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14. January 2026

Roland MC-707: Free Beat’s Luxe Groovebox Weapon

Forget your pocket change—today we’re talking about Free Beat’s favourite bit of expensive kit, the Roland MC-707. Known for his practical, workflow-driven approach, Free Beat usually keeps it budget, but this time he’s flexing the big guns. The MC-707 isn’t just another pricey lump of plastic; it’s a groovebox that punches way above its weight, offering a ridiculous combo of sound, control, and live performance muscle. If you think all premium gear is just for show-offs, this video might just change your mind. Dive in for a taste of what makes the MC-707 a true rave bunker essential.

Roland MC-707

14. January 2026

SPARKY

Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech

Waldorf Protein: Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech Serve Up a Digital Street Weapon

If you thought affordable synths were all plastic and no punch, think again. Andertons Synths, Keys and Tech just dropped a hands-on with the Waldorf Protein—a polyphonic wavetable beast that’s got more vintage attitude than a warehouse rave at 4am. Jack Duxbury dives in, twisting knobs and pushing presets, showing off a box that’s equal parts nostalgia and modern muscle. If you’re after crunchy digital tones without the boutique price tag, this one might just slap. But don’t take my word for it—this is a synth you need to hear in action.

Waldorf Protein

13. January 2026

SPARKY

Liam Killen

Digitakt II vs Analog Rytm MKII: Liam Killen Throws Down the Elektron Gauntlet

Liam Killen’s back in the bunker, pitting Elektron’s Digitakt II against the Analog Rytm MKII in a no-holds-barred drum machine showdown. If you’re still wondering which box deserves your precious desk space, Liam’s got the answers—well, sort of. Expect a rapid-fire breakdown of features, workflow quirks, and those all-important sonic flavours. He doesn’t pick a clear winner (because context is king), but he does slice through the hype with his trademark clarity. If you’re after a straight-up, hands-on comparison with plenty of groove and zero fluff, this is the one to watch.

Elektron Analog Rytm MKII, Elektron Digitakt II

13. January 2026

LUMINA

Metamyther

Metamyther & Russell Wedelich: Sculpting Sonic Nebulae with Eventide

Step into the magnetic resonance of Metamyther’s latest interview, where sound is not merely processed but sculpted into living, breathing atmospheres. Here, Eventide CTO Russell Wedelich reveals the secret cartography behind the effects that haunt our pedalboards and DAWs—the H90, H9000, and more. Through Metamyther’s cinematic lens, we drift through tales of granular delays, algorithmic alchemy, and the delicate dance between math and musicality. This is not just a conversation—it’s a journey through the fog and fractured light of audio innovation, where every filter and grain is a story waiting to be told.

Eventide H90, Eventide H9000, Eventide Space, Eventide Temperance

13. January 2026

SPARKY

Espen Kraft

Espen Kraft’s Pitch Bump Brass: Five Synths, One Fat Attack

Ready to slap your tracks with that classic 80s synth brass punch? Espen Kraft dives into the world of pitch bump attacks, showing off how five different synths can deliver that unmistakable smack. If you think all brass patches are born equal, think again—Espen’s got tricks up his sleeve and envelopes to tweak. Expect a no-fluff, hands-on tour through pitch envelopes, detuned oscillators, and some tasty hardware flexing. This isn’t just another preset scroll—get ready for a synth brass bootcamp, Kraft-style.

Arturia Jupiter-8, Arturia OP-XA V, Arturia Prophet 5, OB-Xd, PG-8X VST, Roland Jupiter-8, Roland JX-8P

13. January 2026

LUMINA

Voltage Labs

Voltage Labs: Sonic Ghosts and the Birth of Trip Hop

In the fog-laced streets of Bristol, a new sound once drifted—part memory, part magnetic resonance. Voltage Labs, with their signature blend of documentary depth and visual storytelling, guides us through the spectral origins of trip hop, where genres dissolve and atmosphere reigns. This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a meditation on how music becomes a shared instinct, a language of slow rhythms and deep textures. Prepare to step inside a world where beats exhale fractured light and every note is a haunted echo of the city that birthed it.

Ableton Live Suite, Akai MPC Studio, Arturia Audiofuse 16 Rig, Arturia CS80 VST, Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro MKII, Buchla Easel Command 208c, Deckards Dream MKII, Elektron Octatrack, Korg Nano Kontrol 2, MAM ADX1, Moog Grandmother, Nord Drum 3P, Roland TR8S

13. January 2026

SPARKY

Molten Music Technology

Molten Music Technology’s Oberheim TEO-5: Analog Goo in a Plastic Shell

If you think five voices is a joke in 2024, think again. Molten Music Technology drags the Oberheim TEO-5 out of the synth picnic and into the spotlight, showing why this slab of analog warmth keeps stealing the show from shinier, pricier boxes. Robin Vincent’s hands-on, no-fluff approach slices through the hype and gets right to the sticky, treacle-thick sound that’s got synth nerds drooling. If you want to know what makes this synth more than just a pretty face (spoiler: it’s not the pinstripes), strap in. This is analog done right, and you’ll want to hear it for yourself.

Oberheim Teo-5

13. January 2026

SPARKY

Underdog Electronic Music School

Underdog Electronic Music School: Semi-Modular – Your Gateway Drug to Eurorack Mayhem

Thinking of jumping into the modular synth rabbit hole but don’t fancy selling a kidney? Underdog Electronic Music School’s latest video slices through the confusion with a no-nonsense look at why semi-modular gear is the ultimate first hit for aspiring patch-heads. Oscar’s got the Moog DFAM, Intellijel Plonk, and XAOC Sarajewo delay all lined up, showing how a few clever connections can turn a simple groovebox into a rave bunker. If you’re tired of reading manuals and want to see real-world patching that actually slaps, this one’s for you.

Intellijel Plonk, Moog DFAM, XAOC Sarajewo

12. January 2026

SPARKY

The Unperson

The Unperson Unleashes the Korg Poly-800: Cheap, Cheeky, and Still a Street Weapon

If you think vintage synths are all museum pieces and wallet-busters, think again. The Unperson dives into the Korg Poly-800—a synth that crashed the 80s party with paraphonic swagger and a price tag that didn’t require selling a kidney. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip; it’s a hands-on, no-DAW, all-hardware jam that shows what happens when you push a plastic legend to its limits. Expect quirky programming, factory sounds that punch above their weight, and a performance that proves you don’t need a laptop to fill a rave bunker. The Poly-800: underrated? You bet. Boring? Not a chance.

Korg Poly-800

12. January 2026

RILEY

Bthelick

Bthelick Flips the Script: Jamback’s ‘Positive’ in Five Keys—Major Vibes, Minor Moves

Ever wondered what happens when you take a tech house banger and run it through five different keys? Bthelick, the groove scientist with a knack for breaking down dance tracks, just went full mad scientist on Jamback’s ‘Positive.’ This video isn’t just a theory lesson—it’s a vibe rollercoaster, showing how a single note swap can flip your mood like a cheap burger joint flips patties. If you’re into practical beatmaking hacks and want to hear how major, minor, and their weird cousins mess with your head, you’ll want to catch this ride. Spoiler: some things you gotta hear to believe.

Ableton Live

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