Unsettling experimental sounds as Ukrainian artists go full hacklab

Young, restless, unruly hearts from deep in Ukraine arrive with two recent releases. The results are unsettling in the best possible way as we trip into space – and learn that baby kangaroos are seriously punk.

In the 90s, this astrophysicist made trippy pop from star sounds

“Who is Dr. Fiorella Terenzi? I’ll take 90s LaserDiscs for $600, Alex. Wait – back up, here’s more of Dr. Terenzi, how she worked with space sound, and how she collaborated with Thomas Dolby, with some classic vintage clips. Get ready for a big transition in this interview: Dr. Terenzi was (and is) a Milan-born, […]

Arturia’s AstroLab: standalone V Collection and Pigments stage keys

Arturia has taken their V Collection, Pigments, and Analog Instruments and packed them into a gorgeous stage piano – no computer required. That probably brings some questions to mind – here are some answers and nitty-gritty technical details.

Android users get Polaris, a new pocket music maker

If you’ve got a beloved Android smartphone (or even tablet), here’s some rare news: there’s a new Android-exclusive music-making tool available. Polaris gives you quick-and-easy sequencing, modulation, synthesis, and sample manipulation in an elegant, minimal interface. And it looks perfect for quick sketching when you’re flying in coach or passing some spare moments.

Arturia teasing announcement, livestream keynote for Tuesday

French maker Arturia is reaching its 25th birthday, and they’re promising some news. Cue the Also sprach Zarathustra or, uh, Ainsi parlait Arturia.

24 Hours Palestine is broadcasting now, connecting community radio worldwide

In times of darkness and violence, radio is quietly being reborn on the internet – drawing together community stations, and marginalized communities, speaking in a chorus in multiple languages. “It is difficult for people to imagine now what Palestine looked like without the separation wall” is echoing as I write this. Tune into 24 Hours […]

A plug-in simulates your music being played in a club – even by a trash DJ

From perfectly tuned, powerful sound systems to blown-out speakers and DJs playing in the red, G-Sonique’s PA Club plug-in emulates nightlife sound. I’ve been testing it, and the results are impressively realistic.

Roland SP-404MKII power up: loop capture, Koala integration, lots more

Happy 404 Day, indeed. Roland has a huge update to the SP-404MKII, adding some of the best of the Roland stable to turn the 404 into a live-looping, sampling, multitrack-exporting, bassline-making, app-connected powerhouse – and it finally grooves. Plus, in a surprise twist, Roland is connecting to the third-party Koala iOS/Android app. Let’s break down 4.04.

Normcore, hard techno: The Last DJ is the influencer we need right now

Imagine your Dad/Granddad. Imagine the corner home office. Now imagine he’s got an Elektron Syntakt and he’s making the most brutal EBM and techno. You’re getting the picture: meet Nick Hayes, aka The Last DJ.

Free ChucK sound coding is now in Unreal Engine – and it’s a big deal

What happens when ChucK, the free elegant and fast sound coding environment, comes to Unreal Engine, the free-for-most-users game engine that’s also a motion graphics and live audiovisual tool? Nerdy magic, that’s what — a reason to turn off your phone alerts and hide and make the immersive AV world of your dreams. Or pretend you’re a Stanford student. It’s … Chunreal!