1986, Chicago. Hot Comics. Inside the sleeve of a Rhythim is Rhythim 12-inch. Private detective Johnny G is always popping up somewhere vital to techno – and now creator Alan Oldham has him set for Berlin 2023.

The famines born of corruption continue, planetwide. It’s hard to find words sometimes, but the latest release of artists banded together on Syrphe find both words and sounds for expression, in an international compilation dedicated to Sri Lanka.

Welded sheet metal and springs have a contact-mic dialog with modular synths in a chillingly brilliant EP by Hiro Kone and Roxy Farman (Wetware). All proceeds benefit Pakistan relief, and today is Bandcamp Friday.

It’s Afrorack gone Swiss! Afrorack aka Brian Bamanya has a fantastic video sweeping through the world’s largest synth collection. And there are more ways to experience this collection for yourself, from home or, if you’re lucky, in Fribourg first-hand.

Erica Synths’ LXR-02 drum synth, made in collaboration with Sonic Potions, gets one very important missing feature – autosave. And we’ve got some new kits and patterns, too, from our friend Hrtl.

Roland’s TR-8S and the pint-sized repackage TR-6S just keep getting better. The latest update expands on the TR’s unique FM sound set and adds probability and step looping, with an updated software editor to match.

Distortion? Already interested. But Dist COLDFIRE goes further, even compared to other recent tools with dual-distortion and modulation. Deep inside, you get a multi-effects toybox with tools for a range of coloration.

Can’t afford a pricey plate reverb? Use some IKEA shelving and piezos and get something that sounds amazingly good in this simple DIY tutorial. Best of all – you can do it for under $100 in parts, and it’s not a complex build.

From the prolific, inventive Max for Live developer Dillon Bastan comes a new instrument that can shape, sing, roar, breathe, drone, glitch, and more. Use one of its internal sound source or external input.

This is an easy one to relate to: you want space to be creative, to grow in your practice, and to express emotions We got to hear from a volunteer-led effort that makes that kind of space, for refugees and for people who have often lacked access.