Let’s not get sucked into any mention of the “metaverse” – from the standpoint of pure graphics power on mere-mortal PCs, Unreal is one of the tools that is now seriously accessible for artists, even on a budget. And that’s worth celebrating, given it previously required getting a rare gig in a Hollywood VFX company.

Here’s a tip: change your browser preferences to open this groovebox as a new tab / homepage, any time you need to escape doomscrolling, social media, and depressing news and get back in the groove.

For all the hardware and software out there, some tools just shine as dreams for sound design – and this particular update is well worth the wait. Pigments now adds cross-modulation, distortion, new filters and wavetables, and M1 native performance, but the sum is greater than those parts.

Leafcutter John would like to invite you for a walk in a forest full of generative notes and sounds – a playground of his musical world. And it’s just full of great stuff – a “living thing” you can try out for free / support via suggested donation.

Sinevibes’ Artemiy Pavlov has been raving about the potential of KORG’s ‘logue from the start. Now he’s finally done what he threatened – stuff a whole computer software setup into hardware, even the $99 NTS-1.

The plug-in recalls the 1930s experiments of Maurice Martenot – and it comes with buttons to add chains and a pillow.

Presets? We don’t need no stinkin’ presets. Just like you can now wire up your own synths, effects, and sequencers, you can patch together visual effects, too. And the folks at Resolume are making it extra easy with templates, examples, and tutorials. Let’s get distorted.

The new generation of MacBook Pro isn’t cheap – but without a doubt, it marks the return of the great Apple flagship notebook. It’s long-haul in every sense of the phrase.

cables.gl is the powerful modular visual creation tool you can patch together in your browser, free. And no sooner than I finished that free sound round-up than I saw news they’ve got a major new update, complete with new visual powers and – finally – direct recording.

Patching for the people – there’s no reason cost or access has to keep you from the powers and fun of modular synthesis and music making. VCV Rack’s launch this month got lots of attention, but there are other options, too. Here the latest, best picks.