Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

21. January 2026

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

20. January 2026

SPARKY

Bounce Chord

Bounce Chord’s Modulation Mayhem: Drum Machines Get Twisted

Bounce Chord is back, and this time they’re dragging the Arturia Drumbrute Impact through a gauntlet of bargain modulation pedals. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you shove analog drums through chorus, flanger, tremolo, phaser and a univibe, this is your rave bunker field report. Expect dry wit, hands-on knob-twiddling, and a no-frills approach to pedalboard chaos. The results? Sometimes subtle, sometimes gloriously weird, and always a reminder that gear is meant to be pushed, not pampered. Dive in if you like your beats mangled and your pedals cheap.

Arturia Drumbrute Impact, Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, Guptek V.D. Vibe, Ibanez Mini Tremolo, MXR Micro Flanger, MXR Phase 90

20. January 2026

LUMINA

DivKid

DivKid and Todd Barton: Krell Patches, Cinematic Echoes, and the Art of Touching Sound

Step into the nebula where film history and modular synthesis entwine. DivKid, ever the sonic cartographer, invites Todd Barton to trace the spectral origins of the Krell patch—a generative marvel inspired by the haunting score of Forbidden Planet. This is not just a technical walkthrough; it’s a poetic meditation on randomness, feedback, and the tactile act of shaping sound. As Barton shares his journey from accidental discovery to intricate expansion, we’re reminded that true synthesis is as much about listening and touch as it is about voltage and wire. Prepare to drift inside a world where every note is a

Buchla Modular-Synthesizer

20. January 2026

TAS

Metamyther

Metamyther Unleashes Esu’s Trifecta: Triple Trouble for Modular Maniacs

Ready to turn your modular rig into an outback rave with a side of sonic mayhem? Metamyther dives headfirst into Esu’s Trifecta, a triple-effects Eurorack beast that’s as wild as a kangaroo on a Red Bull bender. This isn’t your average FX box—it’s a stereo monster built for stacking, mangling, and modulating your sounds into alien territory. If you’re keen on cinematic industrial textures or just want to fry your patch in a dust storm of stereo weirdness, Metamyther’s got the goods. Grab your sunnies and buckle up, because this demo is a proper sonic joyride.

Esu Trifecta

20. January 2026

LUMINA

Underdog Electronic Music School

Underdog Electronic Music School: One Note, Infinite Stories – The Delta Sound Challenge

What if a single note could unfold like a cinematic landscape, shifting its shape and color as it drifts through time? In this poetic exploration, Underdog Electronic Music School invites us to master our synthesizers not through complexity, but by sculpting a solitary sound into a living, breathing entity. The One Note Challenge, inspired by the evocative concept of Delta Sounds from acousmatic music, becomes a canvas for sonic storytelling. Here, modulation is not just a tool, but a brushstroke, painting emotion and movement into the very fabric of a tone. Prepare to step inside the nebula, where envelopes, LFOs,

Ableton Live, Wavetable Synth

20. January 2026

SPARKY

Produkt Audio

Produkt Audio’s Kobol Expander Deep Dive: No Knob Left Unturned

Ready to wring every drop of filth and finesse out of the Behringer Kobol Expander? Produkt Audio delivers a full-on rave bunker tutorial, pulling apart every knob, switch, and patch point with the kind of technical swagger that makes manuals look like bedtime stories. Expect a relentless, feature-by-feature breakdown—no cable left dangling, no waveform un-swept. If you think you know this synth, think again. This is the unofficial manual your patch cables have been begging for, and Produkt Audio’s methodical-yet-musical approach means you’ll actually want to watch (and re-watch) every minute.

Behringer Kobol Expander

19. January 2026

SPARKY

The Unperson

Tides Unleashed: The Unperson Turns Mutable’s Modulator into a Sonic Street Weapon

Mutable Instruments Tides v2: you know it as a modulation workhorse, but The Unperson isn’t here for polite envelopes. This video rips Tides out of LFO duty and shoves it straight into VCO territory, wringing out every last drop of oscillator juice. Expect a hands-on, no-fluff tour through its output modes, pitch tracking, and a few patches that’ll have your rack sweating. If you think Tides is just for wobbly modulations, prepare for a rude awakening. The Unperson’s style is all about direct action—no endless menu-diving, just raw, musical experiments.

Mutable Instruments Tides v2

19. January 2026

SPARKY

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack Unleashes the Behringer RD-8 MKII: 808 Mayhem on a Budget

If you’ve ever wanted to summon the spirit of the TR-808 without selling a kidney, Woody Piano Shack’s got your fix. In this punchy first look, Woody dives headfirst into the Behringer RD-8 MKII—a drum machine that promises all the classic boom and sizzle, but with a modern twist and a price tag that won’t make you weep. Expect quick-fire pattern building, hands-on tweaks, and a few cheeky performance tricks, all delivered in Woody’s trademark no-fuss, fun-first style. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip; it’s a rave bunker toolkit for today’s beatmakers. Ready to see if this clone slaps or

Behringer RD-8 MKII

19. January 2026

LUMINA

Voltage Labs

Voltage Labs and the Sonic Alchemy of the Drop: Euphoria in the Echo Chamber

Voltage Labs invites us into the charged space between silence and explosion, where the drop becomes more than a musical device—it’s a collective longing for transcendence. In this poetic video essay, the channel’s signature blend of cultural insight and visual storytelling dissects why our bodies and minds crave those fleeting moments of euphoria on the dance floor. The narrative flows from brain chemistry to club rituals, tracing the magnetic pull of anticipation and the shifting sands of modern club culture. Prepare to drift through a landscape where dopamine, unity, and the art of patience collide, and where the real story

« 1 … 79 80 81 82 83 … 241 »