Terrence O'Brien
LightNews LightNews
banner
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Terrence O'Brien
@terrenceobrien.bsky.social
220 followers 220 following 140 posts
Verge weekend editor. MusicTech contributor. Former Engadget, Wired & Switched. Musician. Serial hobbyist.
https://linktr.ee/terrenceobrien
Posts Replies Media Videos
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Alternate take, maybe you just hate music?
Comment on a Verge article about people's ability to identify AI music reading: "the v5 model from suno has made songs that i cannot stop listening to. to the point that i sometimes prefer them over what i would normally listen to on apple music. some of the quality isn't radio-level but miles above indie band level."
November 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Fitter than LeBron, smarter than da Vinci, funnier than Seinfeld, a better role model than Jesus, and an just an absolute cock goblin.
A tweet from Grok in which it confirms that, due to Elon Musk's "unyielding stamina" he could, in fact, suck endless dicks.
November 20, 2025 at 11:14 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Mission accomplished.
October 27, 2025 at 4:57 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
I refuse to post a link to this review from Variety, but I'm not above taking the bait: I will fight Owen Gleiberman in the streets.
October 25, 2025 at 7:31 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Sorry Google, the Roland TR-8, T-8, R-5, R-8 and TR-707 are not analog drum machines. Just thought you'd like to know.
Google AI overview results that read: Key Roland analog drum machines include the legendary TR-808 and TR-909, the smaller TR-606, the early programmable CR-78, and the more recent AIRA models like the TR-8 and T-8. Other models such as the R-5, R-8, and TR-707 also fall into this category, known for their foundational contributions to electronic music. Here is a list of Roland analog drum machines: Classic Models (Historically Analog) Roland TR-808: A landmark analog drum machine known for its unique sounds, particularly its kick drum, and is one of the most iconic in music history. Roland TR-909: A hybrid analog/digital machine, it is famous for defining the sounds of techno and house music. Roland TR-606: A smaller, more affordable analog drum machine often paired with the TB-303 bass synthesizer. Roland CR-78: One of Roland's first programmable drum machines, it featured analog sounds and preset patterns. Roland R-5: Another analog drum machine in Roland's series. Roland R-8: An influential programmable drum machine from the R-series. Roland TR-707: An analog drum machine that followed the TR-808 and TR-909.
October 3, 2025 at 4:35 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
I can't believe you all were trying to hide the existence of this Treehouse of Horror Halloween "advent" calendar from me.
Treehouse of Horror countdown calendar hero image with box, paper calendar and mini figurines.
October 2, 2025 at 8:59 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
I supposed technically anything COULD be alien technology.

But no.
October 2, 2025 at 2:06 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
I hope they're right about that whole rapture thing. This world has clearly turned its back on god.
A package of pumpkin spice flavored thick cut bacon in a supermarket shelf.
September 23, 2025 at 1:42 AM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
This feels like an SNL bit.
September 20, 2025 at 6:37 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Oh, in case you missed it. I reviewed the Demon Box not too long ago and had some fun with the photo shoot. musictech.com/reviews/hard...
The Eternal Research Demon box, a black metal triangle, propped up on a black backdrop with multiple candles, brass candle holders, a real animal skull and a fake human skull (painted with the world's blackest paint and given a single gold tooth) used as decoration. The Eternal Research Demon box viewed at an angle, on a black backdrop with multiple candles, brass candle holders, a real animal skull and a fake human skull (painted with the world's blackest paint and given a single gold tooth) used as decoration. The Eternal Research Demon box viewed at an angle, on a black backdrop with multiple candles, brass candle holders, with a real animal skull in the foreground. The Eternal Research Demon box laid flat, on a black backdrop with multiple candles, brass candle holders, a real animal skull and a fake human skull (painted with the world's blackest paint and given a single gold tooth) used as decoration.
September 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
In general Dilla Time is really great. But this line describing The Neptunes and Timbaland as "up-and-coming" in 2002 is batshit insane.
Highlighted text in the book Dilla Time that reads "Justin Timberlake would end up pairing with up-and-coming hip-hop producers Timbaland and the Neptune's "
September 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Being a Mets fan causes...
The Mets next three series laid out with the logos of the opposing teams: Philly, Texas and San Diego, or P T S D
September 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
First run since 2023.
First run since my last batch of injuries.
First run since being diagnosed with emphysema.
Strava stat page showing 1.29 mile run at a 10:31 per-mile pace, totaling 13:36 run time.
September 8, 2025 at 4:49 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
This is not a blueprint for "the next wave of journalism".
This is how journalism dies.
June 3, 2025 at 8:43 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Ugh... over a decade of saved articles that I'll need to export. That I've paid to save permanent copies of.
Plus, Pocket's integration with Kobo is one of the big reasons I've always opted for their e-readers.
May 22, 2025 at 5:04 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Album covers from legacy hiphop acts are a particular kind of awful. The specifics of the design might be very different, but they're all still somehow exactly the same.
The album cover for Wu Tang and Mathematics album Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsman which appears to be some sort of AI generated Dungeons & Dragons nonsense with a dude sloppily photoshopped into it that I can only assume is the titular Black Samson. Also the text looks like it was created using a copy of Broderbund Printshop purchased in 1999.
February 6, 2025 at 8:40 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
I've spent the last several years trying to build a healthier relationship with technology and I've decided to experiment with ditching my smartphone all together. Wish me luck!
February 2, 2025 at 6:06 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
If I had tons of disposable income I would snatch one of these up in a heartbeat. The Circle Guitar is just insanely fun to play. (My apologies for sweating all over your headphones guys.)
January 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Pulp Fiction may have lost best picture 30 years ago, but does Forest Gump have a pinball machine?
January 25, 2025 at 3:27 AM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Not gonna lie, I was kind of skeptical of the ROLI Airwave, but it's actually pretty impressive in person.
January 24, 2025 at 11:19 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Well worst-in-show is going to be easy to award.
Notification reading: Parents/Guardians, We are presently in a shelter in. Students will not be dismissed until it has been lifted.
January 24, 2025 at 9:32 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
My vote for prettiest guitars at NAMM goes to Bacci
January 24, 2025 at 2:57 AM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
I have been to hell, it's the drum pavilion at NAMM.
January 23, 2025 at 11:58 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
Important innovation at this year's NAMM: COLOR e-ink guitars.
January 23, 2025 at 6:56 PM
terrenceobrien.bsky.social
World's richest man gives a Nazi salute... Nothing.
Woman wears hat, breaking News alert.

Someone's priorities are serious fucked.
January 20, 2025 at 11:36 PM