KeyStage from Korg is the first keyboard I’ve seen that actually seems to have a working implementation of MIDI 2.0’s capability of automatically mapping synth parameters on a controller. It also has a polyphonic aftertouch keybed, OLED sub-screens for each … Continue reading Korg KeyStage Review: MIDI 2.0 finally works – let’s see what it can do
Drumlogue is a hybrid drum machine with four analog tracks, six sample based tracks, and another digital synth track – which, with an open SDK has the potential to expand drumlogue’s sonic capabilities far beyond what you get in the … Continue reading Korg DRUMLOGUE Review and Tutorial: Top Pros & Cons and All 64 Factory Patterns
Perkons from Erica Synths is a hybrid analog and digital, four-voice drum synth (and also a drone synth), that takes hands-on controls to the extreme – giving you per voice tone and sequencing control. It’s more expensive and more focused … Continue reading PERKONS HD-01 Review – Did Erica Synths bottle up thunder in drum synth? Detailed tutorial here
Misha from Eventide is an entirely different and original way of performing and composing music, and is also a different kind of generative sequencer. With most instruments or controllers, pressing a key plays the same note every time. With Misha, … Continue reading Review: Eventide Misha – an entirely original improvisation and generative sequencing module
Juno-X from Roland takes the familiar interface of the classic Juno-106 and combines it with the sample and virtual analog capabilities of Roland’s ZEN-Core engine, as well as the scene and i-arp features introduced in the Jupiter X and Xm. … Continue reading Review: ROLAND JUNO X vs JUPITER X/Xm and other ZEN-Core synths – Advanced tutorial
MPC KEY 61 may seem like just an MPC with a built-in keyboard, but it’s also Akai’s first shot in workstation wars – where there’s fierce competition for a keyboard you can both produce tracks on, and take with you … Continue reading Review & Tutorial: AKAI MPC KEY 61 vs MPCs & other workstations
Volca FM2 is a new and improved version of the original Volca FM hardware with 6 voices, a MIDI output, new reverb effect and presets and more — both modeled after the sound engine of Yamaha’s legendary DX7, so much … Continue reading Review: Korg Volca FM2 vs OG // DX-7 based synth gets better // Volca FM 2 synthesis tutorial
C15 from Non-Linear Labs puts to the test the question: how far you can take two simple sine wave oscillators? And the answer is – quite far when you set them up to modulate their own or each other’s phase, … Continue reading Nonlinear Labs C15 Review – €4000 for two sine waves? How C15’s elegant synth engine works
In this video I take a look at the new auto-sampling capabilities added as a free upgrade to Maschine+ and the Maschine software, with quite a few tips and ideas on how to use them well. Auto-sampling is a technique … Continue reading The New Maschine 2.15 Auto Sampler // Bonus Korg 700FS multisamples // Tutorial & tips
Implexus is an analog mono-synth inspired by both east and west coast synthesis techniques. It’s a knob per function synth – there’s no shift key or hidden features, unless you count the small patch bay in the back, that makes … Continue reading Majella IMPLEXUS // Wild West (Coast) Wave Wrangler – Is it worth it? Review and Tutorial