dadamachines tbd 16: a groovebox that’s compact, capable, and open by design

tbd 16 does everything the other standalone grooveboxes do, but in a handheld form factor, built as an open platform that you’re free to customize, mod, and hack. Choose the engines and apps you want to use. And get them all on a compact, standalone device that rivals big-name competitors in a fraction of the […]

A free emulator of Roland JP-8000 and the love of supersaws and trance

Digital preservation is the new challenge for synths, just as it is in areas like games. And the Roland JP-8000 got a big leg up with a free and open source release from The Usual Suspects available this month, the JE8086. It’s one of several recent emulations, so let’s talk about why the 1998 synth […]

Peter Kirn - December 30, 2025

Free GATE-12 gives you envelopes and patterns on Mac, Windows, and Linux

Trigger envelopes and synced patterns of shapes and gates on macOS, Windows, and Linux – for free. GATE-12 by tiagolr has some features you’ve probably seen before, but combined in clever ways and elegantly integrated, plus the price is right.

Peter Kirn - May 13, 2025

Mix and patch ChowDSP’s tape modeling for free in VCV Rack

Peter Kirn - March 10, 2025

Befaco’s new, updated modules in hardware and free for VCV Rack

Peter Kirn - March 10, 2025

Linux DAW is a one-stop catalog of free and proprietary plug-ins for Linux

Peter Kirn - November 8, 2024

Free utility converts between multisample formats: ConvertWithMoss

Peter Kirn - November 20, 2023

Free sample mashing with samplebrain, by Aphex Twin and Dave Griffiths

Peter Kirn - September 25, 2022

The best free tools for working with modular synthesis and music

Peter Kirn - December 7, 2021