The PlayStation Vita just got a new sampling groovebox and synth

Sony may have abandoned the PS Vita, but homebrew is ready to keep it alive. And the gorgeous handheld gaming console now gets a new identity as an all-in-one groovebox — with free, open-source software. It even supports multichannel audio over USB via a custom kernel plug-in. Meet DS-8 Drumstream, portable beatmaker.

Stewart Copeland, Spyro the Dragon, and a community effort in sound

Stewart Copeland went from The Police to prolific composer, but perhaps no score was as beloved as Spyro the Dragon for PlayStation. Those sounds have now been revived in community-led, free libraries that run on all sampling platforms, along with some theory and composition lessons. It can instantly improve your mood–and it all began with Stewart playing, dying, and respawning in the game.

Peter Kirn - June 26, 2025

Two stills of Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay leaping in front of checkered green and gray background, in his signature hat, a Sony logo in the upper left-hand corner.

Peak 1996: When Jamiroquai met Sony MiniDisc in Japan

It was once the pinnacle of digital recordable audio, a would-be successor to the mighty cassette tape. And for one glorious moment in 1996, Sony MiniDisc was all that was right with the world, exemplified by a trippy Japan-only ad campaign with none other than Jamiroquai.

Peter Kirn - May 22, 2025

Treat yourself to the 90s club aesthetics of the Wipeout games

Peter Kirn - August 17, 2021

Creative work by ANTIVJ gets ripped off in new Microsoft Xbox launch

Peter Kirn - December 19, 2019

Remember ACID? It’s back – and ready to split stems for you automatically

Peter Kirn - May 6, 2019

ROLI funded by Sony, Onkyo; is it time for the Walkman of music making?

Peter Kirn - June 4, 2018

With Japan’s latest Vocaloid characters, another song from the future

Peter Kirn - July 14, 2017

Sony’s gestural projector could change interaction

Peter Kirn - January 10, 2017