Roland Future Design Lab and Neutone Advance Project LYDIA with Phase 2

video upload by matrixsynth



Press release follows:

AI‑powered neural sampling evolves into a more integrated, performance‑ready hardware concept, debuting at Superbooth Berlin

Berlin, Germany, May 7, 2026 — Roland Future Design Lab (Superbooth B023 & B026), the forward‑looking research division of Roland Corporation, and Tokyo-based AI music technology company Neutone today announced Project LYDIA Phase 2, a refined evolution of their experimental AI‑powered neural sampling pedal concept. Shaped by months of direct feedback from musicians, developers, and live performers, Phase 2 moves the project closer to a fully self‑contained, performance‑ready hardware platform.

Project LYDIA Phase 2 builds on the technology preview first unveiled in November 2025 and will make its public debut at Superbooth Berlin (May 7–9), offering attendees hands‑on access to the latest iteration.

Phase 2: Integrated, Performance‑Ready, and More Expressive

Responding directly to feedback gathered through live demos, industry showcases, and global surveys, Project LYDIA Phase 2 introduces several key hardware enhancements:

Refined hardware design with enhanced flexibility, supporting easier Raspberry Pi 5 installation and standalone USB MIDI controller operation
Fully integrated audio I/O, eliminating the need for an external USB audio interface
Onboard LCD display for clearer navigation and real‑time parameter feedback
User Preset memories for saving control settings and more
MIDI connectivity for deeper control, automation, and integration with existing studio and live rigs

A Feedback‑Led Approach to AI Hardware Design

Roland Future Design Lab partnered with Neutone to introduce Project LYDIA as an open, public‑facing experiment: exploring how neural sampling could be embodied in a tactile, musician‑centered hardware format. The initial prototype quickly generated strong interest from many corners, prompting extensive dialogue about workflow, control, and musical expressiveness.

“From the very first demos with professional audio developers through the overwhelming response from musicians worldwide, it was clear that Project LYDIA was resonating,” said Paul McCabe, LA‑based leader of Roland Future Design Lab. “That dialogue directly shaped Phase 2. This version reflects what creators told us they want from AI hardware in real musical contexts, while also bringing forward new ideas from our team.”

Rather than positioning AI as a replacement for musicianship, Project LYDIA emphasizes augmentation and control, allowing performers to interact with neural models in immediate, physical, and musically expressive ways. The familiar pedal format places AI processing into a workflow many musicians already trust, bringing transparency and tactility to technology often associated with screens and abstraction.

This feedback‑driven development aligns with Roland’s broader commitment to responsible AI innovation, as outlined by AI For Music, the initiative co‑founded by Roland and Universal Music Group to establish ethical principles for AI use in music creation.

Debuting at Superbooth and Beyond

Project LYDIA Phase 2 will debut publicly at Superbooth Berlin, followed by appearances at Audio Developers Conference Tokyo in early June and select additional events throughout 2026. RFDL and Neutone will continue gathering insights from creators both in person and online to inform future iterations of the project.

Music creators interested in learning more or contributing feedback can participate in a new survey here.

Windmill (Modular)

video upload by Dylan B.

"Quad Creek DIY Kits are back in stock!
Info and schematics on the 9V rack can be found here:
https://loess-labs.net/inst/modular/

Gear used:
Quad Creek
Double Knot
DIY 9V Modular
Wingie2
Korg SQ-1
DIY stereo mixer w/EQ
UCA222 Audio Interface"

TR-6oh6 announcement (Roland TR-606 upgrade)

video upload by Tubbutec

"TR-6oh6 is a CPU upgrade and MIDI interface for the Roland TR-606. It adds an improved sequencer, additional instruments, live performance features and MIDI."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Scott Lee of PAiA Has Passed Away

Some sad news in via Joshua.

Scott Lee of PAiA has passed away.

Left: Scott Lee via https://www.dignitymemorial.com

"Raised in Oklahoma City, Scott attended Putnam City Schools K-11, and graduated from Sausalito High School in CA. Following service in the U.S. Army, he parlayed his interests in engineering, music, and electronics into a life-long career with PAiA eventually becoming owner of the Paia Corporation."

And via PAiA:

"In Memorium - Scott Lee

MARCH 13, 1958 – APRIL 21, 2026

Scott Lee passed away with his family by his side on April 21, 2026. He loved PAiA and helping others follow their passion with music. He would appreciate if we all kept the PAiA legacy moving forward. Paia.com will temporarily remain offline as his son, Nathan Lee, works to get PAiA back to operation in any way he can.

We appreciate your understanding and stay tuned for more updates to come. We look forward to being in touch soon.

Scott Lee Obituary — Gladstone, MO
Feel free to comment and share memories."

On a personal note, the PAiA Fatman was the first DIY synth I built. Like many, Scott Lee and PAiA were my first forray into the world of synth DIY. I am thankful for the help he gave me getting my soldering chops going. He will be missed by so many in the community.

errorinstruments & This Is Not Rocket Science (TiNRS) SmartLab sounds machine prototype demo

video upload by errorinstruments paul tas

And an overview:

SmartLAB incredible machine prototype

video upload by errorinstruments paul tas

ETCHES | Soundscape Palette by Puremagnetik

video upload by Puremagnetik


via Puremagnetik

"Etches is a layered soundscape synthesizer. It's a palette for playing with sound, sketching melodic sections and building evolving tapestries. It moves between cinematic washes, percussive pizzicatos, and atmospheres worn smooth through ambient processing.

Inspired by live modular techniques, Etches is built upon classic synthesis and tape music traditions. Etches’s main engine includes a complex oscillator, a splice recorder and built in space processing.

We designed Etches to be performed. Every control is on the surface, and every gesture is audible the moment you make it. There are no traditional envelopes or filters here. You shape the timbre as you play.

Pick a root note and choose from twelve scales and modes and the pads stay locked to that key while you move. It's hard to play a wrong note, which means you can focus on phrasing instead of finger positions.

At the center is a monophonic voice generator and a splice recorder with overdub, so you can layer sounds into something bigger than individual patches. An internal LFO moves against each splice, modulating where the recording starts and ends. It's a behavior we first used in our LAPS and JOTS pedals. Around all of that: a tape-style delay, and a stereo space processor you can get lost in.

Etches Features:
• Four articulation pads that control contour, timbre-shaping and animation
• Musical overdrive with soft clipping
• 80-second multi-splice recorder for capturing ideas and layering sounds
• Stereo space processor with tape-style delay and a pristine reverb.
• Stereo output
• Runs on a standard Boss-style 9V power supply"

You can find a link to the manual and addtional details at Puremagnetik

GreyScale-KOSMOS2Controller4Voice #kosmos2 #touchosc

video upload by plantssystem

"KOSMOS2 Controller — shaping generative sound in real time.
XY pad for Density & Pitch, encoder for Speed, scale buttons for harmonic shifts, and a master fader for live dynamics.
A tactile interface that turns autonomous music into performance."

Circuit Bent Fisher Price Toy Piano 1988

video upload by NOYSTOISE

"This is a demo of some of the sounds this keyboard can make. More details about the mods can be found at www.noystoise.com"

Roland TR 606 / TR 608 / TR 808 Mod

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

This one was spotted and sent in via
M Me.

One was previously listed on Vemia.

"Modified Roland TR-606 / by Filippo Samore / TR-608 > as used by Hainbach on YT [posted here].
The TR-606 in 808 territory and beyond, with tuning, decay and tone mods.

' This Drummachine is on a another level and is a lot of fun (you become very creative) '

' The mod is high-quality and truly enhances the sound engine of the 606
without compromising its handy form factor. It is almost like a TR-808 now,
except maybe a little more interesting, because it is still a charmingly shuffling 606 at its core.'

Examples:
Visit the phunkydesk dot com Domain / > the files after the slash (/) are as follows:
608_BD.wav, Loop1.wav, Loop2.wav
(there is no distortion/overdrive or clipping converters!)

The main modification in this revisited classic is the complete redesign of the kick drum circuit
with a lot of borrowed technology from the 808!

+ Kick: Tune, env Control, tone and decay.
You can also send the kick through the second output separately!
+ The Kick can also have "almost infinite" decay

+ Snare: same borrowed technology from the 808 but with an improved decay length.
It gives access to tune, snappy and decay.

+ L.H Toms: Tune independent from each other and cuts out the annoying noise present in their circuit.

+ Hi-Hats: Tune and decay, separate for both open and closed hats


++ Original Roland TR 606 carrying case
++ Device is serviced (while Mod)

++ Device checked in endurance test
(Batteries or the 9V TR-606 power supply)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

ESP32-S3 PolySynth - Work in progress

video upload by Bad Dog Designs

"This is a fully functioning Polysynth using an ESP32-S3 to model the audio in real time, from an initial single Sine wavetable calculated on power up. The control panels for the oscillators and common controls all use CAN bus to communicate parameter changes to the audio engine - rather than wiring up a lot of IO, it just sends a message like 'Change oscillator 3 to Sawtooth'

Basic spec so far:

6 oscillators in 3 pairs that have Sine / Triangle / Saw / Pulse / Noise and Chaos waveforms. There are then independent wave folding modifiers and Sample and hold modifiers. Each oscillator pair can also be hard sync'd to it's partner for mono use, or FM modulated.

Common controls have ADRS envelope control, High / Low / Band pass filter with Envelope and tracking control. Ring modulator and Play mode selector for Unison / Duo / Poly. 2 re-triggerable LFO's with delay.

Currently working on the routing section that will allow pretty well anything to modulate anything else stored as separate routes - up to 12 routes can be applied at once. Then patch storage and recall, and hopefully some nice analogue FX at the end.

In the clip, all the audio is straight out the back of the DAC with no processing or FX."

MiracleDrone

video upload by Tim Kaiser

The sound of a toaster.

GOLDEN ORCHID - custom synth

video upload by Love Hultén

"Springtime is here, full bloom 🌸 This is Golden Orchid - my reimagination of the Orchid ORC-1 chord synth combined with a custom tape echo."

A Prophet-5 Style Stereo Filter: Thonk DOUBLE BUBBLE Demo

video upload by mylarmelodies

"A good ol' filter demo like it's 2008, except it's '26! Thonk's Double Bubble is a stereo Prophet 5-style "2040" DIY-kit filter (and VCO!) with crossmod and feedback capabilities that can make it go from classic to nuts.

Thonk hired me to demo this module in a video. Thanks Thonk! This thing really is a beaut (and their VCO is really good, myself and Divkid were playing with one the other day and it tracked the best part of 10 octaves)."

See the announcement post here.

Introducing Shadowbox by stretta

video upload by stretta

"Shadowbox is a lightweight Raspberry Pi runtime/control layer for RNBO patches: it runs on the Pi, discovers or connects to an RNBO runner, and provides a small hardware-oriented interface for viewing and adjusting patch parameters. In short, it turns a Pi into a self-contained, tactile RNBO instrument/controller box.

Shadowbox Github
https://github.com/stretta/Shadowbox"

Sequentix MKS-8E Envelope curves

video upload by sequentix

"Details of the new envelope features on our CPU upgrade for MKS-80
(Next time I'll try to pay more attention to focus and audio levels)"

Tubbutec Custom MIDI Controller

video upload by Tubbutec

"Design your own MIDI controller using our Designer tool - we will build it for you.

https://tubbutec.de/customcontroller/

Music: Neukölln Ensemble - Reaching Out

Up to 25 faders with LEDs
Up to 12 pots with various knob options
Up to 8 buttons with various color choices
Up to 20 LEDs to show button states, various shapes and sizes
Full color printed FR4 front panel
A layered architecture with up to 4 layers
MIDI input and output via TRS-A MIDI. Adapters to DIN are included
USB MIDI connection
MIDI router for USB, DIN and controller data allows the connection in multiple ways
Also works as a USB MIDI to TRS MIDI interface
Can be powered from a USB host or standard USB-C power supply
Powder coated sheet metal case 14 x 11.5 x 1.8cm, black
Easy configuration change via MIDI
Firmware update via USB"

New FREQY, EPILOGUE VCF, & Rong Mid modules by nonlinearcircuits

FREQY video upload by cirtcele

"Frequency Shifter without dome filters"

EPILOGUE VCF

video upload by cirtcele

"Low pass filter with some unusual feedback paths"

Rong Mid

video upload by

"Ming Rodulator with VC phase control"

Spark - A Portable Open-Source Synth (based on ESP-32 and AMY)

video upload by povle

"Meet Spark - a portable open-source synth running the AMY synth engine."

00:00 DX7
01:11 Sampler
02:09 Juno-106
03:23 BLE MIDI

https://github.com/povle/spark-synth

"Really wanted something OP-1 sized but more performance focused (and cheaper), so i made it myself. It runs on AMY, i've currently added the built-in patches and implemented a BLE MIDI keyboard mode, later will start adding my own instruments.

Originally planned to use korg nanokey2 as the keybed, but the feel was so bad that i had to switch to low-profile mechanical key switches.

Overall extremely happy with the result, especially given that it's my first big electronics project"

Tandberg instrumentation recorder controlling a synthesizer

video upload by A Radiophonic Shed

"This Tandberg Series 115 instrumentation recorder is a scientific logging device from the 1970s.
Voltage changes detected from scientific instruments are recorded as frequency-modulated signals to four separate tracks on ¼" magnetic tape. When the tape is played back for analysis, those same voltages can be examined - replaying the experiment.
Here we have recorded 1V/octave pitch voltages from a keyboard, and now we're replaying those same voltages into a modular synthesizer - all the sound is coming live from the synthesizer, it isn't an audio tape recording.

More details: https://shedsynth.wordpress.com/2026/..."

And a short video featuring the Tandberg as a VCO along with a full view of the front:

Tandberg 115 as a VCO – electronic music from old test equipment

video upload by A Radiophonic Shed

Supra brings Temporal Synthesis to the Masses!

video upload by Musical Miscellany & More

"A while back, I took a look at the Pet Rock temporal synthesis module. Supra is the follow up to that module. It produces different rhythms, CV, and melodies based on the passage of time. It actually pairs nicely with Pet Rock.

You can purchase one here: https://synthcube.com/supra-time-trav...

Intro - 0:00
Build - 1:10
Pet Rock Demo - 2:03
Supra Demo - 3:40
Final Thoughts - 10:01

Learn more here here: https://suprasynth.site

Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/musicalmisce..."

Introducing Supra (the Eurorack time travel playground - from the maker of Pet Rock)

video upload by Jonah Senzel

Time Travel CV Playground
A new Eurorack module from Jonah Senzel, creator of Pet Rock

Input & Output Jacks
The top of the module features eight jacks labeled for dual-hand control:
Left Hand in 1 & 2 (Top left)
Left Hand out 1 & 2 (Bottom left)
Right Hand in 1 & 2 (Top right)
Right Hand out 1 & 2 (Bottom right)
Core Controls
SWAP BUTTON: * Switches which hand you're viewing and controlling.
The other hand continues to run in the background.
Hold to place a new object in the current hand.
JOYSTICK: * Up, Down, Left, Right, and Click (Push In).
MENU: * Menu with extra features of current mode.
OPT: * Extra button for use in some modes.