It’s (finally) official: AKAI to launch MPC X and MPC Live

The rumour mill was right: full details are now available of two new AKAI Professional workstations, both with touch screens and featuring the MPC 2.0 software.

NAMM 2017: Stylophone Gen X-1 sneak preview

An image has appeared of the Stylophone Gen-X1 to be launched at NAMM 2017 - can you tell what it is yet?

New Gibson guitar model? Prototype seen at CES Show

Could this be what Gibson have been working on? A UK guitar forum has some vague details on a potential new Gibson model.

Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre: Worth getting in the red for?

So you need to add 8 preamps to your studio, and you fancy some Focusrite gear - will these new units warrant digging a bit deeper into your pocket?

NAMM 2017: PMC to show next-gen MB3 and BB6 monitors

PMC has announced it is presenting a new series of main monitors at NAMM in a couple of weeks - the next-generation MB3 and BB6 are almost upon us.

Neunhaber’s Iconoclast speaker emulator: A box of tricks for guitarists?

While it's often forgotten just how important speakers are for guitar tone, the Iconoclast new speaker emulator aims to let you carry a virtual one in your gig bag at all times.

Morpheus Morphing Z-Plane Filter about to drop

Pre-orders have started on the stunning Morpheus morphing Z-plane filter module for Eurorack pulled from the E-mu Morpheus synthesizer

ESP LTD Bill Kelliher Sparrowhawk soars into 2017

Having last year jumped ship from Gibson it looks like the Mastodon guitarist has been busy with ESP and they are about to release this new signature model at NAMM.

Revolution: 14 iconic drum machines in one virtual instrument

All the classic drum machines packed into a single Kontakt based virtual instrument. Revolution certainly covers all your bases... and snares, hit-hats etc.

CES: Roland reveals Rubix audio interfaces

Roland introduces three sizes of Rubix USB audio interfaces and puts a useful compressor/limiter on two and a ground lift on all three.

Framus previews The Plank and The Hollywood prototype guitars

In a new video, Stevie Salas demos prototype versions of some as yet unfinished Framus models due for release in 2017, currently referred to as The Plank and The Hollywood. Offset semi-hollow body, anyone?

ESP preview Cult 86 Limited Edition in ‘Living Colour’

The Cult 86 has plenty of personality and is sure to get all Living Colour fans hot under the collar!

Ibanez scale it down with 850 Fuzz Mini and BIGMINI Tuner pedals

Not content with announcing 55 new guitars, Ibanez are also adding these two wee pedals to their range, with the more interesting no doubt the dinky, dirty little 850 Fuzz Mini...

PRS Vela S2 Limited Edition – Back In Black!

PRS is preparing a new Limited Edition version of their popular S2 Vela for 2017 - but their production and sales model for this instrument means you'll have to get in your order very quickly.

Fender with new Squier offsets in 2017: Cool on a budget?

Super-cool budget offset electric guitars ready for 2017 you say? Hopefully, yes, with new models announced by Fender Squier. All you Indie darlings will have some great budget guitars to choose from this year.

Get 8-bit wavetables into your Eurorack with the Oscitron

Soulsby are poised to release their first Eurorack module. The Oscitron is an 8-bit oscillator based on the Atmegatron with 32 wavetables and input sampling.

Ibanez to show 55 (!) new guitars at NAMM 2017

Ibanez has slated 55 new models for release at the upcoming Winter NAMM 2017; we've chosen our favourites from this huge roll-out. And yes, there are a few surprises among them...

PolyKB III: Morphing French analog oscillators by XILS

The 1983 French made RCF Polykobol II is resurrected once again by XILS-lab. The PolyKB III is packed with morphing and modulating features. Let's hope they've got it right this time.

Behringer CEO offers sneak peak at their drum machine development

Uli Behringer wishes everyone a merry time and sneaks us a look at the 808 and 909 clones they've made for "evaluation purposes".

Daily Beats VST: 14 instruments for free

Daily Beats VST gives you 14 sampled instruments covering pianos, guitars, strings and orchestral in a fresh clean interface - for free!

Christmas gift from Arturia – it’s a MiniFilter V!

Arturia would like to thank all their users, supporters, current and future customers with a little gift this Christmas of a cool MiniFitler V Moog ladder filter

The 5 Best Microphones 2016: Shure, Lewitt, Chandler, Ocean Way, Townsend

This year has seen some significant advancements in microphone technology. Here's our run down of the Top 5 microphones, each with something to shout about.

Reaktor gets synced to Ableton Link in the 6.1 update

New update from Native Instruments upgrades Reaktor to version 6.1 and brings in Ableton Link support

Sir David Attenborough’s adventures in World Music

Join Sir David Attenborough on Christmas day to hear his adventures in World Music that he collected over his many travels