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.

5. December 2025

Free Beat’s KOII Adventure: Quirky Sampler or Outback Oddity?

Strap in, mates—today we’re diving headfirst into the Teenage Engineering KOII with Free Beat, a creator who’s as keen on creative chaos as a kangaroo at a bush doof. This compact sampler groovebox promises a wild ride of quirky features, hidden shortcuts, and enough menu-diving to make your thumbs cramp. Free Beat’s hands-on approach is equal parts practical and playful, and while the KOII might leave you scratching your head, it’s got a charm that’s hard to shake. If you’re into chiptune nostalgia, handheld jams, and a bit of musical mischief, this one’s for you. Let’s see if the KOII

Teenage Engineering EP-133 KOII, Teenage Engineering PO-20 Arcade

5. December 2025

SPARKY

Andrew Chapman Creative

Andrew Chapman Creative Destroys the Plugins vs Hardware Myth – No More Excuses

Forget the endless forum wars and marketing brainwashing – Andrew Chapman Creative is here to torch the tired Plugins vs Hardware debate. In this sharp, no-fluff video, Andrew slices through the hype, exposing how both sides use slick tactics to mess with your producer ego. If you’ve ever felt guilty for loving a plugin or dropping cash on a shiny preamp, this is your wake-up call. Expect practical advice, a few gear recommendations, and a reminder that your ears matter more than your wallet. Chapman’s straight-talking style is a breath of fresh air for anyone building a studio in the

Black Lion Audio B12A, CAPI Preamp, Dachman Audio DA87 SE, Daking Mic Pre One, Focusrite ISA One Preamp, Lindell Audio LiN76, Lindell Audio LiNTEC, Roswell Audio Mini K87, Shure KSM32, Warm Audio WA-12

5. December 2025

LYRA

ROLI

ROLI’s Piano M Hits the Streets: Urban Beatmaking Reimagined

ROLI, a pioneer in expressive digital instruments, takes its Piano M into the heart of New York City with ARIatHOME, blending portable music technology with spontaneous street creativity. This official video explores how the Piano M empowers dynamic, on-the-fly beatmaking in unpredictable environments, highlighting its integration into live streaming and collaborative jams. As Ari navigates the city’s energy, the Piano M’s design and workflow flexibility shine, inviting both seasoned musicians and curious passersby to join the musical adventure. The result is a compelling look at how digital instruments can transform public spaces into collaborative studios.

ROLI Piano M

4. December 2025

SPARKY

Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix Gets Hands-On: ROLI Airwave’s Futuristic Flex

Doctor Mix dives headfirst into the ROLI Airwave, a hand-tracking MIDI controller that promises to drag your synth rig kicking and screaming into the future. Forget knobs and faders—this thing reads your gestures and turns them into musical mayhem. With Doctor Mix’s trademark enthusiasm (and a bit of showmanship), we get a no-holds-barred demo of what happens when you let your hands do the talking. Is it a gimmick, or is it the next big thing for live electronic performance? Strap in, because this ride is anything but subtle.

Korg microKEY, ROLI Airwave, ROLI Piano

4. December 2025

SPARKY

Scott's Synth Stuff

Scott’s Synth Stuff: MicroFreak Gets Buffed – Two Upgrades That Actually Matter

The Arturia MicroFreak is already a digital misfit with attitude, but Scott’s Synth Stuff is here to show you how to turn this quirky box into a proper sonic street weapon. Forget the usual accessory fluff—Scott dives straight into two upgrades that slap: a Hydrosynth for real polyphonic aftertouch and some lush stereo effects. If you think the MicroFreak is just a cheap toy, think again. This video is all about squeezing every last drop of madness from your gear, and Scott’s no-nonsense style means you’ll get the real dirt, not just marketing hype. Ready to make your MicroFreak punch

Arturia MicroFreak, ASM Hydrosynth, Behringer X32

4. December 2025

SPARKY

Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech

Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech Unleash the 1010Music Nanoboxes: Pocket-Sized Rave Weapons?

Tiny boxes, massive attitude. Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech throw Jack Duxbury into the deep end with 1010Music’s Nanobox Lemondrop, Razzmatazz, and Fireball—three pint-sized synths and samplers that promise to punch way above their weight. It’s a first-look chaos session, with Jack fumbling, grinning, and occasionally nailing some filthy sounds. If you think small gear can’t bring big energy, this video might just slap you round the ears. Spoiler: there’s finger drumming, touchscreen poking, and a few moments that’ll make you want to see (and hear) the madness for yourself.

1010Music Nanobox Fireball, 1010Music Nanobox Lemondrop, 1010Music Nanobox Razzmatazz, Novation Launchkey Mini

4. December 2025

LYRA

Bastl Instruments

Bastl Instruments Kastle 2 Alchemist: Hybrid Synthesis, Modular Playfulness and Digital Depth

Bastl Instruments, known for their inventive and community-driven approach to electronic instrument design, present the Kastle 2 Alchemist—a portable, hybrid-synthesis powerhouse that invites deep exploration. This official video manual, hosted by Wes, walks viewers through the Alchemist’s five synth modes, macro envelope, and a patch bay that encourages hands-on, modular-style play. With features like morphing between engines, expressive arpeggiation, USB MIDI integration, and a companion app for firmware and scale management, the Kastle 2 Alchemist is positioned as a compact but surprisingly deep tool for sound designers and modular tinkerers alike. We dive into the architecture, workflow, and creative potential

Kastle 2 Alchemist

4. December 2025

LYRA

OXI Instruments

OXI Instruments E16: Precision MIDI Control for the Modern Hybrid Rig

OXI Instruments steps boldly into the world of performance MIDI controllers with the E16, a device engineered for musicians who demand both expressive nuance and workflow efficiency. In this official walkthrough, OXI showcases how the E16’s 16 metal encoders, LED feedback, and deep mapping capabilities are designed to become the command center of any hybrid setup. The video focuses on how the E16’s scene system, grouping, snapshots, and real-world integration can streamline complex rigs and inspire creative play. As always with OXI, the emphasis is on hands-on immediacy—backed by a robust app for those who want to dig even deeper.

Elektron Syntakt, OXI E16

4. December 2025

SPARKY

MusicRadar Tech

MusicRadar Tech Puts the AstroLab 37 to the Test: Small Keys, Big Moves?

Arturia’s AstroLab 37 just landed, and MusicRadar Tech wastes no time getting their hands dirty. This pint-sized performance keyboard promises the full Analog Lab experience in a form factor that won’t break your back or your bank. But does shrinking the AstroLab make it a street weapon for gigging producers, or is it just another plastic pretender? We dive into the quirks, the killer features, and the bits that’ll have you swearing at your Wi-Fi. If you’re after a no-fluff verdict on whether this synth is worth your hard-earned cash, you’re in the right rave bunker.

Arturia AstroLab 37

3. December 2025

LUMINA

Pick Yourself

Pick Yourself: Breathing Life into Flat Sounds—The Secret Modulation Nebula

In the echoing corridors of modern electronic music, the difference between a flat, two-dimensional patch and a living, breathing sonic sculpture is more than just a matter of gear. Pick Yourself, a mentor for producers seeking emotional resonance, unpacks the secret modulation system that transforms ordinary synth lines into immersive, goosebump-inducing experiences. This video is not about what you play, but how your sound evolves—how it inhales, exhales, and shimmers with subtle imperfection. Prepare to drift through layers of movement, spatial depth, and dynamic storytelling as we explore the magnetic resonance at the heart of professional sound design.

Ableton Live, Ableton Push

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