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.

1980’s Hole-in-Space reveals the beauty of video chat – and what 2020 is missing

It’s impossible to get perspective on video chat in the middle of a pandemic and the age of Zoom. For fresh eyes, see video chat as if you’re from 1980 – and as employed by a pioneering artist duo.

Glitchy grooves for 90€, as the Bastl Kastle gets a drum synth sequel

Who said 2020 was devoid of holiday spirit? Nerd Santa Claus* came through, at least, because Bastl Instruments have made a quirky, sexy good time in the Kastle Drum, a drum-focused follow-up to their adorable Kastle.

Free Nano community modules for Reaktor Blocks, with TidalCycles support and tons of toys

Toybox are going wild with powerful modules for Reaktor Blocks, the Eurorack-style patching environment. And that includes tons and tons of free modules – now with cool features like integration with the TidalCycles live coding environment.

Atom™ and X1N vs Esplendor Geométrico is just the brutal industrial groove we need now

If your engine needs some oil, look to the latest release from our friends over at raster – made even more brutal with an intervention by some Spanish industrial legends of the 80s.

Sinevibes Node packs a 4-op FM synth into KORG gear – even the $99 NTS-1

Our friend Artemiy has raved at length about why he loves KORG’s hardware development platform, but he just went and did what’s probably the craziest thing yet. Everyone gets an FM engine.

The best motion and VJ deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Live visual software makers have made Black Friday a kind of ritual, too – which means now is probably the best time to get that VJ license you’ve been wanting. (Bonus: in 2020, you alone may stand between a viewer and an abyss of boredom in a livestream.)

Free synth – bring back Radio Shack synthesis with the MG-1 Plus

At the dawn of the 1980s, anyone could buy a Moog-manufactured synth for $500 – at their local Radio Shack. And now you can add this distinctive synth for free.

Come to the Spanish desert to watch Julia Bondar play a live modular set

You need a virtual vacation. This one comes with synthesizers, too – courtesy Julia Bonder, who’s not coincidentally Creative Director at module maker endorphin.es. It’s heavy – and you’ll want to dance. (Dance off anything you just ate, USA.)

The best music makers’ deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

We’ve got the season of the virus lockdown to get through – stocking up on some music-making joy seems a very good idea. To try to cut through the noise, here are some of the most appealing deals in one place. This post will be updated continuously through the week. And yeah, there’s actually too […]