Three pins, and nearly every signal in this business passes through them.

The magazine is named after the cable: the microphone in the booth, the line to the desk, the DMX run that fires the lights. Studio, stage and rig share the same cable. Most magazines pick one of the three. This one covers all of it, because the people we read do too — the engineer mixing a record on Tuesday is on front of house by Saturday.

Around a hundred and sixty sources, in English, Japanese, Spanish, German, French, Chinese and Italian: makers and their release notes, reviewers who put a hand on the thing, studios and touring crews, the producers and collectives surfacing this month and the scenes they came out of. Synths and modular, plugins and DAWs, guitars and drums, microphones, monitors, PA and lighting. What the trade is talking about is counted and plotted. The editor's letter has just started; it will find its rhythm.

For each story: a headline, a short excerpt, one picture and the link out. We never reprint the article, and the picture belongs to the maker or the photographer. A German review appears in German and a Japanese one in Japanese, as the writer published it; the link goes to the original.

Nothing is sold on this site. When a link leads to a shop, it is the maker's shop, not ours.

← XLR MAG Archive

Rolling Stone MusicScenes

Dropkick Murphys Singer Interviews Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Chuck D for New Video Series

10.30

The first episode of Ken Casey’s new Home of the Brave Backstage series is available now

Read at Rolling Stone Music ↗

One letter a week, starting soon.

Latest

Dropkick Murphys Singer Interviews Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Chuck D for New Video Series

More from Rolling Stone Music on XLR MAG

ScenesComeback or Farewell? Guns N’ Roses, Black Crowes, and Friends Salute Aerosmith at Hollywood Bowl Rolling Stone Music

ScenesGracie Abrams, Dominic Fike, Daddy Yankee, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week Rolling Stone Music

ScenesDaddy Yankee Is Back With New Album ‘La Postal,’ Featuring Cardi B, More Rolling Stone Music

ScenesKurt Vile Has an Open Offer for Charli XCX: ‘I’m Here If She Ever Needs Me’ Rolling Stone Music

ScenesTame Impala Cover Seal’s ‘Kiss From a Rose,’ Off the First CD Kevin Parker Ever Bought Rolling Stone Music