synthmagazine.co.uk – Every day, synthmagazine.co.uk publishes fresh articles, artist stories and gear news from the world of electronic music – your independent magazine for synth culture and sound design.

1. February 2026

NAMM 2026’s Wildest Rigs: Sunwarper’s Top Gear Picks That’ll Make Your Studio Roar

Strap in, mates—Sunwarper’s just come back from NAMM 2026 with a swag of synths, samplers, and oddball contraptions that’ll make your head spin faster than a turntable at a bush doof. From retro-styled samplers with a mind of their own to AI pedals that sound like they’ve been cooked up after a late-night servo run, this isn’t your average gear roundup. Sunwarper’s keen ear for workflow and weirdness means only the most bonkers, inspiring, and genuinely useful kit made the cut. Whether you’re a seasoned beat butcher or just want a rig that survives a dust storm, this list is

Akai MPC Live 3, Casio SX-C1 Sampler, Erica Synths Hexdrums, Erica Synths Steampipe, Roland Project Lydia, Yamaha SEQTRAK

1. February 2026

SPARKY

Andrew Chapman Creative

Andrew Chapman Creative Digs Into the RND 535: Clean Intentions, Dirty Results

Andrew Chapman Creative isn’t here to sell you a fairytale about vintage Neve mojo. In this punchy breakdown, he tears into the Rupert Neve Designs 535 Diode Bridge Compressor, exposing the myth that Rupert Neve was chasing ‘vibe’ when he built his legendary boxes. Instead, Chapman gives us the real story: accuracy, neutrality, and a compressor that’s more utilitarian than unicorn dust. Expect gritty bass, snappy snares, and brutally honest takes on whether this 500-series slab deserves a slot in your rack. If you think all Neve gear is just character in a box, buckle up – this one’s got

Black Lion Audio Bluey 500, Neve 2254 Compressor, Rupert Neve Designs 535 Diode Bridge Compressor

1. February 2026

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Blairy's Beatlab

Blairy’s Beatlab Unleashes the Hydrasynth: Sequencer or Secret Weapon?

If you reckon the Hydrasynth is just another pretty face with no sequencer, Blairy’s Beatlab is here to flip that idea on its head, mate. Old Uncle Blairy dives deep into the Hydrasynth’s wild sound design tricks, showing off how its LFOs moonlight as sneaky step sequencers—no menu-diving headaches, just pure creative chaos. With a DIY spirit and a knack for turning happy accidents into bangers, Blairy samples his Hydrasynth patches straight into the Octatrack, then spices things up with drums and a dash of outback unpredictability. This is hands-on hardware jamming at its finest—grab your coffee and get ready

ASM Hydrasynth, Behringer 2600, Elektron Octatrack

1. February 2026

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Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix at NAMM 2026: Korg Phase 8 & Black Panther System – Synths and Stands That Actually Slap

Doctor Mix storms NAMM 2026 with his trademark enthusiasm, but this time even the most jaded synth-heads should pay attention. The Korg Phase 8 isn’t just another plastic box—it’s an acoustic synth with real metal tines, shaking up the floor with physical sound you can actually feel. Meanwhile, Black Panther System’s modular stands are less furniture, more fortress, ready to handle your heaviest gear and wildest setups. If you think you’ve seen it all, think again: this episode is a rave bunker tour of gear that doesn’t just look cool, it rewrites the rulebook. Dive in for a taste—just don’t

Black Panther System modular keyboard stands, Korg Phase 8

1. February 2026

SPARKY

Free Beat

Free Beat Unleashes the KOII Fader: Finally, Some Real-Time Mayhem

Free Beat’s finally cracked the KOII fader, and it’s about time. If you’ve ever stared at that slider wondering if it’s just a volume knob in disguise, prepare to have your mind (and maybe your jam sessions) blown. This video is a crash course in real-time sound mangling, fader assignments, and the kind of performance tricks that make the KOII a proper street weapon. Free Beat’s practical, hands-on style means you get the dirt, not the brochure. If you want to see the KOII fader actually earn its keep, this is your ticket.

Teenage Engineering KOII

31. January 2026

SPARKY

AudioPilz

AudioPilz vs. M-Audio VENOM: Synth Infamy, Dirty Secrets, and a Sonic Redemption

Is the M-Audio VENOM really the worst synth ever, or is it just the misunderstood villain of the music tech world? AudioPilz, the maestro of meme-fuelled gear takedowns, drags this notorious plastic beast out of the bargain bin and into the harsh rave bunker lights. Expect sharp wit, brutal honesty, and a few sonic surprises as he puts the VENOM through its paces. If you think you know bad gear, think again—this episode might just change your mind, or at least make you laugh while you reconsider.

M-Audio VENOM

31. January 2026

SPARKY

Rapid Flow

Rapid Flow’s Quested H208: From Bedroom Bangers to Pro Studio Thunder

Ready to ditch your budget boxes and step into the big leagues? Rapid Flow’s Erik takes us on a wild ride through his studio monitor graveyard, landing squarely on the Quested H208s. This isn’t your average YouTube unboxing – it’s a no-holds-barred, brutally honest comparison of over 20 speakers, from plastic starter kits to pro-tier monsters. If you’re tired of tinny highs and gutless bass, or just want to know what actually slaps in a real studio, Erik’s got the answers (and a few spicy takes). Buckle up – this is speaker talk for serious heads.

Adam P11, Amphion 115, ATC 100, ATC 30, ATC 50, Auratone, Avantone Mixcubes, Dynaudio BM5 MK3, Dynaudio BM6A MK2, Dynaudio DM 601, Dynaudio LYD 48, Focal, Genelec 1030, Genelec 1031, Genelec 1032, Head Audio, IK Multimedia iLoud Micro, Kali Audio LP7, KRK RP5, M-Audio BX8, Mackie, MS Blues, Neumann O300, PSI Audio, Quested H208, Slate VSX, Yamaha HS5, Yamaha HS8

30. January 2026

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Sam Gutman

Buchla & Friends: Sam Gutman’s Wild Synth Safari

Strap in, mates—Sam Gutman takes us on a synth-fuelled joyride through Buchla & Friends 2026, where the gear is as wild as a kangaroo on a Red Bull bender. From mind-bending controllers to volcanic sound machines, this video is a front-row seat to the most bonkers, experimental kit you’ll find outside a dust storm rave. Sam’s got the educator’s knack for digging into the details, but don’t expect a dry lecture—this is pure synth chaos with a side of cheeky banter. If you want to see what happens when tradition meets mad science, you’re in for a treat.

Buchla Music Easel by Buchla, Demonbox by Eternal Research, Dvina by Soma Laboratories, Erea 2 by Embodme, Flux by Soma Laboratories, Katla by Genki Instruments, Nymira by Terraphones, Omnisphere by Spectrasonics, Rhodes Piano by Rhodes, Uranograph by Clank

30. January 2026

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Molten Music Technology

NAMM 2026: Molten Music Technology Drops the Gear Gauntlet

January 2026, and Molten Music Technology is back with a synth-stuffed, sarcasm-laced round-up of NAMM, Buchla & Friends, and a heap of gear that’ll make your wallet sweat. Robin Vincent’s no-nonsense style slices through the marketing fluff, spotlighting everything from Korg’s filter-happy interfaces to Behringer’s vaporware and Bastl’s modular mischief. If you want the real dirt on what’s hot, what’s weird, and what’s just plain unnecessary in the synth world, this is your rave bunker briefing. Spoiler: not everything gets a gold star, but you’ll want to watch the video for the full sonic mayhem.

Bastl Citadel Alchemist, Behringer JN80, Behringer JT2, Korg Filter Ark, Korg Kaoss Pad V, Korg microAUDIO722, Native Instruments (general)

30. January 2026

SPARKY

Signal Sounds

Signal Sounds Goes Deep: Smear by Smoothie Audio – The 98-Pole Phase Mutant

Signal Sounds isn’t here to sell you another polite filter – they’re unleashing Smear, a dual 98-pole allpass monster from Smoothie Audio that’ll twist your drums and synths into spectral origami. Tom dives in, showing off how this rare beast mangles phase, warps percussion, and turns even the driest saw wave into a mutant groove weapon. If you think you’ve heard every filter trick in the book, think again – Smear is all about unpredictable, mind-bending results. Strap in, because this module doesn’t just colour your sound, it shoves it through a wormhole. Curious? You’ll want to see (and hear)

Smoothie Audio Smear

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