Arturia’s KeyStep mk2 MIDI controller is a shortcut to flow state
Arturia's KeyStep mk2 MIDI controller is a shortcut to flow state Don’t mind my desk toys. Arturia’s KeyStep is one of the most popular MIDI controllers ever made, especially with modular synth users and the DAWless crowd. It’s small, cheap, has an easy-to-use sequencer, and offers decent connectivity. But it was also released way back […]
Roland is finally honoring its legacy instead of just cashing in on it
Roland is finally honoring its legacy instead of just cashing in on it The Roland TR-1000 rhythm generator. If the only thing Roland ever released was the TR-808, the company would still deserve a place in the music gear hall of fame. The 808 is arguably the most important instrument since the creation of the […]
Music’s biggest labels are weeks away from major AI licensing deals
Music's biggest labels are weeks away from major AI licensing deals Taylor Swift’s label, Republic Records, is a division of Universal Music Group, one of the two labels reportedly close to an AI deal. Universal Music and Warner Music, record labels whose catalogs include Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Charli XCX, are within weeks of […]
Roland’s TR-1000 is its first analog drum machine in over 40 years
Roland's TR-1000 is its first analog drum machine in over 40 years Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator Roland has largely decided sit out the analog synth renaissance of the last decade. But it’s (belatedly) making amends for that error with the launch of the TR-1000 Rhythm Generator. Unlike previous instruments that tried to cash in on […]
YouTube’s new AI experiment adds AI hosts to your music
YouTube's new AI experiment adds AI hosts to your music YouTube is adding AI hosts to radio and mixes in the YouTube Music app as part of a new test available through its new Labs program. The hosts are designed to “deepen your listening experience by sharing relevant stories, fan trivia, and fun commentary about […]
Suno’s upgraded AI music generator is technically impressive, but still soulless
Suno's upgraded AI music generator is technically impressive, but still soulless When it’s not trying to fend off lawsuits from major record labels, Suno is still working on refining its AI music creation tool. The latest model, Suno v5, is an obvious technical improvement over its previous version, v4.5+. But it still can’t seem to […]
Spotify Lossless is an inconvenient improvement
Spotify Lossless is an inconvenient improvement If you listen to music the way a lot of people do these days – with a pair of wireless earbuds, from a Bluetooth speaker, or just blaring directly out of your phone – you will never notice a difference between Spotify’s high-quality 320Kbps streams and its lossless audio. […]
Spotify adds lossless streaming after 8 years of teasing
Spotify adds lossless streaming after 8 years of teasing It’s been a long time coming but Spotify is finally getting lossless audio. Rumors have been circulating about a high-fidelity offering since as early as 2017. In 2021, Spotify claimed it was “coming later this year.” And by May of 2024 it was “almost ready.” So, […]
Pocket Scion is a synth you play with plants
Pocket Scion is a synth you play with plants A few years ago, artist Modern Biology became a viral sensation when he posted videos of himself controlling a modular synth with mushrooms on TikTok. Pocket Scion gives anyone similar capabilities, but without having to spend thousands of dollars on a Eurorack rig – and in […]
The winners and losers of Taylor Swift’s engagement announcement
The winners and losers of Taylor Swift's engagement announcement The winners and losers of Taylor Swift’s engagement announcement The world’s most famous celebrity couple got engaged, and the first place the news broke was on Instagram. By now, it’s not much of a surprise that pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce opted […]