Arturia’s new MiniFreak 49 synth is tactile, exploration-friendly: tested

It’s not just some extra keys or minor feature tweaks. Arturia’s MiniFreak 49 has evolved the range into a synthesizer you can freely explore just by playing, not programming. It’s a fusion of tactile experience and sound, right when we need that. Here’s a full hands-on test.

Blind musician Jason Dasent worked with Roland to make a guide for V-STAGE

Jason Dasent, a blind, UK-based Trinidadian musician, producer, and globally recognized accessibility consultant, has teamed up with the Roland Future Design Lab. The result: a comprehensive accessibility guide to every control, jack, widget, and function on the V-STAGE performance keyboard. More like this — a plea to the whole industry. What’s interesting about this is […]

Peter Kirn - August 12, 2026

Stretch keys — Novation rounds out the MK4 Launchkey range with 88 keys

Novation’s Launchkey remains a go-to, no-hassle standard for MIDI controllers. Now they’ve rounded out their MK4 lineup with an 88-key model that adds the extra octaves without the weight or bulk that usually entails. They opted for semi-weighted keys to keep from bulking up.) It’s the compact MK4, all stretched out. Here’s the latest on the full MK4 lineup.

Peter Kirn - July 15, 2026

Sequential Prophet-5 gets an official software remake by GForce — tested

Peter Kirn - June 16, 2026

C25, from Nonlinear Labs and Stephan Schmitt, is all about performance

Peter Kirn - May 18, 2026

Next-gen MPE: Expressive E adds smarter control, $999 MIDI keyboard

Peter Kirn - April 29, 2026

Generalmusic revives GEM and LEM, legendary Italian music tech brands

Peter Kirn - January 26, 2026

Marvel at the gorgeous Nopia harmony instrument, now at MK1

Peter Kirn - December 16, 2025

New, playful arpeggiator features for Sequential Take 5, Oberheim TEO-5

Peter Kirn - November 10, 2025