Free tutorial and more in the createdigitalmusic.com Winter 08 Guide

Rounding up the best from readers and contributors, the Create Digital Music Winter 08 guide highlights gear, techniques and reflections on music technology for the winter season. Even Ableton conceptualist Robert Henke, aka Monolake, checks in with photos of the Berlin winter and tips for using music to survive the drab, cold weather.

Ableton Live was rated a "top gift pick" and "top tool" by readers. Live also features in a tutorial on slicing audio to MIDI, with creative tips, step-by-step instructions and a guide to making your own slice-to-MIDI presets.

To go with the tutorial, there's a free pack of presets for getting started with slicing right away, courtesy of the Covert Operators. Their Live Pack provides unique effects and slice setups to help you get more out of your loops.

Also in the Winter 08 guide:

• Circuit bending 101
• Reflections on instrument design from Dan McPharlin, who handcrafts imaginary synths from cardboard
• Gift ideas and favorite tool, reading and listening picks

The guide is available both as a free PDF and a print-on-demand, bound, full-color paperback book from Lulu.com