Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

2. February 2026

HAINBACH and the String Armonica MK2: Overtone Dreams and Sonic Glasswork

Step into a mist-laden soundscape where resonance shimmers and history hums beneath your fingertips. HAINBACH, ever the explorer of sonic oddities, invites us to drift inside the String Armonica MK2—a modern vessel inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s glass armonica, yet reborn for today’s ambient voyagers. This is not just an instrument; it’s a magnetic bridge between ancient psalter and futuristic shimmer, where every note blooms like fractured light through fog. Prepare to be enveloped by overtone-rich textures and the peculiar beauty of a machine that feels as much spirit as circuitry. The real magic, as always with HAINBACH, is best experienced

String Armonica MK2

2. February 2026

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Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack’s Minilogue Review: Four Notes, One Big Rave Bunker Question

Woody Piano Shack dives headfirst into the KORG Minilogue, the synth that’s been haunting budget-minded analog lovers for nearly a decade. Is it still worth your hard-earned cash in 2026, or is four-note polyphony just a cruel joke in a world of digital giants? Woody’s signature blend of hands-on honesty and gentle sarcasm slices through the hype, giving us a no-frills look at what slaps, what sucks, and why this synth might still have a place in your studio—if you can live with its quirks. Grab a cuppa, because this review doesn’t pull any punches.

Korg Minilogue

1. February 2026

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sunwarper

NAMM 2026’s Wildest Rigs: Sunwarper’s Top Gear Picks That’ll Make Your Studio Roar

Strap in, mates—Sunwarper’s just come back from NAMM 2026 with a swag of synths, samplers, and oddball contraptions that’ll make your head spin faster than a turntable at a bush doof. From retro-styled samplers with a mind of their own to AI pedals that sound like they’ve been cooked up after a late-night servo run, this isn’t your average gear roundup. Sunwarper’s keen ear for workflow and weirdness means only the most bonkers, inspiring, and genuinely useful kit made the cut. Whether you’re a seasoned beat butcher or just want a rig that survives a dust storm, this list is

Akai MPC Live 3, Casio SX-C1 Sampler, Erica Synths Hexdrums, Erica Synths Steampipe, Roland Project Lydia, Yamaha SEQTRAK

1. February 2026

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Andrew Chapman Creative

Andrew Chapman Creative Digs Into the RND 535: Clean Intentions, Dirty Results

Andrew Chapman Creative isn’t here to sell you a fairytale about vintage Neve mojo. In this punchy breakdown, he tears into the Rupert Neve Designs 535 Diode Bridge Compressor, exposing the myth that Rupert Neve was chasing ‘vibe’ when he built his legendary boxes. Instead, Chapman gives us the real story: accuracy, neutrality, and a compressor that’s more utilitarian than unicorn dust. Expect gritty bass, snappy snares, and brutally honest takes on whether this 500-series slab deserves a slot in your rack. If you think all Neve gear is just character in a box, buckle up – this one’s got

Black Lion Audio Bluey 500, Neve 2254 Compressor, Rupert Neve Designs 535 Diode Bridge Compressor

1. February 2026

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Blairy's Beatlab

Blairy’s Beatlab Unleashes the Hydrasynth: Sequencer or Secret Weapon?

If you reckon the Hydrasynth is just another pretty face with no sequencer, Blairy’s Beatlab is here to flip that idea on its head, mate. Old Uncle Blairy dives deep into the Hydrasynth’s wild sound design tricks, showing off how its LFOs moonlight as sneaky step sequencers—no menu-diving headaches, just pure creative chaos. With a DIY spirit and a knack for turning happy accidents into bangers, Blairy samples his Hydrasynth patches straight into the Octatrack, then spices things up with drums and a dash of outback unpredictability. This is hands-on hardware jamming at its finest—grab your coffee and get ready

ASM Hydrasynth, Behringer 2600, Elektron Octatrack

1. February 2026

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Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix at NAMM 2026: Korg Phase 8 & Black Panther System – Synths and Stands That Actually Slap

Doctor Mix storms NAMM 2026 with his trademark enthusiasm, but this time even the most jaded synth-heads should pay attention. The Korg Phase 8 isn’t just another plastic box—it’s an acoustic synth with real metal tines, shaking up the floor with physical sound you can actually feel. Meanwhile, Black Panther System’s modular stands are less furniture, more fortress, ready to handle your heaviest gear and wildest setups. If you think you’ve seen it all, think again: this episode is a rave bunker tour of gear that doesn’t just look cool, it rewrites the rulebook. Dive in for a taste—just don’t

Black Panther System modular keyboard stands, Korg Phase 8

1. February 2026

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Free Beat

Free Beat Unleashes the KOII Fader: Finally, Some Real-Time Mayhem

Free Beat’s finally cracked the KOII fader, and it’s about time. If you’ve ever stared at that slider wondering if it’s just a volume knob in disguise, prepare to have your mind (and maybe your jam sessions) blown. This video is a crash course in real-time sound mangling, fader assignments, and the kind of performance tricks that make the KOII a proper street weapon. Free Beat’s practical, hands-on style means you get the dirt, not the brochure. If you want to see the KOII fader actually earn its keep, this is your ticket.

Teenage Engineering KOII

31. January 2026

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AudioPilz

AudioPilz vs. M-Audio VENOM: Synth Infamy, Dirty Secrets, and a Sonic Redemption

Is the M-Audio VENOM really the worst synth ever, or is it just the misunderstood villain of the music tech world? AudioPilz, the maestro of meme-fuelled gear takedowns, drags this notorious plastic beast out of the bargain bin and into the harsh rave bunker lights. Expect sharp wit, brutal honesty, and a few sonic surprises as he puts the VENOM through its paces. If you think you know bad gear, think again—this episode might just change your mind, or at least make you laugh while you reconsider.

M-Audio VENOM

31. January 2026

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Rapid Flow

Rapid Flow’s Quested H208: From Bedroom Bangers to Pro Studio Thunder

Ready to ditch your budget boxes and step into the big leagues? Rapid Flow’s Erik takes us on a wild ride through his studio monitor graveyard, landing squarely on the Quested H208s. This isn’t your average YouTube unboxing – it’s a no-holds-barred, brutally honest comparison of over 20 speakers, from plastic starter kits to pro-tier monsters. If you’re tired of tinny highs and gutless bass, or just want to know what actually slaps in a real studio, Erik’s got the answers (and a few spicy takes). Buckle up – this is speaker talk for serious heads.

Adam P11, Amphion 115, ATC 100, ATC 30, ATC 50, Auratone, Avantone Mixcubes, Dynaudio BM5 MK3, Dynaudio BM6A MK2, Dynaudio DM 601, Dynaudio LYD 48, Focal, Genelec 1030, Genelec 1031, Genelec 1032, Head Audio, IK Multimedia iLoud Micro, Kali Audio LP7, KRK RP5, M-Audio BX8, Mackie, MS Blues, Neumann O300, PSI Audio, Quested H208, Slate VSX, Yamaha HS5, Yamaha HS8

30. January 2026

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Sam Gutman

Buchla & Friends: Sam Gutman’s Wild Synth Safari

Strap in, mates—Sam Gutman takes us on a synth-fuelled joyride through Buchla & Friends 2026, where the gear is as wild as a kangaroo on a Red Bull bender. From mind-bending controllers to volcanic sound machines, this video is a front-row seat to the most bonkers, experimental kit you’ll find outside a dust storm rave. Sam’s got the educator’s knack for digging into the details, but don’t expect a dry lecture—this is pure synth chaos with a side of cheeky banter. If you want to see what happens when tradition meets mad science, you’re in for a treat.

Buchla Music Easel by Buchla, Demonbox by Eternal Research, Dvina by Soma Laboratories, Erea 2 by Embodme, Flux by Soma Laboratories, Katla by Genki Instruments, Nymira by Terraphones, Omnisphere by Spectrasonics, Rhodes Piano by Rhodes, Uranograph by Clank

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