SP-404MKII side chain compression; #404day videos

SP-404MKII version 5.50 brings two long-awaited features — side chain compression and exFAT SD compatibility. Here are those details, plus a #404day round-up of the fabulous videos you’re making. #404day has come to a conclusion in Japan — but that means my feed is alive with the sound of Japanese (mostly) 404 videos! Y’all always […]

Pi Day: Chino Yoshio and Sine Wave Marimbas and Cherry Blossoms

“Chino Yoshio, a composer based quietly in Kyotanabe, Kyoto” has been working with sine waves in poetic, beautifully reflective ways. I’m going to run today with the idea that sine waves need not be just neutral, the absence of harmonics — not just a technical description, like an oscillator. (There’s academic research expanding this definition.) […]

Peter Kirn - March 14, 2026

The best way to learn Bitwig Grid, Serum 2 is in Japanese from LOBOTIX

LOBOTIX is another reason to have hope in musical imagination. Even without speaking a word of Japanese, these are instantly some of my favorite tutorials. Here, these cover the spectral synthesis modes in Serum 2 and the modular capabilities of Bitwig Grid (and Vital and PhasePlant and more). And thanks to 2020s tech, we get her in the form of an anime character.

Peter Kirn - March 5, 2026

On 303 Day, acid bassline love abounds, and some freebies, too

Peter Kirn - March 3, 2026

Endless joys of the Open Reel Ensemble and reel-to-reel performance

Peter Kirn - March 2, 2026

Casio’s expressive guitar strap controller was inspired by a chopstick case

Peter Kirn - January 23, 2026

ANIMEVOX by castpixel is a free retro anime-style sound fx generator

Peter Kirn - January 18, 2026

What happens when AI-synthesized vocals meet choral notation?

Peter Kirn - November 26, 2025

Cubase is Japan’s biggest DAW, and you need to watch this Japanese review

Peter Kirn - November 6, 2025