Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

21. January 2026

Free Beat Unleashes the KOII: MIDI Mayhem in a Box

Free Beat dives headfirst into the KOII’s MIDI labyrinth, armed with nothing but curiosity and a pile of cables. This isn’t your average MIDI tutorial—think more rave bunker than classroom. With each pad on the KOII flexing as its own polyphonic MIDI track, the creative chaos is real. Expect happy accidents, sidechain experiments, and a few moments where even Free Beat admits he’s winging it. If you’re after honest, hands-on exploration with a dash of confusion and a heap of groove, this is your jam.

1010Music Nanobox Fireball, Behringer UMC1820, Sonicware LIVEN Razzmatazz, Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II

21. January 2026

RILEY

Pick Yourself

Pick Yourself’s No-Synth Challenge: Flipping the Script on Sound Design

Ever get stuck making leads that sound like they came free with your DAW? Pick Yourself is here to shake up your workflow, throwing synths out the window and dragging you into the wild world of sample-based sound design. In this video, you’ll see how a single percussion hit can morph into a lead line that slaps harder than a late rent notice. Forget your comfort zone—this is about breaking habits, getting weird, and making your tracks stand out in a sea of preset clones. If you’re tired of cookie-cutter sounds, buckle up—this ride’s got more twists than a Chicago

Ableton Corpus, Ableton Drum Sampler, Ableton EQ Eight, Ableton Grain Delay, Ableton Hybrid Reverb, Ableton Live, Ableton Resonators, Ableton Shifter, FabFilter Pro-Q 4

21. January 2026

LYRA

Akai Professional

Akai Professional MPC XL: Flagship Powerhouse for Standalone Sampling and Sequencing

Akai Professional’s MPC XL steps onto the stage as a bold evolution of the classic MPC workflow, uniting deep sampling, sequencing, and performance tools in a single, standalone package. In this official video overview, Akai’s Andy Mac walks us through the XL’s new 8-core engine, expanded RAM, and tactile control surface, all designed to meet the demands of modern producers and live performers. With a focus on workflow, real-time arrangement, and creative manipulation, the MPC XL aims to be both a studio centerpiece and a DAWless performance hub. But how does this flagship actually deliver on its promises? Let’s break

Akai MPC XL

21. January 2026

LYRA

Akai Professional

Akai Professional MPC XL: Teddy Riley’s Legacy Meets Next-Gen Production Power

Akai Professional’s MPC series has long been a cornerstone for beatmakers and producers, and with the new MPC XL, the brand aims to bridge its storied past with cutting-edge production capabilities. In this official video, legendary producer Teddy Riley revisits his creative roots, sharing how the MPC’s workflow shaped his sound and continues to inspire him. The MPC XL is presented as a powerhouse for both nostalgia and innovation, promising full-scale instrument support, enhanced speed, and standalone performance. We dive into how Akai’s latest flagship is positioned to empower the next chapter for creators—whether you’re a seasoned MPC veteran or

Akai MPC XL

21. January 2026

SPARKY

Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech

Rane System One: Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech Unleash a Standalone DJ Street Weapon

Forget laptops and cable spaghetti—Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech just threw the Rane System One on the table, and it’s a proper rave bunker upgrade. Motorised platters, onboard effects, and enough connectivity to power a small festival—all without a laptop in sight. Jack Duxbury and crew put this beast through its paces, showing off why it’s not just another shiny box but a real contender for DJs who want to ditch the screen and get their hands dirty. If you’re after a DJ system that actually feels like DJing, this one’s got some serious bite.

Rane System One

21. January 2026

SPARKY

Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech

AKAI MPC XL: Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech Drop a Standalone Bomb

The AKAI MPC XL has landed, and Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech are here to show us why this beast is more than just another MPC. Jack Duxbury and Andy Mack get their hands dirty, tearing through features, flexing the new expressive pads, and showing off workflow tricks that would make your DAW cry. If you thought standalone production was already wild, the XL just turned it up to eleven. This isn’t your dad’s sampler – it’s a rave bunker in a box, and Andertons’ no-nonsense approach means you get the real story, warts and all. Ready for a proper

Akai MPC XL

21. January 2026

SPARKY

MusicRadar Tech

MusicRadar Tech’s MPC XL Review: Studio Heavyweight or Overpriced Dinosaur?

MusicRadar Tech have dragged Akai’s new MPC XL into the bunker for a first look, and let’s just say, this thing isn’t here to play nice. With double the RAM, a heap of new controls, and those expressive MPCe pads, the XL is gunning for studio dominance. But is it a true upgrade, or just a big, expensive brick? We break down the key features, the workflow tweaks, and why you might still want to grab an MPC Live instead. If you’re after a portable groovebox, look away now – but if you want a centrepiece that could anchor your

Akai MPC Live III, Akai MPC X, Akai MPC XL

20. January 2026

SPARKY

Bounce Chord

Bounce Chord’s Modulation Mayhem: Drum Machines Get Twisted

Bounce Chord is back, and this time they’re dragging the Arturia Drumbrute Impact through a gauntlet of bargain modulation pedals. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you shove analog drums through chorus, flanger, tremolo, phaser and a univibe, this is your rave bunker field report. Expect dry wit, hands-on knob-twiddling, and a no-frills approach to pedalboard chaos. The results? Sometimes subtle, sometimes gloriously weird, and always a reminder that gear is meant to be pushed, not pampered. Dive in if you like your beats mangled and your pedals cheap.

Arturia Drumbrute Impact, Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, Guptek V.D. Vibe, Ibanez Mini Tremolo, MXR Micro Flanger, MXR Phase 90

20. January 2026

LUMINA

DivKid

DivKid and Todd Barton: Krell Patches, Cinematic Echoes, and the Art of Touching Sound

Step into the nebula where film history and modular synthesis entwine. DivKid, ever the sonic cartographer, invites Todd Barton to trace the spectral origins of the Krell patch—a generative marvel inspired by the haunting score of Forbidden Planet. This is not just a technical walkthrough; it’s a poetic meditation on randomness, feedback, and the tactile act of shaping sound. As Barton shares his journey from accidental discovery to intricate expansion, we’re reminded that true synthesis is as much about listening and touch as it is about voltage and wire. Prepare to drift inside a world where every note is a

Buchla Modular-Synthesizer

20. January 2026

TAS

Metamyther

Metamyther Unleashes Esu’s Trifecta: Triple Trouble for Modular Maniacs

Ready to turn your modular rig into an outback rave with a side of sonic mayhem? Metamyther dives headfirst into Esu’s Trifecta, a triple-effects Eurorack beast that’s as wild as a kangaroo on a Red Bull bender. This isn’t your average FX box—it’s a stereo monster built for stacking, mangling, and modulating your sounds into alien territory. If you’re keen on cinematic industrial textures or just want to fry your patch in a dust storm of stereo weirdness, Metamyther’s got the goods. Grab your sunnies and buckle up, because this demo is a proper sonic joyride.

Esu Trifecta

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