Terrence O'Brien
Engadget
New York, United States
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Recent articles by Terrence:
iRig Keys 2 Mini is a MIDI controller with a headphone jack for your iPhone
iRig is no stranger to the world of portable MIDI controllers. And, frankly, there's no shortage of great keyboards out there that will fit neatly into your backpack. But IK Multimedia was one of the earlier brands to start building music-making gear specifically with the iPhone and iPad in mind. → Read More
New Launchkey MK3 MIDI controllers add a powerful arpeggiator
Novation is updating its Launchkey MID controller lineup with deeper Ableton integration and a powerful new arpeggiator. → Read More
Moog Subharmonicon review: An experimental synth with an iconic sound
The Subharmonicon indulges its experimental side more than other Moog synths. It's inspired by the Mixtur-Trautonium and the Rhythmicon a pair of early electronic music instruments. Those avant-garde roots show and can make it a bit daunting if you’re just looking for a quick fix of that iconic bass sound. But patience and persistence reveal that the Subharmonicon, for all of its complexity, is… → Read More
Roland brings its Zen-core synth engine to your computer
As part of its revamped Roland Cloud service, it’s also launching Zenology as a standalone VST instrument that can be used in your DAW of choice. The full version comes packed with over 3,500 different synth sounds and 80 drum kits. → Read More
Overbridge 2 tears down the wall between your PC and your synth
But now Overbridge 2 is finally and officially here. → Read More
ZOIA review: A complex and rewarding modular effects pedal
Empress Effects ZOIA is unquestionably a one-of-a-kind effects pedal. Its interface can be daunting at times, but it puts an almost limitless number of sounds at your feet. → Read More
Eyesy is a Raspbery Pi-powered video synthesizer
Critter & Guitari gave its Organelle music computer a major upgrade last year. This year, it's turning its attention its line of video synthesizers. The ETC visualizer is being replaced by Eyesy, a Raspberry Pi-powered computer that turns sounds and music into Atari-esque pixelated animations. Like the ETC before it, the Eyesy runs visualization programs called "Modes" written in Python -- a… → Read More
A beginners guide to buying a synth
Before you buy a synth Let me begin by suggesting that if you're just looking to explore and see if synthesizers are for you, get some free soft synths and a MIDI controller. It'll be cheaper and let you try out different styles of synthesis before you go out and drop a bunch of money on dedicated hardware. If you're ready to make the leap to a physical synth, then let's set some ground rules… → Read More
Model:Cycles review: An affordable and approachable FM groovebox
Fair or not, Elektron has a reputation for making complex and kinda pricey electronic music gear. Last year though, it made a serious play for the entry l... → Read More
Yamaha’s tiny wireless guitar amp gets everything right but the price
Yamaha's THR10 II Wireless desktop guitar amp looks great and sounds great, but costs much more than the competition. → Read More
The Iowa app debacle is a bad omen for modernizing our elections
The American electoral system is a weird arcane thing. And primary politics even more so. Honestly, I could spend the next 2,000 words trying to explain t... → Read More
What to buy if you want to start producing music at home
Setting up a home studio doesn't have to be hard or expensive. → Read More
Google CEO Sundar Pichai calls for 'sensible regulation' of AI
Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai takes his sweet time getting to the point in a new Financial Times editorial. But when he gets there, he leave's little ro... → Read More
Finally: A guitar pedal you’re supposed to spill beer on
I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the history of guitar pedals. But, I'm fairly confident in saying there has never been a pedal quite like Rainger FX... → Read More
Behringer’s synth clone train keeps rolling with modular System 100
Regardless of your opinion of Behringer, you can't deny that the company is tireless in its efforts to bring affordable versions of classic synths to the masses... → Read More
MicroFreak update adds new oscillator and modes for simplified noise-making
Arturia adds a noise source and player-friendly features in first major Microfreak update. → Read More
The Moog Subsequent 25 offers classic synth bass with modern amenities
Anytime Moog releases a new synth it's worth getting at least a little excited about. And the Subsequent 25 (or Sub 25) is no exception. It's the successor to t... → Read More
Akai's MPC One is a (reasonably) affordable music production machine
It's been a few years since Akai's iconic MPC line has seen a significant new entry. But at NAMM 2020 the company is not only introducing a new model, but speci... → Read More
Roland's Zen-Core engine lets instruments share synth sounds
Roland basically abandoned pure analog synths. Instead it's been focused on improving its digital instruments and software that pay homage to the past, while em... → Read More
KeyStep Pro aims to be the MIDI command center of your home studio
Arturia's KeyStep is pretty beloved among hardware synth enthusiasts and bedroom producers alike. It's an affordable, versatile and impeccably built MIDI contro... → Read More