Elgato’s Stream Deck as a DAW companion; new Reaper controller

Elgato’s Stream Deck, a push-button desktop controller with interactive color keys and software shortcuts, has quietly become an ideal DAW accessory. Take, for example, this thoughtfully designed addition from Granite Coast Studio for the inimitable Cockos Reaper.

Essential mix: let an hour of tilde’s music energize you (then nerd out!)

Glitchy but driving broken beats are what’s for dinner. Hannover’s tilde (~) is a font of knowledge on topics from Pd/plugdata to Bitwig Studio Grid FX to mixing and mastering. And those skills translate to some genius grooves. Listen up to this full-power montage of all original music.

Peter Kirn - February 27, 2026

Here, have the Chipmunks singing Philip Glass’ composition Koyaanisqatsi

Philip Glass’ score for 1982’s Koyaanisqatsi is deeply moving, sombre, arresting – but have you really even heard it until you’ve heard it performed by Alvin, Simon, Theodore?

Peter Kirn - June 20, 2024

TouchOSC updates are here, plus excellent videos for inspiration, instruction

Peter Kirn - December 24, 2021

ReEQ is a free plugin so good, it’s a reason to use REAPER – and it keeps getting better

Peter Kirn - July 27, 2020

Arturia, Logic, Final Cut, Reaper, and more offer these free tools while you stay at home

Peter Kirn - March 27, 2020

Reaper 6 is here – and even more the everyday, budget DAW to beat

Peter Kirn - December 5, 2019

Animals and Synthesizers is reason to love the Internet again

Peter Kirn - December 19, 2018

This light sculpture plays like an instrument, escaped from Tron

Peter Kirn - September 24, 2018