Synthmagazine | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

14. September 2026

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

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

MILES

Expert Sleepers

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

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.

Expert Sleepers disting NT

13. September 2026

SPARKY

CROW HILL

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

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.

Hammond Organ, Leslie Speaker, Sira Spring Reverb System

13. September 2026

SPARKY

David Hilowitz Music

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

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.

M-VAVE FM-1, mate tracker, Yamaha DX7

13. September 2026

SPARKY

Sanjay C

Six MIDI Keyboards Enter, Only One Survives: Sanjay C’s 2026 Mini Controller Showdown

Sanjay C lines up the hottest crop of mini MIDI keyboards for 2026 and pushes every button—literally. From the Akai MPK Mini MK4’s punchy pads to the Arturia MiniLab 3’s buttery keys, this is a no-holds-barred shootout. Expect sharp opinions, DAW integration smackdowns, and a few underdog surprises (Bluetooth, anyone?). Forget marketing fluff—here it’s all about what actually slaps in the studio.

Akai MPK Mini MK4, Arturia MiniLab 3, Arturia MiniLab 37, M-Audio Oxygen Pro Mini, M-Vave SMK-25 MK2, Native Instruments M32, Novation FLkey 2 Mini, Novation Launchkey Mini mk4

13. September 2026

RILEY

Verysickbeats

Verysickbeats Proves Old Gear Still Smacks: SP-303 vs SP-404MKII Beat Session

If you think you need shiny new gear to drop heat, think again. Verysickbeats steps up with the classic SP-303 and the slick SP-404MKII, showing how old-school flavor and modern workflow can cook up fire beats together. This isn’t spec-sheet worship—it’s all about vibe, grit, and using what’s on your dusty shelf. Whether you’re a bedroom rookie or a seasoned beat chef, this session is full of streetwise tricks, wild textures, and enough inspiration to make you dig out that forgotten sampler. Grab your headphones and let’s get grimy.

Roland SP-303, Roland SP-404MKII

12. September 2026

MILES

Expert Sleepers

Expert Sleepers Disting NT: Layering Evolves with Temporal Freeze

Expert Sleepers’ Disting NT has always been a multifaceted Swiss Army knife for the Eurorack crowd, but firmware v1.16 takes things further with a notable upgrade to the Temporal Freeze algorithm. Layering is now in the spotlight, allowing users to stack audio within a single voice and sculpt textures that range from subtle to dense. This official video walks through the new features, from fade parameters to pedal-style control, giving us a glimpse at how these additions might shape real-world modular setups. As ever, it’s a typically practical and cleverly understated move from the Expert Sleepers team.

Expert Sleepers disting NT

12. September 2026

SPARKY

AudioPilz

AudioPilz vs Yamaha AN1x: Blue Box Mayhem in the Bad Gear Bunker

AudioPilz finally drags the Yamaha AN1x out of its 90s crypt for a no-mercy Bad Gear grilling. Expect memes, conspiracy theories, and some seriously spicy synth banter. Is this blue slab a forgotten rave weapon or just another plastic artefact from a lost era? Hold tight for scenes, morphs and a whole load of snark. This isn’t your dad’s synth review.

Yamaha AN1x, Yamaha AN200, Yamaha Reface CS

11. September 2026

MILES

Allgemein

Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II: How Much Sampler Fits into 128 MB?

The Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II combines sampling, sequencing and performance in an unusually compact format. How far do 128 MB of memory, Song Mode, resampling, Punch-in FX and variable sample rates go in practice? This feature assesses the current firmware, workflow and key limits—from full songs to deliberately used lo-fi sound.

Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II

11. September 2026

LYRA

Novation

Architecting Performances: Novation Launch Control and Ableton Live Macro Workflows

Novation’s Launch Control steps into the spotlight as a hands-on bridge between Ableton Live’s macro architecture and real-world performance needs. In this official walkthrough, we see how macro mappings and custom modes turn drum racks, synths, and sequencers into tactile instruments, enabling fluid transitions between tweaking, balancing, and creative exploration. Novation’s practical, artist-focused ethos shines through as the video moves from basic mappings to a streamlined custom mode, all while keeping performance flow and mix integrity front and center. This video is a must-watch for anyone seeking an efficient, consistent mapping strategy in hybrid or DAW-centric setups.

Ableton Live, Drift, Novation Launch Control, Sting 2

« 1 … 15 16 17 18 19 … 276 »