Latest articles by Matt Mullen
Is Synplant 2's new prompt-based patch generator the future of synthesis?
Describe a sound, texture or instrument, and Synplant's new PhenoType feature will attempt to recreate it using the synth's text-to-patch sound engine
“She’s the best engineer I’ve ever worked with”: Jack Antonoff on the “genius” engineer behind Taylor Swift's biggest albums
Antonoff has consistently drawn on the talents of longtime collaborator Laura Sisk in his work with Swift, Lorde, Lana del Rey, Sabrina Carpenter and many more
“It’s boring to know what you’re doing in the studio – once you know what you’re doing, the magic leaves”: Jack Antonoff on why music production "expertise" is overrated
The three-time Producer of the Year winner argues that the less you know, the better
Universal Audio takes on Auto-Tune with Topline Vocal Tune – and promises pitch-perfect vocals "from the first take"
Based on the vocal tuner from UA’s Topline Vocal Suite, the new “ultra-low-latency” plugin adds Elastic and Sustain controls and MIDI repitching
After seeing them in action, I’m convinced that Ableton’s Extensions are going to change how music-makers use Live forever
An "experimental playground" and free JavaScript toolkit released today, Extensions SDK can "expand, reshape and customize" Live Suite with new tools and features
Behringer "leak" reveals 14 unreleased products, including E-mu SP-1200, Yamaha CS-80, EMS VCS 3 and Korg Mini-Pops 7 clones
Product listings for upcoming synths, samplers, drum machines, controllers and sequencers briefly appeared on Behringer's website before being taken down
The only MIDI keyboard controller made specifically for FL Studio just got a major upgrade
Novation launches the FLkey 2 with deeper DAW integration, semi-weighted keys, redesigned pads and more
I went to Superbooth and these are the 10 bits of gear I wanted to take home with me
From one-button synths and next-gen kalimbas to supersized delays and budget grooveboxes, Superbooth 2026 did not disappoint. Here are the 10 new releases I want in my studio
Best beginner DJ controllers 2026: Top picks for budding mix masters
The best DJ controllers for beginners that money can buy, from portable pocket-friendly practice controllers to full-featured standalones
Superbooth 2026: all the latest synth news from Berlin - LIVE!
Knob tweakers, assemble! Europe's most exciting synth showcase is upon us
This one-button synth could be the wildest idea to come out of Superbooth 2026
With no keys, no knobs, no faders and no display, Cyma Forma's RND randomly generates a new idea with each button-press – its creators call it an "inspiration machine"
Ableton Live 12.4 is out now, with Link Audio and updated Erosion, Delay and Chorus-Ensemble devices
Link Audio allows users to stream multi-channel audio between compatible devices over a local network in real time
The Teenage Engineering OP-1 Field finally gets undo
"Sometimes it’s nice to get a do-over. That’s why we are undoing what we did – we’re adding undo"
Auxy unveils Svensson, a minimalist keyboard built for instant music-making
The debut hardware instrument from the makers of Auxy Studio, Svensson 49's sounds were designed by YouTuber and musician Cuckoo
Expressive E launches Osmose CE, a MIDI controller version of its MPE-equipped synth
Osmose CE ships with a free companion plugin that gives users access to a library of expressive sounds from third-party developers pre-mapped to the Osmose keybed
Mike Dean shows off his "crazy rare" wavetable synth that everyone wanted in the '80s
The super-producer and analogue aficionado praises the "messed up" sound of the PPG Wave 2.3, one of the few digital synths in his extensive collection
Focusrite's ISA C8X brings the ISA preamp to an audio interface for the first time
Equipped with two ISA mic preamps based on Rupert Neve's original designs, ISA C8X fuses classic sound with a modernized workflow
Behringer's Jupiter-inspired JT-2 is available for preorder
The Eurorack-compatible JT-2 promises "warm pads, punchy leads and huge analogue tone"
The budget sampler Casio teased at NAMM is now available for preorder
Looking like a colourful hybrid of a Game Boy, a calculator and a Roland SP-404, the SXC-1 draws inspiration from the classic SK-1 sampler keyboard
“There have been times in my career where I’ve wondered: at the end of the day, am I going to own only 15% of my catalogue?”: DJ Shadow on why he stopped sampling and left the MPC behind
The pioneering producer explains why he switched up his sample-heavy workflow in favour of soft synths and Ableton Live
Kraftwerk copyright battle rages on as CJEU delivers landmark ruling in sampling case
The Court of Justice of the EU's decision could have wide-ranging implications for artists that sample other artists' work
"It’s been a very long time in the making": U-he releases Zebra 3 after more than a decade of development
The Hans Zimmer-approved powerhouse soft synth is back
Tame Impala's synth company releases Pistil companion app for Orchid
Telepathic Instruments Pistil is also available as a VST3/AU plugin for those that don't own Orchid, putting its Tame Impala-designed sounds in your DAW
