Minimal Audio’s Current, more than even most sprawling soft synths, is as much a sound creation laboratory as it is an instrument. Current 2.0 and online updates helped realize their original vision, and it stands out as a highlight of last year – and one to dig in deeper in 2025.

Soundhack creator Tom Erbe joins musician-synthesist Sarah Belle Reid for a fascinating dive into the Make Noise Spectraphon, spectral animation, and Buchla history. IYKYK – but if you don’t know, that’s one Hell of a spectral historical West Coast trip.

Winter is far from over. Or, erm, summer; I don’t know which hemisphere you’re in. You need to prep for what’s ahead by stocking up on music gear and software now. I am the voice of your Gear/Plugin Acquisition Syndrome, and this is my hand-picked list.

Nothing about this year was normal; next year promises the same. But that’s what music is for – to reframe moments in time.

David Abravanel is one of the people who has shaped this site’s musical awareness over the years. In a year when we turn to music for meaning, I’m even more grateful for his annual picks. It’s an astonishing list, and makes some good listening homework for the start of the year. (Time to clean house/studio and sit back and listen!)

From Egyptology and Commodore Amiga to reflecting on AI and selecting the best physical modeling tools, Ed and Andy (Plaid) open up about their work and practice. We’re turning this year into the next with talks with our favorite artists.

It’s what VCV Rack users have been waiting for. Instruō has Apple Silicon-native support for its software module clones, plus, for all platforms, the cèis envelope generator and powerful øchd modulation expander. And it’s all freeware.

While the year draws to a close and much of the world is focused on holidays, Tbilisi’s music community is out in force in ongoing protests, fighting for Georgian democracy.

From La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela to Valee and Gangsta Boo, Michael Vincent Waller talks to us about collaboration, mixing, and connecting the dots between modern Classical/new concert music and hip-hop.

Noah Pred has a fantastic free treat out on Manifest Audio for Ableton Live and Max for Live. Percotone is monophonic, expressive, playable, and full of tonal, pitch-mangling delights. It’s just the thing for sneaking in some quick sound experiments in the waning days of the year.