Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

17. March 2026

Molten Music Technology Unleashes the Ballista Blast: Hybrid Mayhem in a Module

Molten Music Technology’s Robin Vincent dives headfirst into the Shakmat Modular Ballista Blast, a synth voice that’s got more tricks than a rave in a phone booth. This isn’t your average oscillator – we’re talking classic waveforms, wavetables, and filthy FM algorithms all crammed into one compact street weapon. Robin’s signature hands-on, no-fluff style slices through the menu-diving and gets right to the sonic carnage. If you want to know whether this hybrid beast is worth squeezing into your rack, strap in – this review doesn’t pull any punches.

Shakmat Modular Ballista Blast, Shakmat Modular Ballista Blast Expander

17. March 2026

LUMINA

Metamyther

Metamyther Illuminates: Drew Schlesinger and the Sonic Cartography of Preset Design

Sound is memory, and in this luminous interview, Metamyther guides us through the nebulae of Drew Schlesinger’s creative mind—a master whose fingerprints haunt over 230 instruments. Schlesinger’s journey is not just a chronology, but a story of magnetic resonance: from the spectral glow of early synth heroes to the tactile ghosts of analog circuitry. Here, sound design becomes a cinematic landscape, and every preset a portal. For those who drift in search of new timbres, this conversation is a rare invitation to witness the emotional architecture of synthesis, as told by one of its most evocative architects.

Ableton Live, ARP 2600, Casio CZ-1, Casio CZ-101, Cherry Audio GX-80, Erica Synths Syntrx, Eventide DSP 4000, Eventide H3000, Kurzweil K2000, Micro-Moog, Moog Messenger, Moog Modular, Moog Muse, Soundtoys Effect Rack

17. March 2026

SPARKY

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr’s Hexdrums Deep Dive: Analog Mayhem in a Box

Starsky Carr is back in the bunker with the Erica Synths Hexdrums, and he’s not here to play nice. This isn’t your dad’s drum machine – it’s a snarling, fat, and gloriously gnarly analog beast that wants to punch holes in your mix. Starsky’s signature deep-dive style rips through every voice, pattern trick, and performance hack, showing off just how far this box can go beyond the usual 808/909 clichés. If you’re after crisp hats, dirty snares, and walls of distortion, buckle up – this is a rave weapon with teeth.

Erica Synths Hexdrums

17. March 2026

RILEY

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy Flips 6 Minutes into 400 Kicks: Sample Chopping with ReCycle

Ever wish you could turn a boring six-minute kick drum session into a mountain of one-shots before your pizza gets cold? Nu-Trix The Synth Guy is here to show you how to slice, dice, and serve up hundreds of drum samples in less time than it takes to find your lost aux cable. This video isn’t just about speed—it’s about wringing every last drop of flavor from your own recordings, using the free ReCycle app like a true sample chef. If you’re into beatmaking, cheap gear hacks, and want your sample packs to slap harder than a Chicago winter, you’ll

Korg Drumlogue, ReCycle

16. March 2026

SPARKY

The Unperson

The Unperson’s Mini Modular FX Rack: Small Case, Big Chaos

Ever wondered what happens when you stuff a bunch of wild Eurorack FX modules into a tiny 40HP rave bunker? The Unperson is back with episode two of the Mini Modular series, and this time it’s all about twisting, mangling and elevating your sounds with a dedicated modular effects rack. Forget polite pedalboards—this is about stacking glitch, delay, and reverb until your drums and synths are unrecognisable (in the best way). If you’re after inspiration for compact, punchy FX chains and want to see modulation used as a weapon, this one’s for you. Prepare for sonic mayhem, British sarcasm, and

ALM MFX, ALM Pamela’s Pro Workout, Behringer CP1A power supply, Happy Nerding FX Aid, KO2, Pico Input, Qu-Bit Data Bender, VONGON Replay

15. March 2026

TAS

True Cuckoo

True Cuckoo Unleashes the KORG Berlin Phase 8: Acoustic Synthesis Gets a Bonkers Makeover

Ready for a synth adventure wilder than a kangaroo on a trampoline? True Cuckoo, the Norwegian wizard of weird and wonderful sound, dives headfirst into the KORG Berlin Phase 8—a synth that throws the rulebook out the window and invites you to get your hands dirty. Forget your usual digital bleeps and bloops; this beast is all about acoustic resonance, physical tinkering, and happy accidents. If you’re keen to see what happens when you cross a science experiment with a rave in the bush, strap in. Cuckoo’s playful, exploratory style makes this a must-watch for anyone who loves pushing boundaries

KORG Berlin Phase 8

15. March 2026

SPARKY

sunwarper

sunwarper vs. DAWless Mayhem: Patchbay to the Rescue

DAWless dreams turning into cable spaghetti nightmares? sunwarper’s been there, done that, and nearly drowned in his own gear pile. In this punchy episode, he slices through the myth that more hardware equals more creativity—and shows how a humble patchbay can turn a chaotic bunker into a streamlined groove fortress. Expect honest talk, no sponsor fluff, and a workflow fix that might just save your next jam from menu-diving madness. If you’re tired of unplugging half your desk just to sample a synth, this one’s for you. Grab a cuppa, because sunwarper doesn’t pull punches or patch cables.

DF Audio Patchbay Minibay V2, Elektron Digitakt, Novation Circuit Tracks, Roland SP-404

15. March 2026

RILEY

Verysickbeats

Verysickbeats Flips DJ Muggs’ Playbook: 10 Loop Moves That’ll Save Your Beat

If you’ve ever looped yourself into a creative corner, JFilt from Verysickbeats is about to toss you the keys to the escape hatch. In this video, he breaks down ten loop-flipping techniques inspired by DJ Muggs—the same Muggs who mentored The Alchemist and built Cypress Hill’s sound. With just four sounds and a handful of streetwise tricks, JFilt shows how to turn a stale four-bar loop into a full-blown beat arrangement. Expect practical hacks, a nod to the legends, and enough groove to make your subwoofer sweat. If you’re tired of loop fatigue, this one’s for you.

8Dio Sax VST, Filter MS-20, Serato Hex FX, Verysickbass

15. March 2026

SPARKY

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack’s MicroFreak Review: This Budget Beast Bites Back

Arturia’s MicroFreak isn’t just another cheap synth – it’s a mutant rave gremlin with a taste for chaos and a price tag that won’t make you cry. Woody Piano Shack dives in, poking at its plastic shell, digital guts, and that infamous touch keyboard. Expect honest opinions, a few gripes, and plenty of sonic filth. If you’re after a synth that’s more street weapon than show pony, Woody’s review is your ticket to the weird side of affordable hardware. Just don’t expect a bedtime story – this is all about the raw, the risky, and the rave-ready.

Arturia MicroFreak

15. March 2026

SPARKY

EZBOT

EZBOT’s Elektron Rave Tactics: Semi-Improv Mayhem After a Decade in the Trenches

After nearly ten years in the Elektron bunker, EZBOT isn’t just tweaking patterns—he’s rewriting the rules of live electronic performance. This video is a turbo-charged masterclass in semi-improv workflow, where flexibility and control go toe-to-toe on the dancefloor. If you’re sick of rigid song modes and want your Digitakt or Octatrack to fight dirty, this is your blueprint. EZBOT’s style is as sharp as his gear game: practical, fast, and always ready to drop a workflow hack that’ll leave your mates gasping. Don’t expect hand-holding—expect a rave-ready arsenal.

Elektron Digitakt MK2, Elektron Digitone II, Elektron Octatrack MKII, Elektron Syntakt

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