Terrence O'Brien
Engadget
New York, United States
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Recent articles by Terrence:
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
Korg unveils a full-sized, assembly-free MS-20
It's one-for-one remake of the original plus a few modern amenities and cool new colors. → Read More
ZOIA Euroburo is a modular synth you can put inside your modular synth
Empress Effects ZOIA is perhaps one of the most exciting guitar pedals to come out in recent years. It's effectively a self-contained modular synth in a stompbo... → Read More
Korg resurrects the legendary ARP 2600 synth for a limited run
The ARP 2600 is one of the most iconic synthesizers ever made. (And easily the most expensive piece of music equipment I've ever actually touched.) Everyone fro... → Read More
Korg's Wavestate resurrects a classic '90s synth for the modern age
The Wavestate is an incredibly deep and performance-oriented spiritual successor to the iconic Wavestation. → Read More
Roland's A-88MKII keyboard embraces MIDI 2.0 and USB-C
MIDI 2.0 is (hopefully) right around the corner. And Roland is trying to stay ahead of the game. The A-88MKII keyboard is the first from the company to support... → Read More
Core brings Fitbit-style tracking to your meditation sessions
Being a tech journalist is a stressful job. And CES is the most stressful time of year. So naturally, I'm looking for any opportunity I have to take a couple of... → Read More