MIDI is still a reality of life for connecting all kinds of instruments. The most compact MIDI adapters act basically like a MIDI-to-USB cable, but many of those are 1-in / 1-out only and look ugly as hell. Romio from Reflex is different: 1-In, 2-Out (for 32, count `em, channels), and it's simply gorgeous, at […]

Too shy to make funny voices while using your sock puppet? Be the life of a party, with a MIDI sock puppet that can make silly 'singing' noises or play a synth. A single flex sensor (we're guessing) can even manipulate pitch in a mode. Brought to you by UK's Matthew Irvine Brown and, of […]

In this corner, from the Land of the Setting Sun of CA, we have the gorgeous, easy-to-use, "I'm an incredibly-expensive cheese-grater" Power Mac G5. And in this corner, the "Hide me under your desk before I scare small children" utilitarian black box from Austin, the Dell Precision 470. Which will whip through progress bars so […]

Tired of getting sued for sampling? Creative Commons offers licenses for pro musicians that lets them keep their copyright while giving people the right to sample or use their sounds. Artists choose how much control you have, but if they opt for a sampling license, you can get access to sample sources free. I was […]

No, not a USB interface to MTV's Real World. The Muio is a new interface to real-world sensors and devices (motors, robotics, etc.). It works via USB, and sends and receives MIDI, OSC, and a socket/UDP stream using XML, accessed via Windows DLL or Mac OS X Framework. (CDM issues an 'if you have to […]

Synthtopia today interviews NYC multimedia artist Jessica Vale, creator of The Sex Album — recorded sounds of people having sex manipulated into electronica with vocals by Bale on top (pun intended). So how's the album? Well, while some of the found sounds are recognizable, others get mashed into undistinguished digital mush, so with the addition […]

CDM welcomes new contributor Liz who's going to allow us to live vicariously through her and make believe we're in sunny south Florida. Here's the latest on the Ultra Music Festival lineup: The lineup for the seventh annual event, now an official Winter Music Conference closing event, is unbelievable. Timo Maas is will be performing […]

Gizmodo scoops CDM today for latest riot-control technology with the Sonic Devastator (though, um, some spelling issues with the product?) This ain't just for your German punk band, kids: it's a real DIY weapon. Create an ultrasonic blast capable of "inducing intense pain and discomfort in humans and animals." Oh, and it even has adjustable […]

Happiness is a 4×4 grid of buttons. Why should Akai owners have all the fun? Add Ableton Live, and life is good: tap away drum beats with your fingers, trigger samples, and (perfect for Live) trigger audio and MIDI patterns and loops. M-Audio's new Trigger Finger should cost around US$199 and features: (see original story […]

Jeremy from Nashville points out that Apple's Logic Express is now available in a free trial, which I believe is new. (Pro isn't available in trial as it requires hardware copy protection.) So, if you're tired of having to listen to message board arguments about whether Logic is the app to get, give it a […]