Articles by: Martin Delaney

Akai MPC X Special Edition review

By Martin Delaney published 26 April 23

$2499

Akai's flagship MPC gets a refresh, but it's about more than just the retro grey paint job

Atau Tanaka: "I didn’t want to hide behind racks or synths - I wanted electronic music to become a live medium"

By Martin Delaney published 17 February 23

Creating electronic music using the movement of his own body with custom-built software, Atau Tanaka takes the ideas of software control and performance to a completely new level

Quick Tips: How to maximise your track and mix levels without distortion

By Martin Delaney published 11 November 22

Find out how to use Ableton Live's Limiter to make your mixes sound bigger, better, and more professional

Joué Play Pro Option review

By Martin Delaney last updated 9 November 22

€295 upwards

We get playful with this advanced, but organic, approachable, controller for the Joué app (and beyond)

Akai MPC Key 61 review

By Martin Delaney published 16 August 22

£1,699

Akai’s standalone MPC Live becomes a full-blown keyboard workstation. Let's see how well it scales up

Halina Rice: "You could spend ten years tweaking your live rig in your bedroom, but one gig will change the way you see and hear everything. There's no substitute"

By Computer Music, Martin Delaney published 16 June 22

A-V artist Halina Rice tells Martin Delaney about the evolutionary process that took her immersive live show from dream to reality

How to create microtonal music using Ableton Live's Microtuner

By Martin Delaney last updated 1 February 23

This plugin, free to Live 11 users, enables you to escape the boundaries of conventional western tonality

Novation FLkey 37 and FLkey Mini review

By Martin Delaney published 5 April 22

$199.99 & $109.99

Novation introduces the first dedicated MIDI keyboards for Image-Line’s legendary FL Studio software - in 37-key and Mini formats.

TS7: "A lot of electronic musicians don’t play actual instruments; they don’t seem to go there"

By Martin Delaney, Computer Music last updated 26 January 22

Producer/DJ TS7 needed some creative solutions to take his productions into the live arena. Martin Delaney reports from the road

Akai MPC Studio MKII review

By Martin Delaney published 21 December 21

£230

Akai’s revamped MPC Studio combines hardware control with software power to deliver everything needed to run an MPC-based setup

Roland Verselab MV-1 review

By Martin Delaney published 2 June 21

£599
€644
$699

The MV-1 prioritises vocals – as per the name – but it still covers you for samples and instruments

The MIDImix has a footprint smaller than our 11-inch MacBook Air and is very lightweight

Akai MIDImix review

By Martin Delaney published 2 September 15

£60
€88
$149

Affordable MIDI mixer with faders, buttons, and knobs

You can load different modules and switch views on the fly without interrupting your jams

Patchworks Conductr review

By Martin Delaney published 23 December 14

iPad app for Ableton Live performers

The Key 25 has the same footprint as an 11-inch MacBook Air, yet remains surprisingly playable

Akai APC Key 25 review

By Martin Delaney published 8 October 14

£100
€144
$199

A little keyboard with big control options

The Mini has more clip launch buttons than any other Akai device, with 64 of them

Akai APC Mini review

By Martin Delaney published 6 October 14

£80
€111
$199

A compact clip-launching Ableton Live controller

The APC40 still looks like an APC40, but there are some tweaks to the layout

Akai APC40 mkII review

By Martin Delaney published 2 October 14

£240
€411
$499

A mighty overhaul for the classic controller

The plastic-shelled speaker cabinets slot together, facing inwards, for transit

Fender Passport Studio review

By Martin Delaney published 22 August 14

£373
€449
$799

Can these portable plastic monitors perform?

Everything's neatly colour coded, labelled, and ready to run from your hardware

Sonic Faction Dope Matrix review

By Martin Delaney published 13 July 14

$40

Virtual modular synth for Live

The Keypad offers Ableton Live users plenty of control options at a low price

Reloop Keypad review

By Martin Delaney published 30 June 14

£145
€159
$299

Budget Ableton Live controller

Despite it's small size, the Launch Control feels very sturdy and well-made

Novation Launch Control review

By Martin Delaney published 15 January 14

£79
€109
$124

Portable, versatile iOS/PC controller

The Launchpad is strong in many areas; with other iOS apps, and with Live, Reason, FL Studio... anything on your computer that receives MIDI

Novation Launchpad Mini review

By Martin Delaney published 20 December 13

£80
€109
$129

iOS-compatible mini MIDI pad

The Launch page equates to Live's Session View, showing clips, scenes, and tracks

Liine LiveControl 2 for iPad review

By Martin Delaney published 15 October 13

Ableton Live controller app

Keith McMillen QuNeo has 27 touch-based controls including pads, sliders, and rotary 'knobs'

Keith McMillen QuNeo review

By Martin Delaney published 25 February 13

£199
€249
$249

Multi-coloured MIDI control

CNTRL:R boasts the usual Livid Instruments construction quality and small-build cachet.

Livid Instruments CNTRL:R review

By Martin Delaney published 11 June 12

€899
$749

The iRig MIDI will work with any MIDI-compatible app.

IK iRig MIDI review

By Martin Delaney published 21 March 12

€55
$69.99