Parsons to model it in plug-in form in a personal passion project they’re releasing as PSP Wobbler.

For all the potential for app overload, sometimes what makes the iPad powerful is that one killer app. And MorphWiz 2, with sample analysis, an arpeggiator, and new modulation, filter, envelope, and effects sections, could be that killer app for synthesis and sound design. It’s a spectral morphing powerhouse.

New Loraine James is on the way, bringing temperate sounds in these days of climate extremes. The full album is due on Ghostly in March, but you need the single right now.