Ben Rogerson

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it. 

Articles by: Ben Rogerson

Elton John Ben Folds

Ben Folds names the only album on which Elton John is “represented as a piano player”

By Ben Rogerson published

“I spoke with him once about this record. And he said that it was pretty much beyond his ability”

Ducan Mackay 10cc Runaround TV show

Former 10cc keyboard player Duncan Mackay showing his Yamaha and Roland synths to comedian Mike Reid could be the strangest video you'll watch all week

By Ben Rogerson published

It all took place on a children’s TV show in the early ‘80s as a robot called Metal Mickey looked on

Arturia FX Collection 4

Arturia’s FX Collection 4 lands with an all-new Leslie speaker plugin and emulations of Korg and Lexicon classics

By Ben Rogerson published

Now could be the time to reboot your effects rack

Look Mum No Computer ReBirth controller

Propellerhead’s ReBirth is reborn as a hands-on hardware synth, and it’s all thanks to Look Mum No Computer

By Ben Rogerson published

The master of MIDI controllers gets his teeth into a 25-year-old Roland-cloning classic

SSL UF1

SSL’s UF1 promises to “set a new standard for single fader DAW controllers”

By Ben Rogerson published

In fact, it can control up to three DAWs simultaneously

Akai MPC One Plus

Akai issues a red alert as it launches the MPC One+, but it might not have all the upgrades you were hoping for

By Ben Rogerson published

Increased storage, but the same amount of RAM as its predecessor, and still no built-in battery

Behringer Spice

Behringer launches the Moog-esque Edge and Spice synths and hits back at “all the critics who claim that we’re driven by profit”

By Ben Rogerson published

New instruments appear to be inspired by the DFAM and Subharmonicon

Klevgrand Richter

Klevgrand’s Richter is a ‘tectonic’, super-heavy compressor plugin that the company thinks is off the scale

By Ben Rogerson published

Unconventional but apparently intuitive plugin promises to set off a sonic earthquake

Air Music Jura

The Jura’s out: Air Music releases new plugin emulation of Roland’s Juno-60 synth

By Ben Rogerson published

It looks like it’s from 1982, but you can also switch to a more modern interface

Inphonik RX1200

The RX1200 plugin could be the closest you’ll get to having an E-MU SP-1200 sampler inside your DAW

By Ben Rogerson published

The lo-fi legend returns in a simplified and apparently improved format

Prince rock & roll hall of fame 2004

Prince's While My Guitar Gently Weeps solo wasn't his only great performance at the 2004 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony

By Ben Rogerson published

The star had earlier played a medley of some of his greatest hits

Nopia

People are going crazy for Nopia, the MIDI chord generator prototype that’s racked up 2.6m video views in 8 days

By Ben Rogerson published

They’re definitely going to have to build it now, aren’t they?

Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa’s Barbie single Dance The Night lands with production from Mark Ronson: “This Ken helped make a whole soundtrack,” he says

By Ben Rogerson published

Tame Impala, Lizzo, Nicki Minaj, PinkPantheress and Haim will also appear

Steinberg Dorico 5

Steinberg’s Dorico 5 improves the music notation software’s playback and note input features, and the free desktop and iPad versions have been updated, too

By Ben Rogerson published

What’s the score with the version 5 update? Let’s find out

Tina Turner

Tina Turner dies, aged 83: stars pay tribute to rock and R&B legend

By Ben Rogerson published

Iconic singer found fame with Ike Turner but went on to become an even bigger solo star

Rode PodMic USB

RØDE says that the PodMic USB is its “most versatile mic ever”

By Ben Rogerson published

Could this really be ‘the only mic you’ll ever need’?

Anthony Marinelli PYT ARP 2600

Here’s how the synth bass sound for Michael Jackson’s PYT was programmed on an ARP 2600

By Ben Rogerson published

Anthony Marinelli reveals the patching secrets behind the Thriller-era single's funky bottom end

Logic Pro for ipad

Apple Logic Pro for iPad review

By Ben Rogerson published

  • £5/49 (month/year)
  • €5/49 (month/year)
  • $5/49 (month/year)

Does the iPad now have the 'pro' multitouch DAW that it deserves?

Arturia KeyLab Essential mk3

Are Arturia’s new mk3 KeyLab MIDI controllers as ‘Essential’ as their name suggests?

By Ben Rogerson published

Mid-range keyboards get new features and an upgraded workflow

Minimoog Factory

Celebrate Bob Moog’s birthday by playing a free online Minimoog stuffed with classic presets from songs by Phil Collins, Beastie Boys, Radiohead, Air, Kate Bush, Wings and more

By Ben Rogerson published

Free synth is part of the Minimoog Factory, a new Moog Music ‘virtual experience’ that draws inspiration from ‘90s video game and web design

Ableton Push 3

Push 3 takes Ableton Live standalone: DAW can now be used with or without a computer

By Ben Rogerson published

A controller-only version has also been announced

Taylor Swift

A startled Taylor Swift is forced to cancel plans to perform with her rain-damaged piano during an Eras tour show as it starts playing notes on its own

By Ben Rogerson published

“I didn’t know how any of the instruments were working last night,” says the star, as she confirms that heavy rain has “literally broken my keyboard”

Vulfmon Harpejji

Vulfpeck’s Jack Stratton serves up 90 seconds of serious harpejji funk on his new Vulfmon single

By Ben Rogerson published

This is what happens when you pair the Stevie Wonder-favoured electronic string instrument with the Vulf Compressor plugin

Mackie DLZ Creator

Mackie’s DLZ Creator is an all-in-one podcast mixer that makes things easy for beginners but can also be configured for pros

By Ben Rogerson published

A one-stop podcasting and streaming box that can run in multiple modes

Cherry Audio Novachord and Solovox

Cherry Audio goes back to the pre-synth age as it releases Novachord and Solovox plugins

By Ben Rogerson published

New bundle is both history lesson and quirky duo of instruments

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