Motherly, sequencer percussion synth, is pure rhythmic happiness

Moog’s DFAM has become almost a genre of instrument — like the Minimoog architecture or original Moog modular. Look no further than this delight from Rainbow Circuit. On the surface, it looks like another model of the percussion synth (Mom!). But it sounds like nothing else, and if you’re looking for more synthesized, sequenced percussion to infuse a smile into your day, Motherly is like uncut dopamine.

Your iPad and iPhone just became a portal to endless DX7 sounds

You may think you know the Yamaha DX7 from those couple of presets that dominated the 80s. But Oliver Greschke’s Elastic OSC for iPhone and iPad is a reminder of just how much potential Yamaha’s breakthrough FM synth can offer. And now Elastic OSC app can easily import those sounds, with a bunch of unique presets to get you started — plus a link to a cool generative tool that works with anything.

Peter Kirn - September 11, 2025

Instant percussion joy with DFAM-inspired Vertex for Max for Live

This has got to be one of the quickest routes to sheer drum happiness inside Ableton Live ever. Meet the pay-what-you-want/donationware Vertex by aorist (aka Tom Duncalf). It’s a bit like a Moog DFAM, but in the Live idiom, with a bunch of extras. You just need this one. Trust us.

Peter Kirn - August 13, 2025

GForce Halogen FM makes playing with frequencies fun all over again – review

Peter Kirn - June 24, 2025

Polyend Synth is a $499 polysynth with grid and a ton of synth engines

Peter Kirn - November 12, 2024

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

Peter Kirn - October 14, 2024

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

Peter Kirn - September 11, 2024

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

Peter Kirn - March 18, 2024

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

Peter Kirn - January 16, 2024

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