I've had an M Audio Code 61 MIDI controller for several years and have recently been looking at a replacement.  My first keyboard was an Alesis QS 7 and its 76 keys was always sufficient for me. 61 keys often felt limited even though I'm not an expert keyboard player by any means. Lately I found myself looking at getting back to having a hardware synth, maybe even something in the flagship range like a Yamaha Montage, Korg Kronos or Roland Fantom. I was really tempted by the MODX as well.... -- read post

I've essentially been away from music promotion for several years after having been involved by way of publishing a magazine and music website from 1987 to now. I haven't been actively reviewing new music for many years, although I've been working on developing music websites and publishing (mostly) archival content as time allows between the day job. From time to time a new album crosses my path, but I've not been exposed to music PR for a long while now. Over the last year or so, I've... -- read post

I find working with loopers can be a helpful tool for songwriting. Check it out on Amazon . -- read post

I've ordered the new Casiotone CT-S1000V which is currently making a bit of splash around the blogs of late. I think I may feature it on my FAWM 2022 album this year. It's supposed to arrive just before that so I should be able to play around with it and get some use-cases for you all after FAWM is over and I have something to showcase. I'm almost entirely just interested in the vocal synthesis functions of the synth and not that it reportedly has a lot of pretty decent sounds on board.... -- read post

A TASTE of Audio Ollie's entire product line (15gb of content) is being offered for $9 . This is a one time payment NOT a subscription. Taste requires Kontakt Full . https://www.audioollie.com/taste -- read post

I've been mixing on headphones for many years. Many, many years. I'm not really sure why I suddenly thought that having studio monitors was something I needed, but I did and it was. Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/33DeoZu I also got the Yamaha HS8S subwoofer and I'm hoisting the monitors up with proline monitor stands. I got my monitors at Guitar Center and picked them up after work the Thursday before the week of Christmas. It was a madhouse. It's a madhouse everywhere these days. I... -- read post

All “more cowbell” jokes aside, this instrument is the real deal, and here’s some groovy loops you can use in your production.  Its two different cowbells (a low pitched handmade Cuban mambo bell, and a small vintage Ludwig bongo bell from the 1950’s) played in different ways at many different tempos. https://www.organicdrumloops.com/percussion/cowbellz/ -- read post

C&S present another great sample based instrument for Native Instruments Reaktor including 100 presets. This one is playable via keyboard or any other MIDI input and makes morphing / modulating Atmo, Chord, Bass, FX and Lead sounds. The morphing is controlled by an LFO and can be synced to your DAW. The instrument´s heart is a controllable granular sampler and features a spectral stereo equalizer plus two effects (Delay, Reverb). So the presets can be changed in many ways though you... -- read post

The complete solution for browsing auditioning and managing your samples just got e ven more comprehensive with Loopcloud’s new hugely creative pattern editing f unctions.  With Loopcloud’s revolutionary new Loop Editor, you can slice, edit and reverse samples into  unique patterns, and then audition any loop or one-shot with the same edits you’ve made. All  before downloading anything or even touching your DAW. https://www.loopcloud.net -- read post

The Spitfire Audio LABS programme is an infinite series of software instruments, free and easy to use; made by musicians in London for anyone, anywhere. We release one every month, as well as a bimonthly creative compendium, The Notebook. And in case you missed it, they are all FREE. https://www.spitfireaudio.com/labs/ -- read post