JW-Modules free Grains, Buffer are must-downloads for VCV Rack

We’ve had a deluge of superb VCV Rack modules, carrying straight over into the first days of the new year. But let’s skip to this one: Jeremy Wentworth’s free Grains is the granular sampler you’ve been waiting for, now available for VCV Rack and 4ms MetaModule. Bonus: my guide to other granular modules in Rack… and a surprise teaser.

LANDR acquires Reason Studios; takeaways from that announcement

LANDR, the AI-powered music platform, has acquired Reason Studios. That pairs Reason with the Montreal-based platform for mastering and distribution, and LANDR subsidiary SynchroArts (makers of VocAlign and Revoice Pro).

Peter Kirn - January 6, 2026

Offbeat and daring music in games 2025 — most on sale now

For all the twin woes of the gaming and music worlds, last year saw even more imaginative explorations of music and games. Steam has extended sales on some items and third party sites have codes from a recent sale; Epic Game Store’s sale runs through January 8. And there’s a lot of winter ahead, so let’s dive in.

Peter Kirn - January 5, 2026

OB-Xf, free and open-source Oberheim-inspired synth, is now in beta

Peter Kirn - January 2, 2026

Autodafe has an explainer on getting JE-8086 up and running

Peter Kirn - December 31, 2025

A free emulator of Roland JP-8000 and the love of supersaws and trance

Peter Kirn - December 30, 2025

The best holiday, end-of-year deals on software and gear you can still get

Peter Kirn - December 29, 2025

Boxing Day: get those xmas freebies and be serenaded by an Atari ST

Peter Kirn - December 26, 2025

Etsuko’s Eterna for monome norns, an elegant 6-voice slice instrument

Peter Kirn - December 26, 2025

CDM Newswire

brings together the latest breaking news on music, technology, gear, and live visuals. Got a project, found a news tip, or want to share your product? Submit to us directly.

Submit to CDM NEWSWIRE