Synthmagazine | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

29. June 2026

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

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

SPARKY

tafony

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

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.

WMD Kraken

28. June 2026

TAS

True Cuckoo

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

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.

Phase8

28. June 2026

SPARKY

AutomaticGainsay

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

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.

Apple Logic Pro, Behringer MS-5

28. June 2026

RILEY

sunwarper

Island Beats & Koala Feats: Sunwarper’s Hawaiian Field Trip

Sunwarper isn’t just another YouTube beatmaker – he’s the kind of cat who’ll flip coconut knocks and ocean waves into a sunrise groove, all while traveling light. In this video, he ditches the heavy gear for nothing but Koala Sampler, an iPad, and a pocketful of field recordings from a Hawaiian vacation. The result? A sun-soaked, streetwise jam that proves you don’t need a studio full of gear to cook up magic. If you think you can’t make a whole track out of random trip sounds, Sunwarper’s about to school you.

BLEASS Spectral Resonator, Koala Sampler, Logic Pro for iPad

28. June 2026

SPARKY

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack vs. The NEO VENTILATOR 2: Leslie in a Box or Just More Cablage?

Woody Piano Shack dives headfirst into the NEO VENTILATOR 2, pitting it against the Nord Electro’s built-in rotary sim in a battle of speaker-spinning glory. Expect honest shootouts, no-nonsense commentary and a dash of cable chaos. If you think all Leslie emulations are born equal, this one’s a rude awakening. But is the extra box worth lugging to the next gig? Let’s see if the Vent blows the Nord out of the water—or just adds another pedal to trip over.

NEO VENTILATOR 2, Nord Electro

27. June 2026

LYRA

Akai Professional

Akai Professional MPC 3.9: A Digital Workflow Deep Dive

Akai Professional’s MPC 3.9 update brings a substantial toolkit to both standalone and desktop workflows, focusing on arranger flexibility, new oscillator engines, and tighter DAW integration. This official walkthrough steps through the latest oscillator and editing upgrades, hands-on track arrangement, enhanced time signature control, and the debut of a full desktop plugin. We explore what’s actually demonstrated, how these features intersect, and what this means for hybrid studio and DAWless users.

MPC 3.9, MPC Key 37 G2

27. June 2026

LYRA

Moog Music

Moog Music: Analog Drum Synthesis Meets Modern Sampling with Messenger & MPC Sample

Moog Music’s official channel kicks off a new series exploring the synergy between their Messenger analog monosynth and the Akai MPC Sample. This video focuses on pushing monophonic synthesis to new creative heights by layering, sampling, and arranging drum sounds. The Messenger’s analog voice is sculpted into a deep library of percussive elements before those sounds move into the MPC’s digital domain. As Moog demonstrates, combining classic hands-on synthesis with modern sample-based workflow can dramatically amplify a focused rig’s creative potential.

Akai MPC Sample, Moog Messenger

27. June 2026

LYRA

Arturia

Arturia Rev OCEAN: Shoegaze Reverb Architectures in Focus

Arturia’s Rev OCEAN plugin is thrust into the shoegaze spotlight in this official tutorial, where Matt demonstrates how to sculpt immersive, wall-of-sound textures for guitar, vocals, and drums. As expected from Arturia, the emphasis is on precise parameter control, macro workflows, and intelligent signal shaping. The video walks through real-world settings and workflows, balancing lush ambience with the clarity modern mixes demand. For digital and hybrid enthusiasts, this is a revealing look at how algorithmic reverb can drive both nostalgia and innovation.

Arturia Rev OCEAN

27. June 2026

LYRA

WaldorfMusicChannel

WaldorfMusicChannel’s Microwave 1 Plug-in v2: Hybrid Synthesis Reimagined

WaldorfMusicChannel dives deep into the Microwave 1 Plug-in Version 2, a software revival of their iconic hybrid synth. With CTO Rolf Wöhrmann at the helm, the video showcases how wavetable synthesis and analog-style filters are brought to the DAW world, highlighting the balance of vintage character and modern workflow enhancements. We explore the architecture, from polyphony upgrades to the new preset browser and multi-part editing, all designed to fit the needs of today’s digital musicians. The focus is on creative sequencing, performance features, and the evolving interface that aims to streamline complex patch creation without sacrificing the original Microwave’s sonic

Waldorf Microwave 1 Plug-in

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