CDM Create Digital Music

Interview: 33EMYBW on Amalgamate, metamorphosis, and insect philosophy

Peter Kirn — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:26:52 +0000

The patterning on butterfly wings is constructed of tiny blade-like scales (lamellar), with color structured into complex messaging and variation. That’s precisely the sonic feeling of Amalgamate, the latest from Shanghai-based artist 33EMYBW. We got to talk to 33 about alienation, metamorphosis, and the meaning of some of those lyrics. Photos by Di Wei Aamalgamte […]

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Time-bending, granular-powered HyperWarp: hands-on, free pack

Peter Kirn — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 16:05:53 +0000

The granular engine in Baby Audio's HyperWarp can bend time along graphical paths you create with curved and stepped drawing tools. The result: glitches, timbres, and grooves, rhythmic chops, sweeping pitch shifts, rich coloration, and stasis-leak madness when you want it. I've got a hands-on, plus a big CDM-exclusive bank of free patches.

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Watch what Herbie Hancock had to say about technology in 1984

Peter Kirn — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 07:48:15 +0000

It's time to dig into the archives. I'd seen this before, but it hits differently now. Herbie Hancock jams out in the studio with Quincy Jones in a 1984 film. It's notable for what Herbie says with his music, with his approach to the machines, and with how he thinks about humans.

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West Coast, with penguins: Aaltoverb on Linux; Aalto 2 coming soon

Peter Kirn — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 21:23:02 +0000

Madrona Labs' patchable West Coast synth is one of the most playable, exploration-friendly, unique instruments around -- a piece of software to last. And it comes with a reverb companion, now on Linux, too as a free demo you can beta-test. The big news: Aalto 2 is coming this fall for macOS, Windows -- and Linux, too.

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Pure Data (Pd) 0.57 inbound, enduring free software for tinkering with sound

Peter Kirn — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:18:13 +0000

Technology keeps asking us to speed up. Pd is happy to let you slow down: tinker, patch, make mistakes, obsess over a number or signal routing, and do it all visually. The free and open source software is getting a nice 0.57 update with new features, relevant to Pd and tools like libpd and plugdata that are based on it.

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FLpad 8×8 grid comes to FL Studio — can you add a grid to a speedrun?

Peter Kirn — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:16:51 +0000

The Novation Launchpad grid has its original lineage in Ableton Live integration. But it's now come to the land of Fruity Loops. FLpad is available in both a standard, velocity-sensitive model and an FLpad mini. For a user base known for shortcuts and speedrunning, can finger-drumming and pad programming find a home?

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Magpies and hope: a journey into Anastasia Kristensen’s Bestiarium

Peter Kirn — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:55:14 +0000

Far from the cold, hard edges and cookie-cutter music, Anastasia Kristensen is exploring anthropomorphic sound -- and digging up "weird, small nests" of music. It's just the kind of hopeful conversation we need right now. Enter this year's Bestarium Sombre -- and, if you're lucky, catch Anastasia live. She talks to CDM about the work and that vision.

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1Uesday: Koma Elektronik (sale), Doepfer goodies for your 1U rack

Peter Kirn — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:55:15 +0000

It's time to resurrect 1Uesday, because the single-height 1U Eurorack format is heating up again. We've got some cheap and cheery Koma Elektronik tools -- including some lovely leftfield stuff -- plus a new range from Doepfer. If you've got the case for it, you can put it to good use.

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Mortal FM Kombat: Plogue’s meticulous OPMZ Yamaha emulation totally slaps

Peter Kirn — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 15:02:38 +0000

We're awash with emulations at the moment, but this one is on another level. The chip that powered everything from Yamaha’s little-known CX5M computer to the best 80s FM synths and video game masterpieces gets a long-awaited (unofficial) rendition on your computer, and it's just about perfect -- both as a instrument plug-in and an ultra-authentic player for classic games. And where this emulation started was physical, not virtual: a workbench, vintage gear and documentation, research, and physical labor.

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Agitate Ableton Live tempos, chop up YouTube slop, more with Oliver Torr

Peter Kirn — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 22:08:06 +0000

Oliver Torr is disrupting your sound waves, mangling your Ableton Live tempo (alongside the awesome duo MIRA新伝統), and assembling drum kits out of AI-surfed YouTube chaos. The Glazmo Network founder has been doing deep research into "sonic mythologies," and that includes two tools that are must-have for fans of uncertainty, glitch, and general inspiration. Plus, you should look into Oliver's and Mira's recent albums if you missed them.

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