Millions of children worldwide use Scratch to enter the world of programming. Now there’s a new way to connect to music, as Roland teams up with MIT.
Music
2025 in review: meaningful music for when things fall apart
Best Of Music Stories December 31, 2025
Clark on friendly parasites and why music needs friction
Music Stories December 27, 2025
“Magic Can Be Fun”: remembering Ken Downie of The Black Dog
Music Stories December 23, 2025
Roland R-07 wants to be your next recorder – and your phone’s friend
Smartphones have already changed how we think about cameras. So what about recording? The newest handheld in Roland’s popular line has one answer to that.
CDM Mixes: Voyage into sound like a mystic space cat, with akkamiau
Start your week right with some underground technoes. akkamiau is the multi-faceted Czech-born Akkamiau Kočičí, and she kicks off a special January for us.
How to make the free VCV Rack modular work with Ableton Link
VCV Rack, the free Eurorack modular emulation software, is a perfect match for wireless sync. Here’s how to do it, step by step.
Here’s the music in 2017 that gave us strength
Music can make us stronger, helps us face challenges. So forget talking about which music was “best.” Here’s some music that made us better.
Get a kid to explain clock: Caitlin’s modular clock tutorial is must-watch
If The Mad Music Machine thought that getting young Caitlin in her Christmas crown to explain modular clock signals would grab attention … they were right.
Step one: How to start using VCV Rack, the free modular software
So, you’re ready to try a free and open platform for modular synths – even if you’re new to modular. Here’s how to get started.
Arturia’s Fairlight, Clavinet, DX-7, and Buchla Easel are each a steal
Arturia now offer these classic instruments individually – with another 50% off through January 10 – and have video tutorials to teach you how to use them.
Roland gets you going on their DJ controllers, Serato with free samples
The Roland-Serato combination stakes out a clear niche: adding live techniques to DJ routines. Now some free sounds and videos will get you started.
Have yourself some very procedural holidays in your browser
Holiday greeting cards: you can buy them in a supermarket. You can draw them in crayon. Or you can custom-code a generative interactive Web greeting.













