VJ, meet Eurorack: excellent Vidvox VDMX LFO, step sequencer tutorial

It’s all about wiring this into that. So why not connect VIDVOX’s evergreen Mac VJ software to your Eurorack modular, using the LFO and step sequencer as modulation sources? The mind boggles at the potential, and this video shows you how.

Put headphones on your heart and enter Leeni’s magical chip music world

From an ultra-meta cover of Lana del Rey’s “Video Games” on video game consoles to poignant chip ballads and Underworld covers, plus “8-dimensional” spatial electropop, if you don’t know Seattle-based synthpop music artist Leeni Ramadan, now is the time. Oh, and if that hasn’t already made your day, stick around for “doom-wop” covers of Britney Spears.

AAS Multiphonics CV-2 now follows dynamics, pitch from inputs

Applied Acoustics Systems’ software modular, Multiphonics CV-2, just got a big update with the ability to follow an input’s dynamic level and pitch, plus new modules for pitch shifting and working with control voltage math.

Elektron Digitakt II: stereo sampling, multiple FX, more horsepower, storage

Eletkron’s Digitakt II, leaked earlier today, is now official. This beefs up some of the specs under the hood to keep pace with features like expanded effects and modulation, 16 voices (up from 8), 20 GB internal storage, and stereo sampling, all with a more refined shell and display. It’s an incremental update, but it does sweeten the deal.

Class is in session: DeForrest Brown on Black innovation in music

If you want a take on exactly how Black innovators have influenced music, look to this full-length lecture (and performance) from DeForrest Brown. It’s your free ticket to sit in at Harvard.

Grimes update: technical team describes failure, aftermovie

Perhaps taking a page out of pro wrestling, there’s a good chance that Grimes staged her “technical difficulties” at Coachella as a kind of performance art.

VCV Rack 2.5: powerful stackable inputs, cable color customization

VCV Rack, the free and open-source virtual module platform, gets a tidy refresh with input cable stackings and cable color customization. That input stacking opens up more than you might think, too.

Boiler Room Syria in heavy, “overtly disobedient” sounds of diaspora

Shot back in 2022, Boiler Room Syria and Sadaa Sound Syndicate captured a moment in the diasporic Syrian music scene. It’s an image of techno’s new, political, “disobedient” significance to people in exile and perhaps a glimpse of where techno may go in 2024.

Ubuntu Studio in new LTS beta; still the easiest creative Linux distro

Ubuntu Studio remains the quickest one-shot way to get at Linux and free software for music, sound, video, media, and 3D. And they deserve some extra love now, especially since Apple Silicon has slightly deflated desktop Linux attention. Here’s a look at the long-term support version that just hit beta, due later this month.

Virus TI, beloved techno weapon, now has a Max for Live editor

Access’ Virus TI and TI2 may have been quietly discontinued this year, but the love for them continues. And now Nick Kaniak has unveiled a powerful-looking editor for the two instruments, built in Max for Live. That’s great news for macOS users who lack an editor – and even Push support is coming.