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.

Jamm Pro by Ninja Tune & Coldcut brings production and remixing to iPhone, Android

It’s a remix app and a different way of jamming with music – but go deeper, and it’s also a sampler, looper, buffer shuffler, and multitrack production tool. Version 1.5 of Jamm Pro from Coldcut and Ninja Tune gets more production powers – and goes from iPad exclusive to availability on iPhone and even Android […]

Ableton Live 11.3 in beta: more expressive control, new Drift synth

Ableton Live 11.3 hits public beta today, with more MPE (MIDI Polyphonic Expression) throughout – including a new MPE-compatible synth, Drift. And Drift is available even in Live Lite.

Ryuichi Sakamoto was always a leap ahead: sounds, machines, outpouring of remembrances

From music to technology, fashion to performance, few artists can reveal a future to so many people as Ryuichi Sakamoto did in his work. The world he touched learned of his death today.

Vermona DRM, the company’s DDR-era analog drum machine, as seen on Hainbach

In must-watch “TV” this week, it’s the 1987 Vermona DRM, a Roland-style East German analog drum machine. It’s from when DRM didn’t mean DRM.

Waves reverses course, will restore option of perpetual licenses and Waves Update Plan

After overwhelming feedback, Waves has announced they’re reversing course and bringing back their perpetual licenses as before, alongside the new subscription options. The actual infrastructure change appears to be in progress, but Waves’ announcement suggests this will fully restore the options available before.

Piastrone is a perfect, playable reverb for Ableton Live – even when other reverbs fail

Plenty of reverbs will flood you with sound or bathe you in shimmering tails. Fewer are controllable in multiple situations, or manage to balance lushness and precision. For that, we head to Rome and Isotonik Studio’s new Piastrone. We get not only an Ableton Max for Live gem, but a master class in reverb design […]

GlitchScaper instrument and rhythm machine comes to macOS, iOS, from SoundScaper dev

The creator of SoundScaper and FieldScaper is back with another deep and esoteric instrument – and this might be one of the most immediate (and glitchy) yet. GlitchScaper combines six sound generators, a two-layer cycle sequencer, and rhythmic and glitching magic.

Suzuki is re-releasing the electronic autoharp Omnichord to celebrate its 70th anniversary

Here’s an unexpected reissue: Japanese music maker Suzuki is celebrating the company’s 70th anniversary by bringing back the Omnichord, a unique 1981 electronic answer to the autoharp.