Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

14. January 2026

Tim Shoebridge and the MEMOTRON: Digital Ghosts in a Magnetic Choir

Step into the vapor-lit corridors of memory with Tim Shoebridge as he unboxes the MEMOTRON—a digital Mellotron that doesn’t just emulate, but reimagines the spectral charm of its tape-based ancestor. Shoebridge, known for his cinematic approach to sound and visuals, guides us through a labyrinth of features that transform nostalgia into a living, breathing soundscape. This isn’t just a walkthrough; it’s an invitation to drift inside a machine where every note exhales fog and fractured light. Prepare to be swept into a world where the past is not just recalled, but remixed, and where the boundaries between analog ghosts and

Mellotron M4000D, Memotron

14. January 2026

TAS

Sineway

Digitakt II as Your Madcap Studio Mate: Sineway’s ‘Obsidian’ Track Breakdown

Ever wondered what happens when you let a sampler run wild and call the shots in your studio? Sineway’s latest breakdown of ‘Obsidian’ is a rollicking ride through the creative chaos of the Digitakt II. This isn’t your average, dry-as-dust tutorial—think more like a bush doof where the gear’s got a mind of its own and every knob twist could spark a sonic thunderstorm. Sineway’s signature style—clear, clever, and a touch cheeky—guides us through sampling, slicing, and mangling sounds from the Arturia AstroLab 37, all while showing how the Digitakt II isn’t just a tool, but a full-blown co-producer. Strap

Arturia AstroLab 37, Digitakt II, Digitone II, Launch Control XL 3, Widi Master

14. January 2026

SPARKY

Sam Gutman

Sam Gutman Unleashes the 3rd Wave: Not Just Another Wavetable Warrior

Think you know the Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave? Think again. Sam Gutman, educator and synth wrangler, dives deep into this blue beast and shows it’s more than just a PPG tribute act. We’re talking analog grunt, FM weirdness, sampling tricks, and a layering system that’ll make your DAW jealous. If you’re after a synth that can morph from classic to chaos at the push of a button, strap in—this one’s got more layers than a rave bunker onion. Gutman’s style is sharp, witty, and straight to the point—just how we like it.

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave

14. January 2026

SPARKY

Free Beat

Roland MC-707: Free Beat’s Luxe Groovebox Weapon

Forget your pocket change—today we’re talking about Free Beat’s favourite bit of expensive kit, the Roland MC-707. Known for his practical, workflow-driven approach, Free Beat usually keeps it budget, but this time he’s flexing the big guns. The MC-707 isn’t just another pricey lump of plastic; it’s a groovebox that punches way above its weight, offering a ridiculous combo of sound, control, and live performance muscle. If you think all premium gear is just for show-offs, this video might just change your mind. Dive in for a taste of what makes the MC-707 a true rave bunker essential.

Roland MC-707

14. January 2026

SPARKY

Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech

Waldorf Protein: Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech Serve Up a Digital Street Weapon

If you thought affordable synths were all plastic and no punch, think again. Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech just dropped a hands-on with the Waldorf Protein—a polyphonic wavetable beast that’s got more vintage attitude than a warehouse rave at 4am. Jack Duxbury dives in, twisting knobs and pushing presets, showing off a box that’s equal parts nostalgia and modern muscle. If you’re after crunchy digital tones without the boutique price tag, this one might just slap. But don’t take my word for it—this is a synth you need to hear in action.

Waldorf Protein

13. January 2026

SPARKY

Liam Killen

Digitakt II vs Analog Rytm MKII: Liam Killen Throws Down the Elektron Gauntlet

Liam Killen’s back in the bunker, pitting Elektron’s Digitakt II against the Analog Rytm MKII in a no-holds-barred drum machine showdown. If you’re still wondering which box deserves your precious desk space, Liam’s got the answers—well, sort of. Expect a rapid-fire breakdown of features, workflow quirks, and those all-important sonic flavours. He doesn’t pick a clear winner (because context is king), but he does slice through the hype with his trademark clarity. If you’re after a straight-up, hands-on comparison with plenty of groove and zero fluff, this is the one to watch.

Elektron Analog Rytm MKII, Elektron Digitakt II

13. January 2026

LUMINA

Metamyther

Metamyther & Russell Wedelich: Sculpting Sonic Nebulae with Eventide

Step into the magnetic resonance of Metamyther’s latest interview, where sound is not merely processed but sculpted into living, breathing atmospheres. Here, Eventide CTO Russell Wedelich reveals the secret cartography behind the effects that haunt our pedalboards and DAWs—the H90, H9000, and more. Through Metamyther’s cinematic lens, we drift through tales of granular delays, algorithmic alchemy, and the delicate dance between math and musicality. This is not just a conversation—it’s a journey through the fog and fractured light of audio innovation, where every filter and grain is a story waiting to be told.

Eventide H90, Eventide H9000, Eventide Space, Eventide Temperance

13. January 2026

SPARKY

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft’s Pitch Bump Brass: Five Synths, One Fat Attack

Ready to slap your tracks with that classic 80s synth brass punch? Espen Kraft dives into the world of pitch bump attacks, showing off how five different synths can deliver that unmistakable smack. If you think all brass patches are born equal, think again—Espen’s got tricks up his sleeve and envelopes to tweak. Expect a no-fluff, hands-on tour through pitch envelopes, detuned oscillators, and some tasty hardware flexing. This isn’t just another preset scroll—get ready for a synth brass bootcamp, Kraft-style.

Arturia Jupiter-8, Arturia OP-XA V, Arturia Prophet 5, OB-Xd, PG-8X VST, Roland Jupiter-8, Roland JX-8P

13. January 2026

LUMINA

Voltage Labs

Voltage Labs: Sonic Ghosts and the Birth of Trip Hop

In the fog-laced streets of Bristol, a new sound once drifted—part memory, part magnetic resonance. Voltage Labs, with their signature blend of documentary depth and visual storytelling, guides us through the spectral origins of trip hop, where genres dissolve and atmosphere reigns. This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a meditation on how music becomes a shared instinct, a language of slow rhythms and deep textures. Prepare to step inside a world where beats exhale fractured light and every note is a haunted echo of the city that birthed it.

Ableton Live Suite, Akai MPC Studio, Arturia Audiofuse 16 Rig, Arturia CS80 VST, Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII, Buchla Easel Command 208c, Deckards Dream MKII, Elektron Octatrack, Korg Nano Kontrol 2, MAM ADX1, Moog Grandmother, Nord Drum 3P, Roland TR8S

13. January 2026

SPARKY

Molten Music Technology

Molten Music Technology’s Oberheim TEO-5: Analog Goo in a Plastic Shell

If you think five voices is a joke in 2024, think again. Molten Music Technology drags the Oberheim TEO-5 out of the synth picnic and into the spotlight, showing why this slab of analog warmth keeps stealing the show from shinier, pricier boxes. Robin Vincent’s hands-on, no-fluff approach slices through the hype and gets right to the sticky, treacle-thick sound that’s got synth nerds drooling. If you want to know what makes this synth more than just a pretty face (spoiler: it’s not the pinstripes), strap in. This is analog done right, and you’ll want to hear it for yourself.

Oberheim Teo-5

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