Novation MiniNova Synthesizer: A Legacy of Innovation
Dubstep. I keep staring at those words, sandwiched prominently between “R&B/Hip-Hop” and “Techno/House” on Novation’s MiniNova, and I keep thinking: “What were they thinking?” You see, that Novation MiniNova synthesizer, released in 2012, and bought by yours truly not too many years later, remains a compelling, if not slightly confounding, synth. From above, the MiniNova’s […]
Cross the Vocal Spectrum on Moog’s Spectravox Synth
Moog’s Spectravox is an exciting analog spectral processor and vocoder that transforms sound with an advanced 10-band filter bank. This cutting-edge instrument delivers vibrant drones, dynamic tonal sweeps, and unique modulation possibilities, opening up new worlds of sonic creativity. Discover the full potential of the Spectravox as we delve deeper into its features and capabilities […]
Kinds of Kindness: Inside the Score of Jerskin Fendrix
Jerskin Fendrix is no stranger to composing for fantastical storylines — His work in 2024’s Kinds of Kindness is no exception. The latest Yorgos Lanthimos film is a triptych tale: three adjacent storylines with a few themes that tie the whole package together. One such element is Fendrix’s nightmarish score of piano and choir. A […]
Starry-Eyed Surprise: Arturia MiniFreak Stellar Synth Video Demo
Space out with Arturia’s MiniFreak Stellar, a blacked-out special edition of their original powerful polyphonic synth. Featuring dual digital sound engines, analog filters, advanced modulation, sequencing, and stereo effects, this synth takes your sound into deep space and beyond. Join us in our exclusive video as we explore the MiniFreak Stellar’s unique features and cosmic […]
Gear Wire: Genzler Kinetix 800 Bass Amp, Guess That Bass, & More
Episode 3 focuses on the brand-new Genzler Kinetix 800 bass amp. zZounds’ very own bass expert Martin sits down with our hosts Justin and Luis to show off a few thumping tones while sharing his impressions about the amp. Plus, we dig into music news about Spotify, Wu-Tang Clan, and Taylor Swift. Jun 26, 2024Mason
Do “Magic” Frequencies Exist When Mixing Drums?
There is no magic bullet. That’s a point that this piece should get across first and foremost. That being said, learning about what boosting and cutting frequencies can to do to a mix is incredibly important for your engineering skills and satisfaction when recording drums. Any drum recording is only as good as the sum […]
Gear Wire: Rob Scallon, Ticketmaster Lawsuit, Unboxing A New EarthQuaker Devices Pedal & More
In Gear Wire’s second episode, hosts Justin and Luis welcome YouTuber and Schecter artist Rob Scallon to discuss his signature Schecter models and news about what’s going on in his world. Justin and Luis even try to stump Rob on trivia about his own videos! They also dive into music news like the Live Nation/Ticketmaster […]
Roland JD-08 Boutique Synthesizer: A Link to Roland’s Past
I’ll be the first to admit, my first impression of Roland’s JD-08 was one of surprise. I thought: How would Roland fit all of its original inspiration into something smaller than your computer’s keyboard? That question drove me to give it a chance — I’d revive my niche of “The Oscillator” and share some thoughts […]
What are Coated Strings?
Have you come across coated strings while shopping for your next pack and wondered what they were? The world of strings is wide indeed, and coated strings are one of the many varieties offered by manufacturers. But what is a string’s coating made from? How does it affect the tone, and does it feel…weird? Let’s […]
