Scott’s Synth Stuff returns from the wilds to drop a hands-on tour of Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave’s latest firmware. Forget polite reverbs—this update brings a shimmer that sings, plus a spectral wavetable mode ready to twist your sound design into new shapes. Scott slices through the hype and gets his hands dirty, showing off what’s new, what’s clever, and what’s downright brilliant (or bonkers) in 2.0. If you want to know how a flagship synth keeps its edge, this is the firmware deep-dive for you.

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, LeviA synth

14. September 2026

The Unperson

The Unperson’s Plinky 12 Toadstep: Rave-Ready Touch Weapon

SPARKY

If you thought touch synths were just for polite ambient noodling, think again. The Unperson dives headfirst into the Plinky 12 Toadstep, a mutant groovebox that swaps faces and personalities faster than a raver changes shirts. Forget menu-diving drudgery—this thing begs for filthy jams, accidental genius, and pure hands-on chaos. Strap in for a performance beast with a wild streak and a workflow that rewards curiosity (and a bit of mischief).

Plinky 12 Toadstep

14. September 2026

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr’s £15,000 Synth Soup: Analog Royalty, Now in Your Serum

SPARKY

What happens when Starsky Carr stuffs the sonic DNA of seven boutique synths into your favourite softsynths? Welcome to a £15,000 analog shopping spree, boiled down into a wavetable pack for Serum and Pigments. Whether you’re after gnarly wavefolds or vintage PWM, this project fuses rare hardware character with modern DAW convenience, and it’s all delivered with Starsky’s signature clarity and no-nonsense flair. Purists, prepare to clutch your patch cables – this is synth alchemy at its cheekiest.

Analogue Solutions Maximus, Arturia Pigments, Frap Tools Magnolia, Korg DW8000, Novation Peak, Novation Summit, Pittsburgh Taiga, Pittsburgh Voltage Lab 2, Sequential Prophet VS, Xfer Serum

14. September 2026

Voltage Labs

Voltage Labs and the Alchemy of French House: A Sonic Tapestry Unveiled

LUMINA

Voltage Labs guides us through the fog-lit dance floors of 1990s Paris, where French house was born in a swirl of disco dust and glimmering circuitry. Here, music is not just heard—it pulses, it breathes, it shimmers through the haze of sampled grooves and magnetic compression. This is a story where machines become storytellers and every filtered beat echoes with cultural resonance. Step inside the narrative; let the ghosts of Stardust and Daft Punk draw you into the heart of the French Touch.

Alesis 3630, Emu SP1200, Ensoniq ASR-10, Ensoniq DP-4, Roland TR-909

14. September 2026

The Midlife Synthesist

Summit Stays Supreme: The Midlife Synthesist’s One-Year Verdict

SPARKY

The Midlife Synthesist isn’t messing about: after a full year thrashing the Novation Summit, he’s got opinions, and they’re not subtle. From face-melting leads to lush pads, this synth holds its own in the rave bunker and the studio alike. Expect sharp takes, plenty of hands-on insight, and a few playful jabs at the competition. If you want the real story behind this so-called modern classic, you’re in the right place. Just don’t expect any boring spec lists—this review’s all about what the Summit actually does.

Arturia PolyBrute, Moog Matriarch, Novation Peak, Novation Summit, Sequential Pro 3

13. September 2026

Expert Sleepers

Expert Sleepers disting NT: Detuning and Microtonal Power with Temporal Freeze

MILES

Expert Sleepers, known for bridging modular and digital realms, showcases a fresh firmware update for the disting NT. The Temporal Freeze algorithm now boasts a detuning option, letting users morph frozen audio into lush, complex chords and microtonal textures. This video walks through pitch transitions, gain tweaks, and Scala file integration, all in classic Expert Sleepers style: practical, hands-on, and ready for the patching masses. For those who want their frozen moments a little less predictable, this update could prove essential.

13. September 2026

CROW HILL

CROW HILL Unleashes the Mother: Hammond Organ as Sonic Street Weapon

SPARKY

If you think synths are all about plastic cases and blinking lights, CROW HILL’s deep dive into the Hammond Organ will slap you sideways. This monster changed the game in the ’30s, sliced pipe organ budgets, and left a legacy that still kicks like a drunken horse. Drawbars, spinning speakers, and a rivalry that makes modular drama look quaint—strap in, because this isn’t your gran’s church machine.

13. September 2026

David Hilowitz Music

David Hilowitz Music Unleashes the FM-1: DX7 Vibes for Pocket Money

SPARKY

David Hilowitz Music dives headfirst into FM chaos with the M-Vave FM-1, a micro synth that promises classic DX7 flavours for the price of a takeaway. No-nonsense, plenty of nerd-factor: David gives the FM-1 a proper shakedown, comparing it to its legendary ancestor, and showing off its MIDI chops, onboard effects, and portable rave energy. This isn’t your average gear demo—it’s a street-level look at how far a few quid can get you in FMland. Prepare for some sonic time travel, a few pointed opinions, and a reminder that sometimes, cheap gear is actually clever.