Why MP3 will be around for a long, long time

Fraunhofer say MP3 isn't dead, they've just grown apart, broken up over artistic differences and have run off with the children.

0-Coast inspired Ripplemaker synthesizer coming to iOS

Bram Bos is developing a West-Coast inspired semi-modular synthesizer for iOS called Ripplemaker. Looks like something you can really get your Krell on with.

Invasors for Kontakt: Analogue-inspired synthesis done right

Invasors brings the feel and sound of analog hardware into the Kontakt software interface giving an enjoyably tweakable and inviting sound making experience.

Ants! Analogue semi-modular ready to go

The successfully Kickstarted Ants! from Plankton Electronics has entered production and are now taking preorders. If you're a backer then keep an eye on the post!

Matthew’s Effects’ new The Alchemist transmutes Stereo and Mono guitar signals

When you need to use more than one guitar amp in your live rig things can get complicated very quickly. Maybe you should consider a bit of transmutation?

Anasounds boutique effects pedals are hand-made in France – from wood

French company Anasounds have recently issued a fantastic-looking new range of handmade boutique pedals housing analogue circuits, and a first listen suggests they sound pretty sweet, as well.

EchoMelt is a warbly multi-fx plug-in for face-melting tunes

EchoMelt is a new multi-FX plug-in focussing on Chorus, Echo, saturation, a parametric EQ, and a proprietary "Melt" effect. Serious business!

Collaborate by iPhone with MusicMessages for iMessage

Don't fiddle with Facebook on your phone, write cool tunes in iMessage and get your mates to collaborate. MusicMessages is a step sequencer within a messaging app - cool.

Instruo Harmonaig chord generating Eurorack module review

Harmonaig is a comprehensive harmony quantizer and chord generator for Eurorack, with deep modes of harmonic loveliness. We caught a first glimpse ahead of release.

G&L Kiloton 5-String bass: MFD-powered explosive bass tones?

The new Kiloton US-made 5-String bass looks like it can handle just about anything you can throw at it. With a simple control layout and great hardware throughout, this could be one explosive bass guitar...

Tate Effects Brexit Means Brexit overdrive pedal: Not available in the EU…

Made in England, these new Brexit Means Brexit RAT clone pedals are making a statement, but will it be one you'll want to own or disown?

T-Rex Replicator Junior Tape Echo – 100% analogue mini tape echo

This diminuitive fully 100% analogue tape echo pedal from Denmark, looks like it'll be busting wallets this summer. Plus it will easily squeeze onto most pedal boards too!

Epiphone Limited Edition 20th Anniversary Jack Casady Bass: Hot Tuna!

Celebrating a relationship that started back in 1997, this new signature bass for Jefferson Aeroplane's bassist Jack Cassady has a deceptively simple configuration.

zenAud.io ALK promises no-frills fun with loops and sequences

zenAud.io is gearing up to release ALK, a colourful sequencing and looping platform for Mac computers with a focus on performance capabilities that could appeal to the Ableton Live crowd...

XILS-Lab tackle the Polymoog with the PolyM virtual instrument

The 8 preset Polymoog is a rather strange beast, but one with a classic repertoire. XILS-Lab PolyM aims to tame it into a versatile virtual instrument

cellF: Cybernetic neural synthesizer grown from the creators cells

cellF is a "wet-alogue" synthesizer interface grown in a petri dish from the inventors own cells. It performs and "jams" along with human musicians and probably keep you awake at night.

Get yourself pucked up! ISO-Puck isolates your studio monitors

The new portable ISO-Puck speaker isolators are now available, with a new approach to that often underestimated task of mounting your studio monitors correctly.

EarthQuaker Devices’ Erupter fuzz pedal: Simply Dirty!

Erupter combines the simplest of circuits paired with the most straightforward control interface imaginable to offer you some sonic destruction - fuzz doesn't get any easier than this.

Disting Mk4: Expert Sleepers adds audio recorder and MIDI-to-CV

The Expert Sleepers Disting Mk4 hits version 4.1 and adds some MIDI implementation with CV conversion and an audio recorder for capturing your performances.

Triaccord: A trilogy of synthesizers based on sight, hearing and touch

Triaccord explores sight, hearing and touch in this multimedia installation by artist Love Hultén. Three synthesisers, exquisitely presented.

Learn the basics of music production with Ableton – for free

Learning Music offers a series of short tutorials that demonstrate concepts taken straight out of Ableton Live's clips-based workflow with some light music theory on the side...

JAM Pedals’ Black Muck: 1960s silicon transistors delivering dirty fuzz

The Black Muck is a new limited-run fuzz pedal that's hand-built in Athens - and sounds pretty filthy!

Skin Motion Soundwave Tattoos put audio on your body forever

Skin Motion have invented a way of tattooing audio onto your skin that actually plays back. This is not a joke, Soundwave Tattoos are completely real.

Tap this! D16 announces its powerhouse Tekturon tap delay plug-in

D16 Group's new Tekturon sounds like the secret lovechild of an analogue delay effect and a drum sequencer, with a 'Delay Matrix' letting you access many parameters very quickly. Intrigued? We are.