Emotional electronics, from Mexicali’s underground beacon: four essential releases

We live in dissonant, uncertain times, and maybe our consciousness struggles if we try to make it fit square corners and easy forms. So now is a perfect time to feature long-time favorite label Facade Electronics out of northern Mexico. Their opening releases of the year, from artists dotting different parts of the world, flow into a narrative — one uncomfortable, sublime, beautiful.

Novagrid, sequenced multi-effect with bitcrusher, sonic motion plug-in

Mario Nieto’s Novagrid opens up sequenced volume, pan, filter, and bitcrusher effects in plug-in form. And while that may sound a bit familiar, Novagrid has some tricks up its sleeve. If you like animating sound, you’ll definitely want to take a look. If you buy something from a CDM link, we may earn a commission. […]

Peter Kirn - February 11, 2026

Mudjaq TapeLeap, a freaky tape/lo-fi looper that can blink, be broken

It has a “broken” button and an eyelid that you can blink on and off. It lets you record or set feedback to 150%. It overdubs, it loops, it — does it in opposing directions. No, it’s not another tape delay/looper. Every single setting in TapeLeap from Mudjaq, for Max for Live, is bonkers and fantastic.

Peter Kirn - December 11, 2025

Dancing “vibes” and 2 more mood-elevating freebies for Live, DAWs

Peter Kirn - August 5, 2024

Amiga 500 as a real-time guitar effects pedal: Magical Synth Adventure

Peter Kirn - April 1, 2024

Digital-analog delay, unchained: Sinevibes Integer (and free presets)

Peter Kirn - March 28, 2024

Liquid Sky d-vices V4CO & GLITHc: deep, glitchy, bendable wavetables

Peter Kirn - March 25, 2024

Amigo Sampler, Amiga sampling in plug-in form for £10, plus skank music

Peter Kirn - March 22, 2024

Lower your blood pressure, raise your vibration: eu-IV’s tape beats

Peter Kirn - January 22, 2024