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 […]

I'm traveling to the legendary geekfest that is South by Southwest Interactive Saturday through Tuesday. Going to Austin? Drop me a line via the CDM contact link and let me know; I'd love to meet some CDM readers! Hopefully some of you are geek enough (and, er, expense account-ed enough) to make it! Don't miss […]

A preliminary ruling last week is now final, reports CNet.com. According to the ruling by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge James P. Kleinberg, Apple may subpoena email records from NFox.com, email provider for PowerPage.org. CNet reports the court did not answer the question of whether writers for online 'enthusiast' sites are journalists. (The Electronic […]

Sure, it's fun playing around with convolution reverbs like Apple Logic's Space Designer, but if you really want ultimate flexibility and realistic space modeling, you need Altiverb. It was the first software plugin to feature convolution, and with upcoming version 5, there's no question it's the Rolls Royce of reverb. Check it out: Multichannel IRs […]

The Nintendo DS is already a model for thinking creatively about handheld interaction, but a game slated for Japanese release called Electroplankton looks to be the most creative yet. It's hard to say exactly what it is — maybe just as confusing even if you do read Japanese — but it appears to be an […]

How much do you get out of this "point-one" upgrade to interactive modular software Plogue Bidule (OS X/Windows)? An insane amount, including these highlights: Use joysticks, mouse, keyboards, and other HID devices for MIDI controls New audio looper with more options: graphical loop point editing, adapts automatically to meter and stretches time, and more A […]

Reason 3.0 is released today, and the hype at Propellerhead is turned up so loud you can't hear anyth– what? What did you say? You're not excited by a mastering suite? Why is it this program still can't record audio? What? Sorry, I CAN'T HEAR YOU OVER THE BLASTING ROCK POWER THAT IS THE FLASH […]

Ed: London's Playlist club has been getting a lot play, what with you kids and your iPod DJing phenomenon. It's not all iPods at Playlist, though — aside from breaking details on HP's prototype-only DJammer, Playlist is host to people using all kinds of digital DJ kit. And if you're suffering anglo-envy, there's a club […]