Ronan Macdonald
Latest articles by Ronan Macdonald
![Virtual modular synthesis at your fingertips](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a3669f3db14f4fea714d675b2cb04e35-320-80.jpg)
VirSyn release mobile modular Tera Synth for iPad
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Deep synthesis on your Apple fondleslab
![Improve your groove with Steinberg's craftiest Agent yet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/94627466ffd0c5ce1ab99b33c45e1dfb-320-80.jpg)
Steinberg announces and releases Groove Agent 4
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Groove Agent has expanded far beyond its original ultra-simple (and not hugely impressive) premise with every new iteration since v1, and the latest looks to be the biggest single leap forward yet,
![GliderVerb: amazing noises indeed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/198c13b48a96d92eb31935f7a3308a10-320-80.jpg)
Amazing Noises' GliderVerb hits the App Store
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Amazing Noises have released their first iOS app, GliderVerb, a reverb expanding on a Supercollider 2 algorithm by James McCartney
![There's something in the AIRA…](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d34f7e87d7cc7c8588b88cae1ab9a53d-320-80.jpg)
Roland update AIRA Series to firmware 1.10
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
If you're a proud owner of any or all of Roland's AIRA Series of boxes, you'll want to head over to the website and download the spanking new v1.10 firmware for it/them posthaste
![SampleTank 3: more sounds to the pound](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eb1ec856bf60caa0a7c613314dee3a5e-320-80.jpg)
IK Multimedia releases SampleTank 3
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
With over 4000 sample-based instruments onboard, IK's long-awaited latest certainly has numbers on its side
![Kaivo is ostensibly a physical modelling instrument but its exciter module is a full-on granular synth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/44379984523e44eada6d9c06d8993656-320-80.jpg)
Madrona Labs Kaivo
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
This new hybrid virtual synth combines two seemingly disparate forms of synthesis
![Get your stereo sorted with DMGAudio Dualism](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/74db763fb79481bc0e8949d4d027b0d3-320-80.jpg)
DMG Audio announces Dualism 'stereo toolkit'
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
New plugin said to be the "Swiss Army Knife of Stereo Tools"
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/36c62b02d69cd91a508f1f13036f7a90-320-80.jpg)
9 of the best Ableton Live MIDI controllers
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
The best in stage and studio controllers for your desk and your tablet
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/61ad028343735b50cdb62424fac9d52d-320-80.jpg)
13 of the best VST/AU plugin effects under $30
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Amazing processors for the thrifty producer
![PUC feels reaonsably solid, but probably wouldn't stand up to being hit with a hockey stick.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/99fa5a496dba1d17561b9e11ec1194ef-320-80.jpg)
Hands-on test: PUC wireless MIDI interface
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
How does this Indiegogo-funded Wi-FI device shape up?
![The iRing is at its most useful when set up to control parameters of your favourite iOS or Mac music software.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/52bea817af0d4fd8d9ba726f49b9a5b1-320-80.jpg)
Hands-on: IK Multimedia iRing
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
We test this new iOS motion controller system
![The 3D version of Spectogram looks quite spectacular and is fully pannable and rotatable](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/48bafcebd1718aa02c8176dce432ecbb-320-80.jpg)
iZotope Insight
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
iZotope release Ozone 5's Meter Bridge as a plug-in in its own right. We see the music…
![The most apparent change to Maschine mkII is the new RGB backlit pads and buttons](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ba6e7991a06f9578c99b3f22ff8f145c-320-80.jpg)
Native Instruments Maschine mkII
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
With its RGB pads, new Master section and cosmetic customising options, does NI's new hardware warrant an upgrade?
![Permut8 might look esoteric and oddball, but it really is a plug-in for everyone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/da38ce7908e1ccab763bd0d6d6f14f70-320-80.jpg)
Sonic Charge Permut8
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
An emulation of an effects box that never existed, this retro-style delay generates far more than just echoes.
![Array comprises a bank of eight parallel -36dB/octave resonant band-pass filters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/51769f1538852365a1e55b20efd79ea6-320-80.jpg)
Sinevibes Array
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Step sequencing and multiband filtering come together brilliantly in this modestly priced Mac-only plug-in
![ChanComp is an 1176-style limiting amplifier and BusComp is an SSL-style bus compressor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4acd2e2279be4fdbb60b1f24367a39ee-320-80.jpg)
FXpansion DCAM Dynamics
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Four compressors from the makers of Synth Squad and Etch
![FabFilter Saturn's large spectrum analyser is an ever-present - and cool - feature of its display.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fd644f49975ede5e086804cf9e54f382-320-80.jpg)
FabFilter Saturn
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
The Dutch master's latest plug-in takes saturation and distortion to new heights
![Its single mono output aside, the Nord Drum is a fantastic, beautifully built slab of equipment.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8140ea3cfb9369902f60aa3929f231ac-320-80.jpg)
Nord Drum
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Marking a return to electronic percussion, Clavia's new drum synth is aimed at actual drummers as well as studio rats. We pull the trigger…
![The main window is where the fun starts. This is where your 'masks' are defined](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/218425b78dfc85e19c483b5a1c6afd91-320-80.jpg)
XILS-Lab Le Masque: Delay 1.5
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
A spin on the delay/filter marriage. We see if this refreshed plug-in can get you moving
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/783a98a62444f7fc36442c92f98c107d-320-80.jpg)
Should I upgrade to Maschine 2.0?
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
We review the new features of Native Instruments' groove production platform
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b92c62bcbd6b2103b66f6b1bbf901f0f-320-80.jpg)
10 technologies that are changing the way we make music
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Groundbreaking new ways to sync, link, control and collaborate
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