I recently picked up a Plugiator, a table top synthesizer from Use Audio. For the price, the value is amazing, coming equipped with 8 synth modules each with 100 tones. This obviously isn’t for synth purists, but if you’re looking for loads of sounds without breaking the bank, and you want to use a MIDI controller, than the Plugiator is a great space-saving deal.

The Plugiator comes equipped with the following plugins:

• Minimax
• Lightwave
• B4000
• Vocodizer (if you have a mic, this is great)
• Prodyssey
• Pro-12
• Fmagia
• Drums & Bass

The Chorus, Delay Time, and Delay Wet / Dry can all be tweaked on the fly. Other effects included depend on the specified tone. Cutoff, resonance, contour, attack, emphasis, gains, and more are all labeled on the console for easy tweaking. (The knobs also automatically synced up to my M-Audio Axiom MIDI Controller as well, so that was a nice bonus.)

As for sound quality, some of them flat out suck. But there are many gems that make the Plugiator worth it. Polyphony, like every other musical attribute, depends on the sound. All of them include notes to span the 61-key Axiom, so play range is not limited.

If you’re looking for organ sounds, Hammond B3 wannabe sounds etc., this is great. I didn’t come across any ideal Fender Rhodes sounds, which was a let down. Piano sounds are also nowhere to be found on the Plugiator, but that is expected with a synth.

If you play live and are sick of fiddling with a laptop to trigger sounds, this might be an ideal solution for you. You can store up to 10 of your favorite sounds on the front console, which is nice.

I’ve been catching up on my Tom Waits lately, whose music I’ve seemed to have taken a sabbatical from, with the purchase of the 2006 triple-album “Orphans”. All kinds of great sounds and stylings on here, some spoken word, rockabilly, down & out blues, gristly bourbon soaked heartache, and even some industrial sounds that would make Trent Reznor jealous. “Lie To Me”, featured in this video, is one of the more uplifting songs on “Orphans”, albeit tongue-in-cheek.

Recently picked up an EP from Tame Impala, and have been listening to the songs non-stop on my iPhone. Excellent “psychedelic hypno-groove melodic rock music” from Australia.

These guys are obviously influenced by late 60s British bands, even in the way that the songs are recorded. If you dig Cream and the more heavier Beatles songs, you’ll most likely dig these guys. Excellent harmonies as well, and the drummer’s vocals are mic’d as well, so they mean business.