Breakbot's "By Your Side" is Fantastic

Breakbot's new record By Your Side is my current to-and-from work music.  The record has taken me by surprise because I've never been the biggest Breakbot fan-- sure I've loved some of his remixes, but this new record is truly the pinnacle of his success.

Analog Drums for under $250? Meet the Delptronics LDB-1

Believe it or not, what you see above is a programmable analog drum machine for $240.  Based on circuitry from the drum machines of the 80s, the LDB-1 is a small programmable drum machine with hacking capabilities.  While the complete kit doesn't feature individual drum sound edits, it does have user programmable patterns, MIDI and modular capabilities, and if you decide to go cheaper, you can get a 140 dollar kit to build your own case, or add on those extra drum sound edits to push it even further.

If you're on a tight budget, this is absolutely a cool way to go for a drum machine, considering you can play this machine in a variety of ways, either through keyboard, or by mapping each step with the buttons.  Perhaps the only thing is falls short on is individual drum sound edits, but perhaps if this does well enough we'll see a revamped version with more knobs to tinker with.  To find out more or to buy the LDB-1, click here.

Ben Folds Five and Fraggle Rock all reunite for the "Do It Anyway" Music Video

You may recall months ago that I interviewed Ben Folds on his new record with Ben Folds Five.  Today, that record has come to fruition, complete with a fantastic new video with Fraggle Rock.  Yes, the Fraggle Rock we all enjoyed years and years ago.  This is a fantastic promotional video, so I highly recommend watching it, at least for nostalgic purposes.  Be sure to grab the new record on iTunes as well.  Bonus: behind the scenes below.

Simple Trance with hardware (Juno-60)

Great little video of some simple trance on a Juno-60.

ROOM8 to release album "Transduction"; hear the first single here

The emerging duo ROOM8 has just sent me their fantastic singles for their upcoming album, and I had to share-- it's great to have another band hit right on what this blog is all about.  Great synths and great music.  Below is the first single "Visions of You" which features Electric Youth, of Drive and "A Real Human Being" fame.  I have to say, I'm pretty excited for this release!  Be sure to check out the video for "Right Way" above and the B-side "Neon and Dice" below.

Here's a short description from the band:

"ROOM8 "Transduction" is a crossroads on the electronic highway. An audio film that takes place in a musical past, present, and future. The brain child of Ezra Reich and Nic Johns, "Transduction" features Electric Youth (from the neon noir hit "Drive"), Martha Davis (leader of classic New Wave icons, The Motels), the sax work of Ian Young from M83, guitar work from Giorgio Moroder arranger and guitar player and famed producer, Richie Zito, mixed with Gavin Mackillop (Human League, General Public, Heaven 17). With artwork by the legendary art collective, The Zonders."

New MiniBrute Videos; Supply issues are "nearly solved"

It appears that Arturia has finally cracked the supply issue that's left so many preorders unmet.  Apparently the cause of so many of the delays was a move to a new plant-- so hopefully this is the end of the incredibly long waiting times.  Years from now, there will be eBay auctions for "original factory" MiniBrutes, or "later edition"...

Also, check out new videos they've released above and below.  The above shows some inspiring looping, and the cool drum sounds possible with the MiniBrute.


Here's Arturia's official note:

Korg's 9/4 announcement more or less a publicity stunt; why must the biggest companies continue to make lame products?

"Man, Korg is really overdue for another workstation.  I really need a new one" - No one, ever

Korg's big 9/4 announcement, which they hyped up, revealed a new workstation, Krome, some special editions of the MicroKorg, and some other small items.  If you recall, in 2011, Korg unveiled the Kronos, another workstation.  At this point, the MicroKorg engine is 10 years old and hasn't really been changed.  So what gives?  Why did Korg blow this release up like it was something unique and special?  Yeah, I know they're trying to make money, but it strikes me as so dishonest.