Ready for another round in the groovebox arena? The Midlife Synthesist dives headfirst into 1010music’s Bento, a box promising wild sound design and looping wizardry for both stage and studio. Expect sharp takes, honest gripes, and a healthy dose of hands-on chaos as he pokes at Bento’s touchscreen, pads, and connectivity. This isn’t a final verdict—just a first taste, with plenty of praise, a few facepalms, and a clear warning: some of Bento’s quirks are best seen (and heard) in action. If you want to know whether this flagship is a street weapon or a firmware work-in-progress, read on.

1010Music Bento, Akai MPC, OXI One MK2

22. February 2026

sunwarper

sunwarper’s Flip: No More Crate Digging—Make Your Own Heat

RILEY

Forget dusty fingers and endless record store hunts—sunwarper just flipped the script on sampling, and I’m here for it. In this video, the LA beat wizard ditches traditional crate digging and shows how you can cook up your own samples from scratch, no music theory degree required. From Logic Pro’s session players to the Roland SP404-MKII, he’s all about bending sounds to your will and stacking textures that slap. If you’re tired of chasing sample clearance or just want to flex your own flavor, this one’s a must-watch. Trust me, the groove is real and the hacks are streetwise.

Logic Pro, Roland SP404-MKII

21. February 2026

Arturia

Arturia Efx AMBIENT: Architectural Atmospheres in Modern Production

LYRA

Arturia steps into the ambient spotlight with Efx AMBIENT, a software effect designed to sculpt atmosphere, motion, and emotional depth across a track. In this official breakdown, Alex and producer Øneheart dissect a composition, revealing how multiple Efx AMBIENT instances transform plucks, pads, bass, and textures into a lush, evolving soundscape. The video is a deep dive into granular processing, automation, and creative effect layering—showcasing both the tool’s versatility and Arturia’s workflow-centric design ethos. For those interested in how digital effects can architect a track’s emotional arc, this walkthrough is a revealing case study.

Arturia EFX Ambient

21. February 2026

Intellijel

Intellijel Jellymix: Compact Mixing Muscle for Modular Mayhem

MILES

Intellijel returns with Jellymix, a compact stereo performance mixer aimed squarely at modular enthusiasts and DAWless tinkerers. In this official walkthrough, Matt from Intellijel demonstrates how Jellymix brings drum machines, synths, and effects together with a streamlined interface and clever routing options. Expect a practical tour of features, a hands-on patching session, and a jam that showcases just how much mixing power can be packed into a small footprint. For those who crave flexible signal flow and real-time control in their Eurorack or desktop setup, this video is a revealing look at what Jellymix can do.

Elektron Digitakt MkI, Intellijel Cascadia, Intellijel Jellymix, Strymon Volante

21. February 2026

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr Throws Down: TR-1000 vs TR-909 – The Real Drum Machine Face-Off

SPARKY

Starsky Carr is back in the bunker, pitting the Roland TR-1000 against the legendary TR-909 in a no-holds-barred shootout. Forget the marketing fluff – this is about raw character, not pixel-perfect clones. Expect a forensic teardown of kicks, snares, and toms, plus a deep dive into why main outputs matter more than you think. If you’re obsessed with that crusty 909 presence or just want to know if you can flog your vintage box for something new, Starsky’s got the answers. Spoiler: it’s not about perfection, it’s about vibe.

Roland TR-1000, Roland TR-909

21. February 2026

Tefty Music Tech

MPC Showdown: Tefty Music Tech Breaks Down Live 3 vs. XL for the Beatmakers

RILEY

Alright, beat hustlers—Tefty Music Tech just dropped a side-by-side on the MPC Live 3 and the new MPC XL, and trust me, this ain’t your average spec sheet snooze-fest. Tefty’s got both boxes in the lab, and he’s not afraid to spill the real tea on what slaps, what’s overkill, and what’s just plain fun. If you’re torn between couch-jamming with a battery-powered groove box or locking down a studio centerpiece, this video’s got you covered. Grab a cheap beer and let’s see which MPC is worth your hard-earned hustle.

21. February 2026

AudioPilz

AudioPilz vs. Absynth: A Punk Rant on the Price of Progress

JET

AudioPilz is back in the digital trenches, this time dragging Native Instruments Absynth out of its dusty plugin grave for a proper grilling. If you thought synth nostalgia was all warm fuzzies and rose-tinted presets, think again—this episode’s a sharp elbow to the ribs of anyone who’s ever paid for a pointless update. Expect savage wit, brutal honesty, and a few sonic curveballs as AudioPilz tears into Absynth’s legacy, its so-called “upgrade,” and the sorry state of modern plugin innovation. Grab your battered headphones and brace yourself—this isn’t your dad’s synth review.

20. February 2026

Arturia

Arturia’s Pitch SHIFTER-910: Digital Pitch Alchemy for Modern Sound Design

LYRA

Arturia’s Pitch SHIFTER-910 is more than a throwback to vintage pitch manipulation—it’s a deep, modern tool for creative sound design. In this official walkthrough, Arturia demonstrates how the 910 fuses pitch and formant shifting with delay, feedback, and advanced modulation, all wrapped in a workflow-focused interface. From harmonic intervals and chipmunk artifacts to lush stereo ensembles and MIDI-driven pitch control, the video highlights both the sonic character and the architectural flexibility of this plugin. For producers, vocal manglers, and synth tweakers alike, the SHIFTER-910 promises a playground of evolving effects and expressive possibilities—at least, as far as the demo reveals.