Reviews
The Chirp Contour: Decompression For Those Scared of Chiropractors
Derek Oswald
While we cover a lot of music gear, every once in a while, we cover something outside of that realm. Below is a review of the Chirp Contour, which we tried recently, that you ...
Noon Instruments: Vessels, and Toska Review – Impressive Atmosphere In Real Space
Derek Oswald
NOTE: Noon Instruments’ BF sale is now live meaning both Toska & Vessels are currently 20% Off until 12/12/25. More details here. Sometimes it can be hard to find software that carries real spatial ...
Synido TempoPad C16: A Capable 16-Pad Controller Built for Mobility
Derek Oswald
Most pad controllers follow a familiar outline. They hand you a grid, offer a few knobs, and call it a day. The Synido TempoPad C16 takes a different route. Synido fits a sixteen-pad performance ...
Embodme Erae 2 Review: Exploring A Bold New Language of Touch
Derek Oswald
I first saw the Embodme Erae series during the surprise livestream of Linkin Park’s From Zero secret concert. As a longtime fan of the band, I tuned in to the live stream, both nervous and excited about what ...
Fart Pedal 2.0 Review: A ‘Gas’-Powered Pedal That’s Pure Fun
Derek Oswald
When the Studio Erupts The first time I stepped on The Fart Pedal: Number Two and hit a note to test it, the monitors let out such an aggressive blast that I glanced toward ...
Small Creator Spotlight: Shiela Dixon’s Retro MIDISID 4 Morpheus Revives the Legendary SID Sound
Derek Oswald
Most musicians don’t look to Etsy for synthesizers. The site is better known for boutique pedals, handmade controllers, and other curiosities. Yet tucked between craft projects and circuit art lies a fun little nod ...
Woovebox Micro Music Workstation Review: A Compact Wonder Gets Even Better With Firmware 2.0
Derek Oswald
The Woovebox Micro Music Workstation asks a simple question: Can something smaller than a smartphone replace a 1990s studio setup? Remarkable in both its size and functionality, the Woovebox combines a 16-part synthesizer, sequencer, ...
Franklin Audio RA-100 Review: The Quiet Workhorse Your Studio Didn’t Know It Needed
Derek Oswald
Purchase the RA-100 here and use code ALTWIRE to get 5% off the Franklin Audio RA-100! Noise and level mismatches can derail a session before it starts. Hand-built in Sydney, the Franklin Audio RA-100 addresses this ...
Roland SH-4d Current Review: With v2.0, a Robust and Satisfying All-in-One Synth Gets Even Better
Derek Oswald
Roland calls it a synthesizer, but the SH-4d’s four synth parts, rhythm track, and sequencer give it a groovebox-like workflow. Four synth parts, a rhythm track, per-part effects, and a multitimbral sequencer enable you ...
Randomwaves DrumBoy Review: A Fun and Easy Open‑Source 24-Bit Audio Pocket Drum Machine
Derek Oswald
Quick take DrumBoy is a handheld, sample-based drum machine featuring a five-inch color screen, touch-sensitive pads surrounding the display, 24-bit audio, and ten layers. The sequencer reaches 1/64, and each layer features a parametric ...
Novation Circuit Tracks in 2025: Is Novation’s Easy To Use Groovebox Still a Great Buy?
Derek Oswald
Introduction Novation released the Circuit Tracks in 2021 as the follow-up to its first Circuit from 2015. The newer box wasn’t a total redesign, but it did add features players had asked for: more tracks, microSD ...
Novation Bass Station II in 2025: Still The Best Value Under $600
Derek Oswald
When Novation released the first Bass Station in 1993, it landed at the right time. Producers wanted something small, affordable, and analog to sit alongside samplers and drum machines. Designed by Chris Huggett, the ...
V-MODA M-100 Pro Review: A Trusted DJ Pair of DJ Cans Just Got Even Better
Derek Oswald
I’ve been a fan of VMODA’s headphones for a long while. The first V-MODAs I ever owned were a ruby red pair of LP2s. They looked incredible, sounded even better (albeit very bass-heavy), and ...
Coheed and Cambria + Taking Back Sunday at The Mann (8/27/25): An Energetic Stadium-Sized Vision on the Skyline Stage
Derek Oswald
A Coheed and Cambria tour is something you must experience live at least once. Few other shows compare. With Foxing’s earnest opening, Taking Back Sunday’s nostalgic set filled with Fred-era songs, and Coheed’s dazzling ...
Unison Audio Plugins Review: Powerful Tools or Overpriced Hype? MIDI Wizard 2, Drum Monkey, Bass Dragon, Chord Genie
Derek Oswald
Unison Audio’s plugins spark spirited debate in all corners of the music world. I tested four of them: MIDI Wizard 2, Drum Monkey, Bass Dragon, and Chord Genie. First, A Note on the Aforementioned ...
Wavy Industries MONKEY Review: A Ridiculously Small MIDI Controller, With Massive Functionality
Derek Oswald
A €59/approx $70 USD (Altwire’s own conversion as of 09/05/25) two-octave BLE MIDI controller, powered by a coin cell, featuring 6 MIDI effects and a 16-beat looper that layers up to 10 instruments. Quick ...
M-VAVE SMK-37 Pro Review: A Bargain DX7 Tribute That Delivers
Derek Oswald
Portable DX color, real sequencing, and hands-on control in a compact 37-key board. Quick Take For those looking to replicate classic DX-7 sounds on hardware, but without the complexity of an original DX-7 (or ...
Minuendo Adjustable and LIVE Earplugs: 2 Of The Best Options for Protecting Your Ears
Derek Oswald
Two lossless approaches to hi-fi hearing protection: adjustable precision or set-and-forget clarity. USE CODE “ALTWIRE” FOR 15% OFF. Quick Take Minuendo’s hi-fi lossless earplugs come in two flavors. Their Adjustable model offers a stepless ...
Enya Cyber-G Review: A Fun Smart Guitar with 20 Voices, But Clear Limits
Derek Oswald
A hybrid instrument that works well for practice and casual jams, but reliance on app control and the absence of MIDI output hold it back from professional use. Quick Take The Enya Cyber-G is ...
Lunacy Audio CUBE Review: Innovative 3D Motion-Controlled Sampling for Modern Producers
Derek Oswald
Introduction Lunacy Audio’s CUBE takes a bold approach to sample-based synthesis. Instead of offering a traditional library of presets or another analog-style synthesizer, it introduces a 3D interface with eight parallel samplers that can ...
