I keep seeing a lot of confusion online about what it takes to connect a USB based MIDI controller to synths or grooveboxes, with some people recommending the wrong gear or just giving bad advice. A lot of this centers … Continue reading USB & MIDI: Everything you need to know to get it right (USB MIDI Host vs Interface explained)
This video explains a neat little sampler trick that lets you create music by *ignoring* a sampler’s sequencer: In the early 60’s groundbreaking composer Steve Reich pioneered the technique of using different length tape loops, and later on musical patterns, … Continue reading Sampler trick: how to create multi length phasing “tape loops” (shown on Digitakt and Model:Samples)
Intro Hyve Touch Synth is very is very different from other synths – it’s polyphonic with 60 analog oscillators, but it doesn’t have any filters or VCA envelopes – rather – the way your fingers touch its surface determines which … Continue reading Review: Hyve Synth – 60 oscillators and as many VCAs as you have fingers
Here it is! A full, detailed review of Elektron’s new Model:Samples, and a feature by feature comparison to Digitakt, which is the question I believe most people interested have on their mind: what are the tradeoffs, and what can one … Continue reading Model Samples vs. Digitakt + 10 performance tips/hacks
Neutron by Behringer was a pretty good value for money before this update, and with version 2.0, Neutron got quite a lot better. In this video I cover the pros, cons and important new features in Neutron firmware version 2.0. … Continue reading Review: Behringer Neutron 2.0 – what’s new, pros, cons and 13 patch ideas/tips
The Quad Peak Animation System – or QPAS from Make Noise – is an interesting new look at stereo filtering, what can be done with four filters, and how to manage them. The idea isn’t to give you individual control … Continue reading Make Noise QPAS Review (smile pass filter and mystery wildcard inputs explained)
Akai just announced Force – their new standalone music production workstation. The design is clearly inspired by 8×8 style grid controllers like Push 2, Launchpad, and their own APC-40. The big question is – what are the tradeoffs between a … Continue reading Akai Force vs Ableton Push 2: Which is better for you?
Cenk Sayınlı (AKA “Mr. Dataline”) has a day job at Elektron, but he’s also a live electronic music performance master. The speed and skill with which he plays is phenominal. At NAMM 2019, I was able to convince him to … Continue reading Dataline’s tips and tricks for live electronic music performance (shown on Elektron Model Samples)
Korg announced the Minilogue XD in NAMM, an update to their very successful Minilogue. It still has 4 voice polyphony, but has many new features including a programmable digital oscillator, multiple effects and a sequencer. I don’t have one for … Continue reading Korg Minilogue XD: All 200 Factory Presets and Sequences
Moog’s new Sirin is a refresh to the Moog Minitaur with a new look, but more importantly, it got a major upgrade to the internal oscillators that lets it play much higher notes, rather than stopping at C4 like the … Continue reading Review: Moog Sirin (and the updated Minitaur)