New Noise Engineering modules, new platform: multiband dynamics, drum kit

One of the most creative modular and software makers at the moment, Noise Engineering has two very desirable-looking modules hitting today. And there’s a new “platform” concept behind them, too – one that might help you keep your modules fresh.

Nina, 12-voice analog polysynth with motorized controls, now in preorders

What’s new in analog synths? Melbourne Instruments has one answer – a luscious vintage-inspired poly that adds path recall and automation. That’s motorized automation. And now they’re accepting pre-orders.

Stable Diffusion, the slick generative AI tool, just launched and went live on GitHub

You’ve almost certainly already seen a torrent of high-quality text-to-image generation pics lately. Now one of the most impressive generative tools has published code and opened up to academic researchers. It’s called Stable Diffusion – and you’ll probably be hearing a lot more soon.

Make your own MIDI-to-CV adapter in a skull, with a 3D printer and CircuitPython

Liz Clark over at Adafruit has a great DIY project. It’s compact. It’s beginner-friendly. It teaches you some simple embedded Python with Circuit Python. It’s… a skull.

ALM ASQ-1 is a cute modular step sequencer with SH-101-style, drum trigger modes

ALM / Busy Circuits out of the UK has some tasty-looking new modular gear, including a very friendly little sequencer. You’ll find dual filters and stereo multi-effects added to their range, as well.

The Daily Show takes on the Black and gay origins of house music

“You’ve never heard me say – surprise, it’s Caucasians!” The always-on-point Roy Wood Jr. tackles the origins of house music for general audiences on The Daily Show. And while you likely know that history, this one is well worth a watch.

Looom for iOS makes animating like playing a musical instrument, now with major update

It’s exactly how musicians would want to think about animation. Time loops, free or bpm-synced, and you explore visual rhythm through lines, shapes, colors, and improvisatory gestural doodles. Looom is a total gem of an app – and this summer’s update transforms it into a serious and approachable pro tool.

A DIY violin with a spring reverb tank inside

A funny thing happened on the way to the digital instrument age – builders rediscovered novel acoustic and electroacoustic inventions, too. Take this gorgeous example by builder/composer/musician David Hilowitz. And it all started with a broken amp part.

Weirdcore’s work Subconscious is inspired by raves and infinity GIFs, with Aphex Twin score

This month in London, Warp Records visual collaborator Weirdcore has an intense immersive work on exhibition – epilepsy warning here before the video, for sure.* And let’s catch up with more great Weirdcore action, while we’re at it.

mlre is an expanded version of the classic monome mlr, focused on performance

It’s an even more performative monome. Creator sonocircuit has built a new take on the monome norns/grid app mlr, adding new macros, transposition, LFOs, and lots more.