New engines, extra LFOs, six audio channels via USB: Modded Cycles promises a bigger sonic world for the little Elektron. Yet after his experiment, Nu-Trix wants to remove the alternative firmware again. Between CPU peaks and stubborn patterns, a more exciting question arises than just the longest feature list: How open can an instrument become without losing its musical reliability?

Elektron Model Cycles

Starsky Carr – 3rd Wave Terminal: Mehr Durchblick für tiefe Patches

29. October 2026

Allgemein

3rd Wave Terminal: More Clarity for Deep Patches

RILEY

A powerful synthesizer doesn’t always need more features. Sometimes, a better view of what’s already there is enough. In Starsky Carr’s Synthfest segment, Bob Coover demonstrates the free 3rd Wave Terminal: with piano roll, visible modulation connections, and graphical sound editing. Carr’s earlier review and Sam Gutman’s patch ideas show what this extra access can mean in everyday music-making—without making the knobs obsolete.

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave

29. October 2026

OXI Instruments

OXI Instruments OXI One MKII: Rapid Lead Line Creation and Expressive Sequencing

LYRA

OXI Instruments steps up with a Playbook episode focused on the OXI One MKII, delving into real-world sequencing workflows. This video explores how a minimal three-step pattern can be transformed into sophisticated lead lines using the duplicate function, velocity and gate tricks, and randomization. The OXI team demonstrates how expressive sequencing and creative looping can be achieved with a few smart moves, underscoring the instrument’s philosophy of fast, hands-on music-making. For anyone curious about OXI’s approach to hybrid MIDI/CV sequencing and performance, this is a concise, practical showcase.

Arturia – MiniFreak 49: Führt die Touch-Matrix schneller zum passenden Sound?

28. October 2026

Allgemein

MiniFreak 49: Does the touch matrix lead you to the right sound faster?

TAS

Arturia’s MiniFreak 49 lays out its presets as glowing dots beneath your fingers. The new official tutorial shows how page switching and sound type filtering interact. In his own video, Starsky Carr wonders about the color logic. Meanwhile, Noisegate, while building a track, encounters a different limit: Bass, lead, or pad are useful categories—but whether a sound fits the arrangement is only decided when you play.

Arturia MiniFreak 49

28. October 2026

Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers

Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers: Microvolt 3901 Virtual Analog Unveiled

MILES

Pittsburgh Modular Synthesizers has rolled out the Microvolt 3901, a virtual analog synth aiming to bridge the worlds of classic tones and modern modular flexibility. Presented in their usual hands-on, exploratory style, the video promises a deep look at how this instrument can fit into both studio and performance rigs. The focus here is on sound character, patchability, and the practical workflow that modular users crave. Expect thoughtful patch demonstrations and a clear emphasis on integration and usability.

Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3901

Omri Cohen – Befaco Random8: Die Clock bleibt, der Rhythmus wechselt

27. October 2026

Allgemein

Befaco Random8: The clock stays, the rhythm changes

LYRA

A clock provides order, eight random channels provide deviation. Omri Cohen builds a patch with Befaco Random8 and Vult Overon where both work together: accents remain tangible, gate patterns can be locked, and a delay occasionally freezes. Optoproductions controls drum variations via level; Robin from Molten Music Technology asks how such possibilities can remain manageable in everyday use.

TAETRO – Chordcat: Die Idee bleibt, der Klang darf wechseln

27. October 2026

Allgemein

Chordcat: The idea remains, the sound may change

LUMINA

A chord progression is not yet a finished track—and its first sound doesn’t have to be its last. TAETRO takes AlphaTheta’s Chordcat from a standalone sketchpad to a MIDI hub for samplers and DAWs. Sonicstate shows how much can already be reshaped within the device. Things get exciting where musical decisions are preserved while the timbre changes. However, this transition is not entirely seamless.

27. October 2026

Intellijel

Intellijel Cascadia: Minimal Techno, Maximum Patchability

MILES

Intellijel’s Cascadia is put to the test in a practical Minimal Techno walkthrough, showing off its broad analog palette and signal routing cleverness. The official Intellijel channel dives deep into patching, from punchy bass to evolving sequences and modulation tricks, all while integrating a drum machine and FX pedal. This video distils Cascadia’s strengths in a real-world jam context, with a spotlight on the Entropic Sequence Generator and hands-on performance moves.