As an Iranian diaspora meets overlooked German scenes – as Cologne artists play alongside Iranian artists making unique appearances in Europe – Timcheh is another meeting point of new sound beyond borders. It’s in Cologne this week, but here’s some don’t-miss music if you can’t make it in person.
Music
In Tbilisi, music is on pause because democracy is on the line
Music Stories October 25, 2024
In music video, Lebanese duo Rust captures emotions of “Diaspora”
Music October 11, 2024
MINIDEXED puts 8 DX7 emulators on a USB stick
It’s a TX816 on a keychain! Someone (“Kevin”?) has put together a Raspberry Pi Zero-based build that lets you carry around eight DX7 emulator instances on a USB stick.
Erica Synths LXR Drum and Pērkons HD-01 each get big updates
Drum machine November continues. Erica Synths also dropped big updates for not one but two of their drum machines. Here’s what’s new, in case you missed it late last week.
Mindmeld Shapemaster LFO-MSEG for VCV Rack and creating drums
Mindmeld Shapemaster Pro is a must-have add-on for the VCV Rack modular environment. It’s a multi-stage envelope generator, VCA, and complex VCO, and for starters, a video out today will show you how to use it to make drums.
The best deals on music software and gear you still can get right now
The avalanche of sales can be overwhelming, and Cyber Monday sounds like a weird themed costume night, but here are some top picks to grab musical tools and toys. And it’s great to be able to support folks making business around music making, so I’ve highlighted some small and independent makers where I can, plus the shops where their stuff is sold.
Free Valhalla Supermassive Reverb/Delay 3: Leo and Virgo
That invaluable reverb/delay we’d probably buy if it cost money, except it’s free, has gotten yet another landmark update. Leo and Virgo rising: it’s the densest yet and the sparsest yet.
“High” and “low” pitch are not universal; sometimes there are crocodiles
“High” and “low” pitch are universal, right? Wrong. Try large and small, thick and thin, and among Zimbabwe’s Shona people, even crocodile and … those who follow crocodile. A newly updated online resource is collecting variants.
Freakshow Industries wants you to know you can’t preorder Dicksmasher
Dicksmasher, the upcoming “weaponized distortion technology” from Freakshow Industries, can’t be preordered and you’ll have to “wait 1000 years” or something. Also, sadly, Freakshow Industries seems not to be doing their usual Black Friday sale where they make everything more expensive. But we do have teasers.
1010music bluebox Eurorack review: mix, record, FX, USB, and CV
We already found 1010music’s bluebox a musically inspiring combination of mixer, multitrack recorder/player, and effects. The leap to Eurorack has opened up even greater potential, producing this $699 multitasker.
ALM/Busy Circuits MFD: DJ crossfader, cue, VCA, stereo mixer for Eurorack
Mixer madness in Eurorack continues. ALM’s MFD features 2-channel stereo mixing with crossfader (on a knob), preview cue, and voltage control, so it’s also a stereo VCA.