Synplant 2: it’s still leafy and organic – just more so. Now it has AI-powered sonic analysis and generation which – can sound completely glitchy and unexpected. It has a DNA view full of parameters. It’s weirder than ever, from top to bottom. So here are some more insights from Magnus Lidström about how the original 2009 Synplant led to 2023’s Synplant-further-out follow-up.

Communities inside and outside Morocco are still reeling from the earthquake last month. Berlin-based art Artist Znzl, whose name literally means “earthquake,” has pulled together threads across international lines and genres, techno to industrial to ambient, for a gorgeous and moving charity compilation. It’s a musical message you won’t want to miss – plus, crucially, direct giving resources here for those who can. And we have a premiere by artist Maze DK from the compilation.

With Ableton Push 3, Max for Live effects, instruments, sequencers, and other tools can work on standalone hardware – even without your computer. So it’s a perfect time to look at how Max for Live devices can work without a computer display – and, by the way, that’s just as useful on Push and Push 2, as well. Here’s what you need to know, as a user, a first-time patcher, or an experienced developer.

From the wonderful Jogging House – the producer behind Seil Records (Hainbach, etc.) – don’t miss Sonic Beds for Ableton Live (or WAV download). It’s a fuzzy, analog, modular and vintage and broken cassette analog pack so good, you could noodle with it like it’s a never-ending album and use it to lower your blood pressure.

In fragmented materials and process-based performance interventions, this year’s Atonal exhibition seems to breathe life into debris, a deconstruction of ruined objects. But most striking of all is the work of sound artist Rabon Aibo. With mechanical constructions, he makes the cavernous Kraftwerk power plant into an instrument – and makes use of gas canisters that resonate with dark moments in Kurdish and European histories.

It’s sampling and stem separation in one. It’s interface has some DJ deck-style simplicity, but it’s for serious production. It’s Serato Sample 2.0, now with the company’s machine learning-powered stem separation. And it could make Sample worth another look.  Serato’s history To those stumbling around with other tools, Sample might simply be off your radar. […]

Choosing an original is always rewarding. One of the reasons we’ve grown to love loopop is that he’s not an “influencer” – his video reviews are manuals, tutorials, and sound design guides come to life. So it’s worth watching the full Oberheim OB-X8 video even if you’re not in the market – because it’s full of sound design tips you can apply to other instruments, even free software modulars and synths.

#808day has become a predictable annual event, a content churn in the lazy days of summer. That is, predictable except for … the machine’s original manufacturer, Roland. I’m sure precisely no one had “custom BMX bike” on their bingo card. Here we go.

Meet UNO Synth Pro X. It’s a fully upgraded version of the UNO Synth Pro with enhanced sound and effects and a lot more hands-on control. That means it’s time for a sequel on our side, too – with an update to our deep dive for the original, this time with more ideas for creating sounds and playing live.

Making shopping notes for your next synth purchase? Just like to stay on top of everything that’s come out and what it can do? Sébastien Noël writes to let us know they made a massive, sortable list of major releases of the twenty-teens and twenty-twenties.