Here's a novel idea: Subliminal's new Tackybrowser lets you browse and drag-and-drop files from any VST host. Sure, if you're using a nice host like Ableton Live you've already got a file browser, but this will plug the hole if you've got a Windows host that lacks one. (via kvraudio) And while we're on "things […]

All this talk of VSTs and Oasys keyboards making you wistful? Why not honor Presidents' Day (and St. Expeditus, patron saint of procrastination — no, really) by journeying back to the golden age of radio and recording. Coutant.org is an absurdly huge repository of vintage microphones (with pictures and even comparative recordings), photographs, and links […]

FreeFrame is an open-source, free, standard plugin format for video and VJs, an open means of developing your own real-time video effects. It's supported in a wide range of VJ and interactive video applications, and even in big-league applications like Director and After Effects via a wrapper. Even if you're not a programmer, check the […]

What if you took an iPod, a drum pad / controller, and a high-end VJ mixer, and put them together? You'd get something like the new Korg Kaptivator. Here's what it does: 40 GB hard drive for storing video clips Two LCDs for watching what you're doing Manipulate clips with an Akai sampler-style touchpad, cross-fader, […]

A combination of not one, but two William Shatner renditions? (Yes, that William Shatner.) Why — this is more than just mash-up, it's a chance to genetically graft the PERFECT SONG! (via Beatmixed, a great mash-up/DJ blog!) ACIDPlanet.com is holding a contest for users to legally mash-up Shatner's "Ideal Woman" and "Has Been". Now, this […]

Polarity's new Tubester 1 is a freeware VST plugin combining preamp, EQ, and guitar speaker simulator. AmpliTube it ain't, but if you need a quick-and-dirty tube amp plug with low CPU overhead, this could be the trick. There's no custom UI; it uses whatever your host supplies. (via Harmony Central) While you're there, check out […]

Rosegarden, the free Linux digital audio workstation with multitrack audio, MIDI, and notation features, is pre-release software no more. Version 1.0 has gone gold, available for download for Linux or as part of Fervent Software's Studio-to-Go CD, which will run on Windows PCs without installation. Fervent has helped support Rosegarden's accelerated development, and if you […]

A DJ in Rome was fined an incredible EUR 1.4 million for the 2,000 MP3s and 500 digital music videos he was gigging with, reports Macworld UK. (via thedigitalmusicweblog) The Italians don't mess around: a coordinated police effort is hunting down illegal music use, and the DJ's home was raided to prove he didn't own […]

A new audio software collective called plasq has released Musolomo, a free Mac OS X AudioUnit instrument. It's designed for sampling, playing, and manipulating audio from a MIDI keyboard — so you can work from the keyboard instead of staring at your computer screen. That's right, finally your audiences will know you're doing something musical […]

Need proof that digital modeling has arrived? Look no further than Rad Monkey's Digital Cowbells. No, not the electric cowbells with electric pickups. The upcoming VLC800 digital-modeled cowbell with onboard DSP and models of classic cowbells like "Black Beauty, Oregon Trail Model 75, Alma Cogan Model V," and my personal favorite "Chicken Nugget." (via Gina […]