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.

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

Tough times and tight spaces call for deep algorithmic generative triggers. So now is a great time for Noise Engineering to reimagine their trigger module. Tap a tempo, patch a cord, and instantly spin up percussive patterns you can freely modulate — the best of what the company gave us before, but now with live performance transformations and more possibilities. It’s Multi Repetitor. It’s Multi Repetitor. Sorry.

Peter Kirn - January 22, 2026

TROVARSI x ALX-106 deliver brutal techno fed by serious live chops

Nothing puts life back in the groove quite like playing live. In a pairing of two total legends, Trovarsi and ALX-106 team up to drop some hard-slapping techno in the classic mold out on DC-based Black Techno Matters. And it’s got all the animation of their live sets combined with pitch-perfect production. It’s top-quality techno right when we need it: no hype, no TikTok genres, just a devastating kick from the kick.

Peter Kirn - February 14, 2025

4 channels of generative voltages with Noise Engineering Gamut Repetitor

Peter Kirn - June 21, 2024

Noise Engineering Legio grows again; Sinc Legio is Bride of Sinc Iter

Peter Kirn - March 1, 2024

3x new firmware for Noise Engineering’s Alia oscillator – and Cursus is back

Peter Kirn - January 22, 2024

Xer Mixa mixer update: hex and quad sound, synced mutes, more

Peter Kirn - December 15, 2023

Any level, including guitars, in Eurorack: Nive Grad level shifter

Peter Kirn - November 20, 2023

Noise Engineering has a new oscillator, Alia – and it’s bringing back old faves

Peter Kirn - October 24, 2023