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Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson

I’m the Group Content Manager for MusicRadar, specialising in all things tech. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 20 of which I’ve also spent writing about music technology. 

Articles by: Ben Rogerson

Reason 12

Reason 12 released with a new Combinator, the Mimic sampler and HD graphics

By Ben Rogerson

The rack-based DAW’s 2021 overhaul is complete

Best samplers: Polyend Tracker

Polyend Tracker’s new sequencing mode means it’s now for people who don’t like trackers, too

By Ben Rogerson

Firmware update adds a offers a horizontal workflow option

Mixcloud Live studio

Mixcloud live studio is designed to be a “one stop shop” for DJs, producers and musicians when they’re live streaming

By Ben Rogerson

Start broadcasting with one click and without using any other software

Audio Damage Other Desert Cities

Audio Damage takes the delay plugin road less travelled as it heads to Other Desert Cities

By Ben Rogerson

Six algorithms plus a slew of modulation options equals a lot of creative potential

Antares Auto-Key Mobile

Find the key of any song with Auto-Key Mobile, a free app from the makers of Auto-Tune

By Ben Rogerson

“It’s like having perfect pitch in your pocket,” says Antares

Tascam Mixcast 4

Tascam’s Mixcast 4 Podcast Station looks like a modern-day Portastudio

By Ben Rogerson

A home recording studio for the internet generation

FINNEAS Mix With The Masters

FINNEAS dives into Logic Pro to break down the drum track for Billie Eilish’s Therefore I Am

By Ben Rogerson

Find out how it was programmed and which plugins were used

Emily Hopkins harp

A harp run through a distortion pedal might sound heavier than your electric guitar

By Ben Rogerson

Here’s what happened when Emily Hopkins designed to mess with its heavenly sound

Ross From Friends

Ross From Friends’ new album was powered by his own Max for Live device

By Ben Rogerson

Thresho utility enabled him to capture his jam sessions automatically

Sound Particles Space Controller

Space Controller lets you pan your music just by pointing your mobile phone

By Ben Rogerson

A better option than knobs, a joystick or a mouse?

Kanye West Donda Stem Player

Kanye West enters the music tech market with the Donda Stem Player, a $200 device that enables you to remix his new album

By Ben Rogerson

Control the vocals, drums, bass and samples, and add effects

Frankie Knuckles lost track

A lost Frankie Knuckles house track recorded during his early studio sessions in the ‘80s is set for release

By Ben Rogerson

I Want The Love Of My Own was discovered on 2-inch reel-to-reel tape

Billie Eilish Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles

Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever concert film is an orchestral love letter to old-school Hollywood glamour

By Ben Rogerson

Expect a front-to-back performance of her new album with added animated elements

McCartney 321

Rick Rubin tells Paul McCartney that John Lennon called him “one of the most innovative bass players of all time,” as they dissect some of The Beatles’ greatest hits

By Ben Rogerson

Acclaimed docuseries McCartney 3,2,1 comes to Disney+ in the UK

United Plugins Urban Puncher

The Urban Puncher plugin promises to make a good fist of beefing up your drum sounds

By Ben Rogerson

A simple way to add strength and solidity to your percussive parts

Samplab

Samplab is a free VST/AU plugin that lets you edit the notes in your polyphonic audio samples

By Ben Rogerson

Could the power of AI give you Melodyne-style editing for nothing?

Casio Casiotone CT-S1

Casio Casiotone CT-S1 review

By Ben Rogerson

  • £250
  • $200

A brilliant portable keyboard at an amazing price

Sequential Take 5 synth

Could the Sequential Take 5 synth give you the Prophet-5 sound in a compact and more affordable keyboard?

By Ben Rogerson

UPDATE: Dave Smith has now confirmed that it's real

Tascam Portastudio and Teenage Engineering OP-1

Tascam Portastudio meets Teenage Engineering OP-1 in retro-hipster cassette loop heaven

By Ben Rogerson

It might be time to dig out that old 4-track recorder

New Rhodes electric piano

Rhodes releases the first photos of its new electric piano and says it’s “going to blow people’s minds”

By Ben Rogerson

Forget digital emulations - this looks like the real deal

Topic

Topic - 5 things I’ve learned about music production: “Why do you even want to sound like anyone else?”

By Ben Rogerson

Fresh from success with Bebe Rexha, the German-Croatian producer on standing out and not staying in your lane

Oskitone Scout

Be prepared to have fun building the Oskitone Scout open-source synth

By Ben Rogerson

A mini square-wave sound machine for DIY enthusiasts

Steinberg Absolute 5

Is Steinberg’s new synth plugin bundle an Absolute bargain?

By Ben Rogerson

28 instruments, 130GB of content and 7,500 presets

Session Guitarist - Picked Nylon

Native Instruments adds a Picked Nylon option to its Session Guitarist range

By Ben Rogerson

Kontakt instrument captures a one-of-kind acoustic

Anderson .Paak

Anderson .Paak gets tattoo instructing that no music bearing his name should be released in the event of his death

By Ben Rogerson

“Those were just demos and never intended to be heard by the public,” he says