Bizarre, Pricey Resonator Neuronium; New Retro Blog

Got EUR2499 burning a whole in your pocket, eh? Maybe you’re an eccentric hardware synth lover, who made your unspendable fortune on . . . oh, I don’t know . . . genetic engineering or artificial intelligence. Maybe you can both appreciate and afford Jürgen Michaelis’ new synth, the Resonator Neuronium. There are certainly things […]

The Violin That Plays Itself

“The dream of a violin that can play itself has tantalized inventors for over a century.” Well . . . mad scientist inventors, maybe, along with dreams of self-cleaning carrots and ironing boards that can go into battle. Nonetheless, here it is: I give you the Gulbransen Virtuoso Violin, a QRS Pianomation Player Violin. Put […]

MIDI-Controlled Beer Bottle Organ

There are times when I can say something wittier than the manufacturer’s ad copy. This is NOT one of those times: The Bottle Organ is a real showstopper! It plays by blowing across the tops of real beer bottles, which are permanently tuned. And the music is so lovable! Driven by contemporary MIDI technology, the […]

Introducing Downsampled: Welcome, Computer Music Readers!

I’m pleased to announce a new feature here on CDM, linking the site to the UK-based print publication Computer Music. Create Digital Music Downsampled will be a new monthly feature in the print version of Computer Music, each month featuring a major theme I’ve covered here on createdigitalmusic.com. The topics come straight out of CDM, […]

Downsampled 1: Next-Generation Gaming and Music

Introducing Downsampled: in conjunction with Computer Music Magazine (UK), CDM will look monthly at an overview of a hot topic on the site. First up: next-generation gaming and music. Here’s a roundup of just some of the relevant stories on CDM. Nintendo markets music-making as game: Start your own Wi-Fi Nintendo Band with the Nintendo […]

Gaming + Music: More on Xbox 360’s Groundbreaking Visualizer

Legendary game developer Jeff Minter, the Llamasoft founder behind vintage classics like Tempest 2k, has had musical visualizers on the brain for some time. Now, he wants to take “retina-searing” visuals with music to the next left with Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 console. His latest light synth, Neon, will even be bundled with the machine. […]

Gaming + Music: Guitar Hero

Our friend Josh Randall at game developer Harmonix sends along his latest: Guitar Hero Guitar Game for PS2 The game comes with a guitar PS2 controller. We’re not allowed to see photos yet, but it’ll look like a guitar with “fret” and “strum” controls. Music includes Red Hot Chili Peppers, David Bowie, Boston, The Donnas, […]

Info Wanted: Webcor Music Machine (Karaoke FM Radio Synth?!)

Okay, synth sleuths. Here’s a puzzler for you from composer/producer Fer Isella. He’s got a mysterious instrument called the Webcor Music Machine he retrieved from a backyard sale, but can’t find out anything about it: It’s really amazing sounding. It’s called “The Music Machine” by Webcor. It’s got organ section, rhythm section, tape player and […]

Gaming + Music: More on Xbox 360's Groundbreaking Visualizer

Legendary game developer Jeff Minter, the Llamasoft founder behind vintage classics like Tempest 2k, has had musical visualizers on the brain for some time. Now, he wants to take “retina-searing” visuals with music to the next left with Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 console. His latest light synth, Neon, will even be bundled with the machine. […]

Review: DJ Shortee How-To DJ DVDs

DJ Eldorado is back with a guest review of instructional DVDs that aim to teach you how to DJ — and to his surprise, given the challenge of teaching DJing, he’s got only good things to say. Drop the iPods and learn real vinyl and computer programs like Final Scratch: can these show you the […]