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.

25. January 2026

Free Beat Unleashes the Polyend Synth 2.0 Update: Dirty, Quick, and Still Not Quite There

Polyend’s Synth just got a shot of adrenaline with the 2.0 update, and Free Beat is on the case. The new DIRT engine promises filthier sound design, and scene switching finally gets a speed boost—if you’re into pad mashing. But don’t get too hyped: there’s still a gaping hole where MIDI scene switching should be, and some gnarly internal clipping could ruin your rave bunker dreams. Free Beat’s practical, hands-on style slices through the fluff, showing off the new tricks while calling out the flaws. If you want the real dirt (pun intended), this is the breakdown you need.

Polyend Synth

25. January 2026

SPARKY

Woody Piano Shack

Woody Piano Shack’s PO-12 Review: The Cheapest Drum Machine That Actually Slaps

Woody Piano Shack dives headfirst into the world of budget beatboxes with the Teenage Engineering PO-12, a drum machine so tiny you might lose it in your hoodie pocket. Don’t let the toy-like looks fool you—this thing packs a punch, and Woody’s not shy about calling out both its quirks and its killer features. If you’re after a no-BS take on whether a £40 slab of circuit board can hold its own in a rave bunker, this is the review you need. Expect sharp wit, honest gripes, and a few surprises from a creator who’s usually allergic to TE hype.

Teenage Engineering PO-12

25. January 2026

SPARKY

Vulture Culture

Vulture Culture’s Leviasynth: Bass That Punches, Leads That Sing

If you think you’ve heard every synth bass and lead under the sun, Vulture Culture’s latest Leviasynth showcase is here to slap you awake. This isn’t your average preset parade—expect chest-thumping FM basses and leads so expressive they’ll make your vintage Moog jealous. Vulture Culture slices through over 500 presets, cherry-picking the filthiest, fattest, and most musical patches, all while flexing Leviasynth’s wild modulation and filter tricks. If you want sounds that hit like a riot in a rave bunker, this video is your new blueprint.

Leviasynth

25. January 2026

LUMINA

Syntaur

Syntaur Illuminates: Suzanne Ciani’s Seven Waves—A Sonic Tidal Memory

Step into the shimmering world of Suzanne Ciani, where each note is a tide and every patch a constellation. In this poetic reflection, Syntaur invites us to drift through the creation of ‘Seven Waves,’ Ciani’s landmark debut—a meeting of classical roots and electronic innovation. The Buchla breathes, rhythms slow to a lunar crawl, and sound becomes sanctuary. With Syntaur’s signature reverence for analog magic, we glimpse the emotional undertow and technical artistry behind Ciani’s dreamlike soundscapes. This is not just a story of gear, but of waves—of memory, space, and the joy of returning home to one’s own voice.

Buchla, Roland MC-4, Roland MC-8, Vocoder

25. January 2026

SPARKY

Bonedo Synthesizers

Bonedo Synthesizers Unleash the Roland TR-1000: Analog Thunder Returns

Bonedo Synthesizers have dropped the straight facts at NAMM 2026, putting the Roland TR-1000 through its paces with zero fluff and all punch. If you thought Roland had forgotten how to make a real analog drum machine, think again—this box is their first analog beast in four decades, and it’s not here to play nice. Expect classic 808 and 909 hits, digital circuit-bending chaos, and some modern tricks that’ll make your DAW sweat. No talking heads, just raw sound and ruthless demo action. If you want to know if this thing slaps, keep reading—because Bonedo’s demo doesn’t mess about.

Roland TR-1000

25. January 2026

MILES

MAKEN0ISE

Make Noise Unveils the Universal Skiff System: Polyphony and MIDI in a Compact Modular Format

Make Noise, the Asheville-based vanguard of Eurorack experimentation, has announced the New Universal Skiff System (N.U.S.S.), a compact modular setup designed for multi-channel synthesis and polyphonic adventures. This system brings together a curated selection of Make Noise modules, including MultiWAVE, PoliMATHS, QXG, MultiMod, QPAS, and XOH, all powered by a newly engineered 2-Zone Bus Board. With integrated USB-C MIDI and MPE support, the Universal Skiff System aims to bridge the gap between modular and DAW workflows. For those wanting to roll their own, the N.U.S.S. Bundle offers the core modules separately, while the upgraded power solution promises cleaner, more reliable

2-Zone Bus Board, Multimod, MultiWAVE, MultiWAVE MIDI Inlet, PoliMATHS, QPAS, QXG, XOH

24. January 2026

SPARKY

Sanjay C

NAMM 2026: Sanjay C’s Sonic Street Weapon Roundup

NAMM 2026 just dropped a metric tonne of new gear, and Sanjay C is on the ground, dodging cables and hype to bring us the filthiest, freshest kit in the game. From OLED-drenched Nords to FM synths that morph like a rave in a blender, this is a highlight reel for anyone who likes their music tech with a side of chaos. Sanjay’s signature style is all over this—fast, friendly, and not afraid to call out the duds. If you want to know what’s about to invade your studio and what’s just NAMM floor noise, strap in. This isn’t your

ASM La Viya, Fender Motion 16, Fender Motion 32, Korg Micro Audio 22, Korg Micro Audio 722, Nord Electro 7

24. January 2026

TAS

Sam Gutman

Sam Gutman at NAMM 2026: Synths Gone Walkabout

Strap yourself in, mates—Sam Gutman’s NAMM 2026 roundup is a wild ride through the synth jungle, where tradition gets tossed out like a burnt snag at a bush BBQ. With his educator’s eye and a knack for sniffing out the oddballs, Sam dives headfirst into a showcase of gear that’s as unpredictable as Melbourne’s weather. From biofeedback gadgets that make mushrooms sing to synths that look like video games, this is no ordinary stroll through the keyboard aisle. If you’re after gear that’ll survive a dust storm and still turn heads at your next warehouse rave, you’ll want to see

3D Physics Synthesizer, ASM Leviasynth, Korg Phase 8, Pocket Scion

24. January 2026

SPARKY

Starsky Carr

Starsky Carr Takes Beyerdynamic Headphone Lab for a Spin: Flat or Flop?

Starsky Carr, the synth world’s straight-talking gear guru, dives headfirst into Beyerdynamic’s new Headphone Lab software—a tool promising to flatten your cans and teleport you into a pro control room. He’s not just twiddling virtual knobs; he’s pitting four classic Beyerdynamic models against each other to see if this software can really turn budget headphones into studio heavyweights. Expect honest opinions, a few sonic curveballs, and the kind of practical insight only Starsky delivers. If you mix on headphones and want to know if this is the next must-have, buckle up—this is no sales pitch.

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII, Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro, Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X, Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X, Beyerdynamic Headphone Lab

24. January 2026

JET

AudioPilz

AudioPilz vs. Waldorf Microwave XT: Orange Fury Unleashed

AudioPilz is back with another episode of Bad Gear, and this time he’s got his hands on the Waldorf Microwave XT—a synth that’s as orange as a traffic cone and twice as likely to cause a scene. Forget polite, beige workstations: this is a digital beast from 1998, dripping with attitude and ready to mangle your mix. Expect a proper AudioPilz roasting, some sharp technical digs, and a few laughs at the expense of synth snobbery. If you like your gear with a side of chaos and a dash of nostalgia, this one’s for you.

Waldorf Microwave XT

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