Watch what Herbie Hancock had to say about technology in 1984

It’s time to dig into the archives. I’d seen this before, but it hits differently now. Herbie Hancock jams out in the studio with Quincy Jones in a 1984 film. It’s notable for what Herbie says with his music, with his approach to the machines, and with how he thinks about humans.

Dennis DeSantis on Eastman’s new degree; electronic music as instrument

Dennis DeSantis is known by a wide swath of the music production community as a face of education at Ableton, including the Making Music book. His new role is at the Eastman School of Music, where he’s helming their new BM in Music Creation and Technology. Let’s talk to Dennis about that program, and more broadly, how to think about music technology and education.

Peter Kirn - August 26, 2026

Roland and Universal Music Group partner on “AI for Music”

The world’s biggest music company has now teamed up with one of the world’s leading instrument and music creation tech makers to weigh in on the growing AI boom. Mostly what we get is a set of general principles – but talking about who made music for the data sets is central, and it could be an indication of musician/instrument/music industry partnerships to come.

Peter Kirn - March 21, 2024

Animistic technology: MusicMakers Hacklab CTM Festival flashback…

Peter Kirn - May 24, 2022

These piano breakthroughs changed music forever

Peter Kirn - March 29, 2016

Ableton Does an Event: Loop to be “Summit for Music Makers”

Peter Kirn - July 17, 2015

For Apple, Music Making is For Everybody: New Holiday Ad

- December 15, 2014

Watch a Short Film on the Play Between Musicians and Instruments, Design and Technology

- June 13, 2014

Tools and Music Production, as Explained Unwittingly by Chefs

Peter Kirn - March 20, 2012