Once I’d heard ‘Are Friends’ Electric?” by Tubeway Army, I knew synthesizers would be a huge part of my life. Despite drums becoming my main instrument for many years, I dabbled and lusted after countless pieces of gear and started using computers to help me make my own music with a Commodore 64 and a copy of Electrosound.
Over the years, I eventually progressed to more professional tools and began to truly indulge my love of electronic music making, slowly building a collection of gear that covered most synthesis methods, from sampling to physical modelling and beyond. However, my love of the gear that soundtracked my formative years was strong and I was fortunate enough to be asked to work with the inventor of the Fairlight CMI on their more recent projects. This then led to me restoring Fairlight CMI’s, something I still do to this day.
My home studio is now filled with classic vintage gear of the 80s and 90s, as well as modern classics. In recent years, I have been producing podcasts for Sound On Sound, as well as writing articles for them and I also present a weekly live stream for the Pro Synth Network. I still drum, albeit now on e-Drum kits, which are far easier to move around and a lot quieter when practising! You can often find me delivering seminars & lectures and at various synth shows around the world, talking about and demonstrating iconic synths.
NAMM
A selection of new finishes for some of Ludwig's most popular ranges of drums were announced at NAMM 24, some of which are limited editions!
NAMM
Size isn't everything, or so they say, and the new EFNOTE Mini certainly supports that claim. How cute can an e-Drum kit be? Very!
NAMM
Yamaha Drums have launched a range of new finishes to their entry-level Rydeen range of kits, plus a new and versatile Hi-Hat stand.
The Redshift 6 from Supercritical sees them branch out into desktop synthesis by making use of their existing technology, multiplied by six!
NAMM
Previewed at the back end of 2023, the new 'American Format' muSonics modular synthesizer from STG Soundlabs is available to order now!
NAMM
Arturia's Pigments 5 is their flagship soft synth that is a sound designer's dream which now comes with more grunt for less effort
The SONICWARE LIVEN Mega Synthesis recreates the iconic YM2612 FM sound chip found in the Sega Mega Drive with all the extras of a LIVEN box.
Behringer's Pro VC Mini delivers desktop vector synthesis at a knockdown price. In stock now and shipping immediately with the new Firmware 1.1.2.
Ignoring the maxim of "Just because you can doesn't mean you should", Tim Alex Jacobs' quest to build the world's smallest synth continues!
GForce Software's Axxess is to their Oddity3 what the ARP Axxe was to the ARP Odyssey. How have GForce built on this single-serving synth?
2023 delivered some great software synthesizers for us to play with but which made our Best Software Synths 2023 list and do you agree?
Arturia V Collection X, the latest incarnation of their collection of plugins, arrives with new instruments and some welcome rebuilds.
Looking to buy the best when it comes to e-Drum kits? Look no further. Here's our guide to the top-rated electronic drum kits available today.
Arturia update their hugely popular MiniFreak Synthesizer and its MiniFreak V software counterpart to V2 with a ton of cool stuff!
E-Drums are often top of the list when starting to learn, but what should you look for when buying an electronic drum kit for beginners?
Looking for an affordable electronic drum set for practice or the budding drummer in your life? These kits give you great bang for your buck.
Cherry Audio wrap-up another jam-packed year of fantastic plugins with the Synthesizer Expander Module and it's free for everyone!
In the spirit of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", the Arturia KeyStep Pro Chroma gets a shot in the arm with new firmware & new colour.
24 Nov 2023 in
Finding the right keyboard on a budget for a beginner can be fraught with many pitfalls. This guide is here to help you make your choice.
KORG enter the world of drum/percussion pads with the MPS-10. Can it compete with already established units or is it a case of ba-dum, tish?
Don the cape and crack out the Slipperman suit as Cherry Audio takes the ARP Pro Soloist & gives it, and their Synth Stack, some oomph!
It's that time of year again, with Black Friday and Cyber Week deals coming thick and fast. Here are five amazing deals on e-drum kits.
After a successful inaugural event in 2023, Synth East returns & has been extended across three, fun-packed days with live gigs & workshops!
AUDIO
What would happen if a Yamaha Montage M and a Yamaha PSR went on vacation together and things got steamy? The answer is a Yamaha Genos2.