THE FLAGSHIP OF ALL STANDALONES MPC XL has everything you need for pro-level music making. It features ultra-responsive MPCe pads, a dedicated step sequencer, touch-sensitive Q-Links with OLED displays, a next-gen 8-core processor, 16 GB RAM, hands-on performance controls, advanced sequencing tools, deep I/O connectivity, and so much more. Integrated with MPC3 OS, this system supports up to 32 plugin instruments, 16 audio tracks, and 256 voices, making it a studio-grade workhorse.
A COMPLETE STUDIO CENTERPIECE The flagship of all standalone music production systems, MPC XL is an all-in-one studio hub. Produce your entire album, drive your external hardware, and command your setup from one powerful instrument—no computer required.
POWERFUL PROCESSING Powered by a new Gen 2 8-core processor with 16GB of RAM, MPC XL delivers four times the performance of previous MPCs. Load multiple plugin instruments, run complex sessions, and navigate your projects without interruption.
CREATIVE CONTROL AT YOUR FINGERTIPS MPCe pads with 3D-sensing technology brings a new level of expression to beatmaking and production. Each pad features four distinct quadrants, enabling advanced X/Y control, sound morphing, looping, layering, and modulation for the most dynamic playing experience.
"Feeling a bit of 80’s nostalgia ('Stranger Things' anyone?) I thought the time had finally come to try and give this classic electro-pop anthem the Circuit Tracks treatment. Released in 1984 (40+ years!) it’s too easy to forget how ground-breaking the song (and it’s subject) was in the political climate of the Eighties.
The song itself is a simple but almost perfect pop song. It was programmed on an MC-202 Microcomposer and is reputed to have started life as an electronic disco version of the Sex Pistol’s 'Pretty Vacant'!
Yamaha DX7 is used heavily on the track (notably the presets ‘Harp1’ and ‘Bass1’), and additional Sequential Pro-One, Memorymoog and Linn drums. I managed to simplify the arrangement to program everything and the vocals into a single Novation Circuit Tracks. Everything you hear is being played and recorded live from the Tracks.
I'm pleased at how close to the spirit of the original I managed to get this time. I hope you enjoy the track and it brings back some memories for you too."
"More details for synth nerds
BPM 135
I don’t own a DX7 (sadly!) but the closest thing I have is emulation. The repeated ‘Harp1’ DX7 line (and the ‘Marimba’ break) was sequenced on the Tracks MIDI 1 and sampled as 4-bar loops from the internal MicroDEXED emulator in an M-Vave SMK-37 Pro keyboard. Each sample was then triggered (like a drum sound) at the required point in the song using the Drum 3 track.
"Pro Synth Network is proud to announce our very first live event, Synth South West, in the picturesque seaside town of Dawlish, on March 21st, 2026.
Nestled on the Devonshire coast, and easily accessible by both road and rail (or boat for the adventurous!). Dawlish will provide a beautiful backdrop to our maiden event.
During the day, there will be a synth expo at The Strand Centre, featuring synth manufacturers, enthusiasts and performers. In the evening, we move across the road to The Shaftsbury Theatre for an evening of electronic music with some of the most talented live performers within our community.
Our headline act is Dave Bessell, one quarter of synth supergroup NODE! We also have a rare performance from Film & TV composer, Ty Unwin and flying in from the USA, Mr Spiral, aka Dr Mike Metlay. And our very own Peter James Stephen will be kicking the evening off!
Visit https://www.synthsouthwest.com/ to book your tickets. The day and evening events are ticketed separately at £10 pp each, but buy both tickets and save £2!"
"Concert Line up:
Peter James-Stephen Breaking the Sound Barrier
Dr Mike Metlay Mr Spiral and Guess
Ty Unwin
and Dave Bessell from Node
Tickets £10 for Daytime Expo
£10 for Concert
or £18 for both"
"I had some fun experimenting with a few arpeggios recorded live on the Novation Bass Station II, and just to give myself some groove I used programmed rhythms from Logic Pro for iPad. Everything was easily synced via MIDI/USB.
Track: Kellerfalter
Artist: Flakuso
Type: Live Hardware Performance Track / Live Recording (Full Track)
BPM: 130
Gear / Setup
Drum Machine: MFB Tanzbär 2
Synth: MFB Synth Pro / Dominion Club / 1010 Music Blackbox
FX/Mixer: 1010 Music Bluebox / Intech Studio Controller
Recorder/Interface: 1010 Music Bluebox
Mastering: Ableton Live
"This is a live session with some of my favourite synthesisers at the moment. The slow noise is a noise generator into Frap Tools Fumana filterbank, modulated by a Pam's Pro Workout and effected by Empress Euroburo Zoia and Strymon Starlab. The rhythmic noise is a sequenced patch on the Sequential Pro 2 through a Boss SL20 slicer. The Moog Muse is playing a slow pattern arpeggio through an Eventide Modfactor and on top of that I play the Prophet 12 through an Eventide H9 (blackhole algoritm).
This is an unedited take on what I usually do in my studio to relax. Usually it is never recorded. But as it is friday, and a new year has started, let's just do it a bit different, ey?
Outside we have more snow than I ever experienced here in Denmark, so the music kind of reflects that cold but cosy mood.
"It took a couple of months, spending a few hours on weekends, but I got it done! And it's very cool. This demo is pretty rough, but highlights a bunch of the key features of the Step Brother and the "performability" it offers.
In this setup, the Steda SR-909 is sending midi clock to the Step Brother and the VP4 to keep them in sync. Step Brother is configured to run 2x8 step sequences on channels A and B. Channel A quantized CV output is sent to the 2600 mult and then routed to the CV inputs of oscillators 1 and 2. Channel B quantized CV output is sent to the CV input of oscillator 3.
Step Brother Gate Bus 1 is routed to the 2600 main gate input and triggering the 2600's ADSR envelope. SB Gate Bus 2 is triggering the envelope on the Step Brother and audio out of Osc 3 on the 2600 is routed to one of the VCAs on the Step Brother which is controlled by the Step Brother's envelope. That is then routed back to the 2600's mixer.
Audio out of the 2600 is routed to the VP4, and then routed to the ALA Bartender along with the audio of the SR-909. Output from the Bartender is sent to the iRig Pro and recorded on iPhone with the video.
"Just thought I would try a little something fun...the title says it all. 0 to 80's in 80 seconds.
Enjoy. Certified AI free and no traces of softsynths!
Drums - Oberheim DX Stretch, Korg DDD-1 - just a snare on 2 and 4 with mostly just the reverb return from a Roland SDE-330 non-lin setting, Roland TR8S - some perc and a ghost snare from the 707 kit.
Oberheim OB-8
Korg DW-8000
Bass - Roland D-50 patch also triggering a Roland JX8P and Korg Polysix to fatten and double it
Ensoniq ESQ - A nice PPG Wave patch from a sound cartridge I have for it.
Sequential Rev 2 also triggering a bell patch on the Yamaha TG33
Yamaha DX7iiD - nice dual patch one a rhodes type and the other a tine from the many banks on the Hypersynth card to finish it off and play out on."
"80's in 80 Seconds Episode 2 has landed! The first one was a bit fun so let's keep the theme going. This one starts off with a nice "groove" and builds with some synths spanning the decade. If you listen past the 80 seconds the Arp Odyssey briefly shows off its duo-phonic capabilities with a few 2 note chords that almost have a vocoder like effect with the phaser on it just after the 2 minute mark.
The following instruments were used and recorded as a 2 track with no editing or overdubs with each part being played into a pair of Arturia Keystep Pro sequencers. As always, AI free and made with real ingredients. Thanks for watching!
Oberheim DX Stretch - main drums
Korg DDD-1 - perc
Roland TR8-S - additional high hats, rim shot, crash
Berhinger - Model D - Bass
Roland Jupiter 4 - Arp
Korg PolySix - Synth Brass Pad 1
Roland Jupiter 6 - Synth layer 2
Yamaha DX7II - Bell 1
Roland D-50 - Bell 2
Arp Solina - Strings
Arp Odyssey Mkii 2810 - Lead"
"80's in 80 seconds episode 3 is here to start of the New Year! I thought something "new" should be in 'order' after the busy holiday period. Several familiar sounds in this one that can most likely been dialed in on many synths of the era but this one builds with the hardware listed below. All natural...Certified AI and VST free. Thanks for listening!
Drums -
Korg DDD-1 to start with the first hi-hat
Oberhiem DX Stretch - Main kick, beat kick, snare, additional hi-hat, clap, and rim shot
Roland TR-8S - a little kick for attack, snare ghost notes, and high hat movement
Pad 1 - Oberheim OB-8
BASS - Berhinger Pro 1 and Poly D played with the arpeggio on on the Keystep Pro
Pad 2 - Roland D50 layered with Roland JX-8P and Korg DW8000
"Sequential Pro 3 – Moogish Sounds - Part 1.
My personal collection of Moog inspired Analog Sounds dedicated to the Sequential Pro 3.
The Mini Moog has influenced generations. As a lover of 70s progressive rock, I've admired the Mini Moog's sound since I first started listening to music.
These patches are inspired by the lovely book: Minimoog Sound Charts by Tom Rhea.
To maintain the original spirit of the Model D, these presets are loaded without effects; however, you can activate them as they are configured to enhance the sounds.
Track: Nightmoods
Artist: Flakuso
Type: Live Hardware Performance / Live Recording (Full Track)
BPM: 120
Gear / Setup
Drum Machine: MFB Tanzbär 2
Synth: MFB Synth Pro / Dominion Club / 1010 Music Blackbox
FX/Mixer: 1010 Music Bluebox
Recorder/Interface: 1010 Music Bluebox
Mastering: Ableton Live
"2nd video with the Arturia Minifreak hybrid (digital/analog) synth, with a OneSynthOnly jam (after the first video where I used 5 instances of the Minifreak in multi-track: • Cinefreak 📽️ (Arturia Minifreak // Conduct... 😉)
The jam starts with me recording in step mode a sequence.
Then the sequence is being played with me tweaking some parameters like adding delay, fading-in the second oscillator (superwave), modulating the analog filter etc.
In the second half of the video, I switched to the mode where I can transpose in real-time the sequence recorded (i.e. you can no longer play over the sequence, when you press on a key, it transposes the whole sequence to this key). What is really cool is that Arturia added the Scale feature which I really love, thus making it possible to transpose within a defined scale like on the Keystep Pro! 🤩"
"We explore the new compilation _Soul of the Machine_, released by the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation as part of this year's centennial celebrations of the birth of Alan R. Pearlman. There are two CDs with twelve tracks each, plus a digital-only "bonus disc" with another 12 tracks, featuring a diverse roster of artists. All tracks feature ARP synthesizers, including the rare 2500, the ubiquitous 2600 and Odyssey, the Pro Soloist, OMNI, and more. We highlight a few of the tracks and artists from each disc and share some thoughts on the compilation as a whole.
To find out more about the compilation, as well as the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation, please visit their official website: https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.org/s...
"Our Eurorack modular workstation the 'Turismo' is well suited for sequencing beats and groove box style patching but the versatile system can fit equally well into less structured environments. In this patch we explored using the Turismo for iterative drone composition, making use of the system's stereo line input and output and flexible set of modules to generate, record and reprocess sound in combination with a 4 track cassette recorder.
Our Eurorack modular workstation the 'Turismo' is well suited for sequencing beats and groove box style patching but the versatile system can fit equally well into less structured environments.
In this patch we explored using the Turismo for iterative drone composition, making use of the system's stereo line input and output and flexible set of modules to generate, record and reprocess sound in combination with a 4 track cassette recorder.
To start we connected the line out of the Turismo to the first 2 tracks of the 4 track, to capture our patch. We inserted a cassette tape and began recording a prepatched droning ambient soundscape to tape. The patch took full advantage of the system's collection of modules to generate and process the sound. Over the course of recording, we made some tweaks to the patch to subtly evolve our sounds. After a few minutes of recording we faded the sounds out and stopped the tape.
Reprocessing
Next we reset the system and rewound our tape, then repatched the output of the 4 track directly to the stereo line input of the MEGA MILTON utility module so we could reprocess our original patch back through the Turismo in a unique iterative compositional process.
We connected the amplified left and right outputs of the MEGA MILTON directly to channels 1 and 2 of the MEGA-TANG mixer and VCA, increasing their levels and hard panning them left and right. We set the tape to play at half speed, then began playback. The full system was then available to process the recording.
We connected the FX send of the MEGA-TANG to the record input of the Squid Salmple and returned the output for channel 6 back to the MEGA-TANG. Outside of conventional sample playback, the flexible Squid Salmple can be used like a live processor similar to a delay. To set this up, we started by creating a record buffer. We entered the record menu and locked recording to channel 1 by holding the Chan button and pressing the Rec button. We also set the record mode to 'overdub' for a smoother sound. Next we connected a x1 clock output from Pamela's PRO Workout to the record gate input to continuously trigger recording.
"Unlock the true power of the Novation Launchpad Pro MK3 as we dive deep into its sequencer in action — real performance examples, pattern tricks, probability, micro-timing, and creative workflows you can use right now in your studio.
In this video I push the Launchpad Pro MK3 beyond typical clip-launching to show how its onboard sequencer can become the centre of your synth or modular setup. Perfect for electronic musicians, beatmakers and hardware enthusiasts.
Whether you're building evolving patterns, jamming live, or integrating it into a DAWless setup, this walkthrough demonstrates how fast and musical the Launchpad sequencer really is. If you're into hardware sequencing, groovebox workflows, or performance-focused MIDI tools, this one’s for you.
We cover:
• Per-track step lengths for evolving patterns
• Probability per step for generative movement
• Micro-timing & swing for pushing grooves off-grid
• Chord sequencing using Scale Mode & polyphonic steps
• Pattern chaining & Scenes for full arrangements
• Key/Scale locking to avoid wrong notes during performance
• Using the Launchpad as the centre of a DAWless setup"
"Some patches with the @MAKEN0ISEMUSIC 'New Universal Synthesizer System' mixed with a @strymon Strymon SuperKar+ and Magneto, a Steady State Fate ZPO and Ultra Random Redux, and a @1010music Bixbox Micro. Tracks were sequenced in @Ableton Live, with a @KORG_INC SQ-64 acting as a MIDI-to-CV converter. An iPad is running MIDI Designer Pro, a control surface for Ableton. All effects, except for the Strymon Magneto delay module, are from Ableton Live 12."
Part 1 - 0:00
Part 2 - 2:39
Part 3 - 7:17
Part 4 - 11:19
Check with dealers on the right for availability and pricing.
"Imagine a compact keyboard uniting the most iconic sounds in a single instrument. Engineered for liftoff, AstroLab 37 redefines what a compact performance keyboard can be, combining an unrivalled sound palette, intuitive controls, and a seamless studio-to-stage workflow – play and create beyond limits."
Playlist:
1. AstroLab 37 | Avant-garde stage keyboard | ARTURIA
2. Overview | AstroLab 37
3. Is the Arturia AstroLab 37 the Best Compact Stage Keyboard? - Reverb (available here)
4. Arturia Astrolab 37 vs 61/88 // and a cheat to give it more hands-on control // Review, tutorial - loopop
5. Arturia AstroLab 37 Review – After 6 Weeks of Real Use - Sineway
6. Arturia Astrolab 37 Review - Molten Music Technology
7. Is this the Ultimate Portable Performance Synth? Arturia AstroLab 37 Review & Demo - Starsky Carr
"Arturia releases AstroLab 37, a compact stage keyboard that brings the full power of the AstroLab ecosystem into a portable, performance-ready format.
Completing the AstroLab line-up, it delivers the same deep sound engines, streamlined workflow, and studio-to-stage continuity as the 61- and 88-key models - now in a 37-key, road-ready design that makes it the ultimate creative companion on the move.
_Ignite your inspiration
Engineered for liftoff, AstroLab 37 redefines what a compact performance keyboard can be. Combining an unrivalled sound palette with intuitive controls and a seamless studio-to-stage experience - perform with confidence and limitless sonic freedom.
Featuring a 37-key slim keybed with aftertouch, a vocoder, and powerful creative tools, turn any idea into fast-moving solos, dynamic leads, and unforgettable hooks."
AstroLab 37 packs the power of the AstroLab range into a compact format.
Engineered for liftoff, AstroLab 37 redefines what a compact performance keyboard can be. Combining an unrivaled sound palette with intuitive controls and a seamless studio-to-stage experience, it empowers musicians to perform with confidence and limitless sonic freedom.
Built on 25 years of innovation, it frees keyboardists from constraints with 11 advanced sound engines, seamless workflow, and a playing experience that’s intuitive, expressive, and fearless.
This isn’t just a new keyboard. It’s a new era.
Ignite your inspiration.
Instantly access a universe of reference synths, classic keyboards, acoustic instruments, and cinematic hybrids - all deeply customizable via onboard controls. The 37 slim-key slim keyboard with aftertouch, vocoder, and performance modes turns ideas into fast-moving solos, dynamic leads, and unforgettable hooks.
Own the stage.
Purpose-built for live: rugged, responsive, and completely standalone. Power up, pick a sound, shape it in real-time and deliver pure musical expression wherever you play - ultra-low latency.
Compact by design.
From studios and stages to bedrooms and DJ booths, AstroLab 37 adapts to every space. Road-ready construction, expressive keys, and instant sound recall make it the ultimate creative companion on the move.
Made to explore.
Edit your presets on-the-fly or dive deeper with Analog Lab on desktop or AstroLab Connect on mobile. Seamlessly transition between studio and stage and let your creativity flow uninterrupted, exactly the way you want it.
AstroLab 37 is a versatile, lightweight companion for musicians who move between studio, stage, and multi-instrument setups — ideal as a second keyboard for band members, a flexible live instrument, or a portable tool for producers on the go.
● 44 instruments, 11 sound engines, 1.800+ presets ● 37 slim keys with aftertouch ● 10 instant-access preset buttons ● 4 macro knobs with LED feedback ● 4 FX knobs, including dedicated Delay & Reverb ● Vocoder-ready mono input ● Color screen + navigation encoder for fast browsing ● Software ecosystem: Analog Lab Pro + AstroLab Connect ● Extensive connectivity: MIDI I/O, USB-C, USB-A host, balanced mono I/O, mic input, Bluetooth audio, WiFi, pedal input
"The legenday PPG Wave 2.3 is a hybrid digital-analog synthesizer from the mid-1980s known for its distinctive wavetable sound. Combines digitally generated waveforms with analog filters, giving it a unique blend of crisp digital timbres and warm analog character.
The 2.3 model expanded memory and multitimbrality, making it far more flexible than earlier versions. Its evolving, glassy textures helped define many classic electronic and film scores of the era!
This PPG Wave 2.3 is in very clean condition and has been pro maintained its entire life. Feel free to reach out of you have any questions about this gorgeous specimen.
Service notes:
-Firmware v8.2 (fixes bugs in the original OS, allows for sysex dumps and transfers wave files to the PPG from the Wavesim plugin) -Replaced electrolytic capacitors and serviced power supply -Remounted memory battery -Cleaned all edge connectors and sockets to motherboard -Serviced keybed and cleaned key contacts -Cleaned internally -Tested sysex transfer, loaded sound via sysex and saved"
