Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

5. April 2026

XNB’s Launch Control XL Deep Dive: From DAW Domination to Custom Chaos

Ready to turn your studio into a rave bunker? XNB takes the Novation Launch Control XL for a proper spin, slicing through DAW modes, custom MIDI mapping, and Ableton Live workflows like a synth-wielding ninja. This isn’t your average controller walkthrough – it’s a no-nonsense, hands-on guide that actually shows you how to weaponise the XL for real-world music making. If you’re tired of fluffy overviews and want the gritty details (plus a few workflow hacks), this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for. Don’t let the plastic fool you – in XNB’s hands, the Launch Control XL is

Novation Launch Control XL

5. April 2026

SPARKY

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack’s TB-03: Roland’s Digital Acid Weapon vs Behringer’s Budget Brawler

Roland’s TB-03 struts into the ring, and Woody Piano Shack is at the controls, ready to see if this digital clone can out-acid Behringer’s TD-3. Expect a no-nonsense demo packed with squelchy basslines, hands-on knob-twiddling, and a few surprises from Roland’s boutique box. Woody’s style is playful but sharp, and he’s not afraid to call out the quirks or the magic. If you think the 303 is just for rave anthems, think again—this video dives deep into the TB-03’s sound shaping tricks and shows why it might just be more than a one-trick pony. Grab your headphones, because this is

Behringer TD-3, Roland TB-03

5. April 2026

RILEY

L.Dre

L.Dre’s MPC Sample: One Week Later and Still Bumping?

L.Dre, the lofi beat wizard with a knack for keeping it real, just spent a week getting down and dirty with the MPC Sample. Forget the spec sheets—this review is all about how the box actually slaps after the honeymoon phase. From beachside beatmaking to firmware curveballs, L.Dre’s got the gritty details and a few surprises for anyone eyeing this $400 groove machine. If you’re wondering whether the MPC Sample is a streetwise steal or just another toy for the influencer crowd, you’ll want to peep this breakdown. Spoiler: it’s not just about the speakers, but those get a fresh

Akai MPC Sample

5. April 2026

SPARKY

The Midlife Synthesist

The Midlife Synthesist Unleashes the Nord Stage 3: Performance Ferrari or Just Flashy Red?

The Midlife Synthesist gets his hands on the Nord Stage 3, and it’s not just another pretty face in a red suit. This isn’t a deep-dive manual – it’s a first drive, pedal to the metal, with the Octatrack riding shotgun. Expect honest takes, quick-fire impressions, and a few cheeky detours into live beat-making. If you’ve ever wondered why this keyboard costs more than your first car, buckle up. The Midlife Synthesist’s trademark charm and sharp wit make this a ride worth taking, but trust me – you’ll want to watch the video for the full sonic blast.

Elektron Octatrack, Nord Stage 3

4. April 2026

LUMINA

CROW HILL

CROW HILL and Pascal Wyse: Secrets in the Winter Air – A Field Recording Odyssey

In the hands of CROW HILL and the seasoned field recordist Pascal Wyse, sound becomes a living, breathing landscape. This video is not just a technical walkthrough—it’s an invitation to drift through the sonic ghosts of wintery Edinburgh, where every footstep and whisper of wind is a story waiting to be heard. Through poetic dialogue and tactile exploration, we are shown how microphones and recorders become portals, capturing the hidden resonance of the world. The gear is revealed as a set of keys to unlock the secrets that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. For those who seek to

DPA Microphones, Sonosax Recorder

4. April 2026

SPARKY

Chris Laps

Chris Laps Unleashes Sidechain Mayhem: SP-404 MkII Gets the Ducking It Deserves

Roland finally caved and gave the SP-404 MkII the sidechain compression we’ve all been screaming for—and Chris Laps is here to show us just how good it is. No more hacky workarounds or praying to the firmware gods: this update drops a real, punchy sidechain right into your sampler workflow. Chris walks through the new feature with his usual clear, no-fuss style, showing why this is a game-changer for beatmakers and electronic heads alike. If you want your kicks to punch through like a sledgehammer in a rave bunker, this is the update you’ve been waiting for. Dive in, but

Roland SP-404 MkII

4. April 2026

SPARKY

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr’s Bass Arsenal: 10 Synth Tips That Hit Like a Freight Train

If your basslines are floppier than a wet noodle, Starsky Carr is here to slap some backbone into your sound design. In this turbo-charged rundown, the British synth sage drops ten pro-level tips for monstrous bass – all doable on pretty much any synth with two oscillators and a filter. From simple saws to Reese monsters, acid squelch, PWM, and sub-bass that’ll rattle your nan’s tea set, Starsky’s approach is as practical as it is punchy. Expect no-nonsense advice, a few dirty tricks, and enough patching inspiration to keep your groovebox sweating for weeks. If you want bass that actually

Form (synthesizer)

4. April 2026

RILEY

Verysickbeats

Verysickbeats Drops 3 Sidechain Moves on the SP‑404MKII That’ll Make Your Beats Breathe

If you thought sidechain was just for EDM heads and overpriced plugins, think again. JFilt from Verysickbeats is back, flipping the script on the SP‑404MKII with three sidechain tricks that’ll have your beats moving like they just drank a double espresso. This isn’t your average tutorial—expect real talk, hands-on tips, and a workflow that’s as streetwise as a midnight food truck. Whether you’re chasing that boombap bounce or trying to make your samples duck like they owe you money, this video’s got the sauce. Grab your SP‑404MKII, keep your ears open, and get ready to level up your groove game.

Roland SP-404MKII

4. April 2026

JET

Tonepusher

Tonepusher’s Industrial Synth Arsenal: Five Sounds That’ll Smash Your Speakers

If you think industrial synths are all about subtlety, you’ve clearly never been to a warehouse rave at 3am. Tonepusher, the sound design geezer with a knack for the iconic and abrasive, tears through five essential synth sounds every industrial and EBM band nicks for their own. From trance leads that could cut glass to sampled guitar hits that loop like a dodgy kebab advert, this video is a crash course in sonic brutality. Expect no-nonsense breakdowns, a few classic gear shoutouts, and enough delay to drown a small village. If you want your tracks to punch like a pub

Access Virus, Akai Sampler, Emu Emax, Fairlight, Lexicon PCM41, Nord Lead, Prophet 5, Roland JP-8000, Roland Juno-60, Roland Jupiter-8, Serum 2, Waldorf Iridium Core

3. April 2026

LYRA

RolandChannel

RolandChannel Delivers: SP-404MKII V5.50 and the Art of Side Chain Compression

RolandChannel returns with a focused firmware update for the SP-404MKII, the beloved performance sampler and beatmaking powerhouse. In this official walkthrough, the spotlight is on the new side chain compression feature—a long-requested tool that promises to unlock new rhythmic and mixing possibilities for live performers and producers alike. The video methodically demonstrates how this addition fits into the SP-404MKII’s workflow, from menu navigation to practical use cases, while also touching on expanded SDXC card support and ongoing bug fixes. For those who care about real-world workflow improvements and not just a list of new features, this update is worth a

Roland SP-404MKII

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