Latest articles by Si Truss
“Nicely immediate and fun when pushed to its extremes”: Minimal Audio Swarm Reverb review
We discover Minimal Audio’s new reverb is at its best when pushed to the weirder ends of its capabilities
10 years of the Korg Volca: Every synth, drum machine and sampler ranked from best to worst
VIDEO: Korg's compact and affordable instruments go head-to-head. Which you should buy?
Teenage Engineering EP-133 KOII: 3 things we love... and 3 things we don't
VIDEO: We put the Swedish brand's latest Pocket Operator-derived sampler to the test and ask if it's worth the hype
NAMM 2024: Arturia updates Pigments with a revamped sequencer, new presets, wavetables and samples - and you can now use its effects to process sounds from your DAW
One of the most powerful software instruments on the market just got better
"An impressive free update that adds extra sonic scope and enhanced usability to one of our favourite synths of recent years": Arturia MiniFreak 2.0 review
The hybrid poly and its plugin counterpart gain new engines and effects. We freak out…
"When it’s done well, the vocal ‘flip’ is an art form all in itself": The essential guide to vocal sampling
From sourcing samples to extracting a capellas, rearranging your audio to creative effect processing, let’s take a deep dive into the art of the vocal ‘flip’
What actually is reverb and how does it work?
It’s an essential effect used on almost every track, but how does it work its magic?
Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II review
A highlight of the Pocket Operator range gets beefed up in size and specs but is it worth the beefed-up price?
Hauschka on discovering new sounds with prepared piano and effects pedals: "I wanted to make experimental music without a laptop - creating sounds with a piano that had the same qualities as electronic music"
Oscar-winning composer and producer Volker Bertelmann on prepared piano, the need for optimism and finding room to experiment
Let's get experimental: How to use your gear the 'wrong' way to come up with new ideas and unfamiliar sounds
We explore sounds and ideas that break with convention, from classic examples of gear misuse and manipulation to wild sound design and creative sequencing
10 of the best releases in electronic music this year
Our selection of the most imaginative and innovative albums and tracks from electronic artists in 2023
What is distortion and how does it actually work?
Distortion is one of the most common effect types, but it comes in a host of shapes and sizes. Let’s examine some of the science behind it…
9 of the best new bits of studio gear in 2023
The speakers, interfaces, effects and essentials you need in your studio
Sonic Charge Synplant 2 review
An esoteric classic gets an AI-powered update. We plant a seed to see what grows…
6 of the best new controllers and sequencers in 2023
Ableton's vastly reimagined third iteration of Push takes the top spot this year, but who else made our shortlist?
Sugar Bytes Effectrix2 review
The classic rhythmic effect machine returns with a long-awaited follow-up. We enter the matrix
4 of the best new drum machines and grooveboxes in 2023
Roland's innovative, sequencer-focused SH-4d takes the crown this year, but who came runner up?
7 of the best new hardware synths in 2023
In a year dominated by vintage hardware throwbacks and modern innovations, we crown the UDO Super Gemini as 2023's best new synth
How to get the perfect 808s: 8 tips to help you achieve weighty 808 kicks
Whether used as a kick or bass, get perfect 808s every time with our essential guide…
Ableton Live vs Bitwig Studio: which is the best DAW for you?
As Live 12 arrives, we put it head-to-head with Bitwig Studio 5 to ask, which is the king of the Berlin DAWs?
5 things you need to know to get the most out of Ableton Live 12
Video: master the big workflow changes to become a Live 12 power user
Paper Dragon: "It's all about making instruments exist in a real space - putting them through distortion channels, reamping and incorporating ‘air’ into the sound"
We visit the Bristol trio combining their varied industry experience to create raw, nostalgic club music in the studio
What's the difference between different microphone designs and how do they work?
If you've heard the terms dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mic before and wondered what they actually mean, we're here to help
