synthmagazine.com – Every day, synthmagazine.com publishes fresh articles, artist stories and gear news from the world of electronic music – your independent magazine for synth culture and sound design.

19. December 2025

Devin Belanger Unleashes the Sequential FOURM: Prophet Power in a Pint-Sized Package

Rain-soaked Vancouver, a fresh Sequential FOURM on the doorstep, and Devin Belanger (aka Miles Away) ready to tear into it—this is not your average synth unboxing. Devin’s no stranger to classic Prophet tones, but the FOURM promises those iconic sounds in a smaller, poly-aftertouch-equipped beast. If you’re after a synth that can snarl, shimmer, and maybe even out-Blade-Runner your wallet, Devin’s first hours with the FOURM are a must-watch. Expect brass pads, modulation madness, and a few honest jabs at four-voice limitations. Don’t blink—this one moves fast.

Prophet 10, Prophet 5, Sequential Fourm, Walrus Audio Mako D1 Delay

19. December 2025

LUMINA

Martin Stürtzer

Martin Stürtzer’s Sonic Cartography: Mapping Dub Techno’s Echo System

Step into the vapor-lit corridors of Martin Stürtzer’s studio, where Dub Techno is less a genre and more a living, breathing ecosystem. In this walkthrough, Stürtzer guides us through the creation of “Echo System,” weaving together Ableton Live’s digital bones with the spectral warmth of analog synths. Each sound is a drifting island, each chord a ripple in a boundless sea of resonance. This is not just a production tutorial—it’s an invitation to inhabit the spaces between beats, to feel the magnetic pull of texture and time. Prepare to lose yourself in a landscape where every note is a story,

Ableton Live, Juno60, Luftrum Dub Chords Vol. 2, Minimoog

19. December 2025

SPARKY

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr’s Gridlock II Review: MIDI Mayhem, Sorted

If your studio timing is as tight as a soggy biscuit, Starsky Carr’s latest deep-dive is the slap in the face you need. He takes the Innerclock Systems Gridlock II—a chunky, no-nonsense timing hub—and puts it through its paces, syncing everything from ancient ARPs to modern USB synths with clockwork precision. Expect sarcasm, real-world gripes, and a proper teardown of why DAW MIDI clocks just don’t cut it. Starsky’s trademark clarity and relentless honesty make this a must-watch for anyone tired of MIDI drift, jitter, and the eternal battle to keep their gear in line. Plug in, tune up, and

ARP Odyssey, Arturia PolyBrute, Innerclock Systems Gridlock II, Moog Prodigy, Oberheim OB-X8, Roland Juno-60, Roland ProMars, Roland TR-909, Sequential OB-6, Sequential Prophet-5, Waldorf Microwave XT

19. December 2025

SPARKY

Doctor Mix

Doctor Mix Unboxes the Studiologic SL88 GT MK2: Flagship Keys, No Nonsense

Doctor Mix is back in the bunker, this time with the Studiologic SL88 GT MK2—a master keyboard that’s got more tech under the bonnet than your average spaceship. If you’re after a controller that can handle both the studio grind and the live stage chaos, this 88-key heavyweight might just be your new weapon of choice. Expect Fatar’s latest keybed, a shiny new interface, and enough MIDI muscle to keep even the pickiest DAW in check. Doctor Mix’s signature enthusiasm is on full display, but don’t let the hype distract you—this slab of keys means business. Dive in for a

Studiologic SL88 GT MK2

19. December 2025

SPARKY

Alex Ball

Alex Ball’s VP-550 Rave Resurrection: Still a Sonic Street Weapon?

Alex Ball, maestro of vintage synths and cinematic grooves, drags the Roland VP-550 out of the 2006 time capsule and onto the slab for a proper inspection. Is this 20-year-old vocal mangler still a secret weapon, or just another relic gathering dust? Expect a deep dive into its choir-morphing, vocoder-twisting madness, with Alex’s signature storytelling and hands-on jams. If you think old gear can’t slap, think again – this one might just surprise you. Read on for the verdict, but trust us: the real magic is in the sounds you’ll only catch in the video.

Roland VP-550

19. December 2025

RILEY

Jameson Nathan Jones

Jameson Nathan Jones Drops the DAW Truth: Why Your Tracks Need Some Human Mess

Ever feel like your DAW beats are missing that secret sauce? Jameson Nathan Jones, the synth wizard who probably eats pancakes at midnight, is here to spill the beans. In his latest video, he breaks down why programmed music often falls flat compared to live jams—and how you can flip the script with a few clever moves. If you’re tired of your tracks sounding like a robot with a caffeine addiction, this one’s for you. Expect real talk, streetwise hacks, and a vibe that’s more late-night diner than stuffy conservatory.

Cubase

19. December 2025

TAS

Free Beat

Free Beat Unleashes the SP-404MKII DJ Mode: More Than Just Decks and Drops

Ever thought DJ mode on the Roland SP-404MKII was just for wannabe club spinners? Think again, mate! Free Beat, our favourite groove wrangler, dives headfirst into DJ mode for the first time and discovers it’s a performance playground wilder than a kangaroo on a Red Bull bender. With cue mixing, crossfading, and some cheeky pitch bending, this video flips the script on what DJ mode can do. Grab your sunnies and get ready for a wild ride—this isn’t your average DJ tutorial, and Free Beat’s practical, hands-on style makes it a must-watch for anyone keen to squeeze every drop out

Roland SP-404MKII

19. December 2025

RILEY

Andrew Huang

Andrew Huang’s 2025 Plugin Power List: Streetwise Picks and Studio Slaps

Andrew Huang is back with his annual Top 10 Plugins rundown, and you know it’s gonna be a wild ride. Forget dry specs and sales pitches—this is all about what actually slaps in the studio, from vintage synth flavors to plugins that’ll spin your head in 3D. Andrew’s style is playful, genre-hopping, and always about getting you making music fast, not fiddling with menus. If you want the lowdown on which new tools are worth your hard-earned cash (and which ones just make you sound cooler), you’re in the right spot. Grab a cheap beer, put your headphones on, and

Fraction, Halo 3D Pan, Serum 2, Temperance Pro, Valhalla FutureVerb

19. December 2025

LYRA

Novation

Novation Launchpad Pro: Humanizing Drum Beats with Digital Precision

Novation’s Launchpad Pro steps into the spotlight as a powerful MIDI controller aimed at transforming static, grid-locked drum patterns into vibrant, humanized grooves. In this official walkthrough, Novation’s own Dylan demonstrates five practical techniques for injecting life and nuance into your beats—no DAW menu-diving required. The video is a hands-on showcase of how swing, velocity, layering, and scene chaining can elevate your workflow, all within the Launchpad Pro’s sequencer. For producers seeking to move beyond robotic MIDI drums, this is a deep dive into the architecture and performance tools that make the Launchpad Pro a compelling centerpiece for electronic music

Novation Launchpad Pro

19. December 2025

LYRA

Arturia

Arturia Pigments 7: IDM Explorations Expansion Dissected

Arturia’s Pigments 7 steps into the IDM arena with a new expansion, and the official channel delivers a focused breakdown of its creative potential. Guided by Alex, the video walks us through evolving keys, modal textures, punchy basses, and glitch-driven FX—all crafted using the latest preset pack. As expected from Arturia, the presentation is clear and workflow-oriented, highlighting not just the sounds but also the macro controls and layering possibilities. For anyone interested in how digital engines and performance macros shape modern production, this is a revealing look at Pigments 7’s architectural depth.

Arturia Pigments 7

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