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.

Audacity 4, free and open-source audio editor, arrives with a revamped UI

It’s been a long time coming. Audacity, the ubiquitous open-source audio editor now owned by Muse Group, reaches version 4 with a reworked UI and enhanced usability. Here’s a look at what’s new and a first run. And there is one fork to consider, too.

Peter Kirn - September 3, 2026

MIDI Tape Recorder, precise capture, now standalone for macOS, iOS

Geert Bevin’s terrific MIDI Tape Recorder precisely captures MIDI performances, including MPE, verbatim — not the slightest variation in sound. v2.0 adds a host of new features, plus a standalone version alongside the existing AUv3 plug-in. It’s low-level, direct CoreMIDI capture of what you played, exactly as you played it, with every expression intact. And it’s and open source.

Peter Kirn - August 31, 2026

The TR-808 is getting an MSW open-source firmware and a Tubbutec mod

Peter Kirn - August 11, 2026

The PlayStation Vita just got a new sampling groovebox and synth

Peter Kirn - August 6, 2026

The delicate, tiny sound machines in the world of Kuro Kasetto

Peter Kirn - July 24, 2026

Ableton Live and Push can now run on Linux, unofficially

Peter Kirn - July 15, 2026

Pac-Man, Befaco RANDOM8, and more free modules of VCV Rack

Peter Kirn - June 18, 2026

With Latent Terrain, crack open AI and explore neural synthesis in Max

Peter Kirn - June 17, 2026