Bastl Bestie puts stereo, pre-listen, overdrive, creative feedback in an ultra-portable mixer

There’s now a bevy of mobile gear that runs on batteries – but how to mix it? That’s where Bastl’s new Bestie mixer comes in, with full stereo operation, mute switches with pre-listen, USB-C and battery operation – and the option to add distortion and even zero-input feedback. With summer coming to the northern hemisphere, this could be just the park / beach gadget we want.

Intellijel’s Flurry is a module full of noise

It’s not just static anymore. Noise can be a source of pattern and shape, sound colors, and variety. Intellijel’s Flurry builds on the company’s previous outing in noise – and it adds a whole lot more. Here’s a first look.

The Ukrainian-made Pulsar drum machine is reborn on iOS

The Pulsar is a mostly forgotten preset drum machine from Zhytomir, Ukraine’s Elektrovimiruvach military plant. Now this unique device gets a second life on iOS.

Watch Novation Circuit Tracks, Circuit Rhythm as companion to Eurorack with Trovarsi

It’s often Eurorack and something else that makes a workable live rig. Here’s the wonderful Trovarsi showing off some ideas working with the Novation Circuit Rhythm and Circuit Tracks.

Sequential Take 5 polysynth v2 doubles up sounds, adds tuning and tweaking tools

The Take 5 is something special – all the goodness of the Sequential range in one balanced, affordable, compact package. And now the polysynth for the rest of us adds a ton of sounds and sound features, like envelope repeat, LFO slew, tuning choices, Lo-Fi effect, and more.

Pyr: A free 12-voice string model for Ableton Live with polyphonic pitch bend

Iftah Gabbai has a new freebie, and it’s a total gem – a polyphonic modeled string instrument that pairs perfectly with his Microtuner (or other tuning tools).

Kilohearts Phase Plant now has a Granular Generator (and a Sound Editor)

Kiloheart’s unique semi-modular soft synth now adds a granular synthesis engine in its granulator section – and since you’ll need it, a new audio editor. That adds to this toolbox of sound creation goodies. So, while we’re being spoiled for choice, let’s be… even more spoiled for choice. This is a free update for Phase […]

AAS Multiphonics CV-2 modular: subtle but important updates, and now it’s an effect, too

AAS has updated Multiphonics CV-1 to CV-2. There are new modules, some workflow improvements, new sound packs, and crucially – you can finally use it with inputs and as an audio effect plug-in. That’s important news from the creators of the unparalleled Objeq filter.

Happy 404 Day: These sound tips reveal the SP-404MKII does more than you think

It’s 404 Day – in the more-overlooked of the Roland-themed faux holidays! And what way better to celebrate than with some sound tips from CDM editor-at-large David Abravanel. They add to the evidence that the SP-404MKII is capable of way more than lo-fi beats, just in case you weren’t already among the converted.

Arturia LX-24 recreates 1978 Lexicon 224 reverb – but don’t miss the 2023 flipside

The Lexicon 224 digital reverb has one of the best-known, best-loved reverb tails of all time. That also means it’s been frequently modeled and imitated. But Arturia has added the potential to take the 224 in an entirely new version – once you take the plunge and hit the “Advanced” button for a whole new view.