Mods for everyone: inMusic is opening up MPC, more new gear to coders

You may have seen Akai tease an “open-source” MPC keyboard running vibe-coded mods. But there’s more coming—a lot more. inMusic, parent of Moog, Akai, Numark, Alesis, Denon, and others, promises that many of its 22 product launches coming in January will be open to modders and developer. That suggests a sweeping change in approach for […]

Casio’s SXC-1 handheld sampler is packed with fun, coming to Japan

Memory may be vanishing, phones and laptops may be getting downgraded specs. But we’re enjoying an unexpected renaissance of mobile samplers. And of all of these, Casio might pack the most fun into a single package. The SXC-1’s Japanese preorder was announced and sold out this week, and with good reason: this looks like the most fun we’ve had with Casio since the 80s and 90s.

Peter Kirn - April 23, 2026

Best of show: walk NAMM with us in a gear-mas gallery

Who stood out at this year’s NAMM show, that festivus of gear that brightens our winters from Anaheim? We’ve given you some idea with NAMM and LA’s Buchla & Friends. Here, in images, are our favorites from NAMM, as captured by LA photographer Mehdi Hassine and veteran Berlin hardware guru Gösta Wellmer.

Peter Kirn - February 3, 2026

Soundbites: the music inventions of NAMM, Buchla and Friends

Nadia Says - January 30, 2026

Laurie Spiegel’s Music Mouse, the Mac’s first instrument, in Eventide reboot

Peter Kirn - January 25, 2026

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

Peter Kirn - January 23, 2026

As much triggering as you can handle: Noise Engineering Multi Repetitor

Peter Kirn - January 22, 2026

Moog just posted an all-star art and tech panel; all that and an Oberheim

Peter Kirn - February 28, 2025

That time Jem and The Holograms went synthesizer shopping

Peter Kirn - January 30, 2025