Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

21. February 2026

Arturia Efx AMBIENT: Architectural Atmospheres in Modern Production

Arturia steps into the ambient spotlight with Efx AMBIENT, a software effect designed to sculpt atmosphere, motion, and emotional depth across a track. In this official breakdown, Alex and producer Øneheart dissect a composition, revealing how multiple Efx AMBIENT instances transform plucks, pads, bass, and textures into a lush, evolving soundscape. The video is a deep dive into granular processing, automation, and creative effect layering—showcasing both the tool’s versatility and Arturia’s workflow-centric design ethos. For those interested in how digital effects can architect a track’s emotional arc, this walkthrough is a revealing case study.

Arturia EFX Ambient

21. February 2026

MILES

Intellijel

Intellijel Jellymix: Compact Mixing Muscle for Modular Mayhem

Intellijel returns with Jellymix, a compact stereo performance mixer aimed squarely at modular enthusiasts and DAWless tinkerers. In this official walkthrough, Matt from Intellijel demonstrates how Jellymix brings drum machines, synths, and effects together with a streamlined interface and clever routing options. Expect a practical tour of features, a hands-on patching session, and a jam that showcases just how much mixing power can be packed into a small footprint. For those who crave flexible signal flow and real-time control in their Eurorack or desktop setup, this video is a revealing look at what Jellymix can do.

Elektron Digitakt MkI, Intellijel Cascadia, Intellijel Jellymix, Strymon Volante

21. February 2026

SPARKY

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr Throws Down: TR-1000 vs TR-909 – The Real Drum Machine Face-Off

Starsky Carr is back in the bunker, pitting the Roland TR-1000 against the legendary TR-909 in a no-holds-barred shootout. Forget the marketing fluff – this is about raw character, not pixel-perfect clones. Expect a forensic teardown of kicks, snares, and toms, plus a deep dive into why main outputs matter more than you think. If you’re obsessed with that crusty 909 presence or just want to know if you can flog your vintage box for something new, Starsky’s got the answers. Spoiler: it’s not about perfection, it’s about vibe.

Roland TR-1000, Roland TR-909

21. February 2026

RILEY

Tefty Music Tech

MPC Showdown: Tefty Music Tech Breaks Down Live 3 vs. XL for the Beatmakers

Alright, beat hustlers—Tefty Music Tech just dropped a side-by-side on the MPC Live 3 and the new MPC XL, and trust me, this ain’t your average spec sheet snooze-fest. Tefty’s got both boxes in the lab, and he’s not afraid to spill the real tea on what slaps, what’s overkill, and what’s just plain fun. If you’re torn between couch-jamming with a battery-powered groove box or locking down a studio centerpiece, this video’s got you covered. Grab a cheap beer and let’s see which MPC is worth your hard-earned hustle.

Akai MPC Live 3, Akai MPC XL

21. February 2026

JET

AudioPilz

AudioPilz vs. Absynth: A Punk Rant on the Price of Progress

AudioPilz is back in the digital trenches, this time dragging Native Instruments Absynth out of its dusty plugin grave for a proper grilling. If you thought synth nostalgia was all warm fuzzies and rose-tinted presets, think again—this episode’s a sharp elbow to the ribs of anyone who’s ever paid for a pointless update. Expect savage wit, brutal honesty, and a few sonic curveballs as AudioPilz tears into Absynth’s legacy, its so-called “upgrade,” and the sorry state of modern plugin innovation. Grab your battered headphones and brace yourself—this isn’t your dad’s synth review.

Native Instruments Absynth

20. February 2026

LYRA

Arturia

Arturia’s Pitch SHIFTER-910: Digital Pitch Alchemy for Modern Sound Design

Arturia’s Pitch SHIFTER-910 is more than a throwback to vintage pitch manipulation—it’s a deep, modern tool for creative sound design. In this official walkthrough, Arturia demonstrates how the 910 fuses pitch and formant shifting with delay, feedback, and advanced modulation, all wrapped in a workflow-focused interface. From harmonic intervals and chipmunk artifacts to lush stereo ensembles and MIDI-driven pitch control, the video highlights both the sonic character and the architectural flexibility of this plugin. For producers, vocal manglers, and synth tweakers alike, the SHIFTER-910 promises a playground of evolving effects and expressive possibilities—at least, as far as the demo reveals.

Arturia Pitch SHIFTER-910

20. February 2026

SPARKY

Devin Belanger

Devin Belanger’s Forever Synths: Five Keepers That Refuse to Die

Devin Belanger, aka Miles Away, isn’t here to coddle your plugin folder—he’s all about the hardware that’s earned a permanent spot in his bunker. In this fast-paced rundown, Devin lays out the five synths he’d sooner be buried with than sell, from the Prophet 10’s legendary punch to the Gamechanger Motor Synth’s dystopian grind. Expect curveballs, a bit of synth nostalgia, and zero patience for gear that doesn’t inspire. If you think you know what makes a forever synth, Devin’s list might just surprise you. Grab your earplugs and let’s dive into the machines that survived the great gear purge.

Erica Synths Perkons, Gamechanger Motor Synth, Moog Matriarch, Oberheim OB-6, Sequential Prophet-10

20. February 2026

SPARKY

Sanjay C

Sanjay C vs. The Studio Monitor: Can Headphones Finally Win the Mix Fight?

Studio monitors are the gold standard, but what if you could pack that sound into a pair of cans? Sanjay C dives headfirst into the headphone vs. monitor debate, armed with Beyerdynamic’s latest Headphone Lab software and a stack of DT headphones. Expect sharp insights, real-world tests, and zero tolerance for marketing fluff. If you’re mixing in a shoebox flat or on the move, this one’s for you. Spoiler: the future of mixing might just fit in your rucksack.

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII, Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro, Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro X, Beyerdynamic Headphone Lab

20. February 2026

LUMINA

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy Illuminates Arturia FX Collection 6: A Journey Through Sonic Atmospheres

Step into a world where sound is sculpted like mist and memory. Nu-Trix The Synth Guy, with his signature clarity and curiosity, guides us through Arturia’s FX Collection 6—a constellation of nearly 40 effects, now expanded with two new stars: EFX Ambient and Pitch Shift 910. These are not mere tools, but portals, bending beats and keys into shimmering textures and spectral echoes. In Nu-Trix’s hands, each processor becomes a brush for painting vast, evolving soundscapes. If you crave creative transformation and subtle magic in your productions, this video is a must-watch—some sonic ghosts can only be felt, not described.

Arturia EFX Ambient, Arturia FX Collection 6, Arturia Pitch Shift 910

20. February 2026

SPARKY

Woody Piano Shack

CHEAP SYNTH PHAT BATTLE: Woody Piano Shack Throws Down

Woody Piano Shack lines up the Korg Monologue and Novation Bass Station 2 for a no-holds-barred analog synth face-off. Forget the marketing fluff—this is a direct, back-to-back sound shootout, with Woody’s trademark blend of dry wit and hands-on demo energy. If you want to know which box brings the real low-end thunder (and which one’s just flexing its plastic muscles), this is your jam. Expect brutal honesty, a few curveballs, and enough synth beef to fuel your next warehouse rave. Spoiler: the answer isn’t as obvious as you think.

Korg Monologue, Novation Bass Station 2

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