Modor DR-2, Belgian beast of a drum machine, now does basslines, too

Modor’s DR-2 is a monster truck of digital drum machines. Apart from being massive physically, it’s got brutal sounds — aggressive filters, pounding kicks — and its developer keeps packing in more. The latest update now adds bass models to the many features lurking behind this panel.

Ableton Operator FM synth at 20: 100 free presets; tons of history, tutorials

Ableton Operator, the FM instrument designed by Robert Henke, is celebrating 20 years since its (internal) debut. Want to celebrate? How about a ton of FM synthesis and Operator history, 100 free presets from Robert Henke and Christian Kleine, and more links? And now is a great time to celebrate those years – or even try Operator sound design for the first time.

Peter Kirn - September 11, 2024

Go watch Polygonia’s videos on Ableton Operator hi-hats and more

Polygonia, aka Lindsey Wang, is expanding techno into imaginative blossoms of percussion and pattern. But she’s also doing some terrific tutorials. Where to start? A terrific breakdown of constructing high hats from scratch in Ableton’s Operator might inspire you.

Peter Kirn - March 18, 2024

Yamaha’s SEQTRAK looks like a return to fun mobile music designs

Peter Kirn - January 16, 2024

MINIDEXED puts 8 DX7 emulators on a USB stick

Peter Kirn - November 28, 2023

Noise Engineering has a new oscillator, Alia – and it’s bringing back old faves

Peter Kirn - October 24, 2023

Mensla’s MS-2 is a great-sounding FM synth with the safety protocols switched off

Peter Kirn - February 28, 2023

razzmatazz, latest tiny groovebox from 1010music, combines FM and sampling – in pink

Peter Kirn - October 10, 2022

Bastl’s delicious Pizza: waveshaping meets FM for a tasty modular oscillator

Peter Kirn - May 11, 2022

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