“Rio” cemented the British fivesome as synth-pop legends and MTV superstars. The JUPITER-4 arpeggio is a defining sound of the '80s hit.
EXPLORE HISTORY
The TR-808 pattern at the center of “Hangin' on a String” elevates the moody groove.
"Closer" by Nine Inch Nails is built around a densely layered groove featuring the TR-606. The edgy track achieved great chart success for the band.
One of the most distinctive polys of the ’80s, the JX-3P is the secret sauce on tracks from movie themes to quirky indie cuts.
Dave "Rave" Ogilvie shares his memories of recording Skinny Puppy's landmark Remission, one of the earliest recorded uses of the TR-909.
Chong the Nomad and the Quest to Create
Jake Uitti
Seattle-based electronic music producer, Alda Agustiano—aka Chong the Nomad—knows how precious a single note can be.
A Guy Called Gerald: The Man from Manchester
Mike Sparks
From “Voodoo Ray” to blueprinting the jungle genre with “Black Secret Technology,” A Guy Called Gerald pushes the boundaries of electronic dance music.
DoNormaal: Desert Days, Rapping, and Reinvention
Jake Uitti
DoNormaal rose to local fame in Seattle with her effortless-yet-determined rapping style and evocative, eye-catching live performances.
Mux Mool on Beats, Breaks, and Beauty
Ari Rosenschein
Cerebral one moment, floor-shaking the next—Brian Lindgren’s project confounds notions of how an electronic release should sound and feel.
Little Pockets of Joy: The Creative Process, Emotional Endurance, and Tenacity of Linafornia
Gino Sorcinelli
Linafornia’s childhood and teenage years contained a broad range of melodies and tones.
Brothertiger Rides the Chillwave
Ari Rosenschein
To listen to the dreamy, chillwave sounds of Brothertiger, you might think that sole tiger John Jagos grew up in the 1980s.
EXPLORE TECH AND TREND
Relive the inspiring performances, exclusive product debuts, and groundbreaking discussions showcased at the 2025 NAMM Show.
Run a search for “Octapad” or “Octapadist,” and you'll find a vast musical community. Learn how the instrument became a household word.
Auris Presents shares what makes ARC Music Festival unique and how it’s grown into an unmissable event for Chicago and beyond.
"We are distracted. We cannot find the stillness to listen to ourselves. With active listening or being the creator, you find your voice."
From rock and roll frontwomen to Grammy-nominated artists, learn how these musicians are achieving their sonic dreams.