FLpad 8×8 grid comes to FL Studio — can you add a grid to a speedrun?

The Novation Launchpad grid has its original lineage in Ableton Live integration. But it’s now come to the land of Fruity Loops. FLpad is available in both a standard, velocity-sensitive model and an FLpad mini. For a user base known for shortcuts and speedrunning, can finger-drumming and pad programming find a home?

Elgato’s Stream Deck as a DAW companion; new Reaper controller

Elgato’s Stream Deck, a push-button desktop controller with interactive color keys and software shortcuts, has quietly become an ideal DAW accessory. Take, for example, this thoughtfully designed addition from Granite Coast Studio for the inimitable Cockos Reaper.

Peter Kirn - September 15, 2026

Scales among updates to the free Ardour DAW — with tuning on the way

Ardour 9.8 continues the rapid, detailed development of this free and open-source DAW, with improved session recovery and clip recording, expanded support for controllers and hardware, and an arpeggiator MIDI tool. The 9.8 update also adds scales and keys, but with a twist: unlike competing software, scales/modes will soon be tuning-aware.

Peter Kirn - September 7, 2026

Septabee, an insane-looking free Linux/Windows DAW with pomegranates

Peter Kirn - September 3, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - July 15, 2026

Reason 14 arrives: Dark Mode, better Track workflow, RV-9 reverb, more

Peter Kirn - May 12, 2026

Next-gen MPE: Expressive E adds smarter control, $999 MIDI keyboard

Peter Kirn - April 29, 2026

You can now get eight of UA’s best plug-ins free, plus the free LUNA DAW

Peter Kirn - April 15, 2026

Reason 14 beta: new Track Panel, reverb, Dark Mode, more

Peter Kirn - April 8, 2026