Music tech Reviews Software Tech
MSteppySnap for Ableton Live makes modulation playable, maleable
In a way, it’s funny how complicated we make modulation. We wind up creating layers of envelopes and free-running oscillations just to get what we want. Tomavatars’ MSteppySnap, once you grok its approach, is nothing like that. This is steppy snappy whooshy glorgy modulation you can play, capture, and trigger intuitively.
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Ableton has a rare flash sale with 25% off for a week, including upgrades
Ableton tends to discount its products only a couple of times a year, so this flash sale is worth noting. They’re offering 25% off Live 12 Suite and Standard, upgrades, and all Packs, now through Wednesday, April 29. So if you’ve fallen behind on Live versions, or been eyeing those Max for Live Devices I’m constantly writing up, here’s your chance. Let’s refresh our brains on what’s in the upgrades.
Peter Kirn - April 23, 2026
Deals Music tech Software Tech
Casio’s SXC-1 handheld sampler is packed with fun, coming to Japan
Memory may be vanishing, phones and laptops may be getting downgraded specs. But we’re enjoying an unexpected renaissance of mobile samplers. And of all of these, Casio might pack the most fun into a single package. The SXC-1’s Japanese preorder was announced and sold out this week, and with good reason: this looks like the most fun we’ve had with Casio since the 80s and 90s.
Peter Kirn - April 23, 2026
Gear Music tech Tech
Zebra 3 is here, a sprawling semi-modular plug-in that runs deep
Peter Kirn - April 21, 2026
Music tech Software Tech
Absynth 6.1: Audio modulator, LFO retrigger, sound content, more
Peter Kirn - April 17, 2026
Music tech Software Tech
