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 […]

Boing boing (you know, the site where I'm picking fights with Star Trek TNG veterans — more on that soon) gets the scoop on a disco club for toddlers (4 to 6 year olds). The velvet rope is in full force: the installation is at upscale Paris clothing shop Colette (makes Bergdorf look as un-hip […]

Yes, I’m sure I’m late to the party on this one, but I couldn’t resist sharing. What’s better than a personality quiz in Cosmo Magazine? Almost anything. What’s better than a ‘what synth are you?’ quiz? Absolutely nothing. You are a Korg Triton You have multi-sampled preset sounds ranging from opera to bongos and a […]

Wondered what the fuss is about physical modeling? This synthesis technique surfaced years ago, but you're going to be seeing a lot more of it thanks to faster CPUs. Here's a snapshot explanation of what it is and how it came to be. Why you need it: A violin is not a sine wave: Traditional […]

What began as a controversy over leaked information regarding an external audio interface called Asteroid is rapidly becoming a critical legal battle for journalist privilege. Apple now wants access to email records at Nfox.com, the email provider for Jason O'Grady's PowerPage.org, says the Electronic Frontier Foundation. (see also an article from the UK's Inquirer) This […]

Free reverb? Ho-hum. Free reverb that can simulate bizarre acoustic spaces and even make your mix sound like it's underwater? Now you're talking. Dasample Glaceverb (VST Windows) is a Residual Vector Modulation reverb plugin — think physical modeling applied to reverb. With control over every parameter of the space and its materials and 64 presets, […]

Mercurial Innovations Group's STC-1000 is two devices combined in one MIDI unit: it's an X-Y continuous touch controller, and a programmable multi-zone percussion-style MIDI trigger. In other words, you can use it like a sophisticated touchpad for controlling filters and synth parameters, or use its zones as drum/note triggers. Street price US$225. (Why not by […]

Linux for music is everywhere, from the power behind the Korg Oasys to new, more usable Linux desktop music software. CDM got a chance to talk to Chris Cannam of Fervent Software, developers of the Linux-based Studio-to-Go. Chris tells us a bit more about Studio-to-Go, as well as more generally the past, present, and future […]

Congratulations to this year's Grammy Winners (listed at soundgenerator.com). It was a banner year for high-profile Mac users from Black Eyed Peas to U2, and the iTunes Music Store is accordingly offering US$7.99 for the winning albums. Digitally-created music wasn't left out, either; traditional rockers dominated most categories but Basement Jaxx, electronic winner, had plenty […]