Rite of the Oracle is coming 12/5

video upload by Eternal Research

"KCRW & Eternal Research present Rite of the Oracle. This one of a kind event is headlined by renowned singer-songwriter Zola Jesus in a rare solo performance on piano and voice. Co-headliner, Fierra Ex Machina will premiere Rite of the Oracle, a story of ancient and modern visionary women who meet across space and time, told through immersive, multidisciplinary modern dance, and live scored by the ensemble with bespoke electro-acoustic instruments. The evening opens with a solo performance by the enchanting harpist, Nailah Hunter.

Renowned darkwave and experimental electronic artist Zola Jesus headlines the evening with an intimate fusion of solo piano orchestrations, haunting operatic vocals, and raw, cathartic energy. Known for exploring the boundaries of human emotion, dark textures, and cinematic soundscapes, her live performance anchors a night dedicated to the transcendent and unseen, and embodies the spirit of women connecting through their voices across time.

Fierra Ex Machina performs live alongside an immersive multidisciplinary dance piece created by musician Alexandra Fierra and choreographer Lauren Auyeung. A synesthetic retelling of ancient prophetic visions through live-scored music, movement, and film, Rite of the Oracle invites the audience into a visceral conversation with the unseen and unheard made vividly audible and visibl

e. Driving the sonic landscape is The Demon Box—Eternal Research’s flagship instrument, serving as the primary electronic catalyst by capturing ambient electromagnetic fields and translating this invisible energy into live audio and driving modular synthesis. Operating in dialogue with this central hardware is a suite of custom-built, handcrafted instruments—including the polyphonic Demon Harp, the melismatic Demon Viola, and the ghostly Demon Bells forged from repurposed artillery shells. Combined with motion-reactive live projection and audio-reactive lighting, the performance amplifies the timeless conversation between ear and instrument, the aether and ourselves.

Opening the ceremony is Los Angeles-based composer, vocalist, harpist, and multi-instrumentalist Nailah Hunter. Blending ethereal harp arpeggios, lush ambient synthesis, and mystical world-building, Hunter’s soothing yet uncanny compositions set an enchanting, contemplative foundation for the evening.

Following 4 sold out performances in Los Angeles, New York City (2x), and San Francisco, Rite of the Oracle is Eternal Research’s most dynamic show yet, melding impassioned voices with cutting-edge transmedia and instrumentation to offer the key to the Oracle of Delphi’s origin: the powers of embodied vision. Stay in touch with the latest Eternal Research events and instruments by following @eternalresearchmusic on Instagram or visiting eternalresearch.com."

FL Pad: Novation - ADC26

video upload by sonicstate

"Alex from Novation showed us FL Pad at Audio Dev 26, a 64-pad hardware controller for FL Studio. The controller uses a familiar Launchpad-style layout, but the focus here is direct integration with FL Studio, where dedicated hardware control is relatively limited.

The pad grid includes a sequencer view with four tracks visible at once. In the demo, kicks, snares and hi-hats are entered directly from the controller, with additional channel-rack navigation available from the hardware. A 16-step loop can be cloned to the next 16 steps, creating a 32-step pattern for adding variation. The sequencer also scales further, with support for expanded track/step access as needed.

Step editing is available by holding a step to enter graph edit mode. Parameters include velocity, panning, repeats and ratchets. The controller operates as a plug-and-play FL Studio device, and the unit is available now. More Info: https://novationmusic.com"

Don Buchla & the Electric Symphony Orchestra: An Evening of Stories and Performances with Howard Moscovitz - LIVESTREAM

This one is in via Todd Barton

via MMT

"Join us as Howard Moscovitz shares first-hand stories from his time working with Don Buchla in the early 1970s. In 1972, Howard had just received his masters degree in electronic music from Mills College, which had become the new home of the San Francisco Tape Music Center where Buchla developed his new modular synthesizer in the late 1960s. That same year, Don Buchla was hired as the “Technical Wizard” for the Electronic Symphony Orchestra, a pioneering and highly experimental effort to combine custom modular synthesizers with traditional orchestral instruments. Howard joined Don’s team as an electronics technician to help with the project.

The Electric Symphony Orchestra was essentially an attempt to electronically amplify and distort all of the traditional acoustic instruments in an orchestra. Howard will present his own very amusing firsthand accounts of Don’s efforts to “electrify” a traditional symphony orchestra and the somewhat disastrous outcome of those efforts, which culminated in a single infamous performance in Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall later that year.

The Buchla Machine
As part of his presentation, Howard will also present and discuss several historical artifacts from his own collection that he has generously placed on loan at EMEAPP. One of these is "The Buchla Machine," a simple yet fascinating distortion amplifier made with the first commercially available transistor. Don told Howard that The Buchla Machine was the first circuit he ever built, which of course makes it a very interesting object. But the way Howard came to possess it is even more interesting — and he will share that story as well.

Howard's tales offer a unique first-hand perspective on Buchla’s way of inventing and interacting with people during what is a very little-known time in Don's career (actual factual information on the Electric Symphony Orchestra and Buchla's work with it is very hard to come by). This presentation offers a rare chance to hear firsthand about a very special time in the history of electronic music.

Throughout the evening, Howard's stories will be interspersed with performances of new music played on some Buchla instruments, including new and vintage Music Easels as well as a software version of the Buchla 700. Howard will introduce his new Balsam synthesizer, a contemporary homage to Buchla’s instruments made in Durham, North Carolina. The musicians that will join Howard for the performances include Jil Christensen, Bill Fox, Joel Izquierdo, Doug Llewellyn, and Jared Stack.

There is no registration fee but donations are encouraged and gratefully received."

https://tickets.themmt.org/events/mmt/2301094

Butterfly in the Skylab: An Evening with Reading Rainbow Composer Steve Horelick

This one is in via Todd Barton

via MMT

"Composer Steve Horelick presents an evening of conversation and live performance centered on the creation of the iconic Reading Rainbow theme song, 'Butterfly in the Sky.' While Steve composed the music for all 155 episodes of the PBS series Reading Rainbow, this presentation focuses specifically on the theme—its origins, structure, and the role Buchla instruments played in shaping its sound. Steve will break down his compositional process and share insights into how the piece evolved from early electronic sketches into one of the most recognizable themes in children’s television.

The talk will be followed by a quadraphonic, live improvised performance using Steve’s Buchla Easel and 200e Skylab systems. Before performing, Steve will walk the audience through his setup and discuss how he integrates classic Buchla modules with modern digital tools, including contemporary DAW workflows. Video projections by PYXL8R will accompany Steve's performance.

There is no registration fee but donations are encouraged and gratefully received."

https://tickets.themmt.org/events/mmt/2300024

Upcoming at MMT

video upload by Todd Barton

"Two great livestreams coming up at the Museum Of Music Technology.

Howard Moscovitz & Friends livestream link: https://tickets.themmt.org/events/mmt...

Steve Horelick livestream link: https://tickets.themmt.org/events/mmt...

More livestream links for future talks/concerts https://tickets.themmt.org/events/mmt

And more about MMT and EMEAPP https://themmt.org/ https://emeapp.org/"

Also see His Instrument Gave Me Wings: An Evening with Suzanne Ciani and Her Buchla

His Instrument Gave Me Wings: An Evening with Suzanne Ciani and Her Buchla

This one was sent my way via Todd Barton.

Suzanne Ciani will be performing live at the Museum of Music Technology in Harleysville, PA. The concert will actually be livestreamed for free. If you are in the area you can purchase tickets to attend. You can find full details on the event here.

"Suzanne Ciani, a groundbreaking composer and performer who got her start by building Buchla’s instruments in the 1960s and eventually became one of the world's foremost Buchla artists, brings her unique voice and history to this exhibition.

After receiving her master's degree in composition at UC Berkeley, where she collaborated with John Chowning and Max Matthews, Ciani began working with synthesizer designer Don Buchla in the early 1970s. Using a Buchla Analog Modular Synthesizer, she founded her own company, Ciani/Musica, and created iconic sounds for commercials for Coca-Cola, Merrill Lynch, AT&T, and General Electric. In 1981 she became the first woman to score a major full-length Hollywood release with Lily Tomlin's The Incredible Shrinking Woman. She went on to release a series of albums blending electronic and acoustic instruments, earning five Grammy nominations. She was the first woman to receive the Moog Innovation Award in 2017, and her life and work were the subject of the documentary A Life in Waves. Today she performs solo quadraphonic Buchla concerts, bringing her work full circle to its experimental electronic roots.

This event offers a rare chance to see Ciani perform and speak in a small intimate venue."

See the event pages (in person, livestream) for additional details.

SynthFest 2026: First Time at the UK's Biggest Synth Event (Sheffield UK)

video upload by Music Tech Info and Cyber Monday

https://www.synthfest.co.uk/

Noesis // Chamber of Circuits

video upload by Erica Synths

"A performance of Noesis by Latvian composer Anna Fišere, written for eight performers and fourteen synthesizers, bringing together musicians from Latvia's classical and electronic music scenes.

Inspired by Plato's concept of noesis - the highest form of knowledge achieved through direct, intuitive understanding - the composition challenges the boundaries between academic and electronic music. Combining contemporary composition techniques with the chamber orchestra format and electronic instruments, Noesis examines the relationship between human intuition and the algorithmic precision of machines.

Developed in close collaboration with Erica Synths, the piece brings together analogue, digital and modular synthesizers, using repetition, modulation and spectral harmonies to create an evolving musical structure.

Performers of Noesis: Rihards Plešanovs, Reinis Rabenau, Sonja Misiņa, Kaspars Tobis, Ansels Kaugers, Error, Madara Ozoliņa, Edgars Tomševics, conductor Artūrs Gailis.

Set design: Artūrs Virtmanis.

Produced by the cultural organisation Artes Liberales.

Read an interview with composer Anna Fišere: https://garage.ericasynths.lv/article..."

Pre-Show Walkabout - Beijing Modular 26

video upload by sonicstate

"Nick was given a pre-show tour of the Modular Commune 2026 event in Beijing by organisers Tami X and *Alex*, covering the performance spaces, expo areas, workshops and immersive audio setup.

The event is now in its third international edition and has grown well beyond its earlier scale, now running across three days, with performances, masterclasses, an expo and afterparties. The expo spans two floors, with around 90 exhibitors, including overseas modular companies, Chinese distributors, factories and more than 20 local indie developers. The event is free to attend, and indie developer tables are provided free.

We'll be bringing you video event coverage, Nick will be filming as much as he can over the course of the show, and Patreon & YouTube members will have access to his daily video China Diaries.

More Info: https://modularcommune.com/"

See the Modular Commune label below for additional posts.

BLOOP GROOP: HANG, JAM, PLAY #20 in Dublin, Ireland

"Sunday's Bloop Groop HANG JAM PLAY in The Digital Hub, Dublin 8 is gonna be deadly, we got loads of electronic music sets of all genres from new and seasoned Bloop Groopers, with loads of time to hang out, chat, talk about gear and make new pals.

PLUS a masterclass from synth expert / educator Éanna Cunnane + techno legend Andrew Sneyd AKA Gint - they're bringing us 'Buchla, What the Fuchla?'

They'll take a humorous but honest look at the Buchla history and design philosophy: what makes it great, what’ll bug you about it, and why Buchla-inspired west coast synthesis deserves a place in your sonic toolbox. With demos of the Buchla 200 and Music Easel, you’ll also get to hear the gear in action.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Pre-Show Floor Tour - Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo 26

video upload by sonicstate

"Our intrepid reporter Matt took an early walk around Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo as exhibitors were still setting up, giving a first look at the layout before the main coverage began. The event coveres synths, drum machines, pedals, guitars, modular gear and related accessories across several rooms.

The event is headphones-only, so each stand can be auditioned without the usual show-floor volume buildup. Some exhibitors also offer purchasing options and show discounts."

Befaco - ARK Presentation Party

video upload by Befacosynth

"ARK is a music production computer where algorithms, chance, and signals converge in a single creative workspace.

A 16-track canvas where you can place CV generators, drum voices, synth voices, and different types of samplers, including drum players, slicers, and granular samplers.

At its core is a powerful composition system built around scales, chords, and harmonic relationships. Build progressions, generate melodies, and develop musical ideas that stay connected to the harmonic context of your track.

Create evolving chord progressions. Generate melodies that follow them. Introduce chance, variation, and algorithms without losing the musical structure underneath.

Be prepared to rethink your system."

Roland Celebrates Grand Opening of U.S. Flagship Store in New York City

Press release follows:

Roland Corporation CEO Masahiro Minowa and Roland Americas CEO Manuele Barbini joined artists including DJ Jazzy Jeff, Mdou Moctar, Prince Paul, and more to officially open Roland Store New York City in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District

NEW YORK, NY, October 13, 2026 — Roland Corporation, a global leader in electronic musical instruments and music technology, celebrated the grand opening of Roland Store New York City, the company’s first standalone retail location in the United States. The invitation-only opening celebration at 414 West 14th Street brought together artists, industry leaders, media, business partners, and special guests for an evening of live performances, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, and a first look at the new destination, which brings Roland, BOSS, and Drum Workshop (DW) together under one roof.

Masahiro Minowa, CEO and Representative Director of Roland Corporation, and Manuele Barbini, CEO of Roland Americas, led the evening’s welcome and ribbon cutting, officially opening the store and marking the latest milestone in Roland’s The Future. Redefined. Then. Now. Next. campaign. Originally introduced during the 2016 The Future. Redefined. global launch event, the Roland Aerophone and BOSS Katana products celebrate their 10th anniversaries this year, marking a decade of innovation that has expanded creative possibilities for wind players and guitarists alike. Special anniversary editions of both instrument lines are showcased at the store, with the anniversary Katana models available for purchase exclusively at Roland’s flagship stores in New York City, London, and Tokyo.

“New York has long been a place where new sounds, ideas, and creative movements take shape, and tonight we were proud to officially make it home to Roland’s U.S. flagship store,” said Minowa. “Roland has always been committed to pushing music forward, and celebrating this opening alongside so many talented artists is the spirit we hope this store will share with musicians and creators for years to come.”

“Tonight was about the musicians and creators who make New York such an important part of the global music community,” said Barbini. “Seeing artists bring the store to life on its first night shows exactly what we built this space for: a place where musicians, producers, and creators can explore the latest DW, Roland, and BOSS innovations, connect with our team, and be part of a new creative hub for the city.”

CLICK FOR MORE »

SYNTHFEST UK Set for 24th October 2026, THE OCTAGON, SHEFFIELD

via https://www.synthfest.co.uk

"SynthFest UK takes place in Sheffield and has been created by Sound On Sound magazine to give companies of all sizes an opportunity to showcase their synth products in front of the public in what promises to be a great day out for all musicians, whether a pro, semi-pro or hobbyist.

Come and see Keyboards - Desktop Synths - Modular - Software Synths and much more.

The Octagon Centre, Clarkson Street, Sheffield, S10 2TQ (Next to the University of Sheffield Student Union building) The Octagon is a wheelchair friendly venue."

See https://www.synthfest.co.uk for addtional details and a list of exhibitors.

And a quick teaser from Analogue Solutions:

Analogue Solutions at SynthFest UK 2026 | See You in Sheffield!
video upload by Analogue Solutions

"Come and make some noise with Analogue Solutions at SynthFest UK 2026!

We’re heading to The Octagon in Sheffield. Come along, say hello, talk synths with us and experience our analogue instruments in person. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

📅 Saturday 24 October 2026
🕥 10:30am–6:00pm (UK time)
📍 The Octagon Centre
Clarkson Street
Sheffield, S10 2TQ
United Kingdom

The venue is next to the University of Sheffield Students’ Union and is wheelchair accessible.

SynthFest UK is a Sound On Sound event in partnership with Sheffield’s Sensoria Festival of Music, Film and Digital Media."

Bob Moog Foundation Announces “From the Source” Session 1 Livestream with Dave Rossum

via The Bob Moog Foundation

"New interactive series launches October 24 with synthesizer pioneer Dave Rossum in a live, audience-driven conversation moderated by Marcus Ryle

As the Bob Moog Foundation continues its 20th anniversary celebration, we are excited to announce From the Source: Live Conversations with Iconic Music Innovators, a new series of exclusive livestream events connecting audiences directly with the innovators who have helped shape the sound of modern music.

Designed in an “Ask Me Anything”-style format, From the Source puts audience questions at the center of the conversation. Synth enthusiasts, musicians, composers, engineers, and music fans are invited to join these intimate events and hear influential designers, engineers, musicians, and other innovators respond directly to questions about their work, experiences, and contributions to music technology.

The inaugural From the Source session will feature legendary synthesizer pioneer Dave Rossum, with fellow music technology innovator Marcus Ryle moderating and guiding the conversation. The event will take place Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET in a private Zoom session limited to 100 participants.

Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance when purchasing their tickets. Advance questions will be provided to Ryle before the event and will help shape the conversation. Additional questions may be taken during the live session as time allows."

Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo Returns with Over 100 Brands to Discover - October ‎17–18

video upload by Sanjay C

Video from last year's show above.

Press release follows:

"BROOKLYN, NY — The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo, perhaps the biggest East Coast event dedicated to electric and electronic gear for musicians with over 100 brands on display, returns to Greenpoint on October ‎17–18, transforming a 7,000-square-foot warehouse into an immersive playground for music creators.

Presented in partnership with the legendary synth store Three Wave Music and local up-and-coming guitar shop Tonewolf, the Expo offers a strictly in-the-headphones experience — letting attendees demo the latest synthesizers, effects pedals, and modular gear from over 100 brands in a noise-friendly environment.

Nestled in one of Brooklyn's most vibrant musical corridors, the show is expected to draw more about 2,000 visitors, a mix of musicians, producers, and gear enthusiasts.

"Intro to Synthesis" Workshops
This year, the Expo expands beyond its large exhibition floor with a new lineup of educational workshops focused on synthesis — from hands-on patch-building sessions to deep dives into modular workflows, led by working artists and builders. A schedule of the workshops will be announced soon.

CLICK FOR MORE »

NAESE Gives Synth Communities Free Space on the Expo Floor

Press release follows:

New complimentary Community Table program will give selected synth and electronic-music communities and educational programs expo-floor space alongside manufacturers, independent builders, and software developers at NAESE 2027.

CLEVELAND, Ohio, Sept. 22, 2026 — When the inaugural North American Electronic Sound Expo opens in Cleveland next April, some of the tables on its show floor won't belong to companies at all.

NAESE announced today that it will reserve a limited number of complimentary Community Tables for established synth and electronic-music communities and educational programs, giving selected groups a physical home inside the expo alongside hardware manufacturers, independent builders, software developers, performers, and educators.

Each participating group will receive a complimentary six-foot table on the NAESE show floor, plus two representative badges for the price of one. NAESE is setting aside a portion of its expo floor for community use free of charge.

CLICK FOR MORE »

"Instruments That Talk Back: Celebrating The Life and Legacy of Don Buchla" - Opening Saturday 9/19

video upload by EMEAPP

"This Saturday, September 19th, 2026, we launch our 7 month long exhibition "Instruments That Talk Back: Celebrating the Legacy of Don Buchla", made possible through generous support from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage!

We have 2 events during the day: "Yesterday's Future: Don Buchla's Legacy and The MEMS Project" from 1-5PM and "The Instrument That Started It All: Exploring The Buchla 100" featuring Steve Horelick and the MEMS Project, starting at 8PM.

Tickets and info on all the various events happening during the exhibition can be found at emeapp.org/buchla-exhibition or tickets.themmt.org and we'll see you when you get here!

#buchla #museum #exhibition #donbuchla #electronicmusic #analogsynthesizer #synthesizer #electronics #pioneer #exhibit #pewcenterforartsandheritage"

ARP-s & Beyond Event October 3 at synthCube!

via The Alan R Pearlman Foundation

"Join the ARP Foundation and the SynthCube community as we celebrate the culmination of the 2026 Artist-in-Residency of Kristina Warren!!!

Excited for this ARP-forward double-header next month at synthCube! All are welcome to attend one or both events on Saturday October 3 At 3pm, join us for a hands-on, exploratory workshop, "The Art of Rest," featuring ARPs and other synths, co-facilitated by Kristina Warren and Peter Edwards (Casper Electronics). Expect an interactive, sound-driven discussion.

At 7pm, join us for a performance featuring solos by Casper and Kristina, plus visuals by Defty D.

Expect a mesmerizing audiovisual journey $10-20 recommended per event, NOTAFLOF."

See https://synthcube.com/event-calendar/ for the address.

Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo Set for October ‎17–18

Press release follows:

BROOKLYN, NY — The Brooklyn Synth & Pedal Expo returns October ‎17–18, transforming a 7,000-square-foot Greenpoint warehouse into an immersive playground for electronic music creators.

Presented in partnership with the legendary Three Wave Music, the Expo offers a strictly in-the-headphones experience — letting attendees demo the latest synthesizers, effects pedals, and modular gear from over 100 brands in a noise-friendly environment.

Nestled in one of Brooklyn's most vibrant musical corridors, the show is expected to draw more about 2,000 visitors, a mix of musicians, producers, and gear enthusiasts.

"Intro to Synthesis" Workshops
This year, the Expo expands beyond its large exhibition floor with a new lineup of educational workshops focused on synthesis — from hands-on patch-building sessions to deep dives into modular workflows, led by working artists and builders. A schedule of the workshops will be announced soon.

CLICK FOR MORE »