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.

21. January 2026

Andrew Chapman Creative Throws Down: Del Cobras Mix Contest Gets Real

Andrew Chapman Creative isn’t here to coddle your ego or sell you snake oil. This time, he’s unleashed a mixing competition using raw tracks from Del Cobras, letting his viewers go wild in the DAW and then serving up honest, surgical feedback. Over 350 submissions later, Chapman dives into the best, the boldest, and the most questionable, dissecting everything from frequency turf wars to reverb disasters. If you want a taste of what real-world mix critique looks like—complete with hard truths, practical advice, and zero fluff—strap in. This is the kind of community-driven, no-nonsense music production content that actually makes

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, Chandler TG2, Dockman Audio DA-67, LA-610, LiN76 Compressor, Neumann KH120 II, Roswell Mini K87

21. January 2026

RILEY

MALO BEATS

MALO BEATS Flips the MPC XL: Chops, Grooves, and Streetwise Sampling

If you think the MPC XL is just another shiny box, think again. MALO BEATS takes this beast for a spin in his home studio, showing off why this machine is a straight-up powerhouse for anyone who lives for sampling and beatmaking. From vinyl chops to that new dedicated chop button, this video is all about getting hands-on, fast, and funky. MALO’s laid-back, no-nonsense style makes you feel like you’re right there, digging through crates and cooking up grooves. Trust me, you’ll want to see how this box slaps—because some things just hit harder when you watch ’em in action.

Akai MPC XL

21. January 2026

RILEY

Bolo Da Producer

Bolo Da Producer Drops the MPC XL: Studio Centerpiece or Big Beige Beast?

Bolo Da Producer is back, and this time he’s got his hands on the brand new Akai MPC XL. Forget the leaks and rumors—Bolo’s giving us the real talk on what this chunky groovebox brings to the table. From its beefy 8-core CPU to a buffet of buttons and cue link controls, this machine is gunning for that top spot in your studio. If you’re hunting for a flagship sampler that’s more at home on your desk than in your backpack, you’ll want to catch Bolo’s honest, streetwise take. Spoiler: he’s not shy about calling it ugly, but sometimes ugly

Akai MPC 2500, Akai MPC Live 3, Akai MPC X, Akai MPC X Special Edition, Akai MPC XL

21. January 2026

SPARKY

Free Beat

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 KOII

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

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 Professional 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

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