musical instruments
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Elektron's Syntakt wants to be the only groovebox you'll ever need
The Syntakt combines digital and analog synthesis with the ability to control a larger setup.
Moog's Etherwave Theremin makes a classic design more convenient
Improved portability and bass response headline Moog's "if it ain't broke" approach.
Korg's Volca FM 2 synth adds more voices, reverb and randomization
The portable and loving tribute to an iconic '80s synth is now even more compelling.
Fender's newest Acoustasonic guitar is cheaper, but not cheap enough
Fenders' Acoustasonic Player Telecaster trades versatility for price, but still costs too much.
Hydrasynth Explorer review: Possibly the most synth you can get under $600
With rich sound design tools and polyphonic aftertouch this is a surprising value at $600.
Reverb's latest feature lets you track the value of your music gear
Reverb, the Etsy-owned online used musical instrument site, has added a feature called Collections that lets you track the value of your musical gear.
Retrokits RK-008 is a robust MIDI sequencer disguised as a pocket calculator
Retrokits RK-008 is capable of controlling an entire live music rig, but looks like a pocket calculator.
VCV will bring its virtual Eurorack synth to your DAW this November
It's getting a major redesign, and a new pay-for Studio Edition with a VST plugin.
Pērkons is Erica Synths' thunderous new drum machine
The four voice instrument comes loaded with features for music pros.
Hydrasynth Explorer makes ASM's unique wavemorphing engine 'portable'
The Hydrasynth Explorer puts ASM's powerful wavemorphing engine in a battery-powered keyboard.
Musical instrument company Roli files for administration, will relaunch as Luminary
Roli, the modular musical instrument business co-owned by Pharrell Williams and Grimes, has entered administration in the UK and will relaunch as Luminary.
Poly Effects starts shipping Hector: The modular synth for your modular synth
The modular synth you can put inside your modular synth is now shipping.
Cooper FX Arcades review: Plumbing the depths of lo-fi guitar effects
Cooper FX Arcades takes what could be a mere gimmick -- game cartridge-like swappable sound cards -- and uses them to plumb the depths of lo-fi guitar effects.
Jamstik Studio is the MIDI guitar you might actually want to use
Guitar MIDI controllers are usually giant disappointments. But Jamstik seems to have broken the code. The Studio MIDI Guitar has fast and accurate pitch detection, and even does an impressive job of recreating bends, hammer-ons and to a lesser degree slides. MIDI wasn’t designed with stringed instruments in mind, so it’s never going to be perfect, and the $800 asking price is steep. But, this is probably the best guitar-style MIDI controller on the market right now. Plus, it’s actually a guitar.
Arturia's KeyStep Pro is a near-perfect MIDI controller for hardware synths
Arturia’s KeyStep Pro successfully marries most of what makes the KeyStep so ubiquitous with the sequencing power of the BeatStep Pro. It’s not perfect, especially if you’re hoping to use it as the core of a hybrid setup that combines hardware synths with the power of a DAW. But there are few controllers out there with this breadth of connectivity options, especially at the price point.
MOD Duo X review: A do-it-all music box with potential
The MOD Duo X is a one-of-a-kind desktop effects processor that has the potential to do even more. It's excellent for building virtual pedalboards, but its synth features still feel unfinished. If you’re looking for an all-in-one device that can be a multi-effects unit, a direct recording box, a headphone practice amp and a live sound mangler the Duo X is a solid choice, as long as you’re willing to spend the $749.
Pico System III review: A fun and simplified intro to modular synths
The Pico System III is a reasonably priced entry point into the world of modular and west coast synthesis. It has everything you need to get started exploring the nuts and bolts of analog sound design.
Moog Subharmonicon review: An experimental synth with an iconic sound
The Subharmonicon indulges its experimental side more than other Moog synths. It's inspired by the Mixtur-Trautonium and the Rhythmicon a pair of early electronic music instruments. Those avant-garde roots show and can make it a bit daunting if you’re just looking for a quick fix of that iconic bass sound. But patience and persistence reveal that the Subharmonicon, for all of its complexity, is still classic Moog.
Craig Kaths' intricate synth sculptures look real enough to play
Recently, I spent the afternoon traipsing through the streets of Brooklyn for Gowanus' annual open art studios tour. It's a yearly ritual for me because the industrial neighborhood, which is full of warehouses turned CrossFit gyms, is a veritable playground for creative types. Every abandoned-looking building opens its doors to reveal dozens of artists' studios.
Confronting existential dread through DIY musical instruments
A Day That Will Never Happen Again. Here You Are, You Are Here. Everything You Love Will One Day Be Taken From You. Believe it or not, these are not the names of Cure songs, but of electronic musical instruments -- though obviously not particularly traditional ones. They're collectively known as The Book of Knowledge of Impractical Musical Devices and they were created by Yann Seznec, a sound artist based in Scotland. (Though he is in the process of moving back to the US.) It's a project that pulls inspiration from a number of places. But there are three big ones that unify the series. As the name suggests, The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices by Al-Jazari is a major reference point. But Seznec's project also explores our relationship with sound and media, as well as the fleetingness of... well, everything. As he says in describing the third volume in the series Everything You Love Will One Day Be Taken From You: "Every time I play that sound I'm destroying it. And it's slowly slipping away from me. Just like everything is." Yikes.
