Roland’s TR-8S is 80’s nostalgia in product form… it was released two years ago and combines virtual analog models of Roland’s classic drum machines, including the 808, 909 and 606, along with sample playback capabilities. Roland has just released firmware … Continue reading Roland TR-8S Version 2: Review and 10 performance tips
Theoryboard from Irijule is a MIDI controller built to give you easy access to multiple musical scales and is designed to help you write chord progressions, melodies, and bass lines. What makes it special are its chord layout and live … Continue reading Irijule TheoryBoard Review: Can it help you write chord progressions and melodies?
TYPHON is a two-oscillator, single filter analog monosynth from Dreadbox, with digital effects from SineVibes – and it does quite a few things in an original way, both in terms of controls, and in terms of price. At under 400 … Continue reading Dreadbox TYPHON Review, Tutorial and 9 Patch Ideas
A couple of weeks ago Presonus announced a new controller called ATOM SQ, and I was intrigued by its offset dual row design. Most multifunction grid pad controllers let you play piano keyboard style layouts, but I always find the location of … Continue reading Review and tutorial: ATOM SQ and its innovative offset pads
Iridium from Waldorf is a 16 voice, polyphonic, bi-timbral, stereo, digital hardware synth. It’s the desktop version of Quantum, and it trades in Quantum’s analog filters for a lower price tag, more voices, a smaller footprint, and a few additional … Continue reading Waldorf IRIDIUM Review and full tutorial (applicable to Quantum too)
A few simple pairings can drastically transform your semi-modular synth. In this video I explore 10 ideas to extend Moog’s Matriarch, many of which are applicable to other synths: TIMELINE: 0:00 Intro 0:45 Back panel jacks 1:35 Wavefolder 4:25 Drive … Continue reading Transform your synth: 10 semi-modular pairing ideas shown with Moog Matriarch
The thing that makes modules like Turing Machine and Marbles unique isn’t just their ability to generate random sequences, but also their ability to freeze randomness once a compelling pattern is presented to you. These modules are digital, so they … Continue reading Modular/Analog “RAM”? How to store generative melodies & rhythms using sample & hold and a sequential switch
Foot-switches and expression pedals were born analog, and designed to act as on/off or continuous-control extensions for guitar pedals, synths and other analog instruments. However, increasingly, music is being created on digital devices, whether it’s computers, digital synths, digitally controlled … Continue reading Beatbars MIDI Foot-switch and Expression Pedal Review (FS3 and EX3)
Novation just announced a refresh of their LaunchKey MIDI and DAW controllers. The big news in these, is that like the new MK3 LaunchPads and Launchkey Mini MK3, they can also now load up custom templates to control hardware or … Continue reading LAUNCHKEY MK3 Review and Tutorial // 25,37 vs 49,61 // Generative Arpeggiator explained
REmindER from Enjoy Electronics is a desktop effects processor focused on creating rhythmic effects using delays. It can take a simple pattern and evolve it into an elaborate rhythm using multiple delays and selective filtering. A unique aspect of REmindER … Continue reading REmindER Review – Stereo and Quadraphonic Rhythmic Delay by Enjoy Electronics