Synthmagazine | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

30. August 2026

SpectreSoundStudios: Bogner Alchemist vs. JCM 800—Budget Riff Monster or Brand Name Faker?

What happens when you pit a $325 Chinese-built Bogner Alchemist against the holy-grail JCM 800? Glenn Fricker from SpectreSoundStudios goes deep, slices through the logo snobbery and forum nonsense, and cranks both amps in a no-holds-barred mix shootout. Expect honesty, sarcasm, and the kind of gear wisdom you only get from a guy who’s spent decades in the trenches. If you think cheap means weak, this one’s about to stomp your bias into the carpet.

Bogner Alchemist, Celestion Vintage 30, Marshall JCM 800, Marshall JVM

30. August 2026

SPARKY

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft’s Alpha Juno-2 Editor: No Nonsense, All Groove

If you love wrangling classic 80s hardware but hate menu-diving, Espen Kraft has cooked up a free web-based editor for the Roland Alpha Juno-2. With just a browser and a MIDI interface, you get real-time sound-shaping, bank management, and even a cheeky arpeggiator hack. Kraft’s approach is pure utility with a dash of fun—no hand-holding, just tools to get your synth screaming. Plug in, tweak hard, and explore the editor’s tricks before the next firmware update ruins your day.

Roland Alpha Juno 2

30. August 2026

RILEY

Verysickbeats

Verysickbeats Flips Vocals on Pads: Koala + SP‑404MKII Get ‘Fresh!’

Ever wanted to throw vocal stabs on your pads without a turntable? Verysickbeats’ JFilt just cracked the code, blending the Koala Sampler and SP‑404MKII for some raw, hands-on scratch vibes. Forget dusty vinyl—grab your mic, say “fresh” (or “ahh” if you’re thirsty), and let your sampler do the rest. This vid lays down the workflow so smooth even your little cousin could catch the groove. Dive in for a taste of that DIY beatmaker hustle.

Deckard (Koala Scratch Tool), Koala Sampler, SP‑404MKII

29. August 2026

LYRA

Akai Professional

Akai Professional’s MPC Sample: Chopping, Grooving, and Crafting Without Barriers

At Guitar Center’s LA BeatLab, Akai Professional’s Andy Mac presents a deep-dive into the MPC Sample, aiming to demystify beatmaking for those without a background in music theory. This session is all about accessible creativity, as Andy guides viewers through sample chopping, intuitive pad workflows, and performance tools that streamline the process from idea to finished beat. The focus stays firmly on hands-on control, user interface minimalism, and the flexible, experimentation-driven nature of the MPC Sample. For anyone curious about how modern Akai design translates to real-world workflows, this demonstration is a revealing look behind the pads.

Akai MPC Sample

29. August 2026

MILES

ALM TV

Creative Sound Harvesting with ALM – Inside ANNA Z & J.Manuel’s Modular Workflow

Berlin-based duo ANNA Z & J.Manuel open their studio doors for ALM TV, revealing a patch-based approach to modular synthesis that values exploration over perfection. With a setup in constant flux and a workflow built on sound harvesting and hardware experimentation, they showcase how ALM modules like Tyso Daiko and the MFX pedal fuel their sonic adventures. The result is a glimpse into a creative process where every day’s patch is a fresh journey and the only rule is that there are no rules.

ALM MFX pedal, ALM Tyso Daiko, Squid Salmple

29. August 2026

SPARKY

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy Spins Up the Super 606: Not Your Nan’s Drum Machine

If you thought iPad drum machines were all polite tap-tap affairs, Nu-Trix The Synth Guy is here to smash that illusion with AudioKit’s Super 606. This isn’t just another TR-606 clone – it’s a dual-windowed, effect-drenched groovebox for the modern rave bunker. Expect filter weirdness, MIDI wizardry, pattern chaos, and enough dirty analog flavour to keep your neighbours up all night. Ready for a deep dive that actually gets dirty? Good – because Nu-Trix doesn’t mess about.

Apple iPad, AudioKit Super 606

29. August 2026

LUMINA

CROW HILL

CROW HILL’s Alchemy: String Programming as Sonic Storytelling

Step with us into CROW HILL’s enigmatic workshop, where string samples shimmer, fracture, and bloom anew. This is not just a tutorial—it’s an invitation to sculpt orchestral soundscapes with breath and bravado. Here, strings are not merely voices; they are haunted corridors, nebula drones, and magnetic moments. Christian, drawing from decades of sonic exploration, shows us how to exhale fog and fractured light, weaving life into every note. A journey for those who yearn to make their string arrangements pulse, flicker, and haunt.

Arcane Strings, Glass Strings, Pocket Strings, Soothe, String Murmurations

28. August 2026

SPARKY

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy Gets Deep: Arturia Pure Sub—Not Just for Bass Addicts

Forget everything you know about sub-bass plugins—Nu-Trix The Synth Guy takes Arturia’s Pure Sub for a spin and finds it’s packing far more than just low-end rumble. This synth is a modular rave bunker in softsynth clothing, loaded with harmonic trickery and aggressive textures. Nu-Trix’s no-nonsense walkthrough slices through the interface, modulation mayhem, and FX madness, all with his signature clarity. If you thought sub synths were a one-trick pony, think again.

Arturia Pure Sub

28. August 2026

RILEY

L.Dre

L.Dre vs. The Algorithm: How to Survive in an AI-Flooded Lo-Fi World

AI is swarming the lo-fi scene like pigeons at a hot dog stand, but L.Dre’s here to show us how to keep the real beats bumping. In this video breakdown, he lays out why your human touch still matters and drops practical, streetwise tips to keep your tracks from sinking in the sea of robotic chill. If you’re tired of soulless playlists and want to slap some personality back into your music, you’ll want to tune in. Spoiler: It’s not about having perfect chords—it’s about having a vibe the bots can’t steal.

Ableton Push, Key Bass, Lounge Lizard

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