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