Cook every day: read Suzanne Ciani’s 1976 Buchla Cookbook, for free

In 1976, Suzanne Ciani reported back to the USA’s National Endowment for the Arts with a report on her compositions, in the form of a modular cookbook. Now you can read her notes and follow along using entirely free software, complete with sound examples. I love overusing the cookbook metaphor, maybe just because food is […]

Adam Wiltzie talks about his posthumous collaboration with Jóhann Jóhannsson

On Friendship Survival Guide, constructed from an archive of loops and sound exchanges, it’s as if Jóhann Jóhannsson is alive again. Adam Wiltzie, co-founder of Stars of the Lid and part of A Winged Victory for the Sullen, talks to us about the process, and about the perfect and fleeting personal and creative connection the two artist shared.

Peter Kirn - September 18, 2026

otophon is a plug-in to play tones inside your head

This one’s for the heads, literally. Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are sounds produced by your ear, ghostly tones emitted from inside the cochlea itself. The phenomenon has been employed in experimental music (and medical applications), but it has been hard to explore on your own — until now.

Peter Kirn - August 14, 2026

Microtonality is the big trend of the 16th century — ask Nicolà Vicentino

Peter Kirn - May 28, 2026

Maggi Payne, photographing crystals, composing for Moog modular III, more

Peter Kirn - May 17, 2026

Disquiet’s Junto is community music making — now in its 750th edition

Peter Kirn - May 15, 2026

From sushi pianos to Yoko Shimomura, Square Enix Music TV is the best TV

Peter Kirn - April 27, 2026

Pi Day: Chino Yoshio and Sine Wave Marimbas and Cherry Blossoms

Peter Kirn - March 14, 2026

The developer of Tweakbench wants to remake the DAW without linear time

Peter Kirn - March 4, 2026