Sin:Ned - Links

linkz

Ableton Live - Consider this as the live version of ACID, with Re-Wire and VST effects support. With Monolake as one the mastermind behind the development team, this is a wonderful tool if you work with loops in live performance.

ArKaos - Highly acclaimed VJ software.

AudioMulch - Extremely powerful and innovative software studio created by Australian sonic improviser Ross Bencina for creation of experimental and electro-acoustics music. Can also be an excellent tool for electronica in general. It comes with its own native modules such as drums, bassline, signal generator, loop player, file player, effects and other esoteric sonic devices. Also supports VST effects and instruments. Due to it's modular audio processing concept, users have the ultimate freedom in connecting different modules in any desired fashions while performing all sonic manipulation in real-time.

Auto-Illustrator - Signwave's generative graphic design software. On top of it's amazing creativity in the visual domain, it also provides very interesting option to convert images to sounds. Their generative image editor Autoshop is another piece of visual tool for all image terrorist out there. Simply innovative.

Crusher-X Live - Virtual studio of vapor synthesis derived from granular synthesis. Very capable in creating strange sounds.

CSound - Everything you need for CSound, one of the most powerful sound synthesis programs.

Cycling 74 - Home of MAX/MSP, one of the most powerful sounds/multimedia software for Mac. If you need a reason to get a Mac, this is it. Cycling 74 is also a records label releasing CD for artists such as The Freight Elevator Quartet and Tetsu Inoue.

Fruityloops - One of the most popular, affordable and easy to use music creation software.

GRM Tools - The coolest experimental plug-in available on earth.

IXI Software - Both a label and a software developer. IXI offers some very interesting experimental software. They are unlike anything else and they are currently free. If you are into experimental sounds and tools, this is the place you cannot afford to miss.

Koan - Unusual and esoteric generative music system from SSEYO, with the god father of ambient, Brian Eno, as one of their consultants.

LitePC - The secret to streamline and strengthen your "WinDoz" OS.

M-Tron - Software incarnation of the legendary Mellotron.

MetaSynth - One of the favorites of DJ Spooky. This is a very unique visual-to-sound synthesis software for Mac.

Native Instruments - Home of the amazing modular soft-synth monster, Reaktor. Other cutting-edge software such as Absynth, FM7, B4, Pro52, Traktor DJ Studio (virtual mixer), Spektral Delay (effect), Battery (sample based drum machine), and Kontakt (sampler)can also be found here.

OhmForce - Wild VST plug-in with creative funky interface to match.

Orion - An alternative of Propellerhead's Reason. Orion is a virtual music studio with it's own native synths, drum machines, loops tool, effects with support of VSTi and DXi. Pro quality gear without the price tag to match.

PD (Pure Data) - Open source, freeware modular sounds synthesis program from the original creator of MAX.

Plogue - creator of the modular music system Bidule.

Propellerhead - Virtual music studio at its best: ReBirth (software incarnation of the legendary TB-303), ReCycle (loop cutting tool that can work with hardware sampler) and Reason (rock solid virtual studio with synth, sampler, loop player, effects, step sequencer, drum machine, midi sequencer and cable connection flexibility between modules like a real hardware rack).

PSP - Poland VST plug-in developer. One of my favorite mixing and mastering plug-ins.

Smart Electronix - Collective of experimental VST developers.

SoftStep - Algorithmic music married with modular synthesizer design. This is the most extensive and complete generative music software covering the whole spectrum of algorithmic composition techniques.

Sonic Charge - Their Micro Tonic is one of the best synthetic VST drum machines from the creator of Reason's Malstrom Synthesizer.

Sony Media (used to be Sonic Foundry) - Home of ACID, the loop music program that changed the way how music is being made. Beside AudioMulch, this could be another reason why anyone would want to have a PC instead of Mac. They have a free cut-down version, ACID Express, for download, which is a great toy if you want to try making music with your PC.

SoundHack - Powerful freeware sound processing program for Mac. From the well-known avant-garde sound engineer Tom Erbe.

SuperCollider - Another reason to own a Mac.

SwarShala - One of a kind sample-based software for creating traditional Indian Raga music.

Tassman - Physically modeled modular soft-synth created by the Canadian developer Applied Acoustics.

Tobybear - Home of experimental and unusual VST plug-in design, with a lot of wild sound processing VST devices and distinctive user interface.

Tuareg - Described as "interactive phase sampler", Tuareg is a loop music creation tool that is both easy to use, and distinctive in terms of it's approach in the process of music creation.

VirSyn - Semi-modular soft-synth combining analog, digital and physically modeled synthesis. Very nice interface and unique real-time morphing control.

Hard-Gears

Anti-Theory - Home of Reed Ghazala, an experimental sound sculptor and circuit-bending artist.

Cementimental - Circuit bending terrorist who twists and turns ordinary electronic devices into noise making machines.

Ciat-Lonbarde - Home of probably the most unique sonic improviser and electronic instrument creator.

Clavia - The Nord series is a hybrid analog synthesizer system combining hardware DSP power and software flexibility.

Dave Smith Instruments - Programable synths: Evolver and Poly Evolver.

Echo Digital Audio - Their Indigo Series is the best and most affordable audio interface for laptop.

Frostware - Maker of authentic analogue effects.

Grundig - The portable short-wave radio Yacht Boy 400PE by Grundig is a very interesting sounds collecting device. It opens up a strange sector of data transmission surrounding us.

Haken Audio - Home of the Continuum Fingerboard, a very interesting midi controller alternative for traditional keyboard.

ibk - Home of the innovative jump-free midi controllers, 4Control & 10Control.

JazzMutant - The future of live software control is here: Lemur!! A multi-touch and programmable performance controller based on OSC (Open Sound Control) technology. An innovative way to turn your laptop into a real live instrument.

Moog Music - Hardware analog synths and effects from the legendary synthesizer wizard Robert Moog.

Natural VLF Receiver - Amazing device to collect sounds from space.

Korg - Well-known maker of synths, instruments and studio gears.

Kyma - A very special hybrid sound design system combining hardware DSP cards and software power. Considered as the "most powerful sound design workstation on earth".

Petterson Elecktronik - Maker of Bat detectors, which enables one to hear the sound of bat.

RME - The Hammerfall series could be the best audio interface. The new DSP series is the best one can get for laptop music system. It is not cheap but it is worth every penny it asks for.

Roland - Groove box pioneer.

Sony VAIO - My choice of PC playground.

Technosauraus - Maker of real analog synthesizer and step sequencer. True analog style with portability. Most devices still work with CV instead of midi.

Handheld-Gears

Little Sound DJ - Mini music tracker for Gameboy.

Nanoloop - Experimental program that turns your Gameboy into a mini sound synthesis workstation.

PDA Musician - Ever thought of turning your pocket PC into a portable music work station?

Collectives

BED - Electronic music collective of artists from western Europe.

Chaintape Collective - Internet based collective who creates music by exchanging sounds on the net.

Experimental Music Collective - Collective of cutting-edge electronica. You will like them if Worm Interface is your cup of tea.

Dorkbot - "people who do strange things with electricity".

Dying Art - Evolved from a web-zine to one of the central forces of dark wave music in mainland China. Chinese made dark ambient in the tradition of Cold Meat Industry.

Harbour Records - A collective of Hong Kong indie artists who refuse abandoning their dreams.

Infrasound

Lona Records - Indie/experimental Label from Hong Kong

.microsound - Internet collective of like-minded microsound artists.

NOiSE - Internet music collective not unlike Tapegerm.

PSF - Home of the Tokyo Psychedelic Underground.

Sinologic - Experimental art collective covering a wide range of artistic domain.

Sleepatwork - Collective from Hong Kong for various internet based sonic and visual projects. Be sure to check out their audio/visual project 60 Seconds.

Snuggles - Collective of sample terrorists inspired by Negativland and John Oswald. Be sure to check out their projects such as The Droplift Project and Dictionaraoke.

Sound Injury - (e)Mailing list collective of destructive sound designers sharing, de-constructing, re-constructing and chain-processing sounds via email.

steim - Well-known pioneering live electronic music centre dedicated to performing arts. Also home of the live sampling software LiSa and the short-circuit noise generating toy Crackle Box.

Tapegerm - Musician collective consists of more than 30 international members, sharing loops and pouring out massive creative sounds and mixes via internet collaboration.

Zuni - Multi-media performance collective from Hong Kong, who has been producing some of the most important artworks for this cultural wasteland.

Artists

Alok - Ex-Slow Tech Riddim member. One of the most important indie musicians in Hong Kong.

Aroma - A New Age music group from Hong Kong.

Arthur Loves Plastics - Awarding winning group from US. Song oriented electronica injected with pop sensibility and trip-hop touch. Top production and vocal.

Circus Of The Scars - Gothic and atmospheric music inherited and mutated from the post-industrial era.

Chainsaw Riot - Fast and heavy, noisy and energy-intensive. Hong Kong home-grown digital hardcore. Be sure to also check out his blog at Diabolic Dairy.

Chaos - Now dis-banded but influential indie group from Hong Kong.

Chaos Is Your Destiny - Ambient and abstract electronic music incorporating generative composition techniques.

Digital Cutup Lounge - Digital DJ team from Hong Kong. Smooth, deep and eclectic mix of ambient jazz electronica.

False Alarm - An up-rising indie rock group from Hong Kong.

Fictive.org - Home of electro-acoustics artists Peter Traub. In addition to his experimental sonic works, you can also find his amazing web sonic installation such as Bits & Pieces, Netsong and Sibling Revelry. Wonderful examples of real web-art.

Francesconi, Ryan - Creator of the freeware music program Spongefork for Mac. His electronic music is very different from the current trends. Fun and amusing, sometimes even with a feel of the Residents.

Harsh Reality Music - Home of Mental Anguish, who has been a vital member of the internet electronic music scene.

International Garbageman - Sound specialist from Sweden who works wonder in turning junks into precious metals. Experimental noise with distinctive mixing style.

JoyTrendySound - In between refreshing grassland and agitating energy. A new sense of pop / rock / indie sound from Hong Kong.

Kung Chi Shing - Avant-garde/new music composer from Hong Kong, who has been one of the major driving forces in creating innovative composition and performance in the local scene. He is also one-half of the local underground group The Box.

Mandiberg, Michael - Net.Art does not means just flash, java or fancy animation and multi-media tactics. Through Shop Mandiberg and The Essential Guide To Performing Michael Mandiberg, Mandiberg managed to transcend e-commerce into a platform for self-identity investigation. Clever and thought provoking works in action.

Melodywhore - Dark and sometimes gothic like impressions with synth-pop inspired impulses and heavy influence from the 80s', presented by a web design with strong visual characters.

Mikisum - Very talented artist from Hong Kong. Her tunes are refreshingly beautiful.

Nerve - Talented electronic musician from Hong Kong, who produced the first CD of Videodrome, and is also a member of VSOP (formed with Kim of Slow Tech Riddim).

No Tomorrow's Party - Hong Kong's interpretation of 4AD and Projekt.

Our Founder, The - Digital Cutup Lounge's collaborator, J. LeRoy's homepage.

Pancakes, The - Miracle of the Hong Kong indie music scene. Cutie homemade music with irresistible charm.

Primary Shapes - Hong Kong's one and only one Avant Pop group.

Ronez - Self style noise maker from China.

Squarefruit - Solo project of ex-AMK member. Also a member of the alternative pop group Pop Pop.

Stanza - Multi-media net artist who digs deeply into the soul of the urban cities with his cyber-sonic tools. His various internet works re-construct the collective unconscious of the urban cities through labyrinths of interactive images and post-industrial soundscapes. The awarding winning piece Central City and it's derivative Inner City are especially amazing.

Sub Jam - Home of Yun Jan, an artist/writer/poet from China. One of the most important icon in China's underground scene.

Tapehiss - An ever evolving recording and performance project started with a portable 2 tracks open reel deck.

Magazines

Computer Music - UK magazine specialized in computer music, with a wide coverage of software and computer related hardware.

Electronic Musician

MCB - Used to be the most influential alternative music magazine in Hong Kong since Music Week and Rock Bi-Weekly.

Noise@Taiwan - Taiwan magazine for Experimental music & noise.

Opprobrium - Online home of the experimental/avant-garde music magazine.

Sound On Sound - Music recording magazine with high reputation.

Wire - The only magazine one needs for experimental/avant/modern/post-modern music.

Wired - About all things high-tech.　

Stores/Labels/Mail-Orders

AudioMidi.com - Internet store offering wide range of hardware and software gears.

Big City Music - Looking for vintage analogue gear? For sure this is your place.

Eclipse Records - US records label/mail order house specialized in Krautrock and psychedelic music. Excellent service.

EMusic - One of the best mp3 subscription services.

Forced Exposure - US CD mail order house offering a very wide range of experimental music. If Wire is you favorite magazine, this could be your favorite CD mail order house.

Homemade Music - A growing community of home recording artists.

Lark In The Morning - Specialist store for world exotic instruments.

Monitor Records - Without Monitor Records, there would have been no alternative music in Hong Kong.

Sounds/Samples

Documentary Sound - Links for field recordings.

FindSounds.com - Specialized search engine for sounds on the net.

MoiveWavs - Specialized source of movie sounds.

NASA Online VLF Receiver - Listen to the sounds from space.

Numbers Game, The - Samples of the enigmatic number stations.

Samplenet - All-in-one resources for sounds samples.

SoundCentral - Large collection of audio files including cartoons, movies...etc.

Sounds From Space - More sounds from outer space.

eZines/Resources/Others

Allsound.org - Resources and community for experimental musicians.

Creative Synth - All things about synth...lot of reviews and tutorials.

DataBaseAudio - Very well maintained site listing all kinds of audio related freeeware, including VST, VSTi, DXi, online devices...etc.

DirectX Files - The best resource for Direct X plug-in.

EM411 - Electronic Music community, with reviews and interviews...etc.

Elated - Web design house offering some of the best free web templates available on the net.

Generative.net - Resources for generative art.

K-v-R - The only resource one needs to remember for VSTi.

Plug-in List - Very comprehensive listing of VST plug-in.

Psychedelic Noise - Paul Collett's site for psychedelic noise of Japan & New Zealand. This is one of the best introduction available on the internet on the concerned genres.

Rhizome.org - Post-modern net-art community.

Shareware Music Machine - The largest collection of music shareware.

Spamradio - Turning Junk mails into works of art. Pure fun.

Synth Zone - Well maintained and comprehensive listing of both hardware and software synths.

Tokyo Meltdown - Wonderful guide for things about Tokyo, especially the section for records store.

Vintage Synth Explorer - Everything about vintage synths.