12 synths, drum machines, FX & innovations you need to know from Superbooth 2025

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"For a few years now, Berlin’s Superbooth show has been a focal point for music technology gear announcements, but the 2025 iteration took this to another level. The sheer volume and variety of new music making gear on display in and around the FEZ event space was beyond anything we’ve seen in previous years.

MusicRadar was on the ground to test everything we could get our hands on. As the show drew to a close Managing Editor Si Truss, Reviews Editor Simon Arblaster and Tech Channel Editor Matt Mullen found a quiet corner in the woods to sit down for a roundtable (sans table) discussion about their highlights from the 2025 Superbooth show floor."

In this video:
Frap Tools Magnolia – 02:03
Korg Berlin Phase8 – 05:40
Moog Messenger – 09:07
Erica Synths HexDrums – 12:16
1010music Bento – 14:58
Novation Launch Control XL 3 – 17:20
Neuzeit Instruments Drop – 19:12
Cre8audio Boom Chick – 20:51
Clank Uranograph – 22:38
Eternal Research Demon Box – 25:10
Polyend Mess – 27:20
Instruō Seashell – 29:52
Honourable mentions – 32:01

MusicRadar Exclusive hands-on: Roland System-1m Plug-Out Synthesizer

Published on Jul 16, 2015 MusicRadar

Novation Launchpad for Ableton Live

YouTube via AbletonInc

"Launchpad is a dedicated controller for Ableton Live, co-developed by Novation and Ableton. Perfect for DJing, performing live or working in the studio, Launchpad features a multi-color, 64-button grid, control modes for the Session View and Live's mixer, two fully-programmable User Modes and dedicated scene-launch/function buttons. Despite the big grid, Launchpad is neat, compact and portable: 239 x 239 mm with a slim 24 mm profile and weighing only 717 g."

sent my way via hpsounds

Update:

Novation Launchpad Ableton Live controller hands-on

YouTube via musicradartv
"MusicRadar takes a first look at Novation's Launchpad: A brand new controller for Ableton Live. For more, visit www.musicradar.com"

Update:
Novation Launch Pad for Ableton (First Look)

YouTube via eangolden
"Dj TechTool's exclusive look at the new Launch pad, a joint creation from Ableton and Novation.
for more info and a full review please visit:
www.djtechtools.com [here]"
via Markkus in the comments.

Also see CDMs Q&A here.

Brett Domino on... Roland's Lucina AX-09 keytar

YouTube via musicradartv | July 08, 2010

"Brett Domino reviews Roland's Lucina AX-09 keytar exclusively for MusicRadar, taking inspiration from Herbie Hancock and Gerry Rafferty along the way. For more on the Lucina -- and more Brett Domino -- go to www.musicradar.com"

David 'Fingers' Haynes rocks a Korg NanoPad

YouTube via MusicRadar

"The world's best finger drummer (reckons MusicRadar) rocks a Korg NanoPad triggering Toontrack's Superior Drummer 2.0 at LIMS 2009"

MusicRadar's Korg monotron First Look video demo

YouTube via musicradartv — May 25, 2010 — "We hooked up the Korg monotron up to an iPhone, a keyboard and an electric guitar and put the pocket-sized analogue ribbon synth through its paces. Visit www.musicradar.com for more!"

Musikmesse: Reactable in action at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2009

YouTube via musicradartv
"Last MusicRadar heard, there were only two of these in the world - but now newly-formed company Reactable Systems is going to put the Reactivision-based Reactable into production."

Novation Peak Patches by BoBeats & Jogging House

via @WeAreNovation

"Two talented artists headline in our latest Peak Patches update.

@BoBeatsMusic releases his powerful FM synthesis explorations pack and @JoggingHouse showcases his laid back ambient grooves. Grab the new packs for free via components >>>"

See BoBeats' demo video here, and Jogging House's here.

"Bobeats is a Swedish music producer, sound designer and music-tech social media star known for his informative synth reviews and tutorials. He has designed soundscapes for several synthesizers, both software and hardware and was named as one of the top 5 music tech personalities in the world in 2017 by MusicRadar."

"Jogging House is Boris Potschubay. A synthesist and composer from Frankfurt, Germany, with a free approach of composition and a chill & sensual sound.

Loosely named after the German word for sweat pants, Jogging House' tracks are about taking things slow, but also doing the unexpected. Combining ambient soundscapes with laid-back grooves and countless little melodies & details.

Boris creates music that isn't related to a certain time or place but aims to explore feelings and moods through sound. Taking his listeners along the journey."

NAMM & NOT NAMM - New Products on the Synth Front

Well, it's that time of year again. Keep an eye out on the NAMM label (added to top right menu) for everything NAMM and more. More in that anything new will get the label whether it's shown at NAMM or not. It's about new gear. Updates in this post will be preceded in red. Some already in below. See "The NAMM List!" link under the Twitter, Facebook, and RSS labels on top of the right to get back to this post later.

(A note on the top site menus: I removed the iPhone and iPad labels as they go up in posts every day now so you can find them there. eBay links are on the right, so I removed it as well.)

That said, the following are some of the things to look out for. If you have any NAMM info feel free to comment and/or send it in. If I missed anything, let me know! If you are going to NAMM, feel free to send pics and video in.

On the list:

CLICK FOR MORE »

New Akai Pro Timbre Wolf Poly Analog Synth & Tom Cat Drum Machine

via MusicRadar

"The Timbre Wolf looks particularly bold: a 4-voice polyphonic synth that's set to retail for £300. It can be used as four monosynths, in 4-voice unison mode or as a 4-voice polysynth. Each voice has its own 32-step sequencer, and there's a full-size 25-note keyboard.

Tom Cat, meanwhile, offers kick, snare, hi-hat and clap sounds and chromatically-tunable disco toms. You can adjust the tuning, amplitude envelope and volume of each voice independently.

There are also six pads and a 32-step sequencer, along with swing, pattern select and tempo controls. It's said that you can 'dirty up' your beats using the 'Maul' circuitry. Tom Cat will sell for £150."

Arturia Introduces MiniFreak 6-voice Algorithmic Synthesizer

MiniFreak | Algorithmic Synthesizer | ARTURIA video upload by Arturia

Tutorials | MiniFreak - Overview

video upload by Arturia

"In this tutorial, take a tour through MiniFreak's features, hidden talents, and wild sounds, as Matt Pike gives you the lowdown on the 6-voice hybrid #polysynth that's out to break all the rules.

_CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:03 Presets Playing
02:27 Oscillators
03:40 Virtual Analog Engine
04:41 FM Engine
05:50 FM Modulation
07:04 Analog Filter
07:35 Modulation Matrix
10:13 Digital Effects
12:02 Sliders
13:30 Sequencer & Arpeggiator
14:51 Sound Edit & Utilities" Arturia MiniFreak: 5 things you need to know (+ no-talking sound demo)
video upload by MusicRadar Tech

Review: Arturia MiniFreak // vs MicroFreak // Everything covered, including almost all 256 presets

video upload by loopop

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:25 vs MicroFreak
6:30 Connectivity
7:35 Workflow
8:55 Osc controls
10:30 Osc 1 engines
14:05 Audio in
14:30 Oscillator 2
15:05 FM/RM
16:05 Digital filters
19:00 Destroy frog
19:50 Analog filter
21:30 Digital FX
25:40 Envelopes
27:45 LFOs
29:05 Waveshaping
30:20 LFO as env
30:40 Vibrato LFO
31:10 Mod matrix
34:00 Macros
34:55 Arpeggiator
38:10 Spice & dice
39:10 Sequencer
43:40 Automation
45:45 Voice modes
46:40 Paraphony
48:20 Chord & scale
48:44 Hidden gems
50:10 Pros & cons
53:50 Almost all 250 presets!

Arturia MiniFreak - First Look - Sonic LAB

video upload by sonicstate

"Today's the day for the big Arturia announcements - and the one we have most experience of is the new MiniFreak which is an expanded MicroFreak - (the Algorithmic Synthesizer with multiple oscillator types).

The MiniFreak doubles up the Oscillators to two - with 20 oscillator types on board, keeps the multi-mode analog filter and adds 3, quality, digital FX. It also has a physical 37 key keybed (short travel) with aftertouch. There's two control strips which can do pitch/mod or macro 1/2, each with four destinations or a sequencer/gate control for the on board sequencer.

It also comes with a free VST version MiniFreak V

We fully confess that we didn't get the time to do the full review in time for this deadline, but first impressions are pretty positive."

arturia minifreak performance

video upload by Red Means Recording Ambient

"first time performing with the arturia minifreak. this is the patch 'Trent's Pno' I made for the factory presets. this is also the last patch in my current house, as i will be moving. see you in november!"

@Arturia MiniFreak Introduction, Unboxing & Demo | No Talking
video upload by DKS SYNTH LAB

Priced at 599€ / $599, available today.

See the dealers on the right for availibility.

via Arturia

Arturia expands wild hybrid synth range with 6-voice MiniFreak

MiniFreak is a polyphonic hybrid keyboard that combines two digital sound engines with warm analog filters, playful modulation, spontaneous sequencing, and rich stereo effects for sounds that are immediately curious, beautiful, and chaotic in equal measure.

Hybrid polysynth power
MiniFreak’s twin digital sound engines feature over 20 modes, and can be used individually, stacked, or to process each other’s output for unique compound sonic behavior. Its digital voices then collide with analog filters, balancing digital crispness with a rich analog response, complete with 6-voice polyphony, 12-voice paraphony, monophonic, and unison configurations.

Customizable & experimental sound design
MiniFreak’s expanded modulation matrix gives users even more control over shaping, transforming, and evolving their sound, with features like polyphonic ADSR envelopes, customizable multi-segment LFO shapes, FM & Ring Modulation, and the familiar Spice & Dice randomization.

Mix-ready stereo sound
With stereo outputs and 3 digital FX slots with 10 FX types to choose from, users will have everything they need to push their sound over the edge while keeping it mix-ready, from stereo-enhancing chorus, to surgical 3-band EQ, to gritty distortion.

Expression, meet chaos
Despite its penchant for wild & exploratory sound design, MiniFreak is an instrument of expression. Its velocity-sensitive 37-note keybed with aftertouch and spontaneous Seq/Arp functionality makes it a dream to perform with, while its randomization features put playfulness first.

MiniFreak V
MiniFreak comes with a dedicated VST counterpart, letting users totally integrate its unique hybrid sound and presets into their DAW productions and vice versa. Using identical sound engines, modeled filters, presets, and totally synchronized controls, users can enjoy an identical experience in hardware or software form.

And the press pics.

Click on each to zoom in.

CLICK FOR MORE »

FIRST LOOK DEMO: Electro-Harmonix Stereo Talking Machine pedal

YouTube Uploaded by musicradartv on Jun 28, 2011

"Unveiled at NAMM 2011, the Electro-Harmonix Stereo Talking Machine is one of the most expressive and musical filter stompboxes that we've encountered to date.

To hear the pedal's various sounds in isolation and to check out the full spec, visit the official Electro-Harmonix website.

For the demo track in the video above, we recorded all of the guitar parts straight into GarageBand via POD Farm, with everything but the rhythm section processed by the Stereo Talking Machine. We added a little EQ and ambience but the core guitar sounds were all created using the pedal's preset sounds.

Visit MusicRadar.com for all of the latest product news, video demos and reviews."

Korg Electribe Sampler hands-on

Published on Jul 9, 2015 MusicRadar

"An all-in-one gig rig": Roland introduces the V-Stage at NAMM 2025

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"Roland has released plenty of stage pianos in the past, but the new V-Stage looks like something a little different. Indeed, it feels like Roland is parking its considerable tanks directly on Nord’s lawn with this one, right down to those red wooden end cheeks. We hit the Roland stand at the 2025 NAMM show to hear it in action."

A Brief History of Synthesizers by Soundfly

Soundfly

"This video is from our in-depth Advanced Synths and Patch Design course on Soundfly.com. Preview for free here: https://soundfly.com/courses/advanced...

About Soundfly
Soundfly helps curious musicians meet their goals with creative online courses. Whatever you want to learn, whenever you need to learn it — subscribe now to start learning on the ’Fly: https://soundfly.com/subscription

About the Course
Tired of presets? Need more complex and interesting-sounding patches in your productions? Or maybe you want to be able to figure out the sounds from other artists' tracks? Whether you're a producer looking to level up your sound design chops or just want to have some fun diving down a synth-fueled rabbit hole, this course is designed to help you craft better synth sounds.

Throughout this course, we’ll look at popular synths, sounds, and post-processing techniques to help you develop strategies for creating better sounds from the ground up. From epic house leads to snarling dubstep basses and vintage '80s keyboard sounds, we’ll show you how to create patches step by step. Along the way, we’ll explain concepts related to subtractive synthesis, wavetable synthesis, FM synthesis, and sampling. In the end, you'll have a better idea of what type of synth to reach for in a particular situation, understand the ins and outs of creating patches, how to program better parts, and make better sounds than you ever thought you could.

Ready to level-up your synth skills? Sign up now:
https://soundfly.com/courses/advanced...

Citations:
Elisha Gray - https://bit.ly/3kb0yAs
Telharmonium - https://www.popularmechanics.com/tech...
https://www.britannica.com/art/electr...
RCA Synthesizer - http://120years.net/the-rca-synthesis...
Harald Bode - http://120years.net/tag/harald-bode/
Microprocessor - https://computerhistory.org/blog/who-...
Sound Synthesis and Sampling by Martin Russ- https://books.google.com/books/about/...
Kurzweil K250 - http://www.vintagesynth.com/kurzweil/...
AKAI MPC60 - https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/...
http://www.vintagesynth.com/akai/mpc6...
http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/"

New Nanobox Mini Synths Coming from 1010Music

video upload by 1010music

Looks like the price will be $399 for each. Note the Line In for each for processing external gear. Curious if sampling will come to the lemondrop.

CLICK FOR MORE »

In The Studio with Public Service Broadcasting

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"Since releasing their debut album in 2013, British alt-rock outfit Public Service Broadcasting have attracted an ever-growing devoted fanbase drawn to their complex instrumental arrangements and distinctive use of archive recordings in place of traditional vocals.

Known for their concept-focused releases, the band are about to release their fourth album, The Last Flight, focused on the story of pioneering American aviator Amelia Earhart. Ahead of the release, we visited the band’s chief songwriter and producer J. Willgoose Esq. to take a tour of the band’s new South London studio space.

Public Service Broadcasting’s The Last Flight is out October 4 on SO Recordings
publicservicebroadcasting.net

In this video:
00:20 – Setting up the studio
04:00 – Elektron OctaTrack
07:41 – Why the new studio was setup
10:02 –Korg Mono/Poly
15:09 – Challenges of setting up the studio
16:10 – Roland Space Echo
19:50 – What would you change about the studio?"

Yamaha Unveils DTX-Multi 12

"PRESS RELEASE: Drummers, Producers, DJs, and beginners and experts alike will all welcome the superb newDTX- Multi 12from Yamaha. The most powerful all-in-one percussion device ever created, it brings the professional power, sound and creativity of the acclaimed high end DTX range to musicians at a highly affordable price.

The understanding of musicians needs are immediately apparent when you power up theDTX-Multi 12and with its powerful inbuilt module and 12 on board percussion pads the device is completely self-contained.

It's bursting with many of the high end features that characterise the DTX range and will be the choice of professional drummers the world over. A perfect tool for live performance, production or practice it's expected the instrument will have much broader appeal beyond the drumming fraternity.

Feature packed, theDTX-Multi 12boasts over 1200 stunning voices in high quality covering drums, percussion and keyboard sounds, many drawn from Yamaha's professional Motif synthesizer range and many completely new. Up to 200 custom set ups can also be created and stored with ease to suit any musical context using all internal sounds and 42 types of effects.

Alternatively additional sounds can be loaded and stored into the onboard 64MB of memory and allocated to any pad for total customisation

For established drummers theDTX-Multi 12will bring a huge new sound set and performance capability to current set-ups and compliment any musical setting. The unit is designed to easily integrate into an existing acoustic set up or act as a stand alone unit. DTX- Multi 12will also prove invaluable to composers thanks to the included Cubase AI 5" software which facilitates quick and easy computer connectivity.

Performing at the highest level for pro players, a wide range of play modes ensure it can adapt to any style, up to four voices can be assigned to a single pad for simultaneous or sequential playback and a wide range of dynamic options are made available.

Versatility is enhanced with 128 on-board phrase patterns covering a wide variety of styles and users can also record their own patterns and assign them to pads. A sophisticated click track function also allows players to control the unit instantly, ideal for live shows.

TheDTX- Multi 12is perfect for computer musicians too, functioning as an excellent input device connectivity is simplicity itself via a single USB cable. The included Cubase AI5 DAW software facilitates the recording and extensive editing of MIDI data, it can also function as a high quality sample playback device with 64MB of flash ROM on board.

For live use, the pads feel great and allow creative freedom, they can be played with sticks, hands, fingers and palms, totally responding to every dynamic nuance and for added creative power Hi-Hat controllers and kick pedal pads can be added if you wish to use theDTX-Multi 12as a compact stand alone electronic drum kit.

We are really excited about the launch of this product which will bring the many possibilities electronic drums can offer

'The DTX-Multi 12 is the perfect tool to bring the many possibilities electronic drums can offer to any acoustic drummer or percussionist' explained product manager Gavin Thomas 'This launch is testament to Yamaha's extensive research into players demands and the first of many new exciting products currently in development'."

press release spotted on musicradar.

How A Place to Bury Strangers made an LP into a DIY synth

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

"We've got to get this on every track": How A Place to Bury Strangers made an LP into a DIY synth

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

User demo below.

"Between his noise rock outfit A Place To Bury Strangers – dubbed 'the loudest band in New York' – and his pedal company Death By Audio, Oliver Ackermann is no stranger to DIY noisemaking. The band's latest album, Synthesizer, takes things a step further though. Not only did Ackermann design and build his own DIY synth, which is featured on every track of the album, but the instrument's circuit design also provides the cover art for the vinyl LP, allowing fans to recreate the synth at home – albeit with a substantial amount of DIY required.

Synthesizer by A Place to Bury Strangers is out now:
https://www.aplacetoburystrangers.com/

Find out more about Death By Audio:
https://deathbyaudio.com/

In this video:
00:25 – How did the idea for Synthesizer come about?
01:22 – How does the synth function?
01:59 – Synthesizer demo
03:17 – Background to the synth's design
04:02 – How easy is the DIY project?
04:42 – Influences behind the synth
05:45 – Recording the album
06:36 – Capturing the energy of the live shows
07:50 – Founding Death By Audio
09:35 – Designing pedals
11:55 – How has technology changed DIY music?
13:07 – More Synthesizer demos"

A Place To Bury Strangers / Synthesizer Album Cover / Death By Audio

video upload by GizmoMusicJapan

"Death by audio's synth for the new album "A place to bury strangers". Complete with assembly instruction manual" via this listing.

The original kit went for $202.99.

You can find the album minus the parts on Amazon and Discogs.

Note there are multiple versions of the vinyl on Discogs. As always, do your research before buying.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Korg reaches back to 1973 with its reissued MiniKorg 700Sm at NAMM 2025

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"Korg has a habit of releasing its analogue synth reboots in both ‘full’ and ‘mini’ sizes, so we probably shouldn’t have been too surprised to learn that a smaller version of 2021’s MiniKorg 700FS - itself an enhanced emulation of 1974’s MiniKorg 700S - is on the way. The MiniKorg 700Sm is not one we had on our NAMM 2025 bingo card, though, so surprised – to a certain extent at least – we are. We caught up with Korg at NAMM 2025 to hear it in action."