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Akai Professional MPC XL first look review
Akai’s MPC XL is its new flagship standalone production station – watch our first look review

By Si Truss Published

NAMM 2026: The MPC XL massively ups the power of the MPC X; but is it better than last year’s Live III? We get hands-on and find out

Tech
Teenage Engineering EP-40 Riddim and EP-2350 Ting
“Proper old school producers might also baulk at the ease of song creation and the slick results” – Teenage Engineering EP-40 Riddim and EP-2350 Ting review

By Andy Jones Published

It’s a mobile reggae, dub and dancehall sound system with its own mic for less than 300 quid

Samplers
Alex Paterson of The Orb, portrait, London, United Kingdom, 1991
"What were the skies like when you were young?": How The Orb's Little Fluffy Clouds showed the world that sampling could be an art form

By Matt Mullen Published

The story of the blissfully psychedelic bricolage that launched The Orb's career, introduced ambient house to the masses and even prompted a lawsuit from Rickie Lee Jones

Artists
If you were wondering if the deals aren't as good this year, then this saving on Ableton Push 3 Standalone is all the proof you need

By Simon Arblaster Published

Get a huge $440 off the Live Control Surface, but is it better than last year?

Beatmaking
Akai MPC Live III
“A truly go-anywhere production box that’s determined to keep you away from a laptop”: Akai MPC Live III review

By Si Truss Published

With massively upgraded power, expressive pads and new sequencing tools, Akai’s latest MPC is a DAW-in-a-box powerhouse

Tech
Ableton Move
One year on, I’ve finally clicked with Ableton Move – all because I’ve stopped trying to make music with it

By Si Truss Published

We revisit Ableton's mini standalone sketchpad following 12 months of refinements and firmware updates

Tech
Lizzo at the Christian Siriano fashion show as part of Spring/Summer 2026 New York Fashion Week held at Macy's Herald Square on September 12, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images)
“It’s policing black music”: Lizzo speaks out on the ‘racist’ origins of sampling law

By Will Simpson Published

“The first time people started sampling was... who? It was rappers in the '80s and '90s. They were sampling records because they didn't have access to big studios"

Artists
Elektron Tonverk
“Made for expansive sound design and immediate play”: Elektron Tonverk is real, and it's out now

By Si Truss Published

With automatic multi-sampling capabilities, deep sequencing and flexible track routing, Tonverk could become your new studio centrepiece

Tech
Ableton Move
You can now access the full version of Ableton’s Drift synth in Note and Move

By Si Truss Published

Design analogue-style synth sounds on the go with the latest updates for Ableton’s iOS app and hardware sketchpad

Tech
Sonicware Liven Lofi-12 XT
Sonicware’s retro Lofi-12 XT sampler’s v1.5 update makes it more creative and versatile than ever

By Si Truss Published

Crunchy ‘90s-style sampling meets glitchy looper effects in Sonicware’s newly-enhanced hardware instrument

Tech
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