Synthmagazine | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

15. December 2025

Chris Laps Unleashes the Roland P-6: Pocket-Sized Sampling Mayhem

Chris Laps dives headfirst into the Roland P-6, a sampler that’s so compact you could lose it in your rave bunker, but with enough power to start a toaster-fight at any jam session. This isn’t your average plastic box – Chris shows off a machine that’s bursting with features, from filthy sample rate tricks to a buffet of effects. If you’re after a no-nonsense look at what this pint-sized beast can do, with plenty of hands-on action and zero fluff, you’re in the right place. Prepare for sharp opinions, dirty grooves, and a sampler that might just redefine what you

Roland P-6

15. December 2025

SPARKY

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr vs The Chorus Symphony: When Cheap Gear Slaps and Clusterboxes Die

Starsky Carr is back in the bunker, pitting the Behringer Chorus Symphony against the notorious Clusterbox—and let’s just say, one of them doesn’t survive the night. If you’re after lush stereo chorus that turns your Rhodes and Jupiter pads into a 3D rave, Starsky’s got the demo for you. But beware: the Clusterbox brings more noise than a broken toaster at a warehouse party. This isn’t just a pedal shootout, it’s a lesson in why sometimes cheap gear absolutely slaps, and sometimes it just gives up the ghost. Dive in for gritty sound examples, honest banter, and a verdict you

Behringer Chorus Symphony, BM-18M Clusterbox

15. December 2025

SPARKY

Rapid Flow

Rapid Flow’s Garage Makeover: From Echo Chamber to Sonic Street Weapon

Ever wondered if you could turn a garage that sounds like a cathedral into a studio that actually slaps? Rapid Flow’s Erik just did it, and he’s giving us the full, no-BS tour. Expect clever gear moves, DIY acoustic hacks, and enough workflow tweaks to make your head spin. If you’re tired of sterile, overpriced studio builds, this one’s for you: real gear, real mistakes, and a space that finally lets the music flow. Pull up a chair, because Erik’s approach is as sharp as his synth collection—and there’s plenty to steal for your own bunker.

Cosmos, Eventide H4000, Mercury X, Moog Matriarch, Neo Harp, Prophet 10, Prophet 600, Revox, Roland RSP-550, Sony V77, Synthsphere (Software), Vermona, Waldorf Iridium, Waldorf Zarenbourg

14. December 2025

SPARKY

Devin Belanger

Devin Belanger’s 3rd Wave 8M: Wavetable Wizardry in a Box

If you think wavetable synths peaked in the ‘80s, Devin Belanger is here to slap you awake with the Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave 8M. This isn’t just another PPG clone—it’s a compact, modern beast with a screen that’ll make your full-size rig jealous. Devin, known for his sharp reviews and no-BS style, dives deep into the 8M’s sound, workflow, and quirks, showing why it’s more than just a nostalgia trip. If you want a desktop synth that can throw elbows in the studio and still fit in your backpack, this review is your rave bunker briefing.

Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave 8M

14. December 2025

RILEY

Sanjay C

Sanjay C’s Free Plugin Mixtape: The Only Download List You Need This Month

If your wallet’s emptier than a Monday night open mic, Sanjay C just dropped a video that’ll fill your DAW with more free sauce than a Chicago hot dog stand. This week, he’s rounding up the freshest, wildest, and straight-up unmissable free plugins—no coupon clipping required. From granular reverbs that’ll turn your snares into space clouds, to synth comebacks and holiday giveaways, Sanjay’s got the beatmaker’s back. If you’re trying to level up your sound without selling your sneakers, this one’s for you. Let’s dig into the best freebies that slap harder than my grandma’s wooden spoon.

Absynth 6, Pianoteq Syngular, Soul, Soundtoys (Holiday Freebies)

14. December 2025

RILEY

sunwarper

sunwarper Digs Up the PO-33: Old School Grit Still Hits Different

You know that feeling when you’re drowning in new gear hype but your wallet’s screaming for mercy? sunwarper gets it. In this video, our LA beat wizard ditches the shiny toys and dusts off the Teenage Engineering PO-33, proving that sometimes the oldest box in your drawer still slaps the hardest. With his signature blend of cinematic vibes and streetwise hacks, sunwarper flips samples, rides the groove, and shows why this pocket-sized sampler still earns its keep—even if it’s got a few quirks. If you’re hungry for inspiration and not just specs, this one’s for you.

Roland SP-404, Teenage Engineering PO-33

14. December 2025

SPARKY

The Midlife Synthesist

The Midlife Synthesist Unleashes a Portable Powerhouse: MPC Live 3 + Astrolab 37

Ever wondered if you could pack a stadium-sized sound into your rucksack? The Midlife Synthesist is back, pairing the MPC Live 3 with the Arturia Astrolab 37 for a cover of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’ that’s equal parts heart and hardware. Expect slick workflow hacks, lush organ tones, and a few honest gripes about clackety keys and MIDI quirks. This isn’t your average polite gear demo – it’s a deep dive into portable production with a creator who knows his way around a groovebox and isn’t afraid to call out the rough edges. If you want to see a portable rig

Arturia AstroLab 37, HX Stomp XL, MPC Live 3

14. December 2025

SPARKY

Andrew Chapman Creative

Andrew Chapman Creative’s Studio Gear Gauntlet: No Hype, Just Hits (and Misses)

Andrew Chapman Creative is back in the bunker, torch in hand, ready to roast and toast the most hyped (and slept-on) studio gear in the game. Episode 7 of his Overrated vs Underrated series is a no-nonsense, brand-agnostic rampage through mics, preamps, compressors and more. Expect sharp takes, zero brand loyalty, and the kind of honest, hands-on opinions you only get from someone who’s actually battered these boxes in the wild. If you’re tired of sales talk and want the real dirt on what deserves a spot in your rack, this is your jam. Chapman’s style? Brutally direct, occasionally hilarious,

Focusrite Octopre, SE Electronics Voodoo VR2, Warm Audio WA-2A, Warm Audio WA-47

14. December 2025

SPARKY

Scott's Synth Stuff

Scott’s Synth Stuff Unleashes the MODX & Montage’s Secret Live Weapon

Scott’s Synth Stuff dives headfirst into the Yamaha MODX and Montage, unearthing a feature so criminally underused it’s practically synth folklore. Forget the usual presets—this hidden gem turns your stage rig into a rhythm-locked, drummer-synced machine. If you play live, wrangle unruly bandmates, or just want your synth to actually listen for once, this is the hack you didn’t know you needed. Scott’s signature straight-talking, tutorial-meets-rave-bunker style makes this a must-watch for anyone bored of playing to the same old click.

Yamaha MODX, Yamaha Montage

14. December 2025

MILES

Noise Engineering

Noise Engineering’s Granulita Versio: Chords, Grains and Shimmer in a Eurorack Box

Noise Engineering, the Los Angeles boutique known for their aggressive and inventive Eurorack modules, have unleashed Granulita Versio—a granular chord resynthesizer that promises to turn any mundane input into lush, cinematic textures. In their latest official video, the team walks through the module’s unique approach to chordal resynthesis, granular processing and a shimmering reverb that’s anything but subtle. As always with Noise Engineering, the focus is on hands-on control and immediate patchability, with a healthy dose of nerdy detail for those who like their sound design complex and their modulation options plentiful. Let’s see how Granulita Versio fits into the

Granulita Versio

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