Peter Kirn
@pkirn.bsky.social
Music and music technology journalist, composer and electronic artist/dj. I make cdm.link, work on the meeblip.com synth, and cover creative technologies. Activist. Lebanese-American background, came from Kentucky, now in Berlin.
There are too many Black Friday/Cyber Monday things out there. Here are the best -- including some affordable ideas for gifts for other music makers (and a few to endanger your own credit card for yourself)!
The best (real) deals on gear right now, synths to modules, for Cyber Week - CDM Create Digital Music
Black Friday/Black Week/Cyber Monday/Week/Month/whatever gets overwhelming. But here's a selection of genuinely impressive discounts, on gear like Ableton Move and Push, Moog, Sequential, Erica Synths...
cdm.link
November 29, 2025 at 7:18 PM
There are too many Black Friday/Cyber Monday things out there. Here are the best -- including some affordable ideas for gifts for other music makers (and a few to endanger your own credit card for yourself)!
One *good* thing about Black Friday? Any chance to support independent musicians making tools for other musicians, solving problems and giving us inspiration, works for me! So here's @isotonikstudios.bsky.social @manifestaudio.bsky.social @rainbowcircuit.bsky.social and many more:
Black Friday: pimp my Live with the best add-ons - CDM Create Digital Music
Ableton Live 12.3 is out of beta; it's time to liven up your Live setup (plus Ableton Move and Push and Novation Circuit Tracks). Black Friday deals have these at the lowest prices you'll see all year...
cdm.link
November 28, 2025 at 6:07 PM
One *good* thing about Black Friday? Any chance to support independent musicians making tools for other musicians, solving problems and giving us inspiration, works for me! So here's @isotonikstudios.bsky.social @manifestaudio.bsky.social @rainbowcircuit.bsky.social and many more:
Super Massive 5.0.0 adds Sirius echo/reverb to the best free plugin in the galaxy. @valhalladsp.bsky.social here with a NASA Goddard visualization of supermassive black holes (of course; see notes)!
Hey, Sirius needed a demo so I decided to pluck one out:
cdm.link/free-super-m...
Hey, Sirius needed a demo so I decided to pluck one out:
cdm.link/free-super-m...
November 28, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Super Massive 5.0.0 adds Sirius echo/reverb to the best free plugin in the galaxy. @valhalladsp.bsky.social here with a NASA Goddard visualization of supermassive black holes (of course; see notes)!
Hey, Sirius needed a demo so I decided to pluck one out:
cdm.link/free-super-m...
Hey, Sirius needed a demo so I decided to pluck one out:
cdm.link/free-super-m...
Microwave 1-style wavetables, modeled analog Curtis filters and envelopes, and Iridium-style modern features for arp, etc. Here's the rundown of this unexpected Thanksiving treat and hello from the launch event in Berlin:
Waldorf's Protein: soul of Microwave in an 8-voice wavetable synth, €329 - CDM Create Digital Music
It's Thanksgiving in the USA, but Germany's got your Protein, and what a surprise. The classic Microwave 1 wavetable sound meets a tweakable, compact desktop housing and 4-layer, 8-voice architecture....
cdm.link
November 27, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Microwave 1-style wavetables, modeled analog Curtis filters and envelopes, and Iridium-style modern features for arp, etc. Here's the rundown of this unexpected Thanksiving treat and hello from the launch event in Berlin:
Great, detailed guide to how you'd use
@dreamtonics.bsky.social AI-powered vocals with
@doricoofficial.bsky.social to replace oohs and aahs with actual vocal mockups, even in choral music:
@dreamtonics.bsky.social AI-powered vocals with
@doricoofficial.bsky.social to replace oohs and aahs with actual vocal mockups, even in choral music:
What happens when AI-synthesized vocals meet choral notation? - CDM Create Digital Music
Tokyo-based startup Dreamtonics is doing unparalleled work with AI-powered voices; their Synthesizer V Studio enables a level of precision that combines that of recording and synthesis. Add that to St...
cdm.link
November 27, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Great, detailed guide to how you'd use
@dreamtonics.bsky.social AI-powered vocals with
@doricoofficial.bsky.social to replace oohs and aahs with actual vocal mockups, even in choral music:
@dreamtonics.bsky.social AI-powered vocals with
@doricoofficial.bsky.social to replace oohs and aahs with actual vocal mockups, even in choral music:
Reposted by Peter Kirn
I just released version 0.10.0 of SuperSonic - my web port of the powerful SuperCollider audio synthesiser.
It's feeling *really* good now, and I definitely think it's ready for people to start exploring.
Have a play and let me know what you think!
sonic-pi.net/supersonic/d...
It's feeling *really* good now, and I definitely think it's ready for people to start exploring.
Have a play and let me know what you think!
sonic-pi.net/supersonic/d...
SuperSonic - SuperCollider's Synthesis Engine in the Browser
SuperCollider's powerful scsynth audio synthesis engine running in the browser as an AudioWorklet. Zero installation.
sonic-pi.net
November 27, 2025 at 9:38 AM
I just released version 0.10.0 of SuperSonic - my web port of the powerful SuperCollider audio synthesiser.
It's feeling *really* good now, and I definitely think it's ready for people to start exploring.
Have a play and let me know what you think!
sonic-pi.net/supersonic/d...
It's feeling *really* good now, and I definitely think it's ready for people to start exploring.
Have a play and let me know what you think!
sonic-pi.net/supersonic/d...
Reposted by Peter Kirn
I was going to go with the more USA-ified "jingle bell bells jingle bell bells jingle bell bells"
Looking for alternative Christmas carols this year? Look no further than Jeff Mills' traditional work, The Bells.
father christmas father christmas father christmas
FATHER CHRISTMAS FATHER CHRISTMAS FATHER CHRISTMAS
father christmas father christmas father christmas
FATHER CHRISTMAS FATHER CHRISTMAS FATHER CHRISTMAS
November 26, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I was going to go with the more USA-ified "jingle bell bells jingle bell bells jingle bell bells"
Me: Querying LLMs to get answers is lazy and dulls your critical thinking skills.
Also me: let me literally hit search for the answer I'm looking f---ohhh I do see how we fell down this hole.
Josh Johnson nails it: www.instagram.com/p/DRZ0j5xjozZ/
Also me: let me literally hit search for the answer I'm looking f---ohhh I do see how we fell down this hole.
Josh Johnson nails it: www.instagram.com/p/DRZ0j5xjozZ/
undefined on Instagram: "joshjohnsoncomedyWhat we did before GoogleView all 1,878 comments"
joshjohnsoncomedyWhat we did before GoogleView all 1,878 comments
www.instagram.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Me: Querying LLMs to get answers is lazy and dulls your critical thinking skills.
Also me: let me literally hit search for the answer I'm looking f---ohhh I do see how we fell down this hole.
Josh Johnson nails it: www.instagram.com/p/DRZ0j5xjozZ/
Also me: let me literally hit search for the answer I'm looking f---ohhh I do see how we fell down this hole.
Josh Johnson nails it: www.instagram.com/p/DRZ0j5xjozZ/
Lights, camera, models, action -- full 3D support, powered by Unreal, as tweakable synths and effects and drag-and-drop assets. EboSuite SenSei:
3D visuals arrive in Ableton Live, easy as synths, with Unreal-powered SenSei - CDM Create Digital Music
Mix in 3D, drop in 3D objects, lighting, text, particle systems: EboSuite Sensei delivers an entirely new ecosystem of modeled 3D VJing. Powered by Unreal Engine under the hood, SenSei runs as entirel...
cdm.link
November 26, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Lights, camera, models, action -- full 3D support, powered by Unreal, as tweakable synths and effects and drag-and-drop assets. EboSuite SenSei:
Just added this to the @sinevibes.bsky.social Cache story, but one note: in Ableton Live, set the Track and the Device to Cache.
Also: set to Monitor > In while jamming, but switch to Monitor > Auto and you can then trigger different clips.
Also: set to Monitor > In while jamming, but switch to Monitor > Auto and you can then trigger different clips.
November 25, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Just added this to the @sinevibes.bsky.social Cache story, but one note: in Ableton Live, set the Track and the Device to Cache.
Also: set to Monitor > In while jamming, but switch to Monitor > Auto and you can then trigger different clips.
Also: set to Monitor > In while jamming, but switch to Monitor > Auto and you can then trigger different clips.
Peace for our time.
I'm only joking, of course; what could go wrong? (Oh yeah, what was that environmental impact data looking like again?)
Here, if you like, get enraged with me, and then probably later this week buy a bunch of plug-ins/gear in a haze (sorry):
I'm only joking, of course; what could go wrong? (Oh yeah, what was that environmental impact data looking like again?)
Here, if you like, get enraged with me, and then probably later this week buy a bunch of plug-ins/gear in a haze (sorry):
Warner does a deal with Suno, Udio; genAI isn't about "democratization" - CDM Create Digital Music
It's Lucy and the football time with the music industry. Having led artists into a complete disaster with streaming, they seem poised to do it again, on a grander scale, with generative AI. Warner has...
cdm.link
November 25, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Peace for our time.
I'm only joking, of course; what could go wrong? (Oh yeah, what was that environmental impact data looking like again?)
Here, if you like, get enraged with me, and then probably later this week buy a bunch of plug-ins/gear in a haze (sorry):
I'm only joking, of course; what could go wrong? (Oh yeah, what was that environmental impact data looking like again?)
Here, if you like, get enraged with me, and then probably later this week buy a bunch of plug-ins/gear in a haze (sorry):
Yeah, yeah, stem separation and Splice. What else is in Live 12.3 and the accompanying Push update? Here's your refresher.
Hint: all about the bounce. Anyway, we go from public beta to stable.
Hint: all about the bounce. Anyway, we go from public beta to stable.
Live 12.3 final is here: what's new that isn't Splice or stem separation - CDM Create Digital Music
Ableton Live 12.3 is here, and that means built-in Splice support, stem separation, and... uh... well, there was the tremolo thing... and... need a guide? We've got you. Here are the rest of the best ...
cdm.link
November 25, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Yeah, yeah, stem separation and Splice. What else is in Live 12.3 and the accompanying Push update? Here's your refresher.
Hint: all about the bounce. Anyway, we go from public beta to stable.
Hint: all about the bounce. Anyway, we go from public beta to stable.
The new @sinevibes.bsky.social Cache sounds as terrific as the other Sinevibes plugs, but now it's *playable.* So you hook in a MIDI keyboard/pads, and all this massive buffer-mangling live effects power is right under your fingers. News/review: cdm.link/sinevibes-ca...
November 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The new @sinevibes.bsky.social Cache sounds as terrific as the other Sinevibes plugs, but now it's *playable.* So you hook in a MIDI keyboard/pads, and all this massive buffer-mangling live effects power is right under your fingers. News/review: cdm.link/sinevibes-ca...
Making some simple examples for the VCV Workshop with CAMP tomorrow... @vcvrack.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Making some simple examples for the VCV Workshop with CAMP tomorrow... @vcvrack.com
Okay, here's a question -- why do we all seem to know bupkis about Joan Miller, the co-author of Music IV (and Music V?) as well as the famous Daisy Bell demo? She seems to have had a fairly significant impact on the evolution of the Music environment.
November 22, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Okay, here's a question -- why do we all seem to know bupkis about Joan Miller, the co-author of Music IV (and Music V?) as well as the famous Daisy Bell demo? She seems to have had a fairly significant impact on the evolution of the Music environment.
While you're pimping your Live set, it's worth mentioning our friends over at @isotonikstudios.bsky.social have their Black Friday-season sale going on. So while I work on wrapping some other news/reviews from Max for Live land, feel free to peruse these gems, too!
Happy birthday, Isotonik: here are some of the best Ableton Live add-ons - CDM Create Digital Music
With Isotonik's Darren celebrating his birthday this week, we've got an Isotonik Studios shopping guide, with favorite Max for Live add-ons, CDM reviews, and sound demos. Now with a special CDM-exclus...
cdm.link
November 21, 2025 at 4:32 PM
While you're pimping your Live set, it's worth mentioning our friends over at @isotonikstudios.bsky.social have their Black Friday-season sale going on. So while I work on wrapping some other news/reviews from Max for Live land, feel free to peruse these gems, too!
Go ahead, stick that doodle into your set, and watch it vibe to your tunes.
And it's all backed by science. (well, maybe... links)
And it's all backed by science. (well, maybe... links)
Make doodles in Ableton Live, then animate them, with Klottra - CDM Create Digital Music
Were you the type to draw elaborate doodles in your math class margins? Well, great news: Science now says that letting your mind wander is good for you. And indie Swedish design studio Henrik & Sofia...
cdm.link
November 21, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Go ahead, stick that doodle into your set, and watch it vibe to your tunes.
And it's all backed by science. (well, maybe... links)
And it's all backed by science. (well, maybe... links)
Motherly, sequencer percussion synth, is pure rhythmic happiness from @rainbowcircuit.bsky.social - just listen. Everything you love about the Mother/DFAM, but also really not a DFAM.
cdm.link/motherly-seq...
cdm.link/motherly-seq...
November 21, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Motherly, sequencer percussion synth, is pure rhythmic happiness from @rainbowcircuit.bsky.social - just listen. Everything you love about the Mother/DFAM, but also really not a DFAM.
cdm.link/motherly-seq...
cdm.link/motherly-seq...
If you don't already, follow @dhlovelife.bsky.social and check the gorgeous sounding and looking stuff he's doing in Jitter (directly, not only with some m4l version -- we actually don't talk about the Jitter-direct workflow enough!)
@cycling74.bsky.social
@cycling74.bsky.social
November 21, 2025 at 11:29 AM
If you don't already, follow @dhlovelife.bsky.social and check the gorgeous sounding and looking stuff he's doing in Jitter (directly, not only with some m4l version -- we actually don't talk about the Jitter-direct workflow enough!)
@cycling74.bsky.social
@cycling74.bsky.social
Wow, epic. And end of an era. Big love to this from Berlin -- you better get there, London.
London ! I'll be playing at the last ever @algorave.com at Corsica Studios this Wednesday 26th Nov before they close the doors for good, amongst a top multi-generational line-up of live coders + co. Come down if you're nearby!
ra.co/events/2280905
ra.co/events/2280905
November 20, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Wow, epic. And end of an era. Big love to this from Berlin -- you better get there, London.
This is not granular. Gestural sample manipulation (Leap Motion!) all with other parameters!
Holy shrimp it's good (and check her other stuff):
Holy shrimp it's good (and check her other stuff):
Vara Osiria Belich is taking Phase Plant to gestural, mangled frontiers - CDM Create Digital Music
This is not granular. This is all sampler, unison. And so it sounds like things that even granular can't do. Vara Osiria Belich is this week's sound design inspiration, with her bonus gestural spell c...
cdm.link
November 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This is not granular. Gestural sample manipulation (Leap Motion!) all with other parameters!
Holy shrimp it's good (and check her other stuff):
Holy shrimp it's good (and check her other stuff):
Why MadMapper v6 is big news for mapping and live visual production, how cave painting and Rococo architecture and Wayang Kulit fit in, and some reflections on what the recent integration of AI into the tool may mean:
MadMapper, Queen of Mapping, adds timelines, clips, more in v6 - CDM Create Digital Music
How far MadMapper has come. The tool, built as a collaboration between Swiss GarageCube and French studio 1024 architecture, helped define projection mapping for a generation of visualists. It has mat...
cdm.link
November 19, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Why MadMapper v6 is big news for mapping and live visual production, how cave painting and Rococo architecture and Wayang Kulit fit in, and some reflections on what the recent integration of AI into the tool may mean:
Survival *and* string arrangements, new music and reflections on bigger things, a music video, a teaser, some thoughts on Louisville arthouse cinema history...
Drew Daniel, aka The Soft Pink Truth, hits home talking strings and survival - CDM Create Digital Music
"Mere Survival is Not Enough." Professor Drew Daniel, you had us on the title on this one. The artist, known for being half of Matmos, and being all of Dr. Drew Daniel, and being all of the solo proje...
cdm.link
November 19, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Survival *and* string arrangements, new music and reflections on bigger things, a music video, a teaser, some thoughts on Louisville arthouse cinema history...
Hey, so the Winamp for macOS project I reported on, that then was gone, now is back.
There are some other efforts here, though, some that even have wmz support. (I dream of Headspace from MS WMP 7, running on Mac ARM. Does it make sense? Is it a good use of time? Ask not such questions.)
There are some other efforts here, though, some that even have wmz support. (I dream of Headspace from MS WMP 7, running on Mac ARM. Does it make sense? Is it a good use of time? Ask not such questions.)
A free Winamp clone, for macOS, with FLAC and Milkdrop visualizations - CDM Create Digital Music
It might be a funny intersection of interests. But developer Matt Greenwood built a macOS-native clone of the legendary Winamp in Swift, MIT-licensed, with MP3 and FLAC playback and Milkdrop visualiza...
cdm.link
November 19, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Hey, so the Winamp for macOS project I reported on, that then was gone, now is back.
There are some other efforts here, though, some that even have wmz support. (I dream of Headspace from MS WMP 7, running on Mac ARM. Does it make sense? Is it a good use of time? Ask not such questions.)
There are some other efforts here, though, some that even have wmz support. (I dream of Headspace from MS WMP 7, running on Mac ARM. Does it make sense? Is it a good use of time? Ask not such questions.)