Synth Days in Kyiv: inside the wartime Ukrainian modular scene

The prolific Kaximia of Tembra Modular and the series “Let’s explore modular synthesis” transports us to a Synth Days holiday weekend event in Kyiv. Let’s welcome her CDM writing debut, as she gives us a window into a Ukrainian modular scene that’s thriving, despite everything.

In the sound of Wukir Suryadi’s kentongan, a world warning

From Indonesia to the planet, Wukir Suryadi sends a distress call in insistent strikes against his hand-built kentongan instrument. If you want an answer to what music we should be making in this moment, perhaps what you need is Titir — a warning.

Peter Kirn - March 25, 2026

Max for Move: run RNBO patches on Ableton Move — like Granulator III

What if you could remake Ableton Move to do anything, using Max — the audio engine, I/O, every pad, button, encoder, and even the display? That’s RNBO support on Move. It’s labeled “experimental alpha,” but I’ve been testing RNBO Takeover Mode on Move, and it’s already really usable. There’s even a lot you can do without patching at all, like running Robert Henke’s now-iconic Granulator III. Here’s a first look.

Peter Kirn - March 17, 2026

Tour Ireland’s experimental music history, handmade instruments and all

Peter Kirn - March 17, 2026

Sitka’s excellent Gravity clock Eurorack module is now open source

Peter Kirn - March 12, 2026

Michigan Synth Works has an open-source 303 processor and a new kit

Peter Kirn - March 3, 2026

Ableton Move hardware, compact grid-based standalone groovebox, running Move Everything, showing overlay of (streamed) display wit OB-Xd open source Oberheim model and cutoff parameter

Move Everything hacks Ableton Move for custom devices — and accessibility

Peter Kirn - February 19, 2026

Look Mum No Computer brings Boffin British entry to Eurovision

Peter Kirn - February 17, 2026

Ukraine’s Tembra Modular continues workshops, gear despite attacks

Peter Kirn - February 2, 2026