Find whole worlds inside samples: Baby Audio Grainferno deep dive

Per-grain processing, automatic pitch controls, drag-and-drop modulation, and audio-rate oscillations — Grainferno proves there are still unexplored frontiers in granular synthesis and hand-crafted DSP. It’s addictive to add the synth to projects, drag in sounds, and see what you can discover.

Guide: Get started patching in Max for Live with abl Objects

You know Max for Live can help you create your own instruments and effects in Ableton Live — but you’ve got to take the first step. Max 9’s addition of ABL objects gives you a huge leg up, unlocking Ableton’s own DSP building blocks in ready-to-mod form. Let’s dive straight in, because this is both an easy entry point for absolute beginners and a toolset that’s useful to experienced patchers, too.

Peter Kirn - September 30, 2025

Roland’s Tadeo Kikumoto on 808, part by part: the ukiyo-e drum machine

You think you know the 808? Listen to how Mr. Tadeo Kikumoto, Roland’s lead developer at the time, talks about what went into the machine. That walks through origins, from kick to claps, in this excerpt from the book Inspire the Music: 50 Years of Roland History, thanks to publisher Bjooks.

Peter Kirn - August 8, 2025