23. April 2024

LYRA

Arturia AstroLab in the Hands of Kerri Chandler: A Performance Keyboard for the Hybrid Age

© Picture: Arturia (YouTube)

Arturia AstroLab in the Hands of Kerri Chandler: A Performance Keyboard for the Hybrid Age

Arturia’s AstroLab steps into the spotlight as a next-generation performance keyboard, and who better to put it through its paces than house music luminary Kerri Chandler? In this official Arturia feature, Chandler explores how AstroLab bridges analog warmth and digital flexibility, all without the need for a computer tether. The video dives into the keyboard’s tactile keybed, innovative chord button, and streamlined layering workflow, revealing how these features empower Chandler’s creative process both in the studio and on stage. For those curious about how digital architecture meets hands-on performance, this is a revealing look at AstroLab’s ambitions—and the real-world workflows

Joranalogue Audio Design: Patch Experiments with On-Grid Random Gates

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Joranalogue Audio Design: Patch Experiments with On-Grid Random Gates

Randomness is all well and good, but in modular, chaos without a clock is just anarchy. In this latest Joranalogue Audio Design video, Simon dives into the art of generating random gates that remain obediently tethered to your rhythmic grid. Using a backbone of classic Joranalogue modules—Orbit 3, Compare 2, and Step 8—he demonstrates how to wrangle chaos and probability into musically useful, quantized triggers. If you’ve ever wondered how to inject controlled unpredictability into your patches, this is a deep, patch-oriented exploration that’s sure to inspire both seasoned Eurorack heads and curious tinkerers alike.

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20. April 2024

LYRA

Isla Instruments S2400 DSP Card: Plug-in Power and Digital Mixing for a Classic Sampler

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Isla Instruments S2400 DSP Card: Plug-in Power and Digital Mixing for a Classic Sampler

Isla Instruments, renowned for their S2400 sampler’s blend of vintage grit and modern workflow, now ups the ante with a dedicated DSP card upgrade. This official video dives into the architecture, workflow, and sonic capabilities of the new card, which brings industry-standard plug-in support, real-time effects, and a digital mixing console to the S2400. We break down how Isla’s approach goes beyond the typical afterthought FX, focusing on integration, flexibility, and performance. If you’re curious about how a hardware sampler can morph into a plug-in powerhouse without losing its character, this is essential viewing.

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13. April 2024

MILES

Modor Music’s DR-2 OS012: Rumble, Filters and a Smarter Drum Machine

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Modor Music’s DR-2 OS012: Rumble, Filters and a Smarter Drum Machine

Modor Music, the Belgian champions of digital drum design, are back with a firmware update that’s more than just a bug fix. The DR-2’s OS012 upgrade introduces a trio of new drum models—each with its own twist on sound sculpting—and a parametric EQ stage that promises to make your kicks punchier and your hats snappier. In this official walkthrough, Modor’s Marcel demonstrates how these features push the DR-2 further into creative territory, blending club-ready rumble with surgical frequency shaping. For those who like their beats synthetic but hands-on, this update is worth a closer look.

11. April 2024

MILES

MAKEN0ISE Spectrophone: Subterranean Grooves from Chaos to Control

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MAKEN0ISE Spectrophone: Subterranean Grooves from Chaos to Control

Descending into Make Noise’s signature netherworld, this video is a deep dive into the Spectrophone—a synthesizer that thrives on chaos, noise, and intricate groove construction. The official Make Noise channel, always one for avant-garde patching and creative modulation, demonstrates how the Spectrophone can morph static textures into dynamic, evolving soundscapes. Expect a patch-oriented walkthrough: from kick drum patterns that blur into toms, to ghostly melodies and modulated noise, all stitched together with clever sequencing and modulation. If you’re after inspiration for wrangling wild voltages into musical forms, this is a journey worth following.

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11. April 2024

LYRA

Arturia AstroLab & Analog Lab: Seamless Integration for Modern Stage and Studio Workflows

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Arturia AstroLab & Analog Lab: Seamless Integration for Modern Stage and Studio Workflows

Arturia’s AstroLab isn’t just another stage keyboard—it’s a hybrid powerhouse designed for musicians who demand both depth and immediacy. In this official tutorial, Arturia demonstrates how AstroLab and Analog Lab unite to create a tightly integrated ecosystem, letting users mirror sounds, manage libraries, and edit presets across hardware and software. The video walks through the linking process, preset management, and the nuanced workflow advantages this pairing brings to both live and studio environments. For those obsessed with sound architecture and performance prep, this is a glimpse into how digital integration can actually enhance creative flow.

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10. April 2024

LYRA

Arturia AstroLab: A Digital Stage Keyboard Ecosystem for the Modern Performer

© Picture: Arturia (YouTube)

Arturia AstroLab: A Digital Stage Keyboard Ecosystem for the Modern Performer

Arturia steps boldly into the stage keyboard arena with AstroLab, a 61-key instrument that fuses their deep software heritage with hardware performance. In this official overview, Matt Paull walks us through AstroLab’s architecture: from its curated library of over 1,300 presets—sourced from Arturia’s own award-winning synths—to its multi-layered sound design, macro controls, and live-oriented workflow. The video leans into AstroLab’s performance DNA, showing how its connectivity, effects, and navigation are engineered for seamless transitions between studio and stage. If you’re curious about how Arturia translates its virtual instrument pedigree into a hands-on, gig-ready keyboard, this is a must-watch (and a

Joranalogue Audio Design’s STEP 8: One Sequencer, Many Voices – A Patch Walkthrough

© Picture: Joranalogue Audio Design (YouTube)

Joranalogue Audio Design’s STEP 8: One Sequencer, Many Voices – A Patch Walkthrough

Joranalogue Audio Design, known for their precision Eurorack modules, present a deep-dive into the STEP 8 sequencer’s ability to drive multiple voices from a single melodic source. In this walkthrough, Simon demonstrates how STEP 8 isn’t just a sequencer but a versatile hub for melodic invention, randomization, and creative CV mixing. The video explores how to extract, transpose, and route CV to create evolving melodies and basslines, all from one sequence. If you’re looking to squeeze more musicality from fewer modules, this patching technique might just inspire your next modular session.

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5. April 2024

LYRA

RolandChannel Unveils SP-404MKII v4.04: Workflow Upgrades for the Modern Beatmaker

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RolandChannel Unveils SP-404MKII v4.04: Workflow Upgrades for the Modern Beatmaker

RolandChannel returns with a deep dive into the SP-404MKII v4.04 update, targeting beatmakers and live performers hungry for new creative tools. This official walkthrough, led by PJ Bridger, highlights how Roland’s iterative approach—driven by user feedback—translates into tangible workflow improvements. From loop capture inspired by classic Roland gear to seamless integration with the Koala Sampler app, the update is positioned as a major step forward for both standalone and hybrid setups. If you’re curious about how digital sampling architectures evolve to meet real-world demands, this video is a must-watch.

5. April 2024

MILES

4ms Company Catalyst Controller: Macro Control in the Modular Realm

© Picture: 4ms Company (YouTube)

4ms Company Catalyst Controller: Macro Control in the Modular Realm

The Catalyst Controller from 4ms Company lands squarely in the territory of hands-on, voltage-driven modular control. As a macro controller with eight independent channels, it’s designed to bring tactile, scene-based manipulation to Eurorack rigs—whether you’re shaping pitch, modulating effects, or orchestrating complex voltage morphs. In this in-depth demo, 4ms’s practical, educational approach shines through, with clear patch examples and a focus on real-world workflows. If you’re curious about how macro control can transform your patching, this video is a thorough, patch-oriented tour of the Catalyst Controller’s capabilities.