Ever feel like your tracks are stuck in an endless rave bunker of 8-bar loops? The Unperson is here with a hardware-heavy rescue mission, dragging jams from modular chaos and OP-1 mischief into actual, finished tracks. No fairy dust, just honest talk, practical workflow, and a healthy dose of British self-deprecation. If you’re tired of loop purgatory, this one’s for you—expect modular grit, Ableton tricks, and a blunt kick against procrastination.

Ableton Live, Arturia MiniFreak, Audio Punks, Ladybug Lo-Fi Reverb, Massive X, Nobula Monumatic, Platz Oscillator, RYK M185 Sequencer, Sketch Cassette 2, Teenage Engineering KO II, Teenage Engineering OP-1, Valhalla Supermassive

29. June 2026

Voltage Labs

Voltage Labs Unleash the Arturia AstroLab: Stage Weapon or Studio Sidekick?

SPARKY

Voltage Labs take the Arturia AstroLab for a spin, dragging its not-so-humble stage keyboard credentials into the producer’s den. Forget the polite recital hall – this thing packs Arturia’s entire sonic arsenal under one hood and dares you to tweak, twist, and mash it into your next set. With macros, chord magic, and effects on tap, is it all just flash or does it slap? Let’s get our hands dirty.

Arturia Astrolab

29. June 2026

Rapid Flow

Rapid Flow Dials In: Dirty House Presets on the Zensphere V2

SPARKY

Rapid Flow’s Erik is back in the lab, flinging presets at the Zensphere V2 like a man possessed. No scripts, no fluff—just raw, unscripted knob-twiddling and a deep dive into what makes a techno or house synth sound pop in a real mix. If you want to see how reverb, delay, and sidechain can turn dry noodles into club bangers, this one’s for you. Don’t expect a bedtime story—expect real workflow, cheeky tricks, and a walkthrough that’s as useful as it is unfiltered.

Zensphere V2

29. June 2026

sonicstate

sonicstate Unleashes the Chandler Abbey Road REDD Mixing System: Vintage Guts, Modular Mayhem

SPARKY

If you thought boutique mixing consoles were all hype and no substance, sonicstate just proved you wrong. At GearExpo UK 2026, they got up close with the Chandler Abbey Road REDD Mixing System—a Frankenstein’s monster of EMI-era valves and TG transistors, dressed up for the 21st-century studio. Expect modular options, hand-built circuits, and more sonic flavours than a dodgy kebab van at 3am. It’s not cheap, but it’s a showstopper for anyone craving classic Abbey Road tones with modern workflow muscle.

Chandler Abbey Road REDD Mixing System

29. June 2026

sonicstate

sonicstate Gets Gritty: Detroit Drums by Iconic Instruments at GearExpo UK

SPARKY

If you’re after that dusty, big-smoke 1960s drum vibe, sonicstate’s latest hands-on with Iconic Instruments’ Detroit Drums plugin will hit your sweet spot. Forget clinical, modern kits—this one brings flab, funk, and plenty of ‘who let the toms out’ energy. From authentic S and L type kits to a wicked vintage processing chain, there’s enough grime and groove here to turn your DAW into a Motown tape machine. And yeah, there’s a bargain to be had if you’re quick. Strap in for sweaty drum rooms and even sweatier breakbeats.

Detroit Drums

28. June 2026

tafony

tafony Unleashes the WMD Kraken: Snare Modelling for the Modular Masses

SPARKY

Ever wanted a snare module that doesn’t just slap but morphs, grinds and shape-shifts? tafony dives headfirst into the WMD Kraken, a physical modelling snare that ditches tired synth clichés for something way more alive. Expect crunchy realism, glitchy weirdness, and the kind of parameter wrangling only true rack heads will appreciate. tafony’s signature deadpan delivery and honest tinkering make this a must-watch for anyone bored of basic drum modules. Spoiler: it’s not just another static box – this thing’s a sonic street fighter.

28. June 2026

True Cuckoo

True Cuckoo Gets Unruly: Phase8 Mods That’ll Shock Your Sound System

TAS

Strap in, mates! True Cuckoo takes the Phase8 from polite to full-blown unruly with wild mods, oddball objects, and a dash of Nordic mischief. If you reckon you’ve heard it all, wait till you see magnets and 3D-printed bits turn this synth into a raving beast. Whether you’re into sonic experiments or just love chaos in your rigs, this one’s a ripper from the synth world’s most creative mad scientist.

28. June 2026

AutomaticGainsay

AutomaticGainsay Unleashes the Behringer MS-5 Bandpass – SH-5 Vibes for the Masses

SPARKY

AutomaticGainsay is back in the synth bunker, this time waving the Behringer MS-5 like a rave flag. If you think analog bandpass filters are only for vintage snobs, strap in. Marc Doty’s no-nonsense walkthrough shoves the MS-5 into the limelight, showing it’s more than just a Roland SH-5 knockoff. Expect sharp commentary, gritty filter sweeps, and a few laughs about synth snobbery. This is affordable analog with some serious teeth.