Massive Attack & Tom Waits – a surprising collaboration – released the music video for Boots On The Ground.
Here’s what they have to say about the video:
“Film created by Massive Attack (working with US photo artist thefinaleye). This montage work portrays a momentous American epoch that is yet to be named, and comes in the aftermath of the largest public protests in American history – focused on opposition to ICE raids, the militarisation of domestic forces, and state authoritarianism.”
MAP Audio has introduced PAM (Pattern-Based Audio Mapping System), an 8-track modular sampler, with each cell featuring a sampler, effects chain and sequencer.
Features:
Cell Grid: Eight independent cells with samplers, effects, and modulation. Route modulation between cells and build complex signal flows.
Cell Views: Four views per cell: Sampler controls, Sample Browser, Pattern Editor, and Effects chain. Switch instantly between them.
CtrlAll: Global macro controls and A/B crossfader. Link parameters across all cells with per-cell exclusions.
Slicer: Slice samples into segments with automatic transient detection. Sequence slices with the dedicated slice patterns.
Pattern: Step sequencer with note, pitch, slice, and stretch lanes b plus a piano roll for poly mode. Draw and resize notes across the full pitch range with scale filter and velocity lane.
Tracker: Tracker-style pattern view across all cells. Program notes, velocity, probability, and retrigger in a vertical timeline.
Mixer: Mix all eight cells with volume, pan, mute, and solo. Per-cell effects chain with EQ, Filter, Delay, Compressor, and more.
Looper: Record up to eight tracks with overdub, external input, and drag-and-drop. Save eight variations with bar-synced switching.
Vary: Per-parameter randomization with adjustable range and probability. Add controlled variation to any knob.
LFO Modulation: Six global LFOs with multiple shapes and tempo sync. Map to any parameter with depth and bipolar control.
Envelope Follower: Per-parameter envelope followers with adjustable attack and release. Sidechain from any cell output.
Randomization: Generate random signals and setups for specific parts of PAM – randomize all LFOs at once, all envelope followers, all sequencers, and others.
PAM is available now for macOS & Windows for $150 USD or for $12.50/month.
Ahead of Superbooth 2026, scheduled on May 7-9, 2026 at the FEZ-Berlin, German developer Making Sound Machines has announced the Plinky 12 Blocks, Chords & Toadstep – a trio of touch-focused instruments with three swappable faceplates, each of which makes use of the same core hardware design and a shared synth engine.
Plinky 12’s hardware is designed around swappable panels. Instead of one fixed control surface, it can become different instruments built for different kinds of musical thinking.
Plinky 12 is, essentially, a single instrument, although its interchangeable panels allow it to function in a multitude of different ways. According to its developer, this concept means that “it can become different instruments built for different kinds of musical thinking”.
Each iteration of Plinky 12 will be available as a fully assembled distinct instrument, but additional panels will be available to purchase separately, allowing owners to expand the capabilities of the unit.
The Plinky 12 series is an evolution of the original Plinky, an open-source touch-sensitive polysynth that is available in both DIY and fully assembled forms.
Beneath the faceplate, each Plinky 12 unit is built around the same 12-inch by 12-inch hardware, based on a RP2350 microcontroller CPU and equipped with MIDI and CV I/O, as well as a stereo unbalanced audio input and output and USB connectivity.
The hardware interface consists of a 16×16 grid of touch capacitive buttons, the functionality of which is dictated by the attached faceplate. Each of the three variations in the initial range is created by a different designer and allows users to interact with the machine in a unique way.
Chords is designed by Making Sound Machines itself, and is described as a ‘harmonic inspiration machine’. The layout is intended to aid improvisation around melodic and harmonic patterns, with expressive control over chord voicing and progressions.
Toadstep is a sequencer layout created in collaboration with Eurorack developer Toadstool Tech, known for its Ectocore sampling module. The Toadstep turns the Plinky 12 interface into a 4-track sequencer designed for performing with acid-style synth riffs and generative melodies.
Blocks is the most open and adaptable of the three configurations. It’s designed by mmalex, who is one of the developers behind Making Sound Machines and designer of the original Plinky synth. It uses a monome-compatible grid for touch-controlled synthesis, based on the original Plinky concept. A browser-based code editor will also be launched alongside the Plinky 12, allowing users to create their own custom grid controllers.
In all cases, Plinky 12 makes use of the same sample-based polyphonic synth engine, which the developer says can ‘turn samples from simple sounds into frozen wavetables’. According to Making Music Machines, “since synth presets, system settings and certain control styles like LFOs and envelopes are shared across panels, once you learn one panel, the others already start to make sense.”
In the demo videos – above – it sounds appropriately bright and percussive, befitting of its onomatopoeic name.
The interchangeable faceplates can be swapped using a screwdriver. The Plinky hardware will automatically adjust to any new faceplate, adapting the software without the need to change the firmware.
The Plinky 12 will be sold pre-assembled, with additional panels available separately.
There’s no definitive word as yet on a release date or price, but the Plinky 12 will be on display at Superbooth next month, and Making Sound Machines promises the instruments will have a price that is “as competitive as we can make it.”
Visit the official website for more information and to sign up for updates.
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