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.

28. April 2026

musotalk deconstructed: Vintage Synthesizers, Reissues and the Truth Behind the Classic Myth

Anyone who thinks a synthesizer is just a tool has underestimated the ethics of machines. Musotalk gathers not only scene heavyweights like Michael Soltau, but also a concentrated dose of practical knowledge, anecdotes, and critical reflection on vintage synthesizers, reissues, and clones. Between nostalgia, maintenance frustration, and sonic magic, this talk unfolds, illuminating the patch geometry between emotional attachment and technical reality. If you want to know why an OB-X8 is not simply an OB-X and why working with old gear sometimes requires more patience than talent, you shouldn’t miss this discussion. The truth, as so often, lies somewhere between

Behringer DeepMind, Behringer K2, Korg Electribe, Korg MS-20, Korg MS-50, Korg SQ-10, Moog Minimoog, Moog Voyager, Oberheim OB-X, Oberheim OB-X8, Oberheim Xpander, Roland Jupiter-8, Roland SH-5, Yamaha CS-80

27. April 2026

LUMINA

The Unperson

The Unperson’s MicroKORG: From Club Classic to Ambient Nebula

What if the iconic MicroKORG, so often heard as a punchy lead or bass in crowded clubs, could instead become a vessel for drifting fog, magnetic resonance, and cinematic atmosphere? The Unperson, known for their hands-on explorations and tactile sound design, invites us to dissolve the boundaries of genre and expectation. In this video, the MicroKORG is not just a synth—it’s a storyteller, weaving lush pads, evolving drones, and spectral textures from its digital core. Prepare to witness a familiar machine exhale new sonic ghosts, as we drift through its hidden ambient depths.

Korg MicroKorg

27. April 2026

SPARKY

SYNTH ANATOMY

SYNTH ANATOMY Unleashes the Laguna Berlin: The Groovebox That Eats Other Grooveboxes for Breakfast

Laguna Berlin just crashed the party at SynthFest France 2026, and SYNTH ANATOMY was on the frontline. This isn’t your average groovebox – it’s a digital, all-synthesis beast that wants to be your entire live rig. Forget sample packs and endless menu-diving: Laguna Berlin is about fast hands, dirty synths, and creative sequencing that’ll have your rave bunker shaking. SYNTH ANATOMY’s coverage slices through the hype and gets to the raw, bricky core of this prototype. If you’re into affordable, performance-ready machines that don’t mess about, you’ll want to keep your eyes (and ears) glued to this one.

Laguna Berlin Digital Hyper Groovebox

27. April 2026

SPARKY

SYNTH ANATOMY

SYNTH ANATOMY Unleashes the Kodamo MASK1EX MK2: Aluminium, Attitude, and Bitmask Mayhem

Kodamo’s MASK1EX MK2 storms back onto the desktop synth scene, and SYNTH ANATOMY is on the frontline at SynthFest France 2026 to catch the action. This isn’t just a rehash – it’s a sleeker, tougher, and more colourful beast, packing a new aluminium enclosure and enough upgrades to make your old MK1 look like a toy. SYNTH ANATOMY’s signature deep-dive style gets right under the hood, grilling Kodamo’s Stéphane on everything from polyphony to play modes. If you’re after a synth that can handle both performance chaos and studio experimentation, this one’s got your number. Dive in, but don’t expect

Kodamo Mask1EX MK2

26. April 2026

SPARKY

TAETRO

TAETRO Throws Down: Ableton Move vs MPC Sample – Which Groovebox Wins the Street Fight?

TAETRO’s back in the lab, pitting the Ableton Move against the MPC Sample in a sampling workflow deathmatch. Forget spec sheets and marketing fluff – this is about real-world beatmaking, dirty hands and honest opinions. If you’re torn between these two pocket-sized weapons, TAETRO’s no-nonsense approach slices through the hype and gets to what actually matters. Expect sharp takes, workflow truths and a few curveballs as he digs into what makes each box tick. Spoiler: there’s no mercy for clunky menus or half-baked features. Ready to find out which one’s worth your hard-earned cash?

Ableton Move, Analog Cases XTS Mini DuoFlex Desktop Stand, Korg Kaoss Pad Mini, Korg Volca Beats, MPC Sample

26. April 2026

SPARKY

Scott's Synth Stuff

Scott’s Synth Stuff Unleashes the Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave: Wavetables Go Nuclear

Scott’s Synth Stuff just cracked open a $5,000 Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, and let’s just say the blue beast did not disappoint. This isn’t your average digital-analog hybrid – it’s a rave bunker in a box, loaded with PPG DNA, filthy analog filters, and a mod matrix that could melt your brain. Scott’s signature hands-on, manual-free approach means you get raw first impressions, happy accidents, and zero marketing fluff. If you want to know whether this synth slaps or sucks, and why your next track might need its thunderous low end, keep reading – but trust me, you’ll want to

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave

26. April 2026

SPARKY

Mike Cole

Mike Cole vs. the JCM 800: When Clean Meets Monster

Mike Cole dives headfirst into Marshall territory, swapping his usual clean Fender comfort zone for the legendary JCM 800—via a Synergy preamp module, no less. If you’re expecting polite blues licks, think again: this is a journey from glassy cleans to full-on cranked chaos. Mike’s style is all about honest exploration, and he brings his signature blend of curiosity and self-deprecation to the table. If you want to know how a classic rock street weapon stacks up in a modern rig, and whether it’ll melt your face or just your preconceptions, you’re in the right rave bunker.

Marshall JCM 800, Marshall JCM 900, Synergy JCM800 preamp module

26. April 2026

SPARKY

SpectreSoundStudios

SpectreSoundStudios Declares: Quad Cortex Is Toast – The Amp Sim Revolution Rolls On

SpectreSoundStudios, helmed by the ever-blunt Glenn Fricker, just dropped a nuclear take on the state of amp sims – and he’s not pulling any punches. From the fried-asshole days of digital fakery to the open-source, touchscreen future, this video is a wild ride through the evolution of guitar tone in a box. If you’ve ever wondered why your digital rig feels more like a microwave than a Marshall, or why the Quad Cortex might be yesterday’s news, Glenn’s got receipts and rants to spare. Strap in, because this isn’t your dad’s gear review – it’s a rave bunker history lesson

Fractal Audio Axe FX, Kemper Profiling Amplifier, Neural Amp Modeler, Neural DSP Quad Cortex, Octave Box

26. April 2026

TAS

SYNTH ANATOMY

SYNTH ANATOMY Unleashes the Morphor Echon 6: Like a BBD Kangaroo on a Polyphonic Bender

Ready for a wild ride through the outback of analog synthesis? SYNTH ANATOMY teams up with Boris from Morphor to wrangle the Echon 6, a six-voice BBD-based resonator synth that’s as unpredictable as a kangaroo on a Red Bull binge. Forget your digital menus—this beast is all knobs, all hands-on, and all about pushing boundaries. If you’re after unique textures, mad modulation, and a synth that’ll survive the wildest gig, this deep dive is your ticket. Just don’t expect to tame it on your first go!

Morphor Echon 6

25. April 2026

LYRA

Korg

Korg Pa5X: Deep Dive into Master and Insert Effects Architecture

Korg’s Pa5X isn’t just another arranger keyboard—it’s a digital powerhouse loaded with a formidable effects engine. In this official walkthrough, Korg’s team unpacks the Pa5X’s effect section, revealing a structure that’s both deep and flexible, with up to 3 master and 10 insert slots per track. The video zeroes in on the practicalities: how master and insert effects interact, how to manage FX groups, and the workflow behind copying, pasting, and recalling effect chains. For anyone interested in how digital effects architectures translate into real-world sound design and performance, this is a revealing look at the Pa5X’s sonic toolkit.

Korg Pa5X

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