Audionautic | Covering the Latest in Music Production, Marketing and Technology

There are a few technical difficulties this week, the internet was not our friend. We appreciate your patience :)____________________________________________________________This week we’re exploring Strum Plate by Gulf Coast Synthesis, a free MIDI effect that separates what you play from when you play it.Inspired by the touchplate interface of the Omnichord, Strum Plate lets you hold chords with one hand while manually strumming notes into existence using a mouse or pitch wheel. It’s less about precision and more about feel, gesture, and discovering new musical behaviours.Rather than reviewing features, this episode is about experimentation. We’ll be pairing Strum Plate with different synths and sounds, pushing it in unexpected directions, and seeing what kinds of rhythms, textures, and performance ideas emerge along the way.If you’re curious about alternative MIDI workflows, playful sound design tools, or finding inspiration in free plugins, this one’s for you.Check out the Strum Plate Here:https://www.gulfcoastsynthesis.com/strum-plate.htmlLars Haur has a new track out. It's lush, check it here: https://larshaur.bandcamp.com/album/everything-is-wrongThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Sunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

This week we’re unpacking two very different sides of the music technology world.First, we look at the news surrounding Native Instruments entering preliminary insolvency proceedings. We break down what’s actually happening, what it means for musicians who rely on NI tools, and why this is more about financial structure than failing products.Then we shift gears into a post NAMM 2026 roundtable, sharing the gear releases that genuinely caught our attention. No hype cycles, no shopping lists, just thoughtful reactions to what felt meaningful, useful or creatively interesting this year.As always, this is an open discussion about tools, industry shifts and how we navigate them as working musicians.Thanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Sunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

This week we’re diving into Zebra 3 from U-He, exploring why it remains one of the most deep and flexible software synthesizers available today. Rather than a feature checklist, this episode is about discovery, approach and what it feels like to work inside a truly modular synth environment.We’ll talk through Zebra 3’s oscillators, spectral shaping, modulation system and sound design philosophy, focusing on how its design encourages intentional exploration rather than preset hopping. From subtle movement and organic textures to complex evolving sounds, Zebra 3 rewards time spent listening and experimenting.Along the way we reflect on what makes a synth feel inspiring in long term use, how depth can coexist with clarity, and why tools like Zebra 3 continue to resonate with sound designers and musicians years after their release.If you enjoy slower, more thoughtful discussions about synthesis and creative process, this one’s for you.Thanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Sunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

This week’s episode is about want vs need.We explore the internal dialogue that shows up when we feel the urge to buy new gear, plugins, or software. Where does that desire come from? Is it curiosity, FOMO, comparison, or a genuine creative requirement?We talk about:Recognizing the difference between wanting and needingWhen a purchase actually makes senseSocial media influence and comparisonPractical ways to pause, reflect, and detach from impulsive buyingGiving yourself permission to need something without guiltA thoughtful conversation about intention, creativity, and staying connected to why we make music in the first place.Thanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Sunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

We’re back for our first show of 2026.In this episode, we ease into the new year by reflecting on the winter break. We share what we got up to, highlight a few poignant moments in the studio, and talk about how time away shaped our thinking about music and creativity.We also look ahead to the year to come. Not resolutions, but intentions. What we’re excited about, what we want to protect, and how we hope to approach our creative lives moving forward.Thanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Sunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

This is our final episode before the winter break, so we’re taking a moment to look back.In this end of year retrospective, we reflect on our creative highlights, personal achievements, and the moments that shaped our musical year. From releases and conversations to lessons learned and unexpected wins, this episode is about acknowledging progress and sharing gratitude.No announcements, no hype, just a thoughtful conversation about creativity, growth, and what it means to keep showing up.Thank you to everyone who listened, joined the discussions, and supported the show this year. We’ll see you after the break, on 7th January 2026Thanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Sunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

This week we sit down with long-time Audionaut, patron, and ambient architect Survey Channel, diving deep into his new release Ecomediums — a sonic journey built from repurposed media, intuitive construction, and a fractured digital consciousness.Ecomediums questions the validity of repurposing art and media. Using fragments of MIDI, samples, layered ambient synthetics, and a (mis)guided intuition, Survey Channel creates an uninterrupted drift through a distorted digital “elsewhere” just beyond today’s technological distractions.We talk about:The philosophy behind repurposing artInspiration and conceptual underpinningsHis production workflowThe idea of the “economically creative”How fragments, leftovers, and recovered media can form something newJoin us for a deep, thoughtful conversation.Check out 'Ecomediums' here: https://surveychannel.bandcamp.com/album/ecomediumsThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Sunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

Ableton Live 12.3 is here and we are breaking down everything in the new update. From Stem Separation and Splice integration to new workflow tools like Bounce Groups, Paste Bounced Audio and Device A B, we look at which features matter and how they might change your music making.This week we are joined by a guest host who is not an Ableton user, so expect real debate about whether this update pushes Live forward or simply keeps it competitive.We explore the creative additions like the updated Auto Pan Tremolo, new expressive tools for Push, the Generators pack by Iftah and improvements to MIDI sequencing and chord editing.With Live, Push and Move currently on sale, we also ask the big question. Does this update make Ableton worth the investmenthanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/8uEpF7JESunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.comTIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro02:00 - What We’re Up To10:00 - Stem Separation25:00 - Splice Integration52:00 - Bounce in Place60:00 - Auto Pan-Tremelo

This week we are not doing the usual Black Friday deal roundup.Instead we are taking a step back and talking honestly about something that affects all of us. GAS. Gear lust. The constant temptation to buy more just because everything is on sale.So today we are doing the opposite of a deal guide.We are talking about what we already have, why Black Friday plays on our insecurities as artists, and how to recognise when a purchase actually solves a real problem versus when it is just another distraction.Thanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/DugxMMZsSunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com00:00 - Intro02:00 - What We’re Up To14:00 - Why Black Friday Hits Us So Hard25:00 - The Difference Between Want vs Need32:00 - What Do We Actually Use?50:00 - Resisting GAS as a Community75:00 - The Psychology of Sales (FOMO, Scarcity, Identity)

This week we’re continuing our Artist Spotlight series with Sunwarper and his new album Today’s Traces: a meditative, ambient journey through memory, impermanence, and the emotional residue of everyday life.Today’s Traces captures the moments that slip between the bigger milestones, those fleeting in-between spaces that define who we are. It’s a record of warmth, stillness, and reflection.Check out Today's Traces here: https://sunwarper.bandcamp.com/album/todays-tracesThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/ZPagy7j8Sunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

This week we’re setting course for the cosmic and the technical.An artist spotlight on Kh3rtis and his stunning new album A Transdimensional Passage on a Mazonik Bao Chuan, a sprawling ambient voyage through chaos, order, loss, and renewal. We’ll unpack the textures, storytelling, and sound design behind one of the most evocative records of the year.Check out Kh3rtis' new album here:https://kh3rtis.bandcamp.com/album/a-transdimensional-passage-on-a-mazonik-bao-chuanThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7detVZRSunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

Every producer has a few hidden gems that quietly make their studio workflow shine. In this episode, we each share the gear and software that we can’t live without. From creative plugins to underrated pieces of hardware, we talk about how these tools shape our sound, speed up our process, and keep us inspired in the studio.Help support the channel: https://www.patreon.com/audionauticThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut Producer

This week we dive into the brand new Akai MPC Live III — a powerful standalone production center with 3D pads, a faster processor, and all-in-one creative flexibility. We’ll explore what it brings to the table for producers who want true portability without compromise.Then for our Round Robin, we shift gears to the people behind the beats. With so many community releases happening lately, how are we actually putting our work out there? Are we engaging, connecting, or just posting into the void?Join us live and be part of the conversation on how we share, announce, and sustain our creative presence in 2025.Kh3rtis has a new record out, you can check it here:https://kh3rtis.bandcamp.com/album/a-transdimensional-passage-on-a-mazonik-bao-chuanThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7detVZRSunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.comTIMESTAMPS

Roland is back with the TR-1000 Rhythm Creator, their first true-analog drum machine in over 40 years, and maybe their most advanced yet.It blends the warmth of classic 808 and 909 circuits with ACB models, FM percussion, sampling tools, and a powerful hybrid sequencer. We dig into what makes this machine such a big moment for Roland and how it fits into the modern beat-making landscape.Then in our Round Robin discussion, we ask a bigger question: Has hardware innovation hit a wall?With so many remakes and retro re-issues, are manufacturers truly pushing forward — or are we just stuck chasing nostalgia?Join us for a deep dive into the TR-1000 and a candid chat about where hardware creativity goes next.Thanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Kr4CrthQSunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

Last week we dug into the Elektron Tonverk, its quirks and what it's 'missing', which got us thinking: are hardware limitations actually a blessing in disguise?This week we’re celebrating the ways limitations push creativity forward, spark new ideas, and keep music-making fun. From grooveboxes to synths to samplers, restrictions often become the secret ingredient in our best work.Join us for a collective reflection on how limitations shape our music journeys, and share your own stories in the comments!New Release from Coraline Ada Ehmkehttps://coralineada.bandcamp.com/album/source-original-motion-picture-soundtrackThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord:https://discord.gg/Kr4CrthQSunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.com

This week we’re checking out the brand new Elektron Tonverk, a next-gen polyphonic multisampler and audio processor that’s shaking up the groovebox world. We’ll break down the specs, features, and how it compares to other Elektron gear like the Digitakt and Octatrack.Then we shift gears into a bigger question: why even bother releasing music anymore? With streaming platforms paying fractions of a cent and artists struggling to monetise their work, is “release culture” still worth it? Or should music just be about fun, community, and self-expression?Thanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/Su5ZPvtCSunwarper: https://sunwarper.com​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://kh3rtis.comTIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro02:00 - What We’re Up To06:00 - Community Corner12:00 - Why bother releasing music?44:00 - The Elektron Tornverk: At a Glance

As independent musicians, one of the hardest parts of releasing music today isn’t just making the songs, it’s figuring out where to put our energy.Do we spend more time prepping the release for streaming platforms? Or do we focus on social media, where the algorithms demand constant content? In this video, we break down the balancing act:🎶 Setting up music for streaming📱 The social media grind⚡ Finding a sustainable middle groundWe’d love to hear your perspective — where do you put your energy as an indie artist?For the whole of this month, enter 'FIVEYEARS' at checkout on our Patreon to get a 20% discount on Patronage:https://www.patreon.com/c/audionauticThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/w5BpJKdM🎧Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lFIuRD0xz87UZ3bRflu9HSounds by Sunwarper Samples:https://soundsbysunwarper.bandcamp.com/releasesSunwarper: https://linktr.ee/sunwarper​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://linktr.ee/Kh3rtis​​​For the whole of this month, enter 'FIVEYEARS' at checkout on our Patreon to get a 20% discount on Patronage:https://www.patreon.com/c/audionauticThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/w5BpJKdM🎧Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lFIuRD0xz87UZ3bRflu9HSounds by Sunwarper Samples:https://soundsbysunwarper.bandcamp.com/releasesSunwarper: https://linktr.ee/sunwarper​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://linktr.ee/Kh3rtis​​​

For the past few weeks we've been exploring inspiration and the creative mind. One understated form of Music Production is that of Generative Music, a world where a single piece of MIDI data can form entire compositions with the right parameters. To aid us in the exploration of this world we welcome Mike K Smith to the show, friend, patron and fellow producer who's just released his own body of work on Generative Music and it's unique qualities. Check out 'The Lazy Producer' here:https://mikeksmith.bandcamp.com/album/the-lazy-producerFor the whole of this month, enter 'FIVEYEARS' at checkout on our Patreon to get a 20% discount on Patronage:https://www.patreon.com/c/audionauticThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/w5BpJKdM🎧Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lFIuRD0xz87UZ3bRflu9HSounds by Sunwarper Samples:https://soundsbysunwarper.bandcamp.com/releasesSunwarper: https://linktr.ee/sunwarper​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://linktr.ee/Kh3rtis​​​

On the back of sleepy season, Bandcamp comes out swinging with the introduction of 'Bandcamp Clubs' a supposedly human way to discover new music in an algorithmically driven world, as well as a way to directly support artists. Is it all its cracked up to be? For the whole of this month, enter 'FIVEYEARS' at checkout on our Patreon to get a 20% discount on Patronage:https://www.patreon.com/c/audionauticThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/BrVmRnRKb8🎧Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lFIuRD0xz87UZ3bRflu9HSounds by Sunwarper Samples:https://soundsbysunwarper.bandcamp.com/releasesSunwarper: https://linktr.ee/sunwarper​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://linktr.ee/Kh3rtis​​​TIMESTAMPS

We're a sucker for a kickstarter, always rooting for the grassroots initiatives. As the new Wunderkammer WoO.1 enters the market, we're left wondering whether the world needs another sampler, what does this lil' guy offer? Well we're breaking it down. In the Round Robin, we're looking at relinquishing control in the studio and allowing for happy accidents to manifest themselves, how does this happen and how can we integrate them into our studio time? For the whole of this month, enter 'FIVEYEARS' at checkout on our Patreon to get a 20% discount on Patronage:https://www.patreon.com/c/audionauticThanks to our Patrons who support what we do:Audionauts: Abby, Bendu, David Svrjcek, Josh Wittman, Paul Ledbrook, Matt Donatelli and Stephen SetzepfandtLars Haur - Audionaut ProducerJonathan Goode - Audionaut ProducerJoin the conversation:💌 audionauticsounds@gmail.com 🐤 Twitter @Audionautic📸 Instagram: @audionauticsounds📡Discord: https://discord.gg/BrVmRnRKb8🎧Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7lFIuRD0xz87UZ3bRflu9HSounds by Sunwarper Samples:https://soundsbysunwarper.bandcamp.com/releasesSunwarper: https://linktr.ee/sunwarper​​​​​​Kh3rtis: https://linktr.ee/Kh3rtis​​​TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Intro02:00 - What We’re Up To18:00 - Wunder-Sampler?34:00 - Community Corner52:00 - Round Robin: The Role of Accidents in Creative Expression