Music tech Software Tech
GForce just made a West Coast, MPE-playable synth playground
GForce’s MAP is all new — it’s not a recreation or a collaboration with other brands. But this synth has been to history class, studying modular designs by Serge Tcherepnin, Random*Source, and Buchla USA. Put that in a very modern interface, add MPE expression, and you get what feels like Massive X or Serum from an alternate universe where they’re all about West Coast synthesis.
Read more
Akai MPC Live III: expressive pads come to the MPC grid; $1699 with new core
Akai’s MPC Live III hits the same week as Roland’s new analog-digital flagship. This new standalone box has an updated 8-core processor and specs, enabling new features — but the biggest story here is expressive pads with 3D sensing.
Peter Kirn - October 4, 2025
Gear Music tech Tech
The making of Sequential’s all-analog, polyphonic, expressive Fourm
Sequential’s new Fourm is a 4-voice polysynth with an all-analog signal path and polyphonic aftertouch and a price under a grand. To pull it off, Sequential designed an all-new expressive keybed and adapted their signature analog circuitry from the Prophet-5 (and Prophet-10). I spoke to Sequential about their instrument and the engineering that made it all happen.
Peter Kirn - September 23, 2025
Gear Music tech Stories Tech
Wiggler is a bendy expressive DIY synth – and its creator is sharing their process
Peter Kirn - March 9, 2023
DIY + Unusual Tech
Roger Linn shares hidden settings and more gems from the LinnStrument
Peter Kirn - December 2, 2022
Gear Music tech Tech
Top music gear news from Superbooth 2021 – the CDM monster guide
Peter Kirn - September 22, 2021
DIY + Unusual Gear Modular-Analog Music tech Stories Tech
ToucheĢ now puts expressive control at hand for $229
Peter Kirn - September 18, 2018
Motion Music tech
CDM Newswire
brings together the latest breaking news on music, technology, gear, and live visuals. Got a project, found a news tip, or want to share your product? Submit to us directly.