Hexler has done it. Every single platform of this multi-touch MIDI and OSC control app now has native multi-touch support: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and now Linux. And what better way to show it off than on a SteamDeck?
Music
That time Jem and The Holograms went synthesizer shopping
1980s animated Jem and The Holograms was peak Hasbro Saturday morning cartoon and peak US synthpop era. For a glimpse into those two worlds, travel back to an imaginary 1988 synthesizer shopping spree with Jem and the Holograms. That’s right: Jem and Minx went to NAMM.
Natalie Beridze weaves sounds of Tbilisi street protests into an album
Week after week, Georgia is still, still in the streets. Composer Natalie Beridze has transformed recordings of Tbilisi in November and December into a powerful, haunting, full-length wash of sound for Street Life – as the protests continue.
Pigments 6: modal engine, vocoder, more expand this synth playground
Pigments 6 is available now. With a new synth engine, a vocoder, and expanded filters, modulation, and granular capabilities, Arturia’s sound design playset is deeper than ever. But it’s never overwhelming, and this release is the most refined yet. Here’s a review.
The O.G. returns: Lemur controller app is back on the iPad
Predating the iPhone by half a decade, JazzMutant’s Lemur brought Star Trek visions to life* and established many of the multi-touch interactions to come. But its beloved iPad port has been unavailable — until now.
In Kreuzberg, artists from communities in exile present their own vision
It’s a different vision of a festival and exhibition, one that bubbles up from the Kiez instead of being collected in modern palaces. For the next few days, artists from the Berlin neighborhood around Kottbusser Tor will reveal their self-image in communities in exile.
Bitwig enters crowded audio interface space with controller, CV twists
Bitwig is boldly going where other DAW vendors have gone before – making its own audio interface. And there’s control surface integration. But for Eurorack and analog gear lovers, there’s something you don’t normally find: pre-calibrated CV with convenient dedicated minijack connections. (Also: Linux support!)
Korg is reviving the Vestax Handy Trax line with four portable turntables
Take one part “reviving classic gear brands,” mix it with several parts of the legendary Vestax portable turntable, then blend different flavors from digital and effects to hi-fi to tube, and what you get is KORG’s new handytraxx line. There’s not one but four new turntables here, each with its own approach. It’s “portablism” all over again.
Sinevibes Switch – the easiest way to add trancegate, but not just that…
Sometimes it’s the little things. Sinevibes’ Switch gate effect plug-in was just updated to 3.1.0 with a new UI and refined controls. That’s a good reminder to use this one, as it’s the easiest way not just to add classic trancegate effects but also generally add gated motion to your tracks.
Novation Bass Station gets a GForce software model and it’s perfect
Nothing punches like the Novation Bass Station, the UK company’s 1993 analog original. GForce Software makes a pretty good argument for making this a plug-in: emulate all the powerful sound of the synth and its filter, but add awesome modulation, effects, and sequencer/arp, unison mode, up to 16-voice polyphony, and make it mega-affordable (or free with a keyboard controller).