Virtual rendering of the Sting UI with knobs, piano roll view, and smiley face, angled next to a Novation Launchpad controller with light-up grid.

Eminently controllable, accessible by design, Sting is now a plug-in

Now this is how to do generative melodies. Add expression. Get control with your hands. Make melodies accessible — including if you’re blind and visually impaired. Sting, the beloved maker of acid melodies and other patterns, is confined to Max for Live no more: now, it’s available as VST3, AU, CLAP / macOS, Windows, Linux.

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.

Peter Kirn - September 7, 2026

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

Septabee, an insane-looking free Linux/Windows DAW with pomegranates

Peter Kirn - September 3, 2026

Push Hack, very unauthorized access to Push 3’s display, files, MIDI, and more

Peter Kirn - August 3, 2026

Digital Arabic Maqām Archive and open-source MIDI plug-in now available

Peter Kirn - July 22, 2026

Ableton Live and Push can now run on Linux, unofficially

Peter Kirn - July 15, 2026

Audio Damage ShinRonin, now free, is a throwback to 2003 plug-in design

Peter Kirn - July 6, 2026

Unfiltered Audio Battalion drum synth, FX in VCV Rack are a revelation

Peter Kirn - June 9, 2026