Why to Still Love the Oberheim Matrix-6R, Even If There are No Knobs.

video upload by Nostalgic Explorer

"In 1986, Oberheim took the DNA of its flagship synths and squeezed it into a rack module... then removed every single knob.

That one decision is why the #Oberheim Matrix-6R still divides people today. It's also a synth that ended up in the racks of Orbital, Philip Glass, Tangerine Dream and many more. So which is it: a hidden gem or a headache?

Explorers, I powered mine up to find out. There's one thing everybody complains about on the #Matrix6R, and I've got a different take on it. Then I hooked it up to my Elektron Digitakt, went digging through the patches, and found a few sounds I didn't want to stop playing.

Stay for the jam at the end. That's where this #VintageSynth really shows what it's made of.

00:00 – A Mid-80s Exploration Begins
00:18 – The Affordable Oberheim: Meet the Matrix-6R
03:09 – Sequencing From the Elektron Digitakt
03:34 – No Knobs? Let's Talk About It
04:00 – Finding Your Way Through the Presets
04:26 – Editing a Patch From the Front Panel
05:40 – Where the Modulation Magic Lives
06:13 – Splitting the Keyboard
06:37 – The Sounds Begin
11:10 – Let's Jam
14:13 – Final Thoughts"

Melbourne Instruments launches the Melbourne Exchange and publishes the Roto-Control API

Press release follows:

Melbourne Instruments launches the Melbourne Exchange, a free library of Roto-Control setups made by its owners

Setups for plugins, pedals and synths, plus new software built on Roto-Control's published APIs, all free to download from exchange.melbourneinstruments.com.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - Melbourne Instruments today launched the Melbourne Exchange, a free library where owners of Roto-Control, the company's motorized MIDI controller, share the setups and software they have built for it.

The Exchange opens with more than 60 entries. Plugin setups include Universal Audio's 1176 and LA-2A collections and the Distressor, plugins from SSL, Brainworx, Maag and Analog Obsession, and Logic Pro's own Compressor. Hardware setups cover pedals from Chase Bliss, Boss, Meris, Hologram, Old Blood Noise and Moog, and synths from Elektron, Moog, Waldorf and Korg. Each setup is a file that imports into Melbourne Instruments' ROTO-SETUP app, with parameter names, colors and detents already in place.

Every entry has its own page credited to the person who made it, with a download count and a clear statement of what it has been checked against: the maker's documentation, a Roto-Control, or the device itself. Owners can also confirm that a setup works with their own gear. Everything hosted on the Exchange is shared under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license.

The Exchange also carries software that owners have built on Roto-Control's published APIs, including RotoSeq, a Max for Live sequencer by Alut in which the eight knobs reshape the clock itself, and MAP8, an extended Ableton Live script by Quixotic7.

Both of Roto-Control's APIs, a serial API for configuration and a SysEx API for live two-way control, are published in full, and the source for Melbourne Instruments' own Ableton Live, Bitwig and Logic Pro integrations is on GitHub. The Exchange includes a starter prompt for AI coding assistants such as Claude, Cursor and Copilot that points the assistant at both specifications before it writes any code.

“We're delighted, and honestly a little amazed, by what owners are doing with Roto-Control,” said Jonathan, VP of Marketing at Melbourne Instruments. “People are mapping gear we never expected and building software for it we hadn't imagined. The Exchange gives all of that a home, with the maker's name on it. And because the APIs are published, anyone can build on it, whether they write the code themselves or with an AI assistant.”

Browsing the Exchange is open to everyone. Downloading and sharing need a free account, created with an email address and a six-digit code sent by email.

The Melbourne Exchange is live now at exchange.melbourneinstruments.com.

Elektron Syntakt 12 Track Drum Computer and Synthesizer SN A3S2219L8248-74

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional CONTROL Listings

CLICK FOR MORE »

The NEW Squarp Core Changed Everything

video upload by EZBOT

"Squarp did something truly amazing. They made it possible to use their incredibly powerful XP32 expander for the Hermod+ with any MIDI equipment you own. This is an incredible upgrade for people like me who already know and love their hardware sequencers like Elektron, M8 Tracker, Polyend Tracker, or your favorite DAW like Bitwig and Ableton. The unit is packed with features and it has ridiculously nice screen and workflow. I barely had to read the manual to get things started. I am overjoyed! Today we talk about what it means and test it out with a system I just built."



EZBOT resources: https://www.patreon.com/ezbot, https://ko-fi.com/ezbot/, https://www.modbang.com

Mnemonic - Recorded live at Essence Festival Oct 2026 - Elektron Tonverk & Eurorack

video upload by Abre Ojos

"Recorded at the Essence Festival in Canberra 3-4 October 2026.

Here is a quick run through of the whole set up: • Elektron Tonverk & Eurorack live set up wa... [Below]

Check out the Essence Festival: https://www.essencefestival.com.au/

@WeAreElektron Tonverk
@ModbapModular Trinity 2.0
@NoiseEngineering Manis Iteritas, Terci Ruina & Viol Ruina
Monsoon, Knit & uRings
Forge TME VHIKK-X
@Endorphines Ghost & Sqwk Dirty to Me
@EricaSynths Black Joystick 2
@busycircuits Pams New Workout
@DivKid DivSkip
@intellijel Multigrain
@1010music Bluebox

Video:
Live visuals using Battle Between the Worlds (1969) from Archive.org played through cracked ancient iPad and processed through:
Video microscope
iPhne camera
Roland V1-HD
@entropyandsons Recursion Studio
Resolume Avenue
Recorded with Rodecaster Video
Dark ambient audiovisual stuff: https://abreojos.net"

Elektron Tonverk & Eurorack live set up walk through

video upload by Abre Ojos

"This was recorded the morning before my live set at the Essence Festival in Canberra 3-4 October 2026.

Here is a quick run through of the whole set up. Make sure to watch the Tonverk MIDI mapping set up for more info:
• Elektron Tonverk vs Eurorack Modular - Mak... [posted here]

00:00 Intro ramble & the concept
01:06 The Tonverk set up
04:35 Into the modular - the Manis Iteritas & Ghost
7:17 The Modbap Trinity sounds
16:15 Plaits (Knit) into the Multigrain
20:31 The VHIKK-X & Bib"

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 »

vortex ... Elektron Syntakt ... electro, psybient

video upload by substan

"A performance on the Elektron Syntakt.
Recorded in one take.
Mastered in post.

As always .. the project file, music and Sound Pack are available for my patrons.
The great support from my patrons makes all of this possible ... thank you so much guys !! / substan

Substan Bandcamp Page: https://substan.bandcamp.com"

The 1010music Blackbox OG Just Got SP-1200 Mode, Chords and Sidechain (Unofficial Firmware Mod)

video upload by Justin Joe

"Twelve new features on the original 1010music Blackbox, added with an unofficial firmware mod: solo, chords, Elektron-style note conditions, SP-1200 / SP-12 / S950 lo-fi modes, a 24 dB filter, a sidechain ducker, slice start/end on the knobs, and a granular delay. It's free, the code is open, and it runs on top of stock firmware 3.1.9.

🔧 GET THE MOD (free) + get an email when new builds drop:
https://justinjoe.com/blackbox-mod

No compiling needed: download 3.1.9 from 1010music, run it through the browser patcher, copy it to your card.

⚠️ Unofficial. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by 1010music. Original Blackbox only (not Blackbox 2). At your own risk. The mod does not include 1010music's firmware; you bring your own copy."

Machinedrum Plug-in Interpretation: MDSYN Presets – Not the ROM, the Other One

video upload by StigmaAudio

Also see:
Elektron Machinedrum & Monomachine Emulations Come to Software for the ROM versions/clones in software
Monomodule -1.0.1-Beta (Elektron Monomachine emulator) - for a non ROM clone software emulation

As for this video:

"It's not the ROM. It's the other one.

MDSYN is Stigma Audio's 16-track synthetic percussion sequencer: every sound is synthesized in real time. It is a reinterpretation, not an emulation — no firmware, no ROM, its own engine.

This video is a single live take: a run through twenty presets, pattern switching on the fly, a look at the FX, SYNTH and ROUT pages, track mutes, step pages, save and reload, and the delay and reverb sends. When the knobs move on their own, they are being played from an LPD8 controller over MIDI CC.

This plugin comes from my personal collection. Maybe I'll release it one day, but probably not in this design. It is a personal project, not affiliated with or endorsed by any hardware manufacturer; all trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:10 Presets and patterns
3:25 The FX page
5:33 Save, synth page and reload
6:32 Track mutes
9:32 Step pages
10:57 Knob edits
12:33 Routing, delay and reverb sends
13:08 More presets
14:46 Outro"

NINE INCH NAILS - That's What I Get (Sequential PRO 3 & Digitakt 2)

video upload by nicola neeco

"I tried to get as close as possible to the original bass sound from That’s What I Get by Nine Inch Nails, from their debut album Pretty Hate Machine, using the Sequential PRO 3.

I used the PRO 3’s third, digital oscillator to approximate the original character, which to my ears sounds like a sampled based sound (possibly played on an E-mu Emax).

At a certain point, though, I came across this slightly FM-like sound that I really liked, so I decided to use it. For the drums, I used the Elektron Digitakt, loaded with samples from the classic Roland R-70 drum machine.

#nineinchnails #trentreznor #nin #sequentialpro3 #prettyhatemachine #digitakt2"

Diatonic Diamond – Generative Harmonic Sequencer

video upload by Mute State

"Find the generative harmonic sequencer here: https://www.mutestate.com/diatonicseq...
The generative harmonic sequencer creates af diatonic field of chords from a scale, moves around between the derived chords (or intervals and triads) after a set number of bars (in this case 4) a portal into another scale and key is created ... by either reinterpreting the active chord, mutating on of the notes by a semitone, or converting it into its negative counterpart using negative harmony. In this demo the sequencer controlled an Elektron digitone, a teensy based bass synth (digitaur) and an Elektron digitakt. The sequencer has seven tracks in total, a bass track, a harmony track and a melody track and finally four drum tracks. Besides midi it also has an internal sound engine."

Moog Matriarch | Oxi one | Octatrack mk II | Novation peak | My new album out now played live.

video upload by Onyx track

"Hi all! Finally, Neural Form is here.

It took me a while to finish this album, but I’m really happy to finally share these 12 new tracks with you.

The entire album was created using the Moog Matriarch, Novation Peak, Elektron Octatrack MKII, OXI One, Hologram Microcosm, and Arturia MicroFreak.

A lot of experimenting, sequencing, sound design, and late nights went into these tracks. I hope you enjoy listening to Neural Form as much as I enjoyed making it.

Thank you for listening. 🖤

Here the link: https://tr.ee/461RfhOwf5"

168bpm

video upload by 3Echoflow

"168 BPM.

A hardware jam built around fast drums, broken rhythms and shifting electronic textures.

The Digitakt II drives the drums and sequencing, while the TEO-5 handles the synth parts. The Hologram Microcosm especially the Blocks algorithms keeps cutting, stretching and reshaping the beat, pushing it somewhere between drum & bass, breakbeat and glitchy electronic music.

Not really straight DnB, not really classic breaks either just 168 BPM and the sounds getting slightly out of control.

Recorded live in Ableton Live.

Gear:
Elektron Digitakt II
Oberheim TEO-5
Hologram Microcosm

#digitakt2 #teo5 #microcosm #breakbeat #drumandbass #hardwarejam #electronicmusic"

NINE INCH NAILS - Head Like a Hole (Sequential PRO 3 & Elektron DIgitakt 2)

video upload by nicola neeco

"Playing the bassline and drums from Nine Inch Nails’ Head Like a Hole (Pretty Hate Machine).

Synth Bass: Sequential Pro 3 (my own sound design)
Drums: Elektron Digitakt 2, using samples from the Roland R8 drum machine

All performed and programmed by hand.

#nineinchnails #trentreznor #nin #sequentialpro3 #prettyhatemachine"

Elektron Monomachine Emulation | Factory Patterns Demo

video upload by Autodafe

Part 1 here

"What if you could run an Elektron Monomachine inside your computer? 👀

In this video I’m testing Gearmulator MM, an emulation of the legendary Elektron Monomachine developed by Joe Landers as a fork of the Gearmulator project.

No talking — just the interface, some factory patterns and the sound of the emulation in action. 🎧

⚙️ Gearmulator uses low-level hardware emulation to run the original firmware rather than simply recreating the synth behaviour.

Joe Landers’ gearmulator-md-mm fork adds support for Elektron Monomachine and Machinedrum.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Monomodule 1.1.0 Beta Demo (Elektron Monomachine Emulator)

video upload by Ticco Ross

Additinal Monomodule posts

"Monomodule beta 1.1.0 notes:

Reworked library UI and structure

Added preset saving, sysex exports, just a ton of stuff i dont feel like writing down

Added Monomodule FX as a standalone FX bus plugin

NEXT RELEASE WILL BE OPEN SOURCE!!

Shnolk Monomodule — beta

A chip-level emulation of the Elektron Monomachine. This installer puts the plugins in the system plugin folders (Audio Unit and VST3) and the Library app in /Applications:

• Monomodule One — one Monomachine track: every synth and FX machine, the three LFOs (instrument)


• Monomodule Six — all six tracks in one instrument: MIDI channels 1-6, one stereo output per track, the hardware's routing (multitimbral instrument)


• Monomodule FX — the FX machines (THRU, REVERB, CHORUS, DYNAMIX, RINGMOD, PHASER, FLANGER) as an audio effect for any channel, with the same pages and LFOs (effect)


• Monomodule Library — a standalone app: import your Monomachine sysex dumps, browse their presets, kits and patterns, hear them with the play glyphs, and drag them into the plugins or the DAW

Requires Windows and macOS 12 or later, on Apple Silicon or Intel.

Thanks to @halftoneworld for making this Monomachine Emulator"

NINE INCH NAILS - Closer (Sequential PRO 3 & Elektron Digitakt)

video upload by nicola neeco

"After listening the Nine Inch Noize version of Closer, I wanted to recreate one of my favorite sounds from the original track.
On the Sequential Pro 3, I designed a synth stab patch inspired by the iconic riff of this track from The Downward Spiral.
For the drums, I used the Elektron Digitakt, building a similar industrial groove using samples from my own drum library."

Machinedrum Emulation is HERE | Factory Patterns Demo

video upload by Autodafe

"What if you could run an Elektron Machinedrum inside your computer?

In this video I'm taking a look at Gearmulator MD, an impressive emulation of the legendary Elektron Machinedrum, developed by Joe Landers as a fork of the Gearmulator project.

There is no talking in this video — just a quick look at the interface and a selection of the original factory patterns, so you can hear the emulation in action.

⚙️ ABOUT THE EMULATION

Gearmulator is a low-level emulation project that recreates the hardware used by several classic digital synthesizers and runs their original firmware.

Joe Landers' gearmulator-md-mm fork extends that work with emulations of the Elektron Machinedrum and Elektron Monomachine.

The result is not simply a software recreation inspired by the Machinedrum: it runs the original machine firmware on an emulated version of the underlying hardware.

At the time of making this video the project is still in alpha development, so expect things to continue evolving.

CLICK FOR MORE »

NINE INCH NAILS - The Becoming (Sequential PRO 3 & Elektron Syntakt)

video upload by nicola neeco

"I recreated one of my favorite basslines from The Becoming by Nine Inch Nails, from The Downward Spiral. For this version, I used the Sequential Pro 3 for the bassline and the Elektron Syntakt for the drums (no samples, just synthesis)
I wanted to capture that raw, tense, mechanical energy while keeping the whole thing fully hands-on and hardware-driven.

#nineinchnails #trentreznor #sequentialpro3 #syntakt #downwardspiral"

Monomodule -1.0.1-Beta (Elektron Monomachine emulator)

video upload by Ticco Ross

"Another different emulator. It emulates the sound engine of one monophonic voice per track. All the various machines and effects featured in the Monomachine are present.
Private Beta. Soon in your DAW of choice.
The only file needed is the original Elektron_SFX6-60_OS1.32B.syx you can get @ Elektrons official web"

From the developer: "I'm the developer of this, it is currently only released in the form of a private, invite-only beta, but the full public release coming next week will be free and open source."