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Penelope Trappes
Esoteric soundscaper Penelope Trappes embraces an elemental approach to production. Danny Turner discusses the techniques behind new EP, Eel Drip
Trip-hop
This month we take a look at trip-hop, the distinctly British melting pot of stoned hip-hop, dub, and punk
Tascam Model 12 Mixer £569
Compact analogue mixers are usually pretty basic, but this one has some tricks up its sleeve as Jon Musgrave discovers
GREAT OF THE YEAR 2020
We round-up the year's bumper crop of music making hardware and software, to bring you our guide to the essential gear you need in your studio for 2021.
Opsix vs Digitone – Modern FM machines head-to-head
Korg and Elektron’s instruments are the only hardware FM synths in town, but are similar in their quest to present a more modern and tweakable take on that notoriously awkward synthesis type. So what are their pros and cons?
Drew McDowall
Ex-Psychic TV and Coil member Drew McDowall solidifies his reputation as an industrial outlier with his latest album Agalma. Danny Turner discovers his longstanding addiction to modular
ALM Busy Circuits System Coupe £1,899
ALM’s first complete system is packed with new modules and proven classics. Rob Redman takes it for a spin
Quantic Mishaps Happening
Tru Thoughts, 2004
Piezo
Milan-based Luca Mucci’s (aka Piezo) debut album pulsates with innovative sound design. Danny Turner reveals his battle to tame the ‘nerd tendency’
FREE FILTERS
Get your fill with these five fabulous filters that have had the price tags cut off
DIY MODULAR SKIFF
Modular maven Rob Redman guides us in the art of planning and building your own Eurorack enclosure
Actress Karma And Desire
Album Review
Pioneer DJ CDJ-3000
With the competition for DJs’ hearts and wallets hotting up, Leon Bailey asks if the CDJ-3000 keeps Pioneer ahead of the game...
Roland TR-6S
The TR-8S gets a pint-sized little sibling but, as Si Truss discovers, there’s more to this compact beatmaker than first meets the eye…
Breaks
A genre, a technique and a way of life: from ’70s New York roots to today, breakbeats have shaped music culture
Hands-on w Ableton Live 11
The latest update to Ableton’s world-c adds creative effects, MPE control, im clips and a lot more besides
Ela Minus
Ela Minus’s debut is inspired by creating simple human interactions with technology. Danny Turner dissects her minimalist approach
THE 10 BEST SOFTWARE SYNTHS…AND HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THEM
From semi-modular behemoths to authentic virtual analogue, via shifting wavetables, sampled soundscapes, modulated effects stacks and beyond – join us as we celebrate the best synthesis tools the software realm has
Native Instruments Maschine+ £1,099
After years of speculation, NI launch their first standalone instrument. Si Truss asks if it lives up to the hype…
Kingdom
Ezra Rubin has worked with some of the mosttalked about artists of the last five years but as Leo Maymind finds out, he may have saved some of the choicest creative chunks for his own acclaimed work…
Maxim Lany
The Belgian producer shows us how he builds a groove from scratch
Ólafur Arnalds
Ólafur Arnalds has successfully bridged the gap between classical and electronic music. Danny Turner discusses the Stratus software driving the sound of his latest album
Roland Zenology Pro From $9.99/month
Roland Cloud’s central synth engine gets upgraded with pro-level features. Si Truss dives back in…
Shlohmo
Shlohmo’s lo-fiapproach lays the foundation for his unique brand of apocalyptic hip-hop. Danny Turner delves into his recording process
Hit'n'Mix Infinity £299
Infinity lets its users make detailed edits to the component parts of polyphonic audio. Si Truss sees if it’s too good to be true…
iZotope RX 8 Advanced $1199
The audio repair stalwart adds and improves a few modules. Can it give a fresh sheen to James Russell’s tracks?
Akai MPK mini mk3 £90
If you need a backpack-ready controller keyboard, there’s almost too much choice. Jon Musgrave sizes up Akai’s new release
Joachim Pastor- Right Now
Armada Music, 2020 While Versailles is famous for being the home of Louis XIV’s opulent royale palace, it boasts another ex-resident who also enjoys the finer things in life: Armada Music’s Joachim Pastor, whose eclectic style covers everything from whimsical Gallic-flavoured synth-pop to minimal techno and accessible deep house flavors. We caught up with Joachim to discuss how he created his summer slammer Right Now, and find out more about his considered approach to making music.
Sylvan Esso
The US synth-pop duo tell Si Truss how a new studio, a love of modular and touring as a 10-piece band inspired their new LP
PreSonus Quantum 2626 £599
Looking for a decent multiple stream audio interface? Jon Musgrave fires up this latest recording-focused interface