Exploring The Genki Instruments Katla A $6K Volcanic Synth With Venus Theory

video upload by sonicstate

"@VenusTheory is one of the lucky people to have their hands on the @genkiinstruments Genki Instruments Katla, the Icelandic volcanic synthesizer priced around $6,000 (yes you did read that right).

As well as parts hewn out of the Icelandic Katla volcano, hence the name - it has five voices with a paraphonic architecture, individual level, waveform and octave controls for each oscillator.

The resonant filter has low pass and band pass modes, self-oscillation and a wave folder. Modulation has some unusual routings, with a 'volcano' (of course) LFO shape and a Skrida control that randomizes envelopes and levels per note.

As well as user presets it has a system which recalls patches per section, effects include reverb, analog drive and tape-style detuning, and recent firmware adds MPE.

We explore it together - and if you want to get a sense of what it can do - we have a set of Custom Decent Samples from Venus Theory for our own Decent Sampler UI available for YouTube Members and Patreon Supporters

And Venus Theory has his own Tephra instrument available here: https://venustheory.gumroad.com/l/vtt..."

Testflight Betas: Vekte and Tresse for iOS

Tresse 1.2.0 for iOS, VST3, AUv3 and Standalone video upload by Våld Labs

"Now TRESSE is a 39-engine, dual-layer polysynth built around 24 Mutable Instruments Plaits engines plus 15 custom engines. It has two independent 8-voice synth layers, three LFOs, two generative modulation lanes, a dual-playhead arpeggiator, delay and shimmer reverb, and a deterministic generative sequencer derived from VEKTE.

Each layer has its own synthesis engine, filter, envelopes and voice mode, so you can combine completely different synthesis methods in one patch and modulate the balance between them. It runs standalone or as an AUv3 in AUM, Drambo, GarageBand, Audiobus and other iOS hosts.

VEKTE is the other side of the idea: a 16-channel generative MIDI sequencer built around 36 deterministic algorithms, ranging from Euclidean rhythms, Fibonacci and random walks to cellular automata, logistic maps, harmonic systems, Tonnetz movement and more.

Each VEKTE channel contains a NOTE lane plus four independent MOD lanes. Those modulation lanes can control MIDI CCs, rhythm, harmony, probability, density, playback direction, algorithm parameters and even other generators, so patterns can evolve structurally rather than simply playing back notes.

A big part of both instruments is that their generative systems are deterministic. The same algorithm and parameters always reproduce the same result, so you can explore without losing something interesting you discover.

They also share a compact patch-sharing system.

With TRESSE, the entire patch, including both synth layers, all three LFOs, delay and reverb, the complete sequencer and both generative MOD lanes, can be encoded into a single TRS2 key of roughly 155 characters. TRESSE can turn that key into a QR code, export it as a 1080 × 1350 social card, or scan a patch directly from another screen or printed QR using the iPad/iPhone camera.

VEKTE uses the same idea for generative MIDI. A complete channel can be represented by a compact VKT2 Base62 key, typically around 43 to 130 characters. Because the patterns are deterministic, VEKTE doesn’t need to store every generated MIDI event in the key. It stores the recipe and reconstructs the exact pattern when it is loaded.

VEKTE can display those keys as QR codes, scan them directly with the iPad camera, and share individual channels or an entire 16-slot rig. It can also create 1080px Share Pattern cards containing the QR, key and caption, ready for the iOS Share Sheet, so patches and generative patterns can be exchanged through Messages, social media, forums or even from a screenshot.

That sharing system is something I’m particularly interested in developing further: instead of presets being files hidden inside an app, a sound or generative pattern becomes something you can post, photograph, print, send to somebody, and reconstruct exactly on another device.

The philosophy behind both instruments is the same: the art of shaping chaos. I’m interested in generative systems that can surprise you without taking control away from you. What you discover can be reproduced, edited, saved, performed and shared rather than disappearing into randomness.

They’re designed to complement each other as well: VEKTE can generate and evolve the musical structure while TRESSE turns that structure into sound, although both are complete instruments in their own right."

https://valdlabs.com

Walrus Audio Lum Texture Engine

video upload by Duskmos

"Today I'm taking a look at the Lüm from Walrus Audio - a granular texture engine that is part grain engine, part reverb, part tripped out mega multi-headed dotted delay type situation. It's a wild pedal that fills the silence between notes with tons of flair. Hang out while I give it a look with the OP-1 Field. Let me know what you think in the comments!"

The Crow Hill Company Announces POCKET STRINGS Plug-in for Free

The Best Strings Plugin Money CAN'T Buy??? video upload by CROW HILL

Press release follows:

The Crow Hill Company announces availability of popular POCKET STRINGS plug-in for free, bringing broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone

EDINBURGH, UK: around a year after its initial launch, not long after the Edinburgh-based enterprise effectively rebranded itself with an aesthetic that truly realises company co-founder and composer Christian Henson’s heartfelt dream of encouraging people to make music and help them on their journey, regardless of whatever point they were at and wherever their journey began, The Crow Hill Company is proud to announce that it has made its popular POCKET STRINGS — styled as a never-tried-before strings plug-in that aims to bring broadcast-grade string possibilities to everyone by combining live cinematic orchestral recordings of some of the best musicians working in the UK with some rarefied vintage synth classics made to measure for added body, depth, and character — available for free with no strings attached (but pun intended), as of August 6…

CLICK FOR MORE »

Schmidt: 8-Voice Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer in Dark Mahogany SN 003

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"This multifaceted instument is not for the faint of heart! With 8 voices and digital architecture, you have plenty of different options to play around with. There's a scratch under the hood as pictured, but otherwise this synth is in very good cosmetic shape. It is serial number 3 !!! These are very rare and this is a early one. Only 120 units made. Fully analog signal path. 4 oscillators and 5(!) filters per voice. 8 voices."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Baloran The River in White SN 00026

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional SYNTH CITY Listings

"This show piece is sure to take the cake when it comes to insane! With 8 Moog inspired voices and on board effects, this synth is going to blow your head off."

Specs From Baloran's Website:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Announcing SH5-VCF revision 2

video upload by gstormelectro

"Audio + Video by G-Storm Electro c. 2026

The SH5-VCF Eurorack filter is back baby! Revision 2 has all the phat, but none of the chaff. What's different than version 1? What's the same? How to use it, and oh - how does it sound? Let's go!

0:00 | Intro
0:23 | SO WHAT'S DIFFERENT NOW? WHAT's THE SAME AS BEFORE?
1:08 | Audio Demo #1 - Bass Res thing
1:22 | VCF/BPF INPUT/OUTPUT BEHAVIOR
2:00 | Audio Demo #2 - Crazy Dual Bandpass Res Bass
2:31 | USING A STEREO MIXER WITH SH5-VCF
3:41 | Audio Demo #3 - Overdrive
4:49 | 2 CV MODULATIONS FOR VCF CUTOFF FREQUENCY
5:35 | Audio Demo #4 - Noisy Mod


Be sure to check my Reverb store for module availability
https://reverb.com/shop/gstormelectro"

Minimal Electronica w/ TENORI-ON & MU15 MIDI Electric Piano | Splinkler 2026-08-05 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A minimal electronica piece where the sounds of the TENORI-ON and a simple MIDI electric piano blur and blend together.

On the TENORI-ON, a sequence is looped and sent into the TX-6 with a small amount of reverb. The signal is then processed through the ‪@HologramElectronics‬ MICROCOSM with additional reverb and layered micro loops. The PHRASE LOOPER is also used to repeat phrases, which are then played back in reverse.

TheYAMAHA MU15 provides a simple electric piano sound that is processed through the MOOD MKII to generate micro loops and add delay. The signal is then passed through the ‪@strymon‬ NIGHTSKY, where filtering and reverb transform it into a more abstract texture."

Indtroducing AcidBoxMynah

video upload by MoShang

"AcidBoxMynah is an alternative firmware that turns the Mynah into an acid groovebox. Based on the open source AcidBox project for ESP32. It provides an acid combo of tb303 + tb303 + tr808 like synths. Filter cutoff, reso, env mod, accent, wavefolder, overdrive within each 303, per-instrument tunings, hi-pass/lo-pass filter and bitcrusher in drums, send to reverb, delay and master compression

While the original project is headless, the AcidBoxMynah fork provides direct control with the Mynah hardware and adds a number of additional features detailed in the user Manual below. Like the original firmware, the AcidBoxMynah is open source and made available under the MIT license.

More info at https://groovesizer.com/"

Update: press release follows:

"Hot on the heels of Mynah's launch this past May, Groovesizer has released AcidBoxMynah - a free, open-source alternative firmware that transforms the ESP32-S3-based sampler into a dedicated acid groovebox.

Built on copych's open-source AcidBox project, AcidBoxMynah takes what was originally a headless engine and gives it a full physical UI on Mynah hardware - 24 tactile switches, an 8×2 NeoPixel grid, OLED display, and a single pot for hands-on parameter control. Under the hood, it's a combo of two TB-303-style synths plus a TR-808-style drum machine, with filter cutoff, resonance, envelope mod, accent, wavefolder and overdrive per synth voice, plus hi-pass/lo-pass filtering and bitcrushing on the drums, all routed through send effects and master compression.

The Mynah fork adds a 16-step sequencer with per-step note, accent and slide editing, 16-lane synth and 8-lane drum automation, scale quantization, swing, and manual Sequencer Mode in addition to the original's autonomous Jukebox Mode. Quality-of-life additions include runtime drum kit browsing, per-voice muting, and pot-lock to prevent accidental parameter jumps.

Like the original AcidBox, it's fully open source under MIT license.

Switching is effortless. Owners can flash AcidBoxMynah straight from the Mynah web app's firmware tab and swap back to standard Mynah firmware anytime - AcidBoxMynah keeps its own folder on the SD card, so nothing overwrites or conflicts with existing samples and patterns.

AcidBoxMynah is available now at groovesizer.com/acidbox-mynah."

Korg Opsix DeadMau5 style Arps | UAD Eventide Harmonizer | TeknoBaby |

video upload by TeknoBaby

"Opsix playing classical arps. Going into UAD Eventide Harmonizer with reverb and delay added. Bass drone is done by Moog Sub37."

First patch ‘flute monster’ - Error Instruments Cloudbusting

video upload by Lo-Fi-Si

"Error Instruments - Cloudbusting
Walrus Audio - Qi Etherealizer

First patch. I love the Error Instruments vibe. Paul Tas is a really interesting creator. But this is the one device I’ve been waiting to get hold of. Mainly for the ‘plum’ CV input mode which creates these wonderful flute like tones. Trying to work out how the different controls interact is quite a task as the functionality changes for each mode. I’m not a great fan of the ‘clips’ for patching as they are really fiddly. The build quality is fantastic though. Very solid and tidy.

Anyways, this is sending the main output to the Plum mode, with use of the drone and FM modes too.

Etherealizer is adding delay, reverb and +octave granular."

Ambient Music with Hamon & volca fm2 | Approach 2026-08-04 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"An ambient piece featuring Hamon(波紋音) sounds and tones from the ‪@KORG_INC‬ volca fm2.

A piezo element is attached to the Hamon. The signal is processed through the ‪@ChaseBlissAudio‬ MOOD MKII and ‪@strymon‬ blueSky.

On the volca fm2, synth pads are performed and processed through the ‪@HologramElectronics‬ MICROCOSM with deep reverb.

An NT-4 microphone is used to record the sound of a small gong."

Introducing Oktopus Synthesizer for Win / Mac / iOS

video uploads by Vyacheslav “Tatreal” Koristov

Playlist:
1. Oktopus Synthesizer Win / Mac / iOS
2. Oktopus Synthesizer VSTi Tutorial
3. Presets Preview - Oktopus Synthesizer VSTi

"Oktopus is a powerful, deep synthesizer and production environment built from the ground up for advanced sound design, live performance, and music creation on Windows/Mac/iOS.

Features:
8-block synth architecture for layered and evolving sounds
MPE and MIDI input support
AUv3 instrument support for compatible hosts
Sample loading, slicing, and playback tools
Built-in recording and sample export workflow
Per-block arpeggiator and sequencing controls
LFOs, modulation routing, and performance macros
Factory presets and factory samples included
Flexible effects chain with EQ, distortion, bitcrusher, compressor, phaser, flanger, chorus, filter, delay, and reverb
Touch-friendly interface for iPhone and iPad music creation

TRY: https://tatreal.pro/oktopus/

Oktopus is made for producers, composers, and experimental musicians who want a powerful synth environment that can move from quick ideas to detailed sound design."

Serge Medusa & Siegfried

video upload by Akihiko Matsumoto

"Reverb: GravityVerb https://akihikomatsumoto.sellfy.store...

Serge Modular Synth (Sample Pack) https://akihikomatsumoto.sellfy.store..."

Sequential Circuits Six-Trak, Roland JD-Xi & Boss RC-505 song More than six voices 3.8.2026.

video upload by Veli-Matti Rautio

"Took Boss RC-505 looper to expand Six-Trak's six voice polyphony. Also Roland JD-Xi made additional drums, percussios and bass. Six-Trak's sounds were track 1 11: Brass 3, track 2 03: Synth with resonance, track 3 05: Ariel, track 4 07: Plucky 1 and track 5 08: Son of org, lead 30: Donald Duck organ. JD-Xi additional snare drums, cymbals and Analog Tone bass with arp to track 1. RC-505 master clock, five track loops, Simple Beat 2 style also pan, chorus and reverb effects used. Sony FDR-AX43A video camera. Track 1 bass part is familiar to Gary Numan Cars song :) Composed, played, arranged and improvised by me in Studio Tupos 3.8.2026. Nr. 1669.
Otin sitten taas vaihteeksi Boss RC-505 loopperin mukaan musantekoon. Sain sillä laajennettua Six-Trakin kuuden äänen polyfoniaa loopperin viidelle raidalle. Käytin Six-Trakista kuusi soundia. Mukana myös Roland JD-Xi se tarjosi snaret, cymbaalit ja analogisen bassoarpin. RC-505 tallensi viisi raitaa, kellotti kaiken sekä tarjosi pan, chorus ja reverb effut. Kuvaamisessa käytin Sony FDR-AX43A videokameraa. Kappaleen toisessa synabassoraidassa yhtäläisyyksiä Gary Numanin Cars-biisin synabassokuvioon."

Oberheim OB1 - Serviced and Memory Upgraded SN 0242

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

via this Reverb listing

"This has the essential Tauntek memory upgrade installed, giving you 64 memory slots and the ability to reedit sounds once saved amongst other features.

It's been recently fully serviced and thoroughly tested, which included:

-Replacing all of the electrolytic and tantalum capacitors throughout the unit.
-New set of precision internal trimmers installed.
-Clean/lube of switches and pots.
-Keyboard has been fully refurbished - keys removed and cleaned, key contacts and buss bars polished, new set of bushes fitted.
-Full calibration.

The synth is in clean cosmetic condition overall, with only minor marks and blemishes."

Synth trivia: note this one has a red bordered serial number badge. Some have black borders.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Jomox Sunsyn - Version 2 SN 0014

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

via this Reverb listing

CLICK FOR MORE »

Minimal Music w/ OP-1 field Piano, Nord Lead & Marimba | Bookstore on a rainy day 2026-08-02 by atnr

video upload by atnr

"A minimal piece featuring lo-fi piano loops, synth pads, and marimba sounds.

On the Nord Lead, synth pads are performed with reverb through the Specular Tempus.

On the OP-1 field, a piano sound from the Sampler is looped using the ENDLESS sequencer. The signal is processed through the GENERATION LOSS MKII for tape effects, then through the blueSky for reverb.

A minimal marimba loop is layered into the composition in Ableton Live."

Elektron Digitakt MK I SN AOS2026NV206-44

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional Three Wave Music Listings

CLICK FOR MORE »

Moog Memorymoog SN 2268

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

via this Reverb listing

"The Memorymoog is a classic for its epically fat sound! Though it's not a Plus, we actually prefer non-plus Memorymoogs around here as they are significantly more reliable. This particular unit is in beautiful cosmetic condition as well.

This Memorymoog was previously serviced by Memorymoog specialist Jareth Lackey at Synthpro, and all of the work has been checked by us to make sure it is up to our standards as well. As a finishing touch, we installed our own Memory Liberator upgrade which allows perpetual storage of patch memory without a battery.

This Memorymoog also comes with a Moog 1122 Dual Footswith Pedal, and original owner's manual.

S/N 2268

We believe in transparency when selling “pro serviced” synths so always include documentation of what services every synth we sell has received. Our approach to servicing vintage instruments entails both making sure every synth is working 100% now, and eliminating common failure points to preempt future issues.

This unit received the following services while it was here with us:

Primarily serviced by Jareth Lackey at Synthpro Restorations, we don't have the original invoice but here is what we can tell was done:

Power supply updated
all electrolytic capacitors replaced
Unreliable chips (analog switching ICs, op amps, resistor arrays) replaced
Controls cleaned
Tuning trimmers replaced
Fully tuned and calibrated
Here at Bell Tone:

Memory Liberator F-RAM memory upgrade installed, battery no longer needed and removed!"

CLICK FOR MORE »