The Archive
Reporting, comparisons, and field notes — newest first.
drum-machines-and-grooveboxes
Four of the most talked-about standalone hardware samplers compared side by side—so you can stop second-guessing and start making beats.
·10 min read
drum-machines-and-grooveboxes
A practical breakdown of Teenage Engineering's three most producer-relevant Pocket Operators—comparing the PO-12 Rhythm, PO-24 Office, and PO-32 Tonic so you
·10 min read
drum-machines-and-grooveboxes
Two radically different takes on portable sampling from the same brand—here's how to pick the right one before you spend $350 or $600.
·10 min read
drum-machines-and-grooveboxes
A clear-eyed comparison of three popular standalone drum machines—the Alesis SR-16, Korg Volca Beats, and Roland TR-08—so bands and songwriters can pick the
·11 min read
controllers-pads-and-studio-gear
Comparing the Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Mk3 against Akai's MPD218 and LPD8 Mk2 pad controllers — so you can match the hardware to your actual setup
·9 min read
drum-machines-and-grooveboxes
If you're a guitarist or bassist who wants a real drummer feel without hiring one, these three pedals solve the same problem in very different ways. Here's how
·11 min read