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erica synths
Richie Hawtin teams up with Erica Synths for Bullfrog, an educational analogue synth: "Our goal is to promote a fun easy learning path into basic sound synthesis"

By Matt Mullen Published

Bullfrog is a single-oscillator synth that can be augmented with 'voice cards' which store presets and add features, turning the instrument into a sampler, sequencer and groovebox

Beatmaking
elektron digitakt
Best samplers: top picks for hardware music-making, live performance and DAW-less jams

By Simon Truss Last updated

Expert buying advice for hardware samplers, from pocket models up to full-blown workstations – including samplers from Elektron, Akai, Korg and Teenage Engineering

Samplers
Akai MPC One Plus
Akai issues a red alert as it launches the MPC One+, but it might not have all the upgrades you were hoping for

By Ben Rogerson Published

Increased storage, but the same amount of RAM as its predecessor, and still no built-in battery

Samplers
Roland SPD-SX next to an SPD-SX Pro
Roland SPD-SX vs SPD-SX Pro: Should you upgrade?

By Tom Bradley Published

Does Roland’s flagship sample pad justify the higher price and how does it compare with the standard model? We've played both to find out

Samplers
Gear Expo 2023: The best groove boxes and drum machines
The hottest new samplers, grooveboxes and drum machines of 2023

By Andy Jones Published

GEAR EXPO 2023: Essential beat, groove and sample boxes coming out this year

Samplers
Akai MPC X SE
Akai MPC X Special Edition review

By Martin Delaney Published

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

Samplers
Akai Pro MPC X Special Edition
It might look retro, but the MPC X Special Edition is actually “the most powerful MPC ever”

By Ben Rogerson Published

35th anniversary version gets more RAM, storage and instruments than the standard model

Samplers
Polyend Tracker Mini - the handheld music maker
NAMM 2023: The best new music tech gear of the show

By Andy Jones Published

Our top synth, monitor, controller, interface, groovebox and plugin picks

Beatmaking
Roland SP-404A
5 live Roland SP-404 jams that will blow your mind

By Matt Mullen Last updated

In honour of 404 day, here are five live performances that showcase what this classic sampler can do

Samplers
Akai Pro MPC Live 2 Timbaland edition
Akai Pro drops a Timbaland edition of the MPC Live 2, and it comes with “the hardest drum sounds ever put inside an MPC”

By Ben Rogerson Published

“This is the peak of when technology, culture and excellence come together,” says Timbo

Samplers
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