SynthX V from Arturia may be the easiest way to bring the goodness of the rare Elka Synthex to your computer, with superb sound and push-button ease for cross-modulation and layering. And then you add the Multi-Arpeggiator to the mix…

October 27, 2004 is the beginning of the CDM story archive. That’s visible by going to page 1,150 (as I write this). And hello 2024: this is post 11,491.

Imagine having access to a full original Moog modular system. Now imagine you could run the whole thing for free – and it won’t take up a wall of your home. Synthesizers.com has brought its MU East Coast-inspired modular to VCV Rack as freeware. It’s also a great place to begin with software modular synthesis.

It’s another key moment for the democratic movement championed by Tbilisi’s club scene. Georgia has a pivotal parliamentary election tomorrow – one seen as deeply connected to the country’s future and the ongoing war in Ukraine. That prompted the club Bassiani to put on the breaks for tonight. Here’s what music voices are saying about what’s next.

KORG’s new multi/poly is an analog modeling synth, not an analog remake of the Mono/Poly. But it’s the debut of a new platform for the company – and the digital approach could mean a balance of authentic sound with some much-needed new ideas. It’s really a Mono/Poly crossed with some of the best of recent KORG digital synths and modular. And there’s even a dose of KAOSS.

Microwave’s wavetable synthesis with unique, snappy envelopes and idiosyncratic filter and converters now comes to the iPad. That could make an ideal way to play the Microwave on the go – especially with AUv3 support.

Elektron is here with (maybe) a reason to sell old Elektron gear and buy something new with Digitone II. That news comes right on the heels of a big 1.3 firmware update, if you’d rather make existing gear better.

Black Noise just recreated three of its Eurorack modules in software form, including the analog computer-inspired, multifunctional Cosmos. There are even some new features and detailed recreations of the hardware, but incredibly, the whole pack is free and open source (and runs in the free VCV Rack).

Ableton Live’s new MIDI tools can be really useful – if you can get the hang of them. For that, we turn to long-time educator Madeleine Bloom for a breakdown.

VDMX6 promised new features on a new foundation, and Vidvox is already delivering. Protect the identity of faces in video, remove backgrounds, generate QR codes, and more.