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

Behringer's Wave is a PPG Wave clone that's been four years in the making

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"Behringer has returned to NAMM after a 10 year absence, and it's brought with it the recently released Wave, a synthesizer based on the classic PPG Wave, an '80s instrument beloved by artists such as Depeche Mode and David Bowie. We caught up with Behringer on the NAMM show floor to hear it in action."

Could Melbourne Instruments' ROTO Control revolutionise software and hardware control?

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"Melbourne Instruments has announced ROTO Control, a new controller that utilises the company's groundbreaking motorised fader technology – as found on its Delia and Nina synths – to create a device that aims to revolutionise hardware or software control. We caught up with Melbourne Instruments at NAMM 2025 to see it in action."

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."

"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."

"More than just an audio interface": Bitwig launches its first hardware product at NAMM 2025

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"German DAW-maker Bitwig has revealed its very first hardware product - Bitwig Connect 4/12. Ostensibly a 4-in and 12-out CV and MIDI-enabled audio interface, Bitwig states that its debut hardware product is 'far more than just an audio interface'… We caught up with them at NAMM 2025 to find out more."

Introducing Bitwig Connect 4/12

video uploads by Bitwig

via Bitwig

Bitwig Connect 4/12

More Than An Audio Interface
Bitwig Connect 4/12 is a class-compliant, 4‑in/12‑out CV- and MIDI‑enabled audio interface with monitor- and DAW-control functionalities and a unique Bitwig Mode.

Your Ultimate Studio Sidekick
Connect is a three-in-one audio/MIDI interface, monitor and DAW controller. Six mode buttons allow its 360°, touch-sensitive dial to adjust interface parameters or control software. It can set input gain, regulate the volume levels for two sets of monitors and your headphones, or even move the playhead and control any Bitwig Studio parameter with exceptional resolution.

The front panel gives you immediate visual feedback, with accurate input and output meters and a ring of 32 RGB LEDs around the dial to visualize parameter values and automation data. Plus, gain settings are accessible and saved within Bitwig Studio, so you can pick up right where you left off next time you open it.

CV Connects the Best of Both Worlds
With two DC-coupled inputs and four outputs easily accessible via 3.5 mm minijacks directly on the front panel, Connect is a superior choice for musicians with CV-enabled hardware. That means it goes both ways: To external devices from Bitwig Studio or other programs, and from hardware sequencers and modulation signals into the software realm.

Thanks to factory calibration, Connect plays pitch-perfect and without offset with Bitwig Studio right out of the box. And since jacks can also be used for audio signals, they can act as additional ins and outs for line-level signals, making them useful to all types of users.

Bring Bitwig Studio to Life
Connect's unique Bitwig Mode puts Bitwig Studio at your fingertips with DAW controller functionalities. Seamless integration makes writing automation, fine-tuning settings, and navigating the timeline in Bitwig Studio with Connect's main dial intuitive and precise. Get quick access to any control with the high-resolution dial by hovering over it with your cursor, and lock a selected parameter to Connect by double-tapping. The LED ring indicates its current task by matching the color of the parameter or track in Bitwig Studio so you'll never get lost.

You can find additional details at https://www.bitwig.com/connect/

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's strangest synths: “We think there were probably less than 50 of these ever produced”

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

Also see: The history of Korg in 21 synths: Inside the new Korg Gallery

"Korg has recently launched its new permanent Korg Gallery exhibit at London's Musical Museum, housing synths, keyboards and drum machines from across the company's history. We asked Korg's Luke Edwards to talk us through a selection of the more unusual and experimental additions to the lineup.

How many have you tried?

Find out more about the Korg Gallery: https://www.korg.co.uk/pages/korg-gal...

In this video:
00:29 – Super Drums, Super Percussion & Super Section
01:35 – MS-20 Blackboard
02:13 – Sigma, Lambda & Delta
03:03 – DW 6000 & DW 8000"

The beautifully odd and maddening Motor Synth MkII: 3 things we love... and some things we don't

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"When the Motor Synth first landed, it’s fair to say everyone was intrigued. Gamechanger Audio even had the likes of Jean-Michel Jarre and Richard Devine enthusing over “the world’s first electro-mechanical desktop synthesizer”. The original instrument made do with two independent voices and four-note polyphony from the eight motors, but plenty of improvements have been made. New to the MkII is the addition of a DCO with four digital oscillators and four-note-polyphony.

In this video, we explore the new features and explore the highlights of this new version – alongside a few things we're not so keen on."

In this video:
00:09 – Audio demos
01:09 – What we love about it...
01:14 – New features
04:55 – Modulation
08:33 – Flexible routing
11:22 – What we don't love...
18:20 – More demos

The history of Korg in 21 synths: Inside the new Korg Gallery

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"Korg has recently launch its new Korg Gallery exhibit at the The Musical Museum in Brentford, West London.. We headed up for a tour form Korg's Luke Edwards, and to get a compressed history of Korg's synth innovations via 21 key instruments.

Find out more about the Korg Gallery: https://www.korg.co.uk/pages/korg-gal...

00:26 – Doncamatic drum machine
01:03 – miniKorg 700
02:02 – MS-20/MS-10
02:45 – VC-10 vocoder
03:15 – PS-3010
04:25 – CX-3
05:08 – ARP Odyssey
06:05 – ARP 2600
07:33 – Mono/Poly
08:05 – Polysix
08:30 – Poly-800
09:44 – M1
11:32 – Wavestation
12:25 – Prophecy
13:22 – Trinity
13:48 – Triton
14:30 – Electribe
15:12 – Kaoss Pad
15:43 – MS-2000
16:03 – microKorg
17:10 – Monotron"

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?"

Why OB-Xd is a fantastic free synth... and how to use it!

video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"In our new series we delve into the best free synths on the internet. In this instalment we delve into the world of analogue modelling with the aid of another fantastic (and free) software synthesiser: DiscoDSP’s OB-Xd."

Download OB-Xd: https://www.discodsp.com/obxd/

Ableton Introduces Note for iOS

video upload by Ableton

"Learn about Note, a playable iOS app for forming musical ideas. Build beats, capture melodies, and sample the world around you. When you’re ready to take your ideas further, export your Set to Ableton Cloud and continue working in Live.

Learn more: https://www.ableton.com/note/
Download the app: https://apps.apple.com/app/ableton-no..." Is Ableton Note as close as we'll get to Live on an iPad? Here's what it can and can't do...
video upload by MusicRadar Tech

"After years of speculation, Ableton have released their first iOS app, Note. But this isn't exactly the iPad/iPhone version of Live some imagined. In this video we explore what Note is – and isn't – and ask if this is a must have for music makers."

"Start new musical ideas with a curated selection of sounds and effects. Play beats and melodic parts, sample your world, and continue your tracks in Ableton Live.


Note is a place to form ideas, experiment with sounds and find direction. Get your ideas out or play until inspiration hits using a selection of Ableton Live’s drum kits, synths and melodic instruments. Or create your own sound palette by recording the sounds around you into Note’s sampler instruments using your phone’s microphone.

If you want to take your ideas further, use Ableton Cloud to send your projects to Live without leaving the app. Open your project from Live’s browser, then keep working – you can edit all your MIDI notes, and all your samples and sounds from Note are exactly the same.


Begin with a beat:
• Choose from 56 Drum Sampler kits
• Tap out a beat using the 16-pad grid
• Quantize your beat to fix any loose timing
• Nudge notes to correct mistakes
• Add more layers of rhythm
• Create beat repetitions with Note Repeat
• Change parameters to shape your sound
• Experiment with effects

Start with a melody:
• Choose from 261 synth sounds and 36 Melodic Sampler instruments
• Play your melody or chord progression with either the 25-pad grid or the piano roll
• Set a key and scale to get instantly harmonic results, or leave your options open
• Overdub more layers of harmony
• Change parameters to shape your sound
• Add effects to experiment with sound design

Sample your environment:
• Create your own kits by recording percussive sounds into Note’s Drum Sampler
• Record tonal sounds to create your own Melodic Sampler instruments
• Manipulate your samples by cutting, filtering or repitching them
• Shape or transform your sounds with effects

Capture improvisations:
• Play something, then tap the Capture button to keep it
• Play at the tempo that feels comfortable and Note will detect it
• Note will recognize the length of the phrase
• A loop is created automatically
• Quantize it, add to it, or change the sound

Create variations:
• Note features a grid-based Session View layout
• Double your loops to create variation within clips
• Duplicate your clips and create different versions of your ideas
• Create eight tracks with up to eight clips on eight scenes
• Try different layer combinations and song structures
• Export your work in Session View as an audio file to listen and share"

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 »

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 »

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/"

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."

Hands-on with the Korg Volca range

Published on Aug 30, 2013 musicradartv·420 videos

"We examine and demo the new compact, affordable Volca Beats, Bass and Keys analogue instruments from Korg. Read our first look review here: http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/f...

[*Apologies for the slightly distorted sound, this is due to our camera and not the Volcas themselves!]"

KORG Volcas on eBay

Monoklon virtual ribbon synthesizer

YouTube Uploaded by UPROAR24 on Sep 16, 2011

"free vsti plugin plugins by philterplugs / minimalfabrik , Phil Monoklon virtual ribbon synthesizer, this is a freeware / donationware vsti plugin version roughly based upon the original Korg Monotron.
for more information visit.
http://www.minimalfabrik.net/3.html
http://www.minimalfabrik.net/5.html
http://www.kvraudio.com/db/monoklon-by-philterplugs
http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2011/07/11/minimalfabrik-releases-the-monoklo...
http://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/free-music-software-the-best-audio-app-an..."

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 »