Latest articles by Matt Mullen
“I don’t like to categorise my tracks by genre - I do it by vibe”: Dr Dubplate's 5 DJ tips
Bristol-based selector and label head Dr Dubplate offers up some advice for playlist curation and reveals the CDJ function he thinks is "underrated"
You can now sample via USB-C using your Ableton Move
Move's 1.3.0 firmware update also lets you send out polyphonic expression through the instrument's MIDI out port
"It's probably closer to the real hardware than anything out there": 5 of the coolest free plugins we discovered this month
Our monthly round-up of free plugins continues with spherical synths, feline delays and a killer take on the Yamaha CS-80
Could this robotic glove make you a better piano player?
In a recent study published in Science Robotics, pianists showed measurable improvements across both hands after a 30-minute practice session wearing the device
openDAW promises to open the door to music production for beginners, students and beatmakers on a budget
Though still in development, openDAW looks set to be a capable and accessible music-making platform with a few interesting quirks
Full Bucket Music takes on another rare vintage synth with Paralogy, its free plugin emulation of the Crumar Trilogy and Stratus
The generous German developer adds to its bucketload of free synth plugins with a recreation of two quirky Italian instruments from the '80s
This genius gadget automatically records everything you play on piano - so you'll never lose a spontaneous jam again
Billed as "the world's first automatic piano recorder", Jamcorder constantly records MIDI from your piano to be played back on its mobile app
Toraiz ChordCat is a chord-focused groovebox that'll help theory-averse beatmakers cook up chord sequences
ChordCat's Chord Cruiser feature can help you "create chord progressions effortlessly, even if you're not familiar with music theory"
Arturia's limited-edition DrumBrute Impact 1984 gives its analogue drum machine an '80s facelift
Orange-accented off-white stylings reimagine this boisterous budget beatmaker, originally unveiled in 2018
"We’ve heard your frustrations": Native Instruments responds to customer concerns over Maschine+
"We want to reinforce our strong commitment to Maschine", reads the company's post on its community forum
Behringer releases RD-78, a $199 Roland CR-78 clone that promises to "bring the magic of the '70s and '80s back to life"
RD-78 squeezes the classic analogue CR-78 sounds into a modern, compact and super-affordable drum machine
Charli XCX's Brat mastering engineer Idania Valencia on her go-to plugins and the threat of AI
The Mexican mastering engineer on working on Charli XCX's Grammy-winning behemoth and why she works entirely in-the-box
“It’s easy to be a show-off with production. In electronic music right now, that’s what a lot of people are doing - but that’s just ego”: Ela Minus looks inwards on new project DÍA
The Colombian hardware synth-head on her soul-searching second album, demolishing the ego, and why she can’t stand Dave Smith’s presets
Unexpected collabs, Behringer surprises and more: The biggest music tech stories of NAMM 2025
We round up NAMM 2025's best new synths, controllers, studio gear and more
Donner's Essential L1 is a budget analogue synth with detachable keyboard that's inspired by the SH-101
The Chinese manufacturer edges ever-further into Behringer's territory with another enticingly-priced vintage clone
Native Instruments teams up with Akai, Korg, Novation and more to "empower millions of music creators"
Native Instruments is expanding NKS integration to its competitors' controllers and making its software and sounds available on the Akai MPC platform
Best beginner DJ controllers 2025: Top picks for budding mix masters
Entry-level devices for rekordbox, Serato, Traktor and more - perfect for beginner DJs
NAMM 2025: Melbourne Instruments teases new MIDI controller with motorized knobs
The Australian manufacturer looks set to release a controller that features the specially developed, self-rotating knobs from its Nina and Delia synths
NAMM 2025: Audient unveils iD48, a flagship 8-channel 24x32 audio interface that makes integrating outboard gear quick and easy
iD48's new Switchable Analogue Inserts let you track and mix using external hardware without physically re-patching cables
NAMM 2025: You (probably) can't afford them, but Focal's $50k Utopia Mains might be your new dream monitors
Drawing on decades of research and innovation, the passive Utopia Mains are described as the "ultimate Focal studio monitors"
NAMM 2025: XILS-lab promises "virtual Vangelis" with its new Yamaha CS-80 emulation
The Eighty expands the potential of Yamaha's storied '70s classic with a third synth layer, expanded modulation options and extra effects
NAMM 2025: Reloop's Keypad Pro is a portable, wireless MIDI controller that'll play nice with Bitwig Studio
Keypad Pro packs a 25-key keyboard, 16 aftertouch-enabled drum pads and eight channel strips into a lightweight controller equipped with Bluetooth MIDI
Madlib launches fundraiser after losing home, gear and extensive record collection in LA wildfires
The revered hip-hop producer is asking for donations to assist with "immediate personal needs" after fires claimed his Altadena home
