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Loog's baby digital piano could be the perfect starter instrument for newbies
Loog is back with a new starter instrument to help amateur piano players get their footing. The Loog Piano features built-in speakers, detailed digital models and a gorgeous aesthetic.
Sonicware's latest groovebox is made for lofi beats
Sonicware has built a groovebox for making lofi beats.
Arturia's instruments and effects are 50 percent off until December 6th
Arturia's instruments and effects are 50 percent off during a Black Friday sale that lasts until December 6th.
Akai reveals a bigger sibling for one of the best budget MIDI controllers
Akai has unveiled a new budget MIDI controller that packs more keys and controls than you'd expect for the price.
Moog once again revives the Model 10, its first compact modular synth (updated)
Moog has brought back its legendary Model 10 synth once again, provided you're willing to pay a premium.
Korg’s DIY oscilloscope comes paired with a coffee table book
Korg has unveiled an oscilloscope kit bundle that includes a book full of history and tips.
Teenage Engineering's tiny handheld TX-6 mixer offers an instrument tuner
Teenage Engineering has introduced a minuscule mixer that fits in your hand, but includes surprises like an instrument tuner.
Akai's third-gen MPK Mini Play keyboard offers a better feel and all-day battery life
Akai has unveiled a new version of its MPK Mini Play keyboard with a better key feel and enough battery life to jam all day.
The Rhodes electric piano is back with a hefty price tag
After months of teasing, the legendary Rhodes piano is back, with Rhodes Music Group opening pre-orders for the new MK8 model on Wednesday.
Haunting soft synth has a visualizer that stares back
Love Hultén has unveiled an art project soft synth with a visualizer that looks back at you — and you can buy one.
Fender's latest Acoustasonic hybrid guitar is almost affordable
Fender has unveiled a lower-cost Acoustasonic hybrid guitar aimed at relative newcomers to the music world.
Elektron's Model:Cycles and Model:Samples grooveboxes are on sale for $249 each
You can save $50 if you pick up one of the sequencers now.
Kanye West's new album 'Donda' arrives on a remix-it-yourself gadget
Kanye West has introduced a Stem Player music-making gadget that can mix the core ingredients of songs, including those from 'Donda.'
Mooer crams a drum machine, effects and a looper into a six-string guitar
Mooer Audio is readying a six-string guitar with a drum machine, 126 effects and a looper — you may not need much else to create music.
Roland marks TR-808's 40th anniversary with a documentary and freebies
Roland is marking the TR-808 drum machine's 40th anniversary with a documentary, virtual instruments and more.
New Launchkey MK3 MIDI controllers add a powerful arpeggiator
Novation is updating its Launchkey MID controller lineup with deeper Ableton integration and a powerful new arpeggiator.
Joué Play is a cheap, simple and customizable MIDI controller
The Joué Play lowers the price -- $289 with four overlays -- and adds a companion app that allows you to quickly and easily start making music with built in sounds. In fact, if you ask the company, it think the Play will appeal to even those who can’t play an instrument, but want to make music.
ZOIA review: A complex and rewarding modular effects pedal
Empress Effects ZOIA is unquestionably a one-of-a-kind effects pedal. Its interface can be daunting at times, but it puts an almost limitless number of sounds at your feet.
Model:Cycles review: An affordable and approachable FM groovebox
Fair or not, Elektron has a reputation for making complex and kinda pricey electronic music gear. Last year though, it made a serious play for the entry level with the Model:Samples ($299), an affordable, sample-based groovebox that simplified Elektron's unique workflow for beginners. In a lot of ways, it's a stripped-down version of the company's Digitakt sampler. If you're familiar with the Digitakt, you've no doubt often seen it paired with the Digitone, a sort of sibling groovebox that relies on FM synthesis instead of samples. So it only makes sense that Elektron would want to give the Model:Samples its own FM-based partner in crime. Physically the Model:Cycles is basically a palette-swapped version of the Model:Samples -- Subzero to the M:S' Scorpion. At its core it's the same six-track monophonic sequencer -- but with a streamlined version of the Digitone's sound engine under the hood. Obviously though sacrifices had to be made to hit that $299 price point. As a result, the Cycles isn't exactly a budget-friendly replacement for the Digitone. It's very much its own instrument.
Making music with BeatBox, a Labo-like drum machine kit
When I first heard about the BeatBox, I was skeptical. A build-it-yourself drum machine made from cardboard? Wouldn't that disintegrate within half an hour? Finger-tapping isn't as violent as, say, regular drumming with wooden sticks, but when you're in the zone you still tend to hit the buttons with melodic oomph. (At least, that's what I tend to do.) After a few seconds with the crowdfunded instrument, though, those fears evaporated. I'm no musical expert, but it's clear the BeatBox has been thoughtfully designed and can take a chunk of performative punishment.
