In the past few years, we have seen a huge resurgence in both analog and digital hardware. Eurorack modular synthesizer systems have exploded in popularity and vintage synth prices have skyrocketed. The tactile experience of using hardware instruments is drawing artists back to tabletops filled with drum machines and synthesizers. The original Roland TB-303 Bass…

The Roland Boutiques have had rave reviews ever since their release. These versatile and exquisite sounding modules allow access to rare and classic Roland instruments at a great price, in a portable and easy-to-use format. Along with the astounding TR-09 drum machine, the Boutique series also includes the powerful TB-03 Bass Line synth and the…

Nobody said session work was a walk in the park. Four years back, when bassist Lawrence Insula began working with British pop phenomenon Rita Ora, he found himself pushed outside his comfort zone. “I’d always played electric bass,” he tells us, “but I needed to learn synthesis, because a lot of the songs I was…

In this article, we’ll show you how to create some typical breaks on the DJ-808. Whether you play House, Drum and Bass, Trap or Electro, you can use the TR-S on the DJ-808 to incorporate live drum elements into your mix and make your sets stand out from the crowd. The videos included here will…

The humble mixer has long played a significant part in music creation and performance. Dub music for instance, was pivotal in moving the mixing console to centre stage, where it became an instrument in itself. Dub music showed the world the wondrous possibilities and creative power of the mixing desk, demonstrating that it could be…

Combining analog and digital synthesis in a compact and user-friendly design, the Roland JD-Xi is ideal for live tweaking, recording and using on-the-go. With its warm, fat, true analog bass and lead tones, as well as polyphonic PCM essentials such as pads, strings, brass and more, the JD-Xi is a versatile and mighty sounding instrument….