
Ronan Macdonald
A music and technology journalist of over 30 years professional experience, Ronan Macdonald began his career on UK drummer’s bible, Rhythm, before moving to the world’s leading music software magazine, Computer Music, of which he was editor for over a decade. He’s also written for many other titles, including Future Music, Guitarist, The Mix, Hip-Hop Connection and Mac Format; written and edited several books, including the first edition of Billboard’s Home Recording Handbook and Mixing For Computer Musicians; and worked as an editorial consultant and media producer for a broad range of music technology companies.
Latest articles by Ronan Macdonald

iZotope Insight
By Ronan Macdonald published
iZotope release Ozone 5's Meter Bridge as a plug-in in its own right. We see the music…

Native Instruments Maschine mkII
By Ronan Macdonald published
With its RGB pads, new Master section and cosmetic customising options, does NI's new hardware warrant an upgrade?

Eventide Blackhole
By Ronan Macdonald published
A reverb with infinite possibilities?

FabFilter Saturn
By Ronan Macdonald published
The Dutch master's latest plug-in takes saturation and distortion to new heights

Nord Drum
By Ronan Macdonald published
Marking a return to electronic percussion, Clavia's new drum synth is aimed at actual drummers as well as studio rats. We pull the trigger…

Audio Ease Altiverb 7
By Ronan Macdonald published
Has the five years since the last Altiverb update been time well spent?

First look: IK Multimedia iRig Pads
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Can this iOS-friendly pad controller find its groove?

Ample Sound hit a new low with Ample Bass P
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Chinese guitar ROMpler developers par excellence Ample Sound have released their first virtual bass instrument: Ample Bass P, an emulation of the classic Fender Precision

VirSyn release mobile modular Tera Synth for iPad
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Deep synthesis on your Apple fondleslab

Steinberg announces and releases Groove Agent 4
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Groove Agent has expanded far beyond its original ultra-simple (and not hugely impressive) premise with every new iteration since v1, and the latest looks to be the biggest single leap forward yet,

Amazing Noises' GliderVerb hits the App Store
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
Amazing Noises have released their first iOS app, GliderVerb, a reverb expanding on a Supercollider 2 algorithm by James McCartney

Roland update AIRA Series to firmware 1.10
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
If you're a proud owner of any or all of Roland's AIRA Series of boxes, you'll want to head over to the website and download the spanking new v1.10 firmware for it/them posthaste

IK Multimedia releases SampleTank 3
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
With over 4000 sample-based instruments onboard, IK's long-awaited latest certainly has numbers on its side

Madrona Labs Kaivo
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
This new hybrid virtual synth combines two seemingly disparate forms of synthesis

DMG Audio announces Dualism 'stereo toolkit'
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
New plugin said to be the "Swiss Army Knife of Stereo Tools"

Hands-on test: PUC wireless MIDI interface
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
How does this Indiegogo-funded Wi-FI device shape up?

Hands-on: IK Multimedia iRing
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
We test this new iOS motion controller system

NAMM2016: Rob Papen shows his true colours with Prisma rack-style host
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
All in one.

XILS-Lab Le Masque: Delay 1.5
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
A spin on the delay/filter marriage. We see if this refreshed plug-in can get you moving
Subscribe to Computer Music – USA
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
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By Ronan Macdonald last updated
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Propellerhead Record announced!
By Ronan Macdonald last updated
And it looks fantastic
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