20. December 2025

SPARKY

AudioPilz vs. Moog Messenger: Santa’s Synth Sack Just Got Lighter

© Picture: AudioPilz (YouTube)

AudioPilz vs. Moog Messenger: Santa’s Synth Sack Just Got Lighter

AudioPilz is back with another festive roast, and this time the Moog Messenger is on the chopping block. Forget the Christmas wish list—this synth is the kind of self-gift that’ll have Santa shaking his head. With his signature blend of meme-fuelled banter and sharp technical jabs, AudioPilz slices through the Messenger’s plastic shell to see if there’s any real Moog magic inside. If you’re eyeing up a new mono for your bunker, read on before you torch your holiday budget. Spoiler: not every synth with a fancy logo gets a free pass.

20. December 2025

TAS

Blairy’s Beatlab Unleashes the Hydrasynth: A Dream Machine for Sonic Daredevils

© Picture: Blairy's Beatlab (YouTube)

Blairy’s Beatlab Unleashes the Hydrasynth: A Dream Machine for Sonic Daredevils

Strap in, mates! Old Uncle Blairy from Blairy’s Beatlab is back, and this time he’s wrangling the Hydrasynth like a kangaroo on a synth bender. If you’ve ever wanted to sculpt soundscapes that shimmer, morph, and punch you in the eardrums, this video’s your ticket. With a laid-back, no-nonsense style, Blairy dives deep into textural patch creation, wild modulation tricks, and a jam session that’ll have you itching to fire up your own gear. Whether you’re a sound design rookie or a seasoned knob-twiddler, this one’s got enough grit and inspiration to survive any outback rave.

20. December 2025

LYRA

ROLI Airwave: 10 Wild Workflows for Expressive Control

© Picture: ROLI (YouTube)

ROLI Airwave: 10 Wild Workflows for Expressive Control

ROLI, the London-based pioneers of expressive music tech, are back with the Airwave—a controller that promises to push MIDI expression into uncharted territory. In this official video, Sam Gutman demonstrates ten inventive ways the Airwave can transform keyboard performance, sound design, and even modular synth workflows. From gestural plugin control to dynamic audio processing and arpeggiator wizardry, the Airwave is positioned as a bridge between tactile play and digital flexibility. The presentation is packed with workflow ideas, a community challenge, and even a hint at exclusive features for ROLI’s Platinum members. Let’s break down what’s actually shown—and what it means

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20. December 2025

JET

Secret Cinema’s Techno Chaos: MusicRadar Tech Gets Raw in Amsterdam

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Secret Cinema’s Techno Chaos: MusicRadar Tech Gets Raw in Amsterdam

Ever wondered what happens when you lock a Dutch techno legend in a brand new studio packed with hardware and software, then let him loose? MusicRadar Tech’s latest archive drop is a front-row seat to Jeroen Verheij—aka Secret Cinema—building a track from scratch. Expect modular mayhem, digital dirt, and enough randomisation to make your DAW sweat. If you like your techno unpredictable and your gear list longer than a dodgy pub receipt, this one’s for you. But trust me, the real magic is in watching Jeroen wrangle chaos into club-ready hypnosis—words barely do it justice.

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19. December 2025

SPARKY

Devin Belanger Unleashes the Sequential FOURM: Prophet Power in a Pint-Sized Package

© Picture: Devin Belanger (YouTube)

Devin Belanger Unleashes the Sequential FOURM: Prophet Power in a Pint-Sized Package

Rain-soaked Vancouver, a fresh Sequential FOURM on the doorstep, and Devin Belanger (aka Miles Away) ready to tear into it—this is not your average synth unboxing. Devin’s no stranger to classic Prophet tones, but the FOURM promises those iconic sounds in a smaller, poly-aftertouch-equipped beast. If you’re after a synth that can snarl, shimmer, and maybe even out-Blade-Runner your wallet, Devin’s first hours with the FOURM are a must-watch. Expect brass pads, modulation madness, and a few honest jabs at four-voice limitations. Don’t blink—this one moves fast.

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19. December 2025

LUMINA

Martin Stürtzer’s Sonic Cartography: Mapping Dub Techno’s Echo System

© Picture: Martin Stürtzer (YouTube)

Martin Stürtzer’s Sonic Cartography: Mapping Dub Techno’s Echo System

Step into the vapor-lit corridors of Martin Stürtzer’s studio, where Dub Techno is less a genre and more a living, breathing ecosystem. In this walkthrough, Stürtzer guides us through the creation of “Echo System,” weaving together Ableton Live’s digital bones with the spectral warmth of analog synths. Each sound is a drifting island, each chord a ripple in a boundless sea of resonance. This is not just a production tutorial—it’s an invitation to inhabit the spaces between beats, to feel the magnetic pull of texture and time. Prepare to lose yourself in a landscape where every note is a story,

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19. December 2025

SPARKY

Starsky Carr’s Gridlock II Review: MIDI Mayhem, Sorted

© Picture: Starsky Carr (YouTube)

Starsky Carr’s Gridlock II Review: MIDI Mayhem, Sorted

If your studio timing is as tight as a soggy biscuit, Starsky Carr’s latest deep-dive is the slap in the face you need. He takes the Innerclock Systems Gridlock II—a chunky, no-nonsense timing hub—and puts it through its paces, syncing everything from ancient ARPs to modern USB synths with clockwork precision. Expect sarcasm, real-world gripes, and a proper teardown of why DAW MIDI clocks just don’t cut it. Starsky’s trademark clarity and relentless honesty make this a must-watch for anyone tired of MIDI drift, jitter, and the eternal battle to keep their gear in line. Plug in, tune up, and

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19. December 2025

SPARKY

Doctor Mix Unboxes the Studiologic SL88 GT MK2: Flagship Keys, No Nonsense

© Picture: Doctor Mix (YouTube)

Doctor Mix Unboxes the Studiologic SL88 GT MK2: Flagship Keys, No Nonsense

Doctor Mix is back in the bunker, this time with the Studiologic SL88 GT MK2—a master keyboard that’s got more tech under the bonnet than your average spaceship. If you’re after a controller that can handle both the studio grind and the live stage chaos, this 88-key heavyweight might just be your new weapon of choice. Expect Fatar’s latest keybed, a shiny new interface, and enough MIDI muscle to keep even the pickiest DAW in check. Doctor Mix’s signature enthusiasm is on full display, but don’t let the hype distract you—this slab of keys means business. Dive in for a

19. December 2025

SPARKY

Alex Ball’s VP-550 Rave Resurrection: Still a Sonic Street Weapon?

© Picture: Alex Ball (YouTube)

Alex Ball’s VP-550 Rave Resurrection: Still a Sonic Street Weapon?

Alex Ball, maestro of vintage synths and cinematic grooves, drags the Roland VP-550 out of the 2006 time capsule and onto the slab for a proper inspection. Is this 20-year-old vocal mangler still a secret weapon, or just another relic gathering dust? Expect a deep dive into its choir-morphing, vocoder-twisting madness, with Alex’s signature storytelling and hands-on jams. If you think old gear can’t slap, think again – this one might just surprise you. Read on for the verdict, but trust us: the real magic is in the sounds you’ll only catch in the video.

19. December 2025

RILEY

Jameson Nathan Jones Drops the DAW Truth: Why Your Tracks Need Some Human Mess

© Picture: Jameson Nathan Jones (YouTube)

Jameson Nathan Jones Drops the DAW Truth: Why Your Tracks Need Some Human Mess

Ever feel like your DAW beats are missing that secret sauce? Jameson Nathan Jones, the synth wizard who probably eats pancakes at midnight, is here to spill the beans. In his latest video, he breaks down why programmed music often falls flat compared to live jams—and how you can flip the script with a few clever moves. If you’re tired of your tracks sounding like a robot with a caffeine addiction, this one’s for you. Expect real talk, streetwise hacks, and a vibe that’s more late-night diner than stuffy conservatory.