Stretch keys — Novation rounds out the MK4 Launchkey range with 88 keys

Novation’s Launchkey remains a go-to, no-hassle standard for MIDI controllers. Now they’ve rounded out their MK4 lineup with an 88-key model that adds the extra octaves without the weight or bulk that usually entails. They opted for semi-weighted keys to keep from bulking up.) It’s the compact MK4, all stretched out. Here’s the latest on the full MK4 lineup.

Ardour, the free and open DAW, is better than ever – and Ardour 9 is coming

Ardour, the criminally underrated free and open source DAW for Mac, Windows, and Linux, has been a little quiet lately. Over the weekend, we learned what’s coming in Ardour 9.0/9+, and why the devs have been busy. Not sure where to start? Check out how-to videos, including voice-activated recording(!)

Peter Kirn - April 8, 2025

Ubuntu Studio 24.10 – the free Linux audiovisual workstation – is here

Fully free, completely open source, Ubuntu Studio can breathe life into old machines and give you powerful free toolsets on new ones. It’s one of the easiest ways to get creative with Linux, and this new release looks better, supports more audio configurations, and is simpler to install, as well as bringing the latest-and-greatest package support.

Peter Kirn - October 10, 2024

Here’s Why the New Version of the Free Ardour 4 DAW is Great

Peter Kirn - April 21, 2015

Ardour, For the Rest of Us: Free DAW Gets Plug-ins, MIDI, More as 3.0 Arrives

- March 11, 2013

Music in the Key of monome: From Samples, a Community Makes a Free Album

Peter Kirn - December 29, 2011

Harrison Mixbus 2.0: Mac+Linux DAW Expands Mixing, Editing Features

- May 29, 2011

Making Music with Free and Open Source Software: Top Picks from Red Hat, Dave Phillips

- April 20, 2011

The $79 Virtual Analog Console, Now on Both Mac and Linux: Harrison Mixbus

- February 11, 2011