Photo via jeanmarc77 I consider myself operating system atheistic: I refuse to believe in an operating system unless solid, empirical data is presented proving it exists works. Okay, actually … I spend a considerable amount of time doing production on both Mac and Windows, and even some time working with Linux (not to mention administering […]

Stores like iTunes (and all those Windows Media-based alternatives, if anyone ever uses them) aren’t just the domain of major labels. Indie artists and smaller labels are finding their way onto these services, courtesy the power of distributors and other conduits. (For music, tools like CD Baby have been a big boon.) But part of […]

While on the subject of free music listening, in case you haven’t seen this yet, TuneCore has a free mix album up on iTunes — 33 tracks for free, from everybody from Public Enemy (whoo!) to the awesomely-named Harry and the Potters: TuneCore Free Album The only bad news: DRM-equipped tracks, so get ready for […]

We took a look at the Mandala drum controller last year: it’s a multi-zone drum controller you can play with sticks. Different zones give the device extra expression, packed into a compact area. And the manufacturers know something about controller design, having worked on the D-Beam IR controller for Roland (among other things). Check comments […]

Dahnielson of Sweden snapped this shot of the back of a Proteus 2000, which was a 1999 hardware solution to getting the original Proteus sounds. But if you’ve ever wished you could load those sounds onto your trusty MacBook, pay attention… Sound modules of yesteryear rarely earn much love today: now that we’re spoiled for […]

A private moment with the Tenori-On, captured at the launch event by CDM’s Gary Kibler. So Tenori-On is fun to listen to when you’re playing with itself — could it produce an album that you’d want to sit and listen to? That’s what Norman Fairbanks attempts to answer with his creation. Norman Fairbanks has released […]

CDM contributors Liz McLean-Knight and Michael Una will be presenting at Dorkbot Chicago this month, which falls on Wednesday, November 28th. As always, it will take place at the excellent Deadtech, 3321 W. Fullerton Ave. in Chicago. Here’s what you’ll see: A self-proclaimed “multi-hyphenate,” Liz McLean Knight–the sole woman behind Quantazelle–is thoroughly immersed in technology, […]

Welcome to our Bug Motel. Bugs check in, but they don’t check out. Much of the OS discussion tends to devolve into generalities, philosophical debates, and religious wars. We’re going to try something different: wherever possible, squash the bugs. Here’s a tip for Windows Vista that finally allowed many of my USB devices to work […]

John Hutchinson pointed us to this hack a day post about a new projector calibration system. Skip to minute 3:00 in the video to see the applications for multiple projections and non-rectangular, curved surfaces. It uses embedded light sensors in the projection surface and software — no projector hacks — and was created by researchers […]

Beatport Sync, now an easy, free way to play OGG/FLAC files, browse external drives, and cross-fade. Beaport Sync is a free, DJ-friendly music player / librarian / mixing app for Windows and Mac. On its surface, it looks like a hook for online music store Beatport and a beginner-friendly DJ mixer (two tracks, auto tempo […]