Sam Gutman at NAMM 2026: Synths Gone Walkabout

NAMM 2026 isn’t just another trade show—it’s a playground for sonic misfits and keyboard oddballs, and Sam Gutman dives in like a kid let loose in Toys R Us. The energy is infectious, with Sam’s excitement setting the tone for a tour that’s anything but ordinary. Right from the jump, you know you’re in for a showcase of gear that’s more likely to start a dancefloor riot than gather dust in a studio.

This year’s show is all about breaking the mould. From synths that blur the line between acoustic and electronic, to gadgets that turn your own biology into beats, it’s clear we’re entering a new era. Sam’s knack for highlighting the weird and wonderful means you won’t just see the latest flagship keyboards—you’ll meet the future of sound, warts and all.

The Korg Phase 8 is the kind of hybrid beast that makes you question reality—part synth, part electro-mechanical oddity. Instead of digital oscillators, you get steel tines you can pluck, tap, or physically modulate, like a Fender Rhodes that’s been through a science experiment. It’s a hands-on, tactile approach that’s as much about feel as it is about sound. If you’re after something that’ll survive a pub gig and still sound fresh, this one’s worth a squiz.

Now for a detour into the wild—Pocket Scion is a portable biofeedback instrument that turns the electricity of living things into music. Sam chats with the creators, who reveal it’s all about measuring electrical resistance in organisms—plants, mushrooms, even humans—and translating those fluctuations into notes and rhythms. Whether you’re spritzing a plant or giving a mushroom a pep talk, you’re literally jamming with nature. It’s a bonkers concept, but one that opens up a whole new world of organic performance. If you’ve ever wanted to duet with your houseplants, this is your ticket.

FM synthesis is notorious for frying brains faster than a summer BBQ, but the ASM Leviasynth flips the script. Sam highlights how this beast makes FM accessible, with eight oscillators you can use as carriers and a dead-easy assign system—just press, turn, and you’re off. No more menu-diving nightmares or algorithmic confusion.

The real kicker is the morphing feature, letting you glide between algorithms like a kangaroo on a slip’n’slide. Classic FM sounds are all here, but with a twist that invites experimentation. It’s the sort of synth that’ll have you grinning instead of groaning, and if you want to hear how wild it gets, you’ll need to catch the video for the full sonic chaos.