Ins & outs

DEFINITELY JD

Roland are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their JD-800 synth in style, re-releasing it as a Zen-Core Expansion, Roland Cloud plugin and compact Boutique hardware synth (the JD-08). Can’t get your 90s kicks from any of that? You never will...

SP AVIN YOU

Speaking of reissues, what should arrive recently but a new version of the E-MU SP-1200 sampler, created by original designer Dave Rossum. Faithful to the original both inside and out, this promises all the 12-bit crunch that won over hip-hop producers back in the 80s.

MACBOOK WHOA!

The ‘chunky’ look might be dividing opinion (in our office, at least), but first impressions are that the new MacBook Pro – replete with either M1 Pro or M1 Max chips – is seriously powerful. And it also heralds the beginning of the end of the pointless Touch Bar.

ANDREW BARKER RIP

A member of Manchester electronic outfit 808 State since 1991, Barker has passed away, aged 53, after a short illness. He remained an active member of the band (with founder Graham Massey) right up to his death, releasing

Transmission Suite in 2019.

RHODES TO NOWHERE

We’re eagerly awaiting the new Rhodes MK8 electric piano – and it does look lovely – but news that the ‘entry-level’ model will cost more than £8,000 has ended our dream of owning one. Oh well – at least we still have those authentic plugin emulations…

THAT’S ALL, FOLKS…

ABBA fans barely got chance to celebrate the band’s return before Benny Andersson confirmed that their new album,

Voyage, will be their last. “This is it,” he said, and given the mixed reception the LP has had, that might be for the best. [No! – Ed]