When arguing merits of vintage synth reproduction, invoking a “plug-in” is often a derogatory slur. Not here – this high-end boutique hardware is made to work with software alone.
Music
In Tbilisi, music is on pause because democracy is on the line
Music Stories October 25, 2024
In music video, Lebanese duo Rust captures emotions of “Diaspora”
Music October 11, 2024
Go support these Lebanese releases on Bandcamp
Music October 4, 2024
How to make dirty, dark techno basslines and percussion with MeeBlip and Riemann
This year has brought screen fatigue and club withdrawal alike, so here’s our friend Florian Meindl to cure both of them at once. Get ready for hands-on hardware – even on a tight budget.
Nyege Nyege Tapes compilation, and general excellent music overload
If you didn’t get to live-stream Uganda’s Nyege Nyege Festival – or you’re ready for more goodness for Kampala – you’re in luck. There’s great music from “across the continent and the wider African diaspora.”
Nodes is a creative visual patcher for people who love code – or is it the other way round?
Love eye candy? Love patching together node-based tools – but don’t want to give up serious JavaScript coding for AI and 2D and 3D graphics and augmented reality? Nodes might be for you. Free, Mac/Windows/Linux. This tool is now coming into its own – and just as winter 2020, amidst bringing a world of hurt, […]
Review: Finding inspiration in a compact mixer again, with 1010music Bluebox
Maybe it’s not about being DAW-less or having particular software or gear. Maybe it’s just having your hands touch a box from the future that gets you into that state of music play. Andreas gives us an in-depth review of the $499 Bluebox.
Arturia’s V Collection 8 makes the massive instrument library bigger; here’s what’s new
It’s the virtual equivalent to someone dropping off the keys to a massive vintage studio. Version 8 leads with new retro additions, a vocoder, and various improvements and features suite-wide.
Free, intimate piano instruments to indulge yourself in
There’s been plenty of talk of comfort foods. For some of us, piano is a comfort instrument. And here are a couple of especially cozy piano instruments to add to your computer – for free.
Exceptional under-the-radar releases worth buying direct, not streaming
There’s too much great music. Let’s impulse buy this great stuff. Strap in, because these releases can sooth you, cheer you, move you, groove you, and remind you of what we’re doing on this planet.
You can tune into Uganda’s Nyege Nyege 2020 festival right now
The east-central African festival has become a global beacon for adventurous music lovers. But this year, you can virtually teleport to Kampala and take in some yourself – right now.
Elektron’s Octatrack 1.4 OS makes both MKI and MKII go deeper
The latest OS update from Elektron takes the beloved workstation and adds a ton of new stuff – making it easier to randomize parameters, trigger sounds via MIDI, edit and perform.