Messe: Adrian Picks – Reason, Other Apps Running Plug-ins?

Another pick from CDM correspondent’s Adrian Anders and his Windows-tuned radar: You’ve got an app. You’ve got some VST plug-ins. Only problem is, your app doesn’t support plug-ins. That’s long been a complaint about apps like djDecks, Traktor, and Reason. Developer BEB Digital Audio claims to have solved the problem with a product called Effektor, […]

Vintage Japanese Synths, Electronics Saved from Ban (Really)

The Japan Times, an English-language newspaper, reports today that the Japanese government is backpedaling on its plans to ban the sale of used electronics. (Thanks to velocipede for the tip, in comments on our previous story.) It sounds as though musical instruments were at the heart of the controversy, as Ryuichi Sakamoto argued for vintage […]

Bob Moog’s Vision: New Moog Synth Specs Officially Confirmed

Sometimes I forget I’m dealing with Moog Music. Apple wanted to dig through the email accounts of websites republishing specs of a rumored audio interface it never shipped. But Moog? They’ve basically said, oh, whoops, we accidentally leaked specs, and have nicely provided official confirmation on the front page of their Website. Basically, what you’ve […]

Free IK/Sonic Reality Sounds for Reason: TasteFill

Reason is more than a soft synth package: it’s a platform, with rich support from a devoted community and, increasingly, an incredible amount of soundware tailored to the program’s unique features. IK Multimedia and Sonic Reality are going hog wild with new sounds for the app, and the quality of their Sonic Refills is very […]

Free, Do-Everything Stereo FX/Modulation Plug-in for Mac

It slices, it dices! It runs in GarageBand! (and every other AudioUnit host on the Mac) How much would you pay for an effect that has a stereo delay, random pattern generator, envelope follower, “glitchy” decimator, ring modulator, low and high shelf filters, lowpass filter, and a randomizer for parameters? That’s not one, not two, […]

Japan Banning, or Not Banning, Vintage Tech; Protesting with Famicoms

Matrixsynth and Music thing have continued their coverage of Japan’s hated new PSE law, set to go in effect April 1, which would ban sales and purchase of used equipment that fails strict electrical certification — read, all that vintage game and music gear you love so much. Trying to follow this story is more […]

Manage your Mac and PC Plug-ins: PlugAdmin

Plug-ins are great, and they’re a nightmare. They’re great because you have access to literally tens of thousands of virtual sound making and processing devices, from costly works of art to bizarre free toys. They’re a nightmare because the plug-ins in the latter category — the odd free plug-in you just downloaded — can crash […]

Mobile Music: Tracker for Nintendo DS, DS Homebrew Music Roundup

Music creation in your pocket — and a little Metroid Hunters to boot? Believe it. The Nintendo DS is taking off as a platform for homebrewed music creation. First glimpsed via comments here, Tobw has launched his NitroTracker for Nintendo DS. Based on tracker-style sequencers of old, NitroTrack is a sophisticated mobile composition tool, with […]

Why I (Still) Love Soundtrack Pro for Sound Design; Soundtrack for Intel

Soundtrack Pro 1.03 finally feels about perfect. The software itself aside, here’s why it matters to me — and why its transition to Intel will be different from its pro brethren. Standalone audio editors can save tremendous amounts of time, preparing samples for instruments, batch processing recordings, fixing problematic audio, and generally letting you focus […]

Music Software Memory Lane: Vintage IIGS Apps (And 80s-Chic Covers)

From the commentary on historical music software interfaces prompted by the colored bars of the Music Animation Machine, you won’t want to miss this: The Apple IIGS Anachronistic Application Ring: Creative Aural Applications