Wire to the Ear’s Oliver Chesler (The Horrorist) takes a look at D16’s Drumazon (software Roland TR-909) and Devastor (distortion unit):
I’ve owned a real Roland TR-909 for many years. In fact I bought mine from Chaka Kahn! I can honestly say Drumazon is a better replacement. It’s a joy to use and you get all [...]

This gets my vote for the coolest thing you’ll see this weekend.
It’s a live performance using the Hobnox AudioTool - the new browser-based virtual studio - using a MIDI controller and Percussa AudioCubes.
See the tutorial at the Hobnox site, too!
Joa Ebert & Kai-Phillip, via David

Goldbaby has released a new drum sample library, Tape909, that includes 1446 samples taken from a mint 909 recorded into an Ampex 351 1/2″ valve 2 track tape machine.
That’s right. Digital run through analog and then resampled.  Ready for you to add your tape simulation hiss and noise!
Formats: Refill / Battery / Guru / iDrum [...]

Disco never really died.
Instead it mutated, and one of its mutant offshoots is House Music. House music retains much of the heavy regular beat of disco, but tends to be more electronic, with drum machine rhythms and synthesized basses. The music is song based, and draws on a variety of influences, including Latin, jazz, soul, [...]