Music Reviews
Productions gone live, as Jlin joins Third Coast Percussion on “Vernacular”
If today is a day to celebrate good things happening in the USA, you better also be listening to the epic collaboration between Jlin and Chicago’s Third Coast Percussion. That puts the Gary, Indiana-born Jerrilynn Patton (Jlin) right up alongside Philip Glass and David Longstreth, where frankly, she totally belongs. And it’s touring.
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XEN FX LAB: sequel to Zen Delay adds tweakable spring tank, dub mode
XEN FX LAB is a follow-up to a software hit (and hardware, before that), adding a modeled spring reverb, strike for “knocking” the virtual tank, and a dub button for adding dub-style throws, plus significant performance optimizations all round. And yeah, it’s time for more wild drones and dubs and echoes and the lot. macOS, Windows; VST3, AU, standalone; also on iOS.
NI’s new Massive XL is nicely overstuffed but easier to morph, mutate, and play
What do you get the music synth user who’s got everything? Here’s what: mutation and generation options that actually lead you into more tweaking, not away from it. Plus goodies from the original Massive and PPG, and some of our favorite NI effects. Massive XL feels like the sequel Massive X wanted to be. Here’s a first hands-on — at just the right time, with a $99 intro price.
Peter Kirn - October 27, 2026
Music tech Reviews Software Tech
Arturia’s new MiniFreak 49 synth is tactile, exploration-friendly: tested
Peter Kirn - October 20, 2026
Gear Music tech Reviews Stories Tech
Mortal FM Kombat: Plogue’s meticulous OPMZ Yamaha emulation totally slaps
Peter Kirn - September 28, 2026
Music tech Reviews Software Stories Tech
