Synthmagazine | Synth News, Gear & Sound Design

17. October 2026

teenage engineering OP–XY 1.2.0: Drumline, Dynamic Filter & USB Audio—A Firmware Update Worth the Wait

teenage engineering’s OP–XY just leapt forward with firmware update 1.2.0. This episode of Midnight Operations, filmed live in the NYC department store, walks through four major additions: the long-requested Drumline drum synth, a punchy new dynamic filter, long-awaited multi-channel USB audio routing, and a patch-level detune parameter. Jonas, the product owner, details how these features expand the OP–XY’s sound design palette and workflow, with live demos and honest talk about trade-offs. For digital groovebox fans and sound architects, this update is a big deal—and the video keeps it both playful and nerdy.

Teenage Engineering OP-XY, Teenage Engineering TX-6

17. October 2026

LYRA

teenage engineering

teenage engineering: Inside Douglas Carr’s DC Sound Pack for OP–XY

In this episode of Midnight Operations, Swedish songwriter and producer Douglas Carr unveils his DC sound pack for the OP–XY, bringing an extensive library of over 300 presets and 2000 samples to Teenage Engineering’s groovebox. Live from the NYC department store, Carr discusses his creative approach, blending classic samplers, analog synths, and unorthodox recording techniques. The demo dives into workflow, expressive controls, and the playful, gritty textures that make this collection unique. For OP–XY owners and sound design enthusiasts, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight.

DC sound pack, OP-XY

17. October 2026

LUMINA

CROW HILL

CROW HILL’s Forest Harps: Sonic Myths Woven from Bone and Shell

CROW HILL unearths Forest Harps, an instrument that blurs the line between relic and resonance. In this atmospheric walkthrough, we glide through the conch shell’s spiral and elk horn’s arc, where strings shimmer with the dust of ancient stories. CROW HILL’s poetic approach invites us to drift inside textures both grotesque and beautiful, where aleatoric tremors and spectral pads bloom like fungi after rain. The video beckons listeners to follow the unpredictable trails of tone and touch, where every note feels like an echo in a haunted forest.

Conch harp, Forest Harps, Leslie Cabinet, Lujin by Midifex, Sultry

17. October 2026

SPARKY

AudioPilz

AudioPilz vs. Yamaha Portasounds: Toys With Teeth

AudioPilz dives headfirst into the glorious underbelly of music tech with a no-prisoners look at Yamaha’s Portasound line. Forget safe nostalgia: here, we get decades of plastic chaos, accidental legends, and the odd design disaster, all shot through with AudioPilz’s trademark wit. If you think these are just toy keyboards, you’re in for a rude (and possibly funky) awakening. Pack your rave bunker – this is synth history on fast-forward.

Yamaha DJX, Yamaha Portasound PSR6700, Yamaha Portasound PSS-30, Yamaha Portasound PSS-380, Yamaha Portasound PSS-390, Yamaha Portasound PSS-470, Yamaha Portasound PSS-480, Yamaha Portasound PSS-570, Yamaha Portasound PSS-680, Yamaha Portasound PSS-780, Yamaha Portasound PSSF30, Yamaha Portasound VSS

16. October 2026

LYRA

Arturia

Arturia’s AstroLab: Classic Sounds, Modern Stage – Through Philippe Brodu’s Workflow

Arturia’s AstroLab takes the spotlight as Philippe Brodu unpacks his approach to recreating timeless synth sounds for live performance. In this official Arturia video, Brodu explores the intersection of tactile hardware and digital sound engines, showing how AstroLab and the V Collection bridge vintage character with modern workflow demands. Expect hands-on demonstrations, sound layering, deep vocoder moments, and honest reflections on why physical instruments endure even as AI reshapes the music landscape.

Arturia Astrolab, Arturia KeyLab, Arturia MatrixBrute, Arturia PolyBrute, Arturia V Collection, Arturia Vocoder V

16. October 2026

SPARKY

DivKid

DivKid Unleashes DYN: Punchy Eurorack Mayhem with Surreal Machines

If you think dynamics processing in Eurorack is just for polite studio boffins, DivKid is here to slap you awake. DYN, the new module from Timo Rozendal and Surreal Machines, is a stereo beast packing gate, transient designer, maximizer, limiter and a clipper—plus CV trickery for days. DivKid doesn’t just demo; he gets dirty, dragging everything from raw drums to drones through this digital rave bunker. If you want straight talk, big sounds and a few proper British digs at over-politeness, get stuck in.

DYN by Timo Rozendal & Surreal Machines

16. October 2026

SPARKY

The Unperson

The Unperson Chains Chaos: RYK Side FX Gets the Sparky Treatment

RYK Modular’s Side FX isn’t just another shiny face in the Eurorack crowd—it’s a multi-effects beast with attitude. The Unperson dives in, slicing through presets, mangling soundscapes, and showing why this module’s flexible routing and deep modulation are more than just modular marketing fluff. If you fancy your effects chains wild and your workflow immediate, this one might just make your rig sweat. But honestly, you’ll want to watch the video to hear how filthy this box can get.

Monumatic, OP-1, OxyOne, RYK Modular Side FX

16. October 2026

TAS

Captain Pikant

Captain Pikant Summons the Ghostbusters Beat: 80s Spookiness, Aussie-Style

If you’ve ever wanted to resurrect the iconic Ghostbusters groove but with a dash of modern magic (and a couple of digital cobwebs), Captain Pikant’s your bloke. In this video, Pikant—known for his snappy, info-packed demos—dives headfirst into the haunted swamp of 80s drum machines, layering, and cheeky sequencing tricks. Grab your Spectre Detector, because this one’s dripping with synth nostalgia, spooky percussion, and enough cowbell to keep the neighbours up all night. Don’t be surprised if you end up bopping around the backyard like a possum after too much Red Bull.

acidlab Bassline 3, Aly James Lab VProm 3, Arturia Keystep, Fender AM Pro II Jazzmaster Miami Blue Lefthand, LIN-9000 Cowbell, LinnDrum, Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol M32, Neural DSP Archetype Cory Wong X, Posessed Beatbunny Cowbell and Shaker, Simmons SDS-V, Squarp Hapax, VSDSX 2, Yamaha Revstar RSS-20 Swift Blue Lefthand

16. October 2026

SPARKY

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy

Nu-Trix The Synth Guy Schools Us: The Wild Ride of Synth Memory Management

Ever wondered why your ancient groovebox needs a backup strategy worthy of a rave bunker? Nu-Trix The Synth Guy dives headfirst into the chaotic evolution of synth memory—from scribbled patch sheets to SysEx dumps that could melt your DAW. Expect nostalgia, hard truths, and a compact but punchy tour through decades of sound-saving mischief. If you’ve ever feared losing your bangers to a dead battery or a dodgy SD card, this is your mandatory crash course—minus the fluffy history lesson.

Arturia MicroFreak, Arturia MiniFreak, Moog DFAM, Peavey rack mount synthesizer, Polyend Play Plus, Prophet 5, Roland JV-2080, Roland VP-9000, Yamaha DX7

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