Synthmagazine UK | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

28. January 2026

Rapid Flow’s Triple Threat: Zensphere vs DIVA vs Serum 2 – Which Synth Survives the Rave Bunker?

Rapid Flow’s Erik dives headfirst into a synth shootout you lot demanded: Zensphere, DIVA, and Serum 2 in a no-holds-barred comparison. Forget the marketing fluff—this is about CPU carnage, interface sanity, and which one actually drops into your mix without a fight. Erik’s style is all about cutting through the techy nonsense and getting straight to what matters for real-world producers. If you’re sick of synths that eat your laptop alive or menus that feel like a maths exam, this is the face-off you need. Spoiler: there’s no mercy for bloated GUIs or CPU hogs. Strap in.

Diva, Serum 2, Zensphere

27. January 2026

SPARKY

Andrew Chapman Creative

Andrew Chapman Creative Unleashes the Heritage Audio P-Lane: Tube Mojo for the Masses

If you think all compressors are just boring rack fodder, Andrew Chapman Creative is here to slap you out of your slumber. In this no-nonsense breakdown, Andrew puts the Heritage Audio P-Lane—a modern, all-tube beast inspired by the Altec 436—through its paces. Expect thick tones, harmonics that drip like honey, and a few cheeky mods for the DIY crowd. If you’re after a compressor that can glue, smash, and add attitude to your tracks, this is the review you need. Grab your cuppa, because this one’s got more warmth than your nan’s living room.

Heritage Audio P-Lane Compressor

27. January 2026

SPARKY

DivKid

DivKid’s Small Stone: Phaser Mayhem for Synth Freaks

DivKid’s back in the bunker, dusting off the Electro Harmonix Small Stone – a phaser pedal that’s survived more gigs than your nan’s kettle. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip: we’re talking creative chaos across modular, synths, and anything else you can plug in. Expect dirty tricks, lush pads, and a few sonic curveballs as DivKid shows why the Small Stone is still a street weapon in the studio. If you think phasers are just for guitarists, prepare to have your face melted. Grab a brew and dive in – but trust me, some of these sounds have to be

Echo Fix Spring Reverb, Electro Harmonix Small Stone, Mutable Instruments Rings, Vox Jaguar, Yamaha SY-1

27. January 2026

SPARKY

Molten Music Technology

Molten Music Technology’s Orchid Review: Hipster Toy or Chord Weapon?

Molten Music Technology’s Robin Vincent takes the achingly hip Telepathic Instruments Orchid for a spin, asking the big question: is it a creative spark plug or just posh musical fluff? With his trademark blend of dry wit and brutal honesty, Robin dives into the Orchid’s shiny design, its instant chord magic, and the places where it falls flat on its plastic face. If you’re after a no-nonsense, groove-focused breakdown of this boutique box, you’re in the right rave bunker. Spoiler: it’s not all sunshine and Rhodes, but it might just kickstart your next tune.

Telepathic Instruments Orchid

27. January 2026

LYRA

Arturia

Arturia Pigments 7: Virtual Riot’s Bass-Forward Sound Design Playground

When Arturia teams up with Virtual Riot, you know you’re in for a deep dive into the architecture of modern sound design. In this official Arturia video, German-born bass music heavyweight Virtual Riot unpacks his creative workflow using Pigments 7, showcasing how its multi-engine synthesis and modulation tools drive both the technical and musical sides of his productions. From granular textures to random modulation tricks, the session is a masterclass in turning digital flexibility into club-ready, festival-shaking results. If you’re curious about how a top-tier producer bends a flagship synth to his will—and how that translates to real-world performance and

Arturia Pigments 7

27. January 2026

MILES

Verbos Electronics GmbH

Odd over Even: Verbos Electronics Explores the Voltage Multistage 10

Verbos Electronics returns with a deep-dive into the Voltage Multistage 10, their 10-step sequencer that thrives on the unexpected interplay of odd and even sequence lengths. In this video, the Berlin-based team demonstrates how contrasting step counts can inject a patch with evolving rhythmic complexity, far beyond the usual four-bar grid. With a focus on modulation, filter sculpting, and layered control voltages, the presentation is a patch-builder’s delight—showing not just what the module can do, but how it wants to be used in a real-world Eurorack setup. If you’re after static loops, look elsewhere; this is about organic, shifting patterns

Bark Filter, Complex Oscillator, Harmonic Oscillator, Multi-Delay, Voltage Multistage 10

26. January 2026

SPARKY

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr Breaks Down Oxygène Part 4: Synths for the Masses, Not Just the Elitists

Forget the synth museum – Starsky Carr is here to prove you don’t need a bank loan or a warehouse of vintage gear to nail the sounds of Jean Michel Jarre’s Oxygène Part 4. In this rapid-fire, no-fluff tutorial, Starsky slices through the hype and shows how you can wrangle those iconic tones out of almost any synth or plugin with a couple of oscillators and a bit of attitude. Expect deep dives, dirty tricks, and a healthy disrespect for preset culture. If you want to learn how to make classic sounds with modern tools and a bit of grit,

Arturia ARP 2600, Arturia Jupiter-8, Arturia Mini V, Arturia Prophet 5, Novation Summit

26. January 2026

RILEY

Chris Sangster

Chris Sangster’s MIDI Survival Guide: Logic Pro Troubleshooting That Actually Works

Ever had your MIDI keyboard ghost you in Logic Pro right when the beat’s about to drop? Chris Sangster, the LA studio wizard behind sangstersounds, is here to save your session and your sanity. In this no-nonsense, step-by-step video, Chris lays out every fix in the book—from unplugging cables to deep-diving into Mac’s MIDI Studio—so you can get back to making music instead of pulling your hair out. His style is all about practical solutions, not tech jargon, and he’s got the streetwise tips to match. If you want to stop troubleshooting and start grooving, this is the checklist you

Akai MPK-49, Korg SV1, Logic Pro, Presonus Faderport, UAD Apollo

26. January 2026

TAS

The Unperson

The Unperson Unleashes the Maneco Labs Groan: Eurorack Mayhem for the Brave

Strap in, mates—The Unperson is back with a deep dive into the Maneco Labs Groan, a Eurorack module that’s as unpredictable as a possum at a backyard BBQ. This isn’t your average oscillator; it’s a dark drone beast that blurs the line between sound generator, texture machine, and straight-up sonic mischief. The Unperson’s hands-on, no-nonsense style takes us through the Groan’s wildest patches, showing off its ability to spit out everything from haunted ambience to full-blown noise storms. If you’re after a module that’ll keep you guessing (and maybe scare your neighbours), this one’s for you. Get ready for some

Beads, Maneco Labs Groan, MFx, Monumatic, Mutable Instruments Clouds, Teenage Engineering OP-1

26. January 2026

SPARKY

MusicRadar Tech

NAMM 2026: MusicRadar Tech’s Top Synth Picks – No Hype, Just Heat

NAMM 2026 just dropped a synth arsenal that’ll make your wallet sweat and your studio jealous. The MusicRadar Tech crew—those Future Music and Computer Music veterans—beamed in from the rave bunker of California to spill on the filthiest, wildest, and most jaw-dropping gear of the show. From FM beasts and acoustic oddities to cheap samplers and Juno clones, these are the weapons you’ll want in your sonic street fight. If you want the glossy PR, look elsewhere—these lads call it as they see it, wifi gremlins and all.

Ashun Sound Machines Leviasynth, Behringer JN-80, Korg Phase 8, Stylophone Voice

« 1 … 97 98 99 100 101 … 264 »