Gear Modular-Analog Music tech Software Tech
Free: 4ms VCV Rack ROMplers put gobs of drums under voltage control
The library for the free and open source VCV Rack has been on fire lately. But this one is a standout: 4ms has a sprawling library of ROMpler modules based on classic drum-machine samples. And don’t let the “ROMpler” part fool you: those samples are ready for full voltage control.
Read more
New free VCV Rack modules: chaotic oscillators, HP word generator, drums
It’s time again for that trip-to-the-candy-store feeling with VCV Rack: the Eurorack rush without spending anything at all. Since our last episode, we’ve gotten new 4ms Roland-style drums, some unique stuff from Venom, a trio of chaotic oscillators, and a sequencer inspired by the legendary HP 8006A Word Generator. Hands-on with these open-source creations — let’s go!
Peter Kirn - July 21, 2025
Music tech Software Stories Tech
ISF’s visual magic for Metal and macOS is now open source
Interactive Shader Format (ISF) code for working with Metal and rendering on macOS, plus an underlying Metal framework that powers live visual app VDMX6, are now free and open source. That’s great news even if you’re just toying around with shaders or working with visuals, as it opens up lots of possibilities to come.
Live coders from all over the world are playing music and visuals live online, right now
Peter Kirn - March 19, 2020
DIY + Unusual Motion Music Music tech Software Stories Tech Web
Free sound and music code environment SuperCollider is adding Ableton Link support
Peter Kirn - March 17, 2020
Music tech Software Tech
All about Mutable’s Marbles random sampler – and a clever, just-released update
Peter Kirn - March 7, 2020
Modular-Analog Music tech Tech
Hear Jan Wagner’s intimate piano electronics, before they enter a planetarium dome
Peter Kirn - February 5, 2020
Music Music tech Stories Tech
