Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

26. January 2026

Bonedo Synthesizers Unleash the ASM DioSynth: Wind Synthesis with Bite

Bonedo Synthesizers are back at NAMM 2026, and this time they’re letting the ASM DioSynth Wind Synthesizer do all the talking. No fluff, no endless menus—just raw, unfiltered sound straight from the source. If you think wind synths are just for jazz dads and MIDI sax solos, think again. The DioSynth is packing a hybrid engine, hands-on controls, and enough live features to make your old EWI cry. Bonedo’s trademark style? Let the machine speak for itself—and trust us, this one shouts.

ASM DioSynth Wind Synthesizer

25. January 2026

SPARKY

TAETRO

TAETRO Unleashes SEQTRAK 2.0: Groovebox Resurrection or Just Hype?

Yamaha’s SEQTRAK just got a firmware shot in the arm, and TAETRO’s here to see if this groovebox finally earns its keep or still belongs in the back of your gear cupboard. In classic TAETRO style—fast, honest, and with no time for plastic nonsense—we get a tour of the 2.0 update: new track types, app wizardry, and workflow tweaks that might actually matter. Is this the update that turns the SEQTRAK from a clickety-clackety toy into a proper street weapon? Read on, but don’t expect hand-holding—this one’s for the synth heads who want the real dirt.

Yamaha SEQTRAK

25. January 2026

SPARKY

The Midlife Synthesist

The Midlife Synthesist Unleashes the HAPAX: Sequencer Overkill or MIDI Masterpiece?

The Midlife Synthesist dives headfirst into the Squarp HAPAX after six months in the trenches, and he’s not holding back. This isn’t your average MIDI box – it’s a full-on command centre for anyone who wants to run their entire studio from one glowing slab. Expect sharp takes, a few gripes, and plenty of praise for features that actually matter when you’re knee-deep in a live set or composing at 3am. If you’re after a dry spec sheet, look elsewhere – this is a street-level review from someone who’s lived with the beast.

Squarp Instruments HAPAX

25. January 2026

SPARKY

Free Beat

Free Beat Unleashes the Polyend Synth 2.0 Update: Dirty, Quick, and Still Not Quite There

Polyend’s Synth just got a shot of adrenaline with the 2.0 update, and Free Beat is on the case. The new DIRT engine promises filthier sound design, and scene switching finally gets a speed boost—if you’re into pad mashing. But don’t get too hyped: there’s still a gaping hole where MIDI scene switching should be, and some gnarly internal clipping could ruin your rave bunker dreams. Free Beat’s practical, hands-on style slices through the fluff, showing off the new tricks while calling out the flaws. If you want the real dirt (pun intended), this is the breakdown you need.

Polyend Synth

25. January 2026

SPARKY

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack’s PO-12 Review: The Cheapest Drum Machine That Actually Slaps

Woody Piano Shack dives headfirst into the world of budget beatboxes with the Teenage Engineering PO-12, a drum machine so tiny you might lose it in your hoodie pocket. Don’t let the toy-like looks fool you—this thing packs a punch, and Woody’s not shy about calling out both its quirks and its killer features. If you’re after a no-BS take on whether a £40 slab of circuit board can hold its own in a rave bunker, this is the review you need. Expect sharp wit, honest gripes, and a few surprises from a creator who’s usually allergic to TE hype.

Teenage Engineering PO-12

25. January 2026

SPARKY

Vulture Culture

Vulture Culture’s Leviasynth: Bass That Punches, Leads That Sing

If you think you’ve heard every synth bass and lead under the sun, Vulture Culture’s latest Leviasynth showcase is here to slap you awake. This isn’t your average preset parade—expect chest-thumping FM basses and leads so expressive they’ll make your vintage Moog jealous. Vulture Culture slices through over 500 presets, cherry-picking the filthiest, fattest, and most musical patches, all while flexing Leviasynth’s wild modulation and filter tricks. If you want sounds that hit like a riot in a rave bunker, this video is your new blueprint.

Leviasynth

25. January 2026

LUMINA

Syntaur

Syntaur Illuminates: Suzanne Ciani’s Seven Waves—A Sonic Tidal Memory

Step into the shimmering world of Suzanne Ciani, where each note is a tide and every patch a constellation. In this poetic reflection, Syntaur invites us to drift through the creation of ‘Seven Waves,’ Ciani’s landmark debut—a meeting of classical roots and electronic innovation. The Buchla breathes, rhythms slow to a lunar crawl, and sound becomes sanctuary. With Syntaur’s signature reverence for analog magic, we glimpse the emotional undertow and technical artistry behind Ciani’s dreamlike soundscapes. This is not just a story of gear, but of waves—of memory, space, and the joy of returning home to one’s own voice.

Buchla, Roland MC-4, Roland MC-8, Vocoder

25. January 2026

SPARKY

Bonedo Synthesizers

Bonedo Synthesizers Unleash the Roland TR-1000: Analog Thunder Returns

Bonedo Synthesizers have dropped the straight facts at NAMM 2026, putting the Roland TR-1000 through its paces with zero fluff and all punch. If you thought Roland had forgotten how to make a real analog drum machine, think again—this box is their first analog beast in four decades, and it’s not here to play nice. Expect classic 808 and 909 hits, digital circuit-bending chaos, and some modern tricks that’ll make your DAW sweat. No talking heads, just raw sound and ruthless demo action. If you want to know if this thing slaps, keep reading—because Bonedo’s demo doesn’t mess about.

Roland TR-1000

25. January 2026

MILES

MAKEN0ISE

Make Noise Unveils the Universal Skiff System: Polyphony and MIDI in a Compact Modular Format

Make Noise, the Asheville-based vanguard of Eurorack experimentation, has announced the New Universal Skiff System (N.U.S.S.), a compact modular setup designed for multi-channel synthesis and polyphonic adventures. This system brings together a curated selection of Make Noise modules, including MultiWAVE, PoliMATHS, QXG, MultiMod, QPAS, and XOH, all powered by a newly engineered 2-Zone Bus Board. With integrated USB-C MIDI and MPE support, the Universal Skiff System aims to bridge the gap between modular and DAW workflows. For those wanting to roll their own, the N.U.S.S. Bundle offers the core modules separately, while the upgraded power solution promises cleaner, more reliable

2-Zone Bus Board, Multimod, MultiWAVE, MultiWAVE MIDI Inlet, PoliMATHS, QPAS, QXG, XOH

24. January 2026

SPARKY

Sanjay C

NAMM 2026: Sanjay C’s Sonic Street Weapon Roundup

NAMM 2026 just dropped a metric tonne of new gear, and Sanjay C is on the ground, dodging cables and hype to bring us the filthiest, freshest kit in the game. From OLED-drenched Nords to FM synths that morph like a rave in a blender, this is a highlight reel for anyone who likes their music tech with a side of chaos. Sanjay’s signature style is all over this—fast, friendly, and not afraid to call out the duds. If you want to know what’s about to invade your studio and what’s just NAMM floor noise, strap in. This isn’t your

ASM La Viya, Fender Motion 16, Fender Motion 32, Korg Micro Audio 22, Korg Micro Audio 722, Nord Electro 7

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