Deep in the annals of software’s virtual guts, its wires and nodes, what defines patching on the computer is that it’s eminently human. Perhaps in this age of instant results, that’s drawing a new generation to the manual, personal labor of computer construction. So now is a perfect time for Max-patching musician Tom Hall — and no one better to interview him than our friend David Abravanel.

Ewan Bristow and CRQL have created pure, manic magic with this one. UZU mangles sounds through a wormhole, via what is technically a spectral Frequency Domain Filter. And yes, FL Studio fans may recognize some of the characteristics of the phaser in Image-Line’s wonderful Harmor synth.

Wake up! A new BBD just dropped. It’s an analog delay circuit, but a new-generation design — the first such genuinely new chip design in decades. And that means you could argue the biggest announcement of this year in music technology is the smallest. Meet the SSI2100 from Sound Semiconductor, coming soon to music gear new you.

The microKORG2 had the immediacy and cute factor of the microKORG, but even at its still-economical price, we needed more. And wow, did we get it. The logue SDK means this is an adorable synth that can load custom oscillators and effects — including Sinevibes creations. This could be the new “it” keyboard for the masses. It’s even got Achievements. (Really.)

There are two things we should be doing more of: cramming independent music into our minds and embracing grassroots aid. Last week, Northern Cebu in the Philippines was hit by a devastating earthquake. Local outlet Pawn Records has some beautiful music to support and not nearly enough people supporting it. Let’s change that, CDM readers. I’m curious to see how many people we can get onboard.

Audacity always had some appealing features, not least of which being free and open source. But a glimpse inside the design work being done on Audacity 4 suggests it could become something else: a slick, efficient wave editor that just happens to be free. This UI breakdown will be of interest to anyone pondering UI/UX in creative tools.

Akai’s MPC Live III hits the same week as Roland’s new analog-digital flagship. This new standalone box has an updated 8-core processor and specs, enabling new features — but the biggest story here is expressive pads with 3D sensing.

It’s a master class in Western “common practice” music and its power. It decodes complex music theory and its impact on the mind. It’s also got some deeply entertaining action with a bearded psychiatrist operating a reel-to-reel machine and filters. Let’s watch this 1975 episode of BBC’s Horizon on the science of music and MUZAK.

Louna Sbou, the director of Berlin cultural space Oyoun, is one of hundreds of civilians whom Israel illegally detained in international waters yesterday. It’s yet another moment highlighting the ongoing genocide. Here is my appeal to all my friends and colleagues across culture and creative technology in Germany: will you do something?

Roland’s new flagship drum machine leaked everywhere. But we’ve got details on what’s new under the hood, including specifics on analog voices, expanded ACB modeling and other digital features, and new sampling powers, direct from the source. You wanted a new monster from Japan? You got it.