DIY + Unusual Gear Motion Music tech Software Tech
Radio Shack’s TRS-80 now has polyphonic MIDI and a tracker
The Tandy Corporation-manufactured, Radio Shack-sold TRS-80 computer debuted in 1977. But now you can now add full polyphonic MIDI support thanks to George Philipps and Michael Wessel. And it’s already transformed into a serious live instrument and production tool. Assembly cost: about $35. The TRS-80: a tool for the 2020s.
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Dirty, punchy, free: this plug-in rendition of the Korg Poly-61 is raw and perfect
The 1982 Poly-61 was a grimy, cheap, raw-sounding quintessential 80s synth. It doesn’t have any of the star power of other Korg instruments or rivals from Roland and Sequential. So instead of a commercial remake, what we get is free. But it’s fantastic. It’s way better than you’d expect from a free plug-in. Meet the Full Bucket Music FURY-68.
Peter Kirn - May 6, 2025
Music tech Reviews Software Tech
Alternative histories, realized: someone built a working 80s Apple prototype
Kevin Noki has realized a ground-breaking, long-lost prototype created by industrial designer Hartmut Esslinger for Apple in the 80s. FlatMac lives – and it works.
Peter Kirn - December 9, 2024
DIY + Unusual Gear Tech
Free Alesis MIDIVERB impulse responses: pristine 80s trash
Peter Kirn - November 30, 2023
Gear Music tech Tech
Suzuki is re-releasing the electronic autoharp Omnichord to celebrate its 70th anniversary
Peter Kirn - March 28, 2023
Gear Music tech Tech
1977’s Bell Labs Alles synth demo came pre-Crumar, features Laurie Spiegel cameo
Peter Kirn - February 21, 2023
Gear Music tech Tech
Oberheim is back with OB-X8, combining three 1980s legends into one analog polysynth
Peter Kirn - May 10, 2022
Gear Music tech Tech
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